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

The Cloud 2007 (1)

 

The Cloud - the full ascent on video - with cool jazz accompaniment!    Click to return to summit index

 

I had enjoyed myself considerably on Ingleborough G/NP-005 just two days previously.  I was in the mood for sitting on summits playing SOTA.  So it was that on the drive home from work on Monday 17th April 2007, I diverted up to Cloudside and went for a little walk.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

G3CWI Macclesfield Richard
G4NGV Haslingden Tony
2E0BKW Leek Gareth
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve

 

A second trip of the year, but certainly not the last on Tuesday 1st May 2007.  It was nice to have a S2S with another pointless individual on another pointless summit - Mike GW0DSP/P on Hope Mountain GW/NW-062.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

M0SGB Bury Steve
G0PZO Birkenhead Charlie
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard
GW0DSP/P Hope Mountain NW-062 Mike
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
MW3KML near Mold Kevan

 

Number 3 activation from SP-015 this summer, on the way home from work on Wednesday 2nd May 2007.  Warmer than yesterday, and less wind. Sat in my favourite clump of rocks which affords shelter from any south-easterly wind, which is what it was again today. With the setting sun shining right on it, it was a warm little spot. Stunning views across Cheshire as usual. The railway viaduct beneath, Sutton Common, Shutlingsloe, Shining Tor, Wincle Minn, Teggs Nose, Jodrell Bank, Mow Cop, Gun, The Roaches - wonderful.

My VX-7R suffered PMR QRM again. Not sure if this is coming direct or from the mast on Croker Hill (Sutton Common). Yesterday, heard a Macclesfield cafe mentioned in these PMR communications, but today they mentioned Princess Street, which is in city centre Manchester. I wondered if the Sutton Common mast had anything to do with it because yesterday (and before when experimenting with 10GHz WBFM stuff) I also had Signal 1 96.4MHz breaking through. This comes from the Sutton Common mast.

Anyway, three relaxed contacts on 2m FM, including a chap for whom this was his first contact after 6 years away from amateur radio - he'd never heard of SOTA! Also, one reply to my CQ call on 70cm, resulting in a nice chat. All very pleasant.  Many thanks to the following stations all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts, except G6GVI on 70cm FM:
 

G0NAJ Dukinfield John
G8AMN Barton Don
G6GVI Bolton Ross
G8SAR/P Mermaid Mark

 

The Bosley Cloud summer season rolls on. Limited time and suspect weather meant that it was (yet) another 2m FM handheld activation on Wednesday 8th May 2007.  Plenty of stations worked despite the limited working conditions on my side, and some nice chats. And the views are always nice from the summit. The wind was in exactly the opposite direction as last week, so my usual hiding place at the North Eastern tip of the summit was "out of bounds". Instead, I sat on the trig facing South East and using the trig itself for shelter.  The following stations were all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

GW4BVE Pool Quay John
G0RNX Allbrighton Sean
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard
M0SGB Bury Steve
G3NPJ Heswall Alan
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAV/M Connahs Quay Steve
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
M1NTO Tyldesley Hugh

 

The Bosley Cloud winter season rolls on.  Ninth of May? Rubbish. I got to the Cloudside parking area and my lovely silver Picasso with its porcupine-like array of antenna across the crest of its roof looked rather photogenic. I got the camera out and thought "I know - a SOTAscreens video of my ascent of this hill". I was confident I could get the whole ascent from car to trig recorded in the few minutes that my camera might let me have. Wrong! It stopped just a few feet up the tarmac track, before the stairs and well before the expanse of National Trust land up to the summit.

I returned the camera to the car and resumed the ascent in fine drizzle, but much less wind than recently. I reached the trig point, and was quite comfortable in my Berghaus Goretex jacket which did its job of keeping the weather outside where it belonged. My Yaesu VX-7R would do similar when called into action later.

My first call, initially using Jimmy's Yaesu VX-110 was immediately answered by Mike GW0DSP, who not only spotted me on SOTAwatch, but then remotely logged for me as my biro was struggling on the waterproof pad. I hadn't been able to find a pencil in my car prior to the ascent.

Three stations were worked, following which there was a 15 minute void. I could hear Mick 2E0HJD, but despite my efforts he couldn't hear me. A couple more stations were worked, before I descended and returned home.   Thanks to the following, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW0WTT Ewloe Paul
M1BZJ Wigan Peter
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard
2E0BKW Leek Gareth

 

My first attempt at a CW activation took place on Sunday 13th May 2007.  It was a most pleasurable experience, and I hope that the EU CW regulars didn't mind me bedding down on 7.032MHz. I did actually look for alternatives, but couldn't find anywhere, until a QRL call on 7.032 was unanswered and I tried my luck there.

The pile-up seemed huge at times, and it was hard to read the calls. Often, it was the one who called last, or called for that little bit longer that I went back to, as that was the only bit I heard in the clear. Perhaps when I get a bit more experienced I will be able to recognise more calls and handle the pile-ups more fairly.

HF dipole on fishing pole            Base of the pole

By the end of the activation, I got down to two stations calling, then one station calling, and then none. I do hope this was the pile-up all worked, but apologies to anyone that had to go rather than wait for all the QRS. Thanks to all the stations for working me at my speed, which I will endeavour to continue to increase.

54 minutes operating, 18 contacts, 7 DXCCs - GM, LX, DL, F, G, PA, HB9.   I then went onto 2m FM and only made one contact... CW - it's the future!  Many thanks to the following station, all worked on 40m CW with 5 watts, except for the final contact on 2m FM:

GM4FAM North Kessock Cris
LX1NO Strassen Norby
DF2PI Monz Suitbert
DL1FU Biedenkpof Friedrich
F6ENO France Alain
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard
PA0HRM Delden Hans
HB9RE Zurich Fritz
DL6KV Bonn Philipp
DF1BN Juechen Paul
F5CQ La Chapelle du Lou Rafik
DL3JPN Oberlungwitz Steffen
DL6UNF Guben Frank
DL4FCK Bavaria Gerd
HB9AGH Zurich Ambrosi
F8DGF Nimes Nicolas
PA3CWG Hellendoorn Ron
HB9AGG Switzerland  
GW0WTT Ewloe, Queensferry Paul

 

The next activation was the following day, Monday 14th May 2007, in the late afternoon.  It was completely different!  The stiff wind was back, making it tricky at times to get the 40m dipole up, and making it rather chilly across the summit. I "qualified" the activation on CW with four different DXCCs - PA, HB, DL and HA, Hungary being a new one for me, and was then called by Fritz DL4FDM. This was nice, because it was Fritz who gave me my first ever CW chaser points a few weeks previous. We just about managed to exchange reports before my battery was exhausted - I hadn't thought it through, and the FT-817 had been only on trickle charge since yesterday's activation!  I finished the activation with two contacts on 2m FM:

PA0HRM Delden Hans
HB9EAA Hofstetton Niklaus
DL4FCK Bavaria Gerd
HA5TI Budapest Bischof
DL4FDM Bensheim Fritz
2E1RSS/M M56 near Warrington Russ
M0EIQ/M Oldham Dick

 

Another activation after work on Tuesday 15th May 2007, and a much better one. The summit was much more comfortable with the absence of yesterday's biting wind, and I was able to set up in a more comfortable position with a better view. Where it did almost go pear-shaped was with the battery still not being fully charged after yesterday's activation. I did catch it in time though, and was able to work through to the end of the pile-up on low power. I was rather surprised at the ease with which I was working into DL, F and HB with just 1 watt.

Despite the EU contacts, the highlights of the activation were a CW summit-to-summit contact with Mike GW0DSP/P on Hope Mountain GW/NW-062 and a QSO with Roy G4SSH/A down in Cornwall. Just three takers on 2m FM when I switched to that band/mode.
 

