Friday, 27/03/26. Minus 2 on the summit. No problem to find the spot after reading the blog of @ON7DQ. My last “SOTAxpedition” is already a while ago. Burteaumont, is a new start. Still 7 summits to go in my home-land. With a SOTA alert, I had 9 QSO’s in 15 minutes on 20m., with an Atas 25 vertical + Icom 705 + lin. amp. PA 500 - DIY 599, limited to 20w. for battery saving reasons + DIY battery powerpacks with 18650 li-ion cell’s.
Not the most “challenging” summit, but a lot of WW2 remembrance in the wide area. We didn’t know it at the moment of the reservation of our B&B in Thirimont (a present from our children) in a small village, 12km. away from the summit.
“Hill 551”, part of the St.Vith offensive (jan. 1945) was just behind our stay. It was one of the most difficult battles of the Ardennes Offensive. Largely forgotten in most publications today (ref.: Waimes / Office du Tourisme).
Touring arround, you can hear the noise of the race circuit Spa - Francorchamps. You can’t ignore Malmedy, one of the most crucial points for the American Allies. Malmedy breathes WW2. You can go for the “Battle Tour” when you want to remember this dramatic period in the Ardennes / Belgium. With our thoughts on the geopolitical situation of today, we where looking for some signs of hope. We have found it near the chathedral: a statue of 3 innocent children, full of admiration for the beauty of a butterfly…
Once again, SOTA leads to more than just making QSO’s on a mountain top.
73, ON4ROB