LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

My goal for today was to check in to the Norwegian QRP net on 5.335MHz and also do some regular sota activating. I managed to erect the 88 ft doublet just in time for the net start at 11.00 utc. LB1AF was the net controller and LA1EOA, LA1IC, LB9YE, LA8EMA and I checked in.

After the net I QSYed to 5.298,5MHz and started to call CQ. I worked 7 G/GW/GM stations before QSYing to 7.118MHz where I worked 4 more stations. The QRM turned louder and louder so I QSYed to 7.115MHz but didn't get any answers. I also called for a while on 3.655MHz before heading home.

Thanks to GW7AAV and G0TDM for spots on sotawatch!

5MHz: 12 QSOs
7MHz: 4 QSOs
DXCCs: LA, GW, G, GM, ON

LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

After the Norwegian HF Traffic Manager confirmed that we are allowed to use 5MHz I decided to do my first 60m activation on Holtankollen. I knew Kjell LA1KHA was on the summit and I worked him from the car when I left home. Half way to the summit I met Kjell on his way down. On the summit I erected my trusty 88ft doublet and crossed my fingers when I pushed the tune button on 5MHz for the first time.

I worked 9 stations from G, GW and GM on 60m before QSYing to 40m. I worked 8 more stations on this band before I tried some calls on 80m.

Thanks to LA2FKA for spots on DX Cluster.

144MHz: 1 QSO
5MHz: 9 QSOs
7MHz: 8 QSOs
DXCCs: LA, G, GW, GM, DL, ON, OE, HB

LA/TM-013 Vestre Vealøs

In England I purchased a SB270 SOTA beam from Richard G3CWI and I used it to activate the Cloud. Saturday the tropo forecast looked promising so I decided to give it a try from Vealøs. I parked by the gate and walked the road almost to the summit. I found a suitable spot to erect the antenna 14 meters of elevation bellow the summit.

The only SSB station I could hear was OK1MAC but I heard some stations on cw. I tried to call the OK station but he was not able to hear me. At the end I worked the usual local guys on 2m fm. Before heading home I walked to the summit and signed the book. I'm looking forward to the 2m NRAU Activity Contest next Tuesday.

144MHz: 4 QSOs
DXCCs: LA

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G/SP-015 The Cloud

The final summit on this years UK trip was the Cloud. Aage LA1ENA and I activated this summit while Halvard LA1DNA and Kjell LA1KHA did Gun.

On the summit we were accompanied by Greg 2E0RXX, Sean M0GIA and harmonics. It was nice to finally meet you Sean! I was not able to reach spotlite from my cellphone but Greg called his son Liam M3ZRY who was able to spot me from home. Thanks Liam!

I used my new SOTA-beam to do my first ever 2m SSB activation!

144MHz: 8 QSOs (2 FM, 6 SSB)
DXCCs: G, GW
Summit to summit: M/LA1DNA/P and M/LA1KHA/P on Gun G/SP-013

G/LD-054 Watch Hill

I decided to stay in Keswick while Aage activated Helvellyn and Kjell and Halvard activated High Rigg. In the evening we all did Watch Hill but all of us struggled to get contacts. It was getting dark when I finally managed to get qso number 4!

7MHz: 2 QSOs
3.5MHz: 1 QSO
14MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: G, EA, ON

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GM/SS-196 Calkin Rig

Halvard, Kjell and Mads had never been to Scotland so we decided to do a GM summit. We picked Calkin Rig by coincidence. I erected the 88ft doublet above a sheep fence and I think this enhanced the NVIS effect as the reports I received on 40m were very good!


7MHz: 21QSOs
DXCCs: G, GW, LA, PA, GM, DL, ON

Photo (left to right): Kjell LA1KHA, Halvard LA1DNA, Aage LA1ENA and Mads LA1TPA

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G/LD-004 Skiddaw

We decided to activate Skiddaw on our first day in the Lake District. The WX was quite good compared to what the forecast told us before we left Norway.

Photo (left to right): Aage LA1ENA, Kjell LA1KHA, Halvard LA1DNA and Mads LA1TPA

144MHz: 1 QSO
3.5MHz: 5 QSOs
DXCCs: G, GW

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Mike G4BLH

During our trip from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to the Lake District we stopped at a motorway service station by M6 to meet Mike G4BLH. We had a nice chat and a cup of coffee.


Photo: (left to right): Halvard LA1DNA, Mads, LA1TPA, Aage LA1ENA, Mike G4BLH and Kjell LA1KHA

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LA/TM-094 Braknesheia

Saturday Aage LA1ENA, Kjell LA1KHA and I LA1TPA were going to activate LA/TM-070 Brunane.

