The area is very green, in contrast to the dry steppes further south. The climate is relatively mild, compared to the up-country areas that are known for their hot summers and long hard winters. When we were there, we did not have much rain but it is said that there is quite much rainfall all through the year. The distance to western Europe is approximately 3500km. Trabzon has a big port and some industrial activity.
High mountains rise up directly from the sea.
It would therefore be important to find a QTH close to the sea-side, preferably in a smaller village at some distance from Trabzon. We spent our first day in Turkey looking for a good place. Between SW and NW, there were some lower hills, but still small enough to make propagation possible into those directions. The station The apartment building had a flat roof that was easily accessible, so ideal for placing our antennas. We bought a six metre-long steel pipe in a local hardware shop, for use as a mast that brought our five element yagi to a height of 25 metres asl.