Summits on the Air

Reflector

October 2003

Into the first week of November and temperatures in Lockcarron, Western Scotland, reached the dizzy heights of 20 Celsius (68F). On Friday 7th Stornaway in the Outer Hebrides reached 16.3 Celsius, smashing its all-time record which goes back 142 years! Moving from tenth position to fifth this month, Robin GM7PKT seems intent on smashing records too - he climbed 10 summits in October for 70 points, four of these being first activations. Well done, Robin!

Of the 92 activations in October, 29 were made in Scotland. Allan MM1BJP has also been very active, climbing 7 summits to earn 39 points and activating Beinn Mhic Chasgaig for the first time. Culardoch and Carn Liath were also activated for the first time by Barry GM4TOE. If you haven't yet seen that stunning photograph of the stag with Beinn a'Bhuird in the background, go to Barry's photo album on the reflector site. A further 7 summits were activated for the first time in Scotland, Robin claiming four of these.

Activity has also been great in Germany. Welcome to DH0DK who climbed three summits last month; Matthias DL1JMS gained 16 points, climbing two summits but 54 points out of the 110 scored go to DL2HSC climbing 7 summits which pushed him up to 17th position in the Activators' Table! DL2LTO earned 26 points activating 3 summits, taking him to 21st position and over 100 points. Congratulations to DL2HSC and DL2LTO on achieving their first SOTA Award!

It is always satisfying to be the first to activate a summit in the programme. Well done to Tom M1EYP for activating Lord's Seat in the Lake District, to Peter M0COP for activating Hergest Ridge and Bradnor Hill in the Welsh Border Region, and EI7GY for activating Keideen Mountain in East Ireland. I really ought to do something about that last 4 pointer in North Wales, unless someone beats me to it! How many new summits can we activate next month?

An amazing 609 QSOs were made from the summits last month. DL2HSC had 19 on Greifensteine and another 19 on Burg Frauenstein; DH0DK had 17 on Lausche, while here in England Rob G4RQJ had 16 on Illgill Head and in Scotland, Allan MM1BJP had 16 QSO's on Ben Vane. Welcome back, Ron G4FBC. We all look forward to working you again.

Welcome too, to M0DXR; I missed you in September when you joined us up on Red Screes. G0HJQ began his SOTA activations with Blencathra in the Lake District and it seems Mark M0DEV had more success when he crossed the border into Wales. Having joined us as an activator in August, Riley G7GOD activated three summits in October. I do hope he doesn't make a habit of walking in the dark, however; it's much too nerve racking for the chasers who are meant to feel secure and comfortable in their shack! If you haven't yet accessed Riley's Summit Locator then do go to http:/sota.memalpha.co.uk when planning your next expedition - many thanks for all your hard work there, Riley, and for your offer to arrange the Chaser Table. I wish all new SOTA activators success in the coming months, but do take extra care in this winter season when conditions can change so dramatically and suddenly.

While waiting for the Chasers Table to come online, you may like to know that 18 Chasers have claimed their first award certificate; Alan M1EYO, John G3WGV, Keith G0OXV and Graham G4JZV have been issued with their 250 award certificate; Keith G0OXV and Graham G4JZV have their 500 award certificates. We have already congratulated Keith on attaining his 1000 points, and I know Rob G4RQJ is almost there! If you have earned the points, claim your certificates and let us know. Dave G3YMC earned his first 100 points as a chaser using QSO's on 40m CW only! Has anyone else specialized in such a way?

The Lake District Weekend will shortly be here. Myke G6DDQ will be publishing the list of summits we intend to activate, so keep a look out on the Reflector. While Gwendolyn may be disappointed by the likely change of venue, I quite like the sound of hot showers and carpets. Let's hope the weather is kind to all those taking part.

Should the weather turn against us, we can always turn our attentions to Keith's puzzle. I have it on good authority that Robin GM7PKT had solved it before the ink was dry, and Alan M1EYO sent his answer in shortly afterwards. Anyone else have the solution?

Have fun, but wrap up, keep warm and stay safe on those mountains.

Shirley MW0YLS

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Last modified: October 13, 2003