Hiking & Radio Adventure at Le Grand Ballon (FL/VO-001)
An unforgettable SOTA activation at Le Grand Ballon (FL/VO-001) in France, featuring my first summit-to-summit contact on 144MHz FM, breathtaking Vosges mountain views, and an overnight stay among fellow camper van adventurers.
📡 Summits on the Air (SOTA) Activation
Another SOTA adventure took me to Le Grand Ballon, the highest peak in France's Vosges mountains. But this wasn’t just another summit—it turned into a milestone: my first summit-to-summit (S2S) contact on 144MHz FM.
The weather was flawless, so I decided to camp overnight at the summit with a group of fellow vanlifers.
🥾 The Ascent
The trail to Le Grand Ballon is both challenging and rewarding. Clear skies revealed sweeping views over the Vosges range — a perfect setup for a radio activation.
📶 First 144MHz Summit-to-Summit Contact!
Once on the summit, I set up my portable rig. Within minutes, I made my first ever 144MHz FM summit-to-summit QSO with HB9CRY/p, activating Nüenchamm (HB/GL-045) in Switzerland.
That moment perfectly captured what I love about SOTA:
Connecting with fellow hams, from peak to peak, miles apart yet united on the air.
🚐 Overnight Stay with Fellow Adventurers
The great weather convinced me to stay the night. Alongside 6 camper vans, we shared stories, food, and a sunset above the clouds. The mountaintop became a peaceful, impromptu ham radio community for the evening.
📊 Activation Summary
| 📍 Location | 📡 Reference | 📶 Bands | 🎙️ QSOs | 🔗 S2S Contacts | 🏆 Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Grand Ballon | FL/VO-001 | 144MHz FM | 12 | 1 | 10 |
Highlights:
- ✅ First 144MHz FM Summit-to-Summit (HB9CRY/p @ HB/GL-045)
- ✅ 10 activation points earned
- ✅ Overnight summit experience
📌 Final Thoughts
Le Grand Ballon is a must-do for any SOTA activator or hiking radio enthusiast. Its accessible trail, combined with stunning views and excellent VHF/UHF propagation, makes it one of the best activations I’ve done to date.
