>>> 🐧NEW ONE WBA 2026 🐧 <<< 165DA/CMSB13 – Among the Mysteries of Malacalzetta and San Benedetto (by 165DA101 Alex)/ 2 PTS (H)/3 PTS (A) / DATE: 22/09/2026 start @ 08.00 UTC / Freq. stay tuned on WhatsApp WBA news / PROVINCE 119 ( Sulcis Iglesiente )/ Historical Region HR01 ( Sulcis Iglesiente ) / Municipality D639 ( Fluminimaggiore )
ANT: 3 EL. SKYPPER / PW 270W / Pts(A):2 Pota+1N.One=3
📜 OFFICIAL PORTABLE ACTIVATION REPORT: 165DA/CMSB13 🌲⛏️
🚙 THE PANDA 4X4 TAMPS MALACALZETTA: HIGH ALTITUDES, TOP-TIER DX, AND WORKERS IN THE FIELD
The radio-trekking journey along the Santa Barbara Mining Trail (CMSB) reached a new and memorable milestone today, September 22, 2026, with the thirteenth stage (165DA/CMSB13), operated from a stunning elevated area near the historic Malacalzetta mining complex.
🌄 Early Morning Start and Tough Off-Roading with the Panda 4×4
The alarm went off early: departure around 07:00 local time, following the route perfectly planned in advance, utilizing the tried-and-true track toward the Arenas mine before turning off at the targeted junction for Malacalzetta.
Despite this smart route choice, the final 3 kilometers truly tested endurance and off-road capabilities: the Panda 4×4 had to tackle extremely steep climbs and a very rugged, irregular roadbed packed with rocks and sharp elevation changes. Once again, the trusty white Fiat Panda 169 4×4 showed exceptional mettle, climbing with surgical precision all the way to the predetermined spot.
We found ourselves at a remarkable 686 meters of altitude, immersed in an enchanting yet deeply wild and untamed landscape. During setup operations, the station received an unexpected visit: two workers from a company engaged in securing the area’s old mining shafts stopped by out of curiosity, asking what our unusual radio activity among the remnants of Sardinian mining history was all about!
📡 Extraordinary Propagation: The Masterstroke with 271DA/0 and Worldwide DX
From a radio-electric standpoint, the session delivered intense thrills thanks to a very dynamic and peculiar propagation pattern.
- The Highlight of the Day: The absolute biggest surprise was contacting the DXpedition 271DA/0, successfully logged via short path by beaming at around 30 degrees!
- Growing European Openings: Initially, we capitalized on small, fleeting openings toward Central-Northern Europe, progressively registering an increasingly solid, strong, and stable propagation toward Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and the UK.
- Final Score and Extra Gems: The session wrapped up with an excellent haul of 68 QSOs logged, enriched by top-tier intercontinentals including Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
🏁 CONCLUSION
Stage 13 closes with an extraordinary balance: effort and hard work rewarded by a breathtaking location at nearly 700 meters above sea level, the proverbial reliability of the Panda 4×4, and a logbook packed with DX gems that further enrich this fantastic marathon along the Santa Barbara Trail.
The backpack is zipped up, frequencies fall silent, and the crew is already ready to look ahead.
Best 73’s, 51 and great DX de Alex 165DA101, XYL & the Panda 4×4 Crew! 📻🙏 👋 QRZ… Stage 13 successfully in the log!
📻 165DA/CMSB13 – Among the Mysteries of Malacalzetta and San Benedetto: Mining Archaeology and Peaks in the Sulcis! 🌲⛏️⛰️
The radio-trekking journey along the Santa Barbara Mining Trail (CMSB) continues without stopping. For the thirteenth stage, scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, operator Alex 165DA101, always in company with his trusty plush toy Giacomino and aboard the inseparable white Fiat Panda 169 4×4, will head into an area of extraordinary historical and naturalistic charm, moving along the route that connects the karstic complex of Su Mannau to the historic area of San Benedetto.
🗺️ The Route: From Su Mannau to San Benedetto Passing Through Malacalzetta
Inspired by the official trail of the path, this stage crosses a rugged and magnificent territory, characterized by imposing evidence of industrial archaeology and old mining paths immersed in greenery. For this portable activation, the station will position itself in a strategic and panoramic spot: an elevated area located near the famous Malacalzetta mining area, precisely at coordinates 39.373, 8.53821 (municipality of Fluminimaggiore). Once again, the legendary off-road capabilities of the Panda 169 4×4 will allow us to reach the operating point in total autonomy and safety.
📡 Activation Details
- WBA / CMSB Reference:
165DA/CMSB13 - Date: September 22, 2026
- Start Time: 08:00 UTC
- Mode: USB (11 Meters)
- QTH Locator / Coordinates:
39.373, 8.53821(Malacalzetta Area / Su Mannau-San Benedetto Route) - 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 among the wonders of the Santa Barbara Mining Trail!
Best 73’s, 51 and great DX de Alex 165DA101 & Giacomino! 📻🌐✌️
Are you in the Log? Click below.
| LOG |
| 1AT227 Livio 14EK154 Daniel 161DA135 Sylvester 13AT715 Pete 165AT448 Franco 1AT127 Luciano 1RC118 Vittorio 13DA285 Tommy 153DA102 Lars 1AT114 Mauro 14DA20 Pascal 14AT23 Jean Marc 1AT535 Alessandro 14RA41 Chris 271/41DA981 Giovanni 56DX113 Panu 14AT292 Bernard 19AT515 Ron 56AT108 Juha 165PAT104 Pierpaolo 56AT137 Peter 14AT824 Philippe 13EK19 Andy 165WM113 Luigi 14AT145 Philippe 14AT661 Gérard 14AT247 Hervé 14LE928 Bruno 56SD173 Kristian 13AT666 Markus 165AT131 Riccardo 79RC531 Ted 14GT54 Gérald 1AT158 Gino 56LR555 Hannu 14DA26 Nicholas 26DX25 Paul 1DA1 Gaetano 34DA101 Berto 153AT102 Fred 3KPI1 Fernando 34DA183 Juan Carlos 91AT109 Agus 1PAT198 Maurizio 19LR1 Ger 13SD114 Matt 14AT16 Bruno 1AT14 Vincenzo 1SD14 Fabio 14DA59 Jack 34AT192 Nando 43KN3 John 68AT108 Richard 68AT121 Robert 14AT222 Willy 56TR277 Timo 1EK115 Emanuele 68AT142 Paul 26AT22 Ron 13LR741 Sebastian 26AT80 Harry 108DD108 Alan 108RC2 Ben 108AT109 Ron 108AT46 Jim 1AT400 Vittorio 1AT771 Marco 14CI177 Olivier ——————— 1AT227 14EK154 161DA135 13AT715 165AT448 1AT127 1RC118 13DA285 153DA102 1AT114 14DA020 14AT023 1AT535 14RA041 271/41DA981 56DX113 14AT292 19AT515 56AT108 165PAT104 56AT137 14AT824 13EK019 165WM113 14AT145 14AT661 14AT247 14LE928 56SD173 13AT666 165AT131 79RC531 14GT054 1AT158 56LR555 14DA026 26DX025 1DA001 34DA101 153AT102 3KPI001 34DA183 91AT109 1PAT198 19LR001 13SD114 14AT016 1AT014 1SD014 14DA059 34AT192 43KN003 68AT108 68AT121 14AT222 56TR277 1EK115 68AT142 26AT022 13LR741 26AT080 108DD108 108RC002 108AT109 108AT046 1AT400 1AT771 14CI177 |
