Just a note for tomorrow, I am going to do a test of my mast and antenna at EI/IE-072, Ben of Howth.
I don’t have my new radio or 2m band pass filter yet, but don’t have another opportunity to set up a test before the big day.
I’ll be running a 7.5m telescopic mast with a Slim G antenna and a Tidradio H3.
Lots of 2m QSOs (instead of the usual 1 if I’m lucky!) would be greatly appreciated so I can see if my antenna is working. Not had a QSO with it yet. Also have an RH770 as backup.
Time TBC, I’ll spot myself.
Any tips for summits with transmitters would be greatly appreciated. If the interference is very bad, I’ll move down to the Summit car park, which is still in the SOTA scope.
It should be okay there, Ian. There are no powerful TX on Ben of Howth, just regular service providers. Although lowish, you should still get to GI or GW from there, Dublin should be good too (matter of availability, naturally). Thanks for today’s QSO BTW, the band was very quiet, so I’ve only managed to get 6 QSOs logged.
73 de EI4JY, Alex
P.S. What time are you at there? I may get out to the shore for a test.
Thanks for the QSO too! I was determined to get someone on 2m or 70cm. I make a point of it every time I’m outside on the radio! Very surprised to get you from so far away too, line of sight can throw up surprises!
Thanks for the advice on Ben Of Howth. I’ve ran every inch of Howth trails when I trained for the Kerry Way ultramarathon a couple of years ago. Never done radio there though.
I’ll spot on SOTA Watch, DX Watch etc. Not sure what time yet, probably early afternoon-ish.
Wish I had the new HT and filter but oh well. I’m flat out the rest of the month so can’t get back up that way.
I will be ASTONISHED if I pick up anyone across the water! I’d love to hear folks tomorrow, would be lovely! Anyone at all on 2m, I’m not fussy!
Any tips by the way on the Slim G? It makes my mast bend like mad at the top so should I attach it and drop the top slim section?
Best of luck Ian, I’ll try to check with SOTA Watch and get out of the house to the marina. That is almost a Line of Sight to Howth from Greystones. Ironically, I can do fairly decent HF on my indoor aerial, but no VHF from home
Can’t comment on a Slim Jim, there should be plenty of knowledgeable folks using it though.
Hi Ian, I don’t use the top thin section on my 4 or 6m poles with my Slim Jim as they bend too much. I don’t think it makes any real difference to results.
73 John
Totally agree with you, the bend is unreal. More concerned with snapping the pole than anything.
How do you fix the Slim G on to the wider sub sections? I was thinking carabiner, like I normally use, through the string at the top of the Slim G.
Then drop the top section and just let the carabiner take the weight? Maybe a velcro strap to secure it a little? Or a small piece of guy line wrapped around tight?
Solid S9 in Greystones! Your setup is definitely working
On my end I was using a TH-F7E HT, 5W and a telescopic 1/4.Thanks for the QSO Ian !
73 de EI4JY
Oh really? I’ve never experienced RFI out there. Just watch out for 25 vertical meters activation zone if you are moving away from the actual summit. Check with SOTA Goat app.
