Poor 5B/CY-042, it has no name, just its SOTA designation. However, that’s kind of fitting since it really isn’t much of a “mountain” — it is more somebody’s backyard, adjacent to a water tower. It is the very definition of a drive-up site, though, so if you’re out towards the western side of Cyprus, perhaps enjoying the beaches along the coast near Paphos, and want to shoehorn in a quick activation, it might be just the place.
After following various winding roads up, up, up from the coast, I drove down a residential street wondering if I would literally be activating in someone’s garden. It’s not quite that bad — the site is just beyond the last house and there is an out of the way sandy lot next to the water tower, where you can park a car. Between the tower and the adjacent farm, there is an empty field, so that is where I pitched the BuddiPole.
There are a few structures nearby in addition to the water tower. At least of them is probably a water pump or processing facility; I’m not sure what the other one is. In any event, neither put out any significant RFI.
In late December, the temperature was about 7C, but felt colder due to the significant breeze blowing in from the sea. Yes, I know that activating a low hill in the Mediterranean does not compare with ice-picking your way to the top of a 14-er, but it was still chilly. The BuddiPole did not cooperate initially, and I found it difficult to tune up to 20m.
I had anticipated working 20, 30, and 40m, but the drive out and set up took more time than anticipated. My plan was to activate a second peak on the same day (to make the drive to the eastern side of the island more worth the effort), so I cut the activation short after 20m and got back on the road.
There isn’t too much more to say about this one. Here’s a panorama for the sake of completeness:
My nephew and his wife are in Cyprus for 3 months. He is not a licensed operator but I have tried to get him interested (his Dad IS licensed). Anyhow they are staying in Paphos, so maybe they will at least try to drive up there.
I’ve managed to work Greece from here in Utah, but never Cyprus.
73, K7PD
It should be a fun trip. Some of the SOTA peaks would be hard to reach without an off-road vehicle, but there certainly are a lot of trails that are a good hike with spectacular views. Should you or his dad end up in Cyprus at some point, there is a national amateur society, CARS, with a few regional clubs that are active and very welcoming of visitors and expats. 73, Jack
I have travelled to Cyprus for POTA, but I want to make some SOTA activations on my next trip. I might be staying close the Paphos and this peak appeared to be the closest. Looks like a large activation zone. I noticed in the activation zone there is a park. It is not POTA, but I would feel comfortable operating in a public area, as sometimes it is not clear whether locations are public or private. I understand the activation requirement is vertical and not horizontal distance from the peak? BTW I am looking on Google maps, where is the water pump building?
Hello Gary, The water tower and pump house was right on top of the map pin on Google Maps. You’re right, the activation zone is defined vertically and as I recall that field was very flat. Some areas looked planted, the rest was scrub. I felt okay driving there, setting up an antenna and a chair and hanging out. There weren’t a lot of people out and about. Even when there are, though, I never had a problem – just curious onlookers. I will say that this is one of the least scenic SOTA sites that Cyprus has to offer, but if you’re staying in Paphos, and particularly if you have limited time on a vacation, it’s very convenient. 73, Jack F4WEF.