Contents
- SOTA - Queens of the Mountains, from South African
- Activators & Hunters (YLs & OMs)
- SOTA France to South Africa
- SOTA "QUEENS OF THE MOUNTAINS"
- Silent Key: Lois Gutshall, WB3EFQ
- 44th A.L.A.R.A. CONTEST
- INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY 26th August
- Contact & Calendar
Photo by Adele Tyler, ZS5APT/6 0n Radio ZS, July 2024 cover/Voorblad:
Esmé Walsh, ZS1YE; Magda Swart, ZS6MMS; Adele Tyler, ZS5APT/6 and sisters Lillian, ZU3LM and Isabella, ZU3IS Jones participated from South Africa.
First Annual Queens of the Mountains Report Back
YL SOTA Special Event Weekend - report by Adele Tyler, ZS5APT
Queens of the Mountains was an initiative of Amy, AG7GP and Paula, K9IR, they hoped this event would highlight the fabulous opportunity SOTA offers for women in radio and motivate more YLs to get involved with SOTA. According to Amy, the known age range of possible YL participants she was aware of, was from 10 to 89 years old
During the ZS SOTA Autumn weekend, our group discussed the possibilities of the YLs activating a summit on our own, but we could not work out the logistics needed to ensure we activated our planned summits on the Saturday, considering that safety is important.
After reading Amy’s post, I discussed the possibilities of achieving this in ZS and after looking at the various summits, Magda, ZS6MMS and I decided to activate Mauchsberg ZS/MP-035, as it was a ride-up and close to Hobs Hollow where our OMs could chase us and be close enough should we need assistance.
After posting on the ZS SOTA WhatsApp group, Brian Jones, ZS6BV/3 said that he would assist his two granddaughters, Lillian, ZU3LM (10) and Isabella, ZU3IS (12) (Princesses of the Mountains) who would activate Gakarosa ZS/NC-061.
Esmé, ZS1YE also decided to join in the fun and would activate Patrysberg ZS/WC-966, with Roy ZS1YR as co-activator.
Sid (ZS5AYC) and I decided on the way up to Secunda to activate Ossewakop ZS/MP-004. Although I always help to set up our station when we activate summits, I wanted to make sure that I could set up the station and ensure it was 100% ready to operate.
The first of June was a stunning day for activating summits, the ZS activators had S2S (Summit to Summit) contacts with one another, Esmé ZS1YE had her first S2S DX contact with Lukasz, OM/SQ9JTR (Poland) who was activating Soľovka OM/PO-068.
The support we received was great, in total there were 28 OMs and 3 YLs who made contacts with activators. I think all the activators and chasers had an absolutely fabulous day, hopefully next year more YLs will join in and enjoy a beautiful day out on the mountains.
Comments from Activators & Hunters
USA Amy Haptonstall, AG7GP/W7Q: Queens of the Mountains (QOM) is not over yet, but what a great weekend of YL camaraderie! Both band conditions and weather caused some challenges, but we made it through! It seemed every op had at least one unexpected challenge, and everyone suffered with near black-out bands on Saturday, but that's what sets SOTA apart from many radio activities, being a bit more prepared for the unexpected.
They earned their crowns!
UK Helen Melhuis, M0TMD: Fantastic - we were out in the UK on Saturday and the bands were up and down like crazy. Managed S2S in Scotland, Ireland and Italy. Well done for running this great event!
USA Julie McDougald, N6EKO/W6Q: It was a pleasure and privilege to participate as a QOM
USA Bob Daniels, AC1Z: Enjoyed the Queens of the Mountains YL SOTA Special Event yesterday! Contacts with 2 “SOTA Queens of the Mountains” special event stations W4Q (my daughter Dee, KO4LIT) and W9Q (Paula, K9IR). Made 25 total contacts during 1,5 hours of activating Caverly Mountain W1/NL-017 including 17 Summit to Summits!
USA Steve Gulchutt, WG0AT: Good on you Amy for leading the charge! We'll be back today in the hunt for QOMs!
USA Adam Jensen, K7AMJ: Loved hearing you ladies on the air and trying to make contacts before the bands went down yesterday. Very cool event!
