NO-3219 NMBU-parken

In my opinion, NMBU (Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet (Norwegian University of Life Sciences)) has Norways most beautiful campus. It is also easily accessible. I have been there many times, but today was the first time I activated the park.

The conditions weren’t that great, and few chasers seemed to be QRV, but anyway I enjoyed the activation. The result was 16 QSOs from 9 DXCCs, 15 on 20 meter, 1 on 30 meter, all CW. Rig/antenna: KX-2 @ 12W and “China-GP”.

DXCC: DL, EA, EI, G, I, ON, SP, VE, W.

NO-3217 Sykehusparken

Sykehusparken is an area in the city center of Sandnes, Rogaland county, only 1-2 minutes from the main street. It was my first visit to this area.

I used my KX-2 and a GP antenna (the “red China whip” – a 5.5 meter whip and a ground spike). The conditions were marginal for QRP, but in the end I had 17 QSOs from 10 DXCCs on 20 and 30 meter.

DXCC: DL, EA, F, G, GM, I, ON, SM, SP, W.

LAFF-0090, NO-0850 Hundorp

After the activation of LA/OL-200, I stopped at Hundorp Nature Reserve. I had hoped to have a sufficiently number of QSOs in order to qualify fot WWFF (i.e. 44 QSOs). That didn’t happen, so I need to visit it again later. The conditions were relatively poor.

In the end I had 10 QSOs from 8 DXCCs, all on 20 meter, in the log (5 SSB and 5 CW).

DXCC: DL, HA, I, SP, UR, W, YO, 9A.

LA/OL-200 Segalstadsæterkampen

Once again I activated Segalstadsæterkampen, one of the easiest 4-points summits in LA. As last year, I used my KX-2 and a linked dipole (Bandhopper 3). The HF conditions were fair, and the weather nice.

The activation resulted in 16 QSOs, 5 on SSB, 11 on CW, all on 20 meter from 10 DXCCs.

DXCC: DL, EA, G, GW, I, LX, OE, S5, SP, UR.

LAFF-0060, NO-2581 Svartskog

A HF rig to less than NOK 1300, would that work? I got an offer of a uSDX transceiver which (on sale) cost a little les than NOK 1300,-. Before I purchased it, I consulted SaltyWalty. He owns all these cheap Chinese rigs, and in one of his videos, he claims that it would work. I decided to test it.

I tested it a little at home, and I was a little curious about how this would work. I have heard someone who claimed that the modulation wasn’t very good. However, it seemed to me that it works. Obviously, it is not a KX-2 or an IC-705, but actually it seemed to work quite well.

However, “the proof of the pudding is the eating”.I thus went out to my local area/park for testing. I used a 20 meter EFHW erected an inverted vee.

I started to call on 20 meter SSB, and I got 11 in the log without any modulation complaints. Then, I QSYed to CW, and got 16 more QSOs. Finally, I made a few calls on 15 meter, and got three QSOs. I had plans to be active on 40 meter as well, but I run out of time. I just made a few test calls in order to be spotted on reversed beacon network, which I in fact was.

In total, I had 30 QSOs from 11 DCXXs.

DXCC: CT, DL, F, G, HB9, I, LY, OH, PA, SV, 9A.

LAFF-0060, NO-2581 Svartskog

It was the first Tuesday in May, and I went out to Svartskog for an activation. First Tuesday means Nordic Activity Test on 2 meter. Knowing that it was unlikely to obtain the necessary 10 QSOs on 2 meter, I also brought with me whips for HF work. I only got 2 QSOs on 2 meter. 20 meter was also tough, but I 40 meter was quite OK. Finally, I made a few calls on 60 meter, which resulted in 2 QSOs. Totally, I achieved 15 QSOs from 11 DXCCs.

DXCC: DL, E7, EA, G, I, LA, OH, OM, PA, SM, SP.

LAFF-0060, NO-2581 Svartskog

It was nice weather, and I decided to once again activate LAFF-0060 / N-2581 Svartskog. The plan was to use the KX-2 and an EFHW. However, with no coax, that didn’t work. Then it was time for plan B, a longwire. I always have 7.6 meter wire (and a 7.6 meter counterpose) in the KX-2 bag, but I haven’t used it so far. I erected the LW as a sloper, and it worked quite good. In the end I had 13 QSOs from 9 DXCCs in the log on 12, 20, and 30 meter. All CW.

DXCC: CT, DL, F, HA, HB9, I, OK, OM, TA.

LA/AH-014 Toåsen

It was my 7^th activation of Toåsen. It was 4 years since my last activation. I parked as usual at Alværn ungdomskile, N 59.8208, E 10.63413. The weather was great, however, the conditions were rather tough. In the end I got only 7 QSOs (4 on SSB, 3 on CW) from 5 DXCCs, all on 20 meter.

DXCC: CT, EA, F, HB9, LA.

NO-2600 Vikstranda

This was my first visit to Vikstranda, a nice recreation area in Enebakk municipality. From the parking lot at N 59.7371, E 11.0194, it is only a short walk to the activation area. I used my KX-2 and the “red Chinese GP” (5.6 meter whip). The conditions were good, and I got 44 QSOs on 20 meter (19 on SSB, 26 on CW). Next, I mounted the 40 meter coil, and worked 14 more QSOs (9 on SSB, 5 on CW). In total, the activation resulted in 59 QSOs from 23 DXCCs. To summarize, a great activation in beautiful spring weather.

DXCC: CT, DL, EA, EA8, EA9, EU, F, G, HB9, I, LA, LY, LZ, OK, OM, ON, PA, S5, SM, SP, UA, W, YO.

LAFF-0060, NO-2581 Svartskog

Yet another activation of Svartskog. Also this time with a IC-706 and whips for 40 and 80 meter. 14 QSOs from 8 DXCCs were achieved, 4 on CW, 10 on SSB, 8 on 40 meter, 6 on 80 meter.

DXCC: DL, F, I, OK, OM, OZ, SM, SP.

NO-3332 Nordbytjernet

This area is located very close to the convention center where the HAM meeting is held. The area was activated together with other participants at the meeting. All QSOs were on 2 meter and 70 cm only. 14 QSOs came in the log.

LAFF-0060, NO2581 Svartskog

My first activation in 2026. A short activation with IC-706 at around 60 W and a mobile whip. Unfortunately, I forgot the CMC, so I had some problems with RF. Nevertheless, I ended up with 16 QSOs, 12 on CW and 4 on SSB. 13 QSOs on 40 meter, and 3 on 80 meter. 9 DXCCs.

DXCC: DL, G, GM, I, OH, OK, PA, SM, TF