On the parking spot by the gate we were approached by a nice farmer letting us know that there were a lot of moose hunters in the area. We quickly decided not to activate the summit and instead try to climb LA/TM-069 Rønnomnipa.

We knew in advance that some parts of the track were very steep and a little scary. Aage reached the summit while Kjell and I chose to return to the lower grounds.

On our way home we all activated LA/TM-094 Braknesheia. I started to call on 14.285MHz but couldn't get any answers. Kjell was nice enough to take a break from 40m so I could work for a while to get the 4 needed contacts. At the end I tried to QSY to 80m but to the QRM from Europe was just to loud.

Lesson learned: We need wider spacing between the antennas on the summit

7MHz: 6 QSOs
DXCCs: GW, G, ON, DL

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LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

I have had some problems with high swr on the 88 feet doublet lately and decided to activate Holtankollen to check the antenna. I met Kjell LA1KHA on the summit while he was doing a lunch break activation.

After a chat with Kjell I started to erect the antenna and found out that one of the legs of the doublet had broken loose from the 300 ohm feeder. I fixed this temporarily and started to call on 14.285MHz. If I didn't get the callsign completely wrong I managed to work HL4RBR in South Korea but I didn't notice until I was logging the QSOs back home!

After QSYing to 40m I worked 7 stations, 2 of them running 10W QRP. On 80m I didn't get any answers at all.

Thanks to HA7UL for the spot on the DX Cluster!

144MHz: 2 QSOs
14MHz: 9 QSOs
7MHz: 7 QSOs
DXCCs: LA, S5, ON, G, HA, OE, EI, RX9, HL(!?), DL, F, GW, MM

LA/TM-100 Tekslefjellet

Despite of the ongoing big game hunt in LA/TM I chose to activate Tekslefjell after looking for hunters and their cars along the forest road. I couldn't see any near the summit. The path to the summit from lake Langen was easy to follow. On the summit I signed the visitors book and started to erect the 88 feet doublet. I called for a while on 14.287.5MHz but didn't get any answers so I QSYed to 7.140MHz. After a few QSOs the SWR started to get very high and the FT-817ND powered off several times. I posted the message "ant. probs. Pse qrx" on sotawatch before I corrected the problem and luckily there were still chasers waiting for me when I was back on the air.

At the end I tried some calls on 3.660MHz but the band was very noisy so I didn't bother to spot on sotawatch.

I also worked Aage LA1ENA/P and Kjell LA1KHA/P s2s from LA/TM-050.

144MHz: 2 QSOs
7MHz: 15 QSOs
DXCCs: LA, G, DL, HB, PA, ON, GW, GM, OE, S5
Summit to summit: LA1ENA/P and LA1KHA/P on LA/TM-050

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LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

On my way back home from Hestefjellet I decided to also activate Holtankollen before heading home for dinner. It was still raining so I just grabbed my logbook, the Yaesu VX-6 and a spare battery. I sent a SMS to the local chasers before I started the climb. I worked LA6GOA, LA1KHA/M and LA1DNA/M. This was my 17th activation of Holtankollen so I didn't bother to stay longer trying to get 4 QSOs.

On the car park I met Kjell LA1KHA who was about to make his daily activation of the summit.

144MHz: 3 QSOs
DXCCs: LA

LA/TM-092 Hestefjellet

The fog was thick and the rain was pouring down when I activated Hestefjell today. I accidentally left my Gore Tex back home but luckily I had an old raincoat in the trunk of my car. At the summit I made a shelter with the Helsport Mountain Tarp and started to call on 40m. I worked 12 stations before the frequency went quiet and I called for a while on 80m but didn't get any answers. I also tried some calls on 2m and managed to work Hans-Petter LA6GOA who where mobile in Skien. On my way back to Skien I had a nice chat with Kjell LA1KHA/M on our local repeater.

7MHz: 12 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: DL, ON, G, S5, OE, HA, LA

LA/TM-037 Rognlifjellet

Today XYL and I decided to walk to LA/TM-037 Rognlifjellet. The ground was snow covered after a light snow fall last night. At the summit we signed the visitors book and struggled to erect the 88 feet doublet in the heavy wind. As usual I started on 20m but only managed to work 3 stations. I worked Aage LA1ENA/P s2s on LA/TM-072 and Svein LA1BNA on 2m before QSYing to 80m where I could hear GM7UAU calling me once. Sadly he was not able to hear me. I QSYed to 40m and worked 18 stations.

I'm terribly sorry that I had to QRT even though more stations were calling but the wind was heavy and we were cold. I hope to work you all next time.

While packing my gear I also managed to work Halvard LA1DNA/P and Kjell LA1KHA/P s2s on LA/TM-020.

