Activating G/SC-003 on the way home!

Activation Reports
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So…… I had to make an afternoon trip to Bristol Airport on Fri 10th Dec and decided to take the route through Burrington Combe and re-activate G/SC-003 Beacon Batch on the way. However I got delayed and decided to make the trip up to the summit on the return leg home. By the time I got to the parking spot at Ellick House, at around 1715z, it was already dark but the sky was clear and I could see the moonlight was picking out the stones/rocks on the footpath so I made a start thinking it would be easy to make out the path with just 5lux.

Once through the gate I took the path to the left and that was my first error. After checking my position on my phone, I opted to walk across the rough ground to reach the correct path to the north of me…… this was my second error. The ground was covered with pockets of deep vegetation which make the walk difficult. Luckily for me, the moon seemed to be located over the summit so I aimed for it and finally came across a correct footpath which looped round toward the summit so I kept walking. Some 40mins after leaving the car I reached the summit. There was only a light breeze up there and I could see the planes approaching Bristol Airport and also make out the illuminated (Clifton ?) bridge over the channel. The night time view was impressive but impossible to photograph with a mobile phone.

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By the way, the star to the right of the moon is Jupiter (and Saturn was below the horizon).

Photo shoot over, I decided on using the UV-5R /Nagoya and called CQ on 2m FM and some 10mins later, M0CRO came back to me. He was located in S. Bristol so not far at all. Then Matt 2E0FNT/P who was on his way to the Isle of Avalon ARC’s Fri night meet also got back to me. I then struggled for over 20mins and the wind was beginning to pick up. I was getting cold and didn’t have any hot drinks with me this time so was very glad when M6TJA & G8AOJ got back to me in quick succession. Although it felt much longer than 30mins, four QSOs were in the log and I was ready to wrap up. This time I managed to find the correct path back down to the gate and was back at the car in 15mins.

I think it’s time to put a more powerful torch in the go-bag!

73, Lea M0XPO

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You need a torch like mine Lea!

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will it boil water for a cuppa :grinning:

Geoff vk3sq

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Lea, consider yourself Beacon Batched. At least you had moonlight to help you get off down the correct track. By the light of my torch it all looked very much the same and I ended up going the wrong way and having to contour around the hill. All this before cost-effective GPS devices, smart phones and decent torches… well that’s my excuse! :wink:

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Fraser,

Errr…… does that come with a head strap?

73, Lea M0XPO

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Geoff,

I will need to look into this as a cuppa and a Kit-Kat are normally top on my ‘equipment’ list.

73, Lea M0XPO

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Hi Gerald,

I did feel ‘batched’ that evening!

I haven’t got round to buying any GPS bits of kit yet and still rely on OS maps on the iPhone. It does beg the question whether summits are within a mobile signal or not - maybe we should be adding such details to activation reports as well as where to park and what’s the best route etc etc etc.

73, Lea M0XPO

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Details can be added to the summit pages Lea. There’s also lots of information on the Internet, not least on the Hillbagging website, Walkhighlands, Scottishhills, etc. I find parking the biggest issue so usually do a “drive by” on Streetview, which often leads me to exclaim “how the (expletive) do you get a car parked there?” I’m sure lots of hill walkers drive Fiat 500s. Research certainly saves a lot of hassle when you come to do it in person.

73, Gerald

P.S. It was great to work you today on I/LZ-161. Well done on the first activation as well. :grinning:

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