LB/OL-001 Storhaugen

A few days ago, I became aware of the German Award Program (GMA). The rules are simple: Every summit above 100 meter which is named on a map can be included. No prominence has to be fulfilled. Thus, it is very “green” (i.e. environmental friendly) and family friendly. The family can e.g. walk to a nearby summit, drink the afternoon coffee, then the HAM can start the activation and the rest of the family return home (or to a cabin). That’s exactly the situation at our cabin. If I’m going to do a SOTA-activation, I either have to go alone, or the family has to wait (which is pretty boring for them…).

Thus, I sent an email to Mario DL4MFM, and he made it possible to include Norwegian summits in the GMA-database. I then included Storhaugen in JP41XK (its prominence is around 50 meter), which is in walking distance from our cabin.

On September 29 I activated LB/OL-001 for the first time. I used my HB-1B and a linked dipole. The QSO with OE5AUL was the first GMA-QSO from LA. I managed the required 4 QSOs before the dark came, and I had to return.

DXCCs: DL, OE, UA.

LA/BU-027 Gyrihaugen

LA/BU-027 Gyrihaugen was activated on saturday September 21. It was my first visit to the summit (and the third SOTA activation). It is an easy summit to reach. I parked at N 60 07.197 E 010 23.176, around 3 kilometers from the top. I first followed the road until N 60 06.080 E 010 23.414, and then I followed a blue-marked trail up to the summit.

The summit itself offers a magnificent view. Oslofjorden, Gausta, Blefjell, and Norefjell can all be seen.

Also at this activation I used my HB-1B and a linked dipole (BandHopper III), which both performed flawlessy. I was first QRV on 20 meter, then QSYed to 30 meter, and finally QSYed to 40 meter. Totally, I logged 39 QSOs (29 on 20, 8 on 30, and 2 on 40).

DXCCs: CT, DL, EA, EW, F, G, GW, HA, HB9, LZ, OH, OK, OM, ON, PA, UA, UT, W, YO.

PS. The geocache GCJJWN is located 50 meter northeast of the summit, and it is easily found.

LA/BU-026 Ringkollen

Yesterday, on September 12, I activated LA/BU-026 Ringkollen. The weather was really nice and SOTA-friendly; calm and sunny with temperature around 20 degrees. I parked at N 60 10.241, E 010 23.513 (close to Ringkollkapellet), 670 meter away and 100 meter below the summit. Not exactly a drive-in, but it is only a short walk to the summit. The path was clearly marked.

As for my last activations, I used my HB-1B rig and a linked dipole (BandHopper III), which both work very well. I started the activation on 20 meter and worked 9 stations. Then I QSYed to 30 meter, and worked 13 more stations. In total, 21 QSOs in about 45 minutes.

DXCCs: DL, F, G, GW, HB9, OE, OM, PA, UT, YO.