I continue on my quest to get to 2MG. Yesterday my wife returned to work after a period of illness so I had an opportunity to sneak off for some SOTA during school hours. Great Coum G/NP-011 isn’t a particularly interesting summit but it does offer 4 points and is near to where I live.
I parked at the junction of Thornton Lane and Occupation Road, there was just enough room to squeeze my car in next to a campervan which had obviously just arrived, the couple of occupants were getting geared up for walking.
I walked along Occupation Road for a while before going through a small gate, heading up across a rough field towards the boundary stone on the ridge.
Turning to face the little gate off Occupation Road you have a good view of Ingleborough G/NP-005.
I looked behind as I reached the ridge and I saw the couple from the campervan some distance behind but following the same route. Following the ridge along to the right takes you steadily to the summit. There isn’t a trig point but there is a tiny pile of stones to mark the highest point.
I set up my station just a short distance away from the tiny pile of stones. The couple of walkers eventually reached the summit, investigated the small pile of stones and then turned around and headed off again, I assume they were out summit bagging.
I’d taken my RockMite 10 and home brew QRP amplifier to try. The discussion about lack of CW/SSB QSOs on 10m prompted me to have another go. I was pleasantly surprised to make more than enough QSOs to qualify on 10m CW. Output from the amp is about 2.5watts on 10m.
I’d also packed my 12m RockMite and I gave that a go too. Again I used the amp and I was able to make 5 QSOs, including an S2S with @HB9CBR operating as I/HB9CBR/P on I/LO-440.
I’ve been a ham for over 25 years but I still find amateur radio magical. Making that QSO with Bruno using a rig, amplifier and antenna that I’d constructed myself really filled me with pleasure.
I plugged in my MTR-5B to have a go on 15m and 17m as my dipole is built for 10/12/15&17m. It was nice to be called by Matt @W4GO once again, he has become a regular caller
Colin. Many thanks for the CW, QSO. Very Well Done. I had no idea that your Loud and Very Clear Signal was coming from a 2.5W Tx. until now when I have just read your Activation Report. I hope to hear you again soon. 73 de Paul M0CQE.
The tin was found in a discount store at a reduced price, it contained tea bags.
Really pleased to work you, lots will know that working transatlantic is what floats my boat. I do hope that you will continue to be there chasing early in your morning in the coming months and that I can work you with QRPp.
Oh there are plenty of better equipped stations on the east coast. Most of their owners just haven’t caught on to the best kept secret in ham-dom, IMO: the fun of copying portable, QRP DX.
As far as the hardware goes, I’m fortunate to have a rotatable beam on 20 m through 10 m (SpiderBeam HD five-band, up about 40 ft = 12 m), a radio with a good receiver (Kenwood TS-590SG), an amp for getting through to the SSB activator on a noisy summit, and, most importantly, a low-noise QTH.
I don’t know that I’ve ever worked a sub-watt DX station but I’d enjoy giving it a try once we’re past the summer solstice doldrums. Feel free to sked by direct message or email on QRZ.com.
