Story 30DX/E-056 19/08/2009 There was a double purpose on this expedition, putting a new island on the air and report the fake activations that have been doing lately from many islands of the area, not only in 2008 but also back in 2003. Two weeks before, I had tried to do the same while E-350 was supposed to be active...but unfortunately the sea conditions were really dangerous and it was impossible to sail due to strong wind. The island E-350 was literally being washed by sea waves, however the island was still "on air". Of course, a video was recorded and evidences were taken prooving that activation to be a fake. I may publish that video now, after the truth has been revealed. But my intention was really catching the fake while I was activating the island at the same time, so I had to wait for a better opportunity...and the opportunity arrived on Les Balelles island. After a couple of hours driving from my QTH I arrived to Sant Feliu de Guixols, a city in the Costa Brava that I already visited several times in the past to activate Levante island E-373. After being very lucky finding a carpark place next to the port, I inflated the little Zodiac and put it on the water. Then installed the outboard 2.5Cv Suzuki engine and put all the stuff on the boat. I was ready to sail...but the outboard engine did not want to start ! After checking it carefully I realised there was no oil level marked, bad news...so I removed the top and allowed air to come into the oil system. Luckily, the things started to work, and realised that the oil system was vacuum, therefore the oil could not circulate freely. Wow! I was learning mechanichs !! The sea was really nice, temperature over 30 degrees, and it was not too crowded as it would have been on a Sunday. Once approached the little rock, a few seagulls were standing on it. I had the impression that Les Balelles was a public toilet for birds, as all the rocks were white on their tops, indicating that they were full of bird-sh*t. The smell also clearly indicated it... By the way, I did not meet anyone else activating the rock, and it was strange because I knew that in that exact moment the activation was on the air!. After finding a good landing point, I quickly mounted the antenna and set up all the equipment. Unfortunately the activation had already QRT, but I knew it would be active sooner or later again. I did not want to call untill I could record him calling, so I had to stand by and wait... It was 1300hrs and I realised that I did not take any food with me, but just a bottle of water...so it was going to be a "diet" expedition!. The propagation was really poor, although it was open to the West and North part of Spain, as well as the usual South Italy stations. But noone from Central Europe. By chance I heard 328/47DX002 and we made a QSO in a hidden frequency, just to avoid being discovered by any local station...Soren was the first in the log hehe. During the wait, I could take some more videos, relax on the rock, swim, and talk to some curious tourists who came nearby me after seeing a crazy guy on that rock with a very strange fishing rod...some even asked me if that was my private rock, as I literally occupied most of it, hihi. So it was not until 1700 hrs when I heard the Balelles activation call on 555, it had been a long wait but I was on the scenario that I wanted to be. Everything was ready to record him with the video and proof the fake!. Just after recording him, I made the first CQ from the real island 30DX/E-056, qrz?...zzzzzz. The sun was already going down, and the propagation started to come up from the UK. All in a sudden 555 was full of UK stations and I started working many stations from that area. At 2000 hrs, and with the sun already behind the mountains I had to QRT and rush to the safe port before it was too dark. It is very dangerous sailing at night time without lights, as well as prohibited. In a way, unhappy for the poor conditions I had once again, but very happy to finally be able to demonstrate and report a fake activation. I really think that we must all fight against fakes, no matter the group we are. We are on a very fragile band and the last thing we need are liars. So I am thinking to go back there again and put this "mighty" island some more times on the air. Just be patient and you will get the reward! 73's 30DX401 Christian