@GW4VPX Allan and I have just returned from a 5 day trip to the Isle of Man. We were accompanied by our XYL’s. The idea was to activate the 5 GD summits and have time for other sightseeing etc.
Set up for SOTA.
We operated two radios on each summit.
My FT-270 into a Slim G mostly on a carbon 6 pole. 2m FM
Allan’s KX2 into an EFHW on a carbon 6 pole. Variously 60m, 40m and 20m. All SSB.
On each of the 5 summits Allan and I started by qualifying on 2m FM, then I continued on 2m FM and Allan worked HF, with both of us working any S2S contacts. On one summit I ran the 20m SSB part of the Activation.
Day one
Liverpool to Douglas on the Steam Packet fast ferry HSC Mannanan.
Drive to GD/GD-005 Mull Hill. Large car park SE of summit. All four of us then walked along the road and a track to the summit, easily reached in 15 mins or so.
Completed activation using the process above.
We then went to our accomodation - in our case to a campsite just outside Port Erin and Allan to a hotel in Port Erin.
Day two
Parked at Fleshwick Bay, Allan and I then walked the coast path to the summit of Bradda Hill GD/GD-004. It’s a bit steep, but thankfully short. Our two XYLs investigated the beach and watched for wildlife while we were away.
Operated as above.
Next a drive to a parking spot on the west of the next summit, South Barrule GD/GD-003.
All four of us followed the excellent path to the summit.
Operated as above.
On our return we stopped off and chatted to some operators working a 24 hour VHF contest.
Day three
Drive to a car park south of Slieau Freoaghane GD/GD-002. Then we all followed a good track to the summit. Unfortunately we picked the same day as a motorbike trials event so we had to share the track with dozens of bikes. The riders were very reasonable though and passed at sensible speeds,
We were happy to share the route.
Arriving at the summit we found a bell on a pole! That has to be a first for me. I rang it just as Allan happened to look away and I nearly gave him a heart attack!
Operation as above again.
We then continued to “The Bungalow” below Snaefell GD/GD-001. Allan and I walked up from here and the ladies took the tram to the top.
Operated as above from near to the summit commercial masts. There was very intermittent breakthrough on 2m FM, but it didn’t “stop play”.
Allan and I decided to take the tram down to The Bungalow for the experience!
Day four
Sightseeing - Steam Railway to Douglas, then a bus to the Electric Railway station. Took the Electric Railway to Laxey and visted the enormous waterwheel. Then the Electric Railway to Ramsey for a look around. Took the Electric Railway back to Douglas and a bus back to Port Erin. You can buy a rover ticket which covers the heritage railways/trams, the steam train and all the buses.
Day five
The beach at Port Erin and a visit to Port St Mary. Then the afternoon ferry back to Liverpool.
My stats.
GD/GD-005 Mull Hill, 6 x 2m FM, 1 x 60m SSB.
GD/GD-004 Bradda Hill, 7 x 2m FM (including 3 S2S), 2 x 60m SSB, 1 x 20m SSB S2S.
GD/GD-003 South Barrule, 7 x 2m FM (including 2 S2S), 7 x 20m SSB
GD/GD-002 Slieau Freoaghane, 13 x 2m FM (including 5 S2S)
GD/GD-001 Snaefell, 15 x 2m FM (including 1 S2S)
Thanks to all the chasers as always. We couldn’t do it without you!
PS, as you can see we were VERY lucky with the weather!
it looks like you had a fab time from the photos, and the wx was certainly on your side!
🇮🇪 
