# Just the one Mrs Wembley - Stickle Pike
**URL:** https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422
**Category:** Activation Reports
**Created:** [20 March 2023 10:19 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422 "2023-03-20T10:19:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@M5TEA](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/M5TEA)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 10:19 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/1 "2023-03-20T10:19:38Z")
## Stickle Pike (Dunnerdale Fells)
| **WOTA ID:** LDO-055 | **Height:** 375 m (1230 ft) |
| --- | --- |
| **SOTA ID:** n/a | **Grid ref:** SD212928 |
| **HuMP ID:** G/HLD-047 | **QTH Locator:** IO84JH |
| **Book:** [The Outlying Fells](https://www.wota.org.uk/mm_outlying_fells) | **Lat:** 54.324532 **Long:** -3.211733 |
I initially started looking at this set of hills due to my [Top 30 Oldest Activated Summits](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/top-30-oldest-activated-summits/419/5) post recently. It looked possible to do several in a day, possibly the whole lot. I also noticed there was a road ‘Kiln Bank Cross’ that traversed the cull between Stickle Pike and Raven’s Crag and thought this would be a nice one to do on the new motorbike.
The road was covered in a lot of debris but mostly in the centre between car tyre tracks. Approaching from the South there is one gate but no issues with driving/riding and an easy ascent - nothing like Hard Knott or Wrynose for example. There is parking at the top for four or five cars.
_Free parking in the Lake District!_
In my infinite wisdom, having swapped motorbike gear for walking gear, I somehow managed to leave the handheld in the bike - and was questioning whether I brought it at all - and having got half way up the ascent to Stickle Pike I decided to press on and just do the one. It was cold and windy on the ascent but having gained around 150m of height you reach the summit with nice 360 degree views. Of particular interest was the view toward Dow Crag and the Old Man who I’ve not seen from this direction before and look completely different looking ‘up the nose’.
What I did have with me was full HF gear and static VHF - IC-705, RM Italy HLA-150V amp, 4.2AH LifePo, [SOTA Beams Band Hopper IV](https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/four-band-portable-dipole-antenna-system-band-hopper-iv/) Inverted V Antenna, a homebrew 17m/15m/12m/10m Inverted V, a SOTA Beams [10m Compact Travel Mast](https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/compact-light-weight-10-m-32-ft-travel-mast/) (I drop ‘lightweight’ from the description of the mast, because it isn’t!) and a [Spectrum Communication SlimG](http://www.spectrumcomms.co.uk/Aerials.htm). I noted that this particular antenna and mast combination is actually slightly **heavier** than my Chameleon MPAS2.0! However, these dipoles are fully resonant and have provided me with some excellent DX in the past. The Chameleon - as good (and especially convenient) as it is - can’t quite match in my opinion.
Recently on HF activations where I know I’m going to spend a couple of hours on the Summit I’ve also spotted for Parks on the Air. The whole Lake District National Park is one park in the programme: [G-0165](https://pota.app/#/park/G-0165). Previously I’ve done this to try and get some transatlantic contacts, but more recently I’ve found increasing interest from UK and EU stations, and this activation was quite early for our US friends. Stickle Pike is also a HEMA [G/HLD-047](http://hema.org.uk/fullSummit.jsp?summitKey=2663) and I see no reason not to give everyone points in their favourite programmes.
With regard to the bands - there was solar storm which was surpressing the lately very lively 10m band - and most of the stations I could hear were big contesters. Of surprise was 40m which was exceptionally good Inter-G, Richard [2E0XGO](https://www.qrz.com/db/2E0XGO) for example was booming in from Whitehaven and the coverage spread well into Europe, up to around 2,000km.
Stringing the Band Hopper IV on this summit proved a challenge and at the end of the activation whilst packing up I apologised to a guy having a break but that ended up in a nice chat about the surrounding fells - and advice to descend on the road the same direction I came in rather than tackle a couple of wet, gravel covered hairpins in the other direction. I’m still getting used to the weight of this new bike so was also very happy that a nice young lady held the gate open for me on the descent! I also had a nice chat to a fell runner and there was a family exploring the summit too - I was surprised it was so popular being well off the beaten tourist track.
It was lovely to get Douggie @g7cda and Sue in the log @g1ohh1, Geoff @GM4WHA was once again a most excellent chaser being one of the few I could hear on a very poor 80m band and much stronger on 40m. Esther EI6KI (normally [GI0AZA](https://www.qrz.com/db/GI0AZA)) was a great WWFF contact as well as many other regulars.
I will be returning to these fells, it would make a lovely spring walk, with just the handheld to tick them all off my list.
Mark.