Thanks to DG0JMB and ON6UU for spots on the dx cluster.

14MHz: 3 QSOs
144MHz: 4 QSOs
7MHz: 18 QSOs
DXCCs: S5, 9A, OE, LA, ON, F, DL, G, GM, SP, PA
Summit to summit: LA1ENA/P on LA/TM-072 and LA1DNA/P and LA1KHA/P on LA/TM-020

Road fee: 50 nok, coins or credit card

LA/TM-042 Lovisenbergkollen

Today it was time to activate Lovisenbergkollen near Kragerø. I parked my car at the camping and walked to the summit. I had forgot my logbook back home so I took a sheet of paper from the visitors book at the summit.

I worked Kjell LA1KHA/P on Holtankollen LA/TM049 summit to summit.



14MHz: 4 QSOs
7MHz: 7 QSOs
3.5MHz: 1 QSO
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: HA, S5, DL, G, ON, GW, LA

LA/TM-039 Slettefjell

Last night when I planned todays trip to Slettefjell I decided to try the road to Gavlsjå through Årmotdalen (Årmot valley). When I was looking at the map I noticed the Pay and Display gate but didn't notice the closed gate further up the road. That made the walking distance about 2km longer each way.

The wx was nice and sunny but it was very windy at the summit. I erected the 88 feet doublet and worked 16 stations on 20m, 40m, 80m and 2m before heading back home.

On my way down I also worked LA7VH over the Lifjell 70cm repeater. According to the GPS track the distance covered was about 14km.

14MHz: 5 QSOs
7MHz: 9 QSOs
3.5MHz: 1 QSO
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: HB, DL, HA, G, OE, F, LA

Roadfee: 30 nok

Photo: A beaver had decided to make things a bit difficult for me...

LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

Tonight XYL and I needed some fresh air and a short walk and decided to activate Holtankollen. I worked five local stations on 145.550MHz before heading back home.

144MHz: 5 QSOs
DXCCs: LA

LA/VF-006 Grasåsen

Aage LA1ENA discovered what looked like an easier path to Grasåsen yesterday and I decided to try this today. I parked my car by the gate at N59° 17.934' E009° 50.356' and went on by bike cycle. At N59° 16.940' E009° 50.501' I turned left and rode to the end of the road. From there I walked the tractor track to the right 50m after the hunting tower. I followed this track until I was only 70m from the trig point.

On my way back home I worked LA1KHA on LA/TM-049 from the car.

Highlight of the day was all the Norwegian chasers!

Thanks to ON3WAB and LA1ENA for the spots on sotawatch.

Warning: I would not visit this summit when it's big game hunting season. I passed 3 hunting towers and scared at least on moose near the trig point. Hunting season in Vestfold is from October 5th until October 31th.

14MHz: 7 QSOs
7MHz: 6 QSOs
3.5MHz: 3 QSOs
DXCCs: LA, DL, HA, S5, HB, ON, G, OE

LA/TM-063 Heiebok

The wx was very nice when XYL and I started the climb to Heiebok. At the summit I erected the 88 feet doublet antenna while XYL was picking cranberries. I knew Halvard LA1DNA was on his way to LA/TM-006 so I decided to try some calls on 3.660MHz. I worked LA1ENA and LA2CP before QSYing to 7MHz where I worked 7 stations only interrupted by a call on 2m from Halvard LA1DNA to let me know he was still 500 meters of elevation bellow the summit.

I unpacked my Optimus TERRA WEEKEND Cookset and cooked us a hot cup of pea soup.

After the lunch I QSYed back to 3.660MHz and worked LA1ENA (again..), LA8BCA, LA5BI and LA1DNA/P summit to summit at LA/TM-006.

Highlights of the day were both the s2s qso with Halvard and all the QSOs with Norwegian stations on 80m.

Thanks to LA1ENA and G4OBK for the spots on sotawatch

3.5MHz: 6 QSOs
7MHz: 7 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: LA, DL, G, F, PA

Road fee: The sign was not readable but we paid 20 nok after talking to a guy living next to the gate. I'm not sure this was the correct amount.

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LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

Aage LA1ENA, Halvard LA1DNA, Kjell LA1KHA and I LA1TPA did a joint activation to test our gear before going to UK next month and to check whether it is possible to activate 4 stations at once on the summit.



Everyone picked their favourite band:

LA1DNA 80m ssb
LA1ENA 40m cw
LA1KHA 30m cw
LA1TPA 20m ssb

I couldn't manage to get any contacts on 20m, even with a spot on sotawatch, so I worked some stations on 40m ssb while Aage struggled to erect his antenna. Halvard did not have any luck with his 80m dipole as the swr was very high. We concluded that the problem was due to a faulty solder joint on the braid of his coax feeder.

