The Long Weekend….

With thanks to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who this week celebrates her Golden Jubilee and as they deemed to give us a day off in celebration, it has been a long weekend break from work, thank you Ma’am !

Back to the fun in hand, I had a lazy day on the Friday after walking to work. I thought four days ahead and I’m sure I’ll be out.

Sunday..

I had part arranged with fellow blogger Roddy (blog HERE) to visit and play radio from the Lurg Moor trig point but an early rise had shown that one of the regular activators had declared for three of the Mamores so plans were slightly altered to head to a higher destination at just over 1400 ft but after the original post was changed to activate Meall a Bhuiridh, the ski centre hill at the east end of Glencoe. It was a return to the original plan.

5 ele beam

I set out trying to pre-guess arrival times and arrived 40 mins later having walked to the trig point from my house, just under two miles with a steady rise most of the way, I had the FT 817 and my SLAb in my back pack so much heavier than usual. I quickly erected the beam and settled down to enjoy the day and to await Roddy’s appearance. I knew fellow PARC member Craig HCF would be out on Beinn Ime which I could see to the North of me, the views with the crisp air were superb, the effort of ten minutes walking from the roadside makes this view all worthwhile. Below me and to the west, the urban sprawl of central Greenock with the docks along its waterfront and the vista of hills stretching in a 270 degree direction W to SE and for the other 90 degrees the moorland stretches behind towards Corlic and I could see the Hill of Stake on the boundary of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.

Roddy soon arrived and it was time to sit and enjoy the radio and talk about this years SOTA expedition to the Lakes. First logged was Craig HCF on Beinn Ime followed soon after by Robin PKT on Meall a’Bhuiridh, eighteen quick points. We decided to sit and enjoy the day and wait for Robin for his move to Creise.

Whilst sitting I heard Neil 2MØNCM working Robin and waited until Neil had got himself organised on Saugh Hill just outside of Girvan, we had a QSO until Neil had to go and help steward a local hill race.  Graeme 2MØGIL was out and about in the Dumgoyne area and called in for a quick chat before he headed off the hill and home, I found out later he had dumped us to head home as it was his wedding anniversary, shocking. Soon after that Jim GLM called in from Stronend to the NE of us so more points in the bag.

There was a slight chill came down just after mid afternoon but Roddy has snuck himself in his bivvy bag and more plans for an overnight stay on a hill somewhere being made.

Greenock and trig point

Robin soon arrived on the summit of Creise and this was a unique for me as I find the hill is snuck in behind higher hills which blocks the signal for me at home. I heard Robin talking to Iain WJZ, Ian was on Sgurr nan Gillean on the Isle of Skye, I could occasionally hear Ian but very weakly so I asked to call him but sadly I wasn’t to be heard, the earlier idea of 1400ft+ would have helped. Oh well !

A good day ‘chasing’ wise and to spend the day just yattering away.

We broke down the antennas and headed the short distance off the hill, Roddy to his car and me ? the long way home (by foot).

Monday…

More SOTA chasing with a newcomer or a station surprised at the response he got, Stewart STU had called from Ben More in the Crianlarich Alps and later appeared on Stobinnean and in-between his summitting, Robin PKT appeared on Bidean nam Bian the highest of the Glencoe hills, more chaser points in the bag and the push to get 2,000 gets nearer.

Tuesday…

Left home slightly after 7 am and headed with the intent of just doing a round walk of approx 7 ml but I looked west as I walked along the B788 and saw Corlic ‘calling’ me so at the substation, I leapt the gate and headed towards the summit and summitted just under 30 mins later, I had sent a text to Roddy IOB who then gave me a call on s20 and we chatted until he had reached his place of work. I called on both 2m and 70cms but no takers, I assumed this was because of the earliness.

The Arran Hills in the distance

I headed off the summit after taking in the views, the outline of Goat Fell was just showing above Garvock Hill, the distant sky to the west and east had a light brown tinge to it this morning whilst to the north it looked dark and threatening, I had seen light rain sweeping across to the south of me but I later headed in that direction passing through the ruined farm of Glenbrae before heading across the dam wall which separates the Higher and Lower Gryffe reservoirs.