All photos [here](https://photos.app.goo.gl/ko7v7H64ZaiWkNEr7).
| TIME | CALLSIGN | BAND | MODE | RST | RSR | OPERATOR | SIG | REF |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 10:11 | [SV8QDJ](https://qrz.com/db/SV8QDJ) | 10m | SSB | 55 | 55 | Dima | | |
| 10:13 | [EA8DKV](https://qrz.com/db/EA8DKV) | 10m | SSB | 59 | 57 | ALEXIS | | |
| 10:20 | [EA2EVM](https://qrz.com/db/EA2EVM) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Cesareo | | |
| 10:21 | [SO5CAL](https://qrz.com/db/SO5CAL) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Arek | | |
| 10:21 | [IV3GVY](https://qrz.com/db/IV3GVY) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Maurizio | | |
| 10:21 | [EA2ERT](https://qrz.com/db/EA2ERT) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Loren | | |
| 10:22 | [EA9IB](https://qrz.com/db/EA9IB) | 17m | SSB | 57 | 57 | PEDRO | | |
| 10:23 | [OH3GZ](https://qrz.com/db/OH3GZ) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | JUKKA | | |
| 10:24 | [IZ0WXS](https://qrz.com/db/IZ0WXS) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | VIRGINIO | | |
| 10:25 | [IZ1HIY](https://qrz.com/db/IZ1HIY) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Ettore | | |
| 10:26 | [VA1MA](https://qrz.com/db/VA1MA) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 57 | Mark | | |
| 10:27 | [IU4PUG](https://qrz.com/db/IU4PUG) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Guido | | |
| 10:28 | [YO6CFB](https://qrz.com/db/YO6CFB) | 17m | SSB | 44 | 42 | “Lacy” | | |
| 10:29 | [F4CYQ](https://qrz.com/db/F4CYQ) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | David | | |
| 10:30 | [IU1DOF](https://qrz.com/db/IU1DOF) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 58 | Mario | | |
| 10:32 | [IK1GPG](https://qrz.com/db/IK1GPG) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Massimo | | |
| 10:32 | [EA7KNK](https://qrz.com/db/EA7KNK) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 57 | DAVID | | |
| 10:33 | [2E0YYY/P](https://qrz.com/db/2E0YYY) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Mike | GMA | [M/SP-001](https://www.cqgma.org/zinfo.php?ref=M/SP-001) |
| 10:35 | [IU2EBO](https://qrz.com/db/IU2EBO) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 56 | Giorgio | | |
| 10:35 | [IU3OJA](https://qrz.com/db/IU3OJA) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Alex | | |
| 10:37 | [IK5AEQ](https://qrz.com/db/IK5AEQ) | 17m | SSB | 55 | 55 | Luca | | |
| 10:39 | [OH2CTG](https://qrz.com/db/OH2CTG) | 17m | SSB | 58 | 57 | Petri | | |
| 10:41 | [EA4GJP](https://qrz.com/db/EA4GJP) | 17m | SSB | 55 | 55 | Angel | | |
| 10:42 | [SP4NPI](https://qrz.com/db/SP4NPI) | 17m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Adam | | |
| 10:46 | [EA4GJP](https://qrz.com/db/EA4GJP) | 15m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Angel | | |
| 10:46 | [SP8QC](https://qrz.com/db/SP8QC) | 15m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Andrzej | | |
| 10:47 | [CT1DYH](https://qrz.com/db/CT1DYH) | 15m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Carlos | | |
| 10:50 | [YT4ZZ](https://qrz.com/db/YT4ZZ) | 15m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Radic | | |
| 11:13 | [G1OHH](https://qrz.com/db/G1OHH) | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | Sue | | |
| 11:14 | [G7CDA](https://qrz.com/db/G7CDA) | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | Douggie | | |
| 11:15 | [G6LKB](https://qrz.com/db/G6LKB) | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | David | | |
| 11:16 | [M7MCG](https://qrz.com/db/M7MCG) | 2m | FM | 58 | 53 | Micah | | |
| 11:57 | [G0RQL](https://qrz.com/db/G0RQL) | 80m | SSB | 59 | 57 | DON | | |
| 11:58 | [M0OMC](https://qrz.com/db/M0OMC) | 80m | SSB | 57 | 57 | H.A.R.C. | | |
| 11:59 | [GM4WHA](https://qrz.com/db/GM4WHA) | 80m | SSB | 59 | 59 | GEOFF | | |
| 12:02 | [EI4KT/M](https://qrz.com/db/EI4KT) | 80m | SSB | 55 | 55 | Esther | WWFF | EIFF-0021 |
| 12:06 | [G7VJA](https://qrz.com/db/G7VJA) | 80m | SSB | 59 | 58 | Ken | | |
| 12:06 | [G1DIF](https://qrz.com/db/G1DIF) | 80m | SSB | 59 | 58 | NORTH | | |
| 12:12 | [G3VCG](https://qrz.com/db/G3VCG) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | DON | | |
| 12:14 | [PD4US](https://qrz.com/db/PD4US) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Wim | | |
| 12:14 | [GW3YQP](https://qrz.com/db/GW3YQP) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Chris | | |
| 12:14 | [G7VJA](https://qrz.com/db/G7VJA) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Ken | | |
| 12:16 | [G4NAQ](https://qrz.com/db/G4NAQ) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Clive | | |