Photo:
From left to right: Kjell LA1KHA, Mads LA1TPA, Aage LA1ENA and Halvard LA1DNA

144MHz 3 QSOs
14MHz 0 QSOs
7MHz 7 QSOs
DXCCs: LA, G, DL, GW

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LA/TM-011 Fjerdingen

The WX was lovely today and I decided to activate Fjerdingen, the highest point i Porsgrunn. This is the place where our local radio club was founded August 18th 1946.

14MHz: 2 QSOs
7MHz: 10 QSOs
3.5MHz: 2 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: LA, ON, OE, DL, S5, G, HB, F

Summit to summit: F/DD6DO/P on F/PE-289

LA/TM-057 Eirefjell

I had arranged to meet up with Aage LA1ENA and Kjell LA1KHA to do a joint activation of Eirefjell. Due to a locked gate we chose to use bikes for the first 3 kms. I got out of bed early in the morning to fix the tyre of my bike cycle before driving the two hours to Høydalsmo. When I arrived I found out that the tyre was flat again so I urged to Åmot to buy a new one.

At the summit the wind was rather heavy.

Highlight of the day was working Terje LA8BCA for the first time,

14MHz: 8 QSOs
3.5MHz: 1 QSO
18MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: F, OE, HB, HA, S5, LA, DL

Summit to summit: HA4BF/P on HA/EM-036

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LA/TM-014 Vehuskjerringa

It was very windy at Vehuskjerringa today but I managed to find shelter behind a large rock. I had to put on a hat and gloves for the first time this autumn.

Thanks to PA1AT for the spot on sotawatch and to DF1YQ for the spot on the DX Cluster!

14MHz: 18 QSOs
7MHz: 6 QSOs
3.5MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: HB, DL, ON, OE, PA, HA, G, GW, LA

Summit to summit: DL5KD/P on DM/RP-171

LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

Hans-Petter LA6GOA is leading the Grenland Net on 80m every Sunday and he asked me to join him to Holtankollen today as he wanted to do the net from a portable location. I worked Aage LA1ENA on 40m and Kjell LA1KHA on 2m before the check in. Hans-Petter used LA1G, the callsign of the local radio club and worked 4 local stations during the net.

7MHz: 1 QSO
144MHz: 1 QSL
DXCCs: LA

LA/TM-013 Vestre Vealøs

Our local radio club, Grenlandgruppen av NRRL, arranged a trip to Vestre Vealøs to look after our repeater QTH. Aage LA1ENA and I decided to activate the summit even though both of us had activated it already this year.

We also managed to get Torkel LA9ZMA to activate his first summit! Congratulations! Aage and I started the descent early to get out of the AZ to give Torkel the two last contacts he needed to qualify the summit.

We all worked Kjell LA1KHA who was activating LA/TM-049.

The conditions on HF were rather poor and both Aage and I only managed to get a few contacts.

Photo: Aage LA1ENA (left) and Torkel LA9ZMA (right)

14MHz: 2 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: S5, G, LA
S2S: LA1KHA/P on LA/TM-049

LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

Norby LX1NO is in Norway on vacation with his family. Aage LA1ENA and myself met them near Skien Fritidspark and escorted them to a parking spot suitable for the RV near Holtankollen.

When we were done setting up the rigs Kjell LA1KHA also arrived at the summit.

While Norby was QRV on 40m I worked 7 stations on 20m before I stepped down to let Kjell do some QSOs. He was in a hurry and managed one QSO before Aage took over. I also worked Kjell on 145.550MHz when he had returned to his car.

It was very nice to meet Norby and his family and I hope they will have a pleasant stay in Norway!

Thanks to F8DZY for the spot on sotawatch.

Photo: Aage LA1ENA to the left and Norby LX1NO to the right

14MHz: 7 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: HA, F, YU, HB, DL, OE, LA

LA/TM-001 Gaustatoppen

Today I finally found time to activate LA/TM-001 Gaustatoppen. My cellphone was almost out of battery so I only sent sms to Aage LA1ENA asking for a spot. Sorry to the rest of the LAs that normally receives a sms when I'm qrv. I started on 14.285MHz and worked 6 stations. I then QSYed to 7.118MHz and worked 10 more stations. After packing my gear I went back to the tourist cabin to shelter from the wind and cook my dinner. I had Beef and potato casserole from DryTech.

Thanks to Aage LA1ENA for the spots on sotawatch and to Ken/Einar GM0AXY for the spot on the DX cluster.

Photo shows the narrow ridge between the trigpoint and the tourist cabin.

