>>> 🐧NEW ONE WBA 2026 🐧 <<<STAY TUNED 165DA/CMSB11 – In the Heart of the Is Arenas Mine (by 165DA101 Alex)/ 3 PTS (H)/2 PTS (A) / DATE: 13/09/2026 start @ Stay Tuned UTC / Freq. stay tuned on WhatsApp WBA news / PROVINCE 117 ( Medio Campidano )/  Historical Region HR02 ( Monreale ) / Municipality A359 ( Arbus ) 

ANT: 3 EL. SKYPPER / PW 270W / Pts(A):1Base+1N.One=3

📜 OFFICIAL PORTABLE ACTIVATION REPORT: 165DA/CMSB11 🌲⛏️

🚙 THE PANDA 4X4 CONQUERS THE ROUGH TRAILS OF IS ARENAS: AMONG MINING HISTORY AND SPECIAL DX

The radio-trekking adventure along the Santa Barbara Mining Trail (CMSB) wrote a new, exciting chapter today with the eleventh stage (165DA/CMSB11). On paper, the goal was about 51 km to reach the destination, but in the field, the final ten kilometers proved to be truly tough and demanding.

🏔️ Tough Off-Roading and Pure Resilience with the Panda 4×4

The road presented itself immediately as unpaved and very rugged. In the very last stretches, in particular, the ground was strewn with large boulders and stones, evidently displaced and uncovered by the rushing water of the recent storm. It is precisely in situations like this that the trusty white Fiat Panda 169 4×4 shines: without hesitation, the Panda powered straight through, climbing everywhere with great ease, overcoming every obstacle, and allowing us to reach our destination in complete safety.

The clearing chosen as our operating spot was located just 130 meters away from the official track of the eleventh stage—a privileged location chosen specifically for its excellent altitude and favorable radio exposure. The setting was exceptionally quiet and peaceful: not a single person passed by during the entire operation. However, several curious bumblebees kept popping inside the Panda’s cabin. While I know they rarely sting, their persistent presence was somewhat annoying… fortunately solved thanks to the environmental and repellent spray we always keep on board! 🐝🚫

📡 Unstable Propagation but Packed with Memorable DX Treats

From a radio-electric standpoint, the day offered a very fluctuating picture: propagation was decidedly unstable, yet capable at the same time of rewarding our efforts with truly unique and special contacts.

Among the most significant QSOs of the session are:

• Lars (153) and William (44EK025) down in South Africa, providing a distinctly exotic flavor to the log.
• A very pleasant surprise with two connections toward the Scandinavian Peninsula.
• The wonderful return of our Irish friends, heard on the air again after a long time.

🏁 CONCLUSION AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE FIELD

Overall, the Is Arenas Mine activation proved to be an extraordinary experience. Not only because of the contacts logged, but above all for the incredible opportunity to explore this wild corner of the Sulcis region, deeply steeped in history and fascinating testimonies of past mining activity.

The backpack is zipped up, the Panda 4×4 is ready for the trip back, and our sights are already set on the upcoming stages of this fantastic radio-trekking marathon.

Best 73’s, 51 and great DX de Alex 165DA101, XYL & the Panda 4×4 Crew! 📻🙏 👋 QRZ… Stage 11 successfully in the log!

📻 165DA/CMSB11 – In the Heart of the Is Arenas Mine: Between Mining History and Wild Nature! 🌲⛰️

The radio-trekking adventure along the Santa Barbara Mining Trail (CMSB) continues unstoppable! For this eleventh stage, scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, operator Alex 165DA101, together with his faithful travel companion Giacomino and the inseparable white Fiat Panda 169 4×4, will venture into one of the most evocative, rugged, and history-rich landscapes of the entire trail: the mining area of Is Arenas (Monti Mannu).

🗺️ The Route: From the Mountain to the Heart of Is Arenas

Inspired by the official route connecting Monti Mannu to Is Arenas, this stage represents a deep dive into the mining past of southwestern Sardinia. The trails wind through majestic wooded valleys, abandoned old mining infrastructure, and breathtaking views that unite the wild mountain with picturesque coastal dunes and forests.

For this portable activation, the station will position itself in a strategic location near the mining sector, precisely at coordinates 39.40331, 8.56342, leveraging the legendary off-road capabilities of the Panda 169 4×4 to reach the beating heart of the operational area in total safety and autonomy.

📡 Activation Details

• WBA / CMSB Reference: 165DA/CMSB11
• Date: September 13, 2026
• Start Time: Stay Tuned UTC
• Mode: USB (11 Meters)
• QTH Locator / Coordinates: 39.40331, 8.56342 (Is Arenas Mine / Monti Mannu)
• Operational Support: White Fiat Panda 169 4×4 & Skipper Antenna
• Dedicated Live Log: Follow the live log here

Prepare your antennas, tune your VFOs, and get ready to point your beams toward Sardinia to collect another unmissable DX reference along the Santa Barbara Mining Trail!

Best 73’s, 51 and great DX de Alex 165DA101 & Giacomino! 📻🌐✌️

Are you in the Log? Click below.

LOG

19AT515 Ron 14DA20 Pascal 19LR1 Ger 14AT824 Philippe 1AT127 Luciano 14AT23 Jean Marc 1DA6 Sergio 14AT292 Bernard 26AT169 Bill 14EK11 Jack 30DA10 Sergio 30DA202 Javier 165AT448 Franco 14AT259 Allan 14AT350 Didier 14GT54 Gérald 14AT145 Philippe 14EK154 Daniel 14CI177 Olivier 14AT247 Hervé 14RA41 Chris 1AT227 Livio 14AT114 Allan 14KM8310 Christian 1RC118 Vittorio 29LR49 Michael 16AT128 Stéphane 14AT75 Georgette 1AT114 Mauro 13DA285 Tommy 29AT101 Mike 1AT682 Giuliano 1AT1692 Willi 14AT661 Gérard 108AT46 Jim 14DA27 Thierry 14AT222 Willy 14RC283 Philippe 14LE1191 Manuel 26DX25 Paul 13AT13 Steve 14AT16 Bruno 13AT715 Pete 44EK25 William 35DA35 Frank 153DA102 Lars 1RIR5 Dario 34AT192 Nando 34AT116 Belen 29AT38 Tim 34ASM78 Ayoze 1LS93 Luca 1ALE13 Alessandro 30AT252 Pepe 1AT993 Piergiacomo 56SD173 Kristian 20BW281 Borge 161DA135 Sylvester 3KPI1 Fernando 109HA465 Csaba —————————— 19AT515 14DA020 19LR001 14AT824 1AT127 14AT023 1DA006 14AT292 26AT169 14EK011 30DA010 30DA202 165AT448 14AT259 14AT350 14GT054 14AT145 14EK154 14CI177 14AT247 14RA041 1AT227 14AT114 14KM8310 1RC118 29LR049 16AT128 14AT075 1AT114 13DA285 29AT101 1AT682 1AT1692 14AT661 108AT046 14DA027 14AT222 14RC283 14LE1191 26DX025 13AT013 14AT016 13AT715 44EK025 35DA035 153DA102 1RIR005 34AT192 34AT116 29AT038 34ASM078 1LS093 1ALE013 30AT252 1AT993 56SD173 20BW281 161DA135 3KPI001 109HA465