The Cloud 2016

There had been some in-depth discussions about the decline of VHF activity. I decided it was time to put this one to bed! I went to bed nice and early after the New Year's Eve festivities at 0030 UTC, so I could get up at 0540z and make the most of the morning, which was forecast to be dry and fairly calm, albeit cold.

The first port of call was Gun G/SP-013, which I did as a "raid" - 2m handheld in one coat pocket, logbook in the other, no mast, no separate antenna, no FT817 and no rucksack. Even at 0725 to 0730z on New Year's Day 2016 morning, even with a HT and rubber duck, I had four quick contacts into the log to qualify my first activator point of 2016. I walked back to my car by the light of my headtorch as it was still dark. I then drove across to The Cloud G/SP-015. The previous day, Jimmy had reported some apparently low voltage readings on the FT-817 LCD screen, giving him some concern about his 8 x 2600mAH AA rechargeable NiMH batteries. Nonetheless, they still lasted him for 33 QSOs. I said I'd give his system a run out after an overnight recharging cycle.

I was first into the parking spots at Cloudside, and the first walker up on the summit. It would get steadily busier throughout the morning though, reaching levels of between 50 and 100 up there at some points. I set up Jimmy's SOTAbeams MFD mounted vertically at 5m on a SOTA Pole. It was extremely cold, so I commenced the activation inside the bothy bag, which made things very much more comfortable.

I connected up Jimmy's 817 with its internal rechargeable AA cells, but again only 10.0V was indicated on the LCD, dropping down to 7.2V on transmit with 2.5 watts. I dropped the power down to 1 watts and started calling. 38 QSOs were made on this power setting, and the indicated voltage on the LCD seemed to gradually rise. This made me wonder if the cold temperature was influencing the behaviour of the batteries. I then switched up to use 5 watts for a while, and did so for 15 QSOs. I then ran the rig on 2.5 watts for the next 4 QSOs, and then on 1 watt for a further 7. At this point, I had exhausted the batteries after 64 QSOs, all 2m FM. Although the indicated voltages seemed lower than expected, the radio certainly got plenty of life out of the batteries.

At this point, I packed Jimmy's 817 away and replaced it with my own, this time powered from my Tracer 16Ah LiFEPO4 pack. A further 36 QSOs were made, and I decided it was time to go home. The activation had yielded exactly 100 QSOs, all 2m FM, in four hours. Power levels varied between 1 watt and 5 watts as detailed above. Clearly nothing wrong with the current state of 2m activity in the MIdlands or the North. Furthest DX was possibly Grantham, Bromyard or S2S to Black Mountain or Buckden Pike. Ten S2S contacts were made, details in the log table below. A very enjoyable start to 2016. Thanks to all who worked me. A very Happy New Year to everyone.

The most likely options struck me as operating from the home shack, or operating from my car on Merryton Low, or maybe Warrilow Hill, given the dire weather forecast. However, by 7pm, everything outside seemed much calmer than the Met Office had predicted, so I went for The Cloud G/SP-015.

I was rewarded with the weather remaining "relatively" benign albeit cold all night. OK, it was very windy, but nothing that my portable gear couldn't handle, and I sheltered myself by the topograph.

72 QSOs, all 2m SSB, squares worked: IN99, IO64, 74, 81, 82, 83, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, JO00, 01, 02, 03. Then straight home to watch my Tivo box recordings of Match of the Day and Celebrity Big Brother...

Back to The Cloud G/SP-015 once more for the 70cm contest on Sunday 7th February 2016. Half the activity (of a typical Tuesday night event) in nearly twice the time window made this a bit of a yawnfest. 41 QSOs, mainly 70cm SSB with a couple on CW. Squares worked: IO74, 80, 81, 82, 83, 91, 92, 93, JO01, 02.

Well I went for it on the night of Tuesday 9th February 2016, and walked up to Cloud summit for the 70cm contest. The weather was better than forecast, and I remained mainly dry, except for setting up - in heavy snow! Thereafter, I used my bothy bag to remain relatively cosy. It had stopped snowing and raining by then, but the shelter from the wind and the effect of an extra 3 degrees of temperature, was welcome.

I got off to a good start with 36 QSOs in the first 44 minutes, but then things came to a juddering halt. Sudden horrendous VSWR indication on the FT-817 screen prompted me to exit the bothy bag and inspect the antenna - where I found that a crocodile clip had broken off the feeder!

I managed (after a while!) to strip a bit of the coax core with my teeth, then use the separated crocodile clip to hold it against the driven element. It worked - but will need proper attention before I go out VHFing again! I finished with 54 QSOs on 70cm - 51 on SSB, 2 on FM and 1 on CW. Squares worked were IO64, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 91, 92, 93, 94 and JO01.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
20:00z	M1DDD/P	433MHz	SSB
20:03z	G8OHM	433MHz	SSB
20:04z	G4GSB	433MHz	SSB
20:05z	G0MGX/P	433MHz	SSB
20:06z	G4HGI	433MHz	SSB
20:07z	G3UVR	433MHz	SSB
20:08z	GW4ZAR/P	433MHz	SSB
20:09z	M0VXX/P	433MHz	SSB
20:10z	G8XVJ	433MHz	SSB
20:12z	G0NAJ	433MHz	SSB
20:13z	M0WBG	433MHz	SSB
20:15z	M0DCD/P	433MHz	SSB
20:16z	G1SWH	433MHz	SSB
20:19z	G4NDM/P	433MHz	SSB
20:20z	2E0IEI/P	433MHz	SSB
20:21z	G8REQ	433MHz	SSB
20:24z	M0GAV/P	433MHz	SSB
20:27z	G0TZA	433MHz	SSB
20:28z	M0UFC	433MHz	SSB
20:29z	G8HXE/P	433MHz	SSB
20:30z	G2ANC	433MHz	SSB
20:30z	M6XGS	433MHz	SSB
20:31z	G3UKV	433MHz	SSB
20:32z	G4AQB	433MHz	SSB
20:33z	2W0JYN	433MHz	SSB
20:33z	M0OMB	433MHz	SSB
20:34z	G7LFC	433MHz	SSB
20:35z	G4BVE/P	433MHz	SSB
20:36z	G8DIR	433MHz	SSB
20:37z	G6XHF	433MHz	SSB
20:37z	2E0XJP	433MHz	SSB
20:38z	M3RNX	433MHz	SSB
20:38z	G8ONK	433MHz	SSB
20:39z	G4VFL/P	433MHz	SSB
20:41z	GW8ASD	433MHz	SSB
20:44z	G4NTY	433MHz	SSB
21:01z	2E0DXK/P	433MHz	SSB
21:03z	GD8EXI	433MHz	SSB
21:05z	G4CLA	433MHz	SSB
21:06z	G4JLG	433MHz	SSB
21:16z	GI4SNA	433MHz	SSB
21:17z	M1MHZ	433MHz	SSB
21:23z	M0RKX/P	433MHz	SSB
21:27z	2E0RET/P	433MHz	SSB
21:35z	G8XYJ/P	433MHz	SSB
21:37z	G4OAR/A	433MHz	SSB
21:42z	2E0LDZ/P	433MHz	SSB
21:45z	G3UBX	433MHz	SSB
21:46z	G8ZRE	433MHz	SSB
22:01z	2E0SAE	433MHz	SSB
22:02z	M3MQW	433MHz	SSB
22:06z	M0GHZ	433MHz	SSB
22:14z	G7LRQ	433MHz	SSB
22:26z	G0XDI/P	433MHz	CW

How did I get on in the 6m contest on Tuesday 23rd February 2016? Well not great really. The wall of noise from IO83 and IO93 meant I probably missed a lot of good stuff under the splatter of nearby strong stations. I worked 67 QSOs, all 6m SSB, 4 DXCCs (G, GW, GD, GI) and 10 locator squares (IO64, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 91, 92, 93, JO03). I heard, but didn't work IO75 and 86 (GM) and 94 (G). I never heard anything from fairly usual squares like IO80, IO90, JO01 or JO02.

It was a very cold night and I could actually watch the frost forming on the red Exped drybag I keep my FT-817 in!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
20:01z	M6OXO	50MHz	SSB
20:07z	M0CTP	50MHz	SSB
20:09z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
20:14z	G8XVJ	50MHz	SSB
20:16z	M0MDY	50MHz	SSB
20:20z	G3RKF	50MHz	SSB
20:21z	2W0JYN	50MHz	SSB
20:21z	G8REQ	50MHz	SSB
20:22z	G4OAR/A	50MHz	SSB
20:22z	G0CER	50MHz	SSB
20:22z	M0COP/P	50MHz	SSB
20:23z	G4APJ	50MHz	SSB
20:24z	G3KAF	50MHz	SSB
20:25z	G3SQQ	50MHz	SSB
20:26z	G0EAK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:27z	M1DDD/P	50MHz	SSB
20:32z	2E0DXK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:33z	G3ZUD	50MHz	SSB
20:37z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
20:38z	M0VXX/P	50MHz	SSB
20:39z	G1SWH	50MHz	SSB
20:40z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
20:41z	G4HVC	50MHz	SSB
20:43z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
20:43z	G0NAJ	50MHz	SSB
20:44z	G2ANC	50MHz	SSB
20:45z	G4VFL/P	50MHz	SSB
20:45z	G0VOF	50MHz	SSB
20:46z	G0WWH	50MHz	SSB
20:47z	G1ZIG/P	50MHz	SSB
20:48z	M0ICK	50MHz	SSB
20:49z	M0PCF/P	50MHz	SSB
20:51z	2E0RET/P	50MHz	SSB
20:55z	M0GDX	50MHz	SSB
20:57z	G3VCA	50MHz	SSB
20:59z	G0MGX/P	50MHz	SSB
21:00z	G4NTY	50MHz	SSB
21:02z	M0JAV	50MHz	SSB
21:04z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
21:06z	G8BUN	50MHz	SSB
21:08z	GW8ASD	50MHz	SSB
21:09z	G3RCW	50MHz	SSB
21:10z	M0NKE/P	50MHz	SSB
21:15z	M1MHZ	50MHz	SSB
21:16z	2E0LDZ/P	50MHz	SSB
21:17z	GW4ZAR/P	50MHz	SSB
21:20z	2E0IEI/P	50MHz	SSB
21:23z	G8DOH	50MHz	SSB
21:29z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
21:31z	M3RNX	50MHz	SSB
21:32z	G0BFJ	50MHz	SSB
21:36z	G3PHO	50MHz	SSB
21:37z	M0RKX/P	50MHz	SSB
21:44z	G3MEH	50MHz	SSB
21:51z	M6JIJ	50MHz	SSB
21:54z	M0IKE	50MHz	SSB
21:55z	M0CGL	50MHz	SSB
21:58z	M0HWO	50MHz	SSB
21:59z	GD8EXI	50MHz	SSB
22:01z	M6CUL	50MHz	SSB
22:06z	G7RIS	50MHz	SSB
22:07z	G0JOG	50MHz	SSB
22:13z	G3UVR	50MHz	SSB
22:14z	M0OMB	50MHz	SSB
22:24z	G3WIR/A	50MHz	SSB
22:28z	G3SMT	50MHz	SSB
22:29z	M0LMN	50MHz	SSB

Thank goodness that pesky 10m/6m SOTA Challenge has ended. At last I could jettison the FT-817 and the 16Ah LifePO4 battery pack, and return to lightweight CW-only activating using my YouKits HB1B. Except for all my Tuesday night VHF SSB activity, but that doesn't count anyway because it's on Tuesday nights and some of the people I work are not "dedicated chasers".

Anyway, the first time back to more pleasurable activating with a mega-lightweight pack was Saturday 27th February 2016. The Cloud G/SP-015 was the summit, and the QSOs made were:

40m CW: 8 QSOs 30m CW: 3 QSOs

I couldn't hang around too long, as I had a gig that night with "The Retrobeats" up in Hyde.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
14:32z	SM7DIE	10MHz	CW
14:39z	G4OBK	7MHz	CW
14:41z	F6EAZ	7MHz	CW
14:42z	PA0B	7MHz	CW
14:43z	DJ9MH	7MHz	CW
14:44z	G4FGJ	7MHz	CW
14:44z	DL2EF	7MHz	CW
14:49z	SM4BNZ	7MHz	CW
14:51z	DJ2MX	7MHz	CW
15:16z	EA1DFP	10MHz	CW
15:17z	OK2PDT	10MHz	CW

I was periodically reading yearnings for more 2m SSB activations on SOTAwatch. Well, here was that opportunity - on Tuesday 1st March 2016!

Tuesday Night Is SOTA Night / SOTA Fun Evening / RSGB UK Activity Contest, call it what you will, but went out activating. I hoped for 2.5 hours until 10.30pm, but reserved the right to retreat depending on how heavy the forecast showers turned out to be.

The results? 68 QSOs. 2m SSB SOTA is alive and well!

And somehow, so was I. Two very nasty downpours passed through, both with gale force winds as they did. I thought very seriously about abandoning at one point, but made it through.

Squares worked: IN99, IO64, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, JO02, 03. DXCCs worked: EI, F, G, GD, GI, GM, GW.

