Messages from Award Holders
William Newman M0BNN
The first Certificate of Merit was awarded to William Newman (M0BNN) on 02 September 2011 in acknowledgement of his exceptional efforts for the benefit of the amateur radio community. Bill has so far activated more than 80 lighthouses, primarily in Scotland with the callsign MM0BNN/p.
Bill's message:
My 1st Lighthouse activation was at the Crinan Canal, west coast of Scotland, Sound of Jura on 10/04/2000 (CRINAN Lighthouse SCO- 257) with a Yeasu ft 707 ATU Yeasu FC 700 80W and 40/20 Meter Pro-Am mobile antennas. I made 30 contacts.
How did this fascination for LHs and activating LHs come about?
I had been visiting Scotland for 30 years and activating lighthouses gave me new locations in Scotland to visit that I had never seen before but as I got further involved in activating lighthouses, I realized, as many other people around the world found, that their local lighthouse was now fully automated and the lighthouse keepers’ houses were being sold off and in some cases also the lighthouse and hoping by advertising lighthouse activations other people/groups would try to save some of the lighthouses from being demolished and as we know many of our lighthouses over the last 11 years have been saved for future generations to visit also I found that many of the contacts I made had never seen a lighthouse, with them living so far from the sea ( before we all had internet connections) and that my QSL cards with a full photograph of a lighthouse gave them some enjoyment as I know from the many complementary words I have received on air and by mail, to add to this I also realized in many instances the operators I had a contact with, were in many cases people with many different disabilities and were confined to their houses most of the time and the only contact with the world around them was via our amateur hobby and I may have been the only person that day they could speak with and that is why I will at anytime stop and have a short qso with them and I would like to say here that over the past 11 years of activating lighthouses I have made many many good friends from all around the world who often just call in to say hello to me but also the many SWLs who have sent me reports and often emails, to you all I say thank you.
There was a time when I was in the flower of my youth 11 years ago ( age 65) when I would race off to find a new lighthouse to activate down very narrow winding single track roads here in Scotland in my motor home and never giving a thought to, if at the end of the road could I turn my motor home around to come back but now at 75 years old and a one man operation I now think twice before I race off and now also I have oestroarthritis in my left hip, which, as many other sufferers know, is not a fun thing but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I had message from my son a few days ago telling me I have a 2nd appointment at the orthopedic clinic at home 24th November which I hope will take me a step nearer to getting a new hip joint and I hope next year I will be able to travel to Scotland in 2012.
My equipment for the last 9 years is my Kenwood TS50S Mic. standard dynamic hand mic , ATU Yeasu FC 700 80w and 20/40 meter Pro-Am mobile antennas and travel around Scotland in my 1990 Mercedes Auto trail motor home.
Bill MM0BNN/P M0BNN
André Saunders GM3VLB
The second Certificate of Merit went to André Saunders (GM3VLB) on September 15, 2011 to acknowledge his exceptional island activities. During the past 42 years, André activated more than 280 islands, primarily Scottish islands for the SCOTIA Award, which was created by him, too.
How did this fascination for LHs and activating LHs come about?
I had been visiting Scotland for 30 years and activating lighthouses gave me new locations in Scotland to visit that I had never seen before but as I got further involved in activating lighthouses, I realized, as many other people around the world found, that their local lighthouse was now fully automated and the lighthouse keepers’ houses were being sold off and in some cases also the lighthouse and hoping by advertising lighthouse activations other people/groups would try to save some of the lighthouses from being demolished and as we know many of our lighthouses over the last 11 years have been saved for future generations to visit also I found that many of the contacts I made had never seen a lighthouse, with them living so far from the sea ( before we all had internet connections) and that my QSL cards with a full photograph of a lighthouse gave them some enjoyment as I know from the many complementary words I have received on air and by mail, to add to this I also realized in many instances the operators I had a contact with, were in many cases people with many different disabilities and were confined to their houses most of the time and the only contact with the world around them was via our amateur hobby and I may have been the only person that day they could speak with and that is why I will at anytime stop and have a short qso with them and I would like to say here that over the past 11 years of activating lighthouses I have made many many good friends from all around the world who often just call in to say hello to me but also the many SWLs who have sent me reports and often emails, to you all I say thank you.
There was a time when I was in the flower of my youth 11 years ago ( age 65) when I would race off to find a new lighthouse to activate down very narrow winding single track roads here in Scotland in my motor home and never giving a thought to, if at the end of the road could I turn my motor home around to come back but now at 75 years old and a one man operation I now think twice before I race off and now also I have oestroarthritis in my left hip, which, as many other sufferers know, is not a fun thing but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I had message from my son a few days ago telling me I have a 2nd appointment at the orthopedic clinic at home 24th November which I hope will take me a step nearer to getting a new hip joint and I hope next year I will be able to travel to Scotland in 2012.
My equipment for the last 9 years is my Kenwood TS50S Mic. standard dynamic hand mic , ATU Yeasu FC 700 80w and 20/40 meter Pro-Am mobile antennas and travel around Scotland in my 1990 Mercedes Auto trail motor home.
