Activation Reports for a couple of 1 point North Wales summits
GW/NW-053 Moel Gyw 15/09/2010
Following on from my minor operation on the heel, I saught permission from both my Physio and GP who agreed this would be good leg stretching so long as I took my time.
So setting off in plenty of time,as this and the other later in the day are close to home QTH. Traffic was reasonably quiet as I arrived at Clwyd Gate park spot. Leaving the car with the wind howling but looking like it would stay dry. Last time I went up this one I found it steep and long walk up to trig, this time no such problems. Following well defined path to signpost then turning sharp left to top,arriving in the ferocious wind I set up quickly and sat with the trig giving me some protection.
I had posted that I would be experimenting with an FT290R and 25 watt amp that I had tweaked,but then realising I had not put the correct battery connections on the amp. The wind was too much to start messing with connections so just decided to run with the rig power and see how it goes. after some shouting I decided to self spot and “Ol faithful” G4USW came back with just a 5-1 both ways. 4 more on 2m ssb all went quiet so switched to 2m fm and got 6 more calls in the log. The best contact of the day was G0TRB who was coming in on back of beam with a 5-7 giving me a 5-5 report.(well done to the nearly antique radio). 11 contacts in total and with the wind still not easing. I decided that 4m fm could not be started today as the pole in that wind would probably cause problems if I put it any higher. Enjoyed my slow descent looking at the wonderful views from such a short hill.
After driving to the next park spot, in the true spirit of a “EYP” activation, I had a flask containing Baxters Carrot and Butterbean soup which was surprisingly hot since I had heated it at 7am and it was now 12 midday. warm and very welcome it was too!
GW/NW-076 Mynydd Y Cwm 15/09/2010 The QTH Locator for this is IO83HG if the admin team can add it to the Summits details page after verifying it??
This was planned to be done only if I felt OK from 053 earlier,which I did. Parking in the spot at the start of the path and following it up(not really up much), reaching the fork to go left and then watching for the path off to the right,finding it with ease. Reaching trig stone pile,and finding remnants of a fire,no doubt this hill is used by local youths to have a party on. I don’t remember the two crosses being here last time,and I am surprised the well constructed and engraved one has survived any vandalism. Not expecting too much off this one with its tree cover and not good take off,I set up with beam just below branches above,only about 8 foot off the ground. again a bit of calling on 2m ssb with no reply, so self spotted and our good friend G6ODU came right back. 2nd in the log was G4BLH who I had not heared for some time,good to hear you up there Mike. G0TRB came in 3rd. Best contact of the day was g0WTD, Tom in Bolton area giving me 5-9 both ways,I suspect it was his 9 ele beam that done the trick. Quiet on ssb so switched to FM and after a good 5 mins of calling with no comebacks decided they were all having their dinner so dismantled everything. THEN I discovered why no comebacks on fm, again connection problems, the centre coax alligator clip had come apart with the coax not making contact and I am glad I was only giving 2.5 watts into it. again I thought shall I get my HH out,but decided I had done enough to qualify,sorry to anyone waiting for me on 2m fm. simple descent back to car and analysing that this was a good leg stretch today and hopefully will get to full fitness soon.
Thanks to all who did get me and again experiment went well for radio so it could certainly come up some more hills with me.
Best 73
Tony