M6YLH: My 1st SOTA: G/NP-004 on 09-08-11
WHERNSIDE on 2m FM
2415 ft - 6 Points
WAB: SD78. IO84TF.
Accompanied by John G4YSS and my Son, Jack.
All times UTC.
Equipment:
IC-E90 Handheld, 5W to a half-wave vertical end-fed.
Intro:
My 1st Summits On The Air activation was a success, despite being very nervous! This was actually my 11th mountain since I began walking up mountains with my Father-in-Law, John G4YSS, in March 2010. This was during the Winter Bonus, in which I expressed a desire to go to these places (as I’ve always been an outdoor person). John thought he would drop me in at the deep end and I climbed a very snowy Pen-y-Ghent for my 1st walk up a mountain. Over time, I got interested in getting my own Radio Amateur licence so I could also participate in this hobby. In May 2010, I struggled up Ben Nevis, but unfortunately I hadn’t got my licence so I sadly didn’t claim the 10 points!
We set off in John’s car at 06:05z from Irton, Scarborough and arrived approx. 09:05 parking the car near White Shaw Moss. After getting ready and strapping Jack into the child carrier that John carried, we set off walking at approx. 09:34z.
Ascent:
The ascent was very slow, due to John carrying Jack and the radio equipment for me and himself but mainly me as I have trouble with my joints and chronic back pain, making the ascent and descent very hard indeed. I try not to let it stop me getting out because I would just stiffen up and that wouldn’t be good at all. I have to walk through the pain and the desire to get to the summit and achieve my goal is fantastic in boosting my confidence.
Summit Conditions:
11 Deg C, Wind NW, about 15 mph. Quite sunny with bit of cloud.
We settled for a place by the wall not far from the trig point, near where some sand and cement bags had been dumped. John kindly set up my equipment for me while I tended to Jack (3.5 years old), who was complaining of tummy pains.
2m FM - 12 QSO’s:
Roger G4OWG gave me my 1st ever SOTA QSO on 145.450 but this frequency became occupied. The following stations were worked on 145.400: G1OHH, G4FPJ, G4OBK, G3OPW, M3LCZ, G6ODU, G4ZRP, M6DLT/P, G1KLZ, G4PF and also a Summit to Summit with Rob G0HRT/P on the neighbouring summit of Ingleborough NP-005! Mostly good signal reports of 59, though there was a couple of 52 from Roger G4OWG nr Leeds Bradford Airport, Brian G4ZRP in the Liverpool area and a 57 from Phil G4OBK in Pickering.
After the 12 QSO’s, it was my turn to occupy Jack while John called CQ on HF. Jack was still suffering with a poorly tummy, but that didn’t stop him throwing himself around and tripping over tussocks, etc!
Descent:
We began our descent at 14:12 and it took 40 minutes. We finally arrived in Irton, Scarborough at approx. 17:52. Just as well it didn’t take any longer because within minutes of stepping through the door, Jack started with a bit of sickness.
The distance driven was 120 miles each way and we cut out York, Harrogate and Knaresborough both ways.
In Conclusion:
This was a very interesting and enjoyable activation and of course will help calm the nerves for next time. I feel that I have achieved something to be proud of. I am really pleased about the S2S contact from Ingleborough on my 1st SOTA activation. Of course, the company certainly helps make the ascent more bearable!
A great big THANK YOU to my spotter G4OWG and also to all stations worked for your kindness, support and understanding. Suddenly, I found my mind went blank and I temporarily forgot who I was, and what I was doing! HI! I’m afraid that my nerves got the better of me at times so I appreciated your words of encouragement.
73’s to everyone - it was a pleasure!
Hazel M6YLH