Strightforward activation worth 4 points
Monday, July 28, 2025
SOTA activation of EA7/MA-075 Santopitar - 1019m
Activation of EA7/MA-027 April 2025
A short walk on tarmac road to the summit, but limited activation locations due to official buildings
I parked on the road near the ascending track; the closed gate prevented unauthorised vehicles.
I was conscious that I may have been trespassing, but pedestrian access is easy to the left of the gate or by scrambling up the bank from the road. The tarred road then proceeds, first past a keeper's house and then to a mast installation at the summit. I was careful to keep out of their way, and there was a worker in high-vis uniform at the keeper's house - I am sure he saw me, but did not seem concerned.
There are a few activation options on the wooded bank between the zig zagging road. I found a nice private grassy slope with some shade just below the summit (blue dot):
I set up my sotapole and inverted Vee and managed 12 SSB QSOs on 20m, including 1 summit to summit.
This was not a particularly comfortable activation, so I packed up and set off for the final one of the day:
SOTA activation of EA7/MA-093, Cerro de las Guájaras - 842m
A very easy climb and plenty of space for activation, worth 4 points
I parked on the narrow road at a junction and walked round to find a suitable way up the hill- the ascent just took 5 minutes or so. There is a large water tank at the top, but also plenty of space for activation and some small bushes that provide some shade.
I managed 34 QSOs on 20m and 40m, including 1 Summit-to-summit (EA7).
Activation of EA7/MA-010 Vilo March 2025
Another straightforward climb and activation, worth 6 points
There is a well marked path from the road and the walk is straightforward to the summit
The summit is large and flat so a offers several options for activation.
Activation of EA7/MA-126 March 2025
Straightforward summit and ascent with plenty of activation space
The path proceeds through woodland then into open farmland. A closed farm gate appears to block the path but it is possible to get over the fence fairly easily further up - just follow the fence line.
The summit is quite rocky but offers plenty of space for activation. I wedged my Sotapole in between some rocks and used a bungee to hold it in place - fortunately the wind was light.
I managed 26 QSOs on 20m, 15m and 40m including 2 summit-to-summit QSOs.
Sunday, July 27, 2025
SOTA activation of 3 low summits EA7/MA-102 Masmullar, MA-098 Comores & MA-115 Cerro Agudo
Three straightforward but different hills made up a nice day of activations, worth 2 points each
While my wife walked around the Vinuela lake, I activated the 3 summits shown in July 2025. I started with the furthest from the lake.
EA7/MA-102 Masmullar.
I parked just off the track at point P below and followed the easy path shown.
There was one gate saying 'private property' but as the footpath was clearly shown on the map, and there were footpath signs further up, I assumed this gate was just to stop vehicles:
I was using my new 'Tactical Mini' pole from Sotabeams, which is 6m tall as opposed to 7m for my usual 'Tactical 7000hds'. The antenna apex rests at just over 5m high and I had experimented back home with the apex angle as I was concerned that the lower apex (and wider angle) might reduce my bandhopper's effectiveness. I had found that by pinning the antenna at the end of the 40m wire (as opposed to the end of the string) the smaller apex angle was better. SWR on 20m was lower and there seemed better coverage of the 20m band at acceptable SWR. I only wanted to operate on 20m, so this is what I did here.
The summit is composed of private and public buildings with the risk of compromising the residents' privacy. I walked around a small air conditioned building, possibly housing all the equipment for the tramsmitter tower next to it. Although that was away from publc view, there seemed little opportunity to set up my antenna without getting too close to the mains electricity feed to the building. I walked around and found an open area of pavement tucked away from the main road. Although this was next to a private house, the pavement looked public and mainly bordered by a public building. I attached my bandhopper to opposite railings and pushed up the apex, leaning the Sotapole against the public building roof:
SOTA activation of EA7/MA-075 Santopitar - 1019m
Strightforward activation worth 4 points Following a short walk along the track, the radio mast comes into view. The actual summit and tr...

-
A high summit with changeable weather, but achievable with the right route! This activation followed an aborted attempt 2 days earlier. I ...
-
I visited Tenerife in November 2021 and had a few free days to play radio. I started with some basic planning (most valuable of which was ...
-
A pleasant 40 minute walk to a fantastic activation site, but poor mobile signal for self spotting It is possible to drive along a track a...