GW0DSP/P Hope Mountain NW-062 Mike 2m FM 0.5 watts
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard 40m CW 2.5 watts
DL3JPN Oberlungwitz Steffen 40m CW 2.5 watts
GM3JSX Gretna Jim 40m CW 2.5 watts
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Mike 40m CW 2.5 watts
DL6KVA Rostock Axel 40m CW 1 watt
GW0DSP/P Hope Mountain NW-062 Mike 40m CW 1 watt
F5AKL Reims Andy 40m CW 1 watt
G4SSH/A Cornwall Roy 40m CW 1 watt
HB9AFI Renens Kurt 40m CW 1 watt
PA3GWN Enschede Frank 40m CW 1 watt
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard 2m FM 1 watt
M3WID Widnes Jim 2m FM 1 watt

 

Another one the afternoon of Wednesday 16th May 2007.  But not HF or CW this time though. The combination of the wet weather, and a deadline to be back to run Liam to cubs decreed that 2m FM handheld style was the order of the day.  Nine pleasant contacts were made, all remotely logged by Mike GW0DSP, with yours truly having forgotten, again, to take a pencil in order to realise the benefit of the waterproof notepad! Many thanks Mike.  Although it was very wet and cold, there was little wind, and it was a quiet and tranquil scene on the summit. The thick mist was swirling around below, and I rather enjoyed the activation.  Thanks to the following all worked with 2.5 watts except M3PXW and G4BLH on 5 watts:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen
GW4EVX Mold Ron
M3SQT Biddulph Chris
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
M3OUA Manchester Les
G4BLH Brierfield Mike


Well, I had alerted for 7am (06 UTC) on Thursday 17th May 2007, but in all honesty did not really know if I would actually do a SOTA activation before work. I'm usually still asleep on a work morning until gone 7am, despite being able to leap out of bed at 6am on a SOTA morning. Making today a SOTA morning, therefore, must have made the difference, for I was wide awake at 4.45am, and annoying Marianne with my restlessness. I got up, went downstairs, had a spot of breakfast, and left the house around 5.30am.

Twenty five minutes later I was at the small parking area on Cloudside, but it was cold, and the rain very heavy. I was early, so decided to sit it out for a bit to see if the rain would abate somewhat. With the good take-off to the north from this spot, I turned the car radio on. A new station, Oldham Community Radio on 99.7MHz was logged. Switching to medium-wave, BBC Radio 5 Live was rolling through all the news (Prince Harry, Madeleine McCann & Gordon Brown) that I had already heard on the drive down from Macc. Radio London ('Big L') was audible on 1395kHz.

At 6.24am, I decided to strike for the summit. A spot was sent stating "QRV in 20 mins", and up I went. It was a nice climb so early in the morning with the thick mist and therefore eerie summit atmosphere. It was pretty wet on top though, and quite cold.  My initial CQ calls around 6.40am (0540 UTC) did not elicit a response, so I went onto the GB3MN repeater, from where sufficient interest was created to prompt four mobile stations to QSY in turn to S18. Shortly after 7am (my alert time was for 06UT) the four stations either side of the Dee Estuary appeared, as they had faithfully promised to do last night, plus one more mobile who had been tipped off by the guys on MN repeater. At 7.15am (0615z), I went QRT, and down to the car. I was pretty wet and cold by now, and looking forward to getting in the car and whacking the heater up.

By the time I had regained my usual commuting route to work, I was about 25 minutes ahead of my normal schedule, indicating that future pre-work activations are viable, and could last a little longer in good weather.  Nice activation, and good to work nine stations in half-an-hour, all before a quarter past seven in the morning! And I remembered my pencil this time, so although my notepad was soon saturated, I could still write on it, and the waterproof paper didn't tear - and furthermore, later dried leaving everything "as written". Thanks to all stations that called; six out of nine were regular or occasional SOTA chasers; all on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

M0DNA/M Cheadle Steve
G6HFW    
M1BVT/M    
G6LCS/M   John
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M3PXW Ellesemere Port Barry
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
M0GZS/M M56  
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen

 

Friday 18th May 2007:  In much better weather today, only three came on to work me, in contrast to the nine that took pity on me in horrid weather yesterday. Mind you, today I did not go round 'advertising' my activation on the local repeaters.  The weather was better because it wasn't raining. It was still quite windy and chilly. The views were good though, and you could see the aeroplanes landing at Manchester Airport.

In the end, just three contacts on 2m FM, using 5 watts, between 0559 and 0606 UTC. A further ten minutes of calling produced nothing. Maybe it is a bit on the early side to be honest. Having activated G/SP-015 consecutively on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. I would rather like to add Saturday to that, but it will depend on whether I can sneak out tomorrow evening while the rest of the clan are glued to Doctor Who and that awful Grease talent show...
 

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve

 

Saturday (19th May 2007) was indeed added to complete the week and tot up seven consecutive daily activations.  It was a plain and simple 2m FM handheld (first contact on 2.5 watts, rest on 5 watts) smash and grab operation.  Thanks to the following stations:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M0JDK Leicestershire John
M3SQT Biddulph Chris
G7AAV/M Ellesmere Port Steve
2E0BAX Macclesfield Sean
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
M1NTO Tyldesley Hugh

 

Keeping the run going to eight consecutive days was ambitious, with a full SOTA outing planned for the Sunday, 20th May 2007.  However, after Jimmy and I had returned from our successful activations of Horse Head Moor G/NP-021 and Buckden Pike G/NP-009, I slipped out again for another evening activation of The Cloud.  5 watts were needed for M3PXW and G4BLH, but 2.5 watts was sufficient otherwise on this 2m FM activation:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
G7ADF Wigan Ian
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
GW0WTT Ewloe Paul
G4BLH Brierfield Mike

 

Monday 21st May 2007 was the 9th consecutive daily activation of The Cloud G/SP-015 was today, and what a damp squib it turned out to be. Up I went in nice dry and still weather, with a fully charged FT-817 and looking forward to making lots of CW contacts. Upon reaching the summit, I managed to unpack most of the necessary items from my rucksack before I realised that I had forgotten the pole! Looking around, the most prominent thing was a flimsy baby tree, no more than 1.5m high. I couldn't see any other way of getting the wire sufficiently above the ground.

Rather than "make do" with a 2m-only activation, I decided to descend, collect the pole from the car boot, and reascend. I would be back within 20 minutes if I did, plus SOTAwatch SPOTlite informed me that Mike GW0DSP was on 7MHz SSB, which I thought would be fun as well as the CW. However, just as I was about to descend, a voicemail appeared on my mobile. It was my wife telling me that my 92 year old Nanna's younger boyfriend had had a fall and was in hospital, and that I was needed to pick her up and run her to the hospital for visiting.

I would not be returning to play HF after all, so I put out a call on S20 just so as to record the activation. Steve GW7AAV replied, and he was the only one.

Went home, had my tea, picked up Nanna, took her to the hospital, sat in car waiting and worked GB5OML (Macclesfield & DRS special 50th anniversary call), took Nanna home. She had a picture on her mantelpiece of Jimmy and I at the end of the Pennine Way, and she told me that she was a keen hiker when she was Jimmy's age. Apparently, her favourite was to walk with a group of friends from Macclesfield to Buxton via the Goyt Valley, then back after a meal via the public footpaths that weave around the main road. That's a 26 mile round trip; I listened with considerable respect!

GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve

 

Tuesday 22nd May 2007 was my 15th activation of The Cloud this year, my 10th in as many days, and my 35th so far in SOTA. After the necessary disappointment of yesterday, I was determined to get on 40m CW today. I set up in pleasant warm weather, and sat in comfy dry grass, leaning against a large slanting slab of rock.

