Well, I managed 5 QSOs on 160m to qualify the summit, plus a duplicate with Mark on SSB and then CW. Three of them S2S with Mark G0VOF/P, Carolyn G6WRW and John GX0OOO/P.
It was very interesting to a 160m newbie. I spent a lot of time listening around, but couldn’t get my 5 Watts heard by many of the stations that I called.
Most of those that I called were several S points over the noise at least. 5 Watts is a couple of S points down on 100 Watts, so I guess the problem is either a low efficiency antenna at my end (too close to the ground) or high noise level at their end, or perhaps both.
The hastily built antenna seemed to work to some extent. Having dithered for days, I bought a 100m reel of wire from Maplin on Thursday evening - eye watering price, but that will teach me to plan ahead!
I unrolled it, and doubled it up, making 50m. Working from the looped end, I taped the wires together every 30cm or so, for an estimated ten metres. This made the twin feeder, and left two 40m wires to stretch out for the dipole. No measuring involved, and no joints to get wet or fracture. I then cut the loop, and bared the wire ends to connect to the ATU. I didn’t think of trying it without ATU, until I had taken it down…
It was supported at the centre at approx 7.5m
A full length 160m dipole is a bit of a beast, and I can think of many other summits where deployment would be a real challenge. The loaded dipole certainly appeals.
Callow Hill has a nice level ridge, with neatly nibbled turf, and plenty of small trees to tie things to!
Great fun,
Oh, yes, the eclipse. Well, I forgot to take any viewing technology, so had to tear a page from my log book and potch a hole in it with the pen, to form a pin hole lens. It served well enough :o)
Adrian
G4AZS