It might be once a month (or in fact around quadruple that if you widen the remit to "VHF SSB" and include weekend events too) - but they are the optimal times for this type of SOTA activating!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
20:01z	M0VXX/P	144MHz	SSB
20:04z	G4OAR/A	144MHz	SSB
20:08z	M0CGL	144MHz	SSB
20:09z	G3SQQ	144MHz	SSB
20:13z	2E1SKA	144MHz	SSB
20:14z	G8OHM	144MHz	SSB
20:15z	G8EQD/P	144MHz	SSB
20:18z	G0MGX/P	144MHz	SSB
20:20z	M0RSD	144MHz	SSB
20:22z	G4JLG	144MHz	SSB
20:23z	G0CER	144MHz	SSB
20:24z	G3UBX	144MHz	SSB
20:25z	2E0DGP	144MHz	SSB
20:29z	2E0LDZ/P	144MHz	SSB
20:31z	M1MHZ	144MHz	SSB
20:32z	2E0VPX	144MHz	SSB
20:34z	G3TBK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:36z	G0NAJ	144MHz	SSB
20:37z	G7LFC	144MHz	SSB
20:38z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
20:38z	GW8ASD	144MHz	SSB
20:39z	G4NDM/P	144MHz	SSB
20:39z	2E0SAF	144MHz	SSB
20:40z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
20:41z	M3RNX	144MHz	SSB
20:41z	G0ODQ	144MHz	SSB
20:42z	G8ZRE	144MHz	SSB
20:42z	G4KQH	144MHz	SSB
20:44z	G3SMT	144MHz	SSB
20:45z	2E0DXK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:45z	G7ANQ	144MHz	SSB
20:48z	G4HGT/P	144MHz	SSB
20:48z	G3UVR	144MHz	SSB
20:50z	M0MDY	144MHz	SSB
20:51z	G0HEL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:56z	G8BNE	144MHz	SSB
20:59z	GW4EVX	144MHz	SSB
21:09z	G8XVJ/P	144MHz	SSB
21:13z	G4CLA	144MHz	SSB
21:15z	2E0IEI/P	144MHz	SSB
21:17z	2E0CNJ	144MHz	SSB
21:18z	GW4BVE	144MHz	SSB
21:20z	GD8EXI	144MHz	SSB
21:30z	G4RQI	144MHz	SSB
21:31z	M0GAV/P	144MHz	SSB
21:33z	G8HXE/P	144MHz	SSB
21:35z	G6UW	144MHz	SSB
21:36z	M0RIU/P	144MHz	SSB
21:45z	M0PNN	144MHz	SSB
21:46z	G4APJ	144MHz	SSB
21:50z	F8BRK	144MHz	SSB
21:51z	G3TDH	144MHz	SSB
21:53z	G8DMU/P	144MHz	SSB
21:54z	G4BEE	144MHz	SSB
21:57z	G8PNN/P	144MHz	SSB
21:59z	G8REQ	144MHz	SSB
22:00z	GI4SNA	144MHz	SSB
22:04z	M0HWO	144MHz	SSB
22:06z	G4FZN/P	144MHz	SSB
22:11z	GM4JJJ	144MHz	CW
22:12z	G1SWH	144MHz	SSB
22:13z	G4NTY	144MHz	SSB
22:15z	G0EHV/P	144MHz	SSB
22:17z	G8YMW/P	144MHz	SSB
22:20z	G0BFJ/P	144MHz	SSB
22:27z	GM3SEK	144MHz	SSB
22:28z	G0EAK/P	144MHz	SSB
22:29z	GW4ZAR	144MHz	SSB

It was 70cm SSB SOTA on Tuesday 8th March 2016. Well, listening to the weather forecast for the evening on BBC Radio 5 Live, 909kHz, while driving home from Wythenshawe, I decided I was not going out and doing the contest from the home shack. When I got home, I couldn't resist checking the latest online Met Office localised forecast - which told a different story of mild temperatures, zero precipitation and no wind. Game on!

I had promised Marianne I would collect Liam from his singing lesson at 7pm and run him home, so it was pretty tight to be QRV on Cloud summit by 8pm - but I was - just.

It was hard work with far too much QSB, but I got my signal out in most directions. A paltry 47 QSOs made in the 2.5 hours was one of my worst ever totals in a UKAC. Multipliers was also pretty bad with just 11 (21 = 10x2 + 1) - IN99, IO64, 74, 81, 82, 83, 91, 92, 93 and JO02. I did hear JO00, 03 and IO94, but never had the opportunity to work them. Several attempts to work G8PNN/P in IO95, but we just couldn't make it. Nothing heard from GM or usual squares like IO80, 84, 90 & JO01. Still, it will have been a better return than had I stayed at home and used the vacant shack I suppose. Just under 90K claimed.

Out of the 47 QSOs worked, I reckoned there were 7 that would, in the fullness of time, claim the SOTA chase. The other 40 had the option to do so at any time of course as well!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
20:01z	G3UBX	433MHz	SSB
20:02z	G4APJ	433MHz	SSB
20:02z	G4NTY	433MHz	SSB
20:02z	G0CER	433MHz	SSB
20:03z	GW4ZAR/P	433MHz	SSB
20:04z	G7LFC	433MHz	SSB
20:05z	G6XHF	433MHz	SSB
20:05z	M0VAA	433MHz	SSB
20:09z	G4AQB	433MHz	SSB
20:10z	GW4EVX	433MHz	SSB
20:11z	G8ZRE	433MHz	SSB
20:12z	G8EVR	433MHz	SSB
20:13z	GW8ASD	433MHz	SSB
20:13z	M6TFV	433MHz	SSB
20:15z	G8OHM	433MHz	SSB
20:16z	G4CLA	433MHz	SSB
20:17z	G1SWH	433MHz	SSB
20:18z	M0GHZ	433MHz	SSB
20:24z	G4NDM/P	433MHz	SSB
20:25z	GI6ATZ	433MHz	SSB
20:26z	G8REQ	433MHz	SSB
20:26z	G4HGI	433MHz	SSB
20:44z	GI4SNA	433MHz	SSB
20:46z	2E0DXK/P	433MHz	SSB
20:47z	G4BVE/P	433MHz	SSB
20:47z	G4GSB	433MHz	SSB
20:48z	G0EAK/P	433MHz	SSB
20:50z	GD8EXI	433MHz	SSB
20:52z	G3UVR	433MHz	SSB
20:53z	M0OMB	433MHz	SSB
20:56z	G8XVJ	433MHz	SSB
20:58z	M0VXX/P	433MHz	SSB
21:04z	M0COP/P	433MHz	SSB
21:06z	G4JLG	433MHz	SSB
21:07z	G3TDH	433MHz	SSB
21:08z	M0WBG	433MHz	SSB
21:09z	M3ROU	433MHz	SSB
21:13z	M0GAV/P	433MHz	SSB
21:14z	M1MHZ	433MHz	SSB
21:37z	F8BRK	433MHz	SSB
21:38z	2E0IEI/P	433MHz	SSB
21:42z	2E0RET/P	433MHz	SSB
21:44z	2E0LDZ/P	433MHz	SSB
22:06z	G4KIY	433MHz	SSB
22:22z	G7LRQ	433MHz	SSB
22:23z	G0ODQ	433MHz	SSB
22:29z	G6UW	433MHz	SSB

Another outing with the HB1B and associated very lightweight pack. With no external battery required, the very lightweight end-fed antenna and just a minipole, it feels like my pack contains virtually nothing! Which is really rather nice!

On the morning of Saturday 12th March 2016, I went down to the garage to have a knocking sound from under my car checked out. It occured whenever driving over a grid or a sleeping policeman. They tightened up the fixings around the relatively new exhaust and sent me on my way. I then experienced all the same knocking and rattling as I drove to The Cloud G/SP-015 - so I guessed I'd pop it back in the garage for another look sometime!

Because I was approaching from a different part of Macclesfield than usual, I found myself driving through Bosley village. Large sections of the road through the village were flanked by high solid metal fences, behind which the Bosley Wood Treatment mills once stood. One presumes that investigation and clearing-up work following last year's tragic explosion will continue for some time to come.

The summit was relatively quiet for a Saturday morning, and only two or three other sets of people were seen. I enjoyed using the Youkits HB1B as I always do, but used the Yaesu VX7R to grab a couple of S2S when I noticed them on the SOTAwatch Spots.

40m CW: 7 QSOs 30m CW: 5 QSOs 20m CW: 4 QSOs 2m FM: 5 QSOs

Total: 21 contacts, including S2S with G6OVD/P and 2E0IWM/P, both on Stiperstones G/WB-003.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
10:16z	F6ACV	7MHz	CW
10:17z	SM7DIE	7MHz	CW
10:18z	OZ7JZ	7MHz	CW
10:19z	DL5ZG/P	7MHz	CW
10:21z	SM6/DF4XG	7MHz	CW
10:22z	DL6WT	7MHz	CW
10:23z	SP8N	7MHz	CW
10:31z	2E0IWM/P	144MHz	FM	G/WB-003
10:32z	G6OVD/P	144MHz	FM	G/WB-003
10:34z	M6RUG	144MHz	FM
10:36z	2E0JKR	144MHz	FM
10:37z	2W0JYN	144MHz	FM
10:40z	EA1CVZ	10MHz	CW
10:41z	DL2HWI	10MHz	CW
10:42z	EA2DT	10MHz	CW
10:44z	DH3MIT	10MHz	CW
10:45z	SM4BNZ	10MHz	CW
11:08z	OK2PDT	14MHz	CW
11:10z	SP9AMH	14MHz	CW
11:17z	CT1RVM	14MHz	CW
11:24z	OM5DP	14MHz	CW

70 QSOs on the evening of Tuesday 22nd March 2016 on 6m. Good fun. Worked into G, GW, GD, GI, GM and EI. Locators IO64, 65, 70, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 91, 92, 93, 94, JO02, 03. Heard but didn't manage to work IN99, IO75, 86, 90, JO00, 01. Surprisingly didn't hear IO80 or 95.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
20:01z	G4LKD	50MHz	SSB
20:02z	G7LRQ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:03z	M1MHZ	50MHz	SSB
20:03z	G0EAK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:04z	G4CLA	50MHz	SSB
20:05z	2E0DXK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:06z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
20:07z	GD8EXI	50MHz	SSB
20:08z	M1DDD/P	50MHz	SSB
20:08z	G2ANC	50MHz	SSB
20:10z	M0OMB	50MHz	SSB
20:11z	M0VAA	50MHz	SSB
20:12z	G3UVR	50MHz	SSB
20:12z	G8REQ	50MHz	SSB
20:13z	M6OXO	50MHz	SSB
20:14z	M0WBG	50MHz	SSB
20:15z	2W0JYN	50MHz	SSB
20:16z	GW8ASD	50MHz	SSB
20:17z	M0MDY	50MHz	SSB
20:18z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
20:18z	G3SQQ	50MHz	SSB
20:19z	G7ANQ	50MHz	SSB
20:21z	M0VXX/P	50MHz	SSB
20:22z	M0EMM	50MHz	SSB
20:23z	G0HEL/P	50MHz	SSB
20:24z	G3MEH	50MHz	SSB
20:25z	M0PCF/P	50MHz	SSB
20:28z	G4ELJ	50MHz	SSB
20:29z	G8XVJ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:30z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:31z	G3SMT	50MHz	SSB
20:33z	GW4EVX	50MHz	SSB
20:33z	G4NTY	50MHz	SSB
20:35z	G3VCA	50MHz	SSB
20:36z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
20:38z	GW4ZAR/P	50MHz	SSB
20:41z	G8BCG	50MHz	SSB
20:43z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
20:50z	2E0LDZ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:51z	M0GDX	50MHz	SSB
20:55z	G4AQB	50MHz	SSB
20:56z	G4EII	50MHz	SSB
20:57z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
21:09z	M0CGL	50MHz	SSB
21:10z	G4YHF	50MHz	SSB
21:11z	2E0RET/P	50MHz	SSB
21:12z	M0CES/P	50MHz	SSB
21:17z	G8FMC	50MHz	SSB
21:31z	GM4JR	50MHz	SSB
21:35z	M3RNX	50MHz	SSB
21:37z	M6XGS	50MHz	SSB
21:38z	M0DCD/P	50MHz	SSB
21:43z	GM4BYF	50MHz	SSB
21:45z	G4VFL/P	50MHz	SSB
21:50z	M0XYZ	50MHz	SSB
21:53z	G0BPQ	50MHz	SSB
21:54z	G8BUN	50MHz	SSB
21:57z	G3LDI	50MHz	CW
22:00z	M6KTP/P	50MHz	SSB
22:06z	G6NUM	50MHz	SSB
22:07z	G4HVC	50MHz	SSB
22:08z	2E0VPX	50MHz	SSB
22:10z	M0LLW/P	50MHz	SSB
22:18z	M6XAK	50MHz	SSB
22:20z	EI9JU	50MHz	SSB
22:21z	G6DEG	50MHz	SSB
22:22z	G0CER	50MHz	SSB
22:23z	M0HWO	50MHz	SSB
22:23z	G0BFJ	50MHz	SSB
22:28z	M0ICR	50MHz	SSB

Thursday 24th March 2016 saw me taxiing Liam to Congleton and back with a couple of hours to kill in between. Cue a quick raid on The Cloud with the end fed, Micro Z tuner and HB1B for a lightweight pack. Mediocre results, as shown below:

Time	Call	Band	Mode
17:54z	DL2ASG	10MHz	CW
17:55z	DM3RB	10MHz	CW
17:57z	CT1DRB	10MHz	CW
18:02z	F6EAZ	7MHz	CW
18:03z	DM3SWD	7MHz	CW
18:12z	HG7WAV	14MHz	CW

Well I reckon there was one S2S (with GW1YBB/P on GW/SW-020) and a further 14 SOTA chasers in the log this evening. That was in a log of 86 QSOs, all 2m SSB. Locators worked were: IN99, IO64, 74, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, JO01. Heard but not worked were IO70 and JO03. Surprisingly not heard were IO95 and JO02.

Weather was dry and clear, but rather chilly.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
19:00z	G8HXE/P	144MHz	SSB
19:00z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
19:01z	M0VAA	144MHz	SSB
19:01z	G8ZRE	144MHz	SSB
19:01z	G6HFF	144MHz	SSB
19:02z	M6RUG	144MHz	SSB
19:03z	G7HOA	144MHz	SSB
19:06z	M0DCD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:07z	G4AQB	144MHz	SSB
19:07z	2E0BZU	144MHz	SSB
19:08z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
19:09z	M6XGS	144MHz	SSB
19:09z	G4FRK	144MHz	SSB
19:10z	M3RNX	144MHz	SSB
19:10z	G0WWH	144MHz	SSB
19:11z	G8DIR	144MHz	SSB
19:12z	G0NED	144MHz	SSB
19:15z	GW1YBB/P	144MHz	SSB	GW/SW-020
19:16z	GM4JJJ	144MHz	SSB
19:18z	M0GAV/P	144MHz	SSB
19:19z	GW4ZAR/P	144MHz	SSB
19:20z	G3SQQ	144MHz	SSB
19:21z	GD8EXI	144MHz	SSB
19:23z	GI4SNA	144MHz	SSB
19:24z	G8REQ	144MHz	SSB
19:28z	G4FZN/P	144MHz	SSB
19:31z	M0VXX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:32z	G3TBK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:33z	G4HGT/P	144MHz	SSB
19:34z	G7LFC	144MHz	SSB
19:35z	G0HEL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:37z	M0IMS/P	144MHz	SSB
19:38z	G1WAC	144MHz	SSB
19:40z	G4RRA	144MHz	SSB
19:41z	G6DOD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:42z	G8XVJ/P	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	M0BUL	144MHz	SSB
19:50z	G3TDH	144MHz	SSB
19:51z	2E0SCX	144MHz	SSB
19:52z	M0NKE/P	144MHz	SSB
19:53z	G0CER	144MHz	SSB
19:54z	F8BRK	144MHz	SSB
19:57z	G0ODQ	144MHz	SSB
19:58z	2E0DXK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:01z	F1BHL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:03z	G4JLG	144MHz	SSB
20:05z	G8CUL	144MHz	SSB
20:06z	G4CLA	144MHz	SSB
20:08z	G1SWH	144MHz	SSB
20:09z	G0EAK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:10z	G6RC	144MHz	SSB
20:15z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	SSB
20:15z	GW4BVE	144MHz	SSB
20:19z	M0HWO	144MHz	SSB
20:20z	GI6ATZ	144MHz	SSB
20:20z	G6LKB	144MHz	SSB
20:22z	G0JCQ	144MHz	SSB
20:23z	2E0XJP	144MHz	SSB
20:24z	M0MKO	144MHz	SSB
20:26z	GM4JR	144MHz	SSB
20:27z	G0EHV/P	144MHz	SSB
20:28z	M0ICK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:28z	G4NTY	144MHz	SSB
20:29z	G3UVR	144MHz	SSB
20:29z	G3CWI	144MHz	SSB
20:31z	M0PNN	144MHz	SSB
20:33z	G4NDM/P	144MHz	SSB
20:36z	M0DXR/P	144MHz	SSB
20:38z	2E0VPX	144MHz	SSB
20:40z	G4OAR/A	144MHz	SSB
20:42z	G4JQN	144MHz	SSB
20:44z	G3VCA	144MHz	SSB
20:47z	G3TCT	144MHz	SSB
20:49z	2E0LDZ/P	144MHz	SSB
20:56z	M1MHZ	144MHz	SSB
20:57z	G4APJ	144MHz	SSB
21:00z	G3PHO	144MHz	SSB
21:01z	M0COP/P	144MHz	SSB
21:06z	GM3SEK	144MHz	SSB
21:09z	G8BUN	144MHz	SSB
21:11z	G0VVE	144MHz	SSB
21:13z	2E0RET/P	144MHz	SSB
21:14z	G7LRQ	144MHz	SSB
21:16z	G0VOF	144MHz	SSB
21:17z	G0IUE	144MHz	SSB
21:29z	GM4PPT	144MHz	SSB

Tuesday 12th April 2016 and 70cm contest night. 63 contacts made, as follows:

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:00z	GW8ASD	433MHz	SSB
19:01z	GW4ZAR/P	433MHz	SSB
19:01z	M0ICK/P	433MHz	SSB
19:02z	G3UBX	433MHz	SSB
19:03z	G4APJ	433MHz	SSB
19:04z	G8REQ	433MHz	SSB
19:04z	2E0XJP	433MHz	SSB
19:06z	M3RNX	433MHz	SSB
19:08z	G4LKD	433MHz	SSB
19:09z	G8ZRE	433MHz	SSB
19:10z	G8XVJ/P	433MHz	SSB
19:11z	G1SWH	433MHz	SSB
19:12z	G4GSB	433MHz	SSB
19:13z	GD8EXI	433MHz	SSB
19:14z	G8HXE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:16z	G4BVE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:16z	M0GAV/P	433MHz	SSB
19:17z	G3UVR	433MHz	SSB
19:19z	2W0JYN/A	433MHz	SSB
19:20z	G4JLG	433MHz	SSB
19:21z	M0OMB	433MHz	SSB
19:21z	G2ANC	433MHz	SSB
19:22z	2E0SCX	433MHz	SSB
19:22z	2E0RFF	433MHz	SSB
19:24z	G0CER	433MHz	SSB
19:25z	M0WBG	433MHz	SSB
19:27z	G6XHF	433MHz	SSB
19:31z	G8OHM	433MHz	SSB
19:32z	G4CLA	433MHz	SSB
19:35z	GI6ATZ	433MHz	SSB
19:36z	M0VAA	433MHz	SSB
19:37z	M0HWO	433MHz	SSB
19:38z	GD3YEO	433MHz	SSB
19:41z	G4NTY	433MHz	SSB
19:43z	G0TZA	433MHz	SSB
19:46z	G3VCA	433MHz	SSB
19:50z	GI4SNA	433MHz	SSB
19:56z	G0ODQ	433MHz	SSB
19:57z	G4HGI	433MHz	SSB
19:58z	G4WBO	433MHz	SSB
19:59z	M6XGS	433MHz	SSB
20:05z	G3YHF	433MHz	CW
20:07z	G4NDM/P	433MHz	SSB
20:08z	G3VWH	433MHz	SSB
20:09z	GD4FKI/P	433MHz	SSB
20:15z	M0GHZ	433MHz	SSB
20:17z	M0COP/P	433MHz	SSB
20:17z	2E0IEI/P	433MHz	SSB
20:21z	M1MHZ	433MHz	SSB
20:27z	G8BUN	433MHz	SSB
20:34z	G4OAR/A	433MHz	SSB
20:36z	2E0LDZ/P	433MHz	SSB
20:41z	2E0DXK/P	433MHz	SSB
20:46z	M6NSV/M	433MHz	FM
20:49z	G6ORS	433MHz	FM
20:57z	G8DOH	433MHz	SSB
21:04z	G1HSO	433MHz	SSB
21:05z	M0OTE	433MHz	SSB
21:07z	G3TBK/P	433MHz	SSB
21:12z	G7LRQ	433MHz	SSB
21:16z	G4RUL/P	433MHz	SSB
21:21z	G0BFJ	433MHz	SSB
21:28z	GM4JR	433MHz	SSB

No lifts, Es or otherwise experienced on Tuesday 26th April 2016 in the 6m UK Activity Contest. In fact conditions were pretty dismal. And it was cold. Zero degrees all night on the summit - and I thought it was May Day weekend coming up?

53 QSOs made, mainly SSB with a couple on CW. Strangely for a Tuesday night, not a single other person on The Cloud G/SP-015 all evening.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:00z	M0OMB	50MHz	SSB
19:01z	G3VCA	50MHz	SSB
19:03z	M0VAA	50MHz	SSB
19:04z	G3SQQ	50MHz	SSB
19:09z	M6OXO	50MHz	SSB
19:11z	G3UVR	50MHz	SSB
19:15z	G8XVJ	50MHz	SSB
19:20z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
19:21z	G3PHO	50MHz	SSB
19:22z	M0GAV/P	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	GW4ZAR	50MHz	SSB
19:24z	M3RNX	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
19:27z	2E0LDZ/P	50MHz	SSB
19:28z	G0BWB	50MHz	SSB
19:31z	G4VFL/P	50MHz	SSB
19:32z	M0HWO	50MHz	SSB
19:32z	G7ANQ	50MHz	SSB
19:34z	G4NTY	50MHz	SSB
19:35z	G4OAR/A	50MHz	SSB
19:36z	G4CLA	50MHz	SSB
19:37z	G1SWH	50MHz	SSB
19:38z	M0JAV	50MHz	SSB
19:42z	G8BNE	50MHz	SSB
19:43z	G4YHF	50MHz	SSB
19:45z	GW0PEB/P	50MHz	SSB
19:48z	2E0SNS/P	50MHz	SSB
19:49z	M6KTP/P	50MHz	SSB
19:50z	G4HVC	50MHz	SSB
19:51z	G3UDA	50MHz	SSB
19:52z	2W0JYN	50MHz	SSB
19:53z	G0CER	50MHz	SSB
19:54z	M5AFG	50MHz	SSB
19:55z	G7APD	50MHz	SSB
19:58z	M1MHZ	50MHz	SSB
20:00z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
20:02z	GW8ASD	50MHz	SSB
20:07z	2E0HUN	50MHz	SSB
20:13z	2E0RET/P	50MHz	SSB
20:16z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
20:17z	G0BFJ	50MHz	SSB
20:18z	M5DWI/P	50MHz	SSB
20:35z	G3LDI	50MHz	CW
20:40z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:42z	G4LKD	50MHz	SSB
20:45z	G7LFC	50MHz	SSB
20:47z	G8REQ	50MHz	SSB
20:55z	G8BUN	50MHz	SSB
20:59z	M0IRQ	50MHz	SSB
21:05z	G4LPD	50MHz	SSB
21:10z	GM3SEK	50MHz	CW
21:18z	M0MDY	50MHz	SSB
21:24z	M0WBG	50MHz	SSB

After Gun G/SP-013 on Saturday 30th April 2016, it was the quick 10 minute drive across the Dane Valley to The Cloud G/SP-015. It was busy at the parking spot with just one space available, but then someone was just leaving to create a second spot. By now the weather couldn't have been more different to earlier. It was warm and sunny. I reluctantly put my coat on, simply because it was only an 8 minute walk and that was easier than packing it in my rucksack and back out again at the summit!

Andy G6PJZ with The Cloud behind

We were now well ahead of Andy's schedule for him to commence his return drive to the North East, so we both set up proper antennas on Cloud summit. Andy used his SOTAbeams MFD for more 2m FM work, while I went again with the end-fed for more HF. With a busy contest in full swing on 40m, I used just 30m CW and made four QSOs. It really wasn't great on HF at all!

Robin Hood pub, A54, Bosley Jimmy M0HGY & Liam in the curry house

Andy reappeared and ready to descend, so I quickly packed up and joined him. We then dropped into the nearby Robin Hood pub on the A54 for a couple of drinks. I was very impressed with the Boon Doggle ale on offer - a perfectly refreshing pale ale for the late sunny afternoon.

Now it was time to part company with us heading in different directions on the A54 out of the pub. It had been a really enjoyable day, and another friendship formed via the vehicle of SOTA! Back to Macclesfield, a quick shower and change, then I was up the local with Jimmy M0HGY and Liam playing pool and drinking more beer, before adjourning to the Weston Balti Raj for a brilliant Saturday night nosh. Home again for Match of the Day, and bed!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
17:00z	EA2DT	10MHz	CW
17:03z	SP9AMH	10MHz	CW
17:05z	SA4BLM	10MHz	CW
17:06z	CT1DRB	10MHz	CW

It was a really good evening on Tuesday 3rd May 2016. I think I was the only activator out on an actual SOTA summit, but Rob G7LAS/P, Steve G1YBB/P and Rob G0PEB/P were on HuMPs (I think). There could well have been more SOTA/HEMA/Trigs activity because a huge number of /P stations took to the air. Great stuff!

I estimated from my log that I worked at least 20 SOTA chasers. In total, I made 97 contacts, all 2m SSB.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:03z	M0VXX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:05z	G4CLA	144MHz	SSB
19:07z	G8BCG	144MHz	SSB
19:08z	2E0IEI/P	144MHz	SSB
19:10z	G1SWH	144MHz	SSB
19:11z	GI6ATZ	144MHz	SSB
19:13z	G4KRN	144MHz	SSB
19:14z	G3TDH	144MHz	SSB
19:14z	M0ICK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:14z	M0WBG	144MHz	SSB
19:15z	M0UFC	144MHz	SSB
19:15z	M6XGS	144MHz	SSB
19:16z	GM4NFC	144MHz	SSB
19:17z	G0WTD	144MHz	SSB
19:17z	G4APJ	144MHz	SSB
19:18z	2E0NSR	144MHz	SSB
19:19z	G2ANC	144MHz	SSB
19:19z	G7LAS/P	144MHz	SSB
19:20z	G0WWH	144MHz	SSB
19:21z	G7HOA/P	144MHz	SSB
19:22z	G8ZRE	144MHz	SSB
19:23z	M0INY	144MHz	SSB
19:23z	GW4ZAR/P	144MHz	SSB
19:24z	2E0LKC	144MHz	SSB
19:25z	M0PNN	144MHz	SSB
19:26z	G4JLG	144MHz	SSB
19:27z	M0DXR	144MHz	SSB
19:28z	M0BUL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:31z	GM4JJJ	144MHz	SSB
19:33z	2E0NEY	144MHz	SSB
19:35z	G1YBB/P	144MHz	SSB
19:36z	G8DMU/P	144MHz	SSB
19:38z	M0COP/P	144MHz	SSB
19:41z	GD8EXI	144MHz	SSB
19:42z	GI4SNA	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	G8XYJ	144MHz	SSB
19:44z	G6DOD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:47z	G0PEB/P	144MHz	SSB
19:51z	G8PNN/P	144MHz	SSB
19:52z	G3UVR	144MHz	SSB
19:53z	GM3SEK	144MHz	SSB
19:54z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
19:55z	G3TBK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:56z	M3RNX	144MHz	SSB
19:57z	G3UBX	144MHz	SSB
19:59z	G4IDF	144MHz	SSB
20:02z	2E0RET/P	144MHz	SSB
20:05z	G0KYS/P	144MHz	SSB
20:06z	G8XVJ/P	144MHz	SSB
20:07z	G4HVC	144MHz	SSB
20:10z	G4IRC	144MHz	SSB
20:11z	G3SQQ	144MHz	SSB
20:13z	G3SMT	144MHz	SSB
20:16z	G6RC	144MHz	SSB
20:18z	GW4EVX	144MHz	SSB
20:21z	G7TSX	144MHz	SSB
20:23z	GW8ASD	144MHz	SSB
20:24z	2E0LDZ/P	144MHz	SSB
20:25z	G4KQH	144MHz	SSB
20:26z	G7ANQ	144MHz	SSB
20:29z	G4GFI/P	144MHz	SSB
20:29z	G8OHM	144MHz	SSB
20:30z	G0CER	144MHz	SSB
20:30z	G7APD	144MHz	SSB
20:31z	G8MKC/P	144MHz	SSB
20:32z	M0NKE/P	144MHz	SSB
20:32z	M0RKX/P	144MHz	SSB
20:34z	G0EAK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:37z	M0CGL	144MHz	SSB
20:38z	M0WYB	144MHz	SSB
20:39z	G8YMW/P	144MHz	SSB
20:40z	G4OAR/A	144MHz	SSB
20:44z	G8DOH	144MHz	SSB
20:47z	GM0BKC/P	144MHz	SSB
20:49z	2E0XJP	144MHz	SSB
20:50z	G4EII	144MHz	SSB
20:53z	G5BBL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:56z	G4DBN	144MHz	SSB
20:57z	G0BFJ	144MHz	SSB
20:58z	G4FZN/P	144MHz	SSB
21:06z	G4EBK/P	144MHz	SSB
21:07z	GM4JTJ	144MHz	SSB
21:08z	M6XAW/P	144MHz	SSB
21:10z	G4RQI	144MHz	SSB
21:14z	GM4JR	144MHz	SSB
21:15z	G8KBH	144MHz	SSB
21:16z	GW4BVE	144MHz	SSB
21:17z	M6KTP/P	144MHz	SSB
21:20z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
21:24z	G7HEM	144MHz	SSB
21:25z	G4NTY	144MHz	SSB
21:26z	G8HXE/P	144MHz	SSB
21:27z	G3UDA	144MHz	SSB
21:28z	G8REQ	144MHz	SSB
21:28z	GW4OKT	144MHz	SSB
21:29z	M0HWO	144MHz	SSB
21:29z	G4BKF	144MHz	SSB

I had a decent night in the end on Tuesday 10th May 2016. The weather was forecast to be poor, but somewhat remarkably, I didn't get wet. Wind was a problem - it was very strong throughout blasting across the summit and I suffered at least five mast collapses. I only had to re-bend antenna elements once though! I say "remarkably" that I didn't get wet. All night I could see heavy rain within 2 miles of me. For one totally weird 30 minute period, I was completely surrounded by heavy rain, all within a quarter of a mile of my summit! But not a single drop on The Cloud G/SP-015! I have never experienced anything like it!

Anyway, 59 QSOs, all 70cm SSB, 13 squares: IO64, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, JO01. Briefly heard GM4JTJ in CW from IO86, but no QSO. Never heard any other squares or any DX.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:07z	GI4SNA	433MHz	SSB
19:10z	2E0DXK/P	433MHz	SSB
19:11z	G3UVR	433MHz	SSB
19:12z	G8HXE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:13z	G2ANC	433MHz	SSB
19:14z	G4WBO	433MHz	SSB
19:15z	G4JLG	433MHz	SSB
19:16z	G4VFL/P	433MHz	SSB
19:17z	G4APJ	433MHz	SSB
19:18z	M0VAA	433MHz	SSB
19:19z	G4NTY	433MHz	SSB
19:19z	M0UFC	433MHz	SSB
19:20z	M3RNX	433MHz	SSB
19:22z	G4AQB	433MHz	SSB
19:23z	G3UBX	433MHz	SSB
19:23z	M0NKE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:24z	G7LFC	433MHz	SSB
19:25z	GW4ZAR	433MHz	SSB
19:25z	M0OMB	433MHz	SSB
19:26z	G8DTF	433MHz	SSB
19:28z	MW0ATI	433MHz	SSB
19:29z	G8EEM/P	433MHz	SSB
19:29z	G6XHF	433MHz	SSB
19:30z	M0DCD/P	433MHz	SSB
19:31z	M0WBG	433MHz	SSB
19:32z	M6XGS	433MHz	SSB
19:35z	G3TDH	433MHz	SSB
19:38z	G4CLA	433MHz	SSB
19:40z	GD8EXI	433MHz	SSB
19:42z	M0COP/P	433MHz	SSB
19:46z	GI6ATZ	433MHz	SSB
19:47z	GW8ASD	433MHz	SSB
19:48z	2W0JYN/A	433MHz	SSB
19:54z	G4BVE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:55z	G1SWH	433MHz	SSB
19:58z	2E0RET/P	433MHz	SSB
19:59z	MW0HCC	433MHz	SSB
20:01z	G8OHM	433MHz	SSB
20:02z	G8XVJ	433MHz	SSB
20:04z	G3KAF	433MHz	FM
20:08z	GW4EVX	433MHz	SSB
20:09z	G4KQH	433MHz	SSB
20:14z	M1MHZ	433MHz	SSB
20:20z	2E0LDZ/P	433MHz	SSB
20:22z	G8DMU/P	433MHz	SSB
20:27z	G0ODQ	433MHz	SSB
20:34z	GM4JR	433MHz	SSB
20:39z	G8REQ	433MHz	SSB
20:45z	G4OAR/A	433MHz	SSB
20:46z	G0CER	433MHz	SSB
20:47z	M0INY	433MHz	SSB
20:53z	G3VCA	433MHz	SSB
20:55z	G8YMW/P	433MHz	SSB
20:57z	2E0IEI/P	433MHz	SSB
21:05z	M0GAV/P	433MHz	SSB
21:08z	G8PNN/P	433MHz	SSB
21:09z	G3TBK/P	433MHz	SSB
21:12z	2E0XJP	433MHz	SSB
21:27z	G4ZTR	433MHz	SSB

Back out with the HB1B and end-fed on the morning of Saturday 14th May 2016. The pack is unnervingly light! The Cloud G/SP-015 was unnervingly quiet, although not entirely deserted - it needs to be horrible weather on a subzero winter's night for a chance of that.

In fact two of the passers by were keen to tell me about their licensed relatives and friends. One was even texting her brother to try and fix up a sked there and then! Results on the air were 8 QSOs on 40m CW, including S2S with DL/HB9BIN/P on DM/BW-848, 6 QSOs on 30m CW, none on 20m despite plenty of CQ calls, and finally 5 on 2m FM with the handie. A pleasant sunny morning, if a little chilly. Thanks to all who called.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
09:03z	DL2EF	7MHz	CW
09:07z	DL2HWI	7MHz	CW
09:07z	ON4FI	7MHz	CW
09:10z	PA7ZEE	7MHz	CW
09:11z	SM7DIE	7MHz	CW
09:12z	HB9MKV	7MHz	CW
09:13z	PA7RA	7MHz	CW
09:17z	DL/HB9BIN/P	7MHz	CW	DL/BW-848
09:25z	DL3HXX	10MHz	CW
09:29z	EA1CVZ	10MHz	CW
09:32z	IN3EBZ	10MHz	CW
09:47z	F5SQA	10MHz	CW
09:48z	OK2PDT	10MHz	CW
09:51z	ON4VT	10MHz	CW
10:13z	M6AQQ	144MHz	FM
10:15z	M6AIF/P	144MHz	FM
10:16z	M6NSV	144MHz	FM
10:17z	M0CQE	144MHz	FM
10:20z	M3ROU	144MHz	FM

The furthest DX I heard on Tuesday 24th May 2016 was Belgium ON! The furthest DX I worked will have been Cornwall or Kent!!

74 QSOs, all 6m SSB. Last hour was very cold - brrr!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:12z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
19:13z	MW0HCC	50MHz	SSB
19:14z	M0VXX/P	50MHz	SSB
19:15z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
19:16z	M0OMB	50MHz	SSB
19:17z	2E0SDV	50MHz	SSB
19:18z	G7ANQ	50MHz	SSB
19:19z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
19:20z	G0WWH	50MHz	SSB
19:21z	G4EII	50MHz	SSB
19:22z	G0CER	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	G3KAF	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	M0COP/P	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	G3SMT	50MHz	SSB
19:24z	G3OKA	50MHz	SSB
19:24z	G4APJ	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	G3UVR	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	2W0JYN	50MHz	SSB
19:26z	G4NTY	50MHz	SSB
19:26z	GW4EVX	50MHz	SSB
19:27z	M0VAA	50MHz	SSB
19:27z	M0ICK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:28z	G2ANC	50MHz	SSB
19:28z	G6XHF	50MHz	SSB
19:29z	G1LDC	50MHz	SSB
19:29z	M0HWO	50MHz	SSB
19:30z	GW8ASD	50MHz	SSB
19:30z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
19:31z	M0WBG	50MHz	SSB
19:31z	G8REQ	50MHz	SSB
19:32z	G4VFL/P	50MHz	SSB
19:33z	G6HFF	50MHz	SSB
19:35z	G3VCA	50MHz	SSB
19:38z	M0WLF	50MHz	SSB
19:39z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
19:39z	M0EMM	50MHz	SSB
19:41z	G8XVJ/P	50MHz	SSB
19:45z	G4CLA	50MHz	SSB
19:46z	GW4ZAR/P	50MHz	SSB
19:46z	G4HVC	50MHz	SSB
19:49z	G1SWH	50MHz	SSB
19:50z	MW0BUL/P	50MHz	SSB
19:56z	G8BCG	50MHz	SSB
19:57z	M1MHZ	50MHz	SSB
19:58z	G3TCT	50MHz	SSB
20:02z	2E0DXK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:03z	2E0LDZ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:09z	G3SDY	50MHz	SSB
20:11z	GD8EXI	50MHz	SSB
20:12z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:13z	G4RRA	50MHz	SSB
20:14z	M0GAV/P	50MHz	SSB
20:19z	G8GXP	50MHz	SSB
20:24z	M5DWI/P	50MHz	SSB
20:31z	G8AJM/P	50MHz	SSB
20:36z	M0ICR	50MHz	SSB
20:40z	M6KTP/P	50MHz	SSB
20:41z	G8ONK	50MHz	SSB
20:42z	G3VDB	50MHz	SSB
20:48z	2E0RET/P	50MHz	SSB
20:54z	G6DEG	50MHz	SSB
20:55z	G3MEH	50MHz	SSB
20:57z	GW8RAK	50MHz	SSB
20:58z	G4IDF	50MHz	SSB
21:00z	G8MKC/P	50MHz	SSB
21:02z	G0BWB	50MHz	SSB
21:03z	G4BWP	50MHz	SSB
21:06z	G3WIR/A	50MHz	SSB
21:08z	G0BFJ	50MHz	SSB
21:13z	G4RUL/P	50MHz	SSB
21:16z	G4BKF	50MHz	SSB
21:20z	G4GSB	50MHz	SSB
21:21z	G8BUN	50MHz	SSB
21:23z	G3RCW	50MHz	SSB

There were no electrical storms, but plenty of rain during the Fun Evening / 2m contest on Tuesday 7th June 2016. But almost as soon as I set off on the drive home, there was sheet lightning and a huge crack of thunder, and that storm has continued spectacularly for over an hour now and is still going strong as I type.

