News and information

Here you find my latest news and information, that affect the amateur radio, as well as in the archive the ones published since 2004. Additionally all newly created or recently modified pages are marked in the table of contents.

Outdoor activities in 2026
7.3. - 3.10.2026
 
Spring, summer, and autumn are pleasant times for extended periods of outdoor amateur radio operation. The destinations were various DLFF areas in the German states of Berlin and Brandenburg. I announced each activation at least 12 hours in advance on the WWFF agenda. The screenshots of the maps with the subsequently added location are from the BfN. I created the screenshots of the routes using the "OsmAnd" app.
 
This report is updated after each activation. Click here for the latest report.

Bergen-Weißacker Moor DLFF-1273
 
7.3.2026: It was the first weekend with spring-like weather, even though it wasn't officially spring yet according to the calendar. After a night of ground frost, the temperature should rise 18 °C. Since the forecast predicted clear skies and hardly any wind, I couldn't stay home.
 
The destination was the Bergen-Weißacker Moor DLFF-1273, which had apparently not yet been activated. This 116 hectare large nature reserve and Natura 2000 site lies within the Nature Park Niederlausitzer Landrücken (DLFF-0092). According to the nature park, it is "one of the few remaining moors in the region. It consists of water bodies from formerly used peat cuttings, marshy pools, floating fens, and birch-pine swamp forest. ... However, the Bergen-Weißacker Moor was not spared the effects of groundwater depletion caused by lignite mining. By recirculating the pumped water, the moor body was prevented from drying out, but the extremely acidic and iron-rich water harmed many sensitive plant species." The moor is also the source of the Bersten, which forms the northwestern boundary of the area. The Bersten is a 37 km long tributary of the Spree.
 
I chose Walddrehna train station as the starting point for my bike tour. It's worth noting that it's only served by the RE8 regional express train, which runs every 2 hours. From the station, I cycled along the main road through the village and then continued to Weißack on the very quiet L561 country road. Caution: Shortly before the paper mill, the road drops 35 meters, so you'll arrive at the bottom of the S-bend with considerable momentum. After crossing the B96 federal highway, I cycled through the village of Weißack. At the edge of the village, the main road bends. From there, I followed almost straight forest tracks to the edge of the nature reserve. Although I didn't see any signs, the area was easily identifiable by the varying tree species. On the narrow path northwards within the nature reserve, I spotted an open area with a distinct orange soil. This is likely one of those acidic, iron-rich areas created by the pumping of water back into the moor.
 

 
When I finally arrived at a large meadow, I turned west and pushed the bicycle along a footpath beside the dry ditch to the northern shore of the moor pond. There, I set up the station among several birch trees. I tied the mast to one birch and the guy wires to two others. I settled the station comfortably on a dry spot just 20 cm above the pond. A couple of hikers passed by, the man with a large camera, and told me that there were also coypus at the pond.
 
Conditions weren't particularly good after the G1 storm overnight. However, sitting comfortably in the sun for 3 hours, I made a total of 41 contacts on 40, 30, and 20 meters – actually 43. "Actually" because I won't acknowledge 2 QSOs. The reason is the practice of one radio amateur, who want to be sure of getting their contacts logged and therefore make a second QSO as a precaution. I strongly disapprove of this approach, as it's selfish and often comes at the expense of quieter stations.
 
Before activation, I announced my policy on the WWFF website regarding duplicate QSOs: "Stations with duplicate QSOs (same band, same mode) will not be comfirmed at all." Despite this warning, I discovered at home that a station had slipped into my paper log twice. As a consequence, neither QSO from that station is included in the log extract I sent to the DLFF. Furthermore, I will not be sending QSL cards for either QSO. I will announce and enforce this policy against duplicate QSOs before every activation this season, even if it means that one or another contact are not credited to me.
 
Between 2 CQ calls, I noticed movement on the trunk of a birch tree standing right by the water. What I saw upon approaching was astonishing. A moth with a body about 2½ cm long defended itself against the attack of a wood ant. After separating them, I placed the moth on a tree free of ants. There, hanging in the sun, it inflated its wings to their full size over the next 30 minutes. After that, it was easily identifiable as a male Kentish glory by the strong coloring of his wings. While the male moths, according to Wikipedia, also fly during the day, the females are only active at night and have paler wings. Since neither can feed, they live only a short time to reproduce. The caterpillars of the Kentish glory feed mainly on birch leaves, of which there were plenty in the area. They pupate in a cocoon spun either on the ground or in the vegetation. This is probably why I saw the moth so low on the tree, because Kentish glory usually "meet" in the upper branches of birch trees.
 
For the return journey, I had originally planned to take a path along the edge of the nature reserve, thus making a wide loop back to Weißack. However, the overgrown path would only have been passable on foot. Therefore, I returned via the familiar route. Unfortunately, heavy forestry machinery had badly damaged the branch line that begins at the paper mill and ultimately leads to the train station, forcing me to continue my journey on the main road I had already traveled on the way there. Thus, after a total of 20,5 km, I arrived back at Walddrehna train station.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Lönnewitz Heath DLFF-1004
 
22.3.2026: After a relatively cool night with -2 °C, temperatures of up to 14 °C and mostly sunny weather were forecast. However, from a radio perspective, the sun didn't really cooperate. Following the G3 storm the day before, the SWPC predicted another G3 storm, which had a 25 % probability of causing radio blackouts (R1-R2). And the Kp index published by the GFZ was already at Kp = 5 in the morning and rose to Kp = 6 during activation, which corresponded to the predicted G3 storm. So, conditions were by no means going to be ideal. Nevertheless, I set off.
 
Between the Falkenberg-Lönnewitz airfield, which is now only used by sports aircraft, and the B183 federal highway lies the long, 161-hectare Lönnewitz Heath DLFF-1004. The airfield was already used as a civilian airfield in the 1920s, before being taken over by the military from the mid-1930s until 1993. After the dismantling, an industrial park was built. A flying club took over the remains of the runway and a few hangars. The other hangars scattered across the site are partly empty and derelict. Since 2011, the Lönnewitz solar park has also been located on the site, which according to Wikipedia has an installed capacity of 21,7 MWp and feeds 21,9 GWh into the grid per year. The heathland landscape of the nature reserve south of the airfield, which exists today, arose because the area was a restricted zone for decades. The dismantling process contributed the rest.
 
I began my bicycle tour at Falkenberg (Elster) train station. Leaving the town to the south, I reached the airfield via a nearly straight, narrow road. On both sides of the airfield road, which turns west there, the solar panels of the aforementioned solar park cover an area of ​​86 hectares. To be as far away as possible from their potentially disruptive inverters, I chose a wide road that runs parallel to the old/long runway of the airfield, which nowadays only exists as a clearing.
 
I attached the mast to my bicycle and settled down on a sandy patch by the roadside. Some contest was raging on 40 meters, so after a few QSOs I switched to 30 meters. However, I didn't reach too many stations. It was a similar story on the 20-meter band I used afterwards. However, on 20 meters I noticed that no contest stations were active anymore. Therefore, I switched to 40 meters – it was quiet there too. Apparently, the contest only ran until 1200 UTC. In total, I made 23 contacts on 40, 30, and 20 meters, which, in retrospect, was an acceptable result considering the predicted conditions. The signal strengths varied considerably. While I could only receive some stations in Europe at 519, others were receivable at 599. I couldn't discern any pattern. At one station on the East Coast of the USA, the harsh, crackling sound typical of aurora conditions was noticeable. After 3 hours, I packed up the station and headed back.
 
In the southeast of the nature reserve, north of the B183 federal highway, lay the now almost completely vanished former village of Old-Lönnewitz. In the wooded area along the B183, within the former military restricted zone, the ruins of the village church, now a listed historical monument, can still be found. According to Wikipedia, the pitiful remains of the church are thus virtually the last remaining structural traces of the village, which was first mentioned in 1251. Following a forest track that curved around the eastern side of the airfield and continuing on the Lönnewitzer Weg, I reached Schmerkendorf. From there, I continued on the L672 state road to Falkenberg (Elster), where I reached the train station again after a total of 16,8 km.
 
When I got home, the propagation conditions of N0NBH closely resembled the conditions found on the bands.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Wild Mountain near Seelow DLFF-1315
 
29.3.2026: After a relatively cool night with temperatures around 0 °C, the temperature was expected to rise to 10 °C. The weather forecast predicted cloudy or partly cloudy skies, but only a 20% chance of rain. Weather-wise, the conditions would be acceptable. Furthermore, according to the SWPC, there was no forecast of a geomagnetic storm, although there was a 40% chance of minor radio blackouts (R1-R2). And the Kp index published by the GFZ was low that morning, around 3. So I grabbed my backpack, packed up my radio equipment, and set off.
 
This time I went to the western edge of the Oderbruch region. There lies the 82-hectare nature reserve Wild mountain near Seelow DLFF-1315. The area extends predominantly east of the RB60 railway line, which runs from Frankfurt (Oder), via Seelow (Mark), to Eberswalde. The nature reserve encompasses the slope from the approximately 50-meter-high upper edge of the ground moraine plateau (Lebus Plateau) down to the Oderbruch at about 10 meters, but also includes a deep cutting west of the railway line.
 

 
I began my hike at the bus station Seelow (Mark). Heading south on Frankfurt Street, I turned east at the former Oderbruch railway crossing. A path runs parallel to the curve of the old railway embankment, which I left at the bridge over the deeply cut former railway line, continuing eastward. A little further on, the path leads through a tunnel under the still-active railway line. On the other side is the Wild Hare Trail, a steep 20-meter staircase. There's a bench halfway up, presumably for a rest. At the end of the trail, a path leads to the summit of the 47-meter-high Wild Mountain.
 
On the mountain, which is only covered with a few scattered trees, there is a bench near the summit stone and a nearby summit cross, which I used to set up the station. I attached the mast to the backrest at the end of the long section. Sitting comfortably in the sun, which was increasingly breaking through the clouds, I began making CQ calls on 40 meters. When there was a longer lull after a while, I switched first to 30 meters and later to 20 meters. Within 2⅓ hours, I made a total of 51 radio contacts across Europe and one to the East Coast of the USA.
 
Even during the QSOs, I had spotted several large, dark beetles on the sandy ground and among the grasses. During a band change, I took a closer look at what they were doing. For me, that's just as much a part of an outdoor activity as exploring the surroundings. While a larger specimen (about 45 mm long) busily scurried back and forth, the more compact ones (about 35 mm long) seemed preoccupied with building burrows in the sand – or so I thought. Back home, I identified them from the photos as Black oil beetles. The larger insect with the bent antennae was a male, the smaller ones with straight antennae were females. What I had interpreted as burrow building was actually the laying of eggs in cavities used by bumblebees and honeybees. And there were already quite a few honeybees to be seen on the flowers at the summit. According to Wikipedia, black oil beetles are on the Red List of endangered species in Germany. These diurnal insects are usually found on the ground from April to June. But be careful! When threatened, the beetles secrete a yellow substance from their knee joints, strongly resembling oil droplets, to deter enemies. This substance contains cantharidin, a toxin that is also dangerous to humans.
 
For the return way, I used the path leading downhill along the top edge next to the railway line, which took me to the small road at the bottom of the slope. I initially continued north on this road, but then turned onto Küstrin Street, which leads uphill. Passing the train station Seelow (Mark) and the Seelow Heights memorial, I headed towards the town center. After a stop at the café at the market square, I reached the bus station again after a total of 5,6 km.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Löpten Fen-Wustrick meadows DLFF-1321
 
5.4.2026: After a mild night with temperatures around 7 °C, a high of 18 °C ​​was forecast despite increasingly heavy cloud cover. The probability of rain was expected to rise from 10 % in the morning to 60 % in the late afternoon. The G3/G2 storm of the past few days had subsided to a negligible level. However, according to the SWPC, there was a 55 % probability of small/short radio blackouts (R1-R2). The GFZ, however, reported a Kp index of around 3 in the morning, indicating a low level. N0NBH rated the band conditions as "Fair" to "Poor". Nevertheless, I set off!
 
The 218-hectare nature reserve Löpten Fen–Wustrick meadows DLFF-1321 consists of two areas connected by a drainage ditch. The Löpten Fen lies to the southeast, and the Wustrick meadows to the northwest. Both are drying bogs or wet meadows crisscrossed by ditches. The Löpten Fen, at least, was still a lake in the 18th century, situated in a meltwater channel from the last Ice Age that extends as far as Fürstenwalde/Spree.
 
The ditches, still present today, bear witness to attempts to drain the bogs that formed after the lakes silted up. Although a renaturation project has been underway since 2013 to stabilize the water level in the bog and mitigate fluctuations, the area's condition is still described as inadequate. According to Wikipedia, at least in the northeastern part of the nature reserve, some meadows are managed with the help of sheep. Therefore, I hoped to be there before the sheep arrived and the electric fences used to contain them.
 

