First ever SOTA! GW/SW-001

Activation Reports
1

Firstly, a big thank you to those who chased, and those i maneged to S2S with!
My eledest son ans I took a trip to Brecon in Wales and climbed Pen-Y-fan on 2023/02/13.
It was my first attempt at SOTA, after obtaining my Foundation licence in December 2022.
I used a basic 5 Handheld with a SlimJim antennea on a 6 metre Carbon Pole. I seemed to work a treat!
A total of 7 activations in the log, of which 3 were Summit to Summit.
The whole experience was great fun and we cannot wait to get back down to Wales soon to ‘bag’ some more summits.

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Congratulations and welcome to SOTA. You did well - my first two activations only got me one contact each.

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4

Well done Richard. Looking forward to chasing you and maybe speaking S2S some time.
Best 73, Simon.

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5

Hi Richard,

Welcome aboard, and congratulations on the first activation. It was good to work you while I was walking up GW/SW-006, your photos tell a happy story :smiley:

73
Adrian
G4AZS

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Hi Richard,

Thanks for the report and photos, and congratulations on your first SOTA activation. Looks like it was a great success! I was out on Chanctonbury Ring, G/SE-009 on Monday morning, and I did hear you for a brief moment! Sadly not long enough for a S2S though!

I wonder where next?

Best of luck with it all, and look forward to working you one day soon. Hopefully with a S2S! :crossed_fingers:

73, and well done.

Matthew M0JSB

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7

Thank you!

8

Absolutley. thanks.

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Hi Adrian! Yes, I recall and have you in the log ! Hope you had success and fun.
Rich

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10

Hi,

Blimey. That is some 150 mile! Saying that, the next day I went up just to enjoy the view again and got a contact on 2M some 70 miles away with 5W on a handhled with a rubber ducky!
Hopefully back to Wales in a couple of months. There is a also a spot some 30 inutes rom me I will also try before.
Thanks!
Rich

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11

Well done @M7KTG Richard on your first SOTA experience and well done to your son :+1: SOTA is very addictive, so I’m guessing you’ll be looking forward to another activation very soon :slight_smile: I was descending the ‘Sugar Loaf’ GW/SW-011 while you were activating, but unfortunately I was on the wrong side to make your log - will deffo listen out next time your about!

73, GW4BML. Ben

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Hi Ben @GW4BML

Adictive indeed. I saw your talk on the RSGB youtube channel, which was rather excellent. Hopefully I will be moving in to the HF bands next time I am back up that way.
I will have to drop you an email reference the diapole set up you mentioned in your talk!
73
Rich

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13

Well done Rich. Looks like you had fun! If you can manage an activation at this time of year, things will only get easier for you.

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14

Thanks! Looking forward to more

15

Hello Richard,

Congratulations and a warm welcome to the SOTA community.
Hope to meet you on the bands in the future.

73, Ludwig DH8WN

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Hi, and thank you! 73

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Congratulation and with good weather too! VHF does work in many parts of the country but it can be a struggle in some places, like the SE or down here in the SW. But in the popular parts of Wales, the Pennines and the Lake District it works very well as you have discovered.

Most of us on here have registered on the QRZ.com website. It’s not obligatory by any means but the vast majority do it.

73
John

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18

Congratulations on gaining your Amateur licence and welcome to SOTA. Great photos!
73
Roger MW0IDX

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19

Congratulations Richard on your first activation. As everyone will tell you, SOTA can be addictive so here’s to many more. Hope to work you soon. Onwards and upwards…:grinning:

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20

Thanks John! Will be signing up to QRZ soon.
73
rich

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