After reaching the mountain pass of Pian del Poggio, Fabio @IK2LEY and I split up. I headed toward I/ER-013, while Fabio went toward I/PM-430. After a easy descent through a beech forest, the trail climbs again across meadows until reaching the summit, which consists of a small limestone ridge. A very easy route.
Once at the top, I set up the Slim Jim for 6 meters and the Hentenna for 2 meters in vertical polarization, using two 5.5 meter fishing poles. I started calling on 6 m CW and logged two S2S contacts with Fabio, who was just a few kilometers away. Then I switched to SSB and logged mainly stations participating in a national contest.
I moved to 2 meters, lowering the pole with the 6 m Slim Jim and raising the pole with the Japanese loop for 2 meters. I managed to log stations in all three modes. The activation lasted about one hour. Then, after coordinating with Fabio, we both started descending at the same time, met halfway, exchanged a few details, and each continued toward our second summit. Now I was heading north toward I/PM-430 Monte Chiappo. The trail consists of three climbs across meadows, separated by short flat sections and a slight descent.
On this summit, I set up only the 2 meter Hentenna in horizontal configuration and started calling in CW, thanks Carlo @IU1KGS for qso. Alter I switched to SSB and FM, I managing to log three S2S contacts. One was with Beppe @I1WKN on F/AM-310. It was very satisfying to rotate the fishing pole, point the loop toward the prefix, and watch the S-meter rise. Many thanks Beppe for this nico s2s. Of course, another S2S was with Fabio, allowing us to complete two summits for each other. In this case as well, the activation lasted about one hour or slightly more.
During the descent, I stopped to take a few photos of primroses and wild orchids.
We both dismantled our setups and met again at the pass where the car was parked. We then drove to the parking area toward I/ER-011 and set off together for the third and final planned activation. The route follows a road closed to vehicles, with a very steep gradient; in a short time we reached the summit near a big radar.
On this summit, I set up both the 6-meter and 2-meter antennas. I posted a spot on sotawatch 50.200 CW. Worth noting is the QSO with @IN3KLQ: I was receiving his signal very weakly and fading. I had to ask several times for a repeat of the callsign. Then propagation briefly improved, and I managed to copy the callsign and I was able to exchange the report 449/339; afterward, propagation dropped sharply, leaving only noise. This was undoubtedly the most difficult QSO of the day.
However, I was unable to log additional stations on either 6 meters or 2 meters to validate the activation. Fabio lent me his longwire antenna to complete the activation on HF, I had to replace the batteries because they were drained.
Threatening and dark clouds appeared, we decided to descend. We quickly reached the car and, satisfied with the day spent together, got in and headed back to the QTH.
Thanks at all cheaser!
73