It took several SOTAwatch self-spots and many minutes of CQing before the first contact. This came courtesy of Peter ON3WAB, who was followed by G3VQO, G3CWI and DL4FDM, so good to get four SOTA CW regulars in the book. A fifth station had seemingly never heard of SOTA and asked lots of questions.  Unfortunately I answered only a few of them, for my speed was about half his!   Nice afternoon - deserved more contacts!  In the following table, all stations were worked on 40m CW, VQO and CWI on 500mW, the others on 2.5 watts:

ON3WAB Wakken Peter
G3VQO Horsham Les
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard
DL4FDM Bensheim Fritz
G3RVM Thatcham Ian

 

I had alerted for an afternoon-on-the-way-home activation for Wednesday 23rd May 2007, but I was awake at 6am and decided to go early. I edited my alert time, but probably too early to get the message through to any potential chasers.

On the way down, I chatted on GB3MN (Manchester/Stockport) repeater, and members of that net reconvened on 2m simplex for 3 of my contacts. On the summit, two tents which had been pitched just prior to my departure yesterday were still there, so I can assume that NT wardens had not inspected during the night!

The tents were right by the trig, so I moved over to the north facing end of the summit, behind some rocks so as not to awaken the campers. A fourth contact came courtesy of my friend Phil G6AKK in Macclesfield, and we had a fairly long chinwag. Phil is a great guy and was the person who took on teaching Jimmy through his Foundation licence course back in 2005. He asked if Jimmy is still active in the hobby, and was pleased to hear that he very much is.

On the way down from the summit, I chatted to a station via the GB3VT (Stoke) who was talking about getting an 817 for portable work. He wanted to know more about SOTA and was very enthusiastic. Another recruit it seems.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on  2m FM with 2.5 watts:

M0DNA/M Cheadle Hulme Steve
G6LCS/M M60 J3 John
G6AKK Tytherington Phil
M3LUE/M Astley Keith

 

On Thursday 24th May 2007, I proved that it was indeed just about possible to squeeze in an HF activation before work. It meant leaving the house at 6.15am BST though, so very little margin for error. It was actually rather wet as I drove outwards, but on arrival at Cloudside it was more mist than rain, so not too bad.

The summit being deserted at this time, I was able to save some time by setting up right by the trig point and viewfinder, rather than trying to get out of the way. Very nice on the radio, with six stations including five DXCCs (G, F, DL, HB & HA) on 40m CW using just 2.5 watts. QRP HF contacts using CW are so easy it feels almost like cheating! In fact I was talking to one experienced activator the previous evening who is considering quitting CW in disgust at the lack of challenge it offers ;)

A call on 2m FM before leaving the summit brought in GW0DSP and GW7AAV to bring the totals to 8 contacts and 6 DXCCs. I chatted to M0FAZ/M again via the Stoke-on-Trent repeater GB3VT on the way down. He is intending becoming a SOTA activator, and after hearing about my contacts, is now intending refreshing his CW!  I made morning briefing at work with 3 minutes to spare. I will try to add that to my operating time on the next occasion, and not be so wasteful with my time window!  Thanks to the following, worked on 40m CW with 2.5 watts, and the last two on 2m FM with the same power:

HA5TI Budapest Bischof
F8DGF Nimes Nicolas
G4AYO Sheffield Mike
DL2DXA Dresden Bernd
HB9DAX Landquart Fred
HB9DOT Arosa Kenton
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve

 

Friday 25th May 2007:  I must admit I didn't charge the battery up after yesterday's activation - but I thought there was a lot more left in it than what I got this morning. Just two contacts on 40m CW before it expired. 1 watt with GW0DSP and 0.5 watts with DL7RAG, but after about ten minutes calling CQ with 2.5 watts. Apologies to DJ5AV who I heard call, but couldn't reply to.   I've had my suspicions about this battery for a couple of weeks now, so hopefully I will know one way or the other tomorrow.

A QSY to 2m FM after packing away the pole and dipole brought in GW0DSP (again) and M3PXW. The weather started rather wet, but the rain soon lifted to leave a pleasant misty morning. Shame I then had to go to work, I could have quite happily sat up there 'til dinner time.

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
DL7RAG Tirschenreuth Heinz
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry


I got the 14th consecutive daily activation in on Saturday 26th May 2007, but not as I would have hoped. After the battery concerns, it was fully discharged yesterday, and then given a full charge. All initially seemed well with 11.5V showing first thing this morning. That was down to 7.2V and the self switch-off of the radio after just 11 minutes of calling CQ on CW using 2.5 watts. Definitely duff, and about to go in the post to the retailer from whom I purchased it just a few weeks ago.  Summit was "qualified" with four contacts on 2m FM. VHF was extremely quiet this morning.  A short drive back to Macclesfield, and then onto Manchester Airport, and then out to EA8 Fuerteventura for a week's holiday.  The 14 consecutive days would not be added to!

GB4COS Worsley Kevin
G0ISW/M M6 Stafford Phil
GW4BVE Pool Quay John
G0FJL Telford George

 

The return from our holiday in the Canarian sun, on 3rd June 2007, was the cue for me to return to SP-015.  The holiday in EA8 land, which included an excellent climb up the volcano on the uninhabited Isla de Lobos (steep sided and only 2m wide at the top - a bit airy!), lots of Tropical beer, tapas and seafood paella was superb.  I returned to The Cloud on Sunday evening. A few of the usual suspects were there, with several of them worked on both 2m and 70cm, all FM mode and all 2.5 watts (except 5 watts for G4BLH).

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 2m
G4BLH Brierfield Mike 2m
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve 2m
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen 2m
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 70cm
G7ADF Wigan Ian 70cm
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen 70cm
2E0NHM Warton Nigel 2m
M0SGB/M Bury Steve 2m

 

I did it again after work on Monday 4th June 2007, and it was a lovely hot sunny afternoon in which I could bask on the rocks. 2m rather quiet, and six stations worked in unhurried style. My opening call of "CQ Connahs Quay" was answered immediately however. Rather spooky when I realised what the initials of Connahs Quay were when I quickly wrote the abbreviation for the QTH down in my logbook!

Nice to work Steve G1INK/M while driving home, Steve was walking up to Shining Tor G/SP-004. Even better to hear him for SWL points on 5MHz back at home in the shack, then work him on two HF bands, 40m and 10m. Jimmy also worked   him on 40m, which might just be Jimmy's first HF chaser point!  Thanks to the following stations, each worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAV/M Connahs Quay Steve
M3PVJ/M Little Huyton Chris
M1EFT Warrington Paul
G0MRL Blackrod Laurie
M0AAS Warrington John


SOTA Beam    View from the summit towards Jodrell Bank

Tuesday 5th June 2007, and a slight difference this time.  Not on the way to or from work, but in between dropping Jimmy off and picking him up later from Air Cadets; an evening sorte to try to coincide with Mike GW0DSP's "Tuesday Night Is SOTA Night" / "SOTA Fun Evening". This was a great success with activators into double figures around the country. I didn't have 2m SSB due to not having the battery sorted for the 817 yet, but the VX-7R coupled with the SOTA Beam gave great results. 22 contacts, including 5 S2S.  All on 2m FM with 2.5 watts.  Great fun - nice one Mike.

