Today was brilliant. If there could be a perfect day for a hike/trail run/generalpootleization, this has to rank up there.
The weather was absolutely sensational, the views spectacular and from a radio experience the best was to come…
It all started two nights previous, post coastal trail run at Loughshinny. I was testing my gear ready for Saturday. I got an IC-705 recently and haven’t spent much time getting to know it yet, so I wanted to prepare in advance so I could operate reasonably above par (for my very basic skill level) once on the summit.
So on Thursday and Friday I went all out and done two POTA activations and made adjustments to settings to learn how to set gear up, pack away in the new Savotta bag (incidentally, what a thing. Best money I’ve ever spent on a bag and I’m already adding modular components to it for other stuff later in the year) and decide on which antennas to take.
It went well. Thursday saw a full VHF activation:
Total 16 QSO’s on 2m FM and CW. The map doesn’t show bunched up QSO’s in default view. Note I used my own home made paddle for the CW part. 
CW4LIFE! 
Friday night after work I went back with some slight adjustment to kit. I also brought Le Slug Rouge but decided last minute not to bring it on the SOTA as the radials may sprawl in people’s way.
Total 21 QSO’s across 2m and 70cm FM but not CW sadly, I did try though! Also a handful of contacts on 40m but conditions were poor and it was close to closing time and the gate is an auto lock at 9pm so I had to pack up.
I did have this great view on my way home last night though. 
So, to the big day. Up bright and early. Even before Mini Frank Zappa, which is a first. Mini Ted Nugent was away this weekend doing schtuff. V60 and brekkie beckoned and were scoffed quickly.
A wash, clean pants, a dollop of Blue Stratos (as it was a special day) and a generous helping of Insignia talc and it was time to go.
I had activated Djouce already back in May and have chased it as well so the summit is a complete for me.
That wasn’t the point. I wanted to go because I like the hike, I like the summit and I like amateur radio.
Also, the activation may help someone looking for a chase or a complete so if I could help in some small way then great!
The hike up was smooth and uneventful. The views crystal clear and panoramic. I made sure to stop at Lough Tay though (aka Guinness Lake as it looks like a pint of the black stuff) -
Before reaching the summit I took a few more snaps, including the old girl, The Great Sugar Loaf (and sibling Little Sugar Loaf) off in the distance:
Approaching the trig:
After summiting, I had a quick slug of agua and got to work. A dual antenna setup to kick things off, as per my trials during the week. Only difference is I took my RHM-12 for HF that I used on Two Rock Mountain last weekend.
I got started on 2m FM with the Slim G, running 10 Watts through the 705. 4 contacts in 4 minutes. First 2 were S2S!
Activation complete!
I could have packed up and gone home then. 
After 8 contacts on 2 FM I switched to HF. Straight to 12 metres for a bit of Midnight Runners action. 7 contacts in about 10 minutes before the band seemed to fill its pants.
Time to switch.
11 more on 20 metres CW and then for the laugh I switched to SSB…
5 more on 20 metres SSB until…
“Foxtrot Four… Whiskey Bravo Novembeeeear…” (my best Rene from Allo Allo French Accent).
OH. MY. GOD. No way. After a lot of portable radio activities (not much SOTA, granted, but I try my best) I finally bagged Christian @F4WBN on SSB! 
I wasn’t expecting that! I thanked Christian for the QSO (and told him England to win the world cup, so I am probably blacklisted now by him 
) and moved to 40m very pleased with myself! (NOTE: Unless F4WBN does FT8, that should make me F4WBN Complete as I have him on CW too ).
After a lengthy dose of HF I switched back to 270 for a bit to try and mop up some more contacts if possible. The contacts came in nicely, including my buddy Keith @EI5KO and John @GW4TQD , I also got a rare EJ station, Michael @EJ6IRB operating off an island near Dalkey. Nice!
I was getting a bit worried though that VHF/UHF leg-end Don @GW0PLP wasn’t around this weekend. But sure enough, he came in at last orders for a swift pint of 2 metres FM and a CW chaser!
Don’s 70cm setup is still up the swannie so hopefully he can get that sorted soon as I miss our 70cm QSO’s. It’s nice to know another jamon gives a hoot about 70 cm. GW4TQD is another keen 70cm fan too and we always try to QSO. 
Time to pack up and get ready for the descent. Before leaving I had a drink and a quick Kind bar to refuel.
I had brought my KH1 with me to give it another test drive. Oh boy am I glad I did!
A quick shufftee on 20 meters to bag 5 contacts amongst the 10kw QRPp Italian contest stations was great fun. The band seemed quiet though for me so before a final QRT, I decided to give 15 metres a quick go…
Called CQ literally ONCE. And then…
@WX1S appeared out of NOWHERE at 559! I was a 529 with Fred just shy of 5000km away in New Hampshire!
Get this though… it was only after that I noticed I was running about 3 Watts on the telescopic whip! The mind boggles sometimes and that is why I just LOVE CW and love amateur radio.
Oh, and I said the hike was uneventful, but mid-activation I did see a Rescue chopper pass by overhead:
Time to head back:
QSO MAP of most of the contacts the map can show:
What a day. 44 QSO’s in the bag, including 2m CW, 70cm FM, 12m Midnight Runners activity and that amazing 15m DX on 3 Watts.
72!