 
I chose Groß Köris train station, which is served hourly by the RE7 regional express train, as my starting point. The L742 state road, which runs directly past the station, took me through the village. From the edge of the village, this road also leads through the nature reserve. At the point where the L742 turns towards Klein Köris, I switched to a forest path towards Löpten, but turned west before reaching the village.
 
At the Löpten Fen viewpoint, I set up the station on a bench there. According to the plaque attached to the backrest, Theodor Fontane had already sat on this bench in 1861 – but for a 165-year-old bench, it still looked remarkably sturdy. I tied the mast to a low-hanging branch of the large bush next to the bench. I attached one guy wire of the antenna to a post of the electric fence, which fortunately wasn't yet in operation. I stuck the peg of the other guy wire into the ground next to the track. Around the calcareous moor, there is pastureland at the edge of the forest. Although the electric fence in front of me wasn't electrified, I could hear a faint crackling sound in the transceiver.
 
Within 3 hours, I managed a total of 46 QSOs on 40, 30, and 20 meters. My CQ calls on 17 meters went unanswered. Since I had previously announced my policy against duplicate QSOs on the WWFF website, I will only acknowledge 44 QSOs. The station that called me twice on one band, and whom I didn't reach live, will not receive confirmation for any of the QSOs.
 

 
On the way back, I visited the Wustrick meadows in the northwestern part of the nature reserve. Following the Fennegraben A ditch more or less parallel to it, I reached the Wustrick meadows viewpoint. There I discovered the source of the cracking noises: an electric fence. This fence was used to keep ewes and their lambs in a small pasture. Among the sheep was a shaggy white sheepdog. Continuing along the Wustrickgraben B ditch, I reached the L742 road again and, after a total of 6,7 km, arrived back at Groß Köris train station.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Devil's Lake DLFF-1281
 
11.4.2026: In the north of the Nature Park Schlaubetal lies the 55-hectare Nature Reserve Devil's Lake DLFF-1281. The lake itself, from which the reserve takes its name, is only 5 hectares in size but up to 12 m deep. It was formed after the last Ice Age as a kettle lake. Together with the surrounding near-natural fens, it has been a protected area since 1961.
 
After a rather chilly night with temperatures around -2 °C, the temperature was expected to rise to 14 °C under clear skies. According to the GFZ, the Kp index was 4 in the morning. And the SWPC predicted only a G1 storm with minor radio blackouts (R1-R2) of 10%. Good conditions for an extended radio hiking trip.
 
I started my hike at the train station Grunow (Lower Lusatia). Trains on the RB36 line, which runs from Königs Wusterhausen to Frankfurt (Oder River), stop there hourly. The current route is the result of a line closure. In 1996, service on the section from Cottbus to Grunow was discontinued, and the remaining track to Frankfurt (Oder River) was connected to the existing line to Königs Wusterhausen. This created the current "kink" in the route. A section (24 km) of the old railway embankment, which runs southwards, has been converted into the Heathland Bicycle Path.
 
Unfortunately, the only road leading east from train station Grunow (Lower Lusatia) to the village of Grunow-Dammendorf is the B246 federal highway. Although there is a parallel bicycle and footpath, I was glad to leave the B246 again in the part of the municipality named Grunow.
 
Initially following field paths, later forest trails, I reached the Demnitz stream. But beware! Only a few rotten beams remain of the plank path marked on the map. Since I didn't want to mess with the young bulls in the pasture, I squeezed along the pasture fence on the slope of the river ditch to the wide bridge and back again on the other side. Continuing on forest paths, I arrived in the Siehdichum district, which shares the same name. After a short stretch on a small road, I reached the edge of the nature reserve.
 

 
On the edge of the hiking trail "Around Siehdichum", marked with a yellow dot on a white square, I set up here my station near the Devil's Lake. I placed the transceiver on a tree stump and tied the antenna mast to a low-hanging branch of one of the beech trees. The 40 m band was very busy, and I made 35 contacts there in the first hour. When no one answered for a while, I switched to 30 m – but without success. Only 5 QSOs were made on 20 m, and none at all on 17 m. Therefore, I switched back to 40 m. In total, I recorded 51 contacts. After 2⅔ hours, I dismantled the station. Following the agenda on the WWFF website, next to the announcement, not to acknowledge stations with duplicate QSOs, these failed to materialize.
 
For the return journey, I continued along the signposted hiking trail, which led me along the northern shores of Scherlach lake and large Treppel lake. I crossed the Schlaube River at a small wooden bridge, where there is also a shelter, a picnic table, and a bench. Although there is a shorter route from there via Dammendorf, I continued north along the forest path. This brought me back to the path I had used on the way out, which I followed via Demnitz stream to Grunow. After the familiar, unavoidable stretch parallel to the B246, I reached train station Grunow (Lower Lusatia) again after a total of 14,2 km and 108 m of ascent and 108 m of descent.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Josinsky Fen DLFF-1279
 
18.4.2026: The 172-hectare nature reserve Josinsky Fen DLFF-1279 is located in the north of the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve. To the south of the reserve, the river, also known locally as the Crooked Spree, flows eastward from Lake Neuendorf. The entire fen has been drained for generations and is mostly used extensively, primarily for combined mowing and grazing, as can be read here. According to this website, the formerly meandering Krumme Spree was straightened in the 1970s. However, most of the oxbow lakes retained a connection to the Spree River on one side, so that seasonally wet floodplain grassland, meadows, and pastures can be found around them.
 
After a mild night with a temperature of 6 °C, the temperature was expected to rise to 20 °C under sunny skies, later becoming partly cloudy. The SWPC forecast predicted a relatively spontaneous G2 storm that morning. Its cause was said to be a sunspot one solar rotation (28 days) prior, which had previously triggered a G3 storm. So I was prepared for the conditions that might prevail.
 
I started my bike tour at Wendisch Rietz train station. Trains on the RB36 line from Königs Wusterhausen to Frankfurt (Oder) stop there hourly. The federal highway B246 runs past the station, and I followed it on the parallel bicycle path until the turnoff to Behrensdorf. While you have to share the road with cars on the L422, the relatively light traffic made it manageable. In Behrensdorf, I left the L422 and headed towards Möllendorf on field and forest tracks. Beyond the village, a small connecting road leads me to the L42 in Limsdorf. This road, again quiet in terms of traffic and winding through forests, finally brought me to Alt-Schadow.
 
Before leaving home, I had already selected 3 possible locations: 2 spots along the banks of the Crooked Spree river and, as a backup, Werdersche Road, a road lined with small trees that runs through the nature reserve. Anglers had set up camp at the first location I tried, at the end of the wide dirt track. So I continued along a narrow path at the edge of the grain field until I reached a hunting high seat. I set up my station on an old, thick tree trunk lying there. This time, my bicycle served as a support for the antenna mast while I made myself comfortable on the old tree trunk. In just under 2 hours, I only managed 25 contacts with stations in Central Europe on 40 m. I had to search for a new, free frequency several times, as contest stations seemed to be missing my faint signals. Switching to 20 m brought another seven contacts to the notepad I was using as a logbook. But even on the contest-free 30 m band, I only managed to reach 1 station. Therefore, I switched to 40 m. In the end, 38 stations were logged, including two stations that were also active in a WWFF area. After 3⅓ hours, I dismantled the station and headed back.
 
On the way back to Alt-Schadow, I made another photo stop at a hunting high seat along the path. From there, I had a good view of part of the wetlands along the Crooked Spree. The oxbow lakes are often recognizable by the small trees and bushes on their banks.
 

 
Back on the L42, I turned into the forest behind the gravel pit north of the Grubensee lake. Following well-maintained forest paths suitable for cycling, I headed towards the nature campsite on the eastern shore of the Spiningsee lake. A signposted hiking trail runs directly along the shore through the campsite area. At the northern end of the Springsee, there is a canal built in 1857 (also known as the Springsee Flow), which today resembles a natural river. It leads from the Springsee to the Great Glubigsee and on to the lock at the Small Glubigsee, before reaching the Scharmützelsee, as indicated on the sign at the bridge over the canal. The section of the old canal from the Springsee to the Great Glubigsee is now only navigable by kayaks or canoes. Following a concrete-paved track between the marshy area along the old canal and the fence of the military restricted zone, I reached the former post office building at the Glubigsee. From there, a bumpy track continues along the fence, which led me back to the federal highway B246. After a total of 30,9 km and 108 m of ascent and 108 m of descent, I arrived back at Wendisch Rietz train station.
 
Back home, I investigated the reason for the relatively poor conditions. Although the predicted G2 storm hadn't materialized during my activation period, the Kp index, published by the GFZ, among others, was at 5, corresponding to a G1 storm. Even though such a storm allows for radio communication, it made radio conditions very variable.
 
I was once asked if I look at such forecasts before outdoor activity. My answer was: Sometimes. And even if I did look at them, it ultimately didn't stop me from operating. It simply prepares me for the conditions that might prevail on the bands. If the number of stations I ended up contacting was rather modest, I would often look at the information from GFZ and SWPC afterward. The main reason for me is that it allows me to draw conclusions, among other things, about choosing the right band in a similar situation.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Friedland Valley DLFF-1035
 
25.4.2026: North of the town of Friedland lies the Friedland Valley DLFF-1035. The main part of the 104-hectare nature reserve consists of the 3 Friedland Ponds located in the valley. These are surrounded by an almost continuous belt of reeds. The area also includes moorland. Therefore, only a very small portion of the nature reserve is "solid land." This includes the two dams between the ponds. I set up my station on the eastern dam last time. This time I had a different destination.
 
I chose Schneeberg (Mark) train stop as my starting point, where trains on the RB36 line from Königs Wusterhausen to Frankfurt (Oder) stop hourly when needed. For my walking tour, I initially used the federal highway B246, which runs alongside the train stop, or more precisely, the parallel footpath and bicycle path. In Krügersdorf, I switched to the K6714 road leading to Reudnitz, which runs largely through the forest. After a short stretch on the Friedland Way, which becomes a wide farm track, I turned off behind a pond towards the eastern edge of the nature reserve.
 

 
There, in a depression 8 to 10 m deep on both sides of the Dammmühlenfließ stream, which feeds the ponds, is an open area. It is mostly moorland, but there is also a section of old pasture. At the edge of the forest, on the slope that descends gently to the stream, there is an old cattle paddock. I set up the transceiver on the old loading ramp, which was high enough to serve as a good operating table. I attached the mast to the rusty metal gate. Propagation conditions were unsettled, just as predicted by the SWPC after the 2 X-flares. Starting on 40 m, I switched to 30 m after 18 QSOs, but only managed 4 more. On 20 meters, I reached 11 stations. After a short break to stretch my legs, I made one QSO on 17 m, while my CQ calls on 15 m went unanswered. Within 2⅔ hours, I managed to reach a total of 34 stations. Except for 1 QSO to the East Coast of the USA, the stations I contacted were spread across Europe. Before my fingers got too numb in the shade of the trees, with temperatures only around 10 °C and a steady wind, I packed up the station.
 
On the way back, I initially used a forest path after Reudnitz. However, the majority of the route consisted of farm tracks. Shortly before Krügersdorf, the path led me along the edge of the 75-hectare Krügersdorf Wildlife Farm. Bisons grazed in several pastures, attentively observing my every move from a distance of about 10 m. Luckily, there was a high fence, because I didn't want to mess with 500 kg of wild cattles. There will also be enclosures for red deer, mouflon and fallow deer. In Krügersdorf there is a manor house, sometimes referred to as a "castle". The original manor house was built in 1539. The current building was constructed after a fire in 1823. Renovated in 2008, the building now houses the community center and holiday apartments on the upper floor. The manor house does not yet have a WCA reference. In Krügersdorf, I took a look at the two particularly old English oak standing there. The 500-year-old specimen stands directly on the federal highway B246 in the direction of Beeskow, while the "only" 400-year-old specimen is located at the intersection where the road to Reudnitz branches off from the B246. After the already familiar stretch of path parallel to the B246, I reached the Schneeberg (Mark) train stop again after a total of 13,9 km.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Biosphere reserve Schorfheide-Chorin DLFF-0029
+ Castle Herrenstein WCA DL-05534
 
1.5.2026: As it has for many years, the COTAgroup invited the German Castle Day on 1. May. This event, which is not a contest, offered me, at least, the welcome opportunity to look for a castle, palace, or other historical building listed in the German WCA database, near which a DLFF area is located. I found Castle Herrenstein (WCA DL-05534, BRB-248) in the town of the same name. Part of the maximum permissible radius of 1 km for a valid WCA activation coincides with the biosphere reserve Schorfheide-Chorin DLFF-0029.
 
a rather cool night with temperatures only 4 °C, the temperature was expected to rise to 23 °C with consistently sunny weather. I started my bicycle tour at train station Templin (town). This station is served hourly from Berlin by the RB12 regional train. Leaving the town, I used the bicycle path that runs parallel to the federal highway B109 through the forest. The country road L23 , which is quieter in terms of traffic, also has a wide bicycle path, at least as far as Milmersdorf. And the country road L100, which I used from Milmersdorf onwards, was so quiet that I could easily manage with the cars. After turning onto a small road, I cycled through Kronhorst and continued on an asphalt connecting path to the southern end of Herrenstein.
 
