>>> ๐งNEW ONE WBA 2026 ๐ง <<< 165DA/HV03 – Fisherman’s House (by 165DA101 Alex)/ 4 PTS (H)/4 PTS (A) / DATE: 11 April 2026 start @ 10.00 UTC / Freq. stay tuned on WhatsApp WBA news / PROVINCE 119 ( Sulcis Iglesiente)/ย Historical Region HR01 ( Sulcis Iglesiente ) / (Municipality E086 ( Gonnesa )ย
ANT: 3 EL. SKYPPER / PW 270W
๐ World Beauties Award WBA 165DA/HV03 Activation Report โ Portopaglia Beach
Operator: 165DA101 Alex Location: Portopaglia Tower Beach (HV03) Setup: Light Field Station & Extreme Hiking
๐ฅพ The Adventure: Between Rocks and Saltwater
This was no ordinary walk. To reach today’s location, we faced a technical and decidedly complex hike. After an initial steep descent, the path turned into a balancing act along a jagged coastline, scattered with large boulders that had fallen from the cliffside (some very recently, serving as a reminder of nature’s power).
In several sections, the trail simply disappeared, forcing us to wade through the sea. The result? Our hiking boots were completely soaked, but our spirits remained high. The effort was amply rewarded upon arrival: Portopaglia Tower Beach welcomed us with an enchanting silence and a summer temperature of 26ยฐC, allowing us to stay comfortably in our swimwear.
๐ป The Station: Radio at the Water’s Edge
For this mission, I chose a light setup: lightweight batteries for easier transport in the backpack and a quick installation. I set up the field station just a few steps from the shoreline, with the waves practically stroking the supports.
๐ก Propagation and Log Analysis
The radio session was as fascinating as it was unpredictable.
- Unusual Opening: The session kicked off with a selective propagation towards Asia and Oceania. It was incredible to log division 242 (Vietnam) and 341 (East Timor) immediately, followed by several stations from division 91 (Indonesia).
- The Cliff Wall: While beautiful, the location presented a technical challenge: the massive rocky ridge behind us completely blocked the entire Southern zone, limiting our range.
- Difficult Europe: Unlike usual, the European continent was a tough challenge. Backscatter was almost non-existent, making every QSO a hard-fought achievement.
๐ Log Statistical Analysis
Looking at the data from the 39 QSOs achieved (a modest haul compared to standard results, but of very high quality given the difficulty):
| Continent | Main Divisions Logged | Key Notes |
| Asia / Oceania | 242, 341, 91, 153 | The first to respond with surprising signals. |
| Europe | 165, 14, 1, 13, 161, 35 | Extremely difficult to connect today. |
| Africa | 34 | Periodic connections. |
| South America | 3 | Signals at the limit. |
Top DX of the Day: Without a doubt, Vietnam (242) and East Timor (341), which opened the session in an unexpected way.
๐ Conclusion
It was an activation with a “wild” flavor. Although the number of contacts wasn’t a record-breaker, the quality of the Asian DX and the breathtaking beauty of the Portopaglia location made this an unforgettable day. Operating radio with your feet in the water after such a trek reminds us of the true meaning of our activations: passion, nature, and technological challenge.
Thanks to all the stations that had the patience to find me through the low backscatter. Until the next adventure!
73’s de 165DA101 Alex ๐ด๐๏ธ๐ป
โ๏ธ๐๐ฅพ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น
It is with great pride and a touch of deep emotion that we announce the upcoming activation for the World Beauties Award (WBA). This is not just a radio event; it is a journey into the soul of Sardinia’s coastline. ๐โจ
๐ป Activation Details: The Guardian of the Sea
- Award: WBA – World Beauties Award ๐
- Reference: 165DA/HV03
- Location: Casa del Pescatore (Fishermanโs House), Porto Paglia, Gonnesa (CI), Italy ๐ฎ๐น
- Operator: 165DA101 Alex
- Date: April 11, 2026
- Mode: Portable / Field Station ๐ก
๐ A Living Piece of Sardinian History
The Casa del Pescatore is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Sulcis Iglesiente region. Perched dramatically on a base of trachytic rock that juts into the crystal-clear sea, it appears to float between the sky and the Mediterranean.
Dating back to the 17th century (c. 1650), this structure was the beating heart of the Porto Paglia Tonnara (Tuna Fishery). Once a shelter for brave fishermen and a storehouse for the heavy nets and anchors of the “Mattanza,” it now stands as a timeless monument to the island’s maritime heritage. โ๏ธ๐
๐๏ธ A Special Dedication: Remo Ballisai
This activation carries a profound personal meaning. Alex (165DA101) will dedicate the dayโs operations to the memory of Remo Ballisai, the historic caretaker of this beautiful house. Known affectionately as “Il Guardiano del Mare” (The Guardian of the Sea), Remo was the human link between the stones of this house and the spirit of the ocean. By transmitting from this site, we keep his memory and his love for this coast alive over the airwaves. ๐๏ธ๐
๐ธ Why This Site is Unique
The synergy between our radio station and this location is unparalleled:
- The Architecture: Thick ochre walls and tiled roofs that have survived centuries of salt and wind. ๐
- The Atmosphere: A site so melancholic and beautiful it has served as the backdrop for countless fashion shoots and films. ๐ฌ
- The Sunset: Facing west, the station will be bathed in the fiery glow of the Sardinian sun as it dips behind the horizon. ๐
๐ก Join Us on the Air!
We invite all hunters and DXers to tune in and log this prestigious reference. This is more than a contact; it is a tribute to history, nature, and the “Guardians” who protect our world’s beauties.
Live Log: Follow the activation in real-time and check your contact status! ๐ป https://sbota.org/wba-live-log-165-sardinia/ ๐
Respect the Site: As we operate from this sensitive and private historical area, our team will ensure the utmost respect for the environment and the tranquility of this magical place. ๐ฟ๐คซ
73’s from the Sulcis Coast! See you on the waterfall! ๐๏ธ๐๐


Are you in the Log? Click below.
| LOG |
| 242/153DA102 Lars 91AT777 Hakiem 165AT448 Franco 14DA20 Pascal 14AT371 Michel 1AT227 Livio 14GT44 Pierrot 1AT127 Luciano 1AT771 Marco 153AT102 Fred 14DA26 Nicholas 91AT124 Yogi 341/43DA1 Darren 91AT149 Ari 1AT14 Vincenzo 1TW25 Claudio 1CI373 Luigi 1AT535 Alessandro 91EK127 Dani 1SR13 Andrea 34RC24 Cristo 161DA135 Sylvester 3AT59 Valdecyr 1AT682 Giuliano 34DA10 Saul 34DA183 Juan Carlos 14AT292 Bernard 34DA101 Berto 1AT1982 Daniele 1DA6 Sergio 1RC118 Vittorio 1SD14 Fabio 1TW316 Luca 34AT192 Nando 34AT116 Belen 35SSB79 Bjรถrn 14EK487 Jerome 3B3 Bila 3AT303 Renato —————————– 242/153DA102 91AT777 165AT448 14DA020 14AT371 1AT227 14GT044 1AT127 1AT771 153AT102 14DA026 91AT124 341/43DA001 91AT149 1AT014 1TW025 1CI373 1AT535 91EK127 1SR013 34RC024 161DA135 3AT059 1AT682 34DA010 34DA183 14AT292 34DA101 1AT1982 1DA006 1RC118 1SD014 1TW316 34AT192 34AT116 35SSB079 14EK487 3B003 3AT303 |