Bill MM0BNN/P M0BNN
André Saunders GM3VLB
The second Certificate of Merit went to André Saunders (GM3VLB) on September 15, 2011 to acknowledge his exceptional island activities. During the past 42 years, André activated more than 280 islands, primarily Scottish islands for the SCOTIA Award, which was created by him, too.
André's message:
I am both delighted and feel highly honoured to have been nominated for this award. I am pleased that your committee has seen fit to select me. I hope I have given some pleasure down the years to more than a few hams and short-wave listeners. I know that I have many well-known island-chaser followers in Germany.
Incidentally, my own national association (the RSGB) has never seen fit to even mention my activities or support the SCOTIA programme. Indeed, I have written recently to the president to express my great disappointment (at 73+ and over 45 years membership). I have received one or two awards from other groups including apparently being No.1 world-wide in the Russian Robinson Award a few years ago.
I shall therefore be very pleased to accept your certificate. Please thank everyone concerned and all those in your group who have supported me down the years. I should say also that Veronica is also delighted - she, if anyone, is very much aware of the effort involved down the years and of the fact that I am not a youngster any more, hi! hi!
As you know, my XYL Veronica and myself were on a Shetland + Orkney islands expedition for 3 weeks from end of July. I had targeted the last 15 SCOTIA islands not yet activated (primarily because of distance and cost), 6 in Shetland and 9 in Orkney. It was my 5th expedition to that area which has 59 of the 200 designated islands. As you may know, I have had a bad year "physically". In January, my right leg "gave way", leaving me in serious pain...After weeks & months of tests and scans (finally an MRI scan), they "think" some cartilage has broken away from the socket. I was extremely fortunate that a series of steroid injections (all at the same time) left me relatively pain-free for the expedition (I took my XYL both as a "donkey" to help carry the equipment...which I reduced to a minimum, and also for emergency treatment if needed...she was a nurse! I thought she might be more useful than Alex, GM0DHZ!!)
The biggest problems (apart from cost) are transport and weather. Summer gales are frequent. In what was a near miracle, Veronica and I activated all 6 needed Shetland islands in 6 days, leaving us 3 days or so to meet up with old friends such as Hans MM0XAU/DJ6AU and Tony and Nicky (M0YLO) all at Eshaness Lighthouse for the contest.
Then we moved to Orkney, where sadly we were only able to activate 4 islands in the 12 days available, and all were "touch and go". In fact, Veronica refused to come with me to Holm of Scockness (OI26) even in a fairly big fishing boat. The problem is at the other end when you frequently have to transfer from a large boat into a small rowing boat in an almost permanent swell. The other major problem in Orkney is the very fast tidal currents swirling round islands when Atlantic and North Sea tides meet - this can be quite impressive/scary! Small wonder this area has been selected for tests on submerged tidal turbines.
I guess I was happy (and Veronica was relieved) when we headed for home having activated 10 islands (BTW, my "average" QSO rate was 1.1 minutes/QSO, which I feel is reasonable for a limited-interest award, with limited facilities (about 90W from a car battery, with my famous TS-50s and my 4.5m loaded fishing-rod vertical).
This brings my SCOTIA-activated to 195/200 (256 with repeat activations). It has taken me so far 15 years...During this time, I have also activated islands in the Pacific and in west and east Canada, bringing my overall islands activated total to 282...This was far from my thoughts 42 years ago in August 1969 when I activated my first-ever island, and an IOTA "first", LAMU Isl. (AF-040).
Vy 73 de Andre GM3VLB(ex-5Z4KL etc.) es 88 de Veronica
I am both delighted and feel highly honoured to have been nominated for this award. I am pleased that your committee has seen fit to select me. I hope I have given some pleasure down the years to more than a few hams and short-wave listeners. I know that I have many well-known island-chaser followers in Germany.
Incidentally, my own national association (the RSGB) has never seen fit to even mention my activities or support the SCOTIA programme. Indeed, I have written recently to the president to express my great disappointment (at 73+ and over 45 years membership). I have received one or two awards from other groups including apparently being No.1 world-wide in the Russian Robinson Award a few years ago.
I shall therefore be very pleased to accept your certificate. Please thank everyone concerned and all those in your group who have supported me down the years. I should say also that Veronica is also delighted - she, if anyone, is very much aware of the effort involved down the years and of the fact that I am not a youngster any more, hi! hi!
As you know, my XYL Veronica and myself were on a Shetland + Orkney islands expedition for 3 weeks from end of July. I had targeted the last 15 SCOTIA islands not yet activated (primarily because of distance and cost), 6 in Shetland and 9 in Orkney. It was my 5th expedition to that area which has 59 of the 200 designated islands. As you may know, I have had a bad year "physically". In January, my right leg "gave way", leaving me in serious pain...After weeks & months of tests and scans (finally an MRI scan), they "think" some cartilage has broken away from the socket. I was extremely fortunate that a series of steroid injections (all at the same time) left me relatively pain-free for the expedition (I took my XYL both as a "donkey" to help carry the equipment...which I reduced to a minimum, and also for emergency treatment if needed...she was a nurse! I thought she might be more useful than Alex, GM0DHZ!!)