The part of the municipality, located 2,5 km from the municipality of Gerswalde, was established in 1755 as an outlying farm and dairy belonging to the Gerswalde manor, but was not known as Herrenstein until 1821. Experts are still unsure whether the manor house was completely rebuilt in 1890 or merely extensively remodeled in the Neo-Baroque style. It is clear, however, that the castle was converted into a hotel in 1994. Former farm buildings, including two residential buildings and a bathhouse (center), were skillfully integrated into the hotel complex. Therefore, it is not surprising that the castle grounds are protected under the town's historic preservation regulations.
 

 
Even during the preparations, I noticed that the castle festival with its flea market was scheduled to take place on the day of my planned activation, from 10 to 17 o'clock. It would therefore be quite busy right around the castle. But such a festival also has its advantages. The effort required for food and drink during the radio activity is minimal, since you can buy practically everything nearby.
 
Therefore, I only needed to find a spot to set up the station where visitors wouldn't get tangled in the antenna wires. The advertised "music and entertainment" also needed to be barely audible there. I looked at the potential locations I had already marked on the map at home, but then returned to the first spot I had inspected. I set up the station here, at the edge of a dirt track, in the shade of a small cherry tree. This spot was located almost exactly 500 meters southwest of the castle. I used my bicycle as a mast support. I ran one antenna wire across the dirt track and attached it as high as possible to one of the large trees there. I secured the other wire with a tent peg in the pasture. When the first horse-drawn carriage carrying festival visitors bumped along the dirt track, I was glad I had attached the antenna high enough to the tree.
 
This time, in addition to the Morse key, I also brought a microphone, as many stations that had announced their participation in the German Castles Day planned to be active in SSB. According to the GFZ, the Kp index was 3, which is acceptable. However, the SWPC had predicted radio blackouts of strength R1/R2 (minor/moderate) with a 50 % probability. This roughly corresponded to the conditions encountered on the bands. I started in CW on 40 meters. After ½ hours, I plugged in the microphone, but even after several calls, I couldn't be heard by a station with a strong signal. After switching to 20 meters in CW, I managed to reach a few more stations. In the end, after ¾ hours, a total of 22 stations were logged.
 

 
Of course, after dismantling the radio station, I also visited the castle festival, as the organizers were still setting up when I arrived. I didn't stay long, though. After a physical refreshment with two pieces of cake and a large mug of coffee, I started my return journey. I took the same routes I had used in the morning. After a total of 42,2 km, I arrived back at train station Templin (town). By then, the temperature had risen to 23 °C in the shade. I enjoyed the ice cream I had bought at the station in the "At the barrier" on the train.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW, 10 W in SSB; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast
 
Addendum on 4.5.2026: The certificate of participation just arrived as a PDF file as a nice present for the activity during the German Castle Day 2026, which is not a contest.

Large and western shore of Small Zesch Lake DLFF-1320
 
3.5.2026: According to the weather forecast, after a mild night with temperatures between 9 °C and 28 °C, the temperature should rise. And with sunny skies, there is only a 10 % chance ofrainfall. In weather like this, a trip to a lake is practically a must. North of Baruth (Mark) lies the 107-hectare nature reserve Large and western shore of Small Zesch lake DLFF-1320. According to the regulation, the purpose of the protection is "the preservation of lowland and spring areas in the regional biotope network within the Nuthe-Notten lowlands." In addition, an area encompassing the nature reserve is designated as an FFH and Natura 2000 area.
 
I started my hike at train station Neuhof (near Zossen). The old B96 runs along the west side of the station, curving to meet the new B96. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any other route, so I had to walk about 900 meters along the shoulder of the B96. Since there was relatively little traffic so early in the morning, it was manageable. Nevertheless, I was glad when I reached the turnoff to Lindenbrück and Zesch at the Lake. This road is paved with cobblestones after the asphalt overpass across the railway line. However, there's a wide strip of sand on one side. The road between Lindenbrück and Zesch at the Lake is paved again. Shortly before Zesch at the Lake, I turned south into the woods and reached the western shore of the Great Zesch Lake. There's a bench right by the water. But lingering was impossible, as I was greeted by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes. So I continued along the shore.
 

 
My first destination, which I had already chosen at home, was a promontory jutting into the lake. A light breeze blowing across the lake kept the mosquitoes away, so I stayed. On the promontory, where there is also a monument to Friedrich Carl Leopold Count of Solms-Baruth, there are three benches and a table a little further away. I used the bench here there as a station table and as a place to sit. I attached the mast to a tree right by the water. I strung the antenna wires as high as possible in the trees so that the two anglers who had arrived in the meantime wouldn't get tangled in them.
 
The start on 40 meters was promising. When no one answered my CQ calls for a while, I switched to 30 meters – without reaching a single station. I managed a few QSOs on 20 meters. Therefore, I didn't even try 17 meters. After 2½ hours, 39 contacts were recorded on the notepad serving as a makeshift logbook, including one to the East Coast of the USA.
 
After dismantling the station, I continued my walk around the lake. Navigation is easy thanks to the signposts and small red dot markers, even without a map. At the southern end, I reached the second spot I had already chosen for setting up the station: a covered picnic area. However, I felt the urge to continue. On the eastern shore, after passing the campsite, I reached the swimming area and shortly afterward the first houses of Zesch at the Lake. My destination was the "In the countryside" ice cream parlor. After two slices of delicious strawberry cake and a pot of coffee, I continued my hike. As I left the village, it became clear why the area was designated a nature reserve: there are extensive wetlands that stretch right up to the road.
 
I continued along the same paths through the forest that I had already used on the way there. Traffic on th federal highwaye B96 had increased, however. Although there is a usable shoulder on the left side of the road, it is narrower and also bordered by a guardrail. Fortunately, there is a cycle path shortly before the old B96 merges into the main road, which I used as far as the east side of the train station. I would have liked to get an ice cream from the "Ice Cream Girl", but the queue was too long. Opposite the ice cream parlor, hidden behind a high wall, stands Neuhof Castle (WCA DL-04141, BRB-146), actually a manor house. The house was built in 1757 and, according to Wikipedia, has been empty since 2020. After a total of 13,3 km, I reached again train station Neuhof (near Zossen).
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Biesenthal Basin DLFF-0372
 
10.5.2026: Located southwest of the town of Biesenthal lies the nature reserve Biesenthal Basin DLFF-0372. This 900-hectare area acquired its topography during the last Ice Age - a legacy evident, among other features, in its hilly landscape characterized by kames (steep-sided hills) and so-called tongue-basin lakes (glacial lakes). Today, interspersed among mixed deciduous forests, the area features numerous wet meadows and bogs that provide habitat for a diverse array of plant and bird species. Consequently, the Biesenthaler Basin is designated as a Fauna-Flora-Habitat and forms part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas.
 
The weather forecast predicted a temperature of 19 °C following a night of 6 °C. And there was only a 10 % chance of rain. All in all, then, these were good conditions for a longer hike. Although I had previously ventured into the Biesenthal Basin twice with a radio station in my backpack, I had not yet explored its northern section.
 
As my starting point, I chose Train station Rüdnitz, which - "thanks" to a cancelled train and the delay of the next one - I did not reach until 1¼ hour later than planned. At the western edge of Rüdnitz, I turned onto Hellmühler Way, which transitions into a forest path. Between Plötzen Lake and Langerönne Lake, I switched to the hiking trail running from Lobetal to Finowfurt. This path is well-marked with a yellow bar on a white background.
 
Near the trail junction "Two Bridges" , there is a bench situated by the Hellmühle Steam. I used this bench both to set up my station and as a seat. I secured the mast to an acacia tree on the opposite side of the path. Since there was an surprisingly high number of hikers and cyclists passing along this trail, I had to route the feedline as high as possible through the branches to reach the bench. I drove the stakes for the antenna guy wires into the ground along the edge of the path in such a way that no one could get tangled in them. On 40 m, many contest stations were active, so I managed to make very few contacts. My CQ calls on 30 m yielded no QSOs. On 20 meters, amidst the contest turmoil, I was likewise able to reach only a few stations. My calls on 17 m went unanswered. Consequently, I switched back to 40 m. Fortunately, the contest had ended by then, and I managed to log another 18 QSOs. However, a subsequent switch back to 20 m did not result in any further contacts. Before the hungry mosquitoes could drain me completely dry, I packed up my station after 2⅔ hours, with 28 QSOs recorded in my logbook.
 
For the return journey, I continued to follow the signposted hiking trail. Shortly after the 1. bridge, I crossed the Rüdnitz Steam at the 2. bridge. The path continues along the wetlands formed by the stream. Before the trail leaves the nature reserve, it crosses the Peacock Stream. I was drawn further toward the town center of Biesenthal. Nearby, situated on the Castle Hill next to the Kaiser Friedrich Tower - erected in 1906–1907 - lie the ruins of Biesenthal Castle (WCA DL-03566, BRB-028), which dates back to the era of the Ascanians. Since I was already familiar with the castle, I headed for the "Café at the Caste Hill". There, I recharged with a large cup of coffee and 3 slices of delicious cake before setting out on the final stretch of the hike. Following the regional road L29 (Station Street), I reached train station Biesenthal after a total distance of 12,3 km.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Reitwein Spur with Priest's Gorge, Mill and Siskin Hill DLFF-1317
 
18.5.2026: The Reitwein Spur is a distinctive, wooded ridge that extends deep into the Oderbruch region. It consists of an elongated chain of hills reaching an elevation of up to 83 m (at the Springberg), which slopes steeply down toward the Oderbruch and was formed as an undercut slope of the original River Oder. The Nature Reserve Reitwein Spur with Priest's Gorge, Mill and Siskin Hill DLFF-1317 - totaling 117 hectares - comprises three separate sections. Located on the eastern slope of the Reitwein Spur, just south of the village of Reitwein, lies the "Reitwein Spur" area. Directly adjacent to this - and situated north of Wuhden - is the area surrounding the "Siskin Hill". On the western side of the ridge lies the "Priest's Gorge". Furthermore, a small section on the "Mill Hill" - encompassing the Easter spring near Libbenichen - is also part of the nature reserve; however, this section is situated approximately 6 km almost due west of the "Priest's Gorge", on the western slope of the Oderbruch.
 
I began the hike at the bus stop "Reitwein, Village" , which can be reached from Frankfurt (Oder) or Seelow via bus line 969. Reitwein Palace, a Baroque structure built in the early 1670s, was demolished in 1962. Today, a memorial stone - among other things - commemorates the historic building, and a hornbeam hedge traces its outlines. Of the Stüler Church - a Neo-Gothic brick structure consecrated in 1858 (the second church to stand on this site) - only a ruin remained after World War II. After 1990, the church tower was at least reconstructed; of the nave, only the exterior walls still stand.
 
The municipality of Reitwein is situated at an elevation of 16 m. What looks like a forest path today is actually Frankfurt Street, which served as a trade, postal, and military route connecting Frankfurt (Oder), Küstrin, and Stettin from the 16. to the 18. century. Following this road one reaches a 68-m-high plateau, accessible through a straight, and therefore man-made, valley. The eastern slope of this plateau is marked by numerous deep ravines. Situated between the Beer Ravine and the nightingale Ravine, at an elevation of 63 m, lay a Slavic settlement fortified with earthen ramparts that existed from the 8. to the 10. century. Since I had not traveled here solely for radio communication, I took the opportunity to inspect this fortification complex. The front section was protected by a wide ditch, while the rear was defended by an earthen rampart - a feature that remains visible to this day.
 

 
From the earthen ramparts, I walked back a short distance toward Reitwein and headed for my actual destination. Right at the lookout point Beautiful View, there are two benches. I used the first one initially - and the second one later, as the sun shifted - both for setting up my station and for sitting. I secured the mast to one of the posts of the wooden railing. As a gentle breeze was blowing up the slope, I remained free of mosquitoes in the partial shade at 16 °C. After just 1½ hours, 30 contacts on 40 m were already recorded on my paper notes. Within just under 3 hours, I reached a total of 44 european stations across the 40, 30, and 20-m bands. Given the G1 storm predicted by the SWPC - and the accompanying, rather unsettled radio conditions - this is actually not a bad result at all.
 