Good to see that Rob GW7LAS/P was out on a SOTA as well, and going great guns in the contest from Pen Y Fan GW/SW-001. I ended up with 80 QSOs, 79 on 2m SSB and 1 on 2m FM. Locator squares worked were IO64, 74, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 91, 92, 93, 94, JO00, 01, 02, 03. I guess the big "misses" were IO70, 90 and 95, plus DX from ON, PA, DL, EI and F. But you can't win 'em all...

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
19:02z	M5DWI/P	144MHz	SSB
19:03z	G0CER	144MHz	SSB
19:05z	G8GXP	144MHz	SSB
19:06z	G4APJ	144MHz	SSB
19:06z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
19:07z	G3UVR	144MHz	SSB
19:07z	2W0JYN/A	144MHz	SSB
19:08z	G4EHD	144MHz	SSB
19:09z	G8HXE/P	144MHz	SSB
19:10z	GW8ASD	144MHz	SSB
19:11z	G3TH/P	144MHz	SSB
19:12z	G4OAR/A	144MHz	SSB
19:13z	G4BKF	144MHz	SSB
19:14z	M0DCD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:14z	2E0LKC	144MHz	SSB
19:15z	2E0XJP	144MHz	SSB
19:16z	G4JLG	144MHz	SSB
19:18z	G0HEL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:19z	G4HGT/P	144MHz	SSB
19:20z	GM3SEK	144MHz	SSB
19:21z	2E0RET/P	144MHz	SSB
19:23z	G4YHF	144MHz	SSB
19:25z	MW0ATI	144MHz	SSB
19:26z	G3TBK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:27z	G4EBK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:30z	G3VCA	144MHz	SSB
19:31z	G8XVJ/P	144MHz	SSB
19:32z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:33z	GI4SNA	144MHz	SSB
19:36z	M0VXX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:39z	M0DXR/P	144MHz	SSB
19:39z	M0IMS/P	144MHz	SSB
19:42z	GW4ZAR	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	G8REQ	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	G3JDT	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	2E0LMD	144MHz	SSB
19:44z	G4XPE	144MHz	SSB
19:45z	G3UBX	144MHz	SSB
19:45z	G4IDF	144MHz	SSB
19:46z	G8BYB	144MHz	SSB
19:50z	2E0RFF	144MHz	SSB
19:52z	G1YBB/P	144MHz	SSB
19:53z	G3NFC/P	144MHz	SSB
19:54z	G3YYD	144MHz	SSB
19:58z	G0VFW	144MHz	SSB
19:59z	G4CLA	144MHz	SSB
19:59z	G3YDY	144MHz	SSB
20:01z	G4LDL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:04z	G0GQT	144MHz	SSB
20:06z	G3SQQ	144MHz	SSB
20:08z	2E0MFH	144MHz	SSB
20:14z	G4RUL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:15z	G6XHF	144MHz	SSB
20:16z	M0NKE/P	144MHz	SSB
20:16z	G8ZRE	144MHz	SSB
20:19z	M0WBG	144MHz	SSB
20:21z	G3KAF	144MHz	FM
20:23z	G4FZN/P	144MHz	SSB
20:25z	2E0DXK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:27z	M0COP/P	144MHz	SSB
20:30z	GW7LAS/P	144MHz	SSB	GW/SW-001
20:35z	G4IRC	144MHz	SSB
20:36z	GW4BVE	144MHz	SSB
20:39z	G4FRK	144MHz	SSB
20:41z	M0VOZ/P	144MHz	SSB
20:43z	M0MDY	144MHz	SSB
20:44z	M0PNN	144MHz	SSB
20:46z	G0KYS/P	144MHz	SSB
20:50z	2E0TCK	144MHz	SSB
20:52z	M0GAV/P	144MHz	SSB
20:53z	G0EAK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:59z	GM4JR	144MHz	SSB
21:03z	GM4JTJ	144MHz	SSB
21:05z	GM6JNJ	144MHz	SSB
21:08z	G8YMW/P	144MHz	SSB
21:09z	G3TCT	144MHz	SSB
21:13z	G8FMC	144MHz	SSB
21:21z	M0CGL	144MHz	SSB
21:26z	MD0MAN/P	144MHz	SSB
21:27z	G0JCQ	144MHz	SSB

A big opening on 6 - on the afternoon of Monday 13th June 2016 - or so I was told. If I missed it, it was my own fault. But armed with this interesting tip, I relieved Marianne of her share of running Liam to Congleton and picking him up, as I wanted a piece of the action from The Cloud G/SP-015. The resulting activation was a big fat fail.

I got to the top and started to set up. It dawned on me that I hadn't packed a feeder cable for the SOTAbeams SB6 Moxon antenna. Everything back in the rucksack, and back down the hill. Retrieved the required lead and reascended.

Set up and settled down. The brisk breeze evident the first time I reached the summit had disappeared, and in its place came the mozzies. The 50MHz band sounded quite lively - goody! Just to get going, I had a quick exchange with M0GDX on SSB. But it was down in the CW portion where all the action seemed to be.

Then a big problem - my Palm Paddle with Code Cube was keying at over 40wpm! The pot on the Code Cube couldn't reduce this by much, so I had to dig out the menu card and try and sort out the settings. In 40 horrible minutes while enduring midge attacks, all my attempts to do this failed, including even going through the full reset process. I managed to get it down to about 34wpm, which at least allowed me to make three CW contacts - all with G stations.

By now I had lost so much time that I needed to pack up, descend and pick Liam up. Back at home in Macclesfield, I took the paddle, Code Cube and lead into the shack - and sorted out the issue in seconds. Everything progressed as described in the manual. So much easier in the shack, at a desk, on a comfortable chair, with no time pressures or midge attacks! I hoped for more 6m afternoon openings later in the week - and I that I could get out and partake in them.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
17:54z	M0GDX	50MHz	SSB
18:32z	G3UDA	50MHz	CW
18:37z	G4YRR	50MHz	CW
18:39z	G3JUX	50MHz	CW

Tuesday 14th June 2016. Heavy rain right through to 10pm. Thankfully the bothy bag held out. 51 contacts, all on 70cm. 49 on SSB, 1 on CW and 1 on FM. Pie and pint at Harrington Arms on the way home. That is all.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:00z	MW0ATI	433MHz	SSB
19:00z	GW8ASD	433MHz	SSB
19:01z	G8ZRE	433MHz	SSB
19:01z	G8HXE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:02z	G4WBO	433MHz	SSB
19:02z	M0OMB	433MHz	SSB
19:03z	G8REQ	433MHz	SSB
19:04z	G4APJ	433MHz	SSB
19:05z	G4AQB	433MHz	SSB
19:06z	G4NTY	433MHz	SSB
19:07z	GW4ZAR	433MHz	SSB
19:08z	G3UBX	433MHz	SSB
19:08z	M0VAA	433MHz	SSB
19:12z	G8OHM	433MHz	SSB
19:12z	G4BVE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:14z	2E0IEI/P	433MHz	SSB
19:15z	GI6ATZ	433MHz	SSB
19:17z	GI4SNA	433MHz	SSB
19:18z	G8XVJ/P	433MHz	SSB
19:19z	G6XHF	433MHz	SSB
19:21z	2E0DXK/P	433MHz	SSB
19:23z	G4JLG	433MHz	SSB
19:24z	G3TDH	433MHz	SSB
19:28z	G0EHV/P	433MHz	SSB
19:30z	G3UVR	433MHz	SSB
19:33z	G0EAK/P	433MHz	SSB
19:35z	2W0JYN/A	433MHz	SSB
19:37z	M0GAV/P	433MHz	SSB
19:41z	G4VFL/P	433MHz	SSB
19:45z	G4CIB/P	433MHz	SSB
19:51z	G8EOP	433MHz	SSB
20:01z	GM4JR	433MHz	SSB
20:06z	G0XDI/P	433MHz	SSB
20:19z	G8PNN/P	433MHz	SSB
20:20z	G6SPG	433MHz	SSB
20:21z	G8AFC	433MHz	SSB
20:31z	G8DOH	433MHz	SSB
20:35z	G8ONK	433MHz	SSB
20:38z	M0GHZ	433MHz	SSB
20:42z	M0WBG	433MHz	SSB
20:46z	G4RQI	433MHz	SSB
20:49z	M0HWO	433MHz	SSB
20:54z	G8BUN	433MHz	SSB
21:05z	GM4JTJ	433MHz	SSB
21:08z	G8EEM/P	433MHz	SSB
21:09z	G3KAF	433MHz	SSB
21:11z	M3MQW	433MHz	FM
21:14z	2E0SAE	433MHz	FM
21:24z	G3VCA	433MHz	SSB
21:26z	2E0RET/P	433MHz	SSB
21:28z	G3SQQ	433MHz	SSB

Monday 27th June 2016. I had to run Liam to Congleton for 5.45pm for a social with his mates, and pick him up again at 8pm. And what was he doing for his social? Going for a walk up The Cloud G/SP-015, that's what! Jimmy fancied an outing - especially when the word "pub" was mentioned, and that he hadn't done Cloud yet this year, meaning there was an activator point on offer too!

So the three of us drove down and dropped Liam in Congleton, then Jimmy M0HGY and I made straight for The Cloud. I decided to have a go on 17m for a change. I made 2 QSOs on SSB and 6 on CW - DXCCs were SM, OE, OK, DL, two into EA and finishing with two into the USA (KA1R and AC1Z) which was nice.

Jimmy made 6 QSOs on 2m FM and reported very low activity on the band - probably because the big England v Iceland Euro knockout football match was looming. Meanwhile, Liam and his mates arrived on summit, followed by group leader Ray M1REK.

Ray and the lads were completing their social outing at the Coach & Horses in Timbersbrook, so Jimmy and I followed them down there for pre-match refreshments. We then made our way home for the big England-Iceland match. The less said about that the better. We might have had a chance against Firman's Freezer Foods, but Iceland were simply too strong.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	Op
17:26z	M0CQE	144MHz	FM	M0HGY/P
17:28z	2E0LKC	144MHz	FM	M0HGY/P
17:29z	SM0OWX	18MHz	SSB	M1EYP/P
17:29z	2W0JYN	144MHz	FM	M0HGY/P
17:35z	M0RCC	144MHz	FM	M0HGY/P
17:36z	2E0LMD	144MHz	FM	M0HGY/P
17:36z	2E0PUE	144MHz	FM	M0HGY/P
17:38z	DJ5AV	18MHz	SSB	M1EYP/P
17:44z	OE6GND	18MHz	CW	M1EYP/P
17:45z	OK2PDT	18MHz	CW	M1EYP/P
17:47z	EB1EVX	18MHz	CW	M1EYP/P
17:48z	EA1CVZ	18MHz	CW	M1EYP/P
17:48z	KA1R	18MHz	CW	M1EYP/P
17:54z	AC1Z	18MHz	CW	M1EYP/P

Tuesday 28th June 2016. Wx forecast was dodgy but improving, so I decided to go for the usual summit /P participation in the 6m contest. Sure enough, I needed to be inside the bothy bag for most of the first 90 minutes, sheltering either from fine misty drizzle or from midge clouds! There were short periods of Sp.E on and off through the night - very short - barely long enough to complete a QSO in some cases. I worked YL Latvia KO37, SM Sweden JO58 and EA Spain IM98.

UK-wise, I worked IO64, 73, 74, 80, 81, 82, 83, 91, 92, 93 and JO02. That aspect was disappointing, as I'm sure several of IO84, 85, 86, 90, 94, 95, JO00, 01 and 03 will have been active. 62 QSOs in total. Harrington Arms, Gawsworth for a pint of good ale and a pickled egg on the way home.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:04z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
19:05z	GW4WND	50MHz	SSB
19:07z	M1DDD/P	50MHz	SSB
19:07z	G8XVJ/P	50MHz	SSB
19:08z	M0VAA	50MHz	SSB
19:09z	G4APJ	50MHz	SSB
19:10z	GW8ASD	50MHz	SSB
19:10z	G0CER	50MHz	SSB
19:11z	G3RKF	50MHz	SSB
19:11z	G4OAR/A	50MHz	SSB
19:12z	GW4ZAR	50MHz	SSB
19:13z	G8EQD/P	50MHz	SSB
19:15z	YL2SM	50MHz	CW
19:21z	2E0DXK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:22z	M0WLF	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
19:26z	G4NTY	50MHz	SSB
19:27z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
19:30z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:31z	M0COP/P	50MHz	SSB
19:33z	M0OMB	50MHz	SSB
19:34z	G3PHO	50MHz	SSB
19:36z	G3MEH	50MHz	SSB
19:37z	G0EAK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:43z	G0UWK	50MHz	SSB
19:45z	M1MHZ	50MHz	SSB
19:47z	2E0RET/P	50MHz	SSB
19:48z	G4NDM/P	50MHz	SSB
19:51z	G3VDB	50MHz	SSB
20:01z	SM6BCD	50MHz	SSB
20:03z	M0GDX	50MHz	SSB
20:05z	2W0JYN	50MHz	SSB
20:06z	G0WWH	50MHz	SSB
20:07z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
20:07z	M5DWI/P	50MHz	SSB
20:09z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
20:13z	G3WIR/A	50MHz	SSB
20:14z	G3LDI	50MHz	SSB
20:15z	G0BWB	50MHz	SSB
20:19z	G3ZOD	50MHz	CW
20:27z	G0FWU	50MHz	SSB
20:29z	G8ONK	50MHz	SSB
20:32z	M6DTP/P	50MHz	SSB
20:34z	G4CLA	50MHz	SSB
20:37z	M0WBG	50MHz	SSB
20:38z	G3RCW	50MHz	SSB
20:40z	M6TSS/P	50MHz	SSB
20:41z	GW0PEB/P	50MHz	SSB
20:43z	G8REQ	50MHz	SSB
20:46z	M0MDY	50MHz	SSB
20:48z	G3SQQ	50MHz	SSB
20:51z	G6TGO	50MHz	SSB
21:00z	G4ELJ	50MHz	SSB
21:03z	EA5SR	50MHz	SSB
21:06z	G5LK	50MHz	SSB
21:07z	M6CUL	50MHz	SSB
21:11z	G0BFJ/P	50MHz	SSB
21:13z	M6KTP/P	50MHz	SSB
21:16z	M0PJA/P	50MHz	SSB
21:20z	GM3SEK	50MHz	SSB
21:27z	G4FJK	50MHz	CW
21:29z	G3SMT	50MHz	SSB

Essentially, for most of these RSGB VHF events, "SOTA & Contest" is fine, mentioning your SOTA ref is fine, alerting on SOTAwatch is fine. Things that are not fine for SOTA are operating from a vehicle or using a genny (so no issue for those doing the Backpackers 3B section), while the thing that is not fine for the RSGBCC is self-spotting during the contest. Adopt a sensible approach and there's no reason why you can't combine two great activities and have a thoroughly enjoyable outing.

