Chile
3G1P - Ilotes Pajaros (SA-100 New)
Grid Locator: FG48
August 18 to 23
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NEWS:
18 Jun 2025 The team decided to add a 2-element yagi for 10-15-20 m to their multiband vertical antennas. In view of the very limited space on the island, we appreciate that this yagi will help reduce interference between stations. 12 Jun 2025 The team continues to work on various continencies meant to ensure that all people (three operators and one helper) and materials will be successfully landed on the rock from the first attempt. As such, in order to take advantage of the most favorable sea conditions in early morning, we agreed with Juan, the head of our logistical team, to organize everything in only one transport from Caleta Lobos to Pajaros. This will require two boats instead of one, but it also offers the advantage that drivers will be able to support each other during the landing operation. Only Juan though will remain in stand-by, day and night, during our entire activity from the island. We are also re-evaluating the type of sealed drums we need to purchase, in view of the cost and available supplies, and look into having them tested. 30 May 2025 Following discussions with the Chilean Coast Guard, the team developed a Safety Plan, which included an identification of hazards, as well as the mitigation of various risks associated with them. The plan also specified the name of the person who will lead the logistical team from Caleta de Lobos. The document, prepared by Felipe with feedback from the rest of the team members, was transmitted to the Coast Guard on May 23, and we are happy to report that we received their approval today. Meanwhile, we are working on the logistical plan, and as part of it we purchased custom-made hypalone bags for the generators. These are somewhat similar to drybags, but much sturdier and heavier, made from rubberized polyurethane. These are the same type of components we have used for the Bouvet DXpedition in 2023 and will be using again in 2026. 19 May 2025 The operators will bring their own radios, amplifiers, and antennas, but everything else needs to be purchased in Chile and brought to Caleta Lobos. We will rent wet suits in Iquique, as well as a truck for the transportation of all the radio, camping, food, water, and fuel components. Meanwhile, we hired local fishermen to provide us with boating services, as well as continuous support to keep the wildlife at bay while we will be on the island. Apart from generators that had already been purchased, we need to buy coaxial and power cables, tents and camping equipment, including tables, chairs, cooking stove, mats or cots, sleeping bags, as well as sealed drums for the safe transportation of all small components and the collection and storage of various types of waste. While on Pajaros, the team will have cell phone coverage and will upload the log daily. However, we do not intend to spend time on the internet during the operation, and so please refrain from attempting to contact us over the email or WhatsApp. This is a really difficult project due to various hazards and associated risks, and we hope that island chasers will support our efforts. Therefore, we will be actively looking for any possible group and individual donations, which will be acknowledged timely on this website. 15 May 2025 The license for the special callsign has been issued to Felipe, and is valid between August 4 and 29. Meanwhile, Cezar and Johan received their reciprocal licenses from SUBTEL, which are valid for the entire month of August. Finally, local fishermen accepted to support our team with logistics in mid-to-late August, which is why the operation has been scheduled at the time indicated on top of this website. 10 Apr 2025 The team applied for reciprocal licenses, as well as for a special callsign. Meanwhile, we purchased two Honda EU22i generators. 26 Mar 2025 Since each team member will bring various radio components, we had to conclude on how to ensure that the team won't be missing anything. As such, a detailed listing of all necessary components was created and agreed upon, and a budget established. Local regulations require that we inform the Coast Guard of this project before attempting to land on the rocks. As such, we approached them, and upon their request are putting together a hazard and risk mitigation plan, in collaboration with the fishermen from Caleta Lobos. 24 Feb 2025 Felipe carried out a reconnaissance mission between Feb 20 and 23. He flew to Iquique, where he visited various stores and service providers in order to better understand what resources are available there and how we need to schedule them. Then, he travelled to Caleta Lobos, discussing our project with the fishermen and securing their support. He also arranged for a boat ride around the Pajaros rocks, and took various photos and video clips from close-by. The team considered this mission successful, and was energized to continue preparing this project. 2 Feb 2025 A team composed of Cezar (VE3LYC), Felipe (XQ7IR), and Johan (PA3EXX) plans to activate Pajaros Rocks, SA-100 New. These rocks are located in the north of Chile, about 100 km south of Iquique, in the vicinity of the fishermen's village of Caleta Lobos. One of these two rocks has a round shape with a diameter of just under 60 m, while the second one is oval in shape, about 60 by 30 m. Both rocks are very rugged, and landing can only be attempted by swimming to them and pacing against the waves. They also have very steep slopes, and host colonies of sealions and cormorants. 
Two reputed amateur radio teams attempted to land and operate from these rocks in 2018 and 2019, but their efforts were regretfully unsuccessful. Despite these setbacks, an independent project to bring Pajaros on the air continued to be pursued, but was initially postponed due to the covid pandemic, and then due to other DXpedition projects that emerged. Cezar and Johan carried out together several IOTA expeditions in the past. As such, they operated from Hershel (SA-031), Diego Ramirez (SA-097), Sandy (OC-294), and Escondida (SA-096). Escondida is a rather much similar rock to Pajaros, just but larger in size, about 100 x 35 m and not as steep. Consequently, we expect that the landing logistics and challenges in dealing with wildlife will be also similar. Felipe and Cezar will team up for the upcoming 3Y0K DXpedition to Bouvet, which is scheduled for February 2026. It was during their discussions on Bouvet that joining forces on Pajaros came into focus, and a concrete plan for the latter began to be developed. Together with Johan, they worked closely in planning how best to handle every single aspect of this project. Check also the following DX resources: 
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AB5EU - Trevor CT4NH - Luis DK6NJ - Helmut DL4KQ - Frank DL6JGN - Hans DL6KVA - Axel EA8AKN - Tony F4GYM - Fabien F4WBN - Christian G4BWP - Fred G4VMX - Tony HA5JP - Attila I4GAD - Enrico I4GAS - Gastone IN3ASW - Gianni JA4GXS - Ken JA7BWT - Aki JF7RJM - Nao JH1OAI - Aki JM1PXG - Toshi K0DEQ - Bill K6FW - Frank KD1CT - Bob KP4PK - Greg N6NO - Merv N9BX - Bruce N9EAJ - John OE3EVA - Ernst OE3KKA - Karl OE3RPB - Rei OE3SGA - Gus OE3WWB - Willy OE6IMD - Michael OH2BCK - Ulf ON4VT - Danny OZ1HPS - Lars OZ4O - Ole PE1NCP - Martin S57L - Janko S58N - Miloslav SM3DMP - Tom SM3EVR - Tord SM5FWW - Leif SM6CVX - Hans VE3JV - Wayne VE7JH - Gabor VE7QCR - Pat VK3QI - Pat VK5MAV - Andy W1NG - Ken W5BOS - Lanny W5GAI - Skip W5PF - Paul W7BEM - Chip W8JRK - Joe WA4MIT - Morris WD8PKF - Alan |
