LB/OL-002 Larvehei

Larvehei was activated again this morning in a beautiful autumn weather. Rig and antenna today was YouKits HB-1B and a linked dipole (BandHopper III).

I decided to start on 40 meter. Band condition was OK, but the band was very crowded due to an ongoing contest. Fortunately the HB-1B has a well performing IF-filter! I first heard OK3EQ/P on the GMA summit OL/US-011 was calling, and got a QSO with him. This was my first GMA S2S. I then found a clear frequency (as clear as it can be during a contest…) and start calling. I wondered if my QRP signals could be copied by someone. At least G3VQO heard me. After some 10 minutes and no takers, I then decided to QSY to 30 meter, and there 5 more QSOs came in the log.

DXCCs: DL, G, I, OK, SP.

LA/OL-085 Prestkampen

On October 2 I once again visited LA/OL-085 Prestkampen. It was slightly more than 4 years since the last time. I parked at Gamledalen (the last part is toll road, fee NOK 40).

It was very windy. A strong gale simply made it impossible for me alone to erect any pole and dipole. I thus used my MP-1 instead.

The schools have their autumn vacation this week, and many people were hiking. Prestkampen is the highest summit in this area, and thus a popular destination. On the summit itself, it was in periods crowded. I started the activation in one of these periods, and it was therefore most convenient to start with CW on 20 meter. In a short time, 16 QSOs (and among them 3 S2S) were in the log. Since it so far has only been made CW QSOs from the summit (in the SOTA program), I decided to also offer SSB for the chasers. However, after an initial spotting and 10 minutes of calling, no QSO was made! I have no idea why. The most likely reason is perhaps due to the heavy wind. This could have added to much noise to the signal. I then QSYed to 30 meter, and worked 6 more QSOs before I went QRT. The wind made it simply too cold to stay at the summit any longer! So therefore, non-CW QSOs are still to be made!

DXCCs: DL, EA, F, G, HB9, OE, OK, OM, PA, W.