Low-effort activation

M1EYP 2017-09-11 18:07:05 UTC #1

The weather is pretty unpleasant round here this evening, and I can't really be bothered doing the FMAC / UKAC thing on 70cm. However, I've got a drop-off and pick-up to do, and I badly need some exercise.

So, I will attempt to ignore the wind and rain, and walk up to Cloud summit between my taxi runs. I will only have my VX7 handheld, so FM only. If I make any QSOs on 70cm, I will exchange contest details FWIW. But I'll probably do some 2m as well.

M1EYP 2017-09-11 18:31:17 UTC #2

...Though knowing what day it is, is useful...

MM0FMF 2017-09-11 18:37:39 UTC #3

G8TMV 2017-09-11 18:49:38 UTC #4

You could do the 80m Autumn series instead which (I think) is tonight.

73, Colin G8TMV

M1EYP 2017-09-11 19:49:56 UTC #5

I could. But I didn't.

I've just copped for a soaking on Cloud summit! Mind you I'm back in the car with the heater on full and my quick-dry walking clobber is doing what it says on the tin so to speak.

The rain is now incredibly heavy too, so I made the call to descend at the right time.

Just used a VX7 handheld with its helical "rubber duck" antenna. 7 contacts on 2m FM. Got 3, then it started raining. But at that point it seemed I had a pile up! Fortunately it just turned out to be 4 more stations to work through.

Got to pick Liam up at 9.30pm. Might go and see if there's a pub serving decent ale and showing the football!

M1EYP 2017-09-12 09:25:00 UTC #6

A little more effort will go into Thursday evening's 6m UKAC activation. Normally, the interesting stuff on 6m would be very much behind us by September, but there have been some good openings very recently, so you never know. Thankfully, it does look like the monsoon weather will be behind us by Thursday - so, anyone else fancy it? A few 6m S2S would be very nice indeed!

Not bothering tonight (correct date this time) for the 70cm FMAC & UKAC. Haven't got around to repairing my 70cm antenna yet + very heavy rain forecast + Macc Town at home (though that could fall victim to the wx too).

No work today so will try and catch up on things. My database logs and my summits website are both, yet again, well out of date

M1EYP 2017-09-13 20:51:13 UTC #7

Another low-effort activation today. I had some work in the northern suburbs of Stoke-on-Trent, so it was a "blast from the past" time with a nip up The Cloud G/SP-015 on the way home.

There was some blue sky and the clouds didn't look too menacing as I parked up on Cloudside. It was a bit breezy, but when I put my coat on I was too warm, so I removed it and chucked it back in the car. A quick walk to the top, with VX7R handheld in one pocket of my zip fleece, and my logbook and pencil in the other.

First back to my CQ call on 2m FM was Ian G4IKP/A in Telford, and we ended up having quite a natter for ten minutes. As we were signing, I noticed a very sharp dark grey rectangle, about a quarter of a mile wide, dropping from the sky directly down onto Alsager. Further more, it was advancing towards me. The wind picked up - and I didn't have my coat with me!

I called QRZ, and worked Tony G4ERQ - ironically in Alsager - in seconds with a very "rubber stamp" QSO. The rain started to fall. I gave one more QRZ call. It wasn't answered within 3 seconds - so I switched off and began a rapid descent.

Within metres I was back out of the rain, and actually escaped the anticipated soaking.

Two QSOs on a 2m FM handheld with rubber duck. Another classic SOTA activation by M1EYP. Hoping for better weather for tomorrow night's 6m UKAC. But now - I'm off to listen to the Liam Read Show on Upload Radio - http://beta.uploadradio.com/player/wrexhamchesterliverpool/ - or on DAB across Liverpool, Chester & Wrexham.