For the return journey, the path leading to Podelzig (Reitwein Street) presented itself as a good option - a route from which I could also have reached the Priest's Gorge. However, I chose instead to follow the path down the valley back to Reitwein. Once back in the village, I refueled at the restaurant "At the Reitwein Spur" with some hearty home-style cooking (schnitzel, asparagus, and potatoes) and a large glass of apple juice. After covering a total distance of 4,5 km (↑ 61 m, ↓ 61 m), I arrived back at the bus stop "Reitwein, village".
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Devil's Lake Moor Köpenick DLFF-1282
 
20.5.2026: The Great Lake Müggel is located in the southeast of Berlin. Situated between this lake and the Langer See - formed by the Dahme River - are the Müggel Hills. Viewed from west to east, these comprise the Cannon Hills, the Small Müggel Hill, and the Large Müggel Hill. To the northeast of the Small Müggel Hill lies the nature reserve Devil's Lake Moor Köpenick DLFF-1282, covering just under 6,5 hectares. It is also designated as a Natura 2000 area. The area features a nature trail, and the moor can be traversed via a boardwalk.
 
Despite the short trip to the DLFF area, I set out relatively early in the day, as heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon. I began the hike at the "Rübezahl" stop on bus line 169, which runs - among other places - between Köpenick and Müggelheim. From there, a path runs in an almost straight line to the edge of the nature reserve. The nature trail, which encircles the entire Devil's Lake Moor, largely follows the actual boundary of the nature reserve.
 
However, for a DLFF activation, one must be located within the designated area, rather than merely at its boundary. A suitable location is the platform on the southern shore of the lake, as it is situated between the circular path and the lake.A suitable location is the platform on the southern shore of the lake, as it is situated between the circular path and the lake. Alternatively, the 300-meter-long, approximately 1,5-meter-wide wooden boardwalk - which leads through the moor - or one of the observation platforms adjacent to it may be used.
 
I chose this platform here. The mast for the vertical antenna could be attached to the wooden railing, as could the radial. I set up the station on the bench before sitting down beside it. I began making CQ calls on 40 m; after significant lulls with no responses, I switched first to 30 m and later to 20 m. However, since I was only able to log 3 QSOs on 20 m, I didn't even bother calling on 17 m, but instead went back to 40 m. There, I once again reached a large number of radio stations. In the end - after a total of 3 hours of radio operation - 56 European stations were recorded on my paper notepad, including one on 30 m located on the East Coast of the USA. With 41 QSOs, 40 m proved to be the most productive band.
 
Note: Since the Devil's Lake is situated in a local recreation area, one should always be prepared for interruptions by other visitors. In the case of school classes, one of the teachers would often ask what I was doing. Married couples usually just offered a greeting. Two ladies, however, wanted to know the details. During this rather lengthy conversation, it turned out that one of them actually knew an amateur radio operator who had participated in a DXpedition. One of two other ladies - who had sat down on the bench to catch their breath - even offered me a cookie during the conversation, which I politely declined.
 
This time, I took a closer look at the immediate surroundings only on my way back down. For the ascent to the Small Müggel Hill, I took the shortest route: a staircase with 156 steps. Standing atop the 88-meter-high summit was the "Müggel Tower", inaugurated in 1890. This wooden structure - which had survived both world wars - burned down during renovations in 1958. In its place, a concrete tower - the one still standing today - was built and opened in 1961.
 
Located to the east of the Small Müggel Hill, at an elevation of 109 m, stands the unfinished Müggel Hill Television Tower - a structure measuring a mere 31 m in height. Construction on the tower began in 1954, and it was originally intended to reach a height of 130 m. However, during the construction process, it was discovered that the tower would sit along the edge of the flight path for Berlin-Schönefeld Airport - a situation deemed incompatible with aviation safety. Consequently, the project was halted in 1956, and the already completed, rectangular base structure - comprising 2 upper floors - was weatherproofed. Later, a radome housing surveillance equipment was erected on the roof.
 
The unfinished television tower was erected upon the foundations of the Bismarckwarte. This tower, once 40 m high, was inaugurated in 1904. In the final days of the war, the German military demolished the structure to prevent it from serving as a landmark during the assault on Berlin. The remains of the Bismarckwarte - finely hewn stones - lie along the northern fence and the slope below it, as well as on the slope leading toward the ridge path. 80 m west of the unfinished television tower lies a lookout point offering views to the north and across the Great Lake Müggel.
 
Passing a 64-m-high steel tower topped with directional antennas, I reached the Large Müggel Hill. At just under 115 m, it is Berlin’s highest natural elevation. From the summit, I descended via a path leading to the northern edge of the Devil's Lake Moor. I covered the remaining stretch to the "Rübezahl" bus stop mostly along the same path I had taken that morning. Before heading back, I stopped at the Müggelsee-Terassen Rübezahl to refuel. Despite the route over the Müggel Hills, this hike was relatively short, covering a total distance of just 5,3 km (↑ 89 m, ↓ 89 m).
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Calpenz Moor DLFF-1251
 
22.5.2026: The weather forecast predicted a rise in temperature to 23 °C following a mild night of 9 °C. Furthermore, only decorative clouds were expected - meaning no significant precipitation. In addition, following the rather turbulent radio conditions of the past few days, a calmer phase was predicted - at least for a while. So, I packed my radio station into my backpack and set off. As my destination, I had chosen the 134-hectare Nature Reserve Calpenz Moor DLFF-1251. It is situated in the southern part of the Nature Park Schlaube Valley.
 
I chose the tarin sto Jänschwalde as the starting point for my hike. It can be reached from Frankfurt (Oder) and Cottbus via the RE10 and RB43 train lines, which run at hourly intervals. Heading north from the train stop, the only route available is the regional road L502 (Chausseestraße); however, traffic on this road was quite light, both in the early morning and in the afternoon. At the next intersection - where the road leading to the former Cottbus-Drewitz airfield meets the main route - I took a sandy track that led straight into the forest. After traveling just under 1 km through the wooded area, I switched onto a paved bicycle path. After crossing the road toward Drewitz (K7141), and upon reaching the village outskirts, I transitioned onto smaller tracks and forest paths - mostly unpaved. By taking these routes, I was able to bypass Drewitz and thus reach my destination more quickly. From the "Old Post Road", I followed a second paved bicycle path to reach the edge of the nature reserve, the boundary of which is clearly marked by signposts.
 

 
400 meters further on, I took a path that led me along the western edge of the moor's open expanse. I stopped at a spot that offered a particularly good view of the moor's wet meadows and, in the distance, Lake Calpenz. Here, at the edge of the path, I settled down in the shade of the trees. I secured the mast to a large pine tree and stretched the radial out to a second pine.
 
However, radio operations proceeded very sluggishly. On 40 and 20 meters, I managed to contact a total of only 9 stations; on 30 meters, no QSOs were established at all. Glancing at my paper notepad, I noticed that the signal reports I received varied wildly. Everything from 339 to 599 was represented, yet I could discern no discernible pattern. View looking east toward Calpenz Moor and Calpenz Lake. After 2½ hours, I dismantled the station and continued my circumnavigation of Calpenz Moor.
 
For the most part, the route consisted of forest paths running along the edge of the nature reserve. It was not until the turnoff toward the southern section of the moor that the path through the forest became a track paved with concrete slabs. From the edge of the forest to Drewitz, the route between the fields consisted solely of a sandy farm track. During my planning, I had not found any restaurant in Drewitz where I could stop to rest and refuel. Consequently, I took the most direct route through this district of Peitz. Crossing the road to Drewitz (K7141) once again, I continued my hike along the same paths I had used earlier that morning. After a total distance of 12,4 km (↑ 10 m, ↓ 10 m), I arrived back at the train stop Jänschwalde.
 
While still on the train - which was equipped with Wi-Fi and internet access - I began investigating the causes of the radio propagation conditions. The SWPC had not updated its forecast from the previous evening or that morning. According to their assessment, no solar storm was expected, and there was only a 25 % probability of minor or moderate radio blackouts (R1-R2) occurring. R2 blackouts can lead to only brief disruptions lasting a few tens of minutes, while the impact of R1 blackouts is even shorter.
 
Yet even N0NBH - who is otherwise always spot-on with his predictions - indicated fair conditions on 40 m, and good conditions on 30 and 20 m. The information regarding the Kp-index, obtained from the GFZ in real time, mirrored the readings from the following morning. Specifically, the Kp-index stood at 1. That very evening, a fellow radio enthusiast emailed me to ask if I, too, had experienced such (censored) conditions. I confirmed that I had, though I was unable to offer him any explanation, as all the forecasts had predicted conditions far superior to those we actually encountered.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Lake-forest DLFF-0598
 
22.5.2026: According to the weather forecast, after a mild night with a low of 12 °C, the temperature should rise to 28 °C. And with sunny to partly cloudy skies, there's only a 10 % chance of precipitation. With weather like this, it's practically a no-brainer to head to a lake, especially if there are more lakes to see along the way.
 
West of Lauchhammer lies the nature reserve Lake-forest DLFF-0598, covering almost 266 hectares. It consists of the Lake-forest forest in the southeast, from which it takes its name, the Lake-forest lake, and the Grünewald Fen, which lies between them and is not shown on many maps. I chose the train station Lauchhammer as the starting point for my hike. After a considerable stretch along the railway line and the level crossing, the road turned northeast. After 2 km, I reached the forest and the edge of the nature park Niederlausitzer Heidelandschaft DLFF-0091. After another 1,3 km on the "Old Plessa Road", I turned onto a path that would take me through the southeastern part of the nature reserve.
 
And I did get where I wanted to go. However, the first 170 m turned out to be an old railway embankment with coarse gravel and were therefore difficult to traverse. Hoping to find better paths at the next junction, I didn't turn back. But the next 500 m along open areas were so overgrown that I could only find the "path" using a navigation app. I've marked these 2 sections of the path in blue and with NO in the screenshot on the right. The path within the nature reserve was significantly better. Initially, there were only 2 tracks, later even fine gravel. Anyone wanting to explore this part of the nature reserve should definitely use the wide path on the southwestern edge and turn into the reserve after the barrier. To get there, you should use the "Old Plessa Road" and the comfortable track alongside an underground gas pipeline. I've marked this section of the path in yellow and with OK in the screenshot. Following the gas pipeline, I also passed through the Grünewald Fen, recognizable by its reed beds. The path should be wide enough to allow for the setup of a radio station along the edge. Additionally, there are several hunting blinds which, while not accessible, can be used for mounting an antenna mast and setting up the station.
 

 
I headed for the narrow land connection between the 26,8-hectare Lake-forrest lake (residual pit 116), which is up to 11 m deep, and the approximately 110-hectare Grünwald Lauch. Both are former open-cast mining lakes, with the Grünwald Lauch (residual pit 117) having already been converted into a bathing lake by 1971.
 
But shortly before reaching the lake, I stopped at a deep red inflow. Right next to the bridge with its yellow railing, the inflow had been dredged some time ago, and the sludge dumped beside it. To prevent this sludge, consisting mainly of iron hydroxide (iron ochre) and calcium sulfate (gypsum), from being washed back into the inflow during the next rain, a small embankment of gravel had been built. The mud has now dried, so that in this settling basin one can directly reach the shore of the Lake-forrest lake.
 
I chose this spot to set up the station. 2 birch trees served as supports for the mast and radial. I placed the station on the gravel bank, which also served as a seat. Although a smell occasionally wafted over from the lake, strongly reminding me of acid experiments in chemistry class during my school days. But the wind kept the mosquitoes away. Sitting comfortably in the dappled shade of the trees, I achieved a total of 50 QSOs in 2⅔ hours on 40, 30, and 20 meters. They were mostly European stations, but on 20 m, there was also one on the East Coast of the USA.
 
Before heading back, I stopped at the beach house near the Campsite Grünwald Lauch. But the line of people waiting for a simple ice cream was too long for me. So I continued on my way, keeping an eye out for potential spots to set up a radio station. The bridge over the inflow from the Grünwald Lauch, which has a sluice gate, also leads to the shore of the Lake-forrest lake. But operating a radio station right next to a wide road and near the bathing beach would likely be unpleasant, at least during the tourist season. My return route also took me along the western shore of the Lake-forrest lake, which is lined with narrow but dense strips of trees. But I couldn't find any access point there.
 
A liming plant is located on the connecting channel between Lake-forrest lake and the Green Lake, intended to keep the acidity of at least the Green lake within reasonable limits. The Green Lake (residual pit 112), visible through the trees from the road, is also a remnant of open-cast mining. However, its water is very acidic due to the sulfate ions from dissolved calcium sulfate, making it unsuitable for swimming. Furthermore, access to the lakeshore is prohibited, as there is a risk of the bank collapsing. After a total of 15,4 km (↑ 40 m, ↓ 31 m), I reached the train station Plessa.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

The Loben DLFF-0597
 
31.5.2026: Located in the southeastern part of the Nature Park Lower Lusatian Heath Landscape is the nature reserve "The Loben" DLFF-0597. The area comprises 5 strictly protected zones: the eponymous "The Loben", the reserve surrounding the Water Lily Ponds, and three others. Furthermore, the nature reserve encompasses the "Old Moor"" a section of the "Hohenleipe Meadowsn", and a portion of the Plessa-Lauch. Currently, the reserve covers an area of ​​670 hectares; however, an expansion to the north is planned, which would increase the protected area to 1700 hectares.
 
