So, at last I’ve got it failed! After over three years of smooth, no failure VHF only activations I am getting no points for this one! Well, I know the activation is actually successful, this is only me who failed to qualify
Gibbet Hill is not particularly difficult summit for VHF, it also has good E-SE opening. I’ve been there twice in the past and managed to qualify. The problem I’ve noted this time was fairly heavy 2m QRM from nearby solar panel/wind farm etc. Literally that gave me only a small clearance to the East where I was able to point my beam to. Weirdly, I don’t recall any serious RFI from my previous activations.
I’ve started with fM, Don @GW0PLP answered almost straight away and that gave me an indication of a good start. Alas, nothing happened on FM in the next 10 minutes so I’ve moved to SSB/CW. I’ve spent there maybe 20 minutes CQing to no avail, heard GB3VHF beacon at JO01EH once again. Then back to FM, got Frank @GW1OFA as my second contact.
After moving back to CW I’ve heard a morse at around 25WPM on .050, but that lasted for just couple of seconds and after I’ve rushed to put my headphones on the mysterious operator never returned.
If you ever heard the old comms GUHOR acronym (it bears couple of meanings: Heavy delay or I don’t hear you) that is exactly how can I describe the day
The good thing was I’ve tested my operational bag and made notes what needs to be tweaked. Also, to my surprise operating a straight key wearing heavy winter gloves is not a problem!
I saw your alerts come up but saw you were in Waterford and knew I’d have no chance. I wonder if you had a band pass filter it would help with that tower nearby?
Fair play heading out. It was a chilly one this morning!
I always thought the 857 and 817 RX stages were the same. The 817 is a bullet proof radio in that it works without extra filters on some of the summits in the UK that turn most handies to mush. If it’s being affected then could the interfering signals actually by inband and not close by frequencies?
Yeah, service manual says same high-pass/low-pass filters chain. Perhaps that was inband RFI. The beam has helped to find a clear window, but it could be a disaster with anything omni directional.
It actually is! I was on a speaker and not expecting anything too much so only heard a Morse string without even trying to understand what is in it And after I put my headphones on ready to listen it was gone and never came back. Now thinking it could perhaps be a reflection from a plane …
Hi Alex, Sorry to hear you had a failed activation, Did you put an alert up so people would listen for you? Glad I heard and worked you as I was just about to pull the plug. I had a hospital appointment 30 miles away so had to rush off. But I did put a spot up for you giving all your details etc and plans to also do SSB & CW. I’m a straight key operator as well an often send the odd dodgy letter Hi!!
Cheers Don! Your help is greatly appreciated! I was also self spotting myself, flooding the spots page, to no avail, alas. Perhaps people just weren’t on air. Can’t complain though, still good experience!
I am hoping to get to Howth single pointer EI/IE-072 today around midday to rehabilitate Same setup: 2m FM/SSB/CW 20W 3el Yagi, so if you are listening hope we get another one!