14MHz: 6 QSOs
7MHz: 10 QSOs
DXCCs: LA, F, G, DL, OE, HA, GM, ON, SM, OM, PA

LA/TM-088 Sandvikheia

Aage LA1ENA and I activated LA/TM-088 today. My mother in law has fed me well this summer and Aage was very patient to wait for me when I needed to get my breath back! On the summit Aage erected his wire vertical and started calling cq on 40m while I used a 88 feet doublet on 20m. Later Aage QSYed to 30m and I tried some calls on 40m.

Please be aware that the rocks are very slippery when wet!

Thanks to PA3FYG for spotting me on sotawatch and to ON4EDM for spotting me on the DX cluster!

LA1TPA
14MHz: 21 QSOs
7MHz: 4 QSOs
DL, OE, G, HB, GM, F, ON, PA, OK, GW

Summit to Summit:
DL3SBA/P on DM/RP-007
2W0LAE/P on GW/NW-049
G1INK/P on G/SP-004


LA1ENA
7MHz: 21 QSOs
10MHz: 40 QSOs
DXCCs: G, DL, HA, OK, PA, HB, 9A, SM, ON, F, OM, S5, OH, LA, GW, UT, OE

Summit to Summit:
HA7UL/P on HA/KM-025
OK1DDQ/P on OK/JC-018
G4RQJ/P on G/LD-038
HB9/PA1AT/P on HB/SH-002

Visitors from Germany

This week Dzianis DD1LD and his XYL Maria visited Telemark county during their vacation in Norway. I was still on my way home from vacation when Aage LA1ENA met them on Lifjell Monday but I managed to meet them on the parking spot by lake Bitdalsdammen before they started their two day hike to LA/TM-004 Fliseggi.

Both Maria and Dzianis are very nice people and we had a nice chat.

Thanks again for the Russian cookies! They tasted very good!



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Question of the day: Where is this?

On the way to the northern parts of Norway we drove by this sign:

Does anybody know where the photo was taken?
Please put your answer in the Comments field.

LA/HM-009 Tron

On our way home from vacation in the northern parts of Norway we stopped by at Tron near Alvdal. It was very foggy and we struggled a lot driving the unsecured gravel road to the summit. The visibility on the way up was only about 5 - 10 metres! I didn't want to push the safety limits so I decided to activate just inside the AZ and not look for the highest point in the fog.

I got out of the car and walked the last 100 metres by foot. This is not my favorite modus operandi and it almost felt like cheating! I worked 5 stations on 14.285MHz before I QSYed to 7.118MHz without selfspotting on sotawatch. I was soon answered by 2 G-stations. I soon decided to return to the car as the wind was heavy and the rain was pouring down.

Road fee: 50 NOK

14MHz: 5 QSOs
7MHz: 2 QSOs
DXCCs: DL, ON, OE, G

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LA/TR-016 Storhornet

During the RSGB IOTA contest today I activated LA/TR-016 with the IOTA reference EU-033. I Worked 8 stations before I got bored and spotlited myself on 14.330MHz. I worked 18 more stations, most of them regular sota chasers. I was very happy to work Halvard LA1DNA and Hans Petter LA6GOA in the southern part of Norway on 40m.

I walked from the valley between Litlehornet and Storhornet.

Photo: LA/TR-017 Litlehornet and LA/TR-015 Elgen to the left of the trig point

14MHz: 22 QSOs
7MHz: 4 QSOs
DXCCs: DL, G, PA, GM, RA, OM, HA, ON, 9A, LA

LA/TR-022 Kjelhusåsen

This evening XYL and myself went for a walk to LA/TR-022. The WX was lovely with 24°C. I had to QSY well above 14.300 to get away from the contesters in the IOTA contest and I didn't dare to mention that I was on IOTA EU-033 because I had a limited amount of time available and didn't want to get an IOTA pileup.

I also managed to work Aage LA1ENA 2-way QRP on 40m.

14MHz: 5 QSOs
7MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: 9A, G, ON, LA

LA/TR-017 Litlehornet

Today XYL and myself decided to climb Litlehornet. When turning on my FT-817 I heared Carolyn GW6WRW calling CQ sota on 14.285MHz and I managed to work her summit to summit. I QSYed to 14.280MHz and worked some familiar callsigns before I suddenly was called by a lot of unfamilar calls. It turned out that G4OBK had posted my IOTA reference (EU-033) on the DX Cluster.
I also tried 40m but didn't get any answers.

Thanks to G4OBK and ON4BB for spots on the DX Cluster.

Photo shows XYL on the summit.

14MHz: 18 QSOs
DXCCs: GW, ON, HB, DL, G, RA, PA, I, OK

Swedish activators in Norway!

