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

Mynydd y Cwm 2009

 

Jimmy M3EYP, Liam and myself teamed up with Richard G3CWI on Saturday 16th May 2009 for our maiden activations of the "new Welsh one". It was an unusual day's SOTAing in that (1) we had a lie-in and (2) we didn't stop for a Lymm Truck Stop breakfast on the outward route (much to Richard's anguish).  We took the M56 and A55 westwards, exiting at J29 and following signs for Dyserth. We then followed the signpost for Cwm and were soon in the wooded section. The parking spot was the same one used by Roger MW0IDX at SJ079768.  The walk was along a wide firm track through the woods. The going was easy and the gradient negligible. Jimmy directed us to turn left and then right as we made out approach to the summit.

Richard GW3CWI/P activating on 2m FM    Liam & Tom on Mynydd y Cwm GW/NW-076    Click to return to summit index

 

Towards the summit, the path became narrower and winding, weaving around the trees, some standing and some felled. A large cairn was reached indicating the summit of Mynydd y Cwm GW/NW-076, and here Richard GW3CWI/P immediately began his activation on 2m FM with his handheld.

Liam plonked himself down by the cairn to play on his Nintendo DS, while Jimmy started setting up the SOTA Beam. We were concerned about a length of wire that had been left hanging from the tree above, but we couldn't find a way to get any purchase on it to get it down. More disappointing was the discovery of two long sections of black plastic piping, taped together. These were found dumped in the undergrowth right next to the summit. We later carried these off the summit with us, and put in the car boot in order to dispose of properly.

Jimmy at the summit cairn    The SOTA Beam ready for action    40m dipole in a narrow clearing

A small and narrow clearing adjacent to the summit was the perfect length for my 40m dipole antenna, which went up assisted by a little improvised back-guying around some tree roots. My first QSO was very pleasing - GT7OOO/P on Mull Hill GD/GD-005 - on 7.032MHz CW. This headed up a run of 16 40m CW contacts, also including OK1CYC/P on OK/LI-058. A solitary contact on 15m CW was HA7UG. Jimmy made ten QSOs on 2m FM. Lunch was taken in the form of sweet potato, chicken and coconut soup (very tasty) and the unusual addition of sandwiches kindly made by Marianne. These included the very American style peanut butter and jelly, and were actually very nice!

Liam concenrates on his DS playing!    It's the SOTA Beam again!

Descending the summit, Jimmy and Richard were soon tearing away from Liam and myself. With Jimmy carrying the map and compass, this proved to be problematic, for Liam and I turned the wrong way onto the main path! Reaching a wide junction of paths that I didn't remember caused some alarm, but somewhat daftly, I tried a distance down both of them!

Jimmy was being very naughty, because in addition to hogging the map, compass and memory of the correct route (!), he also had his handheld turned off, so my SOS calls were unanswered. It was some time later that my handheld finally received a call from his, and he was able to talk me and Liam back to the car!

So ten minutes were lost there, but there was still time to grab an activation of Hope Mountain GW/NW-062.  Thanks to all callers:

GT7OOO/P 40m CW T
DL2DXA 40m CW T
G4ELZ 40m CW T
9A7W 40m CW T
DL9GTK 40m CW T
DL4FDM 40m CW T
MX0NAC/P 2m FM J
DL6KVA 40m CW T
F5NEP 40m CW T
9A4MF 40m CW T
MW0IDX 2m FM J
G4ZRP 2m FM J
HB9AGH 40m CW T
MW0IDX 40m CW T
G4BLH 2m FM J
G0OXV/M 2m FM J
F6EFI 40m CW T
M1AVV 2m FM J
2E0VXR/M 2m FM J
2E0JEX 2m FM J
GW0DSP 2m FM J
2E0BMO 2m FM J
HA7UG 15m CW T
DL2EF 40m CW T
DL9SXX 40m CW T
OK1CYC/P 40m CW T
LA5SAA 40m CW T