For a long time, I had been dreaming about going up to a summit and doing a SOTA activation. It was always something I wanted to do more regularly – to combine the joy of hiking with the magic of amateur radio in the open air. However, because of various obligations in life, I simply never made the time for it.
More recently, due to different health-related challenges, I also wasn’t able to find the opportunity or energy to enjoy the radio hobby at all. Those “dark times” made me postpone things again and again, even small adventures like a simple summit activation.
But this time, I finally did it.
I activated S5/BR-024 Stari tabor. It’s a relatively low hill, nothing dramatic or demanding, and the ascent went smoothly without any issues. Still, reaching the top with my radio gear felt like a personal victory after such a long pause.
From the summit, there was a beautiful view stretching far into the distance, and I could even see the sea on the horizon. It was one of those quiet moments where you simply stop for a second and take it all in.
I operated in SSB and truly enjoyed every single contact. There’s something special about setting up a station on a summit – the fresh air, the quiet surroundings, and the excitement of calling CQ from a hilltop.
While I was setting up the antenna and preparing the station, I met a very pleasant family on the summit. Their two boys were especially curious and watched closely as I assembled the antenna and connected everything. They were fascinated by the whole process, and with great interest they observed the beginning of the activation. After a while, they continued their hike back down to the valley, but their curiosity and enthusiasm added a special touch to the experience.
This activation meant more to me than just points. It was a small but important step back into the hobby I love.
Working in CW has also been a long-standing wish of mine. I just need a little more practice and confidence before I start activating in Morse, but I hope to make that step in the near future.
I hope this is the first of many more SOTA activations to come.
73!
