If I can get the rotator sorted in time I will look for you.
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Every HF operators starts off calling CQ and then stays on the same frequency. However, I donāt think any of the notes for HF bands use the same phrase as can be found in the UHF/VHF notes which says ācall CQā. I guess thatās the bit which needs clarification. Is the implication you call CQ then QSY? If not why use the phrase?
If I get a response from the RSGB Iāll post it on here.
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AFAIC, I would no more call CQ and stay on 144.300 than I would on 145.500, but I will be very interested to see the official interpretation!
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My recommendation is that you still alert for your preferred working frequency, say 144.250MHz and start there. If you can self-spot all the better. If you donāt get any response after a few CQS, then call on 144.300MHz where hopefully you will pick up a contact (not necessarily a chaser) and make the QSY to your preferred frequency. If you have to repeat this, then do so.
Although some may hold a different opinion, I recommend you use an antenna with some gain and, if you have the capability, as much power as possible. I use 25W output to a 5 element and it is a bad day at the office if I donāt work Don G0RQL in Devon from up in Scotland. Distances in the order of 600km are generally achievable.
73, Gerald
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VHF has the added complexity of antennas that have narrow beamwidths. It makes good sense to have a meeting point as you search for contacts.
Yes, yes, yes, once contact has been established. Itās what everyone doesā¦ regardless of any edict from whatever āauthorityā.
73, Gerald
P.S. I am not RSGB-bashing hereā¦ after all, Iāve been a member since 1967 
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Gerald,
Thank you. It will be 10W into a 5 element Yagi set horizontally as thatās all Iāve got. If time permits I might swap it to vertical and try FM but if I can qualify the summits on SSB that will probably be enough. The forecast is cold!
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It is what I personally consider to be the gold standard, but then 2m is not everyoneās bag. Obviously there will be summits where this will be nigh impossible, but I am often surprised by who will come on SSB. Many ops have multimodes monitoring the FM calling frequency in their shacks and they do take the time to flick a few switches and twiddle the big circular thing on the front and look for me down the lower part of the band. Many are using verticals, but from a summit I often work them cross-polarised. Putting the beam vertical and trying SSB is certainly worth a try before changing mode to FM.
See what happens on Saturday. If I manage to get out to a high spot to work you, then I will. The home QTH is not particularly good in your direction.
73, Gerald
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Thatās getting reasonably serious 
If itās doable you should!
Good luck
73 Paul G4MD/G6GGP
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Please ignore the 27th, I have decided to postpone things until a later date. The weather forecast in the south west for this weekend, especially the Saturday, is a bit grim with gales and rain. The visit involved a campsite booking so I need to take the decision now to give the site reasonable warning we wonāt be coming.
If the forecast changes I might still go out but do it from Kit Hill G/DC-003 instead. Iāll post something on here if this looks like it might happen.
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Itās ham radio. No matter what you do, someone will tell you that you are doing it wrong.
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Yes and when they tell you over the air you are doing it wrong they wont normally give you their call sign. Well I know I donāt
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I donāt know if you have operated from there before, but the mine chimney appears to be carrying a pager that blocks the receiver on some 2m rigs. Its operation is quite intermittent so you can work around it.
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Thanks for that. Iāve operated on HF there a couple of times but not VHF.