Normanby Top of the VK's

Old Reflector
1

This mornings activation of G/TW-005 was joint with Dave G4ASA. We initially set up a couple of hundred metres from the Golf Ball Radar station and were overwhelmed by S9+10 of qrm on the 20m band. Whether this is due to the noise from the farm buildings further down the road or more likely, the newly installed, massive bank of solar panels at the radar station, is still a matter for speculation.

So, this meant breaking down the Antron-99, a real PITA and setting up some 500 Metres away. This immediately cured the QRM problem, however, not the ice cold wind problem

A self spot brought a fast response from Paul VK5PAS for our umpteenth QSO. Cheers for the QSO and spot, Paul!

It was then pass the parcel with the mic, between Dave and myself and we qualified the summit with 9 straight VK’s. The EU chasers were extremely patient, as they know the window of opportunity to work VK can often be quite small. Thanks EU.

Dave spent a little time on CW, however, he was feeling the bitterly cold wind that was blowing across the very flat Lincolnshire fields and so handed the frequency back to me to try a little more ssb. A further 7 VK’s were added to the total including a very pleased Nigel VK5NIG for his first SOTA DX contact and another s2s with Matt VK1MA/P, activating VK1/AC-037, providing us with a big signal.

A fine total 15 VK’s worked.

A big thanks to the VK chasers, for giving Dave and myself such a great reception on G/TW-005 Normanby Top this morning, it was a real pleaure to get you all in the log.

A couple of years ago, on the G/TW-005 Normanby Top Summit Information Page, I wrote this of the Summit…

“Quite frankly, it’s most certainly not on my do again list.”

What do I know about radio :wink:

73 Mike
2E0YYY

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In reply to 2E0YYY:
Hi Mike,
Well you were my first OS summit too and I suspect a couple more VK’s could say the same. In the past whenever I’ve listened I’ve only copied the chasers with the activator being at best a mumble in the noise. It seemed I would have to go /P in a quiet QTH. This evening you and David were definitely Q5. After it went quiet on 14315 on a hunch I tuned to 14.063 and there wad David with an impressive CW signal. So, no extra points but I just had to have him in the log. Then it was off for domestic activities. Conditions were very good this evening but it’s given me some encouragement to keep listening for European activations.

Thanks fellas.

73
Ron
VK3AFW

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In reply to 2E0YYY:

Hello Mike and Dave,

Thanks for the report and I heard you make it in the other direction to the USA.

I got up early to try and chase the very early VK activator (VK3PF) at around 0600 but when I looked at the display on the Flex, not even little spikes on 20M - oh dear I thought. Then about 0615Z the band changed (at least here) and became very lively 8) to the extent that Matt VK1MA peaked at 58 when I spoke with him around 0743Z.

Dry and sunny but also a very cold wind in East Sussex.

Good luck to you on the next one.
Best wishes
Mike G6TUH

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In reply to G6TUH:

Hi Mike,

The band was a little odd in some ways. Coming from VK, were some of the biggest signals I’ve heard on a SOTA activation, with just one call I was unable to pull out. However, there was little sign of the North American West coast.

I worked my last contact at 0751z and couldn’t buy a call on 20 Metres after that.

As for the 12m Band, its been awful. While activating G/SP-014 Longridge Fell yesterday, there was barely a sign of DX, with a couple of Vk’s breaking the drought. As for G/SP-012 Easington Fell, later that Afternoon, the 12m band failed to produce a single North American contact!

73 Mike
2E0YYY

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In reply to 2E0YYY:

Hello Mike,

Yes I think 12M is going a bit flakey, earlier than usual with dx windows getting very small indeed, my last 12M contact was John as EA8/M1NNN/P on LP. I think there is a danger that it will stop working perhaps…

10M has been really good and the other day managed ZS8Z so it might be worthwhile visiting that band on your next activation. Now time to take Bertie the greyhound for a walk 8)

Best wishes
Mike G6TUH