I began the walk at the train stop Hohenleipisch, with the temperature already at 20 °C. It would eventually climb to 25 °C. The train stop is accessible every 2 hours via the RE8 train line, either from Elsterwerda or from the direction of Jüterbog. Following the railway line, I turned off toward the nature reserve at the bridge situated near the old station. A wide forest path led me south to my destination: the Water Lily Ponds. These ponds were formed as a result of peat extraction. The peat harvested there was used, among other things, for therapeutic treatments at the nearby Bad Liebenwerda moor spa. After extraction ceased, the pits filled with water, were reclaimed by nature, and today serve as an important sanctuary for water lilies, moor frogs, and rare waterfowl.
 
At the southeastern end lies the "Moor Platform" - measuring approximately 2 × 3 m - which is accessible via a footbridge. It offers an excellent view over the ponds. In principle, the platform would have been well-suited for setting up a radio station. I could have secured the mast to the wooden railing, and there would have been ample space for the radio equipment on the wooden planks. However, had anything fallen through the rather wide gaps in the flooring, it would have sunk forever into the pond and the bog.
 

 
Therefore, I continued along the flat embankment bordering the ponds. At several points along the rather narrow path, I had to traverse swampy patches. However, the closer I drew to the edge of the forest, the drier the path along the embankment became. In places, narrow wooden sleepers were still visible - remnants of a railway embankment likely used in the past for peat extraction.
 
A little further into the woods, at the end of a rather wide clearing, stood a hunting stand. I used this to secure the mast before setting up my station on the covered bench. On 40 m, it was nearly impossible to find a clear spot amidst the stations participating in the CQ WW DX CW Contest. After ¾ hours, I switched to 30 m but managed only 1 QSO. On 20 m, I was able to log just 2 contacts between the contest stations, and on 17 m, only 1 QSO. Although no contest stations were audible after switching back to 40 m, the characteristic crackling of an approaching thunderstorm certainly was. Not wanting to be caught out in the open by the storm, I ended my radio operations after one final QSO. After a total of 2⅓ hours, my log sheet showed 19 radio contacts.
 
For the return leg, I took a wide forest track north of the Lily Ponds. Unfortunately, the sports clubhouse - located near the old train station - was not open to hikers like me. Consequently, after a brief detour through the village, I headed back toward train station Hohenleipisch station. I reached it after a total distance of 9,3 km (↑ 57 m, ↓ 57 m.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

The Loben DLFF-0597
 
6.6.2026: Following the G3 storm the previous day, the SWPC forecast only slowly improving conditions and a G1 storm. There was a 50 % probability of minor to moderate radio blackouts (R1/R2). At least there was no rain expected, and - after a mild night with lows of 9 °C - temperatures were set to reach 24 °C under partly cloudy skies. I therefore drove once again to the nature reserve The Loben DLFF-0597.
 
The hike once again began at the railway stop Hohenleipisch. Following the railway embankment, I first reached the Old Moor. A boardwalk - the Sundew-walkway - led me to a large platform extending out into the moorland area. I didn't spot any sundew, but I did see vast patches of cotton grass. In theory, I could have set up my station on the platform. However, it was exposed to direct sunlight, and any object slipping through the gaps between the planks would have sunk into the moor. Furthermore, high-speed trains racing from Berlin to Dresden thundered past the platform at a distance of barely 100 m.
 

 
So I walked on and turned off a bit further to the east. From the wide track - signposted as a loop trail - a narrow path leads to a wooden observation tower. Unfortunately, according to this link and the BfN map, the tower stands just outside the nature reserve rather than within it. Furthermore, the viewing platform is relatively small considering the tower's size, and the view of the strict nature reserve "The Loben" is obstructed by trees along the edge. So, I moved on. After a brief detour along wide tracks, I continued along a forest path that appeared to be used only by the local hunter in his vehicle. I had marked the bridge over the Timber-floating trench on my map as a potential spot to set up my radio station. However, when I arrived there - despite the lack of wind - I was swarmed by mosquitoes, so I kept going.
 
Since it had rained heavily the night before, I kept an eye out for hunting stands. A little further along, at the edge of the nature reserve, I spotted here one that looked promising. In addition to a dry seat, it featured a roof for shade, and there were hardly any mosquitoes up there. I lashed the slightly tilted mast to one of the stand's legs and secured the radial - running parallel to the path - to the trunk of a large pine tree. As expected, band conditions were far from ideal. Consequently, I managed to log only 13 contacts on 40, 30, and 20 m in the span of 2¼ hours. On 17 m band, a very loud signal - reminiscent of the old Woodpecker - was audible from the bottom of the band up to around 18095 kHz, making any radio operation out of the question.
 
Back on the loop trail, I made a short detour to visit Krüger’s clay pits. Before the pits - which ceased operation in 1960 - filled with water, high-quality clay was extracted there and processed by local potteries. Today, both ponds are designated fishing waters. Red water lilies grow in the middle of the large pond and at a few spots near the shore. After a total distance of 10 km (↑ 40 m, ↓ 40 m), I arrived back at the train stop Hohenleipisch. The 40 m elevation change is largely due to the Monastery hill, located between the new train stop and the old railway station. The rest of the route was almost level.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Spree meadows south of Beeskow DLFF-0513
 
21.6.2026: After the severe thunderstorms of the previous day, it was expected to remain dry at least until evening. However, after a night with temperatures of 18 °C ​​and partly cloudy skies, highs of 31 °C were forecast. Thunderstorms were not expected again until the evening. Therefore, I started my tour early and headed for an area that was relatively easy to reach.
 
The destination was the 487-hectare nature reserve Spree meadows south of Beeskow DLFF-0513. As the name suggests, it is located south of the town of Beeskow. The area encompasses a section of the Spree River, which was straightened and widened at the beginning of the 20th century. During these works, which made the Spree navigable, many of the old river meanders were preserved. I started my hike at Beeskow train station, which is served hourly by the RB36 regional train from Königs Wusterhausen and Frankfurt (Oder). After a short stretch through the town, I took the relatively quiet Lübben Highway, which has a parallel bicycle path. About 500 meters past the Beeskow Children & Youth Adventure Farm, a nature trail branches off. I followed this trail towards the banks of the Spree river.
 

 
Just before reaching the Spree River, right next to the nature trail, stands a solid wooden shelter with walls, offering a good view of the Spree meadows. This shelter, seemingly not marked on any map, would have been suitable for the activation. However, I continued on, having discovered a better spot during my preparations. There's a picnic table right on the banks of the Spree. I used this to set up the station. I attached the mast to the base of the table in such a way that the antenna wire didn't touch the metal roof. I strung the radial cable across the table to one of the many trees.
 
Despite the high temperature, it was quite bearable in the shade, especially since a light breeze blowing off the river kept the mosquitoes away. However, the radio conditions weren't as good as the Kp index indicated. The SWPC forecast was more accurate. I observed the minor and moderate radio blackouts (R1/R2), predicted with a 35 % probability, on the bands. Initially, I managed 30 QSOs in 1 hour, but only 5 in the following hour. After 2½ hours, however, I ended my operation with a total of 37 contacts logged on 40, 30, and 20 meters. My CQ calls on 17 meters went unanswered.
 

 
Back on Lübben highway, I tried to stay as close to the edge of the nature reserve as possible on my return journey. Behind the adventure farm, I discovered a path that leads directly here to one of the oxbow lakes within the reserve. I also made a detour to Spree Island, where, among other things, Beeskow Castle (WCA DL-00059, BRB-009) is located. Inside the castle is the Café & Restaurant Cucina Verde, where I fortified myself with two pieces of cake and a large cup of coffee. As I sat in the castle in the early afternoon, a thunderstorm gathered that was not due to arrive until evening. Luckily, it only involved lightning and a few raindrops. After a total of 8,7 km (↑ 6 m, ↓ 6 m), I reached Beeskow train station again.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Animal Garden DLFF-0265
 
27.6.2026: The nature reserve Animal Garden DLFF-0265 is currently an area of ​​158 hectares. The Animal Garden's origins date back to King Frederick William I, who in 1725 had a menagerie and enclosures laid out in what was then a 900-hectare forest near his hunting lodge. From 1918 onwards, the forest developed into a popular destination for Berlin residents. According to Wikipedia, the Animal Garden, with its oak trees, some of which are 270 years old, was first placed under nature protection in 1930. Since 1995, the newly established nature reserve has encompassed Crab Lake, the Orchard, the Senzig Marsh, and the Span Meadows. It is traversed by the Trap Ditch, which extends from Lake Zeesen in the south to the section of the Dahme River known locally as Staabe.
 
The SWPC had predicted minor and moderate radio blackouts (R1/R2) with a 50 % probability. According to the GFZ, the Kp index was between 1 and 2 during the activation period. N0NBH reported poor conditions on 40 m and good conditions from 30 m upwards. This meant that I could make contacts, but with more or less significant gaps.
 
Since the temperature was forecast to rise to 39 °C after a fairly warm night of 18 °C, I started my hike relatively early. My starting point was the easily accessible Königs Wusterhausen train station. The church path begins on its western side, and I followed it almost to the edge of the nature reserve. After a short stretch on the riverside path along the Staabe, I reached the Hussar Corner. This is the name given to a narrow, densely wooded peninsula with the Staabe on one side and the Krimnick Lake lake on the other. After taking a few photos, I continued on my way.
 

 
Along Krimnick Lake, there's a wide path and several spots where you can get right to the shore. At one spot, a man was drying himself after a swim in the lake, while his dog barked incessantly. Quiet radio operation was out of the question in his presence. When I stopped for a photo a little further on, the man overtook me with his now completely calm dog. Since the spot had seemed well-suited for setting up the station as I passed, I went back the short distance. There, I found a long, old oak trunk and a large gap in the reeds. I attached the mast to a thick oak tree and strung the radial antenna to a second one. Comfortably shaded, I set up the station there. Thanks to the light breeze blowing across the lake, even the high temperature was bearable.
 
When I wanted to start operating, I realized I hadn't brought a slip of paper or pen to record the QSOs in the log. I only had a smartphone with me. However, besides the navigation app, it also has an email program installed. Therefore, I typed all the information as email text. Since at least my smartphone's keyboard required switching between letters, numbers/symbols, and back again, logging was difficult, but manageable. As expected, I only reached stations sporadically on 40 m. After switching to 30 m, I was only able to record 1 QSO, and on 20 m, it was only 2. I didn't even bother calling CQ on 17 m. After 2 hours, I ended the operation with a total of 23 stations reached. Most were stations in Central Europe, but I also reached one on the East Coast of the USA on 20 m.
 
I made the return journey very slooowly, as the temperature had risen further. Heading southeast, I crossed the relatively busy state road L40. At least beyond the wooden bridge over the Trap Ditch, at the northernmost end, I could see a bit of the Senzig Marsh. I wanted to catch a glimpse of Crab Lake behind the Orchard. However, it's surrounded by a dense forest of birch and oak trees, through which I could only vaguely make out the open water. Apart from a section near the Orchard, the paths in the nature reserve ran through the shade of the forest. Once I left the reserve, I used a road parallel to the railway tracks for the last stretch. After 6,3 km on almost level paths (↑ 2 m, ↓ 2 m), I arrived back at Königs Wusterhausen train station.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Animal Garden DLFF-0265
 
5.7.2026: Since the temperature was expected to be significantly lower than it had been 8 days prior - with a forecast of only 24 °C - I set out once again for the nature reserve Animal Garde DLFF-0265. Once again, I chose the easily accessible train station Königs Wusterhausen as my starting point. I followed the church path on the west side of the station as far as settlers' way. Continuing along this path, I crossed the country road L40 and, after a short distance, reached the edge of the nature reserve.
 
Since brief spells of rain were repeatedly forecast for the morning, I had already picked out a spot at home where I would be at least somewhat sheltered from the rain. There are several shelters at the meadow orchard, and I made use of this one. On the way there, there was only a drizzle. The first heavier shower arrived just as I was setting up the station. Although the wooden roof was no longer completely watertight, I simply moved the station equipment to a spot on the large table where no drops were coming through. I also covered the battery.
 
The SWPC had forecast a 75 % probability of minor to moderate radio blackouts (R1/R2). I was therefore prepared for periods lasting up to several tens of minutes where absolutely nothing would work. So, I settled in and started calling CQ. Between the "quiet spells", radio contacts were possible for brief intervals, followed by minutes of silence. After just under 4 hours of operating on 40, 20, 15, and 10 m, I had a total of only 27 QSOs in my paper log - with no one having answered my calls on the 15 and 10 m.
 
By now, the rain had stopped, and the sun was shining ever more brightly through the clouds. On a wooden beam just half a meter away from me, a Keeled Skimmer dragonfly was contentedly devouring a truly fat fly, leaving only its wings and legs to drop to the ground. Afterward, the large dragonfly rested in the sun. It remained undisturbed even when I brought my camera within just a few centimeters of it. For the return journey to the station, I initially followed the nature trail along the edge of the nature reserve. Beyond the country road L40, I continued through a green area and then along the church path. After covering 3,2 km on mostly level paths, I arrived back at Königs Wusterhausen train station.
 
