Tom Read - click to email meBDXC ISWL WAB SOTA RSGB IOTA - see my radio page for more detailsLiam & Jimmy

Dunkery Beacon 2010

 

Day 10 - Tuesday 3rd August 2010 (part 3)

Peter G3TJE had recommended we try the "Rest And Be Thankful" Inn at Wheddon Cross on Exmoor for a meal before the activation of Dunkery Beacon, but they were not serving food until 6.30pm. We then drove a few miles East to Ralegh's Cross, and enjoyed an excellent meal there. It was a case of not rushing, as we had ample time before the 8pm contest. Hence as we reached the parking spot for G/SC-001 at SS904420, right opposite the track to the summit, there was no need to get out of the car and into the rain!

On the way after tea    Close to the parking area

Summit of Dunkery Beacon G/SC-001    Beaming up the Bristol Channel

A decent evening had been forecast, and we had the time to let the shower pass. I had a chat with Richard G3CWI on the 'phone, updating as to his progress in the GW/SW and GW/MW regions, and enjoyed the wonderful view out over the Bristol Channel, getting Jimmy to help me identify Steep Holm and Flat Holm islands - although the shape of them kind of gives it away which is which!

Contest station set up in plenty of time    Liam & Craig

At around 6.25pm, the weather had cleared, and we set off up the track to the summit. An enormous memorial cairn marked the summit, and an extensive photo-shoot was our first activity. My heavier-than-usual pack contained the tent to afford extra shelter for the longer activity, and Liam was soon huddled into the back of that and playing his Nintendo DS game.  Jimmy M3EYP was getting restless, so he made a few contacts with some of the contest warmer-uppers to guarantee his activation point ahead of 8pm. He went on to make nine QSOs, all 2m SSB.

Jimmy M3EYP    Jimmy tries his luck on his handheld    Jimmy QRV in the contest   

Tom M1EYP operating in the later part of the contest    Liam & Craig later on

I made 41 contacts, also all on 2m SSB, during the evening, working Maidenhead locator squares IO70, IO74, IO80, IO81, IO82, IO83, IO91, IO92, IO93, JO00, JO01, JO02 and JO03. I did hear Stephany G1LAT/P calling from IO84, but she couldn't hear me! There was also a French station in an IN square, but the QSO was not completed.

2m SOTA Beam    Enf of the contest and about the pack up    Craig prepares for descent   

After our torchlit descent, we drove back to Wheddon Cross for a late drink and snack at the Rest And Be Thankful Inn, before returning for our last night of camping at Minehead. Again, we drifted off to the sounds of BBC Radio 2 on the VX7-R (hanging on a loop above our heads and set to a 30 minute APO), ahead of Jimmy's ambitious plans for the journey home day.

G4OCO/P

2m

SSB

J

G4DEZ

2m

SSB

J, T

M0YJT/P

2m

SSB

J, T

G0LGS

2m

SSB

J, T

GW3RDB

2m

SSB

J

G0NFH

2m

SSB

J, T

G2BOF

2m

SSB

T

2E0JWJ

2m

SSB

T, J

M0DXR

2m

SSB

T

G0GRI/P

2m

SSB

T

G1TST

2m

SSB

T

G0MRL

2m

SSB

T

M0RSD

2m

SSB

T

M0MCV

2m

SSB

T

MI0SMK/P

2m

SSB

T

M0GHZ/P

2m

SSB

T

M0ALW/P

2m

SSB

T

G2BQY/P

2m

SSB

T

G0WTD/P

2m

SSB

T

2E0VXX/P

2m

SSB

T

G4HGI

2m

SSB

T

G0HFX/P

2m

SSB

T

G3TJE

2m

SSB

T

G4TRA

2m

SSB

T

G0BBL/P

2m

SSB

T

M6OUT

2m

SSB

T

G6UBM

2m

SSB

T

2E0NEY

2m

SSB

T

G0AOZ

2m

SSB

T

G8HGN

2m

SSB

T

G4GTH

2m

SSB

T

G4YXS

2m

SSB

T

G3TTC/P

2m

SSB

T

M5FUN

2m

SSB

T

M1NTO/P

2m

SSB

T, J

G3PYE/P

2m

SSB

T

G8APB

2m

SSB

T

G0MBA/P

2m

SSB

T

G0VJG/P

2m

SSB

T

G0LMV/P

2m

SSB

T

G3HRH/A

2m

SSB

T

G4JQN

2m

SSB

T

M0GHZ

2m

SSB

J

G4CLA

2m

SSB

T