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QRV from Schweden (SM)

August, 2005

Antennen am Strand von Lysvik
  Morning atmosphere, Lysvik beach (Värmland).

After having had several years without any vacation, I was able to take chance of an employment break to visit my favorite country Sweden in autumn 2005. This time it had to be a "radio vacation" — without any YL company. Because I had no car on my own at that time, a colleague of mine lend me his Volkswagen camping van (T4 California Tour, 1994 model). Moreover he allowed me to install a 12V / 25A plug socket in his van. Thanks to you, Bernd.

The van next to my home QTH (parents place), Uelsen, County of Bentheim.

The red arrow does not point to a tree, but to my Versatower BP40 which became overgrown of ivy in the past 20 years.

The Sweden tour took me from Uelsen via Fehmarn (East Sea island between Germany and Denmark) and the Öresund bridge (between Denmark and Sweden) to the south of Sweden (Blekinge province). Through Småland and Västergötland my way took me to Lake Vänern (Åmal), then into Dalarna to Lake Siljan. The most northern point was planned to be Östersund (Jämtland) as well as the region around Järpen and Åre. Here I was the first time ever in Sweden in 1979 by way of the YMCA. Taking in the city of Trondheim (Norway), I returned via Dalarna to the Värmland province. My particular target was Morokulien, the "republic of peace". Since my first visit in 1984 I am fascinated by the idea of Morokulien. Recently I have devoted this country its own internet page (www.morokulien.de). From Morokulien the tour took me through Halland and the Öresund bridge back to Uelsen, and finally to Duisburg. My colleague received his camping mobile back in perfect state, however with a 5000 km plus on the counter.

The republic of peace Morokulien lies direct on the border between Norway and Sweden.

The cottage "grenstua" can be rented by radio amateurs, which allows them to operate the special call signs SJ9WL or LG5LG.

More about Morokulien: www.morokulien.de.

I made sure that amateur radio got its fair share — after all it should be primarily a radio vacation. With two exceptions I always stayed overnight on campsites. I can recommend all of them (see logbook), most often one site appeared to be more beautiful than the other. Swedisch campsites are known to be clean and well-looked-after. There were also no problems regarding the installation of my antannas (well, it used to be off-peak season, most sites were not much occupied). I was allowed to first check the site for suitable trees and then to check in finally at the desk. This procedure seemed to be well known to the site keeper in Åmal, he told me without any expression of surprise (and a little smile) that I use not to be the first radio amateur on his site.

Örnas campsite in Åmal. A nice site with view onto Lake Vänern.

When I was not exploring the area by my bicycle, I used to sit in front of the radio — often just listening to both the amateur bands as well as to short- and medium wave commercial radio stations with delight. At my place in Duisburg (inner city, ground floor) I have no opportunities for setting up antennas. During the whole tour I had a lot of nice QSOs. In the evening I often visited 3.703 Mhz where Chris (PAØDDB) uses to "held an audience". Several times other radio amateurs guided my way. Hubert (SM4 / DL8XAH) advised me the Lysvik campsite (Värmland province, Lake Fryken) which is run by a Dutch family, so I could apply a little of my Dutch there. Erwin from Sunne (SM4DLT), who moved decades ago from Germany to Sweden, helped me through placing some phone calls to rent the "grensstua" (border cottage) in Morokulien. Operating as LG5LG from Morokulien, I met Joe (OZ / DL6AM) on the band. He invited me to pass by his vacation QTH Marielyst (Falster island, Denmark), which I did the next day.

Antenna situation Lysvik campsite:The glas fiber tower is mounted to the swing (to the right of the boat), barely detectable on the photo. The yellow triangles (left and right) are marking the area of my 80m dipole (40m width), as well barely detectable.

There is little to say about my radio equipment. The FT-897 went very well. However, in the south of Sweden I could hear "Radio Sweden" (1.179 Mhz, 6.065 Mhz) on all bands. The vertical loop by Walter Spieth also did a good job. Since I have no comparison to other antennas (nor the experience), I cannot make more qualified statements. The antenna is set up in 10 minutes and usually I had it mounted at the back of the van by means of simple belts. Somewhat more difficult used to be the longwire and dipole: first a lead weight had to be fixed to a fishing line and thrown across a tree, then an auxilary rope had to be pulled over, and finally the big rope with the antennta had to be pulled up. This took its time, especially when the lead got wounded up on a branch.

Glas fiber pole with vertical loop, fixed with belts to the back of the car.

 At "Apelvik Camping" near Varberg.

On a field near Gällstad 

 

Repeatedly I visited the 10m band. Sometimes there were good propagation conditions on the band. One night I talked via the Feldberg repeater (Germany, Taunus mountains) to F / DH4FAJ  / m, who was mobile on the highway A7 near Lyon on his way back to Germany. Fascinating. Also I could pick up some beacons. Not on 10m, but on 20m and 40m I was able to keep in touch with my Heimat (home county). Willi, DC6BW, who lives country-side but nevertheless cannot put antennas outside, has taken his time to operate portable the one and other day. This way we could meet several times on the band. Thanks to you, Willi.

My equipment used to be:

See also a note on 70cm repeaters in Sweden. This tour certainly was not the last one. Very much I would like to operate from Cape North. My last visit there dates back to 1988, but I had only VHF equipment with me.

Here to logbook.

Stefan Freinatis, DL6BZ, April 2007