Girnar Hilltop – 2024 – GIAR – GIAR – Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio

Event Report:

Girnar Hilltop Amateur Radio SOTA Activation

(07–08 December 2024)
By: VU3NZT, VU3FFU, VU3FFV, SWLs Anuj & Meet

The Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio community successfully conducted a Summits on the Air (SOTA) hilltop activation at Mount Girnar on 7th and 8th December 2024. The event brought together licensed operators and shortwave listeners for a challenging but rewarding experience atop one of Gujarat’s most iconic peaks.

Girnar Hill, located in Gujarat, is older than the Himalayas and steeped in mythological and historical significance, it also the highest point of the state. It’s home to over 9,000 stone steps, making it a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Jains alike. The hill hosts the ancient Girnar Parikrama festival, drawing lakhs of devotees each year. At its peak, you’ll find breathtaking views and the revered Dattatreya temple perched at 3,666 feet (1,145 m)!

Day 1: Struggles, Static, and Hope

The ascent to the summit and station setup went smoothly with the help of ropeway and local authorities who allowed us to carry our equipment. But it was not without hurdles. As is often the case in hilltop operations, the team had to overcome various technical and environmental challenges.

Despite careful planning, we were unable to establish two-way communication with the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad repeaters on Day 1. However, it was encouraging to hear clear traffic from those stations, indicating at least one-way signal propagation. Spirits were lifted when we successfully established contact with OM JF in Rajkot and OM JOG in Jamnagar later in the day. Additionally, we could hear a QSO of one HAM with another HAM in Ahmedabad while he was en-route to Rajkot, adding to the sense of connectivity.

A surprising obstacle was heavy QRM (interference) from local fishermen, which complicated transmissions on our designated frequencies. While the team briefly wrestled with doubts, mutual encouragement and persistence kept morale high as we prepared for a stronger second day.

Day 2: Breakthrough and Success

Day 2 turned out to be a resounding success. The station made clear, consistent contact with the Ahmedabad repeater, as many of you experienced live. With favourable propagation and some fine-tuning of the setup, our efforts finally paid off.

This activation not only validated our technical preparation and teamwork, but also reaffirmed the strength of Gujarat’s amateur radio community – both on the airwaves and behind the scenes. The support we received online and offline throughout the event was deeply appreciated. Our major regret was not being able to establish contact with Gandhinagar repeater.

We were honored to have officers from the Junagadh Police Wireless Department visit us during the activation, showing genuine interest in our amateur radio operations.
Their visit boosted our spirits and underlined the importance of radio communication in public service.

A special thanks to Head Constable Kuldeep, whose warm support regarding our stay and food arrangements made our hilltop experience far more comfortable.
His kindness and encouragement truly exemplify the spirit of community collaboration.

A heartfelt thanks to Pravin Valera Sir (VU2CPV) and Jagdish Pandya Sir (VU2JGI) for unwavering guidance and encouragement throughout our SOTA activation.
Your support continues to inspire us to aim higher in every hilltop adventure!

Thanks once again to everyone who stood by us – your encouragement made a real difference.

Team Girnar Activation: