Continuing the discussion from GM/ES Winter Activity Day - Friday 7 February 2025 (Part 1) - #100 by VK3SQ.
Previous discussions:
Good work Hibby.
Mike @2M0WNA will probably come along and correct me, but I think the hill was on a Coffin Road. On one journey, the coffin of Lord Arthur was rested there and that’s how the hill got it’s name.
Of course, I may have made all that up.
Luckily I was in the sun although amongst the trees at Meall Alvie (GM/ES-055). I decided on an easy hill as I was about to spend the rest of the weekend in the Cairngorms being beasted on a winter skills course. For the record, Meall Alvie does not have a path to the summit and is rather steep once you leave the deer fence and a heather bash is required. After the initial burst of 2m StS, I set up for HF and made 16 QSOs. I’ll let the photos do the talking.
Great SOTA day out. Thanks to Fraser (the benign GM/ES dictator) for organising and I look forward to the next one.
One more of the “proper” Cairngorms a day later.
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Many thanks for the excellent report Hibby. Well done on beating the migraine blues by getting up Ladylea. I used to suffer that way when i was younger and I often found that a good walk did wonders. All well before SOTA of course.
Hibby Standard Time - looks like that’s GMT/BST minus some. Gerald Standard Time is GMT/BST multiplied by some. No wonder people don’t walk with me… they’re at risk of having moss grow on their boots. 
Hopefully catch you when you get out again on the hills.
73, Gerald
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I’m getting worried. We all know what eventually happens to all Dictators.
BTW, with the SOTA anniversary coming up on March 2nd, which is also Dictators Day (my birthday), I don’t need to remind you all that your annual tax/protection money/ES Society fees are due.
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Much appreciated Chris. I’ll append those to the ES-055 file so I know what’s what and avoid any nasty surprises when I eventually get around to this one.
73, Gerald
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Glad to oblige!
Lord Arthur Forbes met his end after a fierce skirmish between the Clan Gordon and the Clan Forbes, known as the Battle of Tillyangus, in October 1571. The Forbes Clan lost on penalties after extra time.
Tillyangus is on the north slope of the Coreen Hills of which his eponymous hill forms part. His body was carried over there after the battle, hence its subsequent naming in memoriam. 
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Not sure I’d use that word 
I believe payments also accepted in Completes, and Lego.
Also…we’ve all set a new 
World Record for most GM summits activated in one day
.
Top 5:
| Date | Unique Summit Count | Activations | Summits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07/02/2025 | 16 |
16 | GM/CS-035, GM/ES-022, GM/ES-025, GM/ES-026, GM/ES-035, GM/ES-036, GM/ES-046, GM/ES-055, GM/ES-084, GM/SS-011, GM/SS-064, GM/SS-192, GM/SS-235, GM/SS-264, GM/SS-271, GM/SS-272 |
| 26/08/2012 | 15🥈 | 18 | GM/CS-032, GM/CS-066, GM/ES-044, GM/NS-051, GM/SS-119, GM/SS-122, GM/SS-133, GM/SS-140, GM/SS-168, GM/SS-179, GM/SS-224, GM/SS-228, GM/SS-274, GM/WS-001, GM/WS-140 |
| 29/09/2024 | 14🥉 | 16 | GM/ES-001, GM/ES-012, GM/ES-013, GM/ES-018, GM/ES-087, GM/SS-005, GM/SS-009, GM/SS-070, GM/SS-125, GM/SS-172, GM/SS-216, GM/SS-254, GM/WS-017, GM/WS-314 |
| 14/09/2013 | 13 | 13 | GM/CS-003, GM/CS-009, GM/CS-011, GM/CS-029, GM/NS-013, GM/NS-016, GM/NS-021, GM/NS-086, GM/NS-089, GM/SS-002, GM/SS-040, GM/SS-240, GM/SS-251 |
| 30/05/2021 | 13 | 13 | GM/CS-011, GM/CS-020, GM/ES-057, GM/NS-038, GM/NS-046, GM/SS-014, GM/SS-064, GM/SS-158, GM/SS-172, GM/SS-203, GM/SS-235, GM/SS-251, GM/WS-097 |
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Of course 
That is rather excellent, considering this took place during the first week in February. 
GM SOTA activators are a tough breed/need their heads examined.
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As others have already shown, a beautiful day to be on the hills in GM/ES. I was on Creag Bhalg, ES-046, with a first outing for my homebrew 5el 2m yagi and KX3 with the Ukrainian transverter. All worked fine, with Andy MM0FMF/P first itl. The only station I failed to hear was Barry, GM4TOE. After working all the 2m S2S, I went to 20m, which was in good shape to EU and UK. Unfortunately I suffered a mic problem after the first few QSOs - PTT refused to switch off after I released the button, so I was missing much of the chaser replies, making QSOs just about impossible, so I had to go QRT. A workaround was probably do-able, but I had a lunch appointment with the ES group in Braemar and I didn’t want to be late.
The yagi on the ground - forgot to take a photo with it on the mast
KX3 and transverter
The views, the views
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Can we beat it for Dear Leader’s Birthday SOTA Day, Sunday March 2?
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I’m flying to London that day. How about 28th Feb?
Really great photos Simon!
I wonder - does the KX3 have an internal mic. like the KX2? Just as well you had a load of 2m QSO’s to save the day.
I’d arrange it for 29th February. That way you avoid my presence and get guaranteed decent weather.
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Only if you activate one of these:
| Summit | Name |
|---|---|
| GM/ES-002 | Braeriach |
| GM/ES-003 | Cairn Toul |
| GM/ES-005 | Beinn Mheadhoin |
| GM/ES-010 | Bynack More |
| GM/ES-011 | Beinn a’Chaorainn |
| GM/ES-015 | Culardoch |
| GM/ES-017 | Creag Mhor |
| GM/ES-022 | Creag nan Gabhar |
| GM/ES-024 | Geal Charn |
| GM/ES-031 | Corryhabbie Hill |
| GM/ES-033 | Cook’s Cairn |
| GM/ES-037 | Badandun Hill |
| GM/ES-038 | Creagan a’Chaise |
| GM/ES-041 | Carn a’Ghille Chearr |
| GM/ES-045 | Hill of Wirren |
| GM/ES-048 | Corwharn |
| GM/ES-052 | Carn Daimh |
| GM/ES-058 | Meall Mor |
| GM/ES-066 | The Bochel |
| GM/ES-067 | Creag Ghiubhais |
| GM/ES-069 | Ben Aigan |
| GM/ES-073 | Knock Hill |
| GM/ES-074 | Ord Ban |
| GM/ES-076 | Mile Hill |
| GM/ES-082 | Meikle Balloch Hill |
| GM/ES-084 | Bin of Cullen |
| GM/ES-085 | Hill of Garvock |
| GM/ES-088 | Creag an Dail Bheag |
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All my remaining GM/ES completes in one day? I’d live the rest of my life without purpose.
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That Friday is out as I’m on holiday at the start of the week! Home station it is.
No it doesn’t. I have the standard MH3 mic.
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