Thanks begin here:
Now is a good time for a few words of thanks to the ‘enablers’ and ‘encouragers’ in SOTA:
First, just personally:
To the chasers who have kept me such faithful, friendly company throughout 2007.
To the spotters who unselfishly post the activations so that others can log the points.
To other activators for S2S’s and inspiration.
To Roy G4SSH, chairman of the Scarborough Special Events Group, for continued QSL support, ‘SOTA control’ and the continued use of the club-calls GX0, GS0, GC0OOO/P.
To those who have provided and edited the news so well over the past year(s).
To those who suffer my long reports and the ones that put up with my CW.
To my wife for her tolerance of what must seem a crazy hobby and for her patience when the alarm goes off at 2:30 am.
Now most importantly and I’m sure on behalf of all participants:
‘Thank you SMT.’
Without the SOTA Management Team, past and present, I would not even be sending this message. Life would be all the poorer without the group of friends we have made of one another, the fresh air, stress-relief and fitness we have gained, the development of our amateur radio skills, whether activator or chaser and probably (in my case certainly) improved I.T. skills as well. SOTA’s invention was an inspired idea and when it came I for one, realised I’d been wishing for something like it for years. Importantly, it has helped to secure our otherwise under-threat band-space and attracted newcomers to amateur radio too.
So, a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the SOTA Management Team for unstintingly applying your not inconsiderable skills on our behalf, free of charge; seemingly just for the love of amateur radio and the great outdoors. This to Les G3VQO, Gary G0HJQ, Roger MW0IDX, Jon GM4ZFZ, Tom M1EYP for devising / maintaining complex, colourful and user-friendly I.T. systems, widening the appeal of SOTA by publicizing, rewarding achievement and assisting new countries, plus many other tasks.
Grateful thanks to SOTA founders John G3WGV & Richard G3CWI. All credit for getting the difficult task of marrying a system based on numbers to ‘curvy’ UK geography, as right as it ever can be, via a measured, open, democratic process backed by a documentation system every bit as professional as could be found in any aircraft design office.
One glance at the SOTA database demonstrates the success of your creation and the enjoyment it continues to bring.
To all the above and those I have forgotten to mention ‘cos I’m getting to that age!
THANK YOU!
A peaceful Christmas and good health for 2008 to all.
BCNU 73, John G4YSS.