OK, this is probably all going to go horribly wrong, but I’m game for a go at most things.
I’m off on a family trip shortly to near Almeria. I am aiming to get one (maybe two?) trips out into the hills.
I can either take a 2m set or my FT-817 and try for 20m and/or 40m. I can only do SSB (no CW for me still I’m afraid) on 5W so might be a bit tricky. I’m guessing that 2m FM will be a waste of time.
I have thought of taking the FT-857 and buying a SLAB out there which I would leave behind (recycle)??
Any tips for a first overseas SOTA Radio trip? Point me at Websites if you think that would help? I do know I need to take a printed copy of my licence with me.
I have no problems with the walking part, although some local advice on any access issues I should watch out for could be useful. Maybe one of the Spanish SOTA activators (or chasers) could put a message below I can print out which explains in Spanish what I am doing, which I can show to anyone who challenges me.
The “peaks” I am looking at all seem to have tracks that go near to the tops. But some seem to have buildings near them on Google Maps aerial photos.
I’ve specifically picked out EA7/GR-029 Cerrajon de Murtas and EA7/AL-009 Montenegro for now, but that might change. Plenty of unactivated peaks in that area.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
I will, of course, do my best to Alert for these if it happens. Don’t hold your breath though as it might all unravel yet!
generally no problems activating peaks in Spain. Only once was I told to stop by a forestry commission worker who was watching for forest fires from a tower on the summit; Menetjador, Summit code: EA5/AT-005. It was drought conditions! To avoid a diplomatic incident I took down the 40m inverted dipole but using a handheld on 2m managed to get a couple of contacts and get it activated. I had three HF contacts by that time so perhaps my initial response was not helpful! The forestry worker couldn’t complain as he was using a handheld himself!
Most people are interested although they clearly think I am a crazy! If there was someone official or a building near the summit then best just to ask them before you start.
I have only ever used 5w from my FT817 SSB and managed to activate everything so far. Typically I use 20m now as it seems to be a more reliable Fx and I use 8 AA alkaline cells in a holder to boost the FT 817 to 5w if required, plus the internal batteries and you can carry the batteries through customs in your hand luggage. Cheaper than a SLAB and easier to recycle! Just the FT817 has always worked for me.
Have often trudged up to a summit to find the locals have driven there so car access seems to be tolerated if a track exists. Often footpaths are hard to follow or are overgrown.
If you zoom-in enough you get something a little like an OS map.
Batteries can be hard to source. Cheap disposable alkalines can be bought at Ikea and may save the day.
The only other tip I can think of is that it might be worth brushing up your Spanish numbers and greetings etc. for use when chatting with the locals on 2m.
What a cool map site. The HTML5 version works fine with FF 23. Sensible style changes from overview, to road planning to roads with relief, to OS 1:50000 style, to Google Earth view.
Thanks Rick, bookmarked!
Gerald:
Unless you have some battery packs ready to take, my advice would be to consider buying AA disposables on site. Not the greenest way but from convenience it can’t be beat. No customs issues nor do you have to use up you weight allocation.
Take your licence and TR61/01 in printed form with your hand luggage along with the 817. Keep the microphone and bits in the checked luggage. I always tune the 817 to an FM broadcast station and have the antenna with you. If you are questioned you can show them the radio working, attach aerial, hit power and music comes out. Do the same on a local station for the return trip. I’ve never been asked what my 817 is though. But it’s always been with a laptop and PSU.
I can’t give any personal experiences for Spain, but in Portugal I have had no issues. The people there are curious, but very friendly with lots of smiles.
Equipment wise I like to keep things relatively simple and that has led to me using my FT-817 on 20m with a simple vertical. I power the rig from 11.1V LiPOs which are transported in fire proof bags with their terminals taped up. They go in my hand luggage with the rig and antennas and I declare that I am carrying amateur radio equipment at security - never had an issue. I carry the IATA regs relating to LiPOs with me just in case - there is no need to declare LiPOs unless they are above a certain capacity. My travel pole (transported in the hold luggage) is only 5m when extended which puts the feed point for the vertical more or less at ground level which is convenient and I use a couple of wire counterpoises. Using a vertical has low visual impact, especially when the pole has been supported by a convenient olive tree. SSB has not been a problem, though the ability to self-spot (Rucksack app) has been helpful when 14.285MHz has been in use.
Maps - err well yes. Get the best you can and have a look at the topography on Google Earth before you go - I’m sure you will!
Any tips for a first overseas SOTA Radio trip? Point me at Websites
if you think that would help? I do know I need to take a printed copy
of my licence with me.
You are also supposed to have with you the local amateur radio regulations. When I go to EI, I take a copy of theirs which were easy to find online and then print - I’ve never operated in other CEPT countries.
Here is a link, see paragraph three:
In reply to M0RCP:
While essentially the same data I have found the IGN site clearer to see.
Compare at http://www2.ign.es/iberpix/visoriberpix/visorign.html
There are similar sites for a few countries that make our Ordnance Survey equivalent look pathetic.
Jim G0CQK
Hi Gerald,
I just passed by and saw your question.
You should have no issue activating here in Spain. Yes, grab your amateur licence with you together with the CEPT. Maybe I can find a spanish source so that you can have it with you in case of necessity.
5w SSB should be no issue, there are frequent chasers in EA7.
When working in 40m you’ll be a little short to reach many of your MW colleagues. I’d better concentrate on 20m. You will need a shorter aerial and will have plenty of contacts in a short activation time.
Batteries, as adviced, a number of AA should do the deal. No need for SLABs although a small Lipo would help for a longer activation. Anyway, for a Lipo take care with the air company. In principle it’s no problem with a R/C batt, carried on board (never on luggage for fire hazzard).
I would concentrate locating the approach to the summits. Sometimes aerial views are quite optimistic!! I had some bad experiences on that…
If you can, check on “Wikiloc” for Gps. You can see previous people walks and check if they always follow similar tracks to a specific summit.
There is a very good page for spanish mountaineering, describing routes although I’m afraid written on spanish. Maybe on-line translator are useful there. I’ll check your two selected peaks and try to post here again.
Count on me if you need anything special on Spain.
Best 73, you’ll enjoy for sure.
In reply to MW0WML:
Hi Gerald,
Apparently I found a possible access for the Montenegro summit:
I know, the name is different but I’ve noticed that sometimes here in EA7 the summits are locally known with names different from the official ones. In this case, the summit seems to be exactly the same.
Unfortunately I’ve never been in that area and I’ve no direct experiece.
…I’ve noticed that sometimes here in EA7 the summits are locally known with names different from the official ones.
An excellent point Gab. I have found that in Portugal as well. Sometimes it is no use looking for the SOTA name as the summit is known and signposted differently - for example Serra de Monchique CT/AL-004 is called Picota on the map and is signposted as that off the N267 to the east of Monchique. This year I was looking for Monte das Sarnadas CT/AL-005 which was shown as Rocha dos Soidos on the maps at my disposal. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any reference to Sarnadas on signposts, but managed to get side-tracked by the village named Soidos. I guess the only rule is Activators Beware!
I know, the name is different but I’ve noticed that sometimes here in
EA7 the summits are locally known with names different from the
official ones. In this case, the summit seems to be exactly the same.
Great information, again thanks.
I guess the only rule is Activators Beware!
Good point - I will load summits into my GPS to cross reference with the mapping and my actual ground position.
