>>> 🐧NEW ONE WBA 2026 🐧 <<< 165DA/CMSB15 – Activation at the Monumental Park of S’Ortu Mannu! 🫒🌲🏛️ (by 165DA101 Alex)/ 2 PTS (H)/4 PTS (A) / DATE: 28-29/09/2026 start @ 13.00 UTC / Freq. stay tuned on WhatsApp WBA news / PROVINCE 119 ( Sulcis Iglesiente )/ Historical Region HR01 ( Sulcis Iglesiente ) / Municipality L968 ( Villamassargia )
ANT: 3 EL. SKYPPER / PW 270W / Pts(A):2 Pota+ 1N.One+1Cts=4
Got 1 POINT BONUS for QSO with 165DA101 using Vertical Magnetic Antenna on 28 september.
165AT448 Franco
165PAT104 Pierpaolo
91AT109 Agus
34AT192 Nando
34AT116 Belen
📜 OFFICIAL PORTABLE ACTIVATION REPORT: 165DA/CMSB15 🫒🌲
⚡ FROM SWR CRISIS TO TRANSATLANTIC TRIUMPH: THE DOUBLE BATTLE OF S’ORTU MANNU AMONG THE MILLENNIAL OLIVE TREES
The radio-trekking journey along the Santa Barbara Mining Trail (CMSB) experienced with the fifteenth stage (165DA/CMSB15) one of the most gripping, technical, and twist-filled activations of the entire marathon, operated from the evocative and monumental park of S’Ortu Mannu in Villamassargia.
📉 Day 1 (September 28): The SWR Mystery and Troubleshooting
September 28 started under the best possible auspices, with the intention of carrying out a serene field activation immersed among wonderful millennial olive trees. Unfortunately, after the initial calls following the setup of the station, the SWR suddenly skyrocketed.
Operations were immediately suspended and the antenna taken down to hunt for the fault. Initial inspection of the SO239 connector showed no obvious unsoldered joints, leaving the problem shrouded in mystery. To avoid wasting the session entirely, the station was moved inside the trusty Fiat Panda 169 4×4, mounting the Twin Log on the roof. However, with weak and penalized propagation, after just 5 QSOs, the wise decision was made to suspend and return home to investigate calmly.
The diagnostic breakthrough came by examining the 75-ohm cable that acts as an RF choke and impedance matching stub in the Skipper:
- A few centimeters from the connector, a strange hole appeared on the outer jacket.
- Opening the jacket with scissors revealed the bitter truth: a heavily damaged area with carbon residues caused by high temperatures. There was a breakdown in the inner insulation of the center conductor, allowing the braided shield to touch the hot wire, creating a short circuit, high SWR, and thermal arcing.
- Solution: The damaged section of the cable was removed, and the SO239 connections were remade. The external test bench check passed with flying colors. The rig was ready for redemption!
📈 Day 2 (September 29): Redemption and the Transatlantic Opening
Determined to try again, on September 29 the team returned to the field, arriving around 15:00 local time and setting up the Panda-based portable configuration right in the parking lot of S’Ortu Mannu Park.
Transmissions began at 16:00:
- Terrible Initial Propagation: Early attempts across various azimuths revealed an almost complete closure, until it became clear that a backscatter between 90 and 150 degrees was working. Exploiting this window, the majority of QSOs were logged, alongside a few precious contacts with South America.
- The 18:26 Breakthrough: Suddenly, a massive surprise! 9AT92 Don emerged in the headphones with a solid 5/7: propagation toward North America had abruptly opened up!
- A Memorable DX Run: Fast-following came contacts with Northern Mexico, Michigan, Montreal once again, and—the cherry on top—a stunning and unexpected 5/9 SWL report from the Caribbean (Saint Martin Island).
🏁 CONCLUSION
Stage 15 proves once again that the 11-meter band never ceases to amaze. Between technical hitcuhps solved with precision DIY, the versatility of the Panda 4×4, and a heart-pounding logbook closure bridging North America and the Caribbean, S’Ortu Mannu will remain one of the most memorable pages of this tour!
Best 73’s, 51 and great DX de Alex 165DA101, Giacomino & the Panda 4×4 Crew! 📻🙏 👋 QRZ… Stage 15 successfully in the log!