GW4EVX/P Foel Fenlli NW-051 Ron
M3DMX Stockport Pete
2E0CRX/M West Bolton Services Steve
2E0EDX Blakcpool Ian
M0SJJ/P Kirkby Moor LD-049 Sam
GW0DSP/P Hope Mountain NW-062 Mike
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
M3XMC Wigan Mike
G0JNJ Macclesfield Allan
M3TMX Dalton-in-Furness Jordan
G7EPN/M Knutsford John
G1INK/P Shining Tor SP-004 Steve
G4BLH Brierfield Mike
G8ADD/P Walton Hill CE-002 Brian
2E0NBR Burton-on-Trent Steve
2E0KPO Burton-on-Trent Sharon
M0AAS Warrington John
2E0RDU Stretford John
G0HRW Wigan Ian
G7ADF Wigan Ian
M0GIE Royton Phil
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen



Wednesday 6th June 2007 was the more usual "on the way home from work" destress session, just over a quarter of an hour on air, and six contacts in the book, including some nice chats with John M0AAS and Mike GW0DSP. At this stage I noticed that I had done 403 SOTA activations, and so have crept over the line into the exclusive 400+ club with GM7PKT, G3CWI, DL2HSC and G1INK. I'm the only one out of the five that isn't MG. Well, there's no rush, is there?   Many thanks to the following, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts (except G4BLH where 5 watts was needed):

GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
G4BLH Brierfield Mike
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M0AAS Warrington John
2E0NHM Warton Nigel
G7ADF Wigan Ian

 

Thursday 7th June 2007 saw me back to the end-of-week pre-work visits.  I didn't have much of a time window due to needing to collect a parcel from the sorting office, which didn't open until 7am.  I recognised Steve G1INK's car at the Cloudside parking spot, and sure enough there he was on summit with his HF multiband dipole. He wasn't having much joy though on SSB with the microphone. It's like shelling peas up there at that time on 40 CW! Go on Steve, you know it makes sense ;)

Only two stations worked me on 2m FM (2.5 watts), but I needed to get to work now anyway, what with the later start today.

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M0AAS Warrington John

 

I was running a little late on the morning of Friday June 8th 2007, but wanted to set up properly on The Cloud to see if the internal 2.3Ah battery, now returned from the retailer, had been fixed and was working. Well, the displayed voltage certainly didn't plummet from 11.4V to 7.1V with a single push of the PTT, causing the set to switch itself off!  It seemed to work OK, and allowed me around 40 minutes of using 5 watts on 2m FM, with seemingly plenty of charge left at the end. I did notice the occasional momentary drop to 7.9V on the displayed voltage while keying the microphone, soon restored back to 9V+.

The 40 minutes on 5 watts today did not actually reap much reward. Just three stations, and most calls unanswered.  I couldn't even raise anyone on the Stoke repeater, and the Manchester repeater seems unusually inoperational. Calls on 70cm produced nothing, and so just before 8am, I packed up and went to work.  Thanks to:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
G6YRK/M Bacup Steve
M3LUE/M Heywood Keith

 

Saturday 9th June 2007 saw my 7th consecutive daily activation of The Cloud, very early morning. Very quiet on 2m FM, first contact was into Nuneaton. He couldn't believe I was using 2.5 watts from a handheld with rubber duck! A few more trickled through after that.  I experienced a cloud inversion this morning, my first. Beautiful blanket of cloud either side of the summit through the valleys, and 100% cover as far as the horizon to the West and North.   Then it was a quick pack up, a dash into town to buy Liam's 10th birthday present ready for the following Tuesday (a Fender Squier Strat and amp) and pack the bags for a SOTA activating and youth hostel trip with Jimmy and Liam, setting off a couple of hours later.   Thanks to:

G1KDU Nuneaton Andre
M0RCC Haydock Rod
M0AAS Warrington John
G1DDU Congleton Andy

 

Doh. I had intended to keep the run going, but I was exhausted on Sunday night after driving back from our NP activations, still exhausted early Monday morning, and had a SOTA talk to deliver to the Macc & District RS on Monday night. So, shamefully, I took two days off from The Cloud. I'm sure it was glad to see the back of me for 48 hours.

On the morning of Tuesday 12th June 2007, the spirit was a bit more willing and the flesh a bit less weak, so got up at 6.20am and made the early start to work, after a quick elicit graze through some of the food set aside for Liam's 10th birthday party later.

The summit was shrouded in cloud, and there was no view, just four walls of thick grey. At least it wasn't raining. Six stations worked on 2m FM, all known SOTA chasers. Special thanks to John GW4BVE who assured me he would be thinking about me having to work, while he was spending a day activating on the Lleyn with M0COP. Cheered me up no end that did.

Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

G8ALB Birkenhead Mal
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW4BVE Pool Quay John
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry

 

I got up a bit earlier the morning of Wednesday 13th June 2007, the intention being to do a 40m CW activation. This all went well until I started on the key, which was making no sound at all. I checked the plug, the 817 keyer settings, the paddle, but I couldn't fathom what was wrong - until I noticed the mode was set to LSB and not CW!

Many calls on 7.032 MHz remained unanswered, apart from a "SOTA?" that came back once. I answered this, but no further response. I noticed the SWR has crept up a bit, so perhaps the dipole was now suffering where it has broken and been reconnected several times on one leg. Perhaps conditions were not favourable either; the band was rather quiet, and when I heard some static crashes, I started to pack away, even though there was no visible sign of impending storm activity.

Three stations were worked on 2m FM, before I retreated to the car slightly disappointed. The 7Ah SLAB worked really well, providing a much less stressful source of power!  Thanks to the following, all worked on 5 watts:

GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
G4NGV Haslingden Tony
M3PZO Macclesfield Sean

 

CQ CQ  ...  C.Q. C.Q.  ...  Connahs Quay, Connahs Quay  ...  GW0DSP & GW7AAV

Thanks for the contacts gents, and thanks Mike for the remote logging (not too onerous a task on this day hi!).

Arrived at Cloudside parking spot at 6.50am local on Thursday 14th June 2007 in heavy rain and strong cold wind. I sat for 10 minutes in the car thinking about not bothering, especially when I realised I didn't have a hat or any waterproofs with me. I found an old bomber jacket in the boot and used a sunhat to keep my head dry (it worked!), wearing shorts and trainers - what a sight! Nobody around to see me thank goodness.

Went for it, and the weather didn't seem too bad, especially in the shelter of the trees, climbing the stairs.  It wasn't even too bad out on the fellside. I made contact with Mike GW0DSP, then the weather got really nasty, with a significant drop in temperature, huge increase in wind and heavier driving icy rain. Time for a sharp exit. Worked GW7AAV, then no further takers on my QRG or on S20.

Back to the car, heater on full blast, shorts soaked and depressing news about childhood obesity. Took my mind of this with a stop off at Pittshill Oatcakes on the way to work for a Triple Decker bacon, cheese, sausage and black pudding special. With a pint bottle of fresh orange juice to ensure that it was a healthy breakfast.  Thanks to the following, both worked on 2m FM, Mike with 2.5 watts, upped to 5 watts for Steve:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve

 

With Jimmy sleeping off his LD-013 trip, and Liam & Marianne sleeping off some hard partying, I sensed an opportunity to sneak out early on Sunday 17th June 2007 to that little activated summit down the road.

40m dipole and the view looking West     Yaesu FT-817 and Palm Paddle

40m CW was in great shape, and I tapped out 27 contacts on the key, including a summit-to-summit with a DM activation, which was the highlight. The DXCC count was 7 with contacts into G, GW, GM, EI, HB9, F and DL. No OK, ON or HA today. I had a go at 40m SSB, with the help of a spot by GW7AAV. I could hear Steve on the frequency, but he couldn't hear me. I did manage to work Richard G3CWI 7 miles away, but that was my one and only contact on 40m SSB. I made 9 contacts on 2m FM, including more S2S, and yet some more on 40m CW, to complete a very satisfying activation of 37 contacts. My void of success/skill/luck/conditions/know-how on HF SSB continues; thank goodness for CW.

I was back in Macc by lunchtime to celebrate two birthdays. Firstly round to my 92 year old Nanna's house, and later out for beer and curry with my old school mate Steve. Their respective birthdays fell on the same day last year as well - spooky.

