SOTA NEWS MARCH 2018 - Part 2
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Activating on Gran Canaria Island – Geert PA7ZEE
Like the last years we are wintering on Gran Canaria from about the second week of January till the third week of March. Apart from enjoying the sunshine and lovely temperatures, it offers the opportunity to activate a number of the 27 summits here.
Speaking in general, Gran Canaria is only about 4 million years young. There is a diversity in material where the summits consists of. Some consist of solid sharp lava while others are build up from very lose material where stones are loose in eroded ashes. Also the vegetation divers with the underground but more with the place on the island. In the north the prevailing north-easterly winds touch the mountains and condensation takes place. Therefore it is green there while in the south where is the most sunshine and almost no rain, the vegetation is much different.
Some summits are drive on summits or easy walks of half an hour while others are only for mountaineers. This year I tried to activate two Virgin summits but without success. In both cases it was not safe to go on due to the lack of trails or terrain that was too dangerous to walk or climb. Apart from that there was no cell phone covering on this very remote places, so in case of an emergency I could not call for help which is unacceptable for me.
Although we are in a sunspot minimum my activations were surprising successful with several QSO’s with, among other countries, the USA and Canada. To safe weight, I have a minimalist W3EDP antenna with no coax. The 84 ft wire is thrown in a tree and the 17 ft wire is on the ground. My KX1 with internal tuner is happy with this antenna on all four bands.
I thank all the Chasers who worked me and a special thanks goes to the Chasers who put a Spot for me on SOTAwatch.
Hereunder some pictures that my Canarian friend Carlos made when he was with me on SOTA expeditions.
Enjoying stunning views
Walk into the clouds
Shack in Nature
73 – Geert PA7ZEE
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SOTA ON TOP BAND - Mark G0VOF
Hello everyone & welcome to this month’s edition of SOTA on Top Band.
One activator took to the band during February. On the 22nd February, John G4YSS using the SSEG club call GX0OOO/P activated G/NP-006 Great Shunner Fell & G/NP-009 Buckden Pike. John had very successful activations making a total of 9 QSO’s (5CW / 4SSB) on Great Shunner Fell & a fantastic total of 17 QSO’s (6CW / 11SSB) on Buckden Pike.
As usual John has provided a comprehensive report on these activations which can be found here:
G4YSS: G/NP6, NP15, NP9 on 22-02-18 (160m)
Thanks & well done John.
On 22 February, John GX0OOO/P (G4YSS) Activated G/NP-006 Great Shunner Fell & made 9 QSO’s (5 CW / 4 SSB)
On 22 February, John GX0OOO/P (G4YSS) Activated G/NP-009 Buckden Pike & made 17 QSO’s (6 CW / 11 SSB)
As always, If you do have any suggestions on things that you think should be included, or if you wish to contribute tips, ideas or anything else that you think may help others on the band please email them to me at mark@brownhill.demon.co.uk
Until next month,
Best 73,
Mark G0VOF
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CW REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2018 - Roy G4SSH
Highlights of the month:-
Frank as HA/ON6UU/P from Hungary
Zoran as E70AA/p from Bosnia
Age as EA8/LA1ENA/p from the Canary Islands
Karel as EA8/ON4FI/p from the Canary Islands
Geert as EA8/PA7ZEE/p from the Canary Islands
Jarek as OK/SP9MA/p from Czechia.
Eva as OM/ HB9FPM/p from Slovakia
Andy as OM/HB9JOE/p from Slovakia
Bruno as F/HB9CBR/p and Jürg HB9BIN/p from France
Phil as VK2/G4OBK/p, with Gerard VK2IO, in Australia.
Jens as DL/HB9EKO/p from Czechia.
Zoran as E70AA/p from Croatia
Tonnie as DL/PA9CW/p from Germany
Anna as CT9/DJ4MA/p, from Madeira, with Andi CT9/DF5MA/p
Hans as DL/PA0HRM/p, from Germany
John as GX0OOO/p from G/NP summits
Jan as DL/PD0BLS/p from Germany
Jürg as DL/HB9BIN/p from Germany
Dominic as EI/M0BLF/p from Ireland
Fred as OK/DL8DXL/p from Czechia.
