Spontaneously – and in the increasingly desperate hope of escaping the persistent fog in the valley – we decide to go on an after-work trip to the Dobratsch one wintry afternoon. Also there: Finot, our always over-motivated leader, Alina and me.
The sun is shining on us at the top of Villach’s local mountain, but the parking lot is also beaming with activity: people… Lots of people… Several laps of honor later, it becomes clear: We are clearly not in the usual “lonely summit, contemplative silence” mode here. A first frown. Finally a parking lot. Relief.
The very first item on the agenda: the toilet. In the ten-minute queue, the legitimate question arises as to whether a book on the couch wouldn’t have been a wiser life decision. But good – we’re here now.
As soon as we set off, fresh air, blue skies and bright sun quickly eliminate all doubts. Also included: my brave little Yaesu FT-65E with SRJ77 antenna, which with its 5 watts has always given me 264 km of “long-distance connection” when the airwaves are in a good mood. So it’s actually a miracle device. In theory.
Chatting (and panting slightly) we work our way up through the snow. Topic of conversation number one: our condition. Topic of conversation number two: why she used to be clearly better. In any case, the view is great and successfully distracts from the conditional reality.
Shortly before sunset we reach the summit – not elegantly, but certainly satisfied. A little in doubt, everything will now be unpacked – will I be able to compete with the QRM from the Dobratsch transmitter with my minimalist equipment?
But first put the obligatory spot – the woman wants to draw attention to herself – and of course nothing works at first: the app doesn’t really work, the spot doesn’t go through. No matter – time for some nice photos of the wonderful panoramic view. It’s already cooled down a bit (the wind and temperatures pick up quite a bit within a short time) and with clammy fingers we finally get started: the spot is through and the first call is made. Well: silence in the forest or rather on the QRG.
And the well-known doubts arise: too much QRM? No OMs or YLs QRV? Or just no one wants a QSO?
And then what luck: after a few calls, the signal from OE8YML with a decent 50 watt transmission power, from Nötsch, which is only a few kilometers away, makes its way through the squelch of my handheld radio, wavering alarmingly. Michi, who is experienced in SOTA, then immediately lets me know that it is quite typical for the Dobratsch that the transmission signal goes through, but reception is very limited. And again a bit cleverer.
At least: the mountain is already activated – but 3 more QSOs are still missing the hoped for 11 Sota points.
We all have it in our ears: “Change location, change antenna or increase power!”… I don’t have many options and I look for the way over the icy slope to the location recommended by Michi in the “pileup of a different kind” under the observation of a very interested audience, a happily barking Finot, incoming calls, an ÖWR alarm and my good friend, who is obviously quite amused by the scene and continues to bravely call CQ-Sota.
“Hmmm”… now it’s getting pretty bitterly cold and the hope of further QSOs is rapidly dwindling. And then suddenly: there is recordable life on the 2m ether. Three more familiar voices make the radio woman’s heart beat faster as the signal strength fluctuates between 1-1 and 5-9. It’s done! That’s the goal achieved! The 4 QSOs from the summit of Dobratsch are in the log!
Finally, with dusk approaching and nature’s wonderful play of colors, we head towards the hut feast to the summit house. Once we arrive in the warm little room, we eat properly and our four-legged companion is also rewarded with their own “dog menu” from the menu.
As we sat comfortably together, Alina told me about her encounter with a woman at the summit who asked “whether I was doing it for fun”… followed by her report that she and her husband had been radioing in the late 1960s… long before SOTA, the two of them traveled all over Europe in their bus and enjoyed this very special hobby themselves. I’m satisfied once again – at least I wasn’t the only “crazy” on this summit.
Night has now fallen outside and it is time to descend. Grödeln and a headlamp are put on and we hike down over the crunchy snow in wonderfully clear mountain air, wintry silence and the romantic sparkling moon. An impressive view of the valley towards brightly lit Villach makes us once again grateful for this unique excursion.
Pleasantly tired, slightly cold but happy, we reach the now deserted parking lot. Off home – into the warmth, with a big grin on your face.
With this in mind, dear OMs & YLs: CQ SOTA? Please report! – it’s really bitterly cold up there 😉
73 Christina OE8YYY