Before starting the return journey, I visited Castle Königs Wusterhausen (WCA DL-04115, BRB-120), among other things, while walking a 1,6 km loop trail. It was originally built as a moated castle in the 14th century. During the Renaissance, the main building - which still stands today - was remodeled in the style of the era. After 1698, King Frederick William I. favored the estate as a hunting lodge and autumn residence. Further details regarding the animal garden established during that period can be found in the description of the previous activity. The cozy Castle Café is now located in the former "Royal Confectionery" within the Cavalier Houses to the northwest. There, I enjoyed a large cup of coffee and 2 delicious slices of cake before heading to the train station Königs Wusterhausen for the second time that day.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Neuenhagen Mill Stream DLFF-0719
 
11.7.2026: Just outside Berlin, south of the town of Hoppegarten, lies the 121-hectare nature reserve Neuenhagen Mill Stream DLFF-0719, which was placed under protection in 2003. It stretches from the northwest, across the south, to the west, surrounding the Hoppegarten racecourse. Since the temperature was forecast to reach 27 °C with only partly cloudy skies, I had already selected several shady spots on a map at home to set up my observation station.
 
The hike started at the S-Bahn station Birkenstein. The shortest route from there to the nature reserve leads along the state road L339 (New Hönow Way). At the cemetery, I turned towards the Dahlwitz manor house, also known as the castle. It was built starting in 1855. The manor park behind it was laid out between 1821 and 1827 according to plans by Lenné. According to the park regulations, the park is privately owned at the entrance, but open to the public. The manor house itself is separated from the park by a construction fence. There are several benches along the paths in the park, and I chose one in the shade to set up my antenna. After I had tied the antenna mast to the bench without damaging it, a man told me to stop, as I was trespassing. He only left when I assured him I would dismantle the mast immediately and be gone in 5 minutes. According to the park regulations, the caretaker represents the owners within the framework of the right of domicile and his instructions must be followed.
 

 
After leaving the manor park by the shortest route, I continued along the roads surrounding it. The extent of the park is illustrated by the signs displaying the park regulations, which are also posted at the other entrances. Heading towards the Median Clinic, I passed through a wooded area within the nature reserve, but the dense trees made it unsuitable for radio operation. The clinic's eastern parking lot is also located within the nature reserve. However, fearing I would be asked to leave there as well, since I was on the clinic grounds, I continued along Racecourse Avenue. From there, a narrow hiking trail branches off through the meadows by the Zoche trench, marked with a blue stripe on a white background. This is the European long-distance hiking trail E11, which in this section is also part of the Erpe Valley hiking trail.
 
On the northwestern edge of the protected area there is a bench and a shelter. I chose the latter because it has a roof (sun protection). I tied the mast to one of the shelter's beams. I strung the radial wire to the fence surrounding a waterworks building. The radio conditions were initially good but quickly deteriorated, as I could see from the received reports. This time, I only called CQ on 40 and 20 m. After almost 3½ hours of operation, I had 27 QSOs recorded on the paper log.
 
On the way back, I continued my walk along the edge of the nature reserve to the cemetery I had already visited in the morning. From there, I again used the footpath along the L338 road, so that after 6,5 km (↑ 17 m, ↓ 17 m) I arrived back at the S-Bahn station Birkenstein.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Neuenhagen Mill Stream DLFF-0719
 
12.7.2026: Although temperatures were forecast to climb to 30 °C under sunny skies, I headed out to the nature reserve Neuenhagen Mill Stream DLFF-0719 again that afternoon. This time, I had researched potential operating locations more thoroughly than I had for the previous day's outing. I started my hike at the S-Bahn station Neuenhagen (near Berlin). Along the railway line (Wiesenstraße), there are at least 2 points where you can pass between properties to reach the nature reserve - one of them via an access road. However, I didn't turn south until I reached Elsenweg. Right by the path, situated at the edge of a narrow line of trees and shrubs, there are 2 benches.
 
There is another bench by the Neuenhagen Mill Stream - also known here as the Erpe. Note: The Erpe valley DLFF-0225 is located about 4 km to the southwest. I used the bench near the bridge to set up my station, as it was shaded by large trees. I attached the mast - positioned at a slight angle - to a small sapling nearby, and the radial to one of the massive trees along the stream. Since the nearest house was only 45 m away, I wasn't surprised by the noise level on the 40-m band. Conditions only improved once I found a frequency relatively far removed from the WWFF center frequency. Finally, I switched back to the 20-m band, where there was significantly less interference. After 2 hours, there were 10 radio contacts in the paper log.
 
After initially continuing along Elsenweg, I used Westring for the return leg. Just before Kleiststraße, I turned onto the very narrow Liebermannweg, which runs between the houses on that street and the nature reserve. The closer I got to the Neuenhagen outdoor pool, the louder it became - hardly surprising, given that it was a weekend during the school holidays. The relatively wide, well-paved Goetheweg, which leads from the pool to the train station, would certainly have been suitable for setting up a station. However, quiet radio operation would have been out of the question there, at least during the swimming season. After 2,3 km (↑ 6 m, ↓ 6 m, I arrived back at the S-Bahn station Neuenhagen (bei Berlin).
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Biesenthal Basin DLFF-0372
 
2.8.2026: Southwest of the town of Biesenthal lies the 900-hectare nature reserve Biesenthal Basin DLFF-0372. Although I had already visited this area several times with a radio station, I felt drawn to return. This time, I headed for the far east.
 
The SWPC SWPC forecast a G2 storm, along with a 30 % probability of minor to moderate radio blackouts (R1/R2). However, the weather forecast at least predicted a temperature of 26 °C following a night of 10 °C. Besides, there was only a 10 % chance of rain.
 
I chose the train station Biesenthal as my starting point. Heading southwest - roughly parallel to the railway line - I turned onto Eagle Walk after passing the Sydow stream. Continuing along Dannewitz way, I crossed the country road L200 (Rüdnitz main road) and proceeded along the L294 (Berlin street). Nearby lies Stree Lake, which is part of a nature reserve.
 

 
A marked hiking trail leading around the lake begins right by the road. I followed this path to a strip of forest at the edge of the open area of ​​the Biesenthal Basin. A bench stands there at the trail junction known as "Hazelnut Path". Since there had been heavy rain the day before, all the paths and surfaces were dripping wet. I therefore used the bench both to set down the station and to sit on. I attached the mast for the antenna to the low branch of a pine tree.
 
Starting on the 40-m band, I quickly made 15 contacts within the first 20 minutes or so. After that, things quieted down significantly, and hardly anyone was responding to my CQ calls. Although I did manage a few more QSOs on the 30-m and 20-m bands, there were very long pauses between them. So, after a total of 1¾ hours and with 20 QSOs in the logbook, I ended the radio operation and dismantled the station. In the meantime, I had a pleasant conversation with an elderly gentleman who had served as a military radio operator for an extended period in the 1960s. He was both surprised and delighted that Morse code telegraphy is still practiced.
 
My return route took me through the lower-lying section of the Biesenthal Basin and its meadows, where the Old Peacock Stream winds its way. On the way back, I made a detour near the castle hill, the hill where the ruins of Castle Biesenthal (WCA DL-03566, BRB-028) are located. However, the castle itself was not my destination; instead, I headed for the "Café at the Caste Hill". There, I strengthen myself with 2 slices of delicious cake and a large cup of coffee. Afterward, I made my way back to the train station Biesenthal, reaching it after a total distance of 9,7 km (↑ 24 m, ↓ 24 m).
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Gadow DLFF-1277
 
22.8.2026: The 422-hectare nature reserve Gadow DLFF-1277 is located within the Biosphere Reserve Elbe River Landscape DLFF-0024. According to the LfU, it comprises a "flat outwash plain at the edge of the Elbe Valley featuring forest and various forestry plantations, with pastures along the margins," as well as the stream Locknitz flowing through the area and the landscape park near the village of Gadow. A map showing the biotope types present in the nature reserve—providing further details about the site - is also available from the LfU.
 
I started the bicycle tour at the train station Wittenberge. Leaving the city in a northeasterly direction, I reached the federal highway B189, which serves as a bypass. Just beyond that lies the "Old Lüneburg Railway". This formerly single-track railway line opened in 1874 but - according to Wikipedia - never achieved the significance originally intended for it. Wikipedia also notes that the section from Wittenberge to the of then zonal border near Dömnitz was dismantled in 1947 as a form of war reparations. Today, all that remains of the railway line is a series of forest and field paths - along one of which I drove for nearly 9 km in a straight line. Upon reaching the federal highway B195, I switched to a forest path churned up by horses. A bridge leads to Gadow, a district belonging to Lenz. Immediately behind it, on the banks of the Locknitz, lies Castle Gadow (WCA DL-04087, BRB-092).
 
Various maps indicate that a pond - an open body of water - containing 2 islands is situated near the bridge, opposite the castle. However, after the dry summer months, nothing remains of the pond but a marshy area. A 1000-year-old oak tree stands on the island, which is accessible via 2 wooden bridges. Near the longer bridge, there is a large open space with wooden benches arranged in a semicircle along its edge. I used the benches as both a table and a place to sit. He attached the mast to the backrests of the benches and the antenna guy lines to the bridge railing.
 
Just as I was finishing setting up the station, a young man with a dog arrived. During our conversation, it turned out he knew a bit about CB radio. He watched me sending Morse code for quite a while and was amazed at the range one can achieve with just 5 watts. When the forecast rain began and I took shelter under a rain cape, he went on his way. Over the course of 2¼ hours, I managed to make a total of 34 contacts on the 40-meter and 20-meter bands, including 1 QSO on 20 m with the East Coast of the USA. After being crowded out by contesters on the 20-meter band several times, I dismantled the station. Fortunately, the rain had stopped by then.
 
On the way out, the final few kilometers were difficult to traverse due to sandy paths. Consequently, I took the road back as far as the federal highway B189. With a brisk wind (4 Bft, gusts up to 7 Bft) at my back, I made quick work of the stretch along the B189 to Cumlosen. Upon reaching that point, I turned onto a small road heading toward Brentwisch. However, past Motrich, I opted to use the same forest and field path I had taken on the outward journey for the final leg of the trip. In this section, the path is shaded by narrow rows of trees, and the surface was sufficiently firm. After 32,2 km (↑ 6 m, ↓ 6 m), I arrived at the train station Wittenberge.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Suden at Gorden DLFF-1005
 
6.9.2026: The 90-hectare nature reserve Suden at Gorden DLFF-1005 is located in the eastern part of the Nature Park Lower Lusatian Heathlands DLFF-0091. A leaflet - no longer available - states the following: "The purpose of the protection is to preserve and develop the near-natural spruce-pine forests situated at the northern limit of their distribution in Lower Lusatia; these forests are of outstanding importance as autochthonous stands of the Lusatian lowland spruce."
 
I started the cycle tour at the train station Rückersdorf. It is worth noting that this stop is served by the RE8 line from Berlin or Elsterwerda only every 2 hours. I left Rückersdorf via the country road L622, which crosses the railway line in a wide arc. A few kilometers past Oppelhain, I left the road and turned onto a gravel forest path. The nature reserve lies beyond the Timber-floating canal.
 
A path branched off from the trail running along the edge of the nature reserve, leading me to a clearing within the protected area. I set up my station on the bicycle's luggage rack at the base of a raised hunting hide located there, securing the mast to the structure. However, when I went to connect the antenna feed line to the transceiver, I realized I had left the appropriate connector at home. Yet, one lead fit into the center contact of the BNC socket, while a wire wrap held the other lead firmly against the outer contact. To my delight, this Temporary setup worked. I began by calling CQ on the 40 m - mistakenly on 7044 kHz - but fortunately, WWFF hunters found me there as well. Upon realizing my error, I switched to 7024 kHz and contacted more stations. Once I stopped receiving replies there, I moved first to the 20 m and later to the 30 mband. Over the course of three and a quarter hours, I managed to log a total of 50 contacts with European stations.
 
For the return journey, I initially continued along the gravel forest path, which later leads through the fields. A visit to the Triftschänke Gorden - located just off the country road L62 here - is highly recommended. The very friendly staff served hearty, filling, and delicious food.
 
Just before Rückersdorf, the Paltrock windmill Oppelhain (MOTA X46623) stands beside the small road. According to the webpage of Rückersdorf, it was originally built in Königsberg in 1832 as a post mill. In 1934, it was re-erected in Grassau and converted into a Paltrock windmill. This type of mill where the mill building rests on a ring of rollers, allowing for a larger structure capable of housing more sets of millstones. After decades of decay, the mill was relocated once more and rebuilt at its current site in 2000. At present, the mill lacks its sails, and the wind wheel on the outrigger at the opposite end is also missing. After 17,1 km (↑ 22 m, ↓ 22 m), I arrived back at the train station Rückersdorf.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Hohenleipisch DLFF-0552
 
12.9.2026 (Part 1): The 170-hectare nature reserve Hohenleipisch DLFF-0552 is located in the center of the Nature Park Lower Lusatian Heath Landscape DLFF-0091. While preparing for this activation, I was able to gather very little information about the area. It reportedly saw long-term military use and includes a protected zone.
 
