It was a fantastic adventure and time well spent. For ten days I was “one-on-one” with myself in the Kłodzko Valley (in SP6). Being solo allowed me to be completely flexible with my plans, physical effort and radio activities. Since I stay active through sports in my daily life I spent most of my time either mountain biking or trekking (Nordic walking).
I could write an entire chapter on each location I visited but that would be too long! Instead, I’ve put together a chronological summary with a few sentences for each spot.
The Stats & Gear
- Period: September 14–23, 2026
- Location: Kłodzko Valley (SP6) and activations en route
- Rigs: Yaesu FT-710 and Xiegu G90
- Antennas: Dipole, G5RV, GP, and mobile whips
- Other gear: Fizan trekking poles, Cannondale MTB
Acknowledgments
First, a huge thanks to Mirek, SP5GNI. Around mid-year my Xiegu G90 started acting up – the output power would drop significantly after just a few QSOs. Since electronics aren’t my strong suit, Mirek stepped in serviced the rig, fixed some critical solder joints and even 3D-printed a custom stand to improve cooling. I took the G90 on almost every long hike or bike trip and it performed flawlessly. I was also happy to catch Mirek on the air during several activations!
I also want to thank Artur, SP9SIR. Whenever I had cell service, I used his tool kfmapy.pl. I’m not exaggerating when I say this service gets better every single day. While activating two reserves in Czechia, finding the correct OKFF and POTA references was quite a challenge but in Poland, using kfmapy.pl to find SPFF, POTA, SOTA or PGA references takes only seconds. I even managed a QSO with Artur during the trip!
Thanks to everyone who spotted me on the DX Cluster. While CW operators can usually rely on the RBN (Reverse Beacon Network) on SSB I sometimes called CQ for minutes without results – often in areas with zero cell coverage. Having a correspondent post a spot was incredibly valuable. Special thanks to Krzysztof, SP5DU who shared his SSB frequency with me when I called him while starting my activation from the Czerniec summit.
Finally, thanks for all the QSOs. Many chasers (not just from Poland) followed me almost daily from park to park. The WWFF/POTA hunters are top-tier operators and every contact – though usually short – was very friendly.
Observations on Park & Summit Activations
For me, activating nature reserves and peaks is the perfect counterweight to contesting, which is my main passion in ham radio. Here, I can combine radio with my love for mountain hiking and being outdoors.
Programs like SPFF, POTA, and SOTA are great incentives to explore new regions. The Kłodzko Valley is a prime example of a region perfect for both tourism and radio. All my logs have been uploaded to the POTA, SOTA, and TOTA (Summits on the Air / Towers on the Air) databases, as well as sent to the WWFF managers in Poland and Czechia.
Daily Log
Sept 14: Driving to Kletno
My base of operations was in the village of Kletno. On the drive there I did two planned mobile activations from the car: SPFF-2818 and SPFF-2201. After unpacking at my QTH I immediately hung a dipole and started an activation of SPFF-2518.
Sept 15: Śnieżnik Kłodzki & Mały Śnieżnik
I packed the FT-710 and all the accessories into my backpack. It was a heavy load making the trek physically demanding. The weather was perfect and the views were stunning. I made several hundred QSOs from Śnieżnik Kłodzki (SPFF-1364) and another few hundred from the Mały Śnieżnik Nature Reserve (SPFF-3002), which was an SPFF New One.
Sept 16: Cycling the south-eastern Kłodzko Valley
I drove to Bielice, parked at the forest lodge and set off on a 40km bike loop. Along the way I activated SPFF-1366.
Later I moved the car to another spot and cycled about 3km each way to activate SPFF-1365 though a passing storm cut that session short.
Sept 17: Polish and Czech SOTA
Early morning trek to the Borówkowa summit (SOTA SP/SW-003 / SPFF-0133) on the PL/CZ border.
Afterward I hiked to Konicek (SOTA OK/OL-002 / OKFF-3656) in Czechia.
After returning to the car, I activated SPFF-2827 using a mobile whip, followed by a quick trek to Jawornik Wielki (SOTA SP/SW-005).
Sept 18: “Car Day” with New Ones
After three intense days of hiking and biking I took it easier. I activated SPFF-2876 (Sztolnia w Młotach, SPFF New One) from the car using a dipole thrown over a tree.
Then, I headed to SPFF-3056 (another SPFF New One). I found a trout farm there where the owners let me set up an antenna. It was a beautiful spot with great weather – hard to leave!
I finished the day at a picnic site in SPFF-2374.
Sept 19: Western Kłodzko Exploration
I biked to the Czerniec summit. I had to push the bike most of the way (too steep for a standard MTB!) but the reward was spotting three wolves on the trail! The view from the top (SOTA SP/SS-006) was the most beautiful of the whole trip.
Later, I crossed into Czechia to activate OKFF-1141 by the Orlica river.
Then I visited the SPFF-0727 for a short activation. First of all I wanted to visit that place.
I finished with a sunset activation at the Puchaczówka viewpoint (in the area of SPFF-2002).
Sept 20: Bardzkie Mountains & Złoty Stok
Trekking in the northern part of the valley to the Cisowa Góra Reserve (SPFF-0228).
Later, I moved to SPFF-2826 (Złoty Stok Gold Mine) for a mobile activation.
Coming back to Kletno I stopped again at the Puchaczówka viewpoint (in the area of SPFF-2002) for another mobile operation.
Sept 21: Local Activities & Australia DX
Back to the Puchaczówka viewpoint but this time with the FT-710 and a dipole in a tree. It paid off – I logged three stations from Australia (VK)!
Then I spent the afternoon exploring the Radochowska Cave (a wild, “squeeze-through” experience with a guide).
Sept 22: The Final Push
A quick 2.5km bike ride to Jaskinia Niedźwiedzia (Bear Cave – SPFF-0723). I set up at the “Marianna Spring.” It was a fast, intense activation. Just as I packed up, a freezing downpour started.
I finished the day with a proper tour of the Bear Cave – an incredible place with stunning stalactites.
Sept 23: Heading Home
I started in early morning choosing a drive via Paczków and Czestochowa (different from the way to Kletno).
Getting up in early mornings in mountains very often rewards you with stunning fenomena created by nature.
I made one last stop to activate Sulejów Landscape Park (SPFF-0127) from the car.
Antenna Notes
For mobile work, I used whips for 40m and 20m. For SOTA/POTA hikes, I used a modular “Inverted V” dipole. I used hermetic electrical connectors with snap-locks to add/remove wire sections for different bands. This allowed me to change bands in about 30 seconds without lowering the center point (usually 4–10m high). It worked perfectly throughout the trip.
Final Thoughts
The Kłodzko Valley is stunning, especially in September when the trails are quiet. Sometimes I didn’t see another person all day. If you love radio and nature, this is the place to be.
73, see you in the next log!
tb (SP5UAF)
See my other post (https://sp5uaf.dxing.pl/2026/09/24/h26_stasts/) for some statistics regarding my activities in the Klodzko Valley.
Online log of my vacation activations: https://sp5uaf.dxing.pl/plog/search.php
