What a surprise when we realized that ZS SOTA joined the International SOTA Association 20 years ago. We asked the guys & gals who are regular activators & chasers, what they thought of having a day to celebrate, and as Vaughan ZS2VR was planning on activating a summit in the Graaf-Reinet area on the 18 February, it would be a good day, feedback from the activators and chases was a resounding yes, we didn’t take into account that it’s the rainy season and chances that it would rain were good. It was a beautiful sunshine week, but looking at weather predication we saw that it was going to be a wet weekend for most of us, Adele had spent the week looking for new summits for us to activate, but they all entailed hiking reasonable distances which I was not prepared to do with my equipment, what we also didn’t take into account was that the SARL had a council meeting and the activators & chasers who had to attend couldn’t participate. Even though it rained and Vaughan couldn’t activate his summit because of torrential rain, a few of the activators had to pack up because of the rain, we all had tremendous fun, made S2Ss with one another and enjoyed the beauty of South Africa from the various divisions. I want to thank everyone who participated as either an activator or chaser for their participation in making it a successful day. Sid ZS5AYC
ZS/EC-682 Desolation
Vaughan ZS2VR
Our attempt to activate was a literal washout so we found a spot close to the airfield and chased from there. You can see the clouds covering the mountain in the background. Thanks to everybody active on the day!
ZS/WC- 964 Swartberg
Roy ZS3RW/1 and Esmè ZS3EW/1
On the 18-02-2023 we activated ZS/WC- 964 Swartberg. We made 33 contacts and 5 summit to summit contacts.
ZS/NC-183 Olifantsberg
Peet ZS3PL and Esmarie ZS3EL
On Saturday 18 Feb, we activated NC 183. This was the first activation of this summit. We had a 2 hour climb, but enjoyed it! We had 3 S2S and a lot of other QSO’s. I sent the pics to the landowner as he has not seen this part of his farm before!
ZS/GP-008 Magaliesberg
Janre ZS6SI and Gerrit ZS6KF
On the 18th of February Gerrit ZS6KF and I ZS6SI activated GP-008 and loved every minute of it! Happy birthday SOTA SA!
ZS/NW-041 Magaliesberg (Aerial Cableway)
Kobus – ZS6BOS
ZS/MP-082 Vaalkop
Rudi ZS6RRB
On Saturday 18 February 2023 I activated ZS/MP-082. This was the first activation of this Summit. After a very busy morning I managed to get to the summit in the afternoon. Had 1 S2S and 2 QSOs. Thank u every one
ZS/GP-017 Bakenkop
Lucas ZS6ACT, Magda ZS6MMS and Detlev ZS6BAB
Luca Swart learning at an early age
Activating a summit is fun
ZS/KN-222 Nzimankulu
Louis ZS5LS, Sid ZS5AYC and Adele ZS5APT
It was early the morning of 18 February 2023, we left to activate a Summit. It was rainy all over the country. And we wondered if we would manage to activate. The mist was so thick and we had about 15m visibility. We set up and started calling CQ, the contacts came in and activation was done but never the less we stayed to get more contacts. And then it happened S2S with two overseas stations, man it was game on. That was the cherry on the cake as it was also South Africa’s 20 years of summits on the air celebrations. All and all thanks to all that made it out to a summit and special thanks to all the chasers it is always fun to get out there and play radio. The South Coasters saying 73/88. THANK YOU Louis ZS5LS