The race of the Slovak National Uprising began with a large "artillery preparation" when thunder and lightning struck western Slovakia. Strong storms caused a high level of static atmospheric electricity that threatened the competitors and many had to disconnect their antennas and stop broadcasting so that lightning and static would not destroy their equipment and possibly kill them. Discharge arcs could be "stretched" between the antenna and grounding. Heavy flooding also forced racers to save their homes and cellars. Then hundreds of Poles appeared on the strip in their KV Field Day. So the conditions in the race were quite difficult.
Despite the difficult conditions, 75 brave people took part in the SNP race, 50 of whom sent their diary for evaluation. A few good operators could have placed nicely if they had sent a journal. The log for inspection came "burnt with lightning" from Peter OM3PA. From England came a diary from G4FDC. M/OK7AKM also showed up in the logs. In 80% of the diaries there were small or large errors that affected the final results. All participants will receive the SNP Diploma and the winners of individual categories will also receive the SNP Trophy.
Along with the evaluation and the Diploma, we also send all participants of the race the forms of the diaries and the Title page, so that everyone can send a perfect diary that can be well evaluated, without the difficulties caused by some diaries that are mindlessly spewed out by computer programs, or for which we need a magnifying glass to be able to read them. Before you send a computer log over the Internet, print it out and see if it can be read by a normal person.
We invite you to the next SNP race, which is always on the third Sunday in August from 06.00 to 08.00 local time. Whether you walk it from home or bravely somewhere from a mountain or field site, we will honor the memory of our fathers and grandfathers who participated in the SNP in 1944. Also try operation QRP from a portable station /p. It is an amazing, romantic and adventurous experience.
Alexander Korda OM6SA Radio Club OM3KFV