From July 7 to July 10 SM0GNS Peder, SM0NJO Magnus and SM5HJZ Jonas will be hiking in Norway. They bring ham radios and will try to activate LA/HM-007 and perhaps also LA/HM-008 and LA/HM-005 if the WX is not to bad.

Activity will be on HF bands and 50MHz.

Good luck guys and enjoy your trip!

More info on this reflector thread: http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=3370#27274

LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

The weather was lovely when XYL and I ascended Holtankollen. The car thermometer showed 27ºc outside when we parked the car. I started at 14.287.5MHz but the QRG was soon taken by some QRO contest station working the King of Spain contest. I QSYed to 14.300MHz and managed to work one HA-station. After this I moved to 7.120MHz and worked 3 G-stations.

We followed the path to the other side of the summit before we headed back towards the car park along the path by the foot of the hill. From the car we spotted a fox bitch with 3 puppies playing on the field by the farm. On another field not far from the airport a deer was enjoying the green grass.

Thanks to HA7UG for the spot on the DX Cluster!

Photo shows XYL on the summit.

14MHz: 1 QSO
7MHz: 3 QSOs
DXCCs: HA, G

LA/TM-051 Nibbenutan

During our weekend at the cabin XYL and I decided to activate LA/TM-051. I chose not to start on 40m today as the WX was rather unstable. I worked 18 stations on 20m in 18 minutes.

Before heading back to the car I checked in to LA1C with the weekly QSTLA network.

14MHz: 18 QSOs
3.7MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: ON, G, DL, HA, HB, 9A, S5, SM, LA

LA/TM-065 Høgebrun

I had decided to activate LA/TM-065 for the International QRP Day. I started off on 40m as usual but was only able to work one station. I QSYed to 20m and worked 12 stations. Later I QSYed from band to band and worked 23 stations during the activation. I'm not sure how many QRP stations I worked.

The trig point marker had fallen over during the winter as one of the guy wires were broken. I managed to mend it but decided not to use the marker as antenna support.

I signed the sota guest book sheet under the large stone before heading home. The sheet was placed there by Aage LA1ENA last year.

On my way back to the car I spotted a lynx! That's not too common!

Thanks to OK1HCG and GW7AAV for spots on sotawatch.

7MHz: 5 QSOs
14MHz: 18 QSOs
DXCCs: OK, HA, G, EI, ON, GW, MM, LA, SP, F, HB

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June 17 - International QRP Day

As some of you might know I always operate at QRP levels on my SOTA activations. To celebrate the International QRP Day I hope for a lot of 2-way QRP QSOs on my activation June 17.

I'm a G-QRP and QRP-ARCI member and a 2-way QRP QSO will count towards the Worked G-QRP club and Worked All ARCI awards.

LA/TM-023 Jøronnatten

The HF conditions today were not that good as I only managed to work 2 stations on 40m and 7 on 20m. The reports I received was also a bit lower than usual.

Thanks to HB9AGH for spotting me on sotawatch.

7MHz: 2 QSOs
14MHz: 7 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
G, HB, MW(/MM), HA, F, GM, LA

Road fee: NOK 40, coins only

Edit: Video added June 16 2009

LA/TM-029 Gygrestolen

Todays activation had all kinds of weather: sun, rain, thunder and lightning, wind and hail. XYL and I made a shelter from the weather out of my Mountain Tarp (Helsport Fjellduk Pro).

I started on 40m as usual but could not get any answers. When I QSYed to 20m the first station I could hear was GX4MWS/P, Macclesfield & District Radio Society. Strange coincidence as I was in Macclesfield in October 2008. I told Adrian the operator that I knew Sean, Jimmy and Tom.

On our way back to the car we took the other way to complete the round trip.

Thanks to M0NRH, ON5KL and ON6DSL for spots on the DX Cluster.

14MHz: 23 QSOs
DXCCs: G, ON, MM, HB9, LA, 9A, DL, GW, EI
S2S: 1 QSO, LA1ENA/P on LA/TM-014

LA/TM-038 Himingen

Today I decided to activate Himingen. The cell phone coverage on the summit was rather poor and I had to use 15 minutes to find a place where I could log on to sotawatch and spot my activation. I also tried to SMS the usual LA/TM chasers but all the messages were rejected. Sorry guys!

On 40m I heard two stations at the same time. I got back to G0TDM but sadly the mix of the two stations unlabeled me to work any of them. I experienced a lot of QSB but managed to work 8 stations before QSYing to 20m.

Thanks to Steve G1INK for the spot on 20m.