The severe winter weather which swept across most of Europe
during the last week of the month resulted in a low number
of activations, and many cancellations.
73 Stay warm
Roy G4SSH
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SOTA ACTIVITY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2018 by Kevin G0NUP
Mode: CW on 1.8MHz: activity for February
Mode: CW on 3.5MHz: activity for February
F/HB9CBR/P, HB9CBR/P, JA4RQO/4, NA6MG, OK1MLP/P, VK3PF/P, W7USA
Mode: CW on 5MHz: activity for February
DL4TO/P, DL6AP/P, DL6FBK, DL6FBK/P, G0EVV/P, HB9BCB/P, HB9CBR/P,
HB9DGV/P, K6HPX/P, K9PM/P, NA6MG
Mode: CW on 7MHz: activity for February
9A6CW/P, AA0BV, AA6XA, AC0PR, AC1Z, AE9Q, CT7AGT/P,
DF7FX/P, DJ2MX/P, DK3IT/P, DL2FAZ/P, DL4TO/P, DL6FBK, DL6FBK/P,
EA2IF/P, F/HB9BIN/P, F/HB9CBR/P, F6HBI/P, G0EVV/P, HA7UL/P, HB9AXL/P,
HB9BAB/P, HB9BCB/P, HB9BIN/P, HB9CBR/P, HB9CGL/P, HB9EIV/P, HB9TWM/P,
JA3NAP/3, JF1NDT/1, JG4LCS/4, K0MP, K1JD, K1LB, K4QS,
K7DJL, K7FOP, K7MK, K7ODX, K7PX, K9PM/P, KC7DM,
KE5AKL, KE7BGM, KI4TN, KR7RK, KX0R, M0OAT, N0EVH,
N0MTN, N0SA, N4SFR, NA6MG, NG7A, NS7P, NU7Y,
OE5FDM/P, OK/SP9AMH/P, OK/SP9MA/P, OK/SP9PND/P, OK1MLP/P, OK2PDT/P, OM/HB9FPM/P,
OM/HB9JOE/P, OM6AN/P, OM6TC/P, VK1FWBK/P, VK2/G4OBK/P, VK3ARH, VK3BYD/P,
VK3HN/P, VK3JBL/P, VK3PF/P, W1EJ, W4RK, W7USA, WA6ARA,
WA6MM, WB5USB, WC6J, WX4TW
Mode: CW on 10MHz: activity for February
9A6CW/P, AA0BV, AA6XA, AC0PR, CT7AGT/P, DF3MC/P, DL4TO/P,
DL6FBK/P, EA2IF/P, EI3KA/P, F/HB9CBR/P, F6HBI/P, G0EVV/P, HA7HF/P,
HB9CBR/P, HB9DGV/P, K0MP, K1JD, K4QS, K6HPX/P, K7ATN,
K7DJL, K7ODX, K7PX, K9PM/P, KD7WPJ, KE5AKL, KR7RK,
KX0R, MM0FMF/P, N0MTN, N4SFR, NA6MG, NG7A, NS7P,
NU7Y, OE5AUL/P, OK/SP9AMH/P, OK/SP9MA/P, OK/SP9PND/P, OK1MLP/P, OK2PDT/P,
OM/HB9FPM/P, OM/HB9JOE/P, VK2/G4OBK/P, VK3HN/P, W1EJ, WA6MM, WB5USB,
WC6J, WX4TW, YO2BP/P
Mode: CW on 14MHz: activity for February
9A6CW/P, AA0BV, AA6XA, AC0PR, AC1Z, CT7AGT/P, DK3IT/P,
DL4TO/P, DL6AP/P, DL6FBK, DL6FBK/P, E70AA/P, EA2IF/P, EA8/ON4FI/P,
EA8/PA7ZEE/P, F/HB9BIN/P, F/HB9CBR/P, HA7UL/P, HB9AXL/P, HB9BCB/P, HB9BIN/P,
HB9CBR/P, IW2OBX/P, JF1NDT/1, K0MP, K1JD, K1LB, K4QS,
K7DJL, K7FOP, K7MK, K7ODX, K7PX, K9PM/P, KC7DM,
KE5AKL, KI4TN, KR7RK, KX0R, N0EVH, N4SFR, NA6MG,
NA7EE, NG7A, NS7P, NU7Y, OK/SP9PND/P, OK1MLP/P, OK2PDT/P,
VK2/G4OBK/P, VK3BYD/P, VK3HN/P, VK3PF/P, W1EJ, W4PH, W4RK,
W7USA, WA6MM, WB5USB, WC6J, WW7D, YO2BP/P
Mode: CW on 18MHz: activity for February
AA0BV, AA6XA, DK3IT/P, DL4TO/P, EA8/ON4FI/P, F/HB9BIN/P, F/HB9CBR/P,
F4HOD/P, HB9CBR/P, JF1NDT/1, K0MP, K1JD, K4QS, K6HPX/P,