I started the hike at the train station Hohenleipisch. This stop is served by the RE8 line from Berlin or Elsterwerda only every 2 hours. I made my way to the forest area north of Hohenleipisch by following the country road L621 past the station, then the L62, and later Berlin Streat. The route continued along forest paths that were, in places, very wide. A sign in the nature reserve noted that the area is still popularly known as "MUNA", as it served as an ammunition depot for decades. It went on to state: "The remaining building ruins serve as roosts for bats. The many very old pine and oak trees are of particular value. For instance, stag beetle larvae use the oak roots for their development, while black, green, and great spotted woodpeckers prefer the old pines for excavating their nesting cavities." I did not spot any stag beetles, but the hammering of woodpeckers could be heard almost everywhere. It is important to note that Zone 1 of the nature reserve should not be entered. Both on the map and on-site, this area is designated as a nature development zone.
 
I had already picked out spots at the edge of Zone 1 back home. Once there, I decided on the crossroads here. There are 2 old buildings at this intersection, though only 1 of them is marked on the map. More importantly, the trees there were not as densely packed, allowing sunlight to reach the ground. I set up the station as the sunlight increasingly broke through the clouds. I secured the mast on one side of the path and placed the station on the dry ground on the other side. The stump of an old birch tree served as a seat. However, propagation conditions remained poor, so I managed only a few contacts on 40 m. I briefly switched to 30 m but was unable to reach anyone. On 20 m, I was at least able to log a few contacts. Returning to 40 m yielded a larger number of contacts. After just under 3 hours, I wrapped up operations with a total of 26 QSOs in the logbook. I chose a different route for the return journey, as I wanted to activate another DLFF area.

The Loben DLFF-0597
 
12.9.2026 (Part 2): A little further east within the Nature Park Lower Lusatian Heath Landscape DLFF-0091 lies the 670-hectare Nature reserve Der Loben DLFF-0597. Although I had already visited the area on 2 previous occasions, activating it again on the return journey seemed like the perfect opportunity.
 
Continuing straight along the forest path, I reached again the country road L62. Just past the bridge over the high-speed railway line, I turned south. A wide track runs along the edge of the "Der Loben" nature reserve - named after the moorland area itself. Near the moor, a path cleared of grass leads to a raised hunting hide.
 
Although the view of the moor itself was blocked from up there, the high seat offered a dry spot to set up the station, as the ground between the trees was densely covered with blueberry bushes and already quite swampy. In just under 1½ hours, I managed to log a total of 17 QSOs on 40 m, while also making 1 QSO on 20 m along the way.
 
Back on the wide track, I took the shortest route for the remainder of the return journey. This path runs parallel to the railway line, just a few meters away. After covering 9,8 km (↑ 65 m, ↑ 65 m, ↓ 65 m), I arrived back at the train station Hohenleipisch. The surprisingly significant elevation gain in this otherwise rather flat terrain is due to the rise near the Hohenleipisch water tower, the bridge over the railway line, and the path over Monastery hill shortly before reaching the station.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Randow slopes near Schmölln DLFF-0855
 
14.9.2026: The Randow River lies in the northeast of the state of Brandenburg. Fed by tributaries and marshland, it has a mouth at both ends. According to Wikipedia, its highest point is between Schmölln and Grünz (Penkun). From there, the Randow flows 33 km north to Eggesin, where it empties into the Ucker River, and 35 km south to the Welse River. The Randow flows through a glacial valley, the wetlands of which are known as the Randow split. Part of the eastern slope is designated as the nature reserve Randow slopes near Schmölln DLFF-0855.
 
I started my bicycle tour at train station Prenzlau. I left the city heading south on the federal highway B198, which runs directly alongside the station. At the southeastern city border, I turned onto the L25, a country road known there as the Grünow Highway, which I followed to Schmölln. The further east I cycled from Prenzlau, the deeper the cuts in the landscape became. However, I only noticed this on the return journey, as the route became increasingly "easier" towards the end.
 
Beyond Schmölln, the road descends the slope towards the Randow split. Shortly before the "Schmölln" motorway entrance, the "Robber's Castle" is signposted on the left. A path begins directly at the road, but it's only easily manageable on foot. Since I had my bicycle with me, things proved more difficult. The wooden steps on the slope were still manageable. However, cycling over or under fallen trees proved more complicated, especially since the overgrown paths offered no room to maneuver. In a lower section, a wooden path leads across a marshy area and a small tributary of the Randow River, before climbing steeply uphill again. Reaching the top, I found myself at the edge of the moat surrounding the robbers' castle.
 
During my preparations, I had chosen a viewpoint at the edge of a field as my destination, where a picnic area was supposed to be. However, since I couldn't find the turnoff in the increasingly overgrown terrain, after circling the castle moat, I found myself back where I had started. As there was a wooden bench there among the tall trees, I stayed. While setting up the antenna, I also discovered the remains of the former picnic area. I attached the mast to a fallen tree nearby, and the station was placed on the bench. Although I was only 300 m from the motorway A11, the traffic noise remained tolerable with in-ear headphones. In 2 hours, I logged a total of 50 QSOs on 40 and 20 m, with the majority on 40 m.
 
For the return journey, I used the same paths and roads again, as these offered the shortest route. After 39,7 km (↑ 297 m, ↓ 297 m), I reached train station Prenzlau again.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Schönow Heath DLFF-0370
 
16.9.2026: The 533-hectare nature reserve Schönower Heath DLFF-0370 is located north of Berlin. The area was used as a military training ground from the early 20th century until 1991. Due to heavy munitions contamination, full utilization remains difficult, meaning that large parts of the area are still off-limits to the public today. According to Wikipedia, in addition to an open heath landscape featuring extensive areas of common heather, other biotopes worthy of protection can be found there; these include sandy dry grasslands, inland dunes, and the wet meadows of a Rohrpfuhl. Since 2009, fallow deer, mouflon, and red deer have been kept in a fenced 140-hectare area to prevent the heathland from becoming overgrown.
 
I started the walk at the S-Bahn station Zepernick. Walking along quiet streets through a residential area, I reached the country road L30. The nature reserve lies to the north of it. Around the large, fenced-off area in the center, there is a wide gravel track that I followed. After a rain front passed through in the morning, there were intermittent showers throughout the afternoon as well. Rain doesn't bother me while walking, but it certainly does when it drips onto my radio station while I’m operating and gets the logbook wet.
 

 
Schönow Heath features several picnic areas (with covered benches) and 3 viewpoints. During my planning, I had selected the large, covered viewpoint at the northwest corner of the wildlife enclosure as my destination. The wooden structure sits atop a rise about 6 m high and offers an unobstructed view of the open heath landscape. I attached the mast to one of the wooden beams and strung the radial out toward the fence. Although a sign marked "Electric Fence" was attached to it, the wire was not actually electrified. I realized this - or rather, confirmed it - when I carelessly touched the top wire while dismantling the antenna. However, the characteristic crackling sound had been absent even while I was operating the radio. I placed the station on the table at the viewpoint before sitting down on the bench in front of it.
 
I started by calling CQ on 40 m, as usual. When no one answered there anymore and I couldn't reach any new stations around the QRP center either, I switched to 20 m. However, the number of stations contacted there was so low that I switched first to 30 m and later back to 40 m. In the end, there were 42 QSOs in the logbook. Although the rain cape - which I hadn't actually needed at the viewpoint - served as a windbreak, conditions became uncomfortable over time due to the cold, wet weather and the 17 °C temperature at that exposed location. So, after just under three hours, I dismantled the station.
 
By then, the cloud cover was slowly breaking up, and a few rays of sunshine appeared. For the return journey, I continued along the wide track running beside the fence on the eastern side of the enclosure. While I had spotted only a single roe buck at the viewpoint, I discovered a herd of red deer near the northern tip of the enclosure, about 30 m from the path. Crossing the country road L30 once more, I walked through the district of Sch&oum;now back tothe station Zepernick, reaching it after a 12 km walk.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Rambow Peat Bog DLFF-0355
 
17.9.2026: The Elbe River Landscape DLFF-0024 encompasses, among others, the Mecklenburg Elbe Floodplain, the Lower Saxony Elbe Floodplain, the Aland-Elbe Lowland, the Jerichow Elbe Floodplain, and the Brandenburg Elbe Floodplain. The 450-hectare Rambow Peat Bog DLFF-0355 is located within the last-mentioned floodplain.
 
I chose the train station Karstädt as the starting point for my bicycle tour, though trains on the RE3 line running from Berlin to Wismar stop there only every 2 hours. Cycling first parallel to state road L131 - which runs near the station - and later along the L13 and L122, I reached Boberow, a district of Karstädt. There is a forest in the eastern section of the peat bog. It can be accessed via a track that runs along the southern edge, leading through the area between cattle pastures.
 
The forest consists predominantly of pine trees and is situated on a slight rise. This kept the ground sufficiently dry - something one would not expect in a bog. I set up the station at the edge of a clearing and a forest track here. The mast could be attached to one of the pines, and the radial to another. I placed the station on the transport case before sitting down in the grass in front of it. After 1½ hours on 40 m, I switched first to 20 m and later to 30 m, though I managed to contact only a very few stations on those bands. Upon returning to 40 m, I logged additional contacts. After just under 3 hours, I concluded the activation with a total of 51 logged radio contacts.
 
On the way back, I stopped to check out the Bittern Tower. This covered observation point offers a good view of part of the peat bog and, above all, the 13.5-hectare Lake Rambow. Since the tower stands west of the access road (marking the boundary of the nature reserve) at the edge of the reserve's reed beds, it should also be suitable for a DLFF activation. Afterward, I took a look around the village - though, to be honest, I was mainly on the lookout for a cup of coffee and some delicious cake. However, the Moorscheune Boberow (Moor Barn) I had headed for is only open during specific events. So, I got back on the country road. This time, the route was covered quickly thanks to a tailwind. After a total of 27,5 km (↑ 68 m, ↓ 68 m), I arrived back at the train station Karstädt. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time left for a proper visit to the Ditten bakery located on the other side of the station. Otherwise, I would have had to wait nearly 2 hours for the next train.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Fast Havel DLFF-0601
 
19.9.2026: The section of the Havel’s original right arm stretching from Zehdenick to Neu-Friedrichsthal is known as the Fast Havel. The left arm - formerly called the Slow or Sluggish Havel - has given way to the Malz Canal, parts of the Voß Canal, and the Havel-Oder Waterway. The river, which remains largely in its natural state, features numerous meanders and a few oxbow lakes, and is situated within the 2463-hectare nature reserve Fast Havel DLFF-0601.
 
I chose the S-Bahn station Oranienburg as the starting point for my bicycle tour. Riding along busy roads, I first headed for the district of Sachsenhausen. The journey became quieter as I passed through Friedrichsthal and Malz - districts that are also part of Oranienburg. Beyond Malz, a paved bicycle path runs parallel to a sandy track. A wide path paved with concrete slabs branches off from there, leading me into the Schmachtenhagen Meadows, which lie on both sides of the Fast Havel in this area.
 

 
Here, the Fast Havel is a river roughly 8 to 10 m wide. Near the concrete bridge crossing the river, an old loading ramp is still visible, offering clues about how the site was once used. Fortunately, there were no cows to be seen in the pastures - some of which were enclosed by electric fences - when I arrived. I had originally intended to set up at a raised hunting hide near the edge of the woods, a little further along the path. However, since there was no rain in sight, I decided to stay at the Cow bridge. A garden bench is attached to the railing on the bridge. While it would have been a suitable spot to set up my station. But I was concerned that the gusty wind might blow components off and cause them to fall into the river.
 
So, I set up at the eastern end of the bridge. I secured the antenna mast to the railing and tied the radial to an elderberry tree growing on the bank. Within ¾ hours, 20 stations had already answered my CQ calls on 40 m. Surprisingly, they were all located in Germany and immediately neighboring countries. However, this flurry of activity didn't last, so I switched bands. Conditions on 20 m were poor, and I managed to contact only a few stations there. The number of QSOs on 30 m was also modest, and even a return to the 40-meter band at the end yielded only a few more entries in the log. After 3 hours and 36 logged contacts, I concluded the DLFF activation and dismantled the station.
 
