Thank you!
Mo and I had a nice day out on one of our favourite mountains, on the nicest part of our favourite island. It was our third ascent of Ben More, Isle of Mull GM/SI-003. Hard going on sodden ground.
At the top, I set up my KX2 and an EFHW, then experienced a pile up to end pile ups! 40 m was buzzing with chasers. Then the WAB squad got wind of my rare square and it started all over! 20 m was tougher with QSB, but I still managed 45 QSO’s overall. Thank you Chasers! Great to work many of the stations that have been there to get me out of the poo in dreadful weather or poor band conditions when I just needed that fourth contact. Big thanks to Ben @GW4BML for the fourth contact and the qualification today. The pile up was so intense, i could not pick out calls, but I heard his distinctive voice.
Sorry if folk were looking for me on 2 m. We were both freezing cold, as the cloud came over and there was a stiff northerly wind. Mo had her full winter down jacket on, hood up and wooly hat on too! Sorry we had to bale @GM4JXP Simon. We nearly always manage a S2S.
I didn’t film the activation. I am actually introverted (honest) and decided I just wanted a simple hike with my wife and to enjoy talking on the radio at the summit. I don’t like a lot of fuss or big occasions.
Later that evening, we celebrated with a lovely seafood platter at Cafe Fish, Tobermory and then a dram back at the cottage.
When I started SOTA in 2021, I judged it would take me ten years to attain MG at my current rate of hill climbing. Little was I to know it would open up a whole new world of Marilyns, encourage me to get out several times a week and also undertake big multi-day hikes that I’d been thinking about for years.
Then I decided to start a youtube channel and somehow ended up on TV!
I’ve met amazing friends on the air, in person and on here & other channels. Thanks for your encouragement.
Finally, a big thanks to the volunteers (MT) who make this the best amateur radio programme on the planet.
73,
Fraser MM0EFI