Thanks to the following stations, all worked using 5 watts:

DL2RAG Germany Heinrich 40m CW
G4WSX Chichester John 40m CW
F6CEL Pignicourt Ghislain 40m CW
DJ5AA/P Butterberg SX-068 Joachim 40m CW
HB9AAQ Haag Fred 40m CW
F6FTB Pasques Christian 40m CW
F5UOW Buron Stephane 40m CW
DJ4EY Warstein Jo 40m CW
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 40m CW
GM0NBM Cumbernauld John 40m CW
EI7CC Dun Laoghaire Peter 40m CW
DL2DXA Dresden Bernd 40m CW
DL1FU Biedenkopf Friedrich 40m CW
F6GEO France Michel 40m CW
F5AKL Reims Andy 40m CW
DL8DXL Laussnitz Fred 40m CW
DL4FDM Bensheim Fritz 40m CW
F5PEZ Aire Sur La Lys Andre 40m CW
DL5AWI Grossenlupnitz Gerhard 40m CW
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Michael 40m CW
F8BBL Tresse Laurent 40m CW
HB9AGH Zurich Ambrosi 40m CW
F5NEP Chamarande Lionel 40m CW
GW4ERP/P Rhobell Fawr NW-021 Richard 40m SSB
M0EIQ/M M62 near Oldham Dick 2m FM
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Mike 2m FM
M1DAP Chester Mike 2m FM
GB0BAB Burtonwood Air Base Museum Tom 2m FM
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry 2m FM
G3CWI Macclesfield Richard 2m FM
GM4CFS Stirling Glyn 40m CW
DL1JET Lichtenstein Frank 40m CW
DL4KCA Germany Joe 40m CW
M3XMC Wigan Mike 2m FM
M0MRE/M A49 near Oulton Park Roy 2m FM
M3PZO Macclesfield Sean 2m FM

 

I was up early on Monday 18th June 2007, so went for a pre-work Cloud activation rather than post-work. Despite my early rise, I was sluggish getting out of the house, and then inexplicably missed the turnings to North Rode, so ended up approaching via Congleton town centre. Oh well, I couldn't be bothered with HF anyway, so made do with a "cheap" activation with handheld on 2m FM, using 2.5 watts. As ever, the ubiquitous GW0DSP was first to greet me.

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
G6LCS/M Carrington John
M3RXX Macclesfield Greg
G3GAH Penketh Dave

 

I was on a course on Tuesday 19th June 2007, which was a 9.00am start as opposed to 8.30am for work. However, it was a further 20 minute drive through the city, the net result being an extra 10 minutes to play radio before work.

I was up and running on 40m CW with 5 watts by around 7.30am local. Two DLs, an HB9 and a CQ (Connahs' Quay) were worked before packing up. Just prior to descent, I called on 2m FM with 2.5 watts on the VX-7R, and worked SGB and DSP. Pleasant early morning activation.

DJ5AV Heiligenberg Michael
DL6UNF Guben Frank
HB9EAA Hofstetton Niklaus
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M0SGB Bury Steve
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike

 

The Cloud summit was visited again on the morning of Wednesday 20th June 2007.  It was very sunny, and warm out of the wind, but chilly in the wind which was lively across the top.  I have never ever see anyone up here at this time of a morning, so I set up right across the paths at the top. Two dog walkers walked across within ten minutes. I made a mental note not to make such complacent presumptions in the future. No problems, except for one dog that wanted to shake itself dry next to me, and then lick my face. I hope the quality of my CW didn't suffer at this point!

There were some very strong signals from HB9, DL, F and GW this morning, in a total of 7 contacts on HF CW. Five contacts, including four regular breakfast club members were worked locally on 2m FM also. I was out of the house by 6.25am today, but still needed more time!  Thanks to the following stations, all worked using 5 watts:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 2m FM
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Mike 2m FM
2W0IBM Bwcle Alan 2m FM
F5UOW Buron Stephane 40m CW
DJ5AA Dresden Joachim 40m CW
HB9AAQ Haag Fred 40m CW
DL1FU Biedenkopf Friedrich 40m CW
M0AAS Warrington John 2m FM
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry 2m FM
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Michael 40m CW
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 40m CW
DL2EEJ Dusseldorf Paul 40m CW

 

On the morning of Thursday 21st June 2007, I was sitting out of a strong wind while operating CW, a spot from which I wouldn't have any sort of take-off on 2m from the handheld (except for GW0DSP who, in the best scouting tradition, is well-prepared with excellent receiving antennas, and can hear me from parts of this summit that other stations cannot reach).  I worked 2 DLs, and an HB9 on 40m CW, and a GW on 2m FM, sat down with a flat battery and a rubber duck:

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
DL7VKD Germany Dieter
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Michael
HB9EAA Hofstetton Niklaus

 

Five days away from Bosley Cloud. How we missed each other. Anyway, back on my favourite hill for Tuesday Night Is SOTA Night, 26th June 2007.  I had quite a good night. Only one S2S - Mike GW0DSP/P on Hope Mountain GW/NW-062; I managed to miss Les, Terry, Barry and anyone else that was out, but I got about the bands and modes for a change. I optimistically alerted for six band/mode combinations. I actually managed four of these plus one other. I worked on 2m FM, 2m SSB, 2m CW, 70cm FM and 6m SSB. I think I will try to concentrate on either 2m/6m SSB/CW in future, as my operating time window is relatively limited - limited to between dropping off Jimmy, and picking him up again from the Macclesfield ATC Squadron.

I have carefully timed the driving, walking and set-up/packing-up and now know that if I am totally organised, I can be QRV from 1850 to 1950 on Tuesdays. Maybe we could even have a featured band/mode of the week?! I just wish I'd made more of 6m tonight.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 5 watts:

GW0DSP/P Hope Mountain NW-062 Mike 2m FM
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve 2m FM
GW0WTT Ewloe Paul 2m FM
GW7AAU Connahs Quay Helen 2m FM
G4RSW Stafford Tony 2m FM
2E0NHM Warton Nigel 2m FM
M3XMC Wigan Mike 2m FM
GW0DSP/P Hope Mountain NW-062 Mike 2m CW
M0COP Church Stretton Peter 2m CW
G6GVI Bolton Ross 2m SSB
G7ADF Wigan Ian 2m SSB
GW8ZRE/P Cyrn-y-Brain Dave 6m SSB
G0MRL Blackrod Laurie 70cm FM

 

Ten hours away from Bosley Cloud. How we missed each other. I was up somewhat later on the morning of Wednesday 27th June 2007, so there was no chance of an HF activation. This was more about my morning pre-work exercise than anything, but the VX-7R and the logbook and pencil went into the fleece pockets for the walk.

I did put a spot on for "QRV in 10 mins" from the Cloudside parking area, but I hadn't alerted on SOTAwatch. Hence the otherwise ubiquitous GW0DSP didn't show up, although his CQ neighbour GW7AAV did. That was after the only other caller of the morning, M3PTI from Stoke-on-Trent.

It was bright and dry, but it still seems rather cold for the middle of summer.  The following were worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

M3PTI Sneyd Green Brian
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve

 

Thursday 28th June 2007 saw another 'breakfast club' activation, but this time I had gone to bed earlier, got up earlier and set off earlier. All this meant that I was on summit by 0655 local and QRV by 0705 local.

A pleasing activation, all on 40m CW, 11 contacts from 4 DXCC entities - F, HB9, DL and GW. At the end, I thought a S5 (Slovenia) station was calling me, but another station thought he was calling him and was answering. I tried once, and I'm sure S58MU came back to me, but it was difficult in the QRM from the other station who thought it was his QSO. It was 0747 local, so beyond my "cut-off" time to pack up and get to work, so I gave up on this one. At 0754 local, I was packed up, and tried one CQ call on 2m before departing the summit. No answer, so off I went, although I saw later on the Spots that GW0DSP had heard me - he had worked me on CW earlier though.

