Story 30DX/E-047 /E-249 /E-398 24/06/2009 24th of June is a bank holiday in my country, and it was a good opportunity to go out again in the brand new Zodiac after the success a couple of weeks earlier to Formigues islands. The target this time was a brand new IOTA referenced island in the EU-078 group called Brancs Canyelles, near the nice village of Roses in the heart of Costa Brava, on the North East coast of Spain. Besides, 2 more islands were nearby, Castell d'Omella island E-249 and L'Ullastrell island E-398, just a few hundred meters away from each other, so there was a chance to put a total of 3 islands on the air in 1 day ! I must admit I was rather nervous the previous night, thinking about the expeditions. I was going to be alone, in a little rubber boat, right in the middle of the sea on a rock that I only saw on a few pictures found in internet...and the rock really looked very small. I knew that the weather and the sea conditions had to be excellent if I wanted to be successful from Els Brancs. It took me a while to fall asleep, and the following day I had to wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning, so that I could arrive to Roses early enough to find a smooth sea. The trip from my QTH to Roses took me 2 and a half hours...but I was lucky enough finding a car park just in front of Canyelles beach, departure point with the Zodiac. Inflating and setting up the boat in the middle of the street was quite a show for some German tourists who were waiting for their excursion bus which would probably take them to Creus Cape or another beautiful place of the Costa Brava. The day was clear, the sea was so calm, and it was 9:30 in the morning. Time to start up the 2,5 HP engine of the boat and head up to Brancs Canyelles ! Although it was rather early, the marine traffic was already rather crowded with fishing boats, diver's boats and big cruises which sailed from Roses to Cadaques village. One of these cruises, I would say the biggest one, passed by me really close ! And the wake produced by her put me on a little compromise half way to Els Brancs. After the little shock I proceeded to those rocks, which were slowly getting bigger and more friendly than how they looked on those pictures. Once at the rock, time to disembark. Fortunately the islands were big enough and had a nice landing point with shallow waters. And a DXer stepped for first time on those rocks ! The propagation was not bad, but there were not many operators active that day, as it was a weekday and many people was working. However, I was so happy to accomplish that target on my own...and I may come back to those rocks again one day, knowing how "easy" it was...or was I just "lucky"? Time for the 2nd target of the day, Castell d'Omella island. It was already around 1300hrs and the wind had raised a bit. The sea was not as nice as in the early morning and the trip from Els Brancs to Omella was not as quiet as the early morning one. However, we managed to make it after about 20 minutes sailing. It was around 1400 hrs when I had everything ready to start. Pictures/proofs had been taken before commencing the activity, and shortly after the first 3 QSO's the propagation completely disappeared. Usually, on short skip season (summer time) the propagation disappears in the afternoon, and it takes about from one to two hours to come back. Many CQ's but few takers...and after 25 stations in the log, I decided to go to the other island. The 3rd target. Besides the sea was even worse, and I started to feel a bit nervous about it. There was no time to loose! And finally on the 3rd island, L'Ullastrell island (E-398), it was around 1630 hrs when I arrived there. It took me about 30 minutes to find a good place, set up the antenna and the radio and take a few more pictures which prooved my presence on the island. It was 1700 hrs already, I took my time once I arived there. Leaving time for the propagation to recover, and when I switched the radio and called CQ the conditions were a little better than before, but not so much. A few stations were waiting for me, the QRM was rather high but guys, you will have to get used to work me on these frequencies from now on, 27350 & 27777. I have been severely critisized from another operator for our activation on Formigues islands during the WWRO Islands Festival, as we were using a frequency which we "did not have to use". My intention is not to make QRM to other fellow operators, but just to put rare islands on the air, therefore as 350 and 777 are rather uncommon frequencies for DXers, I will not give to anyone any easy reason to attack me for the sake of their audience. All in all, this is just a hobby where friendship is meant to be one of the main values. 73's 30DX401 Christian