| 12:16 | [G0BFJ](https://qrz.com/db/G0BFJ) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | J. | | |
| 12:18 | [G4PFK](https://qrz.com/db/G4PFK) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Graham | | |
| 12:18 | [M0KHT](https://qrz.com/db/M0KHT) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Keith | | |
| 12:20 | [MM0HCD](https://qrz.com/db/MM0HCD) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Fraser | | |
| 12:22 | [G6AEK](https://qrz.com/db/G6AEK) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Dave | | |
| 12:22 | [G4XXH](https://qrz.com/db/G4XXH) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Ray | | |
| 12:24 | [G5VHF](https://qrz.com/db/G5VHF) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Dave | | |
| 12:25 | [ON4CB](https://qrz.com/db/ON4CB) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Kurt | | |
| 12:26 | [ON5MA](https://qrz.com/db/ON5MA) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Nick | | |
| 12:27 | [PD2GCM](https://qrz.com/db/PD2GCM) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Gerard | | |
| 12:27 | [G0RQL](https://qrz.com/db/G0RQL) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | DON | | |
| 12:28 | [M0OMC](https://qrz.com/db/M0OMC) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | H.A.R.C. | | |
| 12:28 | [M7GNR](https://qrz.com/db/M7GNR) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Barry | | |
| 12:28 | [2W0FLW](https://qrz.com/db/2W0FLW) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Derek | | |
| 12:28 | [ON3QRP](https://qrz.com/db/ON3QRP) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Frank | | |
| 12:29 | [ON7GR](https://qrz.com/db/ON7GR) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Guido | | |
| 12:29 | [M1DLS](https://qrz.com/db/M1DLS) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Joe | | |
| 12:29 | [M0ICR](https://qrz.com/db/M0ICR) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Carl | | |
| 12:30 | [F4ILH](https://qrz.com/db/F4ILH) | 40m | SSB | 58 | 58 | JEAN | | |
| 12:30 | [ON3UA](https://qrz.com/db/ON3UA) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Jurgen | | |
| 12:31 | [GM4WHA](https://qrz.com/db/GM4WHA) | 40m | SSB | 58 | 59 | GEOFF | | |
| 12:31 | [M0HQL](https://qrz.com/db/M0HQL) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Stephen | | |
| 12:31 | [PA2CVD](https://qrz.com/db/PA2CVD) | 40m | SSB | 58 | 59 | Cor | | |
| 12:31 | [M0BKV](https://qrz.com/db/M0BKV) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Damien | | |
| 12:32 | [M6ANW](https://qrz.com/db/M6ANW) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Steven | | |
| 12:32 | [G0FVH](https://qrz.com/db/G0FVH) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | David | | |
| 12:33 | [2W0DSP](https://qrz.com/db/2W0DSP) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Andrew | | |
| 12:34 | [GI4SZW](https://qrz.com/db/GI4SZW) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Shamus | | |
| 12:35 | [G6LKB](https://qrz.com/db/G6LKB) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | David | | |
| 12:35 | [G3VFF](https://qrz.com/db/G3VFF) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Don | | |
| 12:36 | [EA2TW](https://qrz.com/db/EA2TW) | 40m | SSB | 44 | 55 | Jon | | |
| 12:36 | [PD3RL](https://qrz.com/db/PD3RL) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Alex | | |
| 12:37 | [GI0BFD](https://qrz.com/db/GI0BFD) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Alwyn, | | |
| 12:37 | [IK1GCB](https://qrz.com/db/IK1GCB) | 40m | SSB | 55 | 55 | AMEDEO | | |
| 12:39 | [M0DXT](https://qrz.com/db/M0DXT) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | William | | |
| 12:40 | [2E0XGO](https://qrz.com/db/2E0XGO) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Richard | | |
| 12:41 | [DL1MDU](https://qrz.com/db/DL1MDU) | 40m | SSB | 57 | 57 | Dipl. | | |
| 12:42 | [M0JOW](https://qrz.com/db/M0JOW) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | David | | |
| 12:42 | [F5LWF](https://qrz.com/db/F5LWF) | 40m | SSB | 58 | 59 | Bernard | | |
| 12:43 | [EI6KI](https://qrz.com/db/EI6KI) | 40m | SSB | 59 | 59 | Laurence | | |
---
### Author:  [@G8CPZ](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/G8CPZ)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 11:23 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/2 "2023-03-20T11:23:06Z")
> [@M5TEA](#):
>
> a very poor 80m band and much stronger on 40m
I’ve had little luck on the last two activations where I tried 80m - a solar flare for sure on one, maybe both. I see the Band Hopper IV supports 80/40/30/20, a good compromise if one has just the one linked dipole.