The biggest problems (apart from cost) are transport and weather. Summer gales are frequent. In what was a near miracle, Veronica and I activated all 6 needed Shetland islands in 6 days, leaving us 3 days or so to meet up with old friends such as Hans MM0XAU/DJ6AU and Tony and Nicky (M0YLO) all at Eshaness Lighthouse for the contest.
Then we moved to Orkney, where sadly we were only able to activate 4 islands in the 12 days available, and all were "touch and go". In fact, Veronica refused to come with me to Holm of Scockness (OI26) even in a fairly big fishing boat. The problem is at the other end when you frequently have to transfer from a large boat into a small rowing boat in an almost permanent swell. The other major problem in Orkney is the very fast tidal currents swirling round islands when Atlantic and North Sea tides meet - this can be quite impressive/scary! Small wonder this area has been selected for tests on submerged tidal turbines.
I guess I was happy (and Veronica was relieved) when we headed for home having activated 10 islands (BTW, my "average" QSO rate was 1.1 minutes/QSO, which I feel is reasonable for a limited-interest award, with limited facilities (about 90W from a car battery, with my famous TS-50s and my 4.5m loaded fishing-rod vertical).
This brings my SCOTIA-activated to 195/200 (256 with repeat activations). It has taken me so far 15 years...During this time, I have also activated islands in the Pacific and in west and east Canada, bringing my overall islands activated total to 282...This was far from my thoughts 42 years ago in August 1969 when I activated my first-ever island, and an IOTA "first", LAMU Isl. (AF-040).
Vy 73 de Andre GM3VLB(ex-5Z4KL etc.) es 88 de Veronica
Joachim Braun DH5JBR
Joachim was awarded the Certificate of Merit for his many activations of Scottish islands for the IOSA and SCOTIA award programs. He has done more than 250 activations from more than 30 islands and has also activated some lighthouses.
Joachim's message:
I have travelled Scotland since 1976 and - regrettably - I missed a few years because of qrl issues. It was only in the 90s that I have taken up ham radio, but my serious SWL activities date back to the early 70s. It was in 1962, that I was given my first radio proper and this started me off, also building a kit radio and - with the knowledge gained in physics classes at school - a little transmitter (EF98) that would be audible at the low end of the medium wave band (and in the middle and at the end). Filtering spurious emissions and SWR were not part of the curriculum at that stage. All this is nearly 40 years ago and I can now admit to it without fear of prosecution.
In 2001, I got a portable station and decided to try working from islands there being so many in Scotland. Lighthouses - yes, but some are so close to the road like Corran and rather in a poor spot for radio. They would keep me from going to more islands and so I leave them for people who need accessible targets. I also do not research each island for all lighthouses that may probably also count. So, I do not confirm Eilean Glas lighthouse when I operate from Scalpay, because it is miles away at the other end of the island and with so many QTHs to go to, research to that extent is plainly impossible. It would mean me having to confirm dozens, if not hundreds of lighthouses that are within a radius of some miles from my numerous QTHs. That is what you can do if you go to one island and only one for a week and then go home again. I will QSL the island name, the IOTA and IOSA codes and the WAB square. If that qualifies for Eilean Glas, then I leave it to the lighthouse people to work it out. I, personally would like to be at least in view of the lighthouse and at close range to it before I put it on the QSL.
I have to drive 500 miles on the continent before I even cross the Channel and then drive up to Scotland. All this is only worth its while if I can got o as many islands as possible within my month of holiday. This means that I cannot sit on one island for a week and then go all the way home to Germany and NOT SEE the other places and people I have come to know so well over the years.
Some islands do not allow me to take my car with me or are too expensive to reach by car and so I take my portable battery pack with me. When this is empty, there is no point in staying longer on that island. The ferry company is unwilling to sponsor me even to the point of giving me islander's rates. I can take as much luggage on board as I wish, provided I can carry it ashore all at once. This means a table, a chair, a mast, a battery and a radio station with all accessories like cables, antenna, tuner, transsceiver, paper log.
Some people suggest a laptop for keeping the log or different antenna types or this or that, but I would need to carry all that and power for the laptop as well. If 100 minutes are all I have on an island, I can hardly set up and tune complicated antennas for 80 minutes to find that I only have 20 minutes to use them. My antenna is a wire going up a pole and that is ready to use in 10 minutes from the word "go". It is a kind of "first approximation" to an antenna and affords me QSOs with places as far as Japan, South Africa, Brazil, some areas of the US and Canada and all over Europe. I even have Sachalin Island, Petropawlowsk and VK4 Queensland in the book and confirmed. Carrying more stuff and taking more time to set it up is not really meaningful to me - just plain impossible. I try and make up for my low power by choosing good QTHs under the circumstances with a wide horizon and near the sea.
I usually reduce my power to 40 Watts rasing it to 100 for real DX, but frequently, I lose my frequency to crocodiles (=big mouth, but small ears) that I can hear with "9 plus 15 dB" calling CQ DX and cannot hear me. I wonder why they call DX when they do not know what DX sounds like and are unable to pick it up.
