I met HB9BHW for the first time in 2009, along the preparations for a Swiss led DXpedition 3W6C to a Vietnamese island. So I was quite surprised to meet Hansruedi only a few weeks later at Fideriser Heuberge, far away from any sea shore, located at 2’000 m.a.s.l. in the middle of the Swiss alps. We were part of a group of radio amateurs enjoying some leisure days at this nice place covered with millions of flowers.
There I came across this secret code «SOTA» for the first time. Hansruedi led a group of 4 amateurs to the Mattlishorn summit, HB/GR-158, showed us orchids, various types of grass, adjacent summits and the procedure of a SOTA activation. This day impressed me, since I love our mountains, but I forgot SOTA soon, due to other interests and time consumers.
Hansruedi is a mountain goat now. He has collected the last points today on a beautiful ridge hike in Central Switzerland connecting Klingenstock and Fronalpstock, HB/SZ-017 and HB/SZ-018. Congrats, Hansruedi, this makes me happy, too! I hope that you can enjoy many further SOTA activities on our hills and mountains and encourage others to check out the fascinating SOTA world.
Dear chasers
Many thanks for all the gratulations. The SOTA-“Family” made this achievement possible.I always enjoy to activate a SOTA-Location and also do chasing any possible actuator, no matter where his station is located in the world. I enjoy finding these locations on the map. Many thanks to the OM’s who maintain the SOTA-program.
Now I wish to hear you many more times in future. And be aware, I am on the run for the second goat!
Auf Wiederhören, Au revoir, Arrivederci, Hasta la Vista, see you again
mni 73’s Hans R.