7MHz: 8 QSOs
7MHz: 9 QSOs
DXCCs: ON, DL, OE, G, EI, S5, HB9, GW

Road fee: NOK 50, coins or credit card

LA/VF-002 Vindfjell

The weather was nice when I parked my car and started the walk to Vindfjell today. On the summit it was rather windy. I erected my doublet antenna at the view point about 50 meters from the cairn. I started to listen for E-openings at 10m but could not hear any stations. I QSYed to 40m and worked 14 stations before I turned to 20m. Before I packed my gear I also worked one local LA station on 2m.

Thanks to DL6MZ and G3OHC for spotting on sotawatch and to HA7UG and ON5KL for spotting on the DX cluster.

7MHz: 14 QSOs
14MHz: 13 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: HB9, ON, G, OK, DL, OZ, PA, HA, EI, S5, 9A, GW, I, LA

Road fee: 55 NOK payed by giro transfer

LA/TM-052 Storfjell

During our long weekend at the cottage XYL on myself decided to climb Storfjell. The weather was very nice but the QSO rate was poor. I only managed one single qso on 40m! 20m was a little better.

I managed to work both Aage LA1ENA/P and Kjell LA1KHA/P summit to summit from LA/TM-042 on 80m.

7MHz: 1 QSO
14MHz: 6 QSOs
3.6MHz: 2 QSOs
S2S: 2 QSOs
DXCCs: GM, DL, S5, HA, G, OK, LA

Blog entry is backdated

LA/TM-050 Kittilskollen

The weather was very nice today although it was very windy. I started on 10m but could not hear any stations so I QSYed to 40m. I worked 15 stations before QSYing a bit up due to a strong carrier on my QRG. I then worked 7 more stations before I QSYed to 20m. I did not get any answers so I went for another try on 28MHz. I worked two LY stations. I also worked Kjell LA1KHA again on 145.550MHz and a MJ/DL station on 18MHz.

Thanks to Einar Kenneth (Ken) GM0AXY for the spots!

7MHz: 22 QSOs
28MHz: 2 QSOs
144MHz: 1 QSO
18MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: G, DL, F, LA, GM, 9A, ON, HB9, LY, MJ

The Poll

When I asked "What's your favorite SOTA activity?" I got 4 answers. 2 votes for Activating and 2 votes for Both. No-one voted for Chasing only.

The new Poll is inspired by the Sporadic E season: "Do you fancy Activating/Chasing on 10m?"

LA/TM-018 Hørsfjell

The plan for today was to activate Hørsfjell and hopefully work some 10m contacts. I checked DX Sherlock before leaving home. At the top I put up my 20m Extended Double Zepp antenna (2*13,4m) inverted V style supported by a 6m telescopic pole. At first I had some problems with my FT-817 not giving out any power but I soon realised that this was caused by a faulty control cable to the Elecraft T1 ATU. I removed the control cable and everything worked great!

I worked 7 stations on 10m before QSYing to 40m. Before heading home I worked Tom LB8X and Øystein LA8IY over the LA5GR 2m repeater. We also did some testing on 6m but I was only able to work LA8IY.

Edit: Tom, LB8X, has commented that we also did a QSO on 2m simplex and he is completely right. I must have forgot to log the QSO when we QSYed back to LA5GR repeater.

28MHz: 7 QSOs
7MHz: 16 QSOs
145MHz: 1 QSO
50MHz: 1 QSO
DXCCs: OM, DL, HB9, S5, 9A, YU, G, GM, GW, LA

LA/TM-044 Skulssnippen

Tonight I had a hard time getting the four qsos I needed. I started on 40m and even though I self spotted I could hear no answers in the S9 QRN! I QSYed to 20m and was soon called by HA7UG and received a 59 report. He told me that LA1ENA was calling me but I barely heard Aage at all.

I QSYed to 80m and managed to work LA1ENA and Hans-Petter LA6GOA. Back on 20m I worked two EA stations and received 59 and 58 reports. At the end I tried to work A41LD who was very strong with me but the pileup grew to large for me.

I left a sheet from my Rite-in-the-rain-notepad in the plastic box in the cairn to document activations. On my way home I spotted another badger, the second in four days! This one was crossing the road in front of my car.

Thanks to LA1ENA who helped me with spots and to HA7UG who let me know Aage was on the frequency.

14MHz: 3 qsos
3,6MHz: 2 qsos
DXCCs: HA, LA, EA

Road fee: Nok 30 (coins only), old fashion Pay and Display box.

LA/TM-048 Vestre Hoppefjell

Today Sissel, my XYL joined me on a trip to Vestre Hoppefjell. I worked 12 stations on 40m. After 15 minutes it started to rain and we packed our gear and headed home.