My results from The Cloud G/SP-015 on Sunday 3rd July 2016 were: 70 contacts, all 2m - 47 on SSB and 23 on FM.

This included 66 in the 2m Backpackers events, with DXCCs G, GW, GM, GI and EI worked, squares IO74, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 91, 92, 93, 94, JO01, 02. GD, F, DL and PA were heard but not worked, same goes for IO73, 75 and 90. There was at least eight SOTA activators taking part:

M1EYP/P on The Cloud G/SP-015; GW7LAS/P on Cadair Berwyn GW/NW-012; G4TCU/P on Titterstone Clee Hill G/WB-004; GW4TJC/P on Mwdwl-eithin GW/NW-047; G0LGS/P on Cleeve Hill G/CE-001; G7HEM/P on Walton Hill G/CE-002; GW4IDF/P on Graig Syfyrddin GW/SW-020; G4XZL/P on St Boniface Down G/SE-008.

...and I was pleased to bag six S2S QSOs in the event.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
11:04z	GW3ZTT/P	144MHz	SSB
11:05z	GW1YBB/P	144MHz	SSB
11:07z	GW7LAS/P	144MHz	SSB	GW/NW-012
11:09z	M0BAA/P	144MHz	SSB
11:11z	G3ZME/P	144MHz	SSB
11:12z	M0MDG/P	144MHz	SSB
11:13z	MW0TWC/P	144MHz	SSB
11:15z	G4ZAP/P	144MHz	SSB
11:17z	G3CKR/P	144MHz	SSB
11:20z	G3VEF/P	144MHz	SSB
11:21z	EI9E/P	144MHz	SSB
11:27z	G8SRC/P	144MHz	SSB
11:29z	G3PYE/P	144MHz	SSB
11:31z	G3RSC/P	144MHz	SSB
11:32z	M0VUC/P	144MHz	SSB
11:35z	G8NPH/P	144MHz	SSB
11:39z	G6IPU/P	144MHz	SSB
11:41z	G3BXF/P	144MHz	SSB
11:43z	G4TCU/P	144MHz	SSB	G/WB-004
11:45z	M0BAV	144MHz	SSB
11:46z	GW3ATZ	144MHz	SSB
11:50z	M0NFD/P	144MHz	FM
11:54z	2E0LKC	144MHz	FM
11:55z	M1MAJ/M	144MHz	FM
11:57z	M0CQE	144MHz	FM
11:58z	M3ZCB/M	144MHz	FM
12:02z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
12:06z	GM3HAM/P	144MHz	SSB
12:15z	G4WGE/P	144MHz	SSB
12:17z	G0IVR	144MHz	SSB
12:19z	G2XV/P	144MHz	SSB
12:25z	M5RMF	144MHz	SSB
12:34z	G0DRM	144MHz	SSB
12:36z	G5LK/P	144MHz	SSB
12:42z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	SSB
12:46z	GM6NX/P	144MHz	SSB
12:48z	GM4JJJ	144MHz	SSB
12:52z	GW8ZRE/P	144MHz	SSB
12:56z	G4RFR/P	144MHz	SSB
12:58z	G3KMI/P	144MHz	SSB
12:59z	GI4GTY/P	144MHz	SSB
13:10z	GW4TJC/P	144MHz	SSB	GW/NW-047
13:13z	M0HGY	144MHz	SSB
13:17z	G3PKW	144MHz	SSB
13:21z	G0NAJ	144MHz	SSB
13:22z	G3JIR	144MHz	SSB
13:23z	G3BPK/P	144MHz	SSB
13:33z	M0HRE/M	144MHz	FM
13:35z	2E0HTT	144MHz	FM
13:36z	2E0LMD	144MHz	FM
13:38z	2E1DNB/P	144MHz	FM
13:41z	M6XCC	144MHz	FM
13:46z	G3RCW/P	144MHz	FM
13:48z	M3ISJ	144MHz	FM
13:54z	G0OLE/P	144MHz	SSB
13:57z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
13:59z	G0FBB/P	144MHz	SSB
14:02z	GW4IDF/P	144MHz	SSB	GW/SW-020
14:08z	G8NCS	144MHz	SSB
14:10z	G0LGS/P	144MHz	SSB	G/CE-001
14:28z	G0OHY	144MHz	FM
14:31z	G4UFU	144MHz	FM
14:35z	M6CEQ	144MHz	FM
14:57z	G7SKR	144MHz	FM
14:58z	2E0OGP	144MHz	FM
14:59z	G7HEM/P	144MHz	FM	G/CE-002
15:01z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	FM
15:07z	M1VIP	144MHz	FM
15:08z	GW4TJC/P	144MHz	FM	GW/NW-047
15:09z	M6TYP	144MHz	FM

Quite a decent night on Tuesday 5th July 2016. 95 QSOs all 2m SSB, locators worked: IN99, IO64, 70, 74, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, JO01, 02, 03. DXCCs worked: G, GW, GI, GM, F. Best of all was the number of SOTA activators out. I worked three S2S as shown in the table below, and it appears there may have been more that I missed:

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
19:00z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
19:00z	G6HFF	144MHz	SSB
19:01z	2E0DGP	144MHz	SSB
19:02z	M3RNX	144MHz	SSB
19:03z	MM0GPZ/P	144MHz	SSB
19:05z	M6TFV	144MHz	SSB
19:06z	G4CLA	144MHz	SSB
19:08z	G1YBB/P	144MHz	SSB
19:10z	G0PEB/P	144MHz	SSB
19:12z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:13z	G4IRC	144MHz	SSB
19:15z	G8DTF	144MHz	SSB
19:15z	M0VXX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:16z	G4OAR/A	144MHz	SSB
19:17z	GI4SNA	144MHz	SSB
19:18z	GW4BVE	144MHz	SSB
19:19z	G8XVJ/P	144MHz	SSB
19:20z	M0COP/P	144MHz	SSB
19:21z	M0EMM	144MHz	SSB
19:22z	M0RIU/P	144MHz	SSB
19:24z	G3TBK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:25z	G0HEL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:26z	GM3SEK	144MHz	SSB
19:27z	G4JQN	144MHz	SSB
19:29z	G8PNN/P	144MHz	SSB
19:30z	G4HGT/P	144MHz	SSB
19:31z	G4BEE	144MHz	SSB
19:34z	2E0XJP	144MHz	SSB
19:35z	G4AQB	144MHz	SSB
19:36z	G8ZRE	144MHz	SSB
19:36z	G0JCQ	144MHz	SSB
19:37z	G4JLG	144MHz	SSB
19:37z	G8HXE/P	144MHz	SSB
19:38z	G4BKF	144MHz	SSB
19:38z	G0CER	144MHz	SSB
19:39z	M0MKO	144MHz	SSB
19:41z	G3SQQ	144MHz	SSB
19:42z	M5DWI/P	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	G0JJG	144MHz	SSB
19:44z	G3ECT	144MHz	SSB
19:45z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
19:46z	G7RAU	144MHz	SSB
19:47z	G4JED/P	144MHz	SSB
19:50z	G4NDM/P	144MHz	SSB
19:51z	GW4ZAR/P	144MHz	SSB
19:52z	G3UVR	144MHz	SSB
19:54z	G4FRK	144MHz	SSB
19:55z	GM7PKT/P	144MHz	SSB	GM/SS-130
19:56z	M3DNA	144MHz	SSB
19:58z	M0PNN	144MHz	SSB
20:01z	F1BHL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:04z	G3UDA	144MHz	SSB
20:07z	M0OAT/P	144MHz	SSB	G/LD-004
20:09z	M0NVS/P	144MHz	SSB
20:12z	G0GDA	144MHz	SSB
20:16z	G4GSB/P	144MHz	SSB
20:18z	M0ICR	144MHz	SSB
20:19z	G4IDF/P	144MHz	SSB	G/WB-009
20:20z	G6UBM	144MHz	SSB
20:21z	G4WDL	144MHz	SSB
20:23z	G3TDH	144MHz	SSB
20:24z	G4TJC	144MHz	SSB
20:26z	G3ZGZ	144MHz	SSB
20:28z	G8ONK	144MHz	SSB
20:29z	G6DOD/P	144MHz	SSB
20:30z	G0EAK/P	144MHz	SSB
20:33z	G4ZTR	144MHz	SSB
20:35z	G8BCG	144MHz	SSB
20:39z	M0CES/P	144MHz	SSB
20:41z	GW8JLY	144MHz	SSB
20:43z	2E0RET/P	144MHz	SSB
20:47z	G0WTD	144MHz	SSB
20:48z	G8EEM/P	144MHz	SSB
20:49z	G0BWB	144MHz	SSB
20:50z	M1MHZ	144MHz	SSB
20:51z	M0GAV/P	144MHz	SSB
20:54z	G0ODQ	144MHz	SSB
20:57z	G3YDY	144MHz	SSB
20:58z	G4GFI/P	144MHz	SSB
21:02z	G4FZN/P	144MHz	SSB
21:04z	G4DFA	144MHz	SSB
21:05z	G4NTY	144MHz	SSB
21:07z	G7LRQ	144MHz	SSB
21:11z	G6MML	144MHz	SSB
21:12z	M3ROU	144MHz	SSB
21:13z	G3PHO	144MHz	SSB
21:15z	M1GRY	144MHz	SSB
21:16z	G0AJJ	144MHz	SSB
21:17z	G1VVF	144MHz	SSB
21:19z	G2ANC	144MHz	SSB
21:22z	G0MCV	144MHz	SSB
21:23z	G4XPE	144MHz	SSB
21:26z	G4RGK/P	144MHz	SSB
21:27z	2E0LDZ/P	144MHz	SSB
21:29z	2E0DXK/P	144MHz	SSB

Thursday 7th July 2016 - The Cloud G/SP-015. Well 2m was better than HF. Loads of CQing both on SSB and CW on 18MHz resulted in zilch. A single 2m FM CQ call brought in Pete 2E0LKC. Pete QSYd back to 17m SSB with me, and I then also worked his XYL Anne.

It was a bit frustrating as V51WH (Namibia) was CQing on 17m SSB and J75KG (Dominica) was calling on 17m CW. These were the only two signals heard on the band throughout my activation (apart from Pete and Anne), but I didn't manage to get back to either of them.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
17:15z	2E0LKC	144MHz	FM
17:19z	2E0LKC	18MHz	SSB
17:20z	2E0LMD	18MHz	SSB

I had 90 minutes or so to kill in the Congleton area at teatime on Monday 11th July 2016. So I headed up The Cloud G/SP-015 and hoped to try out some PSK31, as it had been a while since I did any datamode SOTA.

I didn't think it through though. It had indeed been a while since I last did a PSK SOTA activation. Trying to do so with an end-fed antenna with the feedpoint right next to the interface was never going to be good! It created havoc and caused me to remember that I had my best PSK portable successes by using groundplane antennas, together with (if necessary), a coax extension cable from the feedpoint to the rig/interface. Result - just CW and SSB contacts made, all on 40m.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
17:57z	EA2DT	7MHz	CW
17:58z	LA1ENA	7MHz	CW
18:00z	DF6YF	7MHz	CW
18:02z	DJ5AV	7MHz	CW
18:02z	DK1WI	7MHz	CW
18:03z	EI2IH	7MHz	CW
18:06z	G3CWI	7MHz	CW
18:13z	M3FEH	7MHz	SSB
18:14z	MK3FEH	7MHz	SSB

Well my contest on Tuesday 12th July 2016 was cut short. I was on The Cloud G/SP-015 and underway bang on 8pm local. At 8.40pm I got a call from my wife Marianne that she had lost her car keys, and I needed to come home right away so she could borrow my car to drive to work for 10pm. The call came, spookily, just as a croc clip I had soldered back onto the coax feeder last week came away again. More things than one were telling me to go home!