You can read, see and hear more on www.qrz.com/db/dh5jbr and also on the Google Earth community by way of the link from QRZ.
Joachim was awarded the Certificate of Merit for his many activations of Scottish islands for the IOSA and SCOTIA award programs. He has done more than 250 activations from more than 30 islands and has also activated some lighthouses.
Joachim's message:
I have travelled Scotland since 1976 and - regrettably - I missed a few years because of qrl issues. It was only in the 90s that I have taken up ham radio, but my serious SWL activities date back to the early 70s. It was in 1962, that I was given my first radio proper and this started me off, also building a kit radio and - with the knowledge gained in physics classes at school - a little transmitter (EF98) that would be audible at the low end of the medium wave band (and in the middle and at the end). Filtering spurious emissions and SWR were not part of the curriculum at that stage. All this is nearly 40 years ago and I can now admit to it without fear of prosecution.
In 2001, I got a portable station and decided to try working from islands there being so many in Scotland. Lighthouses - yes, but some are so close to the road like Corran and rather in a poor spot for radio. They would keep me from going to more islands and so I leave them for people who need accessible targets. I also do not research each island for all lighthouses that may probably also count. So, I do not confirm Eilean Glas lighthouse when I operate from Scalpay, because it is miles away at the other end of the island and with so many QTHs to go to, research to that extent is plainly impossible. It would mean me having to confirm dozens, if not hundreds of lighthouses that are within a radius of some miles from my numerous QTHs. That is what you can do if you go to one island and only one for a week and then go home again. I will QSL the island name, the IOTA and IOSA codes and the WAB square. If that qualifies for Eilean Glas, then I leave it to the lighthouse people to work it out. I, personally would like to be at least in view of the lighthouse and at close range to it before I put it on the QSL.
I have to drive 500 miles on the continent before I even cross the Channel and then drive up to Scotland. All this is only worth its while if I can got o as many islands as possible within my month of holiday. This means that I cannot sit on one island for a week and then go all the way home to Germany and NOT SEE the other places and people I have come to know so well over the years.
Some islands do not allow me to take my car with me or are too expensive to reach by car and so I take my portable battery pack with me. When this is empty, there is no point in staying longer on that island. The ferry company is unwilling to sponsor me even to the point of giving me islander's rates. I can take as much luggage on board as I wish, provided I can carry it ashore all at once. This means a table, a chair, a mast, a battery and a radio station with all accessories like cables, antenna, tuner, transsceiver, paper log.
Some people suggest a laptop for keeping the log or different antenna types or this or that, but I would need to carry all that and power for the laptop as well. If 100 minutes are all I have on an island, I can hardly set up and tune complicated antennas for 80 minutes to find that I only have 20 minutes to use them. My antenna is a wire going up a pole and that is ready to use in 10 minutes from the word "go". It is a kind of "first approximation" to an antenna and affords me QSOs with places as far as Japan, South Africa, Brazil, some areas of the US and Canada and all over Europe. I even have Sachalin Island, Petropawlowsk and VK4 Queensland in the book and confirmed. Carrying more stuff and taking more time to set it up is not really meaningful to me - just plain impossible. I try and make up for my low power by choosing good QTHs under the circumstances with a wide horizon and near the sea.
I usually reduce my power to 40 Watts rasing it to 100 for real DX, but frequently, I lose my frequency to crocodiles (=big mouth, but small ears) that I can hear with "9 plus 15 dB" calling CQ DX and cannot hear me. I wonder why they call DX when they do not know what DX sounds like and are unable to pick it up.
You can read, see and hear more on www.qrz.com/db/dh5jbr and also on the Google Earth community by way of the link from QRZ.
Nenad Rotter 9A5AN; 9A5N
Neno has been awarded the CoM for having activated more than 350 Croatian islands for the IOCA Award.
Neno’s Message:
I started my IOCA activity in June 2005 with my ex-call 9A5ANR.
That year I activated 25 islands.
During the last years, the average number of islands activated per year went up to nearly 60. My personal record is 87 activated islands in year 2009. At present I have activated 354 islands. About 80% of these islands are not populated; untouched nature, difficult for landing and activation.
In the year 2006 I organized an IOCA/IOTA expedition to Palagruza Island, EU-090 with my friends from OM. In six days we made over 11000 QSO's.
The last official number of Croatian islands, islets and rocks is 1244. Only 66 islands are populated, some of them just temporarily during summer. The current IOCA list of islands has 1005 islands listed, the rest have not got a name on any map and therefore they are not valid for IOCA.
Still lots of islands remain for me to be activated in the next years. IOCA is an activity for the whole life.
All information about the IOCA programme can be found on http://ioca.hamradio.hr/ .
73 de Neno
Neno’s Message:
I started my IOCA activity in June 2005 with my ex-call 9A5ANR.
That year I activated 25 islands.
During the last years, the average number of islands activated per year went up to nearly 60. My personal record is 87 activated islands in year 2009. At present I have activated 354 islands. About 80% of these islands are not populated; untouched nature, difficult for landing and activation.
In the year 2006 I organized an IOCA/IOTA expedition to Palagruza Island, EU-090 with my friends from OM. In six days we made over 11000 QSO's.
