Europa 2003
AF-009
November 25 to December 21, 2003

TO4E - TO4WW

EUROPA 2003 : WHY and HOW ?

A number of very rare DXCC entities owned by France exist across the world. Most of them are uninhabited. Among them are the Scattered French Islands in the Indian ocean. They include Tromelin, the Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova and - in particular - Europa Island (AF-009).
Administratively, the Scattered French Islands are neither a DOM-TOM or a Collectivit‚ territoriale. They have been under the authority of the Minister for the DOM-TOM since the 1st April 1960, and are governed by the Prefect of La Reunion. The islands are not part of the European Union territory. A permanent French military presence from the armed forces in the Southern Indian Ocean is there to preserve the sovereignty of France. The isolation of Europa is such that planning such an amateur radio operation without the support of the army is virtually impossible, and its strategic location plus its status of natural reserve make it a nearly impossible DXCC entity to activate.

In 2000, I started working on the project with Rafik F5CQ, Gerard F2VX and the support of Clipperton DX club. Convincing the military authorities of the interest of an amateur radio operation was a hard task. Fortunately, we obtained the support of General Daniel Brule‚ who was at the time Chief of France's Northwest region. Convinced of the impact of this operation in the media, he put his weight behind the project in spite of a heavy workload. Assigned to Paris in 2002, he has continued to help us and to invest time and effort in the EUROPA project.

With international tension growing after September 2001, the project suddenly collapsed when we were refused the authorisation to operate from Europa. But we remembered the old saying "if you are asked to leave through the door, get back in through the window" so we changed tack and rebuilt our dossier in early 2003 to present it to the highest army authorities in August. From that moment on, things went very quickly and we obtained the authorisation so eagerly awaited. However, there was the proviso that the operation could be cancelled should the international situation change. So we all crossed fingers, and waited to set foot on Europa...

Didier F5OGL

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IOTA : AF-009

Lat : 22° 20' South
Long : 040° 20' East

Locator : LGØ7EQ

Europa Island :

Europa Island is the largest of the Scattered French Islands of the Indian Ocean, with a land area of 30 km². It is a desert island situated in the Mozambique Channel, about 250 km West by North West of Toliara (Madagascar), half way between the East Coast of Africa and the West Coast of Madagascar.

Its shape is roughly circular, 7 km in the north-south direction, 6 km in the east-west direction. A shallow lagoon covers a fifth of the island on the North West corner (around 900 ha including some 700 ha of mangroves).

Flora includes mangroves near the lagoon, euphorbia on most of the island, filaos and coconut trees that have been planted by the French Meteorological Service.

Fauna is quite varied. There is a large colony of birds (frigates, gannets, terns) and large herds of wild goats. The island is also a migration site for pink flamingos. At certain periods during the year, there is an invasion of mosquitoes that make it impossible to venture outside after sun set. At a certain time of the year, sea turtles come here to lay their eggs.
Europa Island was already known at the time of the Compagnie des Indes and of the first French settlers in Madagascar. It is said to have been a haven for pirates fleeing the French Royal Navy. Two families from La Reunion lived there between 1905 and 1910, attempting to trade sisal and turtle scales. The main resource is sea products. Farming is very difficult because of the large number of rodents on the island.

Since 1949, a weather station is in operation. It is of high importance as it allows predicting cyclones in the Mozambique Channel, and to make sea and air navigation safer between South Africa and Madagascar.
Europa island has been established as a natural reserve (EEZ: 127 300 km²).

(minister for the french overseas Website)

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Propagation predictions : FR / E

Azimutal map

Predictions centered on 30 nov 2003 - Solar index 100 / K3 for average power and medium antennes. Knowing that big-guns may try when they get significant signal from us. We will take care to "open windows" to difficult paths contries and we should appreciate that everyone follows our notification to improve everybody's chance to work us. All time GMT, mostly rounded to half hour. 160 m predictions are mostly from Grey line opportunity (Blue) for East/West skip. The grey slots give the best opportunity for North/South propagation. We ask to all stations to follow this slots to give a chance to farest countries, when open. HDG is the heading direction for beam antennas in YOUR country to reach Europa. SP is Short path and LP is long path circuit prediction. Colors are green for good probability - more than 50% with good signal. Yellow is for medium probability with low level signal and orange is difficult. Changes of solar and geomagnetic figures may modify conditions. For 6 m band, monitor the beacon while we will listen in pause slots.

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QSL manager info :  

or via REF bureau

Donateurs :

HE9DWW (SWL) - K5CWR - W7HUY - F6KOP - F5PED - DJ8NK - F1AGS - W3JJ - PA3ARM - EH7KW - GØJHC - IT9EJW - F3SG - W6WI/N6ED - FR1GZ - FR5ZU - F8AQK - F8OP - F6HRP - N7MQ - K8OOK - W8WFN - F5CWU / F4EGS - F8LDX - F6IRO - F5FYO - KC9CNJ - W9RN - IØJX - IØWTD - W9RN - F5MSR - F5FYO - 5B4FL - F6CVR - K6HNZ - F6JOB/F8CIQ - HB9DDO - F6FFR - WØHH - F3AT - W1NH

Merci pour votre soutien actif au projet.

LINKS :

Europa Island photos by FR5ZU Jacques
Eparses Island by FR5ZU Jacques
Minister for the french overseas Website
Eparses Island by Gilles Boue
Europa Island report of Philippe Mespoulhé
ARRA - Reunion Island Amateur Association

Visite du "La Grandière"
 Les Nouvelles DX : Précédentes activités sur Europa