English
SIERRA TANGO STORY
- by 1 S.T. 007- Sandro -
It was June 1986 when some good friends, as other previous times, met around a laid table in a little town called Rolo (Reggio Emilia). They were hearty eaters and also had a great love for Dx on 11 meters so they decided to found a radio association named S.T. from the abbreviation of the words "Sempre a Tavola" (always at table). In consequence of that meeting the first Qsl was born. It showed the Italian flag, the Region of Emilia-Romagna and a layed table with "salame" (salami sausage) and the "fiasco di vino" (flask of wine)!! HI HI !!
So the Qrz S.T. began to be heard more and more. In 1987 150 members were active in different Regions of Central and Northern Italy. The Group growed with intense participation in many Italian Provinces and also in South Italy, mainly in the Region of Campania. The first foreign joinings came from France, Finland, Faeroe, Reunion, Usa, Brasil, Uruguay, Guatemala, Kuwait and others.
Also the need of information and news for the members was satisfied by the "Giornalino" (little newspaper). The bulletin was formed with technical articles, notices and exchanged information among the members. In the course of the years it was improved in its graphic look and with many more pages. A famous motto appared for some years on the heading formed with the letters Sierra Tango:
Siamo Incompresi Eppure Rimaniamo Radio Affezionati
Tanto Altruismo Nobilita Gli Operatori
(We are Misunderstood Nevertheless We remain Radio Fond)
(So much Altruism Ennobles The Operators)
If I remember well the first Awards were instituted in 1988-89, but they were increased with many others in the following years up to 86 (at present they are many more) divided in different kinds of difficulty such as States, Capitals, Provinces, Isles and also in accordance with the number of contacts. The present Roll of Honour is full of names, but the record really belongs to some members of provinces located in South Italy.
In April 1990, at La Spezia, the O.I.A.R (Italian Organization of Radio Associations) was created by the Groups: C.A. - C.M. - S.A. - S.P. - S.T. - V.S. The aim was to try a legalization of the 11 mt. Band as this band had a great number of operators with a very good level of professionalism. Afterwards the "A.T." entered the OIAR, but for incompatibility with the other Groups, perhaps it was responsible for the end of that Organization.
During that period some events were organized, also of humanitarian aim like "For Davide", of historical kind "Stazione Commemorativa G. Marconi" for the Centenary of the Radio, the "Award Città di Genova", the activation of "Prato" as new Italian Province and many activations of Italian Islands: "Isola della Gaiola", "Isola di Nisida", "Isola di Giannutri" and the first world activation on 11 mt. of the "Isola di Montecristo". Afterwards the "Radio Day" and the following important countries: Nigeria, Niger, Somalia, Mongolia, Liberia, Turkey, Alaska, Iraq, West-Sahara.
In 1993-1994 the Sierra Tango had a very great increase of members and there was also the twinning with the Sierra Golf of Greece. Sicily and Sardinia joined the Group and in that time we had very many new members in Tuscany and Liguria. In 1995 an incredible number of joinings came from Spain and in many Italian Provinces the number of the members was next to 100. Unluckily that period was not good for North Italy because in Emilia Romagna ( Headquarters of the Group) only few members were active and some Founders resigned. In practice the Chairman was alone so that he had difficulty in making both ends meet!!!
In September of that year the Headquarters moved from Emilia Romagna to Tuscany. A new Board of Directors and a new Chairman were elected and also the Secretary, two Co-ordinators and some Directors. The Headquarters were placed in Prato and the editorial office of the "STNews" in Naples. The material was renewed partially with new Qsl cards included the Qsl issued to commemorate the "10th Anniversary" of the Group. .
In January 1996 the Group partecipated with a good success to the contest "96 ore di Radio" (96 Hours of Radio) of the Mike Sierra and other groups. Many activations of islands and provinces were effected so it is impossible to report all. The contacts with the U.K. were increased and chiefly with Wales that is growing more and more. In June "Ten Years of Life". A good aim! Isn’t that so? For this special event the Group issued a little golden bronze coin in a limited number of pieces: our "Ten Sierra Tango". Maybe this little story is too concise and I apologize if some event is missing. Anyway we can stop here saying our Group (up to the present) has 570 members in 40 Italian Provinces of 12 Regions and 73 countries all over the world. Many thanks to anyone believing in 27 Mhz. friendship!!!
My best 73s & 51s and good DX of course.
Ex 1 S.T. 007-Sandro
Translated by 1 ST 011 - Luigi