Beautiful sunshine and clear blue sky, just a little chilly at 8 degrees Celcius, so I was sat in my thick Regatte fleece, fleece hat and Berghaus jacket. Pleasing activation.  5 watts were used on 40m CW as follows:

F6ENO France Alain
HB9EAA Hofstetton Niklaus
DL4FDM Bensheim Fritz
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
F5UOW Buron Stephane
DL4FCK Bavaria Gerd
DL6UNF Guben Frank
F6GUU Mansle Dick
DL7VKD Germany Dieter
F/DL6UHA France Hans
HB9AAQ Haag Fred

 

A rare Fridy after-work one from me on the 29th June 2007.  It was supposed to be a before-work one, but it ws chucking it down here in Macc at 0600 local. I rolled over and had another hour's kip instead.

After the traditional after-work Friday, five-a-side football, I passed up on the traditional Friday after-five-a-side pint and made for The Cloud. It was a beautiful late afternoon/early evening (I couldn't decide whether to send GA or GE in my calls!) with very clear views, the Welsh mountains could be seen beyond the unmistakeable profile of The Wrekin G/WB-010.

40m CW was great fun, with a little pile-up and 12 stations worked from six DXCCs - DL, F, HB9, GW (one guess), HA and PA. 2m FM from just the handheld was also enjoyable with 8 stations worked from two DXCCs (two guesses...).

A very enjoyable activation. I might boycott that pint again...  Power used was 5 watts on HF and 2.5 watts on VHF:

HB9AAQ Haag Fred 40m CW
DL6FAX Germany Konrad 40m CW
F5AKL Reims Andy 40m CW
HA5TI Budapest Bischof 40m CW
HB9DOT Arosa Kenton 40m CW
DL6UNF Guben Frank 40m CW
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 40m CW
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Michael 40m CW
F4DZY Sainte-Marie de Gosse Christophe 40m CW
F8BBL Tresse Laurent 40m CW
PA0XAW Anna Paulowna Age 40m CW
DL1FU Biedenkopf Friedrich 40m CW
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry 40m CW
GW1LDY Broughton Arthur 2m FM
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve 2m FM
M0EIQ/M Oldham Dick 2m FM
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 2m FM
M0AAS Warrington John 2m FM
M3RXX Macclesfield Greg 2m FM
G7NAL Gorton Harold 2m FM

 

My next activation of The Cloud G/SP-015 was Tuesday 3rd July 2007.  It seems everyone was looking for me on 2m FM. I was virtually exclusively on 2m SSB in the contest.   It was a "Shall I, shan't I" afternoon, but ultimately I decided to do it. After dropping Jimmy off at Air Cadets, I made the 20 minute drive to Cloudside, speaking en route to Mike GW0DSP/P was was already operational from Hope Mountain GW/NW-062.

There was one sharp shower on The Cloud, but it soon passed with sufficient operating time remaining to mostly dry off. I made ten contacts in the contest on 2m SSB. It could have been more, but I wasn't close enough to the beam to be rotating it according to stations heard or desired headings for CQ calls. This was because the weather made me selected to operate from the bottom of a large hole on the summit, in which I could get a small degree of shelter from a large vertical rock. My SOTA Beam was mounted high above me, on the lip of the side of the hole, hence out of reach.

This was quite good fun, and I look forward to doing a better job in the contest on a nice dry warm summers evening in the coming weeks. Richard G3CWI/P was extremely strong as expected from the next hill over the Dane Valley, but he was not SOTA qualifying, for he was operating from his car! And he wasn't on a SOTA summit... I spent some of the time calling in to others' calls, and some sat on 144.319MHz calling myself. After packing away, I made one CQ call on 2m FM on the VX-7R, but this remained unanswered, so I switched off and descended.

Back in the car, I spoke to Mike GW0DSP/P again, who was about to escape the heavy rain on his side and go QRT.  Many thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m SSB with 5 watts:

G3CWI/M IO83WE Sutton Common Richard
GW8ZRE/P IO83JF Cyrn-y-Brain Dave
G7OOD/P IO93AO Chris
M0GIE IO83WN Phil
G3IZD IO84KD Ivan
G6TGO IO83UJ Ian
G3SMT IO83VI Peter
G4ARI IO92IR Tim
G0HIK/P IO84JE Nick
G3SDC/A IO92FM Bob

 

On the morning of Wednesday 4th July 2007, I was up and away nice and early, but the weather looked grotty. Stations on the GB3MN repeater reported it was indeed horrid in the Manchester area, while a station driving down the M6 through Cheshire reported a "dry corridor". It looked dry between Macc and Bosley Cloud, with no imminent threat, so I walked up from Cloudside confident of staying dry.

I did stay dry, end enjoyed 45 minutes on summit. The 40m dipole was deployed, but having not alerted, I was never going to be busy. F6ENO came back to my very first call, and then spotted me; much appreciated. I then worked HB9AAQ, DJ5AV and DL6UNF, all regulars. There was also something like DL4ZBY/P in there, but he didn't respond to my reply to his call. That was it for 40m CW, not a surprise really with the early hour and no alert.

I then called on 2m FM and worked GW7AAV and M3ILV, before chatting to G3REM/M via GB3VT repeater during the descent.
 

F6ENO France Alain
HB9AAQ Haag Fred
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Michael
DL6UNF Guben Frank
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
M3ILV Haslingden Pete

 

Thursday 5th July 2007 brought my favourite CW activation so far.  It is always fantastic to hear the DL, HB9, F amd GW prefixes roll in; they are so reliable! But it was superb this morning to also hear LA, S5, OE and SP call me. With a rare call also from G land, this made 9 DXCCs worked on the activation this morning. Many thanks to all that called.

Certainly, the addition of an alert, albeit late last night, made a difference. I supplemented this with a "QRV in 45 mins" spot just after leaving home at the early time of 6.10am BST. Just before I made my first call, I heard someone tuning up on 7.032. I thought I would have to find somewhere else, but my QRL? remained unanswered. My very first call was replied to immediately by two HB9 stations, so I presume the tuning was one of them getting ready for me. Many many thanks!

I was commencing my ascent at 6.35am local, so ahead of schedule. My improving fitness was reflected by a rapid ascent time, and my increasing experience with the 40m antenna was reflected by a quick set-up time. I was QRV by 0551 UTC (6.51am local) and soon working the two HB9 stations. There then seemed to be a gap, and I thought that after the two that were up early looking for me, it might go pretty quiet. However, I was called by an LA station, which triggered 40 minutes of steady contacts. Very enjoyable, and thanks to all for working me at my speed.

F5AKL was my final contact on 40m CW, and within another ten minutes I had packed everything away and made a call on 2m FM. GW7AAV and GW0DSP were worked, but no-one else called. I had started my descent by the time M3PXW called in. I couldn't hear him myself from the wrong side of the summit, but heard Mike talking to him. I glanced at my watch and decided that I didn't have the time to leg it back onto the summit to give Barry the point - sorry Barry.

The timing turned out to be perfect today, being able to drive to work, change into my suit and present myself in morning briefing thirty seconds ahead of its commencement. Excellent stuff. Let's do it again tomorrow...

Thanks, again, to all the stations that called me. Having 13 amateurs from 9 DXCCs in their shacks so early and working me at 12wpm is very gratifying, and genuinely appreciated.  The following stations were all worked using 5 watts on 40m CW, except the last two, which were with 25. watts on 2m FM:

HB9EAA Hofstetton Niklaus
HB9DOT Arosa Kenton
LA1ENA Stathelle Aage
F8TMQ Grenoble Jean Eve
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Michael
S58MU Gorenja Vas Milan
OE3KAB Muenichsthal Karl
F6ENO France Alain
SP1JXJ Koszalin Andrzej
DL4NY Germany  
G3JAG Prestwich John
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
F5AKL Reims Andy
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike

 

I am pleased to report yet another splendidly enjoyable activation of The Cloud on Sunday 8th July 2007. On Saturday night I had decided to treat the family to a meal at the excellent Chesters restaurant in Macclesfield. It was clear that Marianne, Jimmy and Liam all intended using most of the morning to sleep off their feast (and wine), so I sneaked out just after 6am.

