Unfortunately you’ll be behind my local lump. Enjoy the activation - I look forward to hearing how you get on.
For those interested in the use of vertical polarisation for VHF SSB, I used my 5 element 2m beam on slant polarisation on three HEMA summits last week and it certainly seemed to help the chasers with vertical antennas while not presenting any detectable compromise for those with horizontal antennas. The icing on the cake was being able to go to FM without having to faff around with the antenna. I shall certainly be using slant polarisation again, so watch out for more hideous photos in my reports.
I have an affliction called “work” that is taking up my time then. Worse, “Young, Mr. Grace” is paying a visit so we have to appear to be busy and enjoying what we do.
Might not be… a recent Dilbert had a good version of the answer to a boss’s impertinent question, like “what does this do” and his answer was “you wouldn’t understand”. I think that is not so much “employment limiting”, it’s more a “retirement advancement” step, if you’re looking for one. Good luck with that!
Looks a nice day for it at present. Never done WB-009 by train but the Craven Arms hills make a nice interesting long walk and Caer Caradoc is just as easy by train as by car - adding Pole Bank makes a day of it.
Unfortunately my Yagi is on the lawn and with more strong wind forecast I don’t feel inclined to put it back up so ducked the UKAC last evening. The collinear is still in place so maybe a cross-polarized contact will work. I will keep a lookout. Have a good day.
73,
Rod
Many thanks for the contacts on 2m and 70cm really appreciate you giving it a go! I like the idea of Pole Bank and Caer Caradoc by train I’ll put it into my pending list…
Generally the activation was a great success (apart from the trains getting me to Malvern an hour later than planned due to cancelled and delayed services :-s ) thanks to members of the stalwart band of regular chasers G0NES, G0RQL and M0JLA with the assistance of relative newcomer M5OTA, and G4HSK and G1RWA so many thanks to all for your support
Glad to make the contacts, Paul. Yagi still on the ground awaiting the departure of Dennis.
As the same trains go through Hereford and Crewe (S Wales to the North) Craven Arms and Church Stretton are easy. (As long as you choose a train that stops ) Most of the E/W lines got cut off in the 60s by the infamous Dr.B. and there are no trains to the West at all. (Well, there is a line near MW-009 but… ) I have planned SW-019 by train too and SW-011 and -016 would not be too difficult. Vicki, M6BWA, used buses to WB-004, SW-011 and SW-041 when I was laid up for a few weeks.
73,
Rod
We had no idea that the route was so well established, Richard. We chose it as a s2s opportunity - but I forgot my handy The walk is more pleasant than the View Edge and Callow Hill one; but that has Stokesay Castle (which alternatively provides parking if you are doing View Edge the long way and remember to get back by 18:00 local time).
73,
Rod
I use a SG-Labs transverter for 23cm and drive it with my KX3 with the 2M module. All mode on 2M and 23cm - no problem that it is only 3W out. I add an Arrow yagi for 2M and rotate for H-Pol on SSB and v-pol on FM. For 23 cm I use a 10 element yagi that is easily rotated from h- pol to v-pol.
Rotating from v-pol to h-pol is easy when standing next to the antenna at elevation; but may be harder when a ham is at their home qth and the antennas are on masts.
) Most of the E/W lines got cut off in the 60s by the infamous Dr.B. and there are no trains to the West at all. (Well, there is a line near MW-009 but… ) I have planned SW-019 by train too and SW-011 and -016 would not be too difficult. Vicki, M6BWA, used buses to WB-004, SW-011 and SW-041 when I was laid up for a few weeks.
The walk is more pleasant than the View Edge and Callow Hill one; but that has Stokesay Castle (which alternatively provides parking if you are doing View Edge the long way and remember to get back by 18:00 local time).