Hi to all once again.
I really enjoyed the rally - again it was the people and not the products, though I did get quite a few WAB pens and a cup. I thought the fiver was well worth it even for just the afternoon.
Sad that our good friend Roy could not be there. Poor Roy is not good on mobility these days and has other problems which make it difficult to leave home. However, thanks for Roy’s card which was organised by Andy MM0FMF and which was signed by all the SOTA stand passers by. I took it along today and he really appreciated the fact that so many people cared. Unfortunately I went there this evening and he’s fallen again. Soft landing so no damage done on this occasion thankfully.
Many thanks to NARSA for their hard work and to those who organised and manned the stands (including SOTA and WAB) for us to enjoy and as a centre point to meeting up with our friends. Thanks to Audrey for the cakes too. A tradition that we’d be all the poorer without.
Judging by the names on Roy’s card I missed quite a few by not being there until 1pm. The price of activating in the morning.
Missing their photos being taken this year: Paul G4MD; Gerald G4OIG; Stuart G0MJG; Emily 2E1AEQ; Carolyn G6WRW; Helen M0YHB; Edward 2E0NSR; Mike G4BLH; Adrian G4AZS; Allan GW4VPX and Keith G0OXV.
(If anyone wants to know what they look like, you might find some of the above on last year’s report for G/NP-004 & Blackpool Rally… G4YSS: G/NP-004 & Blackpool Rally, on 10th April 2016)
Setting up on G/NP-022 for two hours in the morning was rewarding with 29 stations in the log. Out of those approx. 20 were either on their way to the rally, about to set off or were already there waiting for the doors to open. There will be a report for NP22 in due course. It was a good choice overlooking the M6 as it does.
While I remember. Thank you for the Beaufighter grid reference Geoff (G6MZX). I hope to look for that.
Camera (a prize from a Christmas cracker?) and photographer not up to much but here’s the few I brought home:
Above: SOTA co-founder Richard G3CWI practicing his sales technique. Too good apparently - he’d sold out of Wolfwaves by noon!
Above: Our SOTA DX expert Mike 2E0YYY still trying to retire from selling batteries but never quite getting there. He must love it. On the cusp of 100 SOTA antipodean S2S’s and 1000 VK contacts! Hope I got that right?
Above: Neil Neil is G0WPO who with Mike, explained the virtues of LifePo batteries to me.
Above: Rob G4RQJ & Audrey having ‘escaped.’
Above: Rob & Audrey ‘recaptured.’ Take care of that eye Rob!
Above: Andy MM0FMF (SOTA Database Mgr.) with the much appreciated card for Roy G4SSH. Simon G4TJC (SOTA MT) seated, supervising the cakes and showing admirable will power.
Above: Sue G1OHH, Mum, Grandma, Great Grandma from Lancaster and a banker on 2m-FM
Above: Geoff GM4WHA (or G4WHA/A from the computer shop) with Sue. A recent move to the Carlisle shop from Penrith has rather cramped Geoff’s reputation for instant response to activators.
Above Group (L to R): Martyn M1MAJ and Caroline M3ZCB (often with an ‘M’ inserted in their callsigns). Eileen G7GQM (available in dire emergencies - the 3 QSO scenario) with John G0TDM (another attentive chaser) and Geoff.
Above: A good one of Martyn and Caroline (M1MAJ & M3ZCB)
Above: New acquaintances to me (though I’ve worked them numerous times) Ken & Christine GM0AXY and GM4YMM, regular SOTA ops from Edinburgh. Great to meet you two at last!
Above: G0EVV - more often /P and using power; having enjoyed a ‘complete’ moment /M on the way to the rally. (NP22)
Above: Geoff G6MZX, Craven Radio Club callsign holder, who (like me) enjoys a spot of WW2 aircraft archeology and Colin M1BUU (ex M0CGH) who (also like me) loves Standard Ten’s.
Above: Dave G3TQQ from Pickering and fellow Scarborough Amateur Radio Society member.
Above: Dave G3TQQ, Nick G4OOE (also ZC4EE) from Scarborough and Dave G3TQQ proving that he can run faster than the speed of light. (Actually Dave’s twin brother Philip.)
Above: Dave G4IAR and Paul M1AIB manning the WAB stand; selling pens, cups and book numbers. Thanks Dave - I will try your suggestion soon ref the OV00 report. Hope I left you with enough pens for the rest of the rally.
Above: Judith G4IAQ (XYL of Dave G4IAR) and an officer in BYLARA. Sorry Judith, this was unfair play. No warning at all! Enjoyed our excellent chat. Sad I missed the party!
Above: BYLARA members Helen M0TMD (SOTA Activator and chaser from Glossop) with Sharon 2E0SHZ, seen after their party. Good party by the look of things!
Above: Helen and (OM) Simon (M0TMD & G4TJC). SOTA activators.
Well, that’s it for another year. Super day out!
73, John
G4YSS
(GX0OOO/P)
Please report errors. I’ve found loads!
