Awards & Portable activations
Diploma Vértices Geodésicos de España
The Spanish DVGE is a very impressive programme run by the Radio Club Henares (just outside of Madrid). I was honoured to receive a shield for my contribution in activating several vertices during 2009. Its been an education, learning how to control a big SSB pile up in Spanish!
In its role of promoting amateur radio and with the aim of highlighting all the Spanish Vértices Geodésicos (aka Triangulation Pillars or Trig Points in the UK) the Radio Club Henares have created the Diploma Vértices Geodésicos de España (DVGE). Visit the DVGE webpage at http://www.radioclubhenares.org/dvge/ for information in Spanish.
A
vértice geodésico is a permanent pillar that we are able to find in
the countryside whose job is to mark a specific height above the
level of the sea. Over 11,000 of them throughout Spain form a
network of triangulation points whose precise coordinates have been
calculated as accurately as possible. The vértice geodésico, is
represented normally by a cylinder of 120cm height, mounted above a
concrete plinth and painted white.
On some, in place of cylinders, there are indentations for surveying
instruments that are used to be able to make precise topographical
measurements.
From each vértice, it is possible to see several other vértices since they are always located at high points with good views all around them.
Activations are typically on a Sunday morning SSB 40m although CW is becoming more important. In the space of a few hours, the activator might typically deal with a pile up of 500 keen Diploma "collectors".
For the activator the rewards are an opportunity to operate like a true DX station with your own enormous pile up, and the satisfaction of operating from what is typically a very beautiful location in the Spanish countryside.
lighthouses on the air
Lighthouses are always interesting. The buildings themselves, their history and location. Often in places of stunning scenery, their sites typically have great radio propagation because of their typically (not always!) close proximity to the sea
Suances, Cantabria, SPA-269
Cabo Busto, SPA-008
Lighthouse Punto Laxe, SPA-238
Cabo Prior Light SPA-038
Nariga Lighthouse SPA-072
Punto de Roncudo, SPA-228
Cabo Villán SPA-056
