Summary of Activation :
- SOTA Summit: GM/SS-166 : Cruach an Lochain : 508m : 2pts +3pts
- Activation Date: Fri-12-Dec-2025
- Callsign used: GM7STP/P
- ALERTS : for 11:00 UTC / time approx. / 145-fm
- SPOTs : 11:42 / 145.500 / QRV … [GM7STP]
and 12:15 / 145.500 / QSY .400. Operator Peter needs contacts ! … [G5OLD] - Equipment for 145-fm :
- Icom ID-52 handheld / Spectrum Comms Slim-G 2m Aerial / Sotabeams Carbon 6.
- Successful QSOs :
- On 145-fm : 145.500/145.400 MHz : Total QSOs = 7
- Including S2S QSOs = 4
- On 145-fm : 145.500/145.400 MHz : Total QSOs = 7
Setting Up :
The summit of Cruach an Lochain has a concrete pillar trig point set on a grassy hill top with some boggy mossy patches nearby. I set up the mast and Slim-G away from the trig point, choosing not to stick the mast down inside the trig point as I reckoned it was a bit too windy; so avoiding snapping my Sotabeams mast again, like I did on The Brack GM/SS-040 ! 
After getting comfortable on my carrymat with a tarpaulin as a bit of a wind break I self-Spotted at 11:42 for 2m fm, about 45mins later than my ALERT estimate.
Operation on 145-fm :
I planned for a long operating duration so was hoping for many 145-fm QSOs. Overall I managed seven QSOs. Three of which were with Tim @G5OLD , 1st, 3rd and 7th QSOs, two S2Ss with @GM5OLD/P from GM/SI-180 and later from GM/SI-040 and one with Tim using his Club callsign @GM6GRG/P on his descent from GM/SI-180. Thanks for the Club call and the two S2S Tim, obviously you’re much fitter than I am ! 
My 2nd QSO was with Chris @MM0UHR/P, another S2S, this one from GM/SS-059, with an R32, S59.
My 4th QSO was with Andy @MM7MOX/P, Andy was with Chris on GM/SS-059, so another S2S for me ! Andy it was great to get you in my SOTA log ! 
Especially as we didn’t manage on 7-ssb from Beinn Lora GM/WS-336 the previous week.
My 5th QSO was with Jack (@GM4COX) as @GB70RS, with a special NOV licence marking the 70th anniversary of the RSGB’s GB2RS news service. A great QSO !
Jack also managed to QSO with Archie @GM4KNU/P on GM/SS-057; but unfortunately Archie and I could not hear each other ! 
… at least we both managed a SOTA QSO with GB70RS !
My 6th QSO was with David @MM3IOB/P, on the Isle of Bute, with R59 and S59 once David called from his car using his Icom E2820. A fun QSO.
My 7th and last QSO of the day, as mentioned above already, was Tim’s 2nd summit of the day !
As I was hoping for at least ten QSOs I continued calling for about another half an hour; but then decided to pack up and head back to the car. So self SPOTted QRT at 15:01.
Overall, another very successful activation. Thanks to all my Chasers and S2S Activators !
Background stuff : Route & Photos :
Route Start : Parking just off the A886 by the gate at start of the track to Cruach an Lochain.
Route to Summit of Cruach an Lochain : SotaMaps GM/SS-166
Distance to Summit : approx. 2.6km over elevation of 508 - 250 = 258m approx.
Wx : Initially cloudy, cleared on the summit, sunny with a cold light wind, gusty at times.
Route :
My starting point is the parking spot by the gate at the start of the track just off the A886.
An easy walk following the forest track up until where the track kinks by a burn, in line with the fence line which continues from the forest all the way to the Lochain. Turning right off the track follow the burn upwards and then duck under the fence at the top. Then simply follow the old fence line up to the Lochain. Once at the Lochain, Cruach an Lochain summit trig point can be seen on the horizon. After passing the Lochain simply follow the fence line and then the old stone wall all the way up to the summit trig point.
Return route taken from the summit was the same in reverse … back down to the car.
Total distance walked was approx. 5.2km to the summit and back with total ascent of approx. 260m.
Above OSMaps-GM7STP-GMSS166-01.jpg : Cruach an Lochain and forest track from the A886.
Above OSMaps-GM7STP-02.jpg : Route : Parking just off the A886, then follow the track then turning right off the track to follow the fence line on up to the Lochain and summit beyond.
Photos :
Above Photo-01-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Parking just off the A886 by the gate at the start of the track.
Above Photo-02-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Start of the track just past the gate.
Above Photo-03-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : At kink in the track go right off the track and up by the burn.
Above Photo-04-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Follow the burn then duck under the fence at the top.
Above Photo-05-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Leaving the forest behind, follow the fence line to the Lochain. Note: Cruach an Lochain is off to the left … so not yet in sight !
Above Photo-06-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Arriving at the Lochain, Cruach an Lochain summit is on the horizon.
Above Photo-07-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Remnants of an old stone wall lead all the way to the summit.
Above Photo-08-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Cruach an Lochain : Summit trig point.
Above Photo-09-GM7STP-GMSS166.jpg : Cruach an Lochain : Operating position just down from the trig point.
Another great day out, successfully activating Cruach an Lochain !
Thanks to all the Chasers and S2S Activators for all the QSOs.
My next ALERT is for GM/SS-167 : Black Hill near Edinburgh.
73 Peter GM7STP
