Mynydd Nodol GW-NW-048

Another fine day for SOTA

Mynydd Nodol GW-NW-048

29/10/2015

Plans to get on to the summit by my alerted time were thwarted by a road traffic accident just outside Machynlleth. A couple of text messages to Barry M0IML and Mike G6TUH ensured that the chasers would be aware of my delay. We arrived at the little quarry as described by Gerald MW0WML on the SOTA mapping project and started our way to the summit along the right hand side of new fence which ends about half way up the mountain. The rest of the route involves a bit of ‘heather bashing’ until you meet a well worn 'sheep track' which takes you past a cairn and eventually to the summit.

My GPS track

Heading for the summit

Wisps of cloud clearing Arenig Fawr

Arenig Fach above Llyn Celyn ..on our way up

Towards the summit

I set up using a fence post as my antenna support with the Bothy bag as a wind break for Val and myself...very cosy :)  I started on 60m and soon had a steady stream of chasers many of which are regular activators...thanks everyone.

12:09z	G4GMA	5MHz	SSB	John
12:14z	G0VWP	5MHz	SSB	Terry
12:15z	G4OBK	5MHz	SSB	Phil
12:16z	G0RQL	5MHz	SSB	Don IO70uv
12:17z	G4AZS	5MHz	SSB	Adrian
12:17z	GW6OVD	5MHz	SSB	Mal
12:18z	G4PWD	5MHz	SSB	Mike
12:18z	G4ZRP	5MHz	SSB	Brian
12:20z	M0JLA	5MHz	SSB	Rod
12:21z	MW0PJJ	5MHz	SSB	Phil
12:22z	G0TDM	5MHz	SSB	John

The Cairn on Mynydd Nodol

I had packed the linear so making sure it was still switched on I was away on 40m after a quick link change with quite a pile-up building up as time went by. I had heard Rob GW4RQJ/p calling on 2m from GW/NW-042 Moel y Gamelin so a ‘stand-by everyone’ was announced and Rob was in the log....thanks everyone including Rob and Audrey.

12:34z	G0TRB	7MHz	SSB	Roger GB2ROC also
12:38z	G6TUH	7MHz	SSB	Mike
12:40z	G6NKL	7MHz	SSB	Derek
12:42z	GW4RQJ/P	144MHz	FM	Rob s2s
12:43z	G0VWP	7MHz	SSB	Terry
12:44z	G4AFI	7MHz	SSB	Andrew
12:45z	G0FEX	7MHz	SSB	Ken
12:46z	M0JZH	7MHz	SSB	John
12:46z	M0IML	7MHz	SSB	Barry
12:46z	G8ADD	7MHz	SSB	Brian
12:47z	PA0ZKP	7MHz	SSB	Sake
12:47z	G4WHA/A	7MHz	SSB	Geoff
12:48z	EA2CKX	7MHz	SSB	Pedro
12:48z	M6RUG	7MHz	SSB	Dave
12:48z	G0TDM	7MHz	SSB	John
12:49z	F6DKO	7MHz	SSB	Didier
12:49z	M1FHM	7MHz	SSB	Alan
12:50z	G4DQB/M	7MHz	SSB	Geoff
12:50z	M0EMM	7MHz	SSB	David
12:51z	PA0HRS	7MHz	SSB
12:51z	G8XYJ	7MHz	SSB	Matt
12:52z	ON4FI	7MHz	SSB	Karel
12:52z	G4GEW	7MHz	SSB	Peter
12:53z	G0HRT	7MHz	SSB	Rob
12:54z	PA3DIP/M	7MHz	SSB
12:54z	G4WSB	7MHz	SSB	Bill
12:57z	PA7ZEE	7MHz	SSB	Geert

GW4VPX on HF...Arenig Fawr distant

So that I didn’t have to drop the mast to change the links for 20m I decided to go onto15m immediately although I did fit my little wire extensions on the 40m link. It was a successful visit to this band with a number of Stateside chasers calling in...thanks.

13:19z	IZ0ARL	21MHz	SSB	Maurizio
13:19z	N4EX	21MHz	SSB	Rich N.Carolinas
13:21z	SV2HXS	21MHz	SSB
13:22z	NE4TN	21MHz	SSB	Walter TN
13:23z	WA2FON	21MHz	SSB	Marc NY
13:25z	K4MF	21MHz	SSB	Gary Florida
13:29z	AC1Z	21MHz	SSB	Robert NH USA

Val checking a Geocache log..we had set up next to the cache

A cup of coffee, a link change and then I visited 20m with another good run of chasers including a contact with Victor GI4ONL who couldn’t resist giving me a surprise on this band :)

13:38z	HB9AGH	14MHz	SSB	Ambrosi
13:41z	OE7WGT	14MHz	SSB	Karl
13:41z	SP9AMH	14MHz	SSB	Mariusz
13:42z	OE6GND	14MHz	SSB	Gerhard
13:42z	OK1SDE	14MHz	SSB	Borek
13:42z	OE6WIG	14MHz	SSB	Franz
13:43z	S58MU	14MHz	SSB	Milan
13:44z	HB9RDD	14MHz	SSB	Christian
13:45z	OK2PDT/P	14MHz	SSB	Jan s2s
13:46z	RA1CW	14MHz	SSB	Yuri
13:47z	GI4ONL	14MHz	SSB	Victor

Now over the last few weeks I’ve noticed a drop in stations answering my call on 2m but nevertheless I spotted myself and gave a few calls on 145.500. Two replies but both were welcomed and it was nice to have the QSOs..thanks.

14:06z	GW3XRM	144MHz	FM	Dave
14:13z	GW1UJU	144MHz	FM	Bryan

 Heading back down to the fence

Arenig Fawr taken on the way home

My activation set up:-  (HF) Yaesu FT817 (5 watts) (4Ah LiPo),  UK-MX 50M linear (for 817) and 12V 9.2 Ah Lithium Ion battery,  3 band link dipole (60/40/20 (+15m+80m extensions),  (VHF) Yaesu FT270 (5watts) into a ‘cable tie’ dipole.. Antenna support - 7m Fishing pole.

Thanks everyone for the contacts, spots and texts :)

73 Allan GW4VPX