At the end of September I found that the 20m band was in quite good condition and as a result Marija and I logged a number of overseas WWFF & SOTA activators. Here is a breakdown of some of our contacts…..

FRIDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2021

Sebastian SP3W in POLAND was the first portable DX activator in the log. Sebastian was on 20m and was activating Użytek Ekologiczny Torfowisko Gudzisz SPFF-0527. I sent a 5/3 signal report to Sebastian and a 5/5 was received here in South Australia.

Next was DA0DFF who was on 20m and were activating Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeer DLFF-0013 and IOTA EU-042.

I then spoke with Adrian M0PAI in ENGLAND who was activating Eastern Moors RSPB GFF-0382. Adrian’s signal was low down to me, as I was to Adrian (3/1 sent and 3/3 received), however we were able to exchange signal reports and callsigns without too much fuss.

I then spoke with Dave G1OCN/p who was activating West Bay Special Areas of Conservation GFF-0416 in ENGLAND. Again, signals were low down, but we were able to work each other (3/1 sent and 4/4 received).

SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2021

On Saturday afternoon we worked Ivo IZ0MQN/p in Natura 2000 – Boschi Sereni – Torricella (San Biagio della Valle) IFF-1605 in ITALY. Conditions were quite good on the long path into Europe, with 5/3 sent and 5/8 received.

Next up was Rodolfo I4RHP who was activating Oasi Isola Bianca IFF-0819 in ITALY. Rodolfo was quite a good signal (5/5 sent and 5/8 received).

I then logged IQ5QO in Natura 2000 – Torre dell’Orso IFF-1739 in ITALY. Known for its beach of fine silver-coloured sand, however, occupied by several bathing establishments, Torre dell’Orso boasts a particularly clear sea due to the currents of the Otranto canal. 

SUNDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2021.

On Sunday on the long path I worked Antonio EC2AG who was on SOTA summit Lemoatxa EA2/ BI-063 in SPAIN. I have worked Antonio on SOTA summits previously. On this occasion we made contact quite easily with 5/3 sent and 5/5 received.

Next in the log was Jim 5B4ALS who was activating SOTA summit 5B/ CY-046 in CYPRUS. Jim was a good signal on the long path (5/3 sent and 5/5 received).

I then spoke with Joe OE5JFE who was activating SOTA summit Spirzinger OE/ SB-156 in AUSTRIA. 5/3 sent and 5/5 received.

Next was Bob M0MJA who was activating the Severn Estuary SPA/SAC/RAMSAR – Bridgewater Bay NNR (inc Steart Marshes WWT) GFF-0181 in ENGLAND. 5/3 both ways.

I then spoke with Sam F4GYG/P who was activating Le Fond de Croisette FFF-2007 in FRANCE. Sam is another regular activator who appears in my log.

I then logged IQ5QO who was activating Riserva Naturale San Cataldo IFF-0145 in ITALY. 5/5 sent and 5/7 received.

Next was John CT2GSN who was activating SOTA summit Serra de Airo CT/ MN-045 in PORTUGAL. 5/5 sent and 5/7 received.

I then tuned down the band a little and found Andy G7SQW/p who was activating Strumpshaw Fen RSPB GFF-0166 in ENGLAND. 5/3 sent and 5/7 received.

Next up was an interesting contact with Sid GB0EOR who was doing an activation for the Railways on the Air event. GB0EOR was operated by members of the Harlow and District Amateur Radio Society from North Weald Station.

I then spoke with Salvatore IT9AAK/0 who was activating a lighthouse for the Worked All Italian Lighthouse Award. The Lighthouse of Genoa (LA-007), known in Italian as Lanterna di Genova, or simply Lanterna, is the main lighthouse for the city’s port. 

Finally I logged DA0DFF in Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeer DLFF-0013 and IOTA EU-042 in GERMANY.

It has been a very enjoyable weekend of chasing/hunting European/UK park/SOTA activators. Thanks to all of them for being out there and listening out for Australia.

The 2021 Oceania DX Contest has been and gone (Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd October).

I made a total of 676 QSOs with a claimed score of 653,256 points.

I worked a total of 60 different DXCC entities.

Countries worked were:-

• Antarctica
• Asiatic Russia
• Australia
• Austria
• Balearic Islands
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Bosnia-Hersegovina
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Chile
• China
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• England
• Estonia
• European Russia
• Federal Rep of Germany
• Fiji
• Finland
• France
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Hawaii
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• India
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Norway
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Rep of Korea
• Romania
• Scotland
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Ukraine
• United States
• Wales
• West Malaysia

I operated on the 10, 15, 20, 40, & 80m bands on SSB.

• 10m – 3 QSOs.
• 15m – 61 QSOs
• 20m – 408 QSOs
• 40m – 136 QSOs
• 80m – 68 QSOs

The map below shows my contacts around the world during the Contest. A guide to the pins is as follows:

• green – 10m
• light blue – 15m
• orange – 20m
• red – 40m
• dark blue – 80m

The 20m band on the long path into Europe on Saturday afternoon was absolutely brilliant. Short path on Saturday evening was also quite good on 20m. Unfortunately the contest finished as the 20m band was opening on Sunday. The map below shows my contacts into Europe.

I made a number of contacts into Japan and South-East Asia, with most of those on the 15m band, and just two Japanese stations on 10m.

My contacts into North America were limited. I worked a few USA on 20m and one on 10m. Unfortunately I did not hear too many USA signals on 40m.

I made a number of contacts around Australia and into New Zealand on 20, 40, & 80m SSB.

Thank you to everyone who called.

The ‘card fairy’ delivered me a VP6R QSL card from Pitcairn Island.

Yesterday I received a QSL card and some photos from my good mate Dave G4AKC who regularly goes pedestrian and bicycle mobile in ENGLAND.

Found out yesterday that I came 3rd overall in VK in the 2021 Remembrance Day Contest and 1st in VK5 – Single-Op Phone section.

Thanks to everyone who called and thanks to Alan VK4SN the Contest Manager.

Yesterday I qualified for my latest VKFF award certificate, the VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 1,575, issued for having worked a total of 1,575 different VKFF references.

Thank you to all of the VKFF Activators.

Here is a selection of QSL cards I have received in the past couple of weeks.

Last night (Monday 12th September 2021) I burnt the midnight oil a little and worked a handful of DX portable/mobile stations on 20m on the short path. The band was alive with European signals due to the Worked All Europe DX Contest, but I focussed on the portable operators who were operating outside of the Contest.

First in the log was Joe M1DLS who was activating Northumbrian Coast SPA-Blyth North Beach GFF-0339. Joe was 5/3 and gave me a 5/3 also. The map below shows his location.

The photos below show GFF-0339 (c/o Google maps).

I found the video below that was put together by Joe of his activation.

Next in the log was Mark M0NOM/p who was activating SOTA peak Whitbarrow-Lords Seat G/ LD-056 in GFF-0233. Mark was 5/3 and he gave me a 5/7.

The map below shows the location of G/ LD-056 and GFF-0233.

More info on the summit can be found at……..

This was followed by Balazs HA5GB/p who was activating SOTA peak HA/ KM-028 in Hungary. The signal reports were 5/3 sent and 4/5 received.

Next was Rodolfo I4RHP/p who was activating Natura 2000 – Alta Valle Del Torrente Sintria IFF-1888 in Italy. The signals were 5/5 both ways. The photos below are c/o https://ambiente.regione.emilia-romagna.it/

I then spoke with Steve G5EPC who was operating portable with 100 watts and a 5/8th vertical antenna. Steve was 5/5 and he gave a 5/6 signal report. Steve has a website which can be found at…….

https://g5epc.blogspot.com/

And finally I spoke with Fraser MM0JHCD/p who was stationary mobile about 40 miles east of Edinburgh. He was running an Icom IC7100, Heil headset, and a MFJ telescopic vertical antenna on the roof of his van. Fraser was 5/4 and he gave me a 5/5 signal report.

I did hear a number of other European/UK SOTA and Park activators, but unfortunately they were being drowned out by other European stations taking part in the Worked All Europe DX Contest.

A selection of QSL cards I have received in recent weeks…..

Found out today the results of the 2021 CQ World Wide WPX Contest.

I entered into the Single Operator Low Power All Bands section. I came 1st in Australia and 12th in Oceania.

And this is the certificate in the overlay category – Tribander (10, 15, 20m) and single element for 40 & 80m. I came 1st in Australia and 2nd in Oceania.