So that was that. 25 QSOs, all 70cm SSB. 9 locator squares: IO64, 74, 82, 83, 84, 85, 91, 92, 93.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:00z	M0OMB	433MHz	SSB
19:01z	G4VFL/P	433MHz	SSB
19:01z	G8ZRE	433MHz	SSB
19:03z	G8ONK	433MHz	SSB
19:06z	GI4SNA	433MHz	SSB
19:08z	G0WTD	433MHz	SSB
19:09z	MW0ATI	433MHz	SSB
19:13z	G4CLA	433MHz	SSB
19:14z	GD8EXI	433MHz	SSB
19:15z	G4BVE/P	433MHz	SSB
19:15z	M1DDD/P	433MHz	SSB
19:17z	GW8REQ/P	433MHz	SSB
19:19z	G3TBK/P	433MHz	SSB
19:20z	M0COP/P	433MHz	SSB
19:21z	G3UVR	433MHz	SSB
19:23z	GW4ZAR/P	433MHz	SSB
19:24z	2E0LDZ/P	433MHz	SSB
19:29z	G8FUO	433MHz	SSB
19:31z	G8OHM	433MHz	SSB
19:39z	G4JLG	433MHz	SSB
19:40z	G3TDH	433MHz	SSB
19:40z	2E0LKC	433MHz	SSB
19:41z	GW8ASD	433MHz	SSB
19:41z	M1DFO	433MHz	SSB
19:44z	GM4JR	433MHz	SSB

Sunday 24th July 2016 - The Cloud G/SP-015. Quite busy at the summit so I moved along a bit to a flat grassy area by the cliff edges. Set up my 15m GP antenna. Unlike the previous day, when one solitary signal on the 15m band at home turned into good activity from a SOTA summit, this time the activity level already on the band decreased - by one - to zero!

For once my Mini Palm Paddle and Code Cube was not playing up and was ready to go with my preferred and custom settings. So I set the CQ loop off and sat and relaxed in the very warm weather until something happened. Just one thing "happened" - when EA1CVZ came back for a QSO on 15m CW. Much more CQ loop CQing didn't attract any further callers. Actually, I did hear "SP" at one point, but when I responded with "SP?" and "QRZ?" and the like, nothing came back.

Time to set up for PSK31 which after all was the prime intention of this activation. Almost identical results to CW - lots of calling, just one contact, lots more calling, unanswered, and eventually I gave up. That one QSO though was with PP5BBN in Brazil, which was something of encouragement.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
12:53z	EA1CVZ	21MHz	CW
13:10z	PP5BBN	21MHz	PSK31

On Monday 25th july 2016, it was a case of nipping up The Cloud and playing radio, between dropping Liam off - and picking him up - from his youth club in Congleton. The HF bands were all performing miserably, and my results were modest to say the least!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
17:25z	DJ2MX	7MHz	CW
17:39z	SP9AMH	7MHz	CW
17:40z	DK1WI	7MHz	CW
17:57z	EB1EVX	7MHz	CW
17:58z	EA1CVZ	7MHz	CW
17:59z	EA2DT	7MHz	CW
18:09z	2E0LKC	144MHz	FM
18:13z	SP9AMH	10MHz	CW

There was a bit of an opening to Italy during the evening of Tuesday 26th July 2016. During the evening activation I made 63 QSOs, all 6m SSB. 16 locator squares were worked: IO64, 74, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, JO00, 01, 03, JN52.

The Met Office gave heavy rain throughout the contest times in its lunchtime forecast. By teatime this had diluted to a dry first hour with continuous light rain thereafter. The actuality was not a single drop of rain all night!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:00z	M0GVG	50MHz	SSB
19:01z	G8ONK	50MHz	SSB
19:02z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
19:05z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
19:10z	M0GAV/P	50MHz	SSB
19:11z	M6OXO	50MHz	SSB
19:13z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:15z	IZ5EME	50MHz	SSB
19:18z	G3VCA	50MHz	SSB
19:19z	G6TGO	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	G0WTD	50MHz	SSB
19:24z	GW4ZAR/P	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
19:27z	G3RKF	50MHz	SSB
19:30z	M5DWI/P	50MHz	SSB
19:31z	G0WWH	50MHz	SSB
19:32z	M0ICK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:32z	G4CLA	50MHz	SSB
19:33z	G7LRQ/P	50MHz	SSB
19:34z	G3SQQ	50MHz	SSB
19:37z	G3PHO	50MHz	CW
19:48z	G4RRA	50MHz	SSB
19:49z	G7RAU	50MHz	SSB
19:51z	M0ICR	50MHz	SSB
19:54z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
19:55z	G4AQB	50MHz	SSB
19:56z	MW0ATI	50MHz	SSB
20:03z	G7APD	50MHz	SSB
20:05z	G0EAK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:06z	M0CGL	50MHz	SSB
20:07z	G8MKC/P	50MHz	SSB
20:07z	G4VFL/P	50MHz	SSB
20:09z	G4EBK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:10z	M0WBG	50MHz	SSB
20:11z	2E0RET/P	50MHz	SSB
20:12z	G8EQD/P	50MHz	SSB
20:14z	G3XHB	50MHz	SSB
20:16z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
20:17z	GW4EVX	50MHz	SSB
20:18z	2E0SCX	50MHz	SSB
20:18z	G4NTY	50MHz	SSB
20:19z	M0HWO	50MHz	SSB
20:21z	2E0LDZ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:23z	G0VVE	50MHz	SSB
20:26z	G0BWB	50MHz	SSB
20:28z	G8FMC	50MHz	SSB
20:31z	G4HBA	50MHz	SSB
20:33z	GM3SEK	50MHz	SSB
20:40z	G4CZP/P	50MHz	SSB
20:42z	G3SJJ	50MHz	SSB
20:48z	M0NKR	50MHz	SSB
20:50z	2W0JYN	50MHz	SSB
20:58z	G8BUN	50MHz	SSB
20:59z	G4FEV	50MHz	SSB
21:00z	M0SAT	50MHz	SSB
21:01z	G4RUL/P	50MHz	SSB
21:04z	M6TSS/P	50MHz	SSB
21:07z	M0COP/P	50MHz	SSB
21:10z	M0RKX/P	50MHz	SSB
21:14z	G3WIR/A	50MHz	SSB
21:16z	M0WLF	50MHz	SSB
21:25z	G4LKD	50MHz	SSB
21:27z	G3MEH	50MHz	SSB

An enjoyable and fun activation of The Cloud G/SP-015 on Wednesday 27th July 2016. I was wondering what band to do. After 15m yielded just two QSOs last time out (albeit one of them was Brazil), I reasoned that I needed to come down in frequency. But not too far - because from 10MHz and below I'm into my dipole and EFLW antennas, and those set-ups don't get on well with little portable datamode interfaces! With my 20m GP needing some refurbishment work that I still haven't got around to, that corned my options into 17m.

Cloud summit was very busy with walkers when I arrived, and indeed remained so all afternoon. I set up about 50 yards from the trig point close to the cliff edge. There was no shelter from the breeze, but this suited me, as it removed all hostile capabilities of flies and midges! Early into the activation, I overheard a passing walker talking to his companion. "Good grief, amateur radio. I was very keen on that when I was younger, many many years ago mind". Unfortunately, he never came over to introduce himself or strike up a conversation. An hour or so later, one that did was Paul G0KIS.

Anyway, they say it's good to talk - but not over amateur radio, apparently. I gave all modes a substantial airing on this activation, but no-one wanted to talk! Well, hardly anyone, as these results might indicate:

2m FM: 0 (yes zero, despite two periods of calling CQ)

17m SSB: 7 QSOs.

17m PSK31: 11 QSOs.

So is that a sign of modernising communication methods, that typing and reading from a screen is more popular now that actually speaking with a voice? Well, apparently not, as by far the most successful, popular and effective mode was the ancient and obsolete one:

17m CW: 38 QSOs.

So 56 QSOs for the activation, including double figures on PSK which was pleasing. Conditions were promising. I heard several JAs perfectly readably answering others' CQ calls. I made two QSOs stateside too. This made me think that 17m is worthy of more attention - but early morning for the East and Pacific, and later afternoon/evening for the Americas. One really nice one I got was OJ0B, Market Reef. They were working split CW and had quite a pile-up - but my 5 watts from the 817 was sufficient to get a good contact after only my second call! Overall, a very enjoyable afternoon on The Cloud.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
10:55z	EA1ALP	18MHz	CW
10:57z	DJ5AV	18MHz	CW
10:57z	LY2FN	18MHz	CW
10:58z	EA1JD	18MHz	CW
10:58z	OK1AMN	18MHz	CW
11:00z	F8BJK/P	18MHz	CW
11:01z	OE6GND	18MHz	CW
11:02z	OK2PDT	18MHz	CW
11:02z	DL5KVV	18MHz	CW
11:03z	OH2JXA	18MHz	CW
11:04z	OE8SPW	18MHz	CW
11:04z	DL8DXL	18MHz	CW
11:05z	UA1CT	18MHz	CW
11:06z	LA3BO	18MHz	CW
11:07z	OM3TAH	18MHz	CW
11:08z	LA1ENA/P	18MHz	CW	LA/TM-134
11:10z	F8AAB	18MHz	CW
11:12z	HB9CUE	18MHz	CW
11:14z	SM4ASX	18MHz	CW
11:16z	IZ1JMN	18MHz	CW
11:18z	HB9BQP/P	18MHz	CW
11:28z	HB9CIC	18MHz	SSB
11:30z	EA1BYQ	18MHz	SSB
11:34z	LA9ED	18MHz	SSB
11:49z	DM2BLE	18MHz	PSK31
12:11z	DL8UVG	18MHz	PSK31
12:16z	HA0HH	18MHz	PSK31
12:20z	F6EWB	18MHz	PSK31
12:35z	OK1AYM	18MHz	PSK31
12:39z	OE6GND	18MHz	PSK31
12:50z	OK2BYW	18MHz	CW
12:50z	DL5YM	18MHz	CW
12:51z	LA6UH	18MHz	CW
12:55z	I2ZBX	18MHz	CW
12:56z	S51WO	18MHz	CW
12:58z	KA1R	18MHz	CW
13:02z	YO2BP	18MHz	CW
13:03z	I3/DL2NBJ	18MHz	CW
13:11z	OJ0B	18MHz	CW
13:24z	HF250NCH	18MHz	CW
13:27z	OE5FBL	18MHz	CW
13:32z	OK1AOU	18MHz	CW
13:34z	K4DY	18MHz	CW
13:34z	OK2BLD	18MHz	CW
13:39z	G3JDT	18MHz	SSB
13:49z	HF2SDM	18MHz	SSB
14:04z	S55V	18MHz	PSK31
14:11z	ES3RM	18MHz	PSK31
14:15z	HG3FMZ	18MHz	PSK31
14:36z	UA3SAG	18MHz	PSK31
14:40z	CT2HPM	18MHz	PSK31
14:47z	OK1SDE	18MHz	SSB
14:48z	HB9DHA	18MHz	SSB
14:59z	DK3DUA	18MHz	CW
15:04z	F5FZG	18MHz	CW
15:06z	EA2DT	18MHz	CW

I nipped out for the 17m-in-the-evening experiment on Thursday 28th July 2016. The summit ascended was, no surprises, The Cloud G/SP-015. The band was very quiet. I started with 4 QSOs in CW - UR, RA, EA and LZ - but no more takers. I then tried calling CQ on SSB, but got no callers. There was one solitary station on the SSB portion of the band, and that was EA8BWL on Tenerife. I answered his CQ and got him first call.

Great view from my operating spot Tom M1EYP

After seemingly an age of calling on PSK31, I eventually got one reply, and a QSO, from Sergey UR4MLS. But no further takers on data. I put out a few calls on 2m FM but got just one there too - Pete 2E0LKC, Pete then worked me on 17m SSB, as did his YL Anne 2E0LMD. So just nine contacts. Nice view though.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
18:18z	UR4LCB	18MHz	CW
18:19z	RN6K	18MHz	CW
18:24z	EA1CN	18MHz	CW
18:27z	LZ1EP	18MHz	CW
18:49z	EA8BWL	18MHz	SSB
19:07z	UR4MLS	18MHz	PSK31
19:15z	2E0LKC	144MHz	FM
19:20z	2E0LKC	18MHz	SSB
19:22z	2E0LMD	18MHz	SSB

So I set my alarm relatively early for Friday 29th July 2016. This was in order to investigate "The Morning" on the 17m band. Off to The Cloud G/SP-015 and set up the GP antenna by the cliff edge. Lots and lots of calling on CW, and no response. Not even the skimmers heard me, which might have given a clue as to conditions! Just one other station was heard anywhere across the band on any mode, this being the Market Reef DXpedition station OJ0B.

Although I worked this station on this band and mode the other day, I needed at least one contact to actually record an activation! So I put my call in, and got a reply, and a contact immediately. The it started to tip it down with rain so I packed up and went home. This wasn't so bad, as I really needed to crack on with emptying my Citroen Xsara Picasso ready for disposal, and visit some car showrooms to weigh up her replacement.

Yes, it's time to go our separate ways. She has been my loyal companion for over a decade, but has recently started generously sharing her diesel with the road below. My own generosity does not stretch to getting 200 miles out of a full tank as opposed to the more familiar 500, so she's got to go.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
06:41z	OJ0B	18MHz	CW

Tuesday 2nd August 2016 - The Cloud G/SP-015

I wasn't anticipating going out, now be without a vehicle, but my wife Marianne kindly invited me to use her car so I could do my regular Tuesday night activation.