The last official number of Croatian islands, islets and rocks is 1244. Only 66 islands are populated, some of them just temporarily during summer. The current IOCA list of islands has 1005 islands listed, the rest have not got a name on any map and therefore they are not valid for IOCA.
Still lots of islands remain for me to be activated in the next years. IOCA is an activity for the whole life.
All information about the IOCA programme can be found on http://ioca.hamradio.hr/ .
73 de Neno
Cezar Trifu VE3LYC
Cezar is well known to the community of IOTA chasers for his spectacular and sometimes hazardous activations of very rare IOTA island groups in North and South America. He is a modern adventurer who truly deserves the award.
Cezar's message:
Thank you very much for your message and your kind words of appreciation for my IOTA operations. I will very humbly accept your Certificate. I have checked the website of your organization, and the recipients of this Certificate are all very well known to the community as great activators. It is an honour to be in their presence.
In the meantime, I would like to mention that none of my activities would have been possible without the logistical support I have received from a large number of people, whose names and dedication I will never forget. Additionally, I was very fortunate to receive significant financial support from various organizations and individuals, who allowed me to continue this passionate pursuit of activating rare IOTA groups. I would like to thank Ken and Johan for accepting to team up with me, and for sharing in some great adventures. Last, but not least, the moral support received from my wife Lucia was total and unconditional. As you can see, I was only the pilot of a race car, who was extremely fortunate to have along him a fantastic team, without whom could have never stood in the spotlight!
In the meantime, I would like to mention that none of my activities would have been possible without the logistical support I have received from a large number of people, whose names and dedication I will never forget. Additionally, I was very fortunate to receive significant financial support from various organizations and individuals, who allowed me to continue this passionate pursuit of activating rare IOTA groups. I would like to thank Ken and Johan for accepting to team up with me, and for sharing in some great adventures. Last, but not least, the moral support received from my wife Lucia was total and unconditional. As you can see, I was only the pilot of a race car, who was extremely fortunate to have along him a fantastic team, without whom could have never stood in the spotlight!
Guy Pailhories F5BLC
Guy has activated about seventy islands, primarily in Scotland, but also in France and the Baltic area. He especially stresses the fu8n part of operating from small and not easily accessible islands.
Guy's message:
If somebody asks me “what do you like in the radio?” I will say all! If he tells “yes but, what do you prefer?” I will answer probably CW, and certainly Islands activation. I don’t know why but a day spent on a rocky islet with just the sea under the eyes, nobody, ferns and heathers all around, with the headphone on the ears is for me, some of the most exiting moment offered by our hobby.
It is not just the activity of the radio from the island, but also the whole environment of the operation. The contact with the land owner, the trip with the boatman, the choice of the best place for the antenna… the buzzing head after the long day and too many QSO…
I discovered this pleasure several years ago, during the holidays in Scotland when we decided to land onto Islay for tasting some of the famous medicine they produce on the island. That was the weekend of the IOTA contest and I had switched the radio on to give some EU008 to the “contestors”. I remember that several of them asked me the IOSA reference but I was totally unable to give any kind of answer… The following summer, perfectly briefed and aware of the rules, I started the island activations.
Since these years, I have optimized the operations, the equipment is dedicated for light portable operation, and each trip is much more prepared and planned. In the mean time I have been in touch with some unavoidable people, (Thank you André) and today I can tell that I have done near hundred operations from 70 different islands, mainly in GM-Land buy also in the Baltic area and France.
Last summer, we were one more time on the West coast and I used for the first time an inflatable kayak. Imagine an early morning, floating on an oily sea like a mirror, with the seals and sea birds around nearly not disturbed by the small and quiet boat… it is an absolute pleasure, and if I add the perspective of many QSO with the friends, the islands activation becomes a drug impossible to strike away.
If you decide a day, to land onto an island with your microphone, do not hesitate, that will be my best reward, but be careful, “Island Activation Disease” is a terrible illness, I know, I am!
73,
Guy - F5BLC
It is not just the activity of the radio from the island, but also the whole environment of the operation. The contact with the land owner, the trip with the boatman, the choice of the best place for the antenna… the buzzing head after the long day and too many QSO…
I discovered this pleasure several years ago, during the holidays in Scotland when we decided to land onto Islay for tasting some of the famous medicine they produce on the island. That was the weekend of the IOTA contest and I had switched the radio on to give some EU008 to the “contestors”. I remember that several of them asked me the IOSA reference but I was totally unable to give any kind of answer… The following summer, perfectly briefed and aware of the rules, I started the island activations.
Since these years, I have optimized the operations, the equipment is dedicated for light portable operation, and each trip is much more prepared and planned. In the mean time I have been in touch with some unavoidable people, (Thank you André) and today I can tell that I have done near hundred operations from 70 different islands, mainly in GM-Land buy also in the Baltic area and France.
Last summer, we were one more time on the West coast and I used for the first time an inflatable kayak. Imagine an early morning, floating on an oily sea like a mirror, with the seals and sea birds around nearly not disturbed by the small and quiet boat… it is an absolute pleasure, and if I add the perspective of many QSO with the friends, the islands activation becomes a drug impossible to strike away.