I met one of the rangers from the local Centre at Cornalees and spent 15 mins talking about the fly tipping which sadly gets dumped in these out-of-the-way areas, soon I was on my way as the ‘scourge’ appeared and before I could get eaten alive I headed to find someone had ‘removed’ part of a recently erected stile, what can I say ?

Heading now towards home, I now made good time on the tarmac track and as I came out on to the B788, I could see a model (?) airplane doing all the turns and acrobatics so I had to be nosey.

Ready for take off

I walked down and watched whilst a bigger plane than I expected took off and did its thing. Very interesting. The video below runs for over four mins but rather than editing I just left it intact.

Time to finally head back home along the B788 and along to the base of the Green Rd, up over the golf course and dropped down to home. 10 ml in the bag.

I prefer the old ‘Stobinnean’ instead of the present use.

The Trig Point details are HERE

I would like to thank Wikipedia and other sites I have linked to and of course, you…if you haven’t dozed off by now.

Rural vandalism with Corlic Hill in the distance

Looking North

Loch Thom and Dunrod Hill

Gryffe Reservoirs

Ready for take off

The Arran Hills in the distance

Greenock and trig point

5 ele beam on Lurg Moor

(Sept) Radio Days 2011

Bit later than normal, folks….

SOTA

No activations to report this month, the Sept trip to the Isle of Mull was cancelled and rescheduled for October, don’t miss next months thrilling instalment HI

Back to another busy months chasing, first out the blocks was Simon IWN who was on Ben Lawers midweek on a trip up north.

Ben Nevis from the Lawers Range

The weekend weather was kind to Neil 2MØNCM who took the journey across to the Cowal Peninsula and activated two Marilyns, Cruach nan Capull and Black Craig, a long walk…but topping all that was his following midweek ‘Lawers Round’ activation with another ‘Munro’ casually flung in….Neil headed west on to Meall Greigh then moved on to Meall Garbh before topping out at just under 4,000 ft on Ben Lawers, Neil bagged Beinn Ghlas, a non Marilyn Munro before a final descent and climb to Meall Corranaich, impressive and 36 pts to those who managed all contacts with him. On the same day, Richard JTD had done both Ben More and Stobinnean on a visit north but I only caught him latterly on Stobinnean.

The following weekend, the tail end of Hurricane Katia paid GM land a visit and with awfy strong winds and torrential rain, sensible people stayed indoors and we stayed on the mainland.

The following weekend I worked Robin PKT who was first out on Beinn a’Chreachain and later on Beinn Achaladair, I had caught Robin from the trig point on Lurg Moor on the his hill.

On the final weekend, Ian WJZ turned up on Beinn Ime near Arrochar whilst the next day, Neil 2MØNCM climbed the biggie, Ben Nevis on which turned into a windy wet activation, keen or what? Finally, a contact with Jim GLM on Stronend in the Fintry Hills to finish the month. Another busy month and once again, thanks to all those who ventured out.

Neil’s blog posts on

Lawers Round 

Ben Nevis

Ben More and Stobinnean

HF….

Varied month with conditions improving as the month moved along. Spent most of the time using JT65 with an occasional venture on to PSK, plenty ‘spots’, made the 6 continents in one day on 20m with a first ‘spot’ in South America which evades me normally. Venezuela to be exact.

I was not as active on WSPR as much but will rectify this in the coming months.

I downloaded V4 protocol towards the end of the month and tried some CQs but this mode is growing slowly and I’ll keep an eye there. I tried to contact an ON station but we seen each other but no connection could be made. More info on the mode HERE

Outlook…

Dunno, more work on V4 protocol perhaps…Less time on the radio and more walking, the intention to play more golf never came to fruition, next year?

eQSL is still my preferred exchange option plus I also use LoTW but funnily enough still receiving eQSLs from the period I used GA prefix although quite possible other stations loading up their ADIF files when starting to use eQSL…I’m not a member of the UK bureau so eQSL is handier and instant in most cases. It would grow if and when the ARRL will accept eQSL cards for awards but this seems unlikely .

