Wednesday 29 August 2018

GW/NW-009 – Cadair Idris


GW/NW-009 – Cadair Idris  (8 points)

16/08/2018

Three happy Mountain Goats

Today I had the pleasure and honour of being in the company of two SOTA stalwarts with Cadair Idris being our target for the day.  Viki  M6BWA  and Rod M0JLA have been on the SOTA scene for many years and have multiple Mountain Goat status with Viki attaining her accolades both on VHF and UHF…respect.
My GPS track
Mist on top
Turn left here
Rod and Allan (pic by Viki)
The route chosen was the Pony path. Viki strode ahead towards the summit as Rod and I lagged behind and talked incessantly about radio, SOTA and other things on our way up.  Rod made a comment that as he was carrying all the gear and water Viki would not go far, indeed it was not long before we caught up and she joined in the conversation.....very soon we were nearing the summit....time flies when you are enjoying yourself.
Pleasant part of the walk - Viki
Heading for the zig-zag (pic by Viki)
Above the zig-zag (pic by Viki)
Mist rolling down to the valley below
Rod looking at the mist clearing below (pic by Viki)
Still quite a way to go
Summit and Trig in the mist...busy summit
Apart for having to put on our waterproof clothing at the gate at SH 691135 it was one of the most enjoyable ascents I have made in many years.
Viki dealing with a pile-up..Rod enjoying lunch below
Viki MW6BWA/p
No joy on 2m digital (pic by Viki)

We set up away from the summit Trig as it was very busy on top.  We shared the first contacts so that we could all qualify the summit.  Rod and I settled down to lunch as Viki worked through her pile-up.  The words ‘summit to summit’ were heard and the sandwiches were promptly put aside as Rod and I got in line to get the points.

12:03z
M0JDK
144MHz
FM
John..Derbyshire
12:07z
GW4ZHI/P
144MHz
FM
Bryn..Aber Uni carpark..hh 3W
12:10z
GW0PLP
144MHz
FM
Don..nr Aberporth
12:13z
MW0OFA
144MHz
FM
Frank..Blaen Ffos
12:18z
MW3DLA
144MHz
FM
Aled..Newchapel, Pembs
12:33z
GW6OVD/P
144MHz
FM
Mal s2s..GW/SW-011 Sugar Loaf
12:45z
G6MZX/P
144MHz
FM
Geoff s2s..G/WB-009,Worcestershire Beacon

It was inevitable that the contacts would soon come to an end and as it was getting a bit chilly we packed away as soon as Viki had finished her lunch. The walk back down was just as pleasant as the ascent and we all spent some time taking pictures as the sun appeared and pleased to be out of the waterproof gear.
Rod heading down
Brightening up
Craig Cau..Minffordd path to summit
Llyn y Gadair below
Towards Mawddach estuary
Quite accustomed to tourist I should think (pic by Viki)
Summit...looking back

Thank you both for a wonderful day…looking forward to the next one…Val says she’s coming next time.
Thanks everyone for the contacts

73 Allan GW4VPX , Viki MW6BWA and Rod MW0JLA

Wednesday 22 August 2018

GM/WS-146 – Beinn á Chrùlaiste


GM/WS-146 – Beinn á Chrùlaiste

15/06/2018

Another wet one

Storm Hector forced us to cancel our activation on Thursday (14/06/2018) but the winds had eased and only light rain was forecast. Sadly this was to be the last summit of our trip to Scotland.   Rhodri was back with us for this one whilst Val opted to stay in the dry at our rented cottage. GM/WS-146 – Beinn á Chrùlaiste forms part of the Pass of GlenCoe….you can park at NN 221563 Altnafeadh..this car park can fill up very quickly so make sure you are there early..( my GPS track for this summit is on SOTA Mapping). It turned out to be a rather damp activation but nevertheless we enjoyed ourselves.

My GPS track
Getting ready with Stob Dearg GM/WS-044 in the background

Stob Dearg GM/WS-044.. (pic by Rhodri)

Pass of Glencoe

A little higher with Stob Coire Raineach GM/WS-096 
and Stob Dubh GM/WS-079 in view...next year??

Rannoch Moor

On my way to summit.. (pic by Rhodri)

Summit Trig ahead..Barry and Rhodri

12:37z
EI3GYB
5MHz
SSB
Michael
12:39z
G4OBK
5MHz
SSB
Phil
12:39z
G0RQL
5MHz
SSB
Don
12:41z
G0VWP
5MHz
SSB
Terry
12:42z
G3RDQ
5MHz
SSB
David
12:43z
GM4COX
5MHz
SSB
Jack
12:48z
M3FEH
7MHz
SSB
Karl
12:49z
G8ADD
7MHz
SSB
Brian
My Log

The activation
MM0IML/p in QSO

12:35z
G4AFI
5MHz
SSB
ANDREW 4/3
12:37z
EI3GY
5MHz
SSB
MICHAEL 5/9
12:38z
G0RQL
5MHz
SSB
DON 5/9
12:39z
G4OBK
5MHz
SSB
PHIL 5/7
12:40z
G0VWP
5MHz
SSB
TERRY 5/5
12:41z
G3RDQ
5MHz
SSB
DAVID 5/5
12:42z
GM4COX
5MHz
SSB
JACK 5/7
12:47z
M3FEH
7MHz
SSB
KARL 5/5
12:48z
G8ADD
7MHz
SSB
BRIAN 5/7
12:50z
G4IAR
7MHz
SSB
DAVE 5/7
12:51z
PA0INA
7MHz
SSB
4/4
Barry’s Log

Blackwater Reservoir

Heading down in the rain


(HF) Elecraft KX2 (5 watts) and 4Ah LiPo

UK-MX 50M linear and 4Ah LiPo

 Antenna - 3 band link dipole (60/40/20 (+15m extensions +80m loading coils)

Antenna support - 4m Fishing pole.

Thanks everyone for the contacts

73 Allan GW4VPX and Barry M0IML