If you decide a day, to land onto an island with your microphone, do not hesitate, that will be my best reward, but be careful, “Island Activation Disease” is a terrible illness, I know, I am!
73,
Guy - F5BLC
Alex Johnsen G0DHZ
Alex was awarded the CoM for his longtime efforts in the field of amateur radio and for activating more than 90 Scottish islands, thus giving many points to island chasers for SCOTIA and IOSA.
Alex's message:
My activities go back to 1987, when as part leader, and fully licenced we ran a 10 year project for Forts & Castles here on the South Coast of the UK on SSB/CW. After 1997 till 2000, I went back to being normal, then took up SCOTIA, another 10 year project, with trips to VE7 & 5 islands, SV5 one island, 3V8SS, many trips, but owing to unrest, stopped it, did work with the crew from Spiderbeam, from Germany, in setting up a contest station, at 3V8SS.
My total number of Scottish islands activated is 95.
Vy 73 de Alex/G0DHZ
My total number of Scottish islands activated is 95.
Vy 73 de Alex/G0DHZ
Jakob Pedersen OZ7AEI
Jakob was awarded the CoM for his activating 90 European lighthouses and 37 Danish islands, thus giving lots of points to chasers of the Danish Lighthouse and Danish Islands Awards.
Jakob's message:
I am very honored and proud to receive this certificate.
In the following, I will tell you about my HAM-RADIO story.
I was born on the Island of “Vendsyssel-Thy” in the year 1973. In teen years, I was very interested in electronics and joined to OZ5THY / EDR Hurup, the local radio club. In the beginning it was mostly to solder components on printed circuit boards. But in 1990, I got my first license for VHF. I quickly discovered that it was the contest on 2m SSB that had my biggest interest. In 1994 I learned CW and got the license for HF.
Since it took several years before I had the opportunity to put large antennas at my home-QTH. I quickly started up with portable activities from different places.
My first activity was back in 1995. It was Lindholm Island is an uninhabited island about 10 Km from my home. Lindholm is now part of EU-171 and NJ-008 at DIA. At the time, it did not count for anything.
But I called CQ, worked some QSOer and when I said my QTH was Lindholm Island, I had questions about the IOTA number?? I knew nothing about IOTA ... ... And quickly, I was placed in a sweating major pile-up.
I had laughed about my Lindholm Island activity many times since.
In 1998, some friends and I makes a DXpedition to the EU-030 / Bornholm Island. It was also the year the Danish Island Award started.
In the next years, I activated some islands in the Danish Island Award program.
Year 2000 was the start of “Vendsyssel – Thy” IOTA number - EU 171. Already on the first day I was working with my portable equipment.
The same year Russian Robinson Club started their World Robinson Cup. In the years 2000 to 2008, I participated as an activator. In 2003 I enabled 29 different Danish islands, which gave me an overall 2 position. I later became the overall winner, with a small number of islands.
Today I have activated 37 different Danish islands.
In 2002 I started activating Lighthouses and today I have activated 90 different references in the ARLHS program.
Through the years I have also been active outside Denmark. I have worked portable in Sweden, Germany and Norway.
6 Different IOTA references I have activated.
This year I started at WFF activation and today I have activated 7 different Flora Faunas.
Portable Radio activity is undoubtedly my greatest joy in this hobby. Whether it's islands, lighthouses, Flora Fauna, Castles or something else it’s not the big difference.
When there are just some who will call me, I will make portable activities in the future.
At www.oz7aei.dk you can find all my activated references. It is also possible to find pictures from all activities since 2003, and videos since 2006.
Today I live in the northwestern part of Denmark near the city of Holstebro. All radio amateurs and SWL are always welcome to visit me in my home.
If anybody needs some information about references in Denmark, I will be happy to help. Find my mail at my web…
October 29.th. 2011 OZ7AEI / Jakob
In the following, I will tell you about my HAM-RADIO story.
I was born on the Island of “Vendsyssel-Thy” in the year 1973. In teen years, I was very interested in electronics and joined to OZ5THY / EDR Hurup, the local radio club. In the beginning it was mostly to solder components on printed circuit boards. But in 1990, I got my first license for VHF. I quickly discovered that it was the contest on 2m SSB that had my biggest interest. In 1994 I learned CW and got the license for HF.
Since it took several years before I had the opportunity to put large antennas at my home-QTH. I quickly started up with portable activities from different places.
My first activity was back in 1995. It was Lindholm Island is an uninhabited island about 10 Km from my home. Lindholm is now part of EU-171 and NJ-008 at DIA. At the time, it did not count for anything.
But I called CQ, worked some QSOer and when I said my QTH was Lindholm Island, I had questions about the IOTA number?? I knew nothing about IOTA ... ... And quickly, I was placed in a sweating major pile-up.
I had laughed about my Lindholm Island activity many times since.
In 1998, some friends and I makes a DXpedition to the EU-030 / Bornholm Island. It was also the year the Danish Island Award started.
In the next years, I activated some islands in the Danish Island Award program.
