Summits-on-the- Air - ARM for North and South Cook Islands (E5) Summits on the Air COOK ISLANDS (E5) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S123.1 Issue number 1.0 Date of issue 1st September 2015 Participation start date 1st September 2015 Authorised by SOTA MT 1st September 2015 Association Manager Andrew (Andy) Neill Duncan E50A / E51AND Summits-on-the-Air: An original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. Page 1 of 9 Document S123.1 Summits-on-the- Air - ARM for North and South Cook Islands (E5) Table of contents. 1 ASSOCIATION REFERENCE DATA ........................................................................... 3 1.1 PROGRAMME DERIVATION ......................................................................................................... 3 1.2 GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................ 4 1.3 RIGHTS OF WAY AND ACCESS ISSUES ......................................................................................... 4 1.4 MAPS AND NAVIGATION ............................................................................................................. 6 1.5 SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS ......................................................................................................... 6 1.6 FOREIGN HAMS IN E5 ............................................................................................................ 6 1.7 AWARDS .................................................................................................................................. 6 1.8 DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................. 6 2 SUMMIT REFERENCE DATA...................................................................................... 7 2.1 REGION REFERENCE – Rarotonga Island .............................................................................. 7 2.1.1 Regional notes ................................................................................................................ 7 2.1.2 Table of summits ............................................................................................................. 7 2.2 REGION REFERENCE – Mangaia Island ................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Regional notes ................................................................................................................ 9 2.2.2 Table of summits ............................................................................................................. 9 Change Control Date Version Details st 1 September 2015 1.0 First formal issue of this document Page 2 of 9 Document S123.1 Summits-on-the- Air - ARM for North and South Cook Islands (E5) 1 Association Reference Data Association COOK ISLANDS (E5) (North and South Cook Islands) Commencement date 1st September 2015 • Mangaia Island (MG-xxx) 1 Peak S. Cook Islands • Rarotonga Island (RA-xxx) 6 Peaks S. Cook Islands Regions The remaining 13 islands in the Cook Islands are low lying islands or true atolls and have no qualifying peaks. Association parameters Summit operation criteria Operation must be within 25m vertically of the summit Band 1, score 1 point Summit altitude less than 400 metres a.s.l. Band 2, score 2 points Summit altitude between 400 and 499 metres a.s.l. Band 3, score 4 point Summit altitude between 500 and 599 metres a.s.l. Band 4, score 6 points Summit altitude over 600 metres a.s.l. Seasonal bonus Yes Bonus rationale Summer period with high temperatures over 30ºC accompanied by very high humidity. Min. height for bonus 3 Points for activations >=500m ASL Bonus period dates January 1st to March 31st Association sponsored None awards Association Manager Andrew (Andy) Neill DUNCAN. E50A / E51AND [email protected] P.O. Box 518, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Ph: +682 25995 Mobile +682 79904 1.1 Program Derivation E5 SOTA is a derivation of similar programs already active in other countries. The database of summits is believed to be complete; however, if you find a summit which you believe qualifies and you’d like to add to SOTA-E5, or you find a mistake in this ARM, please contact the Association Manager. Summits cannot be counted for points until a reference number has been allocated by the Association Manager. Page 3 of 9 Document S123.1 Summits-on-the- Air - ARM for North and South Cook Islands (E5) 1.2 General information The Cook Islands are a widely dispersed group of 15 small islands scattered across 2.25 million square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean. The North Cook Islands (DXCC Zone 191; CQ Zone 32; ITU Zone 62) are all true atolls and generally do not exceed 5 metres ASL and therefore have no qualifying summits. The South Cook Islands (DXCC Zone 234; CQ Zone 32; ITU Zone 63) are either the tips of ancient volcanoes, or are raised coral (Makatea), or both. Within the Southern group there are 7 qualifying summits, one on Mangaia Island (IOTA OC-159) and 6 on Rarotonga (IOTA OC-013). To qualify for a summit it must have at least 150 m prominence. In the case of doubt the Management Team will decide whether the Summit will be added to the list The summit database is thought to be complete and can only be changed by the acceptance of the management team. Summits cannot be counted for points until a launch date and reference number has been allocated by the Association Manager and approved by the SOTA Management Team. 1.3 Rights of way and access issues RAROTONGA Island The summits on Rarotonga are the heavily eroded peaks of breccia and basalt that once surrounded the caldera of an ancient volcano. They are heavily forested with extremely dense “cloud” or rain forest. Where there are trails, they tend to be steep at the higher elevations and commonly follow “razor back” ridge lines with steep drops on either side. Several of the summits have trails while the others are considered inaccessible by the Manager. In a tropical environment like Rarotonga, trails overgrow rapidly and a guide is strongly recommended. Additional details will be provided in the “Regional Notes” section of the summit data in Section 2 of this document. Land ownership is an EXTREMELY important issue for Polynesians so unless you follow a clearly identified trail, you will need the owner's permission before attempting activation. Photo: Ewan Smith. Air Rarotonga, Cook Islands Page 4 of 9 Document S123.1 Summits-on-the- Air - ARM for North and South Cook Islands (E5) Peaks on Rarotonga. Peaks on Rarotonga are the heavily eroded remains of an ancient caldera. At higher elevations they are steep-sided and covered with dense “cloud” or rain forests. While there are some trails, several summits are inaccessible MANGAIA Island On Mangaia, the summit is the high spot on an island some 10km in diameter. It is not a distinct peak. It lies close to the junction of three cross island tracks (vehicle accessible) but is on private land. Permission should be sought and received before activation. It may be necessary to go to Mangaia to determine the land ownership and request permission. The terminal at Mangaia Airport. In the background is the terrain typical of the island. Grey, raised coral (makatea) slowly rising from 20 or 30 metres around the coast to 169m at the high point in the centre of the island. This is, by far, the most accessible summit in the Cooks. (If you don’t count the isolation of the Cooks group, together with the additional travel to the tiny island of Mangaia.) Page 5 of 9 Document S123.1 Summits-on-the- Air - ARM for North and South Cook Islands (E5) 1.4 Maps and navigation The easiest way to obtain a map is to get online. The most common cartography is at https://data.linz.govt.nz/x/YBTi47 for Rarotonga, and https://data.linz.govt.nz/x/BZGSyc for Mangaia. HOWEVER; while maps and compasses/GPS should be carried, the services or a guide, at least on the first visit to the summit, is strongly recommended. (www.Pastreks.com) 1.5 Safety considerations Before hiking always consult a weather forecast. Please remember that weather in the mountains can change rapidly and you should be always prepared for rain, strong wind or intensive sun. After rainfall, trails can be extremely slippery and treacherous, and vertical rock faces extremely dangerous. In case of emergency you should call 999, the emergency number for the Cook Islands. It should be noted that cellular service is limited and unreliable in the mountains. 1.6 Foreign HAMs in E5 (North and South Cook Islands) Holders of Amateur radio licences with HF privileges can obtain a Cook Islands licence on Rarotonga upon presentation of a copy of their home licence (with an English translation if necessary) and payment of a fee of $20. They will be issued a call in the format E51xxx. The Manager can assist with issuance of the licence before you come to the Cooks enabling you to notify DX lists, IOTA and SOTA in advance, and to set up a QRZ or other web page. 1.7 Awards There are no Association-specific awards at the moment. 1.8 Disclaimer Hiking, hill-walking and rock-climbing are potentially dangerous activities. The SOTA Management Team and their associates assume no responsibility or liability for accident, injury, loss of life or any other loss directly or indirectly as a result of participation