(March) Radio Days…2011

I thought I had posted this as ‘Latest Post’ on the wall but the post was hidden in the ‘Musings’ section…plus I thought I’d better add the year to the post title as it could get a bit confusing if you search for any of these posts.

Beinn Ime

I think the format of this monthly post as it is turning out to be a blow-by-blow account of my SOTA chasing for the relevant month. I’ve a few ideas rattling about in my mostly empty head and I’ll see if anything suits.

VHF….

Still spending some time on 2m and the occasional visits to 4m and 70cm.

SOTA…

Activations..

Two this month, a misty visit to the Trossachs and the summit of Ben Venue, most memorable for the antics of Roddy IOB and his crossing of a snow field and finally a jaunt up Ben Donich for the SOTA UHF Fun Day on the last Sunday of the month.

Chasing..

First points ‘chased’ this month were from Bob AWV who was activating Beinn Dubh near Luss whilst we were on the cloudy summit of Ben Venue. The following day was again busy out in the hills as first, I ‘chased’ fellow blogger Neil 2MØNCM who was out on Broughton Heights followed by Alan XXP who appeared on Black Mount and as is usual, I also worked Alan on 4m FM. Later that day, I worked a MM6 station who was on Duncolm, I pointed him toward the SOTA website but no points for this one.

In what was another good ‘chasing’ day, Robin PKT activated Beinn Odhar in the Tyndrum area and was quickly followed by another fellow blogger, Graeme GIL who was in the Campsies on the summit of Earls Seat, a busy day in which I got some contacts from my local summit and finished the day at home.

One week later, only XXP was out, I walked up to the top of the golf course to work Alan on 4 and 2m. Unfortunately I have approx a 200 ft tall solid lump of igneous rock to the SE and S of me. The hill itself is 659 ft ASL but is a quick, handy and easy summit to get to.

Ben Donich from Beinn an Lochain

The next weekend was the test of Roddy’s 2m beam, we headed for higher ground on the border of Port Glasgow and Greenock. Iain WJZ had alerted for Schiehallion so that would be a good test for it and we also worked Jack COX who was on Culter Fell. The following day, Robert GUF was on Tinto and later, Neil NCM popped up on Nutberry Hill.

Finally, the last weekend saw the UHF Fun Day and as mentioned before, Ben Donich was the base for this one. First STS (summit to summit) was with Graeme GIL who was on Sgiath a’Chaise quickly followed by Robin PKT was further to the NE on Meall Ghaordaidh and to finish the day, I worked Jack COX who was across Gleann a’Chro on the summit of Ben Arthur better known as the Cobbler during our ascent off the hill.

A busy chasing month again and the quest to reach ‘Shack Sloth’ status continues.

HF…. 

Busy, busy month as propagation is picking up and more ‘exotic’ stations are popping up and being worked but not by me. The disadvantage of having a stealth antenna is just that but each contact is ‘worked’ for. Trips across the ‘pond’ and contacts in to Africa, Asia as well as the regular European traffic.

I never did any WSPR work this month, hopefully the higher HF bands may come more into play as the summer arrives.

‘Ben Donich from Beinn an Lochain‘ photo © Neil 2MØNCM…

2010…that was the year that was…part one

2010..

Since I wrote the blog post ‘12 months have past’, a few personal ambitions for 2010 have been achieved.

SOTAwise higher summits have been activated, a few have been revisited.

Visits to Hill of Stake, Beinn a’Mhanaich, Beinn Chaorach, Meikle Bin, Meall Nan Tramachan, Ben Lomond, Ben Donich, Goat Fell, Ben Bowie and finally a return journey to the top of Beinn Eich.

Not as many hills as last year but logisitics came into play.

Achieving a * ‘one point’ hill is still the same as the achievement of any hill, we have been blessed with magnificent scenery in our country. The views vary from sea level to the highest summit but each has its own unique highs.

The views from Meall Nan Tarmachan at 1044 m (3,425 ft) ASL on the perfect ‘blue sky’ day I activated it were tremendous, to the East you can see its sister hill Ben Lawers then to the north-east, the Cairngorm range whilst over to the north-west stood our highest mountain Ben Nevis and finally to the south-west Ben More , Stob Binnean, Ben Lomond and Beinn Ime stood out, superb scenery indeed. In contrast, the 360 view from Ben Bowie at 313m (1027 ft) ASL to Loch Lomond, the Firth of Clyde and westward to the Cowal hills was as enjoyable.