But with so many summits being 80m-unfriendly I decided I needed two linked dipoles: I added 60m extensions to my Band Hopper III (40/30/20) and made a separate 80/60 linked dipole for ‘low band activations’ on suitable summits.
---
### Author:  [@M5TEA](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/M5TEA)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 11:27 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/3 "2023-03-20T11:27:50Z")
When I restrung the Band Hopper last time I added 60m links, so technically it is a Band Hopper 5.
One of the massive advantages of the Chameleon is its’ low footprint. I do often research new summits to see if the Band Hopper is going to fit. Yesterday it was strung past the summit cairnstone pile which is far from ideal - I normally try and keep them out of the way. I just wasn’t expecting the footfall.
I’ve had some wonderful chats with folk on 80m in the past, and like to provide the opportunity for folk to get contacts at all distances, but with 40m working so well at the moment it just isn’t necessary.
Regards
Mark.
---
### Author:  [@G6LKB](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/G6LKB)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 12:08 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/4 "2023-03-20T12:08:25Z")
Nice photo’s Mark.
Thanks for the contact on 2m and 40m.
Here are a couple of shots I took in 2012 from The Knott(LDO-079) looking back to
Stickle Pike(Raven’s Cragg) LDO-058 and from Raven’s Cragg across to Stickle Pike(Dunnerdale Fells)
LDO-055
David G6LKB
---
### Author:  [@G6LKB](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/G6LKB)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 12:29 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/5 "2023-03-20T12:29:50Z")
Also Great Stickle LDO-073 from trig point back out to the sea.
---
### Author:  [@M5TEA](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/M5TEA)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 13:02 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/6 "2023-03-20T13:02:42Z")
Great photos Dave, and thanks to you too for your consistent chasing. You are so consistent it is easy to overlook your sterling service to the WOTA community. There have been several summits where you were the only contact.
Cheers, Mark.
---
### Author:  [@GM4WHA](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/GM4WHA)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 13:20 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/7 "2023-03-20T13:20:08Z")
Thanks for both 80m and 40m contacts. Stickle Pike and the other fells in Dunnerdale are not ones i can work on 2m from Annan so was good to get you. Great pictures from Dave to. It is a nice part of the Lake District to.
73’s Geoff GM4WHA
---
### Author:  [@G8CPZ](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/G8CPZ)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 14:38 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/8 "2023-03-20T14:38:48Z")
> [@M5TEA](#):
>
> One of the massive advantages of the Chameleon is its’ low footprint. … I normally try and keep them out of the way. I just wasn’t expecting the footfall
That’s the sole reason I decided to get an HF vertical. Never used one before. Despite the high price, I’m still very pleased I got a Chameleon [MPAS Lite] for its small footprint, robust construction, ease & speed of setup / tear-down and appearance most likely to invite curiosity questions from other walkers .
---
### Author:  [@M5TEA](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/M5TEA)
#### Post date: [20 March 2023 21:17 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/9 "2023-03-20T21:17:38Z")
> [@M5TEA](#):
>
> One of the massive advantages of the Chameleon is its’ low footprint
Mind, I’ve just bought a set of four Chameleon radials (second hand mind, they want £140 for a new set!) so for a better activation it will have a little bit more of a footprint than a single counterpoise.
M.
---
### Author:  [@G8CPZ](https://discourse.wota.xyz/u/G8CPZ)
#### Post date: [21 March 2023 11:06 UTC](https://discourse.wota.xyz/t/just-the-one-mrs-wembley-stickle-pike/422/10 "2023-03-21T11:06:05Z")
Mark, that’s the trouble with being a perfectionist. Me, I know the vertical is a performance compromise compared to my (linked) dipoles but it has all those advantages previously mentioned. I can be bothered only to roll out the one counterpoise.
Having said that, when I first got the MPAS Lite, I took it and my 20/10/6 linked dipole to a local hill to compare Rx on 20m. Switching quickly between them using an antenna switch I found no difference on some sigs, the MPAS slightly better on others, and the LD slightly better on others. That’s good enough for me although I don’t attempt to use the vertical below 10MHz.