PR0T Team will be active from Trindade and Martim Vaz Archipelago, IOTA SA - 010, Brazil in November 2023.
Team - PY6RT, PY1ZV, PT2IC.
Recent DX Spots PR0T
PR0T Log search They will operate on 40 - 10m, 80 and 160 only if local condition allow, CW, SSB, FT8.
QSL via M0OXO, ClubLog OQRS, LOTW.
Information from PR0T team:
The team will stay in place for about 3 days during the change crew of the Brazilian Navy that resides on the island. We will be on the air from 10 to 40m. 80 and 160m only if local conditions allow. Due to the limited time of the dxpedition, we will use vertical multiband antennas. The operation will be held with 3 operators on land for CW/SSB and 9 remote operators for FT-8.
Remote operators - PY4AZ, PY8WW, PY7RP, PY5EG, PY2XB, PY5KD, PY2WAS.
In the Atlantic Ocean lies the Brazilian archipelago of Trindade e Martim Vaz (Arquipélago de Trindade e Martim Vaz), which consists of 5 islands of volcanic origin. They belong to the state of Espiritu Santo and are officially considered uninhabited, but are famous for their pristine nature and diverse wildlife. Tourists come here to find the treasure that, according to legend, was once hidden here by a famous pirate named Benito Bonito.
Description of the archipelago Trindade and Martin Vaz
Trindade e Martin-Vas is 1,200 kilometres from the mainland coast and covers an area of 10.4 square kilometres. The name of the archipelago consists of 2 parts, denoting two island groups:
Trindadee Islands - this name was given to them in honour of the feast of the Holy Trinity. This is the largest piece of land, which has the shape of a rectangle and is a stratovolcano. Its age is estimated by researchers at 2 million years. The entire coastline here is riddled with rocks, and the relief is represented by mountains. The highest point is called Di Moraes and reaches 620 metres above sea level. The total area of Trindadee is 10 square kilometres.
Martin-Vas Islands - this name was given in honour of the explorer and navigator Martin Francisco Vas. The islands are about 50 kilometres from Trindadee and are steep cliffs with impregnable shores. They have a total area of 0.3 square kilometres. Martin Vasa includes islands such as:
- Rochedo da Angulha - is a cliff with gentle shores and a flat top;
- Racha (Martin-Vas) - it is the largest in this group of islands and has gentle shores that are studded with rocks and boulders;
- South - considered the most inaccessible part of the land and is a sheer cliff;
- North - known for its rocky and inaccessible coastline.
Tourism development
The Martin-Vas Islands were discovered in 1501 by the navigator João da Nova, and Trindadee was discovered a few months later by Esteveo da Gama. The archipelago became part of Portugal and was under its authority until Brazil gained independence. People could not live on this territory for a long time, because of the remoteness it was difficult to provide them with everything they needed. Nevertheless, it attracted pirates and conquerors, scientists and vagabonds, and today the UN has declared the area uninhabited. However, about 150 people live here on watch.
They are mostly Brazilian sailors who keep the naval base alive. Also on Trindadee there is a scientific oceanographic station, where scientists conduct various studies. Tourists were only allowed to visit the archipelago in 2007, but due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure, it is not very popular. Currently, less than half a thousand travellers have visited it.
Wildlife
Tourists usually only visit Trindadee Island, which is famous for its lush greenery. Currently, 124 species of vascular plants have been officially registered here, 14 of which are endemic. The main representative of the flora in the archipelago is considered to be the giant fern. Sea green algae and lichens can be seen on the rocks, which are able to survive during low tides.
Among the animals on Trindade e Martin Vas are the feral animals (pigs, goats, etc.) that were once brought here by settlers. There are also various seabirds, including petrels and frigates, as well as yellow crabs living on the coast and in the mountainous areas. The coastal waters are home to a variety of fauna such as the green turtle, black spinorogue, lemon shark and yellow and white shark.
