after more than 2 years of an injury related absence from SOTA I took the opportunity to activate Einstein, OE/TI-509 the day before yesterday. The weather looked good and I was surprised to find rather mild temperatures during the ascent but an ice cold breeze on the summit itself.
Unfortunately I had started a bit too late. After a short time on the summit big clouds were shielding what otherwise could have been a springlike experience. Starting to cq on 15m with no success I went to 20m and down to 40m, where Hansjoerg OE7PHI answered almost immediately.
Condx on HF were somewhat strange with an huge amount of deep and quick qsb and I repeatedly lost signals from one second to another. I eventually changed from a short dipole to a 21ft vertical which did the trick on 40.
Since my last activation in 2011 I had modified my equipment. Instead of the Palm paddle I was carrying a homebrewn touch paddle which normally works very fine but not too smooth in the cold with clumsy fingers and after 15 minutes I noticed that the battery was flattening more and more when it suddenly stuck. Glad to find a spare battery in my rucksack.
And, it was the inaugural event for my KX3, which slept in its case for most of the time since I purchased it, just waiting for this event. I must say I am deeply impressed of its performance!
Eventually the cold wind became almost unbearable and I decided to call it a day. Now, after two days I still feel fine (which is a good indicator that I have recovered entirely) except the sore muscles in my thighs due to the special physical motion during descent, which I am no longer used to.
great to hear that you are back to SOTA activations again.
By coincidence, I began my SOTA activities here in DL at the time, when you stopped yours. So there was never a chance, to meet you on the bands, not to mention on a summit. But looking at your photos and the list of your activations, including some marvellous alpine destinations, has always been a great inspiration and motivation for me, to carry my radio up to the higher DL and OE summits.
Hope to hear you soon on the bands.
Glad to be back on a hill but at -12C with the windchill not very welcoming!
Unfortunately it seems as if the back gremlin is still working within SOTA - Jack GM4COX called in on 40m and he seems to have been laid low with a back problem - need to recommend him to my physiotherapist?
Now time to discover which linament to rub into my aching thighs (or more acceptably - pour down my throat!)
and after 15 minutes I noticed that the battery was flattening more and more when it suddenly stuck. Glad to find a spare battery in my rucksack.
All the very best for 2014!