For the return journey, I followed the same paths as far as the Grabow Bridge over the Oder-Havel Canal - a bridge that had been destroyed in 1945 and only rebuilt in 2010. On the western bank of the canal, at a spot called "At the ferry", there was an opportunity to get something to eat and drink. They were offering, among other things, a stew with sausages and various beverages. I preferred 2 slices of the homemade cake - also on offer - and a cup of coffee. I continued the return trip along forest paths on the far side of the bridge. In Lehnitz, a district of Oranienburg, I mostly used quiet streets. After a total distance of 20,1 km, I reached the S-Bahn station Lehnitz.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Fast Havel DLFF-0601
 
21.9.2026 (Part 1): The 2,463-hectare nature reserve Fast Havel DLFF-0601 - which had already been activated 2 days prior - encompasses not only the Fast Havel itself, from which it takes its name. Its northern section also includes a portion of the Dölln flow, into which the Lazy flow and Trämmer flow lead into.
 
The weather forecast predicted brisk winds (4 Bft, gusts up to 7 Bft). For this reason, I opted against a round trip and planned my route so that I would have a tailwind for the majority of the journey. I therefore started the bicycle ride at the train station Zehdenick. After passing through the town, I took the Havel Perimeter Trail, which runs alongside the Voßkanal. However, I left the paved cycle path at Krewelin, as there is a bridge crossing the Voßkanal there. From that point, I followed a small road heading east that later turned into a forest track. After crossing the bridge over the Dölln flow, I enjoyed a good view of part of the aforementioned section of the nature reserve.
 

 
A little further along, the forest path crosses the Lazy flow and, shortly thereafter, the Trömmer flow. From the stretch of path between the 2 streams, I could already see that one of the sites I had selected during my preparations for setting up the station was unusable, as cattle were grazing there. And where there are cattle, electric fences are usually not far off. I therefore headed for a raised hunting hide accessible via a narrow forest track just before the bridge over the Trömmer flow. However, this hide was situated at the edge of the forest and was consequently fully exposed to the brisk wind.
 
So I rode back to the bridge, because a fallen oak lies there at the spot - marked by a boulder—known as Scissor bridge. This leg of the bicycle ride was 11,6 km long. I used the trunk as a table for my gear and as a seat. I strapped the antenna mast to a smaller oak tree nearby. I managed to log a total of 19 contacts across 40 and 20 m, with the majority made on 40 m. Since I wanted to ride to another DLFF area, I wrapped up operations after 2 hours.

Biosphere reserve Schorfheide-Chorin DLFF-0029
 
21.9.2026 (Part 2): After dismantling the station, I continued along the forest path. A wide road begins at Schluft, a district belonging to the municipality of Schorfheide. However, shortly after leaving the village, I turned off towards Liebenthal, a district belonging to Liebenwalde. At one of the several stalls set up in front of the houses, I bought a large bag of delicious plums. I placed the price - an almost ridiculously low amount indicated on a sign - into the "honesty box", which in this case was a screw-top jar.
 
At the edge of Liebenthal, I turned east onto a wide forest path. This path also runs some distance north of Treptow lake. Although a narrow side path led me to the lake's densely wooded high bank, I could see from up there that the shoreline was very swampy and impassable. So I drove back to the shelter located right next to the wide path. The distance between the 2 activation points was only 10 km. The shelter is situated within the 1291 km⊃ Biosphere Reserve Schorfheide-Chorin DLFF-0029, the 2. destination of the day. I used this rain-sheltered spot - which features a large table and benches - to set up the station. This time, I logged 20 stations within 2 hours, including 2 contacts with POTA stations in France and Wales.
 
For the return journey, I continued along the forest path towards Groß Schönebeck. I reached the terminal station of the railway line RB27 there after just 3,6 km. The entire bicycle ride that day covered a total of 25,2 km and felt almost effortless thanks to a tailwind, especially since there were no significant changes in elevation (↑ 28 m, ↓ 18 m) to negotiate.
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Post-mining landscape Greenhouse DLFF-1265
 
23.9.2026: The post-mining landscape Greenhouse DLFF-1265 is situated within the former Lauchhammer-Finsterwalde open-cast mining area in Lusatia. Today, the nature reserve covers 1785 hectares. 710 hectares of which are designated as a strict nature reserve. This area encompasses virtually all the lower-lying sections of the old open-cast mine as well as the overburden dumps. According to Wikipedia, this post-mining landscape has been left to natural succession since 2006. In practice, this simply means that humans have completely refrained from any shaping or maintenance interventions, leaving it to nature to deal with the remnants of their past activities.
 
It was the first day of autumn. After a rather cool night with temperatures of 4 °C, the mercury was set to rise to 19 °C under sunny or partly cloudy skies. I chose the train stop Rückersdorf as the starting point for my bicyclee ride. I cycled along the quiet district road K6221, passing through Oppelhain and continuing to Sorno. I turned off the country road L63 - which leads to Staupitz - after 1,2 km.
 

 
Following a wide forest path, I first reached the boundary of the nature reserve and later the strict nature reserve. Signs along its edge warn against entering the restricted area. A wide track runs along at least the western edge of the strict nature reserve, and I followed it southward. However, there is an access point designated for agricultural traffic. Taking this path led me to a hill topped by a cluster of glacial erratics. From there, I had a good view of part of the nature reserve and the partially eroded spoil heaps. From that vantage point, I could even see the overburden conveyor bridge F60 - an impressive piece of industrial history - located 6 km away at the visitor mine north of the Bergheide lake.
 
I had chosen an unnamed small lake right by the path as my destination. However, its bank sloped relatively steeply and was badly eroded; I wouldn't have set foot on it even if there hadn't been any warning signs. As an alternative, I spotted a raised hunting hide in the clearing on the other side of the path. Since no hunter was present, I used the hide to set up my station.
 
This time, I set up the antenna mast on a small ledge, positioning it a good 3 m above the ground. I strung the radial wire diagonally downwards to the trunk of a birch tree. The seat in the high hide provided enough space for both the radio setup and myself. Moreover, it meant I didn't have to sit in the grass, which was wet from the morning dew.
 
Since I initially heard nothing in the headphones, I first thought something might be wrong with the transceiver or that the antenna wasn't connected. But both were fine. It was "just" that the noise floor in this area was so low that I had to turn the volume up much higher than usual to hear it at all. Operating the radio is particularly enjoyable in such cases: no interference and clear, readable signals. In the first ½ hour, 28 stations responded to my CQ calls on 40 m. Things quieted down a bit after that, fortunately. In total, I managed to log 52 contacts across 40, 20, and 30 m. Even those who - like me - are primarily active around the WWFF frequencies should occasionally tune to the QRP center frequencies, whether during a session or after switching bands. On that day, at least, there was a fair amount of activity from SOTA, POTA, WCA, and other portable stations - operators who were just as happy to find a contact as I was.
 
After 2¾ hours, I dismantled the station and got back on my bicycle. Continuing along the track beside the strict nature reserve, I later turned onto the country road L63. This road first curves toward and through Grünewald - a district of Lauchhammer - and then runs almost straight to Lauchhammer-West. I reached there the train station Lauchhammer after 23,5 km (↑ 26 m, ↓ 23 m).
 
Equipment: Elecraft KX3 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 9 m vertical antenna with 9 m long radial (Up & Outer) on a 10-m-Mast

Forester's Lodge Prösa DLFF-0551
 
26.9.2026: The nature reserve Forester's Lodge Prösa DLFF-0551 accounts with 3695 hectares for a relatively large portion of the Nature Park Lower Lusatian Heath Landscape. The area encompasses extensive sessile oak forests. Starting in the 1960s, some of these forests were cleared to make way for a military training ground. The heavy military vehicles kept these areas open over the course of several decades. The training ground was closed in 1988, and the nature reserve was established a few years later. To halt the natural reforestation of the heath, dry grasslands, and inland dunes, the area is managed through periodic grazing by undemanding sheep breeds and, at times, the mowing of overgrown heath vegetation.
 
During the preparations, the question of the nature reserve's name remained, as the "Forrest lodge Prösa" cannot be found on maps. The solution is quite simple. The website of the municipality of Hohenleipisch states that "Prösa" referred to a small tract of land in the northeast of the old Liebenwerda Heath. The name is derived from the Slavic word for "birch". As early as 1591, a pitch-boiling hut was built on the site of the later forester's lodge. Since its closure in 1820, the building has been used as the "Oppelhain Pitch-Boiling Hut Forester's Station". In 2001, a bird of prey station was also established on the property, as noted here. The railway line separating the former forester's lodge Prösa from the present-day nature reserve of the same name was not built until 1872.
 
The previous night had been quite cool at 44 °C. However, the day promised to be mostly sunny, with temperatures rising to 22 °C. I chose the RE8 train stop in Hohenleipisch as my starting point for the hike. After a short walk through the village, I turned onto Garden road, which later becomes a wide track running between fields and scattered orchards. Following this path, I first reached the edge of the nature reserve and, a short distance further on within the forest, arrived at the old Gotthold pit. According to Wikipedia, lignite mining began there in 1912, and crystalline quartz sand was also extracted later. As neither the pit nor the pumping station was in operation in 1945, the pit slowly filled with water. In 1947, a massive area of ​​the adjacent forest burned down, along with all the pit's structures, and the coal seam was largely consumed by fire. The pit, situated within the restricted area of ​​the military training ground, was intended to be used for water-based training exercises for military units. However, due to geological peculiarities, these plans could not be implemented, as the nature park's webpage reports.
 
I reached the edge of the heath along a path leading north. Although the plants were no longer in full bloom, the vast expanses were a sight to behold. Crossing over the Thurm Mountain - which stands 134 m tall but rises only about 40 m above the surrounding terrain - I reached the edge of the oak forest that still remains here. A short distance to the west lies the trail junction known as "Three Oaks". There, nestled among the 3 ancient oaks that give the spot its name, are picnic areas that are kept in excellent condition. One final note regarding the decorations found on the tables - at least on that particular day. Someone had carefully tucked mushrooms and heather into large cushions of moss for them. Even the antlers of a stag beetle lay on one of them.
 
Of the two picnic spots available, I chose this one to set up my station. I attached the antenna mast to a slender oak tree standing nearby. Since this trail junction is evidently quite popular - attracting numerous cyclists, hikers, and even a horse-drawn excursion wagon that day - it was important to string the antenna wires so that they either avoided crossing the paths entirely or hung high enough above them. The SPWC had not forecast any solar storms, predicting only a 20% probability of minor to moderate radio blackouts (R1/R2). Nevertheless, radio conditions were far from ideal. Over the course of 2½ hours, I managed to log only 13 contacts across 40, 20 and 30 m. Even stations participating in the contest struggled to make contacts, with many switching bands after just a few unsuccessful CQ calls.
 

 
The return journey took me through the heath once more, though this time not via the Thurm mountain. Even so, the route was anything but flat. First, the path led up to Knaupa and then up to Elsterwerda-Biehla. From there, I descended towards Elsterwerda on a stretch with gradients of up to 8 %. I reached the local train station after 13,1 km (↑ 93 m, ↓ 119 m).
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Nature Park Southern Black Forest DLFF-0124
 
2.10.2026: Hüfingen is located in the south of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. The small town is situated on the edge of the Nature Park Southern Black Forest DLFF-0124, which covers an area of ​​3933 km².
 
After the train journey, there was still an opportunity in the late afternoon to get active, starting from the holiday apartment here where I was staying. I had booked s'Stüble at the Übernachterei. This apartment had the advantage of a terrace equipped with garden furniture and a folded-up sun umbrella. I used the umbrella stand to mount my antenna mast. I anchored the ends of the antenna wires to the ground using short cords and pegs, securing them amidst the garden's ornamental plants.
 
Radio conditions within a city are often far from ideal, and this time was no exception. The reason was the abundance of electrical devices in the vicinity. They generated a noise level audible in the transceiver that was higher than what I typically encounter outside of built-up areas. Nevertheless, I managed to log 5 contacts on 20 m within 1⅓ hours. On 40 m, no one responded to my CQ calls.
 
3.10.2026: Following the Black Forest gathering, I took the opportunity in the late afternoon to get on the air again from the holiday apartment's terrace. This time, 13 stations on 20 m responded to my CQ calls. I also contacted 1 additional station on 40 m. It turned uncomfortably cold after sunset, so I wrapped up operations and dismantled the station after 1¾ hours.
 
Equipment: Elecraft K1 with 5 W transmit power in CW; 19 m doublet antenna with 8 m long two-wire link (Twisted-Hille) as an inverted-V on a 6-m-Mast

Confirmations
 
In principle, QSL cards are not required to apply for DLFF and WWFF diplomas. Instead, every radio amateur uploads their QSO data to a database, which I also did in the week following activation. However, I usually don't know if my contacts are also using this service. Perhaps they have nothing to do with the DLFF or WWFF program and made the QSO for a completely different reason.
 
Therefore, I filled out QSL cards promptly after each activation and sent them via the DARC bureau. The exception was my QSO partners, from whom I hadn't received a QSL card even for older QSOs. I assume these radio amateurs aren't members of any radio association and therefore can't send or receive QSL cards through the QSL bureau. They might also simply not confirm QSOs with a QSL card at all. In either case, I saved myself of filling out and sending a QSL card.