Activation report for the two Clee’s

[MW0PDV]

Below are both activation reports for Brown Clee Hill, G/WB-002 and Titterstone Clee Hill, G/WB-004, from earlier this week.

Brown Clee Hill SOTA Avtivation

Titterstone Clee Hill SOTA Activation

[G5JFJ]

Good to get you for both.

I went and did them yesterday evening and found some desense with my FT-65 on the Titterstone Clee, so it must be a new thing.

Looks like you picked a better route up the Brown Clee, I went the footpath route in the dark and it was very muddy. Tarmac sounds much better.

Cheers,

Jared G5JFJ

[MW0PDV]

@G5JFJ

Good to get you for both.

Likewise, thanks for the chase on both summits.

@G5JFJ

some desense with my FT-65 on the

That’s interesting, I least wasn’t just me

[MW0PDV]

@G5JFJ

found some desense with my FT-65 on the Titterstone Clee, so it must be a new thing.

I was looking for information about this and found the quote below on the reflector from 15 years ago. It was a discussion about interference on Titterstone Clee Hill, I assume it’s still relevant today.

@GM4LLD

I think you’ll find it’s the 5 channels of 16GW erp each on 24cms that does the damage more so than the antenna polarization. That’s 80GW erp for those who count slow! Enough to upset most electronic devices.

I also found this news article from the summer about plans to upgrade the equipment.

'Big golf ball' at Clee Hill radar site to be replaced - BBC News

[GM4LLD]

I’ve found my 705 to be remarkably good in areas of high RF pollution. Likewise 817 family radios.

[G8TMV]

@G5JFJ

I went and did them yesterday evening and found some desense with my FT-65 on the Titterstone Clee, so it must be a new thing.

As others have said - it’s been like it for many years. I usually use HF on Titterstone, it’s not as if there is a shortage of space! The activation area extends East from the Trig Point almost to the lip of the old quarry. It’s also a short and easy walk, especially if you park near the gates to the Radar Compound and follow the footpath round the compound fence.

When I was there last (a couple of weeks ago) I met up with John G0MHF. He was using 2m and had a lot of trouble with noise and de-sense. It doesn’t seem to affect the lower bands (60m & 40m) at all.

73 Colin

[M9WRD]

Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading those reports. I like to do both Clee Hills together in the winter as well, some easy bonus points

That tarmac path up to Brown Clee Hill is a blessing, although I always park about half a mile south-east further down Park Gate road as that gate has a no parking sign on it. The parking isn’t marked on an OS map but on Google Maps it’s labelled as ‘Brown Clee Roadside Parking’. It’s a good spot but does add a little bit to the walk!

[MW0PDV]

@M9WRD

Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading those reports. I like to do both Clee Hills together in the winter as well, some easy bonus points

Thanks

@M9WRD

Gate road as that gate has a no parking sign on

I was careful to park well clear of both the gates. I did notice the parking spot you mention as I was leaving.

[G0MHF]

It was nice to meet you on T C Hill the other week, Colin. Yes, I was having blocking etc problems with my FT65 until I put on my Sotabeams 2m filter.
I didn’t have this problem on my three previous activations, so perhaps circumstances here have now changed. I’ve needed the filter on Brown Clee in the past.
Edited-ps-I see the new radome etc is to be situated on our operating position! Never mind, the AZ is big enough here to find a new speck to operate.
73 all & a Happy Christmas!
John.