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Black Mountain 2019

 

Sunday 6th October 2019 -  Black Mountain GW/SW-041

Gig: Simon Faulkner Band

Venue:  Lemore Manor, Eardisley

I awoke at dawn, in my car on Gospel Pass.  The weather outside was wild - fairly heavy rain and strong winds ripping through the pass.  I wondered how well a portable HF antenna might stand up to such punishment at an even higher and more exposed position.  After the rain eased up somewhat, I began my ascent onto Black Mountain.  I reached the trig point at Hay Bluff, then doubled back to pick up the Offa's Dyke Path up towards the true summit.  I didn't go all the way to the summit cairn, but set up within the activation zone on the English side of the border.

Hay Bluff        Bandhopper 4

On this occasion, I was using the call G5D - the contest call of the Tall Trees Contest Group.  This was to take part in the RSGB DX Contest, although the inclement weather severely curtailed the time I was able and prepared to devote to the event.  Furthermore, the difficult conditions caused a painfully slow QSO rate, and just 27 contacts were recorded.

Tom M1EYP        Trying in vain to call on 80m CW

After packing away and beginning the descent, I again arrived at the Hay Bluff trig point.  I took the opportunity to put out some calls in the hope of soliciting at least one QSO so as to claim the trig for the WAB Trig Points Award.  I actually managed two QSOs from Hay Bluff!

Walking back down towards Hay Bluff        Between the summit and Hay Bluff

As I continued the descent back to Gospel Pass, the weather cleared and I was treated to some excellent views in the Black Mountains.

Last bit of the ridge before the final descent        Brightening up to be quite a nice day!

Shortly into my return drive home, I chanced upon a "Farm shop & cheese cafe", not far from where I had been gigging the night before.  In here, I enjoyed some soup, cheese, bread, bottled beer and cake - all homemade and all absolutely delicious. 

Time

Call

Band

Mode

S2S

08:38z

ON6ZQ

7MHz

CW

 

08:41z

SA4BLM

7MHz

CW

 

08:43z

SM4CJM

7MHz

CW

 

08:45z

HB9JOE

7MHz

CW

 

08:46z

DL1FU

7MHz

CW

 

08:47z

DL6KVA

7MHz

CW

 

08:48z

PA1LEX

7MHz

CW

 

08:51z

PA9CW

7MHz

CW

 

08:51z

IK2LEY

7MHz

CW

 

08:59z

LX/PA3GRM

7MHz

CW

 

09:03z

EA2DT

7MHz

CW

 

09:04z

HB9AGH

7MHz

CW

 

09:05z

OH3GZ

7MHz

CW

 

09:06z

DL5JQ

7MHz

CW

 

09:11z

IW2LEW

7MHz

SSB

 

09:16z

LZ1GU

14MHz

CW

 

09:27z

SP1AEN

14MHz

CW

 

09:30z

SP9AMH

14MHz

CW

 

09:34z

OK2QX

14MHz

CW

 

09:38z

LY7TN

14MHz

CW

 

09:46z

HG5D

14MHz

CW

 

09:48z

LY3G

14MHz

CW

 

09:50z

HG6O

14MHz

CW

 

09:56z

SM0CUH

14MHz

CW

 

10:02z

IN3/DJ6TB/P

14MHz

SSB

I/TN-316

10:07z

9A5O

14MHz

CW

 

10:11z

OZ3SM

14MHz

CW