Seven summit stations (3 SOTA, 4 GMA) in DM (DA). Good activity but flat condx.
Ahoi
Pom
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I didnāt know Iād even signed up for this 
Iāll be out on 2nd August on a summit but Iām not finding the FM side particularly fun this year - too much QRM, mic gains set to 11, folks using x-wide deviation and the non contest stations QSY from 145 to 144 MHz on contest nights for some reason.
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The moment you engage the PTT on a Tuesday evening - and I hear you - youāve signed up 
I agree with most of your comments re the FMAC. It was supposed to be an entry-level event for stations new to contesting, but I always thought the concept was flawed. For the reasons you point out, FM is not suitable for contesting, and the main UKAC was already working very effectively itself in terms of bringing new participants into VHF contesting.
I disagree that non-contest stations QSY to the lower part of the band on contest evenings. They have been using these frequencies for local nets, regular chats etc for many years. Additionally, these are long-established frequencies for SSTV talkback, beginner CW training etc. Iād be happy to see the FMACs ended myself, but as long as they exist, Iāll be taking part, along with the 100s of others to whom, like myself, the event is not intended 
Great that youāll be out on 5th August. Letās hope all the regulars/semi-regulars above will be, and letās try and encourage lots of participation from more SOTA activators.
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Tom, I agree with your comments above.
Personally I thought FMAC on 4m was more useful as there a a lot of people with FM only rigs on that band.
I usually arrive on summit after the FMAC has started and tune around and pick out the stations I want to work, while still getting prepared for the SSB leg.
I generally look for SOTA stations and stations that I donāt recognise as āregular contestersā to try and encourage them just to be on the air.
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Are you out tonight for the 70cm Stuart?
I note that @MM0EFI and @GW4BML are both out on multiple summits this evening. Neither has alerted for 70cm - but much activity awaits if that band is added to the plans!
ā¦including potential S2S with me and @G1ZAR ā¦
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Iāll have capabilities for 70cm, so Iāll listen out and work all stations I can hear maybe weāll make a S2S @M1EYP Tom
Cheers, Ben
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Iām literally in the wilderness tonight, so will stick to HF, otherwise Iāll be there all night trying on 2m or 70cm!
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Iāll have HF/2/70, so hope to make some S2Ss tonight as well. Easington Fell for me, as itās close to work and I have a pass from Nic to play radio tonight
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DM/NS-135, 100 W @ 11.5 dBd 20 m agl
Itās been a while since I activated a SOTA summit on a VHF Tuesday. However, I was out in JO50 every 144 MHz Activity Night, but not on a SOTA reference. After a year it was now time for a Tuesday night on my home summit Lauensteiner Kopf.
WX was just perfect at 1043 hPa, no wind, clear sky, full moon, temperature -3Ā° C, dewpoint -8Ā° C, and neither BVB 09 Dortmund nor Bayern MĆ¼nchen played in DFB Cup. Plenty reasons for good activity on the band in north-west DL.
Condx were not above average but activity was good fun for 2.5 hours. All QSOs SSB.
View of Hameln (in the valley)
Notice how bright the stars are
Ahoi
Pom
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I did a little bit (first 10 minutes) in the FM section from G/SP-015, and then the last 20 minutes of the UKAC (SSB) from home later. I didnāt do proper full participation in the contests from the summit as usual, because Macclesfield FC had a home match that I wanted to attend.
Hopefully we can combine a DX contest contact with a S2S in this yearās series. Tonight I will be on G/SP-015 for the full duration of the 6m UKAC (2000-2230z).
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Letās keep an eye on next weekās 70 cm activity night. At the time, forecast here is high pressure and inversion layers, so quite DXāish. Letās see how wx develops.
Ahoi
Pom
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I tend not to do the 70cm events portable any more. I donāt currently have a working 70cm portable beam. Furthermore, next Tuesday is Valentines night, and I have a dinner booking with my wife Marianne!
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I did the 2m contest on Tuesday, portable, but not SOTA summit. Did manage to work a few outside of the UK, but to much local QRM for most that were calling.
Like Tom, I will miss the 70cm this month due to a combination of Valentines night / our anniversary.
I hope conditions are good for you.
My usual SOTA summit is not far from G4CLA, who was your ODX.
Not on 6m tonight as sonās 40th birthday
Hope to catch some S2S when the weather improves and there are more /P stations about.
73ā¦Stuart
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Yet another picture of Pomās VHF station on DM/NS-135!
Great wx, good activity and slightly enhanced condx to G land made it a real fun night.
S2S: DL4MFM/P (DM/NS-108), DL1DSR/P (DA/HE-575, GMA)
Ahoi
Pom
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Iām still on holiday in EI. I am managing to get some SOTA done in the early mornings, but evening outings are out of the question! And last night was my wifeās birthday, so going up a SOTA to do the contest would have likely resulted in solicitors preparing divorce papersā¦
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I wish!
This far North the tropo was dying and QSB horrendous
I skipped Aprilās 2m Fun Evening / FMAC-UKAC, and preserved domestic bliss.
But now it is MAY! Hurray!
The wx is super. But the only alert is my ownā¦
Anyone else heading out tonight for some VHF radio fun from a summit?
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Thanks Tom, for all the information. I will try to be there next month. Best Wishes to all involved. 73 de Paul.
Aha.
Ghost activation report (including ghost S2S with DB7MM/P) to come soon.
Ahoi
Pom
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This topic was automatically closed after reaching the maximum limit of 100 replies. Continue discussion at SOTA Fun Evening - 2m FM & SSB (Part 2).