Just wanted to say thanks to Reg @2e0ldf for the contact from Low Fell on what, I think we can all agree, was not the best of days to be on the fells! I suspected it was a difficult path to Red Screes, and TBH it just proves that Alex’s @g7kse design of flowerpot antenna really does work. We made the contact with significant rock (Grasmoor) in between, regardless of the 29km path! I was using an FT1XD 5w with the flowpot mounted on the rucksack.
Hi Mark it was a pleasant surprise to get you on Red Screes on a poor day and good to see you are finding more time to get out. Alex’s version of a flower pot antenna works well
once again a big thank you for all the hard work you put in on the WOTA site with out you it would die a death we all need to be more active next year
Hi Mark,
It proves radio signals dont travel in straight lines in the Lake District! I have chased quite a few summits and i wonder how i made contact with the activator especially when there is so much rock in the way!
I remember working you on 2m from home when you were on Stavely Fell LDO-084 on the 20th August 2020 and we wondered how we made contact!
I have found propagation on 2m very interesting in the Lake District.
Geoff GM4WHA
Hi, Reg and Mark
I love these progagation anecdotes (and impressive graphics)! The 2m signals must get reflected and/or refracted.
I support Reg’s acknowledgement of your efforts, Mark. Vital and much appreciated. good point about being active in WOTA in 2025 too. 73, Phil
Mark .
I heard you calling CQ just before I had the contacts with Reg and Alan at about 10:45 at about an S5 on the yaesu ft65 with flexible whip antenna , but lost you when you left the calling channel . I also heard Geoff GM4WHA on a strong signal as well .
Wasn’t sure I’d have got Reg on Low Fell but I took the radio any way and made the contacts quite well . Being in an aluminium boat on Bassenthwaite lake may have helped ?
Richard.
Congratulations on your signal @GM4WHA Geoff - when on Red Screes with the flowerpot antenna I could hear you working Reg very clearly, a true 59 signal. We had already worked on 40m.
Regards, Mark.
Thanks for taking the handie Richard, you are doing activators a real favour by just providing the opportunity for a contact. I think the North Lakes is still fairly well served by folk who have a radio turned on ‘just in case’ but with both Douggie and Sue now on somewhat compromised antennas the number of folk who will guarantee you a contact in the South Lakes has definitely taken a dip.
On that note I have asked on the SOTA forums about the best option moving forward to improve my chasing capabilities - either a new colinear with improved gain or a yagi. I was thinking of a vertically polarised YAGI on a rotator as the best option moving forward, either way will involve some expense, but I’d also like potentially to try a receive loop antenna on HF which was also benefit from a rotator.
The post is here if anyone is interested in the ongoing discussion.
@G4OBK Phil, with his excellent knowledge, has provided the most convincing argument for YAGI over longer colinear so far.
Regards, Mark.
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Yes . In the relatively short time I’ve been doing summits compared to most of you I soon became familiar with the regulars which are often more noticeable by their absence .
From home for VHF / UHF my path East to most fells is blocked by a hill behind the house , couple of minutes in the car or walk up the fields gets me on top of it , it’s a superb spot and I go up there to chase occasionally if I can .
Managed to work a few summits when fishing in the lakes, the handy takes up little room in the bag and is a good excuse to pursue two hobbies at once ! It also keeps my mate amused , who fails to see the attraction of shouting a load numbers and letters at each other into a radio ?
Richard…
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