A long day on Sunday 7th April 2013 commenced with me picking up Sean M0GIA and Edward 2E0NSR, before returning home to add Jimmy M0HGY and Liam.  It was off to Blackpool for the annual NARSA amateur radio exhibition at Norbreck Castle Hotel.  We were there by around 8.40am, and the hall was already very busy with traders and clubs preparing their stands.  Sean and myself started setting up the two SOTA Poles at each end of our table; these would support the SOTA banner, and an SB270 for the demonstration station.  Jimmy was dispatched to seek and deliver bacon butties and teas for the Reads.  We were soon joined by stalwarts Rob G4RQJ and Audrey, and rolled their sleeves up and significantly quickened the pace of preparation.

As well as all the usual display materials, we had SOTAwatch Spots running live on the stand, and a good selection of the new range of SOTA merchandise.  Audrey brought selection of cakes and sausage rolls as she kindly does every year to provide to SOTA team members and visitors alike.  The stand was sponsored by SOTAbeams, and a large number of complimentary pencils and discount vouchers were available from the tables.  Interest was excellent again, and lots of queries were answered on the stall, and around the exhibition were we were often stopped and asked questions.

The highlight of the day was when SOTA chaser and new activator Russ M6RGF was announced as the winner of the construction competition.  It was the announcement rather than the accolade that was the highlight, for to all our astonishment, what we heard over the loudspeakers was "The winner of the junior construction competition is Russ M6RGF"!  Whether he had submitted his entry with his young daughter, or had been entered mischievously by 'Delboy' in the childrens section we were unsure.  Either way, Russ, a well-preserved 54 years young, was forced to enjoy some ribbing about this through the rest of the afternoon.

Tired out, we eventually got to pack up around 5pm.  The show might now start earlier, but the crowds still stay later!  It was noticed that Karen 2E0XYL who had been one of our first visitors at 10.30pm was still stood by the stand and had hardly moved from there all day.  I suggested that as a top activator, she was probably on the wrong side of the table, something we could rectify next year.  She was not the only one though.  Most of the well-known SOTA participants who turned up at the stand hung around there for an extended period.  A very good show.

Time to get on the road, and the M55 and M6 took us in decent time to South Lancashire, and by Jimmy's directions into Billinge.  After parking at the end of Beacon Road, we took the short walk along and up to the summit.  There we met Colin G8JSM, for the second time in the day, who was activating on 2m and 4m.  Sean and I set up the 30m dipole.  When a section of the pole fractured and could no longer support the upper sections, Sean fixed it using his exhibitor sticker from the rally!

Sean M0GIA made his four QSOs on a very difficult 30m band, plagued by QRM, QRN and QSB.  I made only five contacts myself.  Over on 2m FM, Jimmy M0HGY made 5 QSOs, but Edward 2E0NSR had the most in his logbook with 10 contacts.  That brought most of the day's activities to a conclusion, and we drove back to Macclesfield all rather tired.  Many thanks to all volunteers on the SOTA stand.