Gyrn Moelfre GW/NW-049 09.08.09 11:00 UTC:
Thought we would do a simple 2 pointer only today and this one was on my list to be done as it is less than 80km from home QTH. Simple enough drive along A55 then A483 down to Oswestry. Roads from here were quiet narrow with cars passing us only on the even narrowier sections!! Deciding to take route up from Moelfre Hall,instead of Richards Spot at Llangadwaladr. we reached it in plenty of time to get up and set up. No spots on road to park so approached the farmer in open space area when I explained what we wanted to do and He most kindly told me to park my car in an area where he could see it on his land. Both Elaine and myself were most grateful and agreed he was thorough Gentleman.
The path up starts from one of his gates at the back,it is actually a vehicle track that goes right up to Trig if using a four wheel drive type vehicle. For those that dont want to walk up you could go to about 400m asl where there is a park spot for one maybe two vehicles. We set off and the path started to incline from the off,getting steeper as it winded itself up and around to approx 350m it then turns sharp left and winds further up to Trig,but we decided to follow path that was alongside the wall/fence that led directly to top with a level walk left into Trig.
Setting up with 30 mins to spare,we were joined by 2 Mountain bikers who had come up from Llansilin,a father and son who had a keen interest in what we doing especially when I set up the 20m flexweave dipole on the perch rod. then just before switching on and getting going , a 4 wheel drive had arrived at top and let off about 8 Suicide mountain bikers who went down the summit at a rate of knots leaving the ground most of the way down.(Extreme Thrill seekers who had my nerves gone a few times.)
Switched on and immediately heard G4ERP/P on LD-027 so S2S with him and then G4YTD/P on LD-014 second S2S in Log. I shouted on 300 for some time before 2E0GRM/P not SOTA but welcome all the same.Then G0TRB got me and put a spot on. 9 more contacts on 2m ssb after me shouting went quiet so decided on lunch and a Brew before trying HF. Checking spots as my plan was to try for S2S with Luc on Kos Island, I followed him to frequency but could not hear him at all(shame). Did find Mads on 20m and after a couple of exchanges due to QSB we got details exchanged(Thanks for your patience Mads!! QSL on the way) my First ever HF S2S thanks!! tried 40m but QSB and busy I could not find a spot to CQ and trying to get some contest stations most of them had pile ups so gave up trying as my battery was taking a pounding with 30 watts output. back to VHF before we decided after 2 hours up there to get down, 3 more S2S on 2m FM.
Overall this one was a bit tough walk in as it can be very steep in places this was confirmed on way down as we had sore knees from stopping ourselves from running down! It took 1hr 10 mins for us to reach Trig,resting often.
Total of 13 contacts on 2m SSB: G4ERP/P(S2S), G4YTD/P(S2S), 2E0GRM/P, G0TRB(thanks for spot Roger),M1BKL, G0VOF, G0ELJ, M0SGB/M, G0RQL(furthest contact again Don), G0LGS,G7SKR, M3WDS, G4FUJ. 3 contacts on 2m FM: G8HXE/P(S2S), G1OPV/P(S2S), M3XJV/P(S2S). and last but not least 1 contact on 20M SSB: LA1TPA/P (S2S).
6 S2S from one summit, on my way to 50 uniques!!
Thanks for all who contacted us and all logged in Database,with a couple of pics on Flicker.
73
Tony