This four-point peak is a short drive from Paphos. The name “Vouni” means “mountain”, but it is more of a gentle grass-covered hill in the middle of a wine-producing region. The paved road up into the mountains is fairly steep, I noticed on the way back down that it warned of a 14% grade. The roads through town itself are a bit narrow, but I threaded the Landcruiser through carefully. A narrow road runs past the summit to the north. Although the road is dirt, it is well packed and not rutted, so I think any car would be able to manage it. When I got to the point marked “P” on the map, I pulled the car southward onto the grass. I then followed the tree line up to the top of the hill.
This is a case of the aerial photo being really helpful. It’s clear that there is one big tree up at the summit and judging by its shadow, I decided not to lug the Buddipole, but to just take an end-fed antenna. As seen in the photo, that tree is effectively at the summit about halfway along the course of a stone wall.
It would have been ideal if there were another bush or something about an antenna-length away to hold up the feed end of the antenna, but I did well enough just putting the antenna under tension such that the feedpoint was about a meter above the ground.
The weather forecast for this morning was 70% chance of precipitation. The way that tends to work out, it really means 100% chance of rain 70% of the time. It was drizzly when I pulled off the road, but cleared when I got to the top. I tossed the end-fed antenna into the tree and proceeded to work 20 meters: 26 contacts on CW including one summit-to-summit (thanks, HB9AFI/P on HB/VD-047). I tried 40m for just a bit with no answer and then felt the rain start again. By the time I had packed up all the equipment, it was pouring, but I didn’t care because I was wearing a warm raincoat.
I saw nobody up there at all, but did hear dogs and roosters off in the distance. Next stop: about a 25 minute drive to 5B/CY-035, Mazi.
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