[South Florida DX Association] Mt. Athos visit by NE8Z

[Bill]

 From Bill NA2M


Hi Bill,

Here's one of the messages about NE8Z's visit to SV2ASP/A.

73,

Joe, W1JR

> Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:50:15 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Rick Dorsch <ne8z at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Fw: Mt. Athos visit by NE8Z
> To: W1JR-Joe Reisert <W1JR at arrl.net>
>
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> *From:* Rick Dorsch <ne8z at yahoo.com>
> *To:* NE8Z-(YAHOO) <ne8z at yahoo.com>
> *Sent:* Sat, April 23, 2011 5:05:18 PM
> *Subject:* Mt. Athos visit by NE8Z
>
> I have just returned from my 2 week visit to Greece and pilgramage to 
> Mt. Athos.  From the minute that I stepped off the plane in Athens to 
> the minute that I left Greece two weeks later I was treated with true 
> "ham hospitality" by SV1JG, SV2ASP/A and SV2BOH.
>
> Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A greeted me with open arms in Mt. Athos.
> He spent the entire week making sure that I was comfortable.  I 
> participated in all of their church prayer services and I was also 
> able to work for 2 long days with the monks cleaning crystal and 
> silver chandelliers
> in preparation for Easter services.  Monk Apollo gave me the keys to 
> his Land Rover and told me to, "go...explore...take your time".  I was 
> able to visit many of the 20 monasteries on the peninsula.
>
> I was able to make a donation of various pieces of radio equipment to 
> his monastery which will allow him to operate from two or more 
> portable hilltop locations in Mt. Athos. SEMDXA members provided him 
> with a new MFJ Keyer, LDG antenna tuner and a Heil BM-10 headset.   
> Budd, W3FF and his son Chris donated a complete Buddipole Antenna 
> system.  The ARRL donated 8 log books, band plan charts and a backpack 
> for the portable equipment transportation.  Monk Apollo never asked 
> for anything.  I simply showed up with the gifts for the monastery. 
> Asian hams will soon be able to work Mt. Athos for a new DXCC Entity.  
> Both portable locations have clear 360 degree views to all directions 
> unlike the Docheiariou Monastery which has a large mountain blocking 
> signals to and from Asia..
>
> Father Apollo is a very busy monk.  His radio time is limited because 
> of church services that last up to 8 hours per day, 7 days per week.  
> After services he is busy working on construction projects for the 
> monastery.  He is presently active on the radio daily between 
> 1700-2100z on 160m, 30m, 17m and 12m CW-SSB-RTTY.  He is building a 
> new ham shack which will be ready in a few months.  Once he is in the 
> new QTH he will install his new 40 foot tubular tower and a Step-IR 3 
> element yagi that was donated to him by Dominik, DL2EBE.
>
> The most exciting part of my trip was to be able to see precious 
> relics of Saints and the Miracle producing Icons of The Virgin Mary.  
> Mt. Athos is by far one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
>
> Please view the SLIDESHOW on the SEMDXA website at:
> http://live.semdxa.org/tiki-list_file_gallery.php?galleryId=24
>
> Thank you to everyone that made my pilgrimage to Mt. Athos a complete 
> success.
>
> 73 Rick  NE8Z/HC1MD