RSA Magda Swart, ZS6MMS: My ervaring van die "Queens of the Mountain" is die volgende. Dit was ‘n asemrowende ervaring. Ek het die geleentheid gehad om dit saam met my beste vriendin, Adele, te doen. Die oggend was winderig, maar ons kon baie kontakte maak.
Dit was ons eerste keer om as vrouens alleen op n berg te wees. Dit was n wonderlike ervaring en dit was lekker. Ek sal dit enige tyd weer saam met my beste vriendin doen. Die op en die afry van Mausberg was net so lekker. Daarna het ons mans ons bederf met 'n melkskommel en 'n ete.
RSA Esmé Walsh, ZS1YE and Roy Walsh, ZS1YR: After struggling to get another summit for The Queens of Mountain Activation we went back to Patrysberg ZS/WC-966. The weather was also a lot better than the first time, which was wet and misty.
On the day of activating the Queen of Mountain the weather was perfect, we could see all the surrounding towns - Vredenburg, Langebaan, St Helena Bay, Saldanha and Velddrift (Western Cape). We made 26 contacts, 2x S2S and our very first DX contacts, one to France and one to Slovakia. It was also our first DX S2S. We had a great day and enjoyed it as we always do enjoy SOTA.
[ref. Radio ZS, July 2024 Julie, Volume 77, issue 7 (page 8-9)]
SOTA France to South Africa
F6HBI 13 July 2024
Hello, What a wonderful day… After 15 years on SOTA and more than 1200 activations, today Sid ZS5AYC, Adele ZS5APT and JurieZS5ZG gave me my first DX S2S. (summit to Summit). You made my day, 73/88 from Gerald F6HBI/TM06TDF
https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/zs5-made-my-day-tm06tdf/35783
YLS ASCEND SUMMITS TO BE "QUEENS OF THE MOUNTAINS"
Amy AG7GP told Newsline she and Paula K9IR were inspired to try out this event after a group of eight YLs activated a summit in July of last year (2023) during the Pacific Northwest W7O (W Seven Oh) SOTA camp-out. Although near-blackout conditions for radio posed challenges on the first day, this was hardly the toughest obstacle the YLs faced. Amy said many of the activators braved heavy rain, mud, poison ivy and vehicle break-downs. She told Newsline: [quote] "Doing Summits on the Air, you learn to be prepared for the extra environmental challenges." [end quote] Despite those challenges - or perhaps because of them - expect the Queens of the Mountains to be back on top next year.
[Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2434 for Friday June 21st, 2024]
*****
Silent Key: (QSY higher frequency)
Lois Gutshall, WB3EFQ, S/k March 6, 1940 — June 23, 2024
Lois passed away at the Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg, age 84.
She married Thomas S. Gutshall (W3BZN) in Altoona on May 19, 1962,
A licensed Ham since 1976, she held an Extra class Amateur Radio operators license. She was a member of YLRL (Young Ladies Radio League) for more than 35 years and was President 2010-2011. She attended the YLRL meet in Munich, Germany in 2011 and was a member of the Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club, Altoona, PA.
She received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Penn State University in 1972. She retired in 1993. RIP.
Lois WB3EFQ from Dot VK2DB
I was very sad to hear that Lois WB3EFQ passed away in late June, 2024.
Lois and I shared the joy of our first grandchildren in 2003 with photos from two proud grandmas side by side in the ALARA newsletter. We had a long friendship first by radio and then emails and happily we met face to face in Winnipeg when I travelled to Canada for CLARA's Birthday Bash in 2017.
Lois enjoyed travelling, camping, meeting new people and making friends wherever she went.
She served in her church and made a loving impact on all the members and visitors. She also enjoyed sewing, made lovely quilts and shared her creations with others, as well as teaching them how to sew. Vale Lois
alara.org.au ▪ ALARA Newsletter Issue 190 July 2024 page 10
Lois Jean Gutshall March 6, 1940 — June 23, 2024
Lois passed away Sunday at the Presbyterian Village at Hollidaysburg, age 84.
On May 19, 1962, she married Thomas S. Gutshall (W3BZN) in Altoona.