165DA/CMSB15 – Among Ancient Millennial Olive Trees: Field Operation at the Monumental Park of S’Ortu Mannu! 㮝️
The radio-trekking adventure along the Santa Barbara Mining Trail (CMSB) continues its extraordinary journey! For the fifteenth stage, scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026, operator Alex 165DA101, accompanied by his faithful mascot Giacomino and aboard the inseparable white Fiat Panda 169 4×4, will move into one of the most enchanting and historic natural sanctuaries in southwestern Sardinia: the monumental park of S’Ortu Mannu in Villamassargia.
️ The Route: Exploring S’Ortu Mannu and the Villamassargia Territory
Inspired by the official fifteenth stage of the CMSB, this leg immerses us in a landscape where nature, history, and ancient traditions blend seamlessly. S’Ortu Mannu—meaning “the large vegetable garden/orchard” in Sardinian—is famous across the island for its breathtaking grove of monumental, centuries-old olive trees, some of which are true living sculptures like the famous Su Cannisoni. For this portable field activation, the station will set up directly inside this prestigious park using a low-impact, zero-footprint setup. Thanks to the reliable white Fiat Panda 169 4×4, the team will arrive smoothly to operate surrounded by these millennial giants.
Activation Details
- WBA / CMSB Reference: 165DA/CMSB15
- Date: September 28-29, 2026
- Start Time: 13:00 UTC
- Mode: USB (11 Meters)
- QTH Locator / Coordinates: S’Ortu Mannu Park, Villamassargia (CMSB Stage 15 Area)
- Operational Support: White Fiat Panda 169 4×4 & Low-Impact Portable Antenna Setup
- Dedicated Live Log: Follow the live log here
Prepare your beams, tune your rigs, and get ready to point your antennas toward Sardinia to log another spectacular DX reference from the shade of millennial olive trees!
Best 73’s, 51 and great DX de Alex 165DA101 & Giacomino! ✌️
Are you in the Log? Click below.
| LOG |
| 165AT448 Franco 165PAT104 Pierpaolo 91AT109 Agus 34AT192 Nando 34AT116 Belen 30DA10 Sergio 34DA183 Juan Carlos 1TW25 Claudio 14DA20 Pascal 14AT292 Bernard 1AT127 Luciano 1DA118 Vittorio 16AT128 Stéphane 14GT44 Pierrot 14RA41 Chris 173AT103 Bernard 14AT661 Gérard 14EK154 Daniel 3AT303 Renato 14AT23 Jean Marc 13AT715 Pete 13DA285 Tommy 34RC404 Yeray 3SKD8 José Mauricio 1AT114 Mauro 1AT771 Marco 1EK115 Emanuele 1AT14 Vincenzo 47DX54 Leif 108AT46 Jim 1AT40 Franco 14AT824 Philippe 1AT227 Livio 47DA103 Soren 153DA102 Lars 34AT106 Tino 3KPI1 Fernando 12AT140 Wilson 14AT145 Philippe 34DA101 Berto 1AT1692 Willi 1AT400 Vittorio 3SD25 Rogerio 14AT16 Bruno 9AT92 Don 14CI177 Olivier 9EK945 Steve 10IR200 Robert 2DA10 Jeff 24EK11 Gregorio 14EK102 Jean 161DA135 Sylvester 26DX17 Alan 1PAT198 Maurizio 1ALE13 Alessandro 14AT75 Georgette 3DA10 Marcio ——————————————— 165AT448 165PAT104 91AT109 34AT192 34AT116 30DA010 34DA183 1TW025 14DA020 14AT292 1AT127 1DA118 16AT128 14GT044 14RA041 173AT103 14AT661 14EK154 3AT303 14AT023 13AT715 13DA285 34RC404 3SKD008 1AT114 1AT771 1EK115 1AT014 47DX054 108AT046 1AT040 14AT824 1AT227 47DA103 153DA102 34AT106 3KPI001 12AT140 14AT145 34DA101 1AT1692 1AT400 3SD025 14AT016 9AT092 14CI177 9EK945 10IR200 2DA010 24EK011 14EK102 161DA135 26DX017 1PAT198 1ALE013 14AT075 3DA010 |