For 2010, I had started each activation not on my regular 2m FM but on 4m FM (70 mhz ), slow progress was being made during these  activations until I finally had my first hill fully activated on the 4m band, Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran took the honours, I had worked eight stations in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. What will next years band of choice be ? I think 70 cms possibly with 2 and 4m of course.

The activating year started with the Hill of Stake, I chose a ‘wintry’ frosty day as this is a very wet route in normal conditions, the first 4m contacts were made, 2m FM as usual made the most contacts. Next were return visits to a’Mhanaich and Chaorach, these hills  are presently covered with snow whilst I write this.

The highlights hillwise were Meall Nan Tarmachan which had been the first Munro I had climbed since the mid ’70s, Ben Lomond, another hill I can see from here and Goat Fell was with thanks to Roddy IOB, a most enjoyable day ! The downside of the Goat Fell activation was the ‘carry out’ (take away) suppers we had whilst waiting on the ferry plus one of our fellow bloggers advice that the start of the climb wasn’t that far away, you know who you are.

Activating the Corbett Ben Donich was my 2010 personal highlight, a hill of just over 847m (2,778 ft) often overlooked because of its more famous neighbours at Arrochar. Neil NCM had activated this hill in 2010 and as I normally do I checked out the route etc (Neil had kindly sent me photos of the route), I decided I wanted to climb this hill and I was not disappointed. An excellent hill which proves you do not have to climb the highest hills to meet satisfaction, one I recommend, the view down Loch Goil towards the Firth of Clyde was in my opinion, simply stunning.

Best contact ?

they all are but one ‘summit to summit’ contact stands out, I ‘worked’ GC0000, a club call used by John who was on the summit of Tal Y Fan (GW/NW-040), a hill situated in the Carneddau mountains of North Wales, I was on the summit of Beinn Chaorach (GM/SS 062) in the Luss Hills area, a 322 km contact, a cracker. No reports of any ‘lift’.

I also made a contact from Beinn Eich into the Lake District to Great Calva, Phil a M0 station was using a handie with a 40cm helically wound ‘duck’ type antenna. The hill is a WOTA summit.

Contacts were made into England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland and of course, Scotland over the year.

I have no problem revisiting hills to activate, the hills which are ‘near’ to me are mostly all within an hour of my house and if like me, you have to rely on others to get you there.

Those who have read the blog have noticed that my ‘rucksack’ had humorously written a post about life with me, I’ll forgive it but I’ve changed my password and details since, just in case.

The usual visits to Corlic, one of my local hills were documented too, this year a mix of HF and VHF, an excellent place to do some HF portable testing, I must admit I should have out more often. Next year maybe.

SOTA Chasing…

A good year pointwise..

I’m well on track to break 680 points in total since the beginning of 2009 with 60% coming this year, my target of 1,000 is slowly getting there, over 95% of the points are VHF and although HF could speed up my rate of points, Ill concentrate on VHF as long as the excellent activators we have here in Scotland are active.

My thanks go  to all those who have taken the time to ‘work’ me when I have been out activating also a ”big’ thanks once again to those regular activators who suffer all sorts of weather to let us ‘chasers’ get our points.

Part Two, coming soon

* – For the SOTA scoring system explanation HERE refer to section 3.11

Picasa photos of each activation –

Hill Of Stake Beinn a’Mhanaich Beinn Chaorach Meikle Bin Ben Lomond

Meall Nan Tarmachan Goat Fell Ben Donich Ben Bowie Beinn Eich

You Tube summit panoramas  – GM7something

The view towards home

Tarbet and the Arrochar Alps

Meall Garbh

Looking down the Firth of Clyde

Loch Lomond south basin

Heading Home -2010

Heading down the Ptarmigan Ridge

Glen Luss from a’Mhanaich

Brodick Bay

Ben Lawers from Meall Nan Tarmachan

Beinn Lomainn

A snowy Beinn Chaorach