I am pleased to report that on August 1, 2026, Aca HB9/YU1CA/P made the QSOs needed to fulfill the requirements for the HB9SOTA Diploma at the top Edelweiss activator level. This requires activating two summits in every canton (that has at least 2 summits) meaning 47 qualifying summits throughout our country.
Reaching this milestone is not a trivial feat, taking considerable time and dedication. An indication of this is the fact that the HB9SOTA Diploma was first introduced in mid-2013, and since then only 36 activators have claimed the Edelweiss level. In addition to Aca becoming only the 37th recipient, it is noteworthy that he is the first ham from outside HB9 to do so.
Aca started his journey on January 26, 2016, when he made his first Swiss activation: HB/LU-028 Sonnenberg. It is not terribly difficult, and indeed there are some cantons where it is very easy to get the two required summits. On the other hand, there are cantons that have perhaps only one easy summit, or no easy ones at all. In particular, he was challenged by HB/GL (Glarus), HB/RUR (Uri) and HB/OW (Obwaledn).
I did a joint activation on the summit that was probably for him the most difficult of all: GL-045 Nüenchamm. It’s only 6 points, but the hike one way is 3 km with an ascent of 630 meters – which pushed Aca to his limit!
Helping Aca get this award has been a community effort. While I accompanied him on the majority of his activations, I had plenty of assistance over the years from other Swiss hams who gave him logistical and motivational support, some of them providing considerable help. Thanks to all of you! In alphabetical order, they include: HB9AFH, HB9AFI, HB9BCK, HB9BIN, HB9BQU, HB9CBR, HB9CGA, HB9CYX, HB9FPM, HB9GPL, HB9IIO, HB9JOE and HB9TVK. There have been so many of you who helped out, and it’s been over so many years. Aca and I tried to make a complete list, but at our age our memories aren’t what they once were; we have inevitable left somebody out – our sincere apologies. And grateful thanks to the entire HB9SOTA community.
The story of the cowbell
When Aca started this endeavor, at the Edelweiss level, in addition to the coveted diploma it was then possible to order a trophy, a cowbell. Back then, half in jest, I made a vow to Aca – that when he completed the award, I would purchase the cowbell for him as my gift. Recently, as it became clear he would actually be able to reach the top level, I checked into the procedure for ordering the cowbell. Much to my dismay, I learned that the arrangement between HB9SOTA and the cowbell maker was no longer in force. But I had made a promise, and I was going to keep it – so I went directly to the Glockengiesserei Berger and arranged to have a special model made.
Given that Aca has been working on this award for a full decade, my partner Bethli and I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate his achievement in a special way. So for the two final summits (HB/VS), we spent an overnight in a hotel right next to one of the summits. Specifically, we left Thalwil very early and arrived at Les Crosets about 0800 GMT. We took a chair lift to HB/VS-118 and quickly completed the activation. We next rode the chair lift back down to Les Crosets, walked a hundred meters and took a second chair lift in the opposing direction going up to within a short walk to HB/VS-240. Again we had a quick activation, and by mid-afternoon we were very tired but running on adrenaline.
We checked into the nearby hotel, rested for a few hours and then had our celebratory dinner: fondue, a Swiss specialty that Aca enjoyed for the very first time. At this opportunity we presented him with the cowbell along with an HB9SOTA t-shirt.
On the way home the next day we first took the gondola to Champery and then a series of trains finally reaching HB/VD-023 Rochers de Naye – and Aca was fascinated with the cog railway to the summit station. It was a fitting end to the weekend and the project as a whole.
Please join me in congratulating Aca on this fine achievement!
73, or as he sends in Morse Code to his buddies back home, ZZ (Zdravo Zdravo = Greetings!!)
Paul HB9DST