Lois was a 1958 graduate of Altoona High School, a 1961 graduate of Altoona Hospital School of Nursing and received her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Penn State University in 1972.
She retired in 1993, after 17 years of service as the administrator from Allegheny Lutheran Home, Hollidaysburg.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Altoona, the Altoona Chapter Order of Eastern Star where she served as past matron, the Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club and Trinity Stitchers. She enjoyed amateur radio, camping, sewing, quilting and traveling.
https://www.maukandyates.com/obituaries
AUSTRALIAN LADIES AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION INC.
NOTE: Contest is always on the last FULL weekend of August.
ELIGIBILITY: All licensed operators throughout the world are invited to participate. Scout and Girl Guide groups are encouraged to participate using their Club's equipment and callsign.
OBJECT: Participation: YLs work everyone; OMs work YLs only.
CONTEST: Combined phone and CW run over 24 hours:
STARTS: Saturday 24th August 2024 at 0600 hours UTC
ENDS: Sunday 25th August 2024 at 0559 hours UTC
SUGGESTED FREQUENCIES: All HF Bands except 160m & WARC Bands.
Contacts made on ECHOLINK will also be accepted.
https://www.alara.org.au/contests/index.html
****
A DAY TO CELEBRATE ALL DOGS AROUND THE WORLD
The International Dog Day is observed annually on August 26 to honour all dogs – no matter shapes, sizes, age and breeds – and encourage adoption to all those who have yet to find a home and a family forever. A special day to raise awareness about dog adoption because if you are looking for a life’s companion, shelters are full of four-legged friends.
This day was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, who chose to celebrate the day on August 26 as it was the date that her family adopted their first dog ‘Sheltie’ from an animal shelter home.
Since the first celebration in 2004, National Dog Day has grown in popularity and is now celebrated across the world as International Dog Day.
Amateur Radio 'DOG' Stations:
yl - K2D (Caryn KD2GUT, Multi operator, CW SSB 21st August - 26th August 2024)
GB0DOG (Chris G5VZ CW, 30th July - 26th August 2024)
GB4DOG (David G4YVM CW 1st August - 27th August)
GB5NDG (Mark G1PIE 40 meters SSB 26th August )
VE6D (Vince VE6LK, CW SSB)
YL1DOG (Hanz YL3JD CW, 1st August - 30th September 2024 - ILLW weekend)
https://www.dogdayradio.org/index.html
*****
email failures
German yls @darc.de & yls from Finland @sral.fi
NB: the AMSAT Mail Alias Service ends August 1, 2024.
Please update your email with me, & QRZ.COM
CONTACT
yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
It is now published on:-https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
Unsubscribe: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email: zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
****
Calendar 2024
Aug 1 – 31 WWFF Activity Month (World Wide Flora & Fauna) WWFF Activators & Hunters invited to participate.
https://wwff.co/2024/04/wwff-august-activity-month-2024/
Aug 4 - 10 YL event OL88YL Czech Republic 2024
Aug 9 – 14 24th IARU Region 1 ARDF Championships Pecs, Hungary, 2024
Aug 10 - 11 WAE CW Worked All Europe DX Contest August, 2nd full weekend.
Sat, 0000 UTC - Sun 2359 UTC
Aug 10 -18 Indonesia Award 2024 August 10, 00.00 UTC - August 18, 23.59 UTC.
Aug 12 International Youth Day
Aug 14 St. Maximilian Kolbe Dabrow aka SP3RN, patron saint of Amateur Radio
[Jan 8 1894 – 14 Aug 1941]
Aug 14 “Día del Radioaficionado Chileno” celebrated since 2016
Aug 15 SYLRA 21st Birthday, all SYLRA members are encouraged to go on air,
any frequency, any time during the day.
Aug 17 - 18 ILLW International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (27th)
00:01 UTC 17 August to 24:00 UTC 18 August (48 hours or part thereof)
Aug 22 - 25 DNAT in Bad Bentheim (Duits Nederlands Amateur Treffen)
Aug 24 - 25 A.L.A.R.A 44th. CONTEST
https://www.alara.org.au/contests/index.html
Aug 26 International Dog Day,YL1DOG; GB0DOG; KD2GUT/K2D. GB4DOG
