OM8HG: My first Flora-Fauna activation OMFF-0556 – memory

You know the question - how are you, are you broadcasting? I assume that yes, this question accompanies every meeting with fellow radio amateurs. I have to admit that I haven't broadcast much in recent years. But whenever I was on the bands and heard some stations on portable activities, I tried to call them. I remember the long-ago activities of our older friends, whose ham-shacks have already fallen silent.

For example, an activity Castles and Chateaux of Slovakia. It was not yet the Internet, messages were transmitted on bands or landlines. But the activity, excitement, traffic on the bands was visible and I experienced it too.

Real portable operation is familiar to me. Occasional activities outside the permanent QTH probably every one of us knows it. The VKV field day belongs to such activities, surely you all have your own memories. Well, the KV field day is not that well known anymore. I have on KV QRP equipment, so I sometimes took small trips. Trx QRP - but you need a lot of equipment. Trx, source, cables, coax, tuner, cables, antenna, key, headphones, notebook, water... the backpack is full. Unpack, listen to the bands, make a few connections, 3W as much as possible and a pleasant trip.

Tento rok ale okolnosti priniesli zmeny. Prvá bola super prednáška zo série streda v Rádioklube od OM2ZZ o vysielaní v prírode. Druhá bola ponuka kamaráta ktorý predával TRX Xiegu. Lákavá ponuka viac v jednom, mini Technique SDR, väčší výkon, vstavaný tuner….niečo nové na vyskúšanie. Na prednáške zazneli pre mňa dôležité informácie. Doporučená aplikácia na spojenia, kde sú informácie na webe a akú anténu je možné použiť. Dovtedy som používal linkované dipóly tak padla voľba skúsiť EFHW antenna. It was made quickly from the materials that the drawer gave out. As a battery, I have Lifepo4 7.2Ah of my own production, the cells ran out from the meeting in Holice.

So one spring Sunday in April, an idea came. I'm going to try to broadcast Flora-Fauna. I chose the location closest to home because it will be an experiment.... It was indeed an attempt, I searched for a long time where and how to extend the antenna. Fortunately, I have a laminate telescope from old radio amateur meetings that served perfectly. A table, a notebook, cables, a trap, a mobile phone with an application, what do you need to think about and prepare....?

So it happened that on April 6, 2025 at 12:15 UTC, I was sitting at the device and called a challenge. Some races were running, so I was tuned to 10.114 MHz, 10W power, EFHW 21m approx. 7m high like an inverted clamshell and favorite CW operation. The next 70 minutes were the time when the adrenaline rises, the heart beats with excitement and tension, the hands shake... he just started pile-up. I had the TRX for a few days, when the stations called, I was afraid to reach for it, I press something - switch, what then? So the only button I used was the volume!! Notebook on the knees, pen, cw trap, cell phone.... which hand to do what? The first time using the application on a mobile phone, I tapped next to it, the stations are calling, I dropped the key.... and the mobile phone rang and the stations are still calling, I guess I'm in the cluster.... At that moment it was probably stress and excitement and many feelings at once. Well, it's moments like these that we probably look forward to and then remember..?? I remember, in those 70 minutes I have 68 CW in my diary QSO. My first WWFF activation 🙂

And all that with 10W? After that I was already cold, April is not summer, so I packed. I was warming up in the car and then it occurred to me - I don't have any photos! So next time... every experience helps us to improve.

Today, I have already completed more WWFF activations as well SWEAT o still amazes me that the approx. 10w is enough for enough connections. It's not always easy, on weekends there are often contests and full bands. Each activation has its peculiarities. I also go SSB as needed and to distribute points. I prefer the lower bands, i.e. 7, 10 and 14 MHz, so that stations mainly from Europe can be called. There are a lot of interested parties and if DX comes, it will be nice, but it is not a priority. With 10 watts I look forward to every connection. There are stations that I already know by brand, they regularly hunt for such portable activities. Some prefer only certain activities.

Do you know more? WWFF, SOTA, POTA, BOTA, WCA, GMA, LH, Observatory….. It is nice if you have close friends with whom you can discuss these topics. Alternatively, try such activities. Or just dream so that one day you can experience such experiences yourself. Or just call the station, friends from the band who will be on some hill or in the forest or in the park or at the Castle or the Lighthouse.

A lot of 73 and 44! Tent, OM8HG