Just finished two weeks vacation up north in JP66, and accidentally found a nearby summit that never had been activated before. Åkvikfjellet, LA/HE-475, was successfully activated with 27 QSOs. I could have done many more, but for those of you who have met me in person will now nod understandingly, knowing that I cannot function when it’s too hot. At +19 C with no wind, my disable button is already partially depressed.

Oh, I should also mention the fact that I carried the heaviest backpack known to mankind with me. Radio, coaxial cable, water supply, and two lead-acid batteries. Yes, I brought one backup, just in case. I must have been 30 kilograms, if not more.

I used the most portable radio I have, Yaesu FT-100D, for this activation. The antenna was a vertical with just two elevated radials, supported by a 6 meter fishing rod and some guy wires. Since the battery lacked monitoring, I ran 25 watts to be on the safe side, but this turned out to be more than enough. Reports varied from 3-1 to 5-9 across Europe.

The summit is the nearest one in this photo, the one farthest away is Dønnamannen which I’ve climbed before, but without radio equipment.

Besides that there were little to no activity from my end. I was supposed to try some 2m contacts but the antenna collapsed which made me say fuck it as I lost all motivation to put it back together. I will try again next time.

Thankfully I had a couple of beers awaiting me in the fridge, so I could enjoy the evening and a wonderful sunset.