Are you familiar with the landscape around Trenčín? About 10 kilometers south of the city as the crow flies stands this 1,042-meter-high hill. Amateur radio operators would say, “JN98as!” Whether you head up the mountain for one reason or another, you’ll appreciate the beautiful view. At the summit, there’s a tourist observation tower and, right next to it, an army mast. Another benefit is the option to drive up to the Inovecká Chata, from where it’s just a short walk to the summit. However, most visitors hike up Považský Inovec on foot from various directions. There are also quite a few cyclists, drawn by the perfect downhill run. There is also Wi-Fi Internet access at the summit.
Map of contest connections from JN98as
These are also the reasons why I’ve already tried Považský Inovec as a VHF peak in the past. Unfortunately, operating from the observation tower is rather uncomfortable because there isn’t much space on the platform. To avoid blocking tourists and visitors seeking the view, it’s better to set up a little to the side. The downside is that the summit is forested.
After the European HF Championship Contest, I return to Trenčín at night, and after three hours of sleep, I continue on to the summit. Although it starts to rain at 8 a.m., the weather clears up afterward. At the summit, I set up my equipment under the open sky. The setup is simple: a Kenwood TR-751E powered by a maintenance-free battery + a 6-elementDK7ZB (50-ohm version). I’m logging in N1MM+ on my netbook.
Hikers and cyclists are pricking up their ears and watching to see what’s going on. It’s not unusual for someone to ask what I’m doing. They suspect it’s about connecting with the world, but “five nine zero one six julliet november nine eight alfa sierra” sounds like a magic spell. Well, in just under 2.5 hours, there were 51 of those “spells,” and together they totaled 8,674 points. I tried to contact a few stations, such as OK1DOL and DR1H, but they had a decent pile-up, so it didn’t work out.
Považský Inovec is actually a pretty nice spot for contests like this. It certainly has the potential for even better results, but that would require more powerful gear and better contesting skills. Thanks for the contacts and a great time on the air with QRP, friends!