It was a beautiful warm, clear and sunny morning, and it was gorgeous up on The Cloud. I set up for 40m CW and got straight to work at 0614z on 7.032MHz. I worked three chasers, but was soon swamped by many calls of "CQ TEST" by stations that obviously couldn't hear me. I decided that 40m CW was probably not the best place to be right now and set up the SOTA Beam, which I had also brought up with me.

Several stations were worked and I mentioned that I was going to try some 2m CW while working around a net of Bolton stations on 145.575MHz FM. One of them - Jean G0WBT from Horwich - immediately said that she would follow me down there as she wanted a 2m CW QSO. I had a nice CW chat with Jean, and then Ken GW3SRT/P, who tail-ended.

A return to 2m SSB saw many more 24 hour contest stations, and the 5 watts from the FT817 and SOTA Beam had no difficulty in working into G, GW, GM, GI and EI. I was surprised to hear CW on 144.325MHz in the contest. It was GI4GTY/P who I had already worked on 2m SSB, but I called him again to get another 2m CW contact!

Another try on 40m CW saw wall-to-wall contest stations, but I did manage to answer a CQ call from GB2IWM ("Imperial War Museum" IIRC) for a single contact before returning to 2m. Five North-West chasers were worked on 144MHz FM, during which Mike GW0DSP offered to spot me on a clear frequency on 40m CW (Peter ON3WAB was not the only one to suffer the inconvenience of forgetting the mobile 'phone!). This time I got a great run working regular CW SOTA chasers in F, G, HB9, EI, OK and DL. It was great to work Roy G4SSH/A, as I know he had been looking for me from Cornwall. The last CW contact of this mini-session came from Fried OE8GBK/8 on Kabesnock OE/KT-118 for a summit-to-summit. This was excellent, but then the frequency became swamped with chasers calling Fried, so I ducked out and returned to 2m.

A run of nine contacts on 2m SSB was followed by five on 2m FM which included summit-to-summits QSOs with Tim 2E0KEA/P on Shobdon Hill G/WB-017 and Geoff MW3SFN/P on Waun Fach GW/SW-002. These were thanks to tip-offs from Mike GW0DSP. He also advised that John G4YSS was on 7.032MHz CW from Great Whernside G/NP-008. I heard a strong signal from John, operating as GX0OOO/P and responded to his call. There was a massive pile-up, but to my astonishment, John called me in first! This was another very pleasing QSO, as John is another who has encouraged me greatly with the CW, but this was our first actual contact.

It was now time to go home and touch base with the family. Marianne served up a welcome lunch of bacon and cheese baps with cheesy beans, then we were off out in the car after prising Liam away from Scrapheap Challenge on the telly. Marianne said that she fancied a walk up Shining Tor G/SP-004, but I convinced her that The Cloud G/SP-015 was a much more attractive walk. She agreed, and we made out way there after coffee and scones at the garden centre. While partaking in our afternoon snack, there was a little thunder and then ten minutes of the most incredible heavy rain. Water was gushing off the awnings outside the tearoom in incredible volumes. Little were we aware of the hair-raising experience of our fellow Maxonian on Bishop Wilton Wold G/TW-004 at that time!  (Richard G3CWI was very nearly struck by lightning up there).

Jimmy M3EYP        Marianne & Liam relaxing in the sunshine!

I was pleasantly surprised to find parking spaces available at Cloudside at that time on a Sunday afternoon. We walked up onto the summit, and for me, it was my second ascent of this hill today. My activation records would indicate a gap of 3 hours 40 minutes between consecutive contacts! Jimmy and I set up for 2m SSB, while Marianne and Liam lay basking in the sunshine for a while and then went off to explore the rocks. Eleven Backpackers Contest stations were worked, including summit-to-summit contacts with Charlie GW0PZO/P on Moel y Gamelin GW/NW-042, Keith G8HXE/P on Gun G/SP-013 and Steve G1INK/P on Cross Fell G/NP-001.

This left Jimmy with one contact to make to get his four. (Yes, believe it or not, this was Jimmy's first visit to The Cloud in 2007!). He called on S20 and worked Steve M0SGB on 2m FM. Back in the car, we were increasingly following the Wimbledon final on BBC Radio 5 Live. We called in at The Rushton Inn for a pint of Bosley Cloud (appropriately enough) and watch Rafael Nadal outclass Roger Federer to go 4-0 up in the fourth set of the Wimbledon final. We made it home in time to watch most of the deciding fifth set, which Federer deservedly won.

Some statistics:

Jimmy M3EYP/P: 1439 to 1507 UTC, 4 contacts; 3 x 2m SSB, 1 x 2m FM, 3 S2S, 2 DXCC

Tom M1EYP/P: 0614 -1503 UTC, 71 contacts; 14x40m CW, 23x2m FM, 3x2m CW, 31x2m SSB, 7 S2S, 10 DXCC.

Sincere thanks to everyone that worked us on the various bands and modes, all on 5 watts:

HB9AAQ Haag Fred 40m CW T
PA0HRM Delden Hans 40m CW T
F6ENO France Alain 40m CW T
G0WBT Horwich Jean 2m FM T
M3RNX Bolton Alfred 2m FM T
G7HVO Bolton Reg 2m FM T
M0TJV Bolton Kevin 2m FM T
G1OKW Skelmersdale Pete 2m FM T
M0AAS Warrington John 2m FM T
2E0JAC/P Great Eccleston John 2m FM T
2E1INY Fenton Ian 2m FM T
G1ECI Wigan Jack 2m FM T
2E0XCB Newcastle-under-Lyme Des 2m FM T
G0WBT Horwich Jean 2m CW T
GW3SRT/P 5km SE of Welshpool Ken 2m CW T
G3ZME/P IO82NN   2m SSB T
G1DDU Congleton Andy 2m SSB T
GI4GTY/P IO74AI   2m SSB T
G3CKR IO93AD   2m SSB T
GM3HAM/P IO74WV Peter 2m SSB T
GX5FZ/P IO93WH   2m SSB T
MM0CPS/P IO84BT   2m SSB T
EI9E/P IO62OM John 2m SSB T
G3FJE/P IO92XA   2m SSB T
M1DAP Chester Mike 2m FM T
GW0PZO/M near Caergwrle Charlie 2m FM T
G3ZTT/P IO83QE   2m SSB T
GI4GTY/P IO74AI   2m SSB T
G3VER/P IO91RU   2m SSB T
G3RSC/P IO92FM   2m SSB T
GB2IWM Imperial War Museum   40m CW T
2E0EDX Blackpool Ian 2m FM T
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry 2m FM T
G4BLH Brierfield Mike 2m FM T
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 2m FM T
M0ACK St Helens Mike 2m FM T
F6GEO France Michel 40m CW T
G4SSH/A Cornwall Roy 40m CW T
HB9AGH Zurich Ambrosi 40m CW T
F5NEP Chamarande Lionel 40m CW T
EI2CL Dublin Michael 40m CW T
F6CEL Pignicourt Ghislain 40m CW T
OK1HDU Czech Republic Jarda 40m CW T
DK4CU Germany Guenter 40m CW T
OE8GBK/8 Kabersnock KT-118 Gottfried 40m CW T
G0ROC/P IO83VQ   2m SSB T
EI3Z/P IO53WI   2m SSB T
G4JZF Walsall Graham 2m SSB T
G0NAJ Dukinfield John 2m SSB T
M0GIE/P Windy Hill IO83AO Phil 2m SSB T
M3XMC Wigan Mike 2m SSB T
EI7T/P IO62JI   2m SSB T
2E0NHM Warton Nigel 2m SSB T
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 2m SSB T
G3OKA Wirral John 2m FM T
2E0KEA/P Shobdon Hill WB-017 Tim 2m FM T
GW1LDY Broughton Arthur 2m FM T
MW3SFN/P Waun Fach SW-002 Geoff 2m FM T
G4ZRP Wirral Brian 2m FM T
GX0OOO/P Great Whernside NP-008 John 40m CW T
GW0PZO/P Moel y Gamelin NW-042 Charlie 2m SSB T, J
G4ARI/P IO92IQ Tim 2m SSB T
GW4RWR/P IO83GC Rhys 2m SSB T
G8HXE/P Gun SP-013 IO83XD Keith 2m SSB T, J
G1INK/P Cross Fell NP-001 IO84SQ Steve 2m SSB T, J
MW3WZZ IO83LA Stephen 2m SSB T
GW3ATZ/P IO83KC Howell 2m SSB T
G0HIK/P IO84KE Nick 2m SSB T
G8JAY/P IO91AW Anthony 2m SSB T
G8BGV/P JO01HP Paul 2m SSB T
G6GVI Bolton Ross 2m SSB T
M0SGB Bury Steve 2m FM J