Year 2000 was the start of “Vendsyssel – Thy” IOTA number - EU 171. Already on the first day I was working with my portable equipment.
The same year Russian Robinson Club started their World Robinson Cup. In the years 2000 to 2008, I participated as an activator. In 2003 I enabled 29 different Danish islands, which gave me an overall 2 position. I later became the overall winner, with a small number of islands.
Today I have activated 37 different Danish islands.
In 2002 I started activating Lighthouses and today I have activated 90 different references in the ARLHS program.
Through the years I have also been active outside Denmark. I have worked portable in Sweden, Germany and Norway.
6 Different IOTA references I have activated.
This year I started at WFF activation and today I have activated 7 different Flora Faunas.
Portable Radio activity is undoubtedly my greatest joy in this hobby. Whether it's islands, lighthouses, Flora Fauna, Castles or something else it’s not the big difference.
When there are just some who will call me, I will make portable activities in the future.
At www.oz7aei.dk you can find all my activated references. It is also possible to find pictures from all activities since 2003, and videos since 2006.
Today I live in the northwestern part of Denmark near the city of Holstebro. All radio amateurs and SWL are always welcome to visit me in my home.
If anybody needs some information about references in Denmark, I will be happy to help. Find my mail at my web…
October 29.th. 2011 OZ7AEI / Jakob
Professor Wolf Harranth OE1WHC
Liebe Funkfreunde,
auch nach vielen Jahren vor und hinter dem Mikrofon empfinde ich es als großes Wunder, dass zum ersten Mal in der Geschichte der Menschheit _eine_ Stimme über alle Grenzen hinweg zu einer so großen Vielzahl von Menschen sprechen kann. Das ist ein Privileg – mit der Verpflichtung zur Wahrhaftigkeit in der Berichterstattung und zur Achtung meines Gegenübers am Lautsprecher. Nun ist Rundfunk zwar eine Einbahnstraße (ganz im Gegenteil zu den neuen Medien, die gegenseitige Kommunikation ermöglichen), aber im Lauf der Jahrzehnte hat sich eine so enge Verbundenheit mit vielen unserer Hörer entwickelt, dass ich mich in dieser Gemeinschaft so wohl fühle wie unter Freunden daheim. Und dass im Laufe der letzten 25 Jahren aus der „QSL Collection“ bei _Radio Österreich International_ das _Dokumentationsarchiv Funk_ wurde, die weltgrößte Einrichtung dieser Art, ist ein weiterer Beweis der Tragfähigkeit unserer weltweiten Gemeinschaft.
Ich danke für die Aufnahme in Euren Kreis.
73 Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC
Translation (by DE3EAR)
Dear Radio Friends
even after many years in front of and behind the microphone, I still consider it a great miracle that for the first time in the history of mankind one voice could talk to a great multitude of people across all borders. This is a privilege - containing the duty to speak the truth in your reports and to respect the person listening at the speaker of the radio. It is true that radio broadcasting is a one way (in contrast to the new media, which enable a two-way communication), but during the decades such a tight connection to many of our listeners has developed that I feel as good in this community as I do among friends at home. The fact that within the last 25 years the “QSL Collection” at Radio Austria International turned into the “Dokumentationsarchiv Funk” – the world’s biggest institution of this kind is further proof of the abilities of our worldwide community.
I thank you for admitting me to your group.
73 Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC
auch nach vielen Jahren vor und hinter dem Mikrofon empfinde ich es als großes Wunder, dass zum ersten Mal in der Geschichte der Menschheit _eine_ Stimme über alle Grenzen hinweg zu einer so großen Vielzahl von Menschen sprechen kann. Das ist ein Privileg – mit der Verpflichtung zur Wahrhaftigkeit in der Berichterstattung und zur Achtung meines Gegenübers am Lautsprecher. Nun ist Rundfunk zwar eine Einbahnstraße (ganz im Gegenteil zu den neuen Medien, die gegenseitige Kommunikation ermöglichen), aber im Lauf der Jahrzehnte hat sich eine so enge Verbundenheit mit vielen unserer Hörer entwickelt, dass ich mich in dieser Gemeinschaft so wohl fühle wie unter Freunden daheim. Und dass im Laufe der letzten 25 Jahren aus der „QSL Collection“ bei _Radio Österreich International_ das _Dokumentationsarchiv Funk_ wurde, die weltgrößte Einrichtung dieser Art, ist ein weiterer Beweis der Tragfähigkeit unserer weltweiten Gemeinschaft.
Ich danke für die Aufnahme in Euren Kreis.
73 Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC
Translation (by DE3EAR)
Dear Radio Friends
even after many years in front of and behind the microphone, I still consider it a great miracle that for the first time in the history of mankind one voice could talk to a great multitude of people across all borders. This is a privilege - containing the duty to speak the truth in your reports and to respect the person listening at the speaker of the radio. It is true that radio broadcasting is a one way (in contrast to the new media, which enable a two-way communication), but during the decades such a tight connection to many of our listeners has developed that I feel as good in this community as I do among friends at home. The fact that within the last 25 years the “QSL Collection” at Radio Austria International turned into the “Dokumentationsarchiv Funk” – the world’s biggest institution of this kind is further proof of the abilities of our worldwide community.
I thank you for admitting me to your group.
73 Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC
Paolo Gugliuzza I2AE
I am very happy about this honor to receive your Certificate of merit and for sure this award is very appreciated. Jakob (OZ7AEI) is my personal friend and after lighthouse activations I have lead him to Flora Fauna, so now we have a new OZFF group.
In Italy I have activated about 250 castles in 110 provinces, about 18 FF, abbeys....; in OZ 26 lighthouses, 4 IOTA groups, 27 Danish islands; castles/lighthouses/FFs/observatories... in Europe.
Tnx again for this award, best regards,
Paolo I2AE
In Italy I have activated about 250 castles in 110 provinces, about 18 FF, abbeys....; in OZ 26 lighthouses, 4 IOTA groups, 27 Danish islands; castles/lighthouses/FFs/observatories... in Europe.
Tnx again for this award, best regards,
Paolo I2AE
Yujian (David) Zhou BA4DW
Message
From 2000 to 2011, BA4DW activated all 15 IOTA groups which are the coastal islands of BY(mainland China) as BA4DW/2,/3,/4,/5, and /7, holding the DXpeditioners's Gold Certificate of IOTA 2000 award by RSGB IOTA committee. BA4DW is the first winner of IOTA award, IOTA Honor Roll, and IOTA Plaque of Excellence in China, as well as the top score holder of DXCC Challenge in China. BA4DW is also the first winner of DXCC Honor Roll in BY(mainland China), 9 Band DXCC, 5 Band WAZ 200 zones and 9 Band WAZ in China.
Thank you for the award!
BA4DW
Serge Soulet F6AUS
First of all, thank you for welcoming me to your club. For twenty years I have tried to visit and activate, especially on the WARC bands, many countries and islands on five continents:
50 DXCC and 52 IOTA.
If I am proud of anything, it is to have answered all the cards received. Over two hundred thousand.
All these trips and QSL were funded solely by me. I have never received any assistance. In truth I have never asked for any...
I was pleased to confirm a lot of contacts, particularly via bureau, to people who could not send their cards by mail and I have always replied to the cards sent directly with or without IRC, green stamps and SAE.
One of my fondest memories are of joining an island which is very dangerous because of the reefs. On board, I built a raft by tying 4 liferafts together and after stacking generator, transceiver, antenna, water and food my wife and I swam to the island by pushing ahead...
I hope by my activities I have kept the ham spirit all around the world.
73
Serge F6AUS
First of all, thank you for welcoming me to your club. For twenty years I have tried to visit and activate, especially on the WARC bands, many countries and islands on five continents:
50 DXCC and 52 IOTA.
If I am proud of anything, it is to have answered all the cards received. Over two hundred thousand.
All these trips and QSL were funded solely by me. I have never received any assistance. In truth I have never asked for any...
I was pleased to confirm a lot of contacts, particularly via bureau, to people who could not send their cards by mail and I have always replied to the cards sent directly with or without IRC, green stamps and SAE.
One of my fondest memories are of joining an island which is very dangerous because of the reefs. On board, I built a raft by tying 4 liferafts together and after stacking generator, transceiver, antenna, water and food my wife and I swam to the island by pushing ahead...
I hope by my activities I have kept the ham spirit all around the world.
73
Serge F6AUS
Tomislav Dugec 9A2AA
Dr Hans tnx for all.
I started IOCA activity when I was retired (1999) and until now I have activated 559 Croatian islands. Last few years I had to stay at home to collect new entities for DXCC on 50 MHz.
On my 9A500AA QSL card I wrote “ Armed with great passion to amateur radio, with love to amazing natural beauties of the sea and islands I activated …. “. Very simple reasons to go to the islands, HI HI. On the web you have IOCA.hamradio.hr the photo gallery and there are some photos showing 9A2AA .
My age is 71 and all the time until now I am very active on the air collecting DXCC ( I have all entities on ssb and need only P5 on cw ), WPX ( PSE see WPX HR in CQ Magazine), IOTA ( PSE see HR on RSGB pages ), IOCA etc etc.
I hope to meet you on the air one day. SWLing is fine but QSOs are VERY fine , HI HI.
73, Tom
I started IOCA activity when I was retired (1999) and until now I have activated 559 Croatian islands. Last few years I had to stay at home to collect new entities for DXCC on 50 MHz.
On my 9A500AA QSL card I wrote “ Armed with great passion to amateur radio, with love to amazing natural beauties of the sea and islands I activated …. “. Very simple reasons to go to the islands, HI HI. On the web you have IOCA.hamradio.hr the photo gallery and there are some photos showing 9A2AA .
My age is 71 and all the time until now I am very active on the air collecting DXCC ( I have all entities on ssb and need only P5 on cw ), WPX ( PSE see WPX HR in CQ Magazine), IOTA ( PSE see HR on RSGB pages ), IOCA etc etc.
I hope to meet you on the air one day. SWLing is fine but QSOs are VERY fine , HI HI.
73, Tom