Summary of Activation :
- SOTA Summit: EI/IN-001 : Errigal : 751m : 10pts
- Activation Date: Thu-16-Apr-2026
- Callsign used: EI/GM7STP/P
- ALERTS : for 12:00 / EI/IN-001 / time approx. / wx dependent / ssb if needed / will SPOT
- SOTAwatch3 SPOTs : 12:18 / 145.500 / QRV, windy.
- Equipment for 145-fm :
- Icom ID-52 handheld / Spectrum Comms Slim-G 2m Aerial / Sotabeams Carbon 6.
- Backup Rig : Icom IC-705 for HF 10W; but not required.
- Successful QSOs :
- On 145-fm : 145.500/145.400 MHz : Total QSOs = 8
- On 145-fm : 145.500/145.400 MHz : Total QSOs = 8
Original Plan vs WX :
After successfully activating EI/IN-067 Knocknarea on 14th April, my plan was then to activate Errigal EI/IN-001 and then go on to activate the neighbouring Mackoght EI/IN-018. However, after activating Errigal and descending to the point on the path I would need to take to ascend Mackoght the weather turned. So with the rain lashing down, helped on by a stronger wind I decided to abandon attempting Mackoght and return to the car instead. So this activation report only covers Errigal. Mackoght will be there for another day !
Setting Up :
The main summit of Errigal is rocky with a stoney path leading across onto the minor summit. There is limited space and for me I reckoned not so easy to set up a mast securely for HF, so I decided to operate FM only with my mast strapped to the side of my rucksack (as I did on Knocknarea). I found a spot just down from the main summit and just off the path where I sat against the rocks with my rucksack wedged between me and the rocks supporting the mast and Slim-G, trying to keep the mast as upright as possible in the light wind. That was me QRV at 12:18 UTC.
Operation on 145-fm :
I planned for about 30-45mins operating duration and was hoping for many 145-fm QSOs. Overall I managed seven QSOs: Alwyn @GI0BFD in Enniskillen, Ian @GI0AZB and Esther @GI0AZA in Dungiven, Victor @MI0AEY and Jim @MI0ADX in Derry, Joe @MI0DJM in Omagh, Andrew @MI5GTX in Coleraine and Trevor @MI5TCC/P in Londonderry.
I nearly managed a QSO with EI2JBH (@EIJBH) down in Ballina, SW of Sligo, but unfortunately, we only managed to exchange callsigns before losing contact with each other. One for the future.
After my eighth QSO I spotted QRT at 12:57 UTC after another very successful EI/IN activation. Thanks to all my GI, MI and EI Chasers !
Also many thanks to David @EI3IXB of the IRTS (Irish Radio Transmitters Society) along with SOTA IRELAND, Donegal Amateur Radio Club and GIOTA: GI On The Air, for their warm welcomes and comms for my SOTA in Ireland, very much appreciated.
Background stuff : Route & Photos :
Route Start : Errigal Car Park on the R251.
Distance to Summit : approx. 2.5km over elevation of approx. 550m from the car park.
Wx : Initially the weather was dry with cloud covering the top of Errigal. Soon after starting walking, it drizzled a little but then remained dry. As the day went on the cloud cleared so by the time we reached Errigal summit the cloud had cleared and we had spectacular views all around. The wx remained dry until back down between Errigal and Mackoght, when it started raining, assisted by stronger winds. So as mentioned above, then decided to abandon doing Mackoght and head straight back to the car.
Route :
The starting point is from Errigal Car Park. Then simply follow the path to Errigal summit.
Above : SOTLAS-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : Route from Errigal Car Park on the R251 to Errigal summit.
Photos :
Above Photo-01-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : Information board at start of track to Errigal.
Above Photo-02-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : Near start of the track with Errigal in the cloud.
Above Photo-03-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : View back to the track and car park and the R251.
Above Photo-04-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : View back down the rocky steps.
Above Photo-05-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : View up the rocky steps.
Above Photo-06-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : Errigal Main Summit and my operating position just by the path.
Above Photo-07-GM7STP-EI-IN-001 : View from Errigal main summit towards the minor summit and beyond.
Another great EI/IN SOTA day out, successfully activating Errigal in County Donegal !
Thanks again to all the Chasers for all the QSOs.
Note: The first of my two EI SOTA activations is given in AR :
- Ireland : 14-Apr-2026 : EI/IN-067 : Knocknarea.
Ireland : 14-Apr-2026 : EI/IN-067 : Knocknarea
73 Peter GM7STP
