On the 5 May 2008 I was in contact with Johan ZS2I on 2 Meter Simplex when Conrad ZS1KG joined the conversation from the Outeniqua mountains. He was on his way to Cradock's Peak after successfully summit the second highest peak in the George area earlier. Conrad used a Yaesu VX2R handheld only putting out 1 watt. Conrad also managed to work the 145.625 Mhz Swartberg Repeater from this area. For those not familiar with this area, this is a treacherous mountainous area. Many aircraft accidents took place in these mountains including the Hansie Cronje's plane crash. This is not just a "koppie" to climb for an afternoon's fun. You have to be fit and aware of the weather conditions.
Conrad wrote:
"Dit was lekker om so n vinnige QSO met jou te kon he terwyl ons daar op die berg was. Die koordinate van waaraf ek met julle gesels het is soos volg:
33*53’39.95”S
22*27’28.81”E
Ek heg ook aan die email n paar fotos vanaf Google Earth om presies te wys waar op die berg ons was sowel as n paar fotos geneem bo op Cradock Piek. Ek was in staat om die 145.625 Swartberg herhaler met my handradio te werk. Hy was op lae krag 1W met die standard 6cm uhf antenna. Nogmaals dankie vir die vinnige QSO."
This is not the first time that Conrad has successfully reached the summit of Cradock.s peak. If I am not mistaken he has done this five times before. If you look at the photo's you will see that this mountain is not a walk in the park. In one of the photos you can even see the clouds below the mountain peak. Thanks for the contact Conrad and maybe we should start a VHF/UHF Summits on the Air (SOTA) in the Southern Cape.
What is SOTA?
"Summits on the Air (SOTA) is an award scheme for radio amateurs and shortwave listeners that encourages portable operation in mountainous areas. SOTA has been carefully designed to make participation possible for everyone - this is not just for mountaineers! There are awards for activators (those who ascend to the summits) and chasers (who either operate from home, a local hilltop or are even Activators on other summits)."
More information about SOTA?
Visit: http://www.sota.org.uk/
Top: QSO relative to the town of George.
Top:
Wi-Fi antennas on Cradock Peak. Notice the
clouds.
Top: Conrad ZS1KG (right)
and friend. Look at the sea in the back-ground.
Top: Solar panels supplying power to
all the transmitters.
Top: Solar panels, Wind charger and Wi-Fi antenna.
