The story ......

Aretusa,

Greak nynpha, pursued closely through the grecian sea by river God Alfeo, was transformed into the homonymous source here in Siracusa, where, after centuries, four friends Amateurs Radio ( IT9AXZ IT9HLR IT9WDY IT9YRE ), reminding nynpha Aretusa, far seas and islands, form the group "Aretusa DX Team".

In 1987, section AR.I of Siracusa, organized the first Radio expedition on an island and since then three of our group were present radiooperating for the first time from Isola delle Correnti EU-025, IIA SR-0l.
After that experience we remained in stand-by up to 1994, year in which Salvo IT9HLR, suggested me to activate radio trasmissions from Isola di Ortigia. I agreed at once and 24/11/94, we started radio operations from
Ortigia island EU-025, IIA SR-06..

It was just during activities from Ortigia that we thought to organize something more important and better; Salvo and I had in our minds the same island: Porri island EU166, IIA RG-01 (Mediterranean sea). Meantime two more radioamateurs joined the group, Nando IT9YRE old DX'er, and Alfonso IT9WDY freshman of the group, but old sea-man. So started the adventure of the Team. At the beginning it seemed impossible to obtain the authorization to operate from the island, as it was in a military zone and, moreover, tied up by an archaeological bond. But, several months later, when hopes seemed lost, authorizations arrived (our best thanks to IT9IYZ and to IT9QQL). The first landing had no success owing to rough sea around the island. About one month later, we landed on the island with no problems. At 07:21 UTC of 15/06/95 we started the preliminary operations from "Porri island", an island inhabited only by sae-mews of 1000 mq.

Fortunately it was all for the best both for meteorological conditions and for electric generators,transceivers,computers. A good booty: 5000 qso, 3800 in phonics and 1200 in cw, VK9NS IT9AZS, I2MQP, IlJQJ and others, these amonq our better known interlocutors. An extraordinary experience which we repeated the following year in the same period. The Team, wonted intensely by IT9HLR ( a restless spirit) was realized. After those expeditions, we again activated "Ortigia isl." on April 26th 1997.

From 13th to l5th June 1997 "Milocca Rock", new one IIA SR-012, a few miles away from Siracusa. After Milocca, a new one and exactly "Galera Rock" from the 9th to lOth of August 1997, new one, IIA SR-013, situated inside "Porto Grande" of Siracusa.

We have planned to activate many other islands, as, besides Nando's electronic apparatus (IT9YRE),
we have also a boat bought by Alfonso (IT9WDY), the sealor of the group.

All this in the name of the IOTA

Special thanks to Mario IT9JPK, that had plained and now pays attention to our web site.