Road fee: Nok 50, credit card only

7MHz: 12 qsos
DXCCs: G, ON, OZ, DL, MM, 9A, LA

LA/TM-013 Vestre Vealøs

Due to reports on the Internet on Sporadic-E openings on 10m I decided to join the NAC28 (NRAU Activity Contest on 10m) from Vestre Vealøs. I scanned the band for a while but could only hear two local stations.

I QSYed to 20m and worked one OE station. On 40m I worked 9 stations but the activation suffered from a lot of QSB. I used the PAC-12 antenna with coils for the different bands but had a little problem getting the SWR down on 10m. I fixed this by changing the radial kit.

I walked from the gate at Skifjell because I expected to return in the dark. The wind on the summit was rather heavy.

I almost stepped on a badger on my way home!

14MHz: 1 qso
7MHZ: 9 qsos
145MHz: 2 qsos
DXCCs: OE, HA, G, DL, GW, LA

Blog entry is backdated

LA/TM-016 Valsåsen

DXCCs: ON, G, GW, DL, LY, GM, LA

7MHz: 16 qsos
3,6MHz: 3 qsos
145MHz: 1 qso

LA/TM-030 Jønneberg

LA1ENA, LA1KHA and myself decided to celebrate the one year anniversary of SOTA in Norway by activating Jønneberg. On the way we tried to call LA1DNA to invite him but he didn't answer the phone. The activation today suffered from a lot of RFI mostly because the rigs were set up to close.


Photo: LA1ENA in cw qso

LA1ENA
10MHz: 10 qsos
7MHz: 28 qsos
DXCCs: DL, G, 9A, HB9, GM, F, HA, OK, ON, SM, EI, OE, S5

LA1KHA
10MHz: 11 qsos
7MHz: 7 qsos til
DXCCs: DL, F, G, HA, OE, OK, S5, UA, 9A

LA1TPA
14MHz: 8 qsos
7MHz: 4 qsos
DXCCs: S5, LA, HA, I, OE, HB9, G, ON

LA/TM-049 Holtankollen

Tonight I activated Holtankollen. My plan was to work Sean M0GIA pedestrian mobile on The Cloud but nothing was heard. We'll make it next time Sean! I managed to work a 4X stations on 18MHz.

7MHz: 6 qsos
14MHz: 6 qsos
18MHz: 1 qso
145MHz: 1 qso

DXCCs LA, G, EI, SV, 9A, ON, DL, GM, 4X, CT1

LA/TM-017 Store Havsåsen

Today it was time to activate Store Havsåsen. I decided to walk LA1ENAs "secret" path and parked my car by the road. I had some difficulties finding the path. At the summit I rigged up the doublet antenna and started calling on 80m. No takers. I QSYed to 7.120MHz and after a minute I had a little pile-up. I also worked some stations on 20m before I returned home.

7MHz: 9 qsos
14MHz: 6 qsos

DXCCs: 9A, G, DL, GM, OE, HA

LA/TM-012 Svarteberget

Today I decided to activate Svarteberget (Black Mountain). Someone had put up some blue ribbons to mark a different path to the summit. I followed that path but found it to be longer than the original one. On my way down I found out that this was done due to snow on the original track. I started off on 80m but didn't get any answers. On 7.118MHz I was answered by DD6DO/P but sadly we were not able to complete the qso. I heard him QSY to 7.120MHz and I think that confused some of the chasers as I heard some of them call for me on his qrg. When done at 40m I QSYed to 20m and worked some more stations. When packing up my gear I listened on 145.550 and worked Kjell LA1KHA/M. This qso was heard by two operators from Vestfold and they both called me.

Summit to Summit
I worked HA5MA/P and HA5LV/P on HA/KD-032.
I almost worked DD6DO/P on DM/TH-583 but I'm quit sure that Stephan was not able to copy the 52 report I gave him. We'll make it next time Stephan.

14MHz: 6 QSOs
7MHz: 6 QSOs
145MHz: 3 QSOs

DXCCs: G, ON, HA, DL, OE, LA

LA/TM-066 Dalfjellet

Yesterday LA1ENA, LA1KHA and myself activated Dalfjellet. Aage and Kjell started ahead of me and was already on the air when I arrived.

We spotted a toxic viper.


LA1ENA
7MHz: 37 QSOs
14MHz: 4 QSOs
DXCCs: DL, G, ON, SM, 9A, LY, OE, GM, HA, OK, YL, PA, LX, UA og EA

LA1KHA
10MHz: 31 QSOs
DXCCs: DL, F, G, GW, GM, GI, LX, OH,OK, PA, SM, UA og 9A

LA1TPA
3.5MHz: 2 QSOs
7MHz: 5QSOs
DXCCs: LA, DL, G, SM, ON

Parking spot: Dal sag south of the summit

Blog entry is backdated