TX5T ATNO DXCC #325

Actually I wanted to close 2-3 band slots with TX5T as my logging program showed TX5T initially as Clipperton Islands. After the second QSO I realized that QRZ.com filled in the data with Australs Islands … and yesssss … it is Australs Island and it is a new DXCC for me in that case! Number #325!

OK, lets have a look at the map first!

It is 16.400 km away from my QTH and it is near the antipodal* from Europe.

Zooooooooom in ….

Raivavae is an island that is part of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia.

It covers an area of 16 km² and at the 2012 census had a population of 940. Its highest point is the top of an extinct volcano which is 437 meters high.

First sighting by Europeans was recorded by the Spanish naval officer Tomás Gayangos on board of the frigate “El Aguila” on 5 February 1775. Gayangos had taken over the command of the expedition of Domingo de Bonechea of 1774 after his death in Tahiti and was returning to the Viceroyalty of Peru. Main source describing this sighting is that of José Andía y Varela, pilot of the packet boat Jupiter that accompanied El Aguila in this return trip. On 6 February a boat was sent in, and made contact with the inhabitants at the shore edge, but landing was not made. Raivavae was charted as Santa Rosa by the Spaniards. The inhabitants said the name of their island was Oraibaba.

It was annexed by France in 1880.

source Wikipedia

More about the small DX-Pedition is here:  http://www.australs2017.com/  

So far 15m, 17m, 30m, and 40m are in the log and LotW confirmed!

Ahhhn forgot Antipde?
In geography, the antipode (/ænˈtɪpədiː/; from Greek: ἀντίποδε) of any place on Earth is the point on the Earth’s surface that is diametrically opposite to it. A pair of antipodes are two points that are antipodal /ænˈtɪpədəl/ to each other and are connected by a straight line running through the centre of the Earth. Such points are as far away from each other as possible, a great-circle distance of 10,800 nautical miles (20,000 km).

In the Northern Hemisphere, “the Antipodes” may be used to refer to Australia and New Zealand, and “Antipodeans” to their inhabitants.[1] Geographically the antipodes of Britain and Ireland are in the Pacific Ocean, south of New Zealand. This gave rise to the name of the Antipodes Islands of New Zealand, which are close to the antipode of London at about 50°S 179°E. The antipodes of Australia are in the North Atlantic Ocean, while parts of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are antipodal to New Zealand.

Source Wikipedia

73 and keep hunting!

Helmut