Well, i had intended being up on Ingleborough for around 10:00UTC, due to having to wait to set off until the XYL brought the car back from dropping lad off at school (wanted to use hers as its diesel and hasnt got antennas all over it!). Things didnt go quite to plan due to roadworks in Harrogate then every slow truck and tractor that could be on the A65!
The walk up from Clapham was a bit of a slog, but i made decent time on the walk. A quick SMS to my friend Andy G7PZL secured a first spot, but he was (bless him!) a bit over eager, and my request for it to say QRV in 1h translated into on-air now! So by the time i’d reached the summit, made a brew, had a sandwhich, and switched on, the chasers were like coiled springs! My first CQ was greeted by at least three stations all calling at once!
Up on the summit, there was a steady breeze blowing, but it served to keep the edge off the sun! Sadly the views were spoilt by haze. Initially there were many ‘tourists’ on the summit, but these soon cleared leaving just myself and a few more ‘serious’ looking walkers
The activation was qualified within 6mins, and they were coming thick and fast for the first quarter of an hour, often doubling. Im sure it was Andys spot that did it. My equipment consisted only of an Alinco DJ-F1 2m FM handheld, and a ‘super-rod-2’ 1/2w telescopic whip, running just 3W.
After the initial flurry, i had to start fighting for them a bit more!I finally worked Andy himself over at Emley Moor after 50mins. We did a few little tests, and discovered that, although i was practically unreadable, he could receive me on just 100mW!
Possibly the highlight of the day, was when, part way through a QSO, i heard aircraft engine noise, swiftly followed by a black Tucano out of RAF Valley powering over the summit at no more than 100ft! before banking away to the south, if he hadnt banked to port im sure i could have looked in the pilots eyes!
I finished off at 14:00UTC, best DX being into Flintshire, some 70miles or so. A total of 17 QSOs were made from the summit. Had my lunch, and set off back down on the rest of the 11mile circular route i was following. As with my previous activation from Rombalds Moor, SOTA was secondary to my real reason for being on the hill - training for the three peaks on the 25th!
A final QSO was made, when well off the hill and on the path from Sulber pot back to Clapham, and a pleasent ragchew was had with a welsh amateur, who happened to be on holiday in a campsite nearby. A text home to say i was on my way and to put a beer in the fridge, led to me eventually enjoying a pint of Black Sheep in a hot bath!
Next activation - Kinder Scout
Martin G7MRV