 

I was still very much in "play radio" mood after the previous day's antics, and so made for The Cloud after work on Monday 9th July 2007. The original plan was to concentrate on 40m CW, and so the dipole was set up mounted on the fishing pole. It was warm with blue sky, but with menacing dark clouds a few miles away in all directions. When spot of rain appeared on my rucksack and on my face without it appearing to be raining, my mind recalled Richard G3CWI's unpleasant hair-raising experience from the previous day, when only a Silva compass saved him from a volt or two.

I maintained a careful eye and ear on everything for signs of electrical activity, and began to consider my escape plan should anything start to buzz or crackle. Thankfully, it did not, and instead, the clouds parted and moved ever further away, opening up a wider expanse of clear blue sky above and allowing the warm sun to shine through.

40m CW was slow going, so after four contacts I decided to give 40m SSB a try. First I worked a handful on 2m FM, and used this as an oppotunity to get Mike GW0DSP to do the spot for me. GW4BVE greeted me on 7.095MHz SSB, but he was the only one. However, John's remarks about conditions prompted me to have a look at 6m, and sure enough it was open.

Stations from Portugal and Gibraltar were worked on 6m CW, followed by a different Gibraltan on 6m SSB. This was using the 40m dipole which has always seemed to give acceptable VSWR and acceptable results on 6m. Mike GW0DSP and Steve M0SGB then turned up on 6m SSB, before I worked Mike on a fourth band/mode combination on 6m CW. A Spanish station tail-ended Mike on 6m CW for yet another SOTA DXCC. After packing up, a call on 2m FM from the handheld produced a run of six stations, including four from Macclesfield.

The SLAB was in the shack on trickle charge, so for the first time in ages, I was back to the old routine of using the internal 2.3Ah battery in the FT-817. I therefore started on 2.5 watts, but then switched to 5 watts on 6 metres. Nearly two hours of operating did not produce any evidence that the battery was getting flat, so I was quite pleased with that.

Stats: operating 1544 to 1752 UTC, 22 contacts;
4 x 40m CW, 1 x 40m SSB, 10 x 2m FM, 3 x 6m SSB, 4 x 6m CW, 7 DXCCs.

Many thanks to the following stations worked during this activation:

ON3WAB Wakken Peter 40m CW 2.5 watts
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 40m CW 2.5 watts
GM3BBD Stranraer John 40m CW 2.5 watts
G7ROY/A Cornwall Roy 40m CW 2.5 watts
M0AAS Warrington John 2m FM 2.5 watts
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 2m FM 2.5 watts
M0SGB Bury Steve 2m FM 2.5 watts
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry 2m FM 2.5 watts
GW4BVE Pool Quay John 40m SSB 2.5 watts
CT1FJ Raul Lisbon 6m CW 5 watts
ZB2FK Ernest Gibraltar 6m CW 5 watts
ZB3B Ronald Gibraltar 6m SSB 5 watts
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 6m SSB 5 watts
M0SGB Bury Steve 6m SSB 5 watts
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 6m CW 5 watts
EA1JD Pineiros-Naron Ramon 6m CW 5 watts
2E0CRX Manchester Steve 2m FM 2.5 watts
M3WID Widnes Jim 2m FM 2.5 watts
M3RXX Macclesfield Greg 2m FM 2.5 watts
M3PZO Macclesfield Sean 2m FM 2.5 watts
2E0BAX Macclesfield Sean 2m FM 2.5 watts
M1BYH Macclesfield Andy 2m FM 2.5 watts

 

I was up and out very promptly on Tuesday 10th July 2007.  I was calling on 7.032MHz CW between 0540 and 0555 UTC, with no takers. I then operated on 2m FM (2.5 watts) from 0555 to 0625 UTC with four stations worked in rag chew mode. My working frequency was 145.475MHz.

The weather was fine and I was definitely there!  Thanks to:

M0DNA/M Gatley M60 J3 Steve
G4VXW Leigh Robin
G6LCS/M High Lane John
G1DDU Congleton Andy

 

Low cloud and fine drizzle was what I woke up to on Wednesday 11th July 2007. The Cloud was in cloud. I got up at six, but didn't leave the house until seven. I edited my alert to 0640z, a time 25 minutes later than originally advised. My drive to Bosley was in horrible squally drizzle, and I wasn't relishing the walk. However, Cloudside was more in cloud than rain, and I felt quite snug and dry in my waterproofs.

After the walk to the top, I worked Mike at 0638 and Steve at 0642, both on 2m FM with 2.5 watts, either side of my alert time of 0640, which also matched the time of Mike's spot on me! However, it was deathly cold for July, so in the absence of further callers, I descended back to the car and went to work.  Thank you CQ town (again). 
 

GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve

 

What a difference an alert makes! This morning - Thursday 12th July 2007 - no alert. This morning, no chasers from CQ Town! Not deliberate, I just wasn't organised that well.  I could not get any interest from my calls on S20, although the band wasn't dead with three simplex frequencies in local use. I went to the GB3MN repeater and mugged a couple of commuters. Then strolled downhill to the car and resumed my own commuting.  Working conditions were 2.5 watts from Yaesu VX-7R, operating on 2m FM:

M3LUE/M M60/A580 junction Keith
G6LCS/M Carrington John

 

It was all wet an' 'orrible this morning - Friday 13th July 2007 - and I was tired after last night's pub quiz exertions. Quite why I walked up Bosley Cloud I don't really know, but I did and made six contacts on 2m FM with 2.5 watts.  I could have practically written the log in advance... Thanks lads.

This was my 67th activation of this summit in the SOTA programme.

G6LCS/M Carrington John
M0AAS Warrington John
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
2W0IBM Bwcle Dave
GW7AAV Connahs Quay Steve


I must be slacking. (Or the weather must be absolutely bobbins). Just the one Cloud activation from me in a whole week, on the afternoon of Tuesday 17th July 2007, on the way home from work. Nothing special, mainly 2m FM handheld activation, with one contact on 70cm (G6GVI).  All conducted in a most relaxed and unhurried style, with each QSO taking an average of six minutes.  Certain people will be wondering what has happened to their standard five chaser points per week guaranteed retainer.  All stations worked on 2.5 watts except 5 watts used for 2E0NHM at the end:

M3RNO/M Macclesfield Ronnie
G6GVI Bolton Ross
G6AKK Macclesfield Phil
M3PXW Ellesmere Port Barry
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike
GW7AAV/M Connahs Quay Steve
2E0NHM Warton Nigel

 

The next phase of activations of The Cloud in 2007 began with the visit to it during our Gritstone Trail walk in late July.  Read about this, and subsequent 2007 activations in the "The Cloud 2007 (2)" page below: