This has been on my bucket list for ages and as the WX is possibly favorable, I’ll take a run at it Saturday morning.
Probably shoot for a super early start.
As my KX2 is back in CA, this might simply be a 2m FM activation.
Paul
M0SNA/W6NEA
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Enjoy the walk Paul. I’ve always preferred the corridor route which doesn’t seem as busy and needs a bit of concentration ( navigation and steepish terrain but not really a scramble ). We will be on holiday on the south coast so no chance of chasing…. 73
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You obviously need another one for your UK ops 
Going early is a wise decision as it does get rather busy at the summit, but you should be okay on 2 FM.
Years ago I used to activate on 2m SSB as early as 7 a.m. local and was supported by a number of chasers, loosely referred to as “the breakfast club”. Times have changed, as have the chasers and mode, but hopefully there will be a sufficient number of local chasers on FM to give you a decent log.
Enjoy the walk.
73, Gerald
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Hi Gerald and Paul
Thanks for the good wishes and W6PNG was the guy that bought too much…no extra KX2s for W6NEA.
Rummaging further in my acquired stuff, I wonder if a Slim Jim hanging from a mast or even a 4 element Arrow 2m Yagi would improve my chances to warrant bringing them. I’m trying to travel light…
Paul
At 0900z you should manage 4 contacts with a HT from there on 2m FM if you self spot.
If you’re still waiting for some contacts by 1100z then I’m sure G1JKS will let you have a go on HF.
Thanks Pete.
A quick review of 2026 Scafell activations show lots of 2m FM but scant 2m SSB. I wonder if that is a reflection of not wanting to haul 2m SSB gear up or lack of interest in the 2m challenge.
Weekend of August 22th. is penultimate weekend before the school holidays end. Expect trails and summit to be busy.
Unless it’s a VHF contest day AND you are prepared to sit around in 7-8C (albeit light winds), I suspect few home-based Yagi owners will be monitoring unless they are also SOTA chasers. In my 21 2m-SSB activations so far this year, very few chasers told me (when asked) that they were using a (horizontally-polarized) Yagi.
From Scafell Pike you will get excellent coverage using a simple whip (e.g. RH-770) or a portable vertical (e.g. flowerpot, Slim-Jim or J-pole) on a short (e.g. 3-5m) pole. All have similar gain. In my experience, my J-pole gets better coverage only when on a lower summit where my 5m pole gets the J-pole higher than the RH-770 on the HT.
In summary: I always used the RH-770 on G/LD-001. Quick to deploy and to stow (when the weather or tourist numbers change for the worse).
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I agree with Andy. The KISS principle applies. A slim jim, flowerpot, simple dipole or whatever on a 5m pole and a handheld should do the business without adding any complexity. Most activity should be on 2m FM rather than on SSB, even though the challenge is increasing the latter.
Personally I only carry a yagi up the hills for 2m SSB as it is my main interest, though my activations have currently ground to a halt due to family reasons. Like Arnold… I will be back.
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Once again, thanks for all the guidance plus an offer of a loan of an HF rig.
As I tweaked my back earlier in the week attempting to address a flat tire, I’ll go ultralight for Scafell.
2m FM Alinco G7 with Diamond SRH77 whip.
That way G1JKS who is also activating can satisfy the HF crew.
Paul
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