Dear all,
I must say, today I was so disappointed I am beside myself. There I was at work with the 857 all set up, just, and I mean just, squelched to keep the radio from interupting all my phone calls, in readiness for Toms activation of the famous LD-001, one of my favourite summits both to climb and work on radio. I monitored SOTA watch, and bingo up pops Tom and Jimmy on the SPOTS, I quickly dived for the VFO and tuned to 145.450 fm in great readiness and expectation…, nothing not a squat, even “Mr yeah great signal you are 5 and 9 no matter what summit you are on” was reporting a 5 x 3 from him so signals must have been very poor.
Last time I did the Scawfells was 2 years ago and included was Scafell Pike. It was wintery weather and bitterly cold but for completing a monumental climb/walk like this to do SOTA I made sure I packed my 1/2 wave 2m antenna to hopefully reach far and wide with my signal, thus giving due consideration to the many chasers waiting to work me, actually I was with Mick 2E0HJD at the time, and we both enjoyed working many stations from the summit, in many places too. I have worked a number of other stations as a chaser when they have been on 001 too without any problems, normally 5 x 4. But my point is, why climb this great summit and not bother taking a decent set up? its not a quick “4 and blow” type summit, its a fair chunk of the day to complete this walk, well it is for me, but at least take a decent antenna to give a fair chance of contact for many. No need to take monster rigs, I used a VX7 and coupled it to the afore mentioned 1/2 wave mobile antenna which was easily packed into my intermediate backpack.
I dont doubt this thread will get the usual nit picking comments like “its down to the activator what he takes and does” etc etc, yes it is down to them but if you were doing a 6 pointer in the Dales or a 2 pointer in the Peak District then ok I suppose, but doing the highest in England or any of the 001’s then for goodness sake take a decent antenna !!!
Rant over and out
Lee
MØLMP