This year, 2025, which is now ending, has been a magnificent year for me overall, enjoying retirement and, as is often the case, without time to carry out those pending projects… which are still there… pending.
But regarding my great hobby of radio and mountaineering, my participation in the SOTA program has yielded excellent results.
70 SOTAs activated this year (My most prolific year yet)
27 New SOTAs for me
150 S2S QSOs
1 New Association (C3 Andorra) and 2 new regions (Andorra AD and Vall d’Aosta, VA, in Italy)
2 Summits activated for the first time: EA3/LL-052 Carranima and C3/AD Casamanya Nord
In the summer I achieved my half Mountain Goat (I didn’t expect to when I started back in 2018)
Also in the summer, thanks to the Ardam Radio Club of Andorra and its President, Josep C31VQ, a fellow climber, and to C31CT/EA3QS, Salvador, for his friendship and assistance, I was able to activate SOTAs from Andorra. It was a great satisfaction.
All of this while enjoying the company of my wonderful partner, Carmen.
The mountains, which have their share of suffering and effort in those often unfamiliar ascents and descents, also have their endearing and pleasant moments that make you think the effort was worthwhile.
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Enjoying the company of my daughter and son-in-law during some activities.
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Sharing two hobbies with them: while some go to the summit for an activity, others go to the base of the peak for a climb.
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Reaching a summit (I/VA-319, Testa di Comagna) and finding someone sitting and quietly reading a book.
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Reaching a summit (HB/TI-138, Monte Gambarogno) and sharing the summit with a yoga master class.
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Reaching the summit at the same time (F/AM-278, Crete de la Rocher Blanc) as another activator, F4EGG/P, and sharing the activation.
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In the middle of the activation (F/AM-278, Crete de la Rocher Blanc), seeing your partner Carmen taking photos of a couple and their dog… it was a marriage proposal, complete with a ring.
And of course, without which the activations would have no meaning or value, hearing those callsigns—some longtime followers and regulars, others new—who answer your CQ, who are patient with your poor telegraphy during every QSO, who call you by name… which makes each activation, whatever the outcome, a reward. Thank you all for your attention.
I hope to make QSOs with all of you again in 2026.
EA3O Santi
1.-Yoga Master Class in Gambarogno
2.-Proposal in la Crete du Rocher Blanch
3.-F4EGG in la Crete du la Rocher Blanch
4.-Family hikking