Hi SOTA mates!
During July I did a number of activation, some in my area, some other far from home, taking the chance of my summer holidays.
If I had to highlight one of them I’d take the joint activation with EA2BSB op. Santi and EA2LU op. Jorge done today, July the 28th. Why? Because this was the baptism as an activator of Jorge EA2LU, and there is something special when you see how the hook of activating SOTA bits on a close friend.
Jorge is a very experienced ham who was deeply involved in the past on VHF contesting and pioneered on EME mode here in EA2, together with some friends. He is very keen on CW, can be heard on major HF contests and you probably have been chased by him lately.
Every now and then I proposed him doing a joint activation but his duties were strong and we coudn’t find a chance. This week I was planning a joint activation with my friend EA2BSB and I proposed him to join; to my surprise, this time he accepted.
The activation took place in Harriaundi mountain EA2/NV-108. It’s an easy starter mountain that has the beauty of a nice path, a beech forest and the remaining blocks of an ancient chapel in the summit.
The three of us put up a station and to my delight, Jorge did his activation straight forward. Well done!!
I used my MTR pulling 3 watt into an emergency random wire (sorry my poor signals today…), and Santi used his 817 plugged to the Buddistick.
We enjoyed the activation, and special credit goes to some of our friends who were waiting for Jorge to greet him and join through the waves to welcome him as an activator.
All in all a brilliant day. I’m quite happy all went fine and I’m sure it’s not the last time Jorge will share a summit with us. That’s good news!
I add here below a note that Jorge has also written for us. Downwards you can see pictures of the day.
Take care and hear you soon from another summit. VY 73 de EA2BD (and a steady growing number of activators in my region… 
)
EA2/NV-108 my first “activator” SOTA experience.
First of all I have to express my thanks to Ignacio EA2BD and Santi EA2BSB for his great encouragement and help to make this operation possible.
Hiking today wasn´t hard with good weather and excellent views of the mountains around when we reached the summit. In my backpack I only brought my FT-817, CW paddle, log pad with paddle support and small pole for the antenna. The rest of the setup was from Ignacio EA2BD, like the EFHW antenna, LiPo battery, cables etc…
10 M was open, then I started there, and my very first QSO as activator was a S2S with Jan OK2PDT/P. I was very happy to give Jan one summit, after the lot he gave me as a chaser.
The other great moment was the first “EA” QSO that was with Guru EA2IF/P also a “S2S” from his holiday QTH in the west corner of Spain close the Atlantic sea.
I ended with 19 Qs, but with the great feeling of the radio noise free, surrounded with nature and great ham radio companions.
Ignacio and Santi: you can be happy because both of you have inoculated me the “S2S” virus. I will repeat in the future, but after I improve my own setup.
Thanks very much to all who called giving me a happy morning.
73 and see you on the next summit. Jorge EA2LU
EA2LU’s setup
EA2BSB’s setup
EA2BD’s setup. Note the Rioja wine ready for the final celebration party… 
Antenna farm
All done. Ready to leave.