K9PM/P, KX0R, NA6MG, WD4CFN
Mode: CW on 21MHz: activity for February
AA6XA, F/HB9CBR/P, HB9CBR/P
Mode: CW on 24MHz: activity for February
Mode: CW on 28MHz: activity for February
KR7RK
Mode: CW on 50MHz: activity for February
Mode: CW on 1240MHz: activity for February
Mode: FM on 28MHz: activity for February
Mode: FM on 50MHz: activity for February
Mode: FM on 1240MHz: activity for February
G7HEM/P, M0JLA/P, VK2HRX, VK3ARH, VK3BYD/P, VK3HN/P, VK3JBL/P,
VK3PF/P
Mode: SSB on 5MHz: activity for February
G0EVV/P, GW0WPO/P, GW4TJC/P, GW4VPX/P, GW8OGI/P, M0JLA/P, M0OAT,
MM0FMF/P
Mode: SSB on 28MHz: activity for February
KI4AAU/P, KI4TN, KJ4ZFK, KR7RK, VK1FWBD
Mode: SSB on 50MHz: activity for February
JA1CTC/1, JH1EWV/1, JI1RPN/1, JK1NRL/1, S55VN/P, VK1AD/P
Mode: SSB on 1240MHz: activity for February
DF3MC/P, DL1CR/P, VK1AD/P
73 de Kevin G0NUP
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SOTA News is normally published on the last day of each month, but there will be occasions when the Editor is not available at this time, in which case it will be published as soon as possible afterwards. It can only be as interesting as the items submitted, so if you think your particular field of interest is not being covered then please submit an article by the 25th of the month.
Have you a favourite SOTA? favourite mode? favourite rig, antenna, or favourite band? How did you find your first day / month / year as an activator or chaser? Your comments and experiences will be read by enthusiasts all across Europe, the USA, Australia and beyond, in a total of 114 different SOTA associations worldwide. Your input will be most welcome.
We receive many e-mails during the month containing details of activations, milestones reached and general SOTA news. Unless advised otherwise we will use this information in the next edition of SOTA News. It is important therefore that you advise us if any information is not intended for publication.
For ease of processing, please submit your input by e-mail direct to the addresses below and not via the Reflector.
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Mark G0VOF
SOTA News Editor
mark@brownhill.demon.co.uk
U.S. and Canadian reports to:-
Fred K6DGW/7 [aka “Skip” on the radio]
Canada/US SOTA Reporter Dude
Sparks NV
k6dgw@foothill.net
Australian input to:-
Allen VK3ARH
VK Reporter
VK3ARH@wia.org.au
New Zealand input to:-
Warren ZL2AJ
warren@zl2aj.com
Japanese reports to
Toru JH0CJH
jh0cjh@jarl.com
South African input to:-
Dennis ZS4BS
zs4bs@netactive.co.za