From M6BWA (M0JLA is ascending GM/SS-251 now)
We left home on 2 May and reached Ballantrae, south of Girvan on the SW coast 2 days and 2 little LD summits and GM/SS-238 Bengray later. The first SS summit was a slog with too many tussocks but did remind me what joys were likely to be ahead of us. Thanks to various LD chasers I qualified on VHF UHF but with a bit of a struggle. Since then we visited most of the little coastal hills in the area with fantastic views of Ailsa Craig (and the gannets) , Arran, Jura and faint Ireland in the mainly sunny weather, Much to my amazement I qualified all these hills on both bands except the stupendous volcanic plug of GM/SS-267 Knockdolian very late in the day when all sensible locals were eating their tea. However the views were stupendous and we could view it from our cottage with a quiet mind as we’d been there and ..
We’ve now moved up to Balloch via a long plod (to me) up a windfarm track on Benbeoch GM/SS-186 amongst the opencast coal remnants. Thanks to GM4COX I qualified it on both bands (13 contacts) again - and he also found me yesterday on my solitary walk up Duncolm GM/SS-222 from Eden Mill (where Rod was checking on the various pastries were on offer). Thanks Jack. I was glad to find that deer fence gate was horizontal and various tracks led to the summit where 13 contacts (6 on 70cm!) in 18 minutes awaited me but, after that there was complete silence eventhough I could see Glasgow clearly. I do wonder whether VHF is dying (or dead) up here as I had only done so well on previous hills as about 6 locals found me and listened out for me day after day - any thanks. Including a few from N Irelnd on my southern hills.
Tomorrow we move over the Pitlochry to join our walking group and have a great list of hills but I am sure I will struggle to get any response. Last year I was lucky to get one contact from the 4 pt Sow of Atholl and I couldn’t find a radio club in Perth to warn of my arrival. It looks as if the weather may also turn but we have been so lucky so far with just one activation GM/SS-135 affected by rain when we sat in the car waiting for it to stop - and it did.. but the wind was, once again, bitter. However hearing MM3ZCB on SS-229 started things off well. Sorry no pictures yet. Please listen out if you are in the area - and don’t forget M0JLA on HF where he has qualified most hills and is happy that the QMX is working well at present. Our last move is to Hawick for 19 - 24 and then heading south again - for a rest!.
73 Viki