There’s a fair few activation reports, mostly linked to gigs or football matches, yet to be written. They will appear on my website in due course.
Meanwhile, I’ve had a most unusual and yet rewarding day of activating today, which I thought I’d share.
Yesterday was unusual enough:
Friday 13th May 2022
SOTA: The Cloud G/SP-015
Gig: Ultimate Queen Revival
Venue: Shanklin Conservative Club
Yes, the summit was nowhere near the gig nor any substantial part along the route to it. This was because I was being picked up from my home QTH for the drive down to Portsmouth for the Isle of Wight ferry. It was therefore necessary to get up especially early to get a local activation in before heading south.
The gig went well and obviously I relished playing John Deacon’s excellent basslines for the show.
Saturday 14th May 2022
SOTA: St Boniface Down G/SE-008 & Brighstone Down G/SE-012
Gig: Twisted Anthems
Venue: Warners Leisure Hotel Norton Grange
So to the Saturday, and as per usual, my bandmates planned a lie-in, a late breakfast and a day of “chilling”. Not my style. I set my alarm for 7am, but was wide awake by 5.45am BST.
I was on the Southern Vectis bus from outside the holiday park near Yarmouth before 7am. Changed at Newport, and took the bus down to Bonchurch …. where I forgot to alight. I did get off as soon as I’d realised my mistake, and in a fine stroke of good fortune, another bus was coming the other way. I’d bought a £10 day rover ticket, so that worked.
From Bonchurch car park, I climbed the east ridge of St Boniface Down in glorious sunshine. The sea views were magnificent.
A Friday morning net was in progress on 145.525MHz FM, so I gatecrashed that for an easy qualification on the handheld. I had the 817 and Alexloop with me for HF, but I had to seize the chance to get ahead of schedule and open the possibility of getting both IOW summits done.
Back down the hill, and caught the bus west along the south coast. I alighted south of Brighstone village and walked about ten minutes along public footpaths to that point. Here I collected a drink and some food - including a locally baked breakfast pasty - which was amazing!
From the village, I continued north up the byway and onto the footpaths that climbed onto the Downs. A walk of about 45 minutes brought me to the trig point at the summit.
I could only raise one QSO on VHF this time so I set up the Alexloop and added three contacts on 20m CW.
I’d set myself a deadline of 1245 BST to start descending, and was ahead of this. I had one eye on rounding off my day in suitable style!
I had twenty minutes to spare before my bus once I’d retuned to Brighstone village, so enjoyed a pint of ale in the beer garden of the Three Bishops pub.
A bus to Freshwater, then a change for the bus to Yarmouth, and I was back at the venue in plenty of time ahead of soundcheck.
Activating by bus. Not something I’ve done much of, but it was different - and fun! I was very impressed by the Southern Vecta bus service on the island.
