Gummers How
| WOTA ID: LDO-067 | Height: 321 m (1053 ft) |
|---|---|
| SOTA ID: G/LD-050 | Grid ref: SD390884 |
| HuMP ID: n/a | QTH Locator: IO84MG |
| Book: The Outlying Fells | Lat: 54.287427 Long: -2.937165 |
It was clear from the moment I reached the summit today that I was going to struggle to get the SOTABeams 10m Compact Travel Mast to stay vertical.
The forecast was for 50-60mph gusts on summits, easing during the morning. It took me six attempts to get the SOTABeams Band Hopper IV in the air, and I was only successful after I employed a technique I’ve never used before.
The mast kept collapsing until I guyed it first (on the ground) and then raised it until the guy rope was tight. This meant the guy rope was at a much shallower angle than deploying the guy rope in hand and then feeding it out and pegging it afterwards.
That worked and I didn’t have any more trouble, until I came to take it down and sections took some real working to get undone. Fair dues to the mast however, it survived for another activation!
Parking Location
Woods on the Ascent
Summit from the Path
Highland Cattle and Calves
Lakeside
Clinging to the Benchmark!
It was windy enough when I reached the top that I was struggling to stay upright. I picked a spot that I use a lot which keeps me out of the South-Westerly wind but the mast is still on the plateau.
This was the first time out for the IC-705. I ended up cutting a couple of holes in the Manfrotto camera case that has become its’ new home. One hole takes the microphone lead and the other a switch I have included inline between the LifePo4 4200 mah battery that sits in the case below the 705 and the rig to provide 10w power.
I was a little unsure of the IC-705 as an activation rig but I have to say usability is first class and it was a real pleasure to use. Moving between activator frequencies when attempting SOTA S2S was really easy and I appreciated the waterfall in finding a free frequency both on HF and on VHF FM when the channel I was using was suffering from QRM.
First summit outing for the IC-705
Holes cut in the case for microphone storage and power switch
Lowered antenna height to normal
Lots of visitors
With the antenna finally stable I found the bands to be very lively with lots of activity on both 20m and 40m. Inter-G was working well on 40m (getting contacts with UK operators) which probably explains why 60m and 80m were quieter. Lots of HF contacts due to this being a SOTA Summit.
HF contacts included Phil @G4OBK who also helped out by finding my WAB square to communicate on and Geoff @GM4WHA who was quiet but perfectly readable on 80m.
My 2m contacts included two at the end with @G7CDA Douggie and @G1OHH Sue using DSTAR DV point-to-point, first for me (and Sue I believe).
| TIME | CALLSIGN | BAND | MODE | RST | RSR | OPERATOR | SIG | REF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 | MW0OFA | 80m | SSB | 57 | 55 | Frank | ||
| 12:31 | GM4WHA | 80m | SSB | 51 | 41 | GEOFF HARPER | ||
| 12:32 | 2E0FEH | 80m | SSB | 51 | 44 | Karl Kruger | ||
| 12:39 | G1OHH | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | Susan Griffin | ||
| 12:43 | G7CDA | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | Douggie Lancaster | ||
| 12:45 | G0LWU | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | Andrew Charles Scar | ||
| 12:47 | G6AEK | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | David Molyneux | ||
| 12:50 | M0SSD | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | George | ||
| 12:52 | G4ZRP | 2m | FM | 55 | 55 | Brian | ||
| 12:54 | M1DHA | 2m | FM | 59 | 59 | Alan | ||
| 12:56 | G7CDA | 2m | DSTA | 59 | 59 | Douggie Lancaster | ||
| 12:58 | G1OHH | 2m | DSTA | 59 | 59 | Susan Griffin |
One other contact to highlight: PE1OAD/MM was on his ship north of the Netherlands. He must have one of the coolest callsign locations ever! Total of 76 contacts.
Inter-G Contacts
Lots of SOTA S2S today