- Koda: Izberi vse
EXPERIENCE ON BRIJUNI I. EU-110
Hello,
This short write-up should be/could be helpful for some future activators of Brijuni I. EU-110.
On my second visit to 9A, I finally managed to take along my gear and add a "new one" to my "worked-from" list. After a decent breakfast, my family and myself left for Fazana around 0800z to catch the 0930z ferry to Brijuni. Roads were a bit busy but we made it in time and even managed to grab the last free parking spot just outside of town. We got the ferry tickets but were immediately told that our return can only be at 13z or 19z. So, we were set for 13z since 19z was not an option.
We joined the waiting queue and eventually boarded. After an easy 20min trip, we put feet on EU-110. As there was not much time to hike around, I decided to set-up the little station just above the main place near the elephant. Nice view and most important: shadow. The family got on one of the tourist trains and off they went. I had a slow start on 20m, went down to 30 which did not work well either but still better than 40. I returned to 20 but I wasn't too successful either. 60W into a SuperAntenna MP1 are not a lot, but SOTA usually does a lot better in much shorter time.
Anyway, the family came back from there trip and a couple of minutes later, I was joined by another man on his little bike who looked a bit weird and asked if I'm "in a hotel on the island". I denied and told him, that I came with the ferry for a day-trip. It did look like as if he understood what I was saying. I said again, that I came with a boat this morning and that I will return this afternoon. He got it this time and started to fiddle around with his cell phone. Then you know, that something is not good. I asked him, if I'm not allowed to use the radio. He only answered "No" but nothing else.
Well, I stopped transmitting and looked at what he was doing and what will happen. Then, a car with nice blue lights showed up and two men slowly managed to get out and they discussed together, not looking at me but rather started to smoke. They then did another phone call and a minute later, an old military car showed up. No guy in military clothes but rather normal. Maybe from the more undercover people. All four of them came up to me and the, let's call him military guy, asked me what I'm doing here. I told him, that I'm an Amateur Radio operator. He asked for a permission and I showed him my (CEPT) licence. He then said that's not a licence from 9A and not at all for Brijuni. I said, yes, I'm not a 9A citizen and would not get a regular 9A license (yes, temporary 9A foreign licenses exist) that's why I'm operating under the CEPT agreement that 9A signed as well.
Although he said he's also a radio operator (military?), I think he had no clue what CEPT means. Furthermore, Brijuni is a National Park and I'm not allowed to operate from this National Park (do you still remember the first argument?). I can operate from the mainland, but not from here. Ok I said, I'm sorry, I did not read about this and I was not even told by the 9A people, that it's not allowed to use HAM gear on Brijuni. Nonetheless, he said, I have to take down the station because there are some important people on the island. He explained to me that part of the island is military area and the other part is for tourists. So, that's been argument #3. Anyway, I told him that we were scheduled for the ferry at 13z and we would go down now and wait until the ferry shows up. My final question was: Is there an authority that may be asked for permission to operate from this island? He said No and nobody is allowed to operate from here. It's been 7 years that he's been on the island and nobody ever operated from here. Well, then I must have been the first one and I did not even try to hide. I guess, the car with the ZG licence plates and the tinted windows did not like me too much, as as soon after he passed me, the other 4 chaps showed up.
In a nutshell: Don't go to Brijuni with your gear, the Brijuni authorities will not issue a permission and CEPT is worthless in that part of the world (BTW, isn't there a similar story?).
Cu from some other islands, maybe, maybe not..
73 Norby
LPB.