The weather remained dry as the forecast promised, but there were some very black clouds building up all around as the evening wore on. The main weather problem was the lack of breeze, which meant that the midges were appalling until 9pm. I used my bothy bag to avoid them in the end!

Not a bad activation, with 82 contacts on 2m - 76 on SSB in the contest, then 6 on FM afterwards. S2S with Rob G7LAS/P over on Shining Tor G/SP-004.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
19:00z	G4JLG	144MHz	SSB
19:00z	2E0LKC	144MHz	SSB
19:03z	F1BHL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:05z	M0BUL	144MHz	SSB
19:06z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:07z	G4HGI	144MHz	SSB
19:08z	G4FZN/P	144MHz	SSB
19:11z	G4BEE	144MHz	SSB
19:13z	G3UBX	144MHz	SSB
19:14z	M0RDW	144MHz	SSB
19:16z	G3SQQ	144MHz	SSB
19:18z	G8OHM	144MHz	SSB
19:21z	GW4ZAR/P	144MHz	SSB
19:21z	G8XVJ	144MHz	SSB
19:23z	G4GSB/P	144MHz	SSB
19:26z	M0AFJ	144MHz	SSB
19:27z	M0VXX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:28z	G0BRC	144MHz	SSB
19:29z	M0WLF	144MHz	SSB
19:30z	G5BBL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:31z	G0GQT	144MHz	SSB
19:33z	GD8EXI	144MHz	SSB
19:34z	M0WBG	144MHz	SSB
19:35z	MW0ATI	144MHz	SSB
19:36z	G0JCQ	144MHz	SSB
19:36z	G2ANC	144MHz	SSB
19:37z	G4HGT/P	144MHz	SSB
19:38z	G3UVR	144MHz	SSB
19:39z	2E0DXK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	G8PNN/P	144MHz	SSB
19:44z	GM3SEK	144MHz	SSB
19:49z	G4DBN	144MHz	SSB
19:51z	GI4SNA	144MHz	SSB
19:52z	G8HXE/P	144MHz	SSB
19:54z	G0BFJ	144MHz	SSB
19:55z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
20:03z	G4IRC	144MHz	SSB
20:05z	M0BRA	144MHz	SSB
20:07z	M6KTP/P	144MHz	SSB
20:08z	G7LAS/P	144MHz	SSB	G/SP-004
20:11z	GW8ASD	144MHz	SSB
20:13z	M0COP/P	144MHz	SSB
20:16z	M0NVS	144MHz	SSB
20:18z	F8BRK	144MHz	SSB
20:21z	2E0DSQ	144MHz	SSB
20:22z	G3TDH	144MHz	SSB
20:22z	G8DIR	144MHz	SSB
20:23z	G4APJ	144MHz	SSB
20:23z	G0MCV	144MHz	SSB
20:29z	M6PWD	144MHz	SSB
20:33z	G4KQH	144MHz	SSB
20:34z	M0NKE/P	144MHz	SSB
20:35z	G0ODQ	144MHz	SSB
20:36z	G4ODA	144MHz	SSB
20:37z	GM4JJJ	144MHz	SSB
20:40z	G4RUL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:43z	G8OVZ/P	144MHz	SSB
20:44z	2E0VPX	144MHz	SSB
20:45z	M0WID	144MHz	SSB
20:52z	M0CGL	144MHz	SSB
20:53z	G4HDU/P	144MHz	SSB
20:54z	G4OAR/A	144MHz	SSB
20:55z	G0WTD	144MHz	SSB
20:56z	M0MKO	144MHz	SSB
20:57z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
21:01z	G4VFL/P	144MHz	SSB
21:06z	G8BUN	144MHz	SSB
21:09z	2E0RET/P	144MHz	SSB
21:10z	G4EBK/P	144MHz	SSB
21:11z	G3TCT	144MHz	SSB
21:13z	G4GFI	144MHz	SSB
21:17z	G0UWS/P	144MHz	SSB
21:18z	2E0KHI	144MHz	SSB
21:20z	M3RNX	144MHz	SSB
21:23z	G4LKD	144MHz	SSB
21:26z	G7LRQ	144MHz	SSB
21:37z	M6FDN	144MHz	FM
21:45z	2E0DSS	144MHz	FM
21:46z	M6EFP	144MHz	FM
21:47z	M1MST	144MHz	FM
21:48z	M0MVK	144MHz	FM
21:48z	M3MOV	144MHz	FM

Good tropo on Tuesday 27th September 2016 on 6m. Nothing spectacular, but consistently strong signals into The Cloud G/SP-015 from right across the south coast with massive enhancement on the sigs from IO80 and IO70.

86 QSOs, all 6m SSB, Squares worked: IN99, IO64, 70, 74, 75, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 91, 92, 93, JO01, 02, 03. Also heard IO63 and JO00 but didn't get to work either of them. Didn't manage to find IO72, 94 or 95 anywhere.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:00z	GW4ZAR/P	50MHz	SSB
19:00z	G3RKF	50MHz	SSB
19:01z	2W0JYN	50MHz	SSB
19:01z	G3XNO	50MHz	SSB
19:02z	G6HFF	50MHz	SSB
19:02z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
19:03z	G4ASR	50MHz	SSB
19:04z	2E0DXK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:05z	2E0LDZ/P	50MHz	SSB
19:05z	G8BCG	50MHz	SSB
19:06z	G4YPC	50MHz	SSB
19:10z	M0OMB	50MHz	SSB
19:12z	G4VFL/P	50MHz	SSB
19:13z	M0ICK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:13z	G0WWH	50MHz	SSB
19:14z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
19:16z	G3PHO	50MHz	SSB
19:17z	GD8EXI	50MHz	SSB
19:18z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:20z	F1BHL/P	50MHz	SSB
19:22z	GW4EVX	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	G0EAK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	M0GAV/P	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	G8LZE	50MHz	SSB
19:26z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
19:27z	G4BLH/P	50MHz	SSB
19:28z	G4ODA	50MHz	SSB
19:29z	M6KTP/P	50MHz	SSB
19:34z	M0CGL	50MHz	SSB
19:36z	G0PEB/P	50MHz	SSB
19:38z	G3USE	50MHz	SSB
19:38z	M0KJR	50MHz	SSB
19:39z	2E0SCX	50MHz	SSB
19:40z	G0BLB	50MHz	SSB
19:42z	G8NVI	50MHz	SSB
19:42z	M0SAT	50MHz	SSB
19:44z	G4CLA	50MHz	SSB
19:45z	M5DWI/P	50MHz	SSB
19:47z	G8EQD/P	50MHz	SSB
19:48z	G3WIR/A	50MHz	SSB
19:49z	G3TCT	50MHz	SSB
19:51z	M0ICR	50MHz	SSB
19:53z	G3VCA	50MHz	SSB
19:55z	M0NKR	50MHz	SSB
19:57z	GW8ASD	50MHz	SSB
19:58z	G3ZVW	50MHz	SSB
19:59z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
20:04z	G4OAR/A	50MHz	SSB
20:08z	G0CER	50MHz	SSB
20:09z	G3SDY	50MHz	SSB
20:10z	MM0GPZ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:10z	M0RKX/P	50MHz	SSB
20:12z	G8MKC/P	50MHz	SSB
20:14z	G0TAR	50MHz	SSB
20:16z	G4LPD	50MHz	SSB
20:17z	G0GQT	50MHz	SSB
20:18z	G1HLT	50MHz	SSB
20:19z	G3WCB/P	50MHz	SSB
20:20z	G6UBM	50MHz	SSB
20:21z	G4HYG	50MHz	SSB
20:22z	G0GDA	50MHz	SSB
20:23z	G3SMT	50MHz	SSB
20:32z	G4AQB	50MHz	SSB
20:33z	G6XHF	50MHz	SSB
20:35z	G8BUN	50MHz	SSB
20:40z	G8XVJ	50MHz	SSB
20:44z	G4EBK/P	50MHz	SSB
20:45z	G8REQ	50MHz	SSB
20:48z	GM4JJJ	50MHz	SSB
20:55z	G0BFJ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:59z	G4AGE	50MHz	SSB
21:00z	G0BNC	50MHz	SSB
21:03z	G2ANC	50MHz	SSB
21:05z	G4IDF	50MHz	SSB
21:06z	G4YHF	50MHz	SSB
21:07z	M6OCR/P	50MHz	SSB
21:12z	GM4FZH	50MHz	SSB
21:14z	G0JCQ	50MHz	SSB
21:15z	M0WBG	50MHz	SSB
21:15z	G4BEE	50MHz	SSB
21:16z	GM4NFC	50MHz	SSB
21:18z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
21:21z	2E0SDV	50MHz	SSB
21:22z	G8OVZ/P	50MHz	SSB
21:23z	G3YSX	50MHz	SSB
21:28z	M0MDY	50MHz	SSB
21:29z	M0KBW/P	50MHz	SSB

That was fun on Saturday 22nd October 2016! Thanks to Mike 2E0YYY and Andrew VK1AD for all their hard work in organising this spectacular VK-EU S2S SOTA event. As it turned out, some DX propagation was there, but as I feared, not sufficiently for my 5 watts to "cut it" like in times past (such as the peak of the last solar cycle).

Anyway, my results may be summarised as follows:

9A: 2

CT: 4

DL: 7

EA: 9

EU: 2

F: 3

G: 9

GI: 1

GW: 2

HA: 2

HB: 1

I: 9

LA: 1

LY: 1

LZ: 1

OE: 7

OH: 2

OK: 6

OM: 1

RA; 12

S5: 1

SM: 1

SP: 3

SV: 1

UA9: 1

UR: 2

VK: 2

YO: 3

YU: 2

20m CW: 61

20m SSB: 33

2m FM: 5

7 SOTA activators in SWL log (ie where I tried to work them but they couldn't/wouldn't hear me):

2E0YYY/P on G/CE-004

DL/OE7FMJ/P on DL/KW-008

G1INK/P on G/TW-005

G7LAS/P on G/CE-004

M0IML/P on G/SE-015

SV2OXS/P on SV/MC-077

SY2BIK/P on SV/MC-077

18 SOTA activators in S2S log:

CT1DBS/P on CT/ES-007

CT7AGR/P on CT/ES-007

EA2DCA/P on EA2/BI-056

EA2IF/P on EA2/NV-119

EA2WX/P on EA2/BI-055

EC2AG/P on EA2/VI-038

F6HBI/P on F/AM-360

G6PJZ/P on G/TW-002

G8JSM/P on G/SP-017

GW4WSB/P on GW/SW-001

IN3ADF/P on I/AA-307

MW0XOT/P on GW/SW-018

OE1HFC/P on OE/NO-197

OE5EEP/P on OE/OO-106

OE5REO/P on OE/OO-084

OH2NOS/P on OH/JS-037

VK1DA on VK2/ST-044

VK6NU on VK6/SW-042

99 QSOs in total. Pwr: 5 watts.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
05:45z	IT9IFI	14MHz	CW
05:47z	EW8CP	14MHz	CW
05:53z	UR4EI	14MHz	CW
06:01z	RA4FQC	14MHz	CW
06:02z	YO6MZ	14MHz	CW
06:03z	RX3PY	14MHz	CW
06:05z	YU7RQ	14MHz	CW
06:21z	G6PJZ/P	14MHz	SSB	G/TW-002
06:33z	MW0XOT/P	14MHz	SSB	GW/SW-018
06:37z	SV2FLM	14MHz	SSB
06:38z	YU1AB	14MHz	SSB
06:48z	EU2MM	14MHz	CW
06:49z	SP9AMH	14MHz	CW
06:50z	RG3B	14MHz	CW
06:52z	UT1PO	14MHz	CW
06:54z	G4OBK	14MHz	CW
06:55z	UA4SJ	14MHz	CW
06:58z	R3RK	14MHz	CW
07:00z	HA5MA	14MHz	CW
07:04z	OH1NOS/P	14MHz	CW	OH/JS-037
07:11z	G8JSM/P	14MHz	SSB	G/SP-017
07:17z	IZ3GOS/P	14MHz	SSB
07:18z	GW4WSB/P	14MHz	SSB	GW/SW-001
07:25z	IZ0MQN/P	14MHz	SSB
07:30z	OE5REO/P	14MHz	SSB	OE/OO-084
07:31z	IZ1NJA/P	14MHz	SSB
07:43z	IQ2VA/P	14MHz	SSB
07:49z	HA7WA	14MHz	SSB
07:51z	RW3XZ	14MHz	SSB
07:52z	OE5TPM	14MHz	SSB
07:53z	UA0KCX	14MHz	SSB
07:54z	RD5A	14MHz	SSB
08:03z	IN3ADF/P	14MHz	SSB	I/AA-307
08:06z	OE5EEP/P	14MHz	CW	OE/OO-106
08:11z	CT7AGR/P	14MHz	CW	CT/ES-007
08:16z	RV9DC	14MHz	CW
08:19z	OK2PDT	14MHz	CW
08:20z	RW3XZ	14MHz	CW
08:21z	VK6NU	14MHz	CW	VK6/SW-042
08:22z	LA9QJA	14MHz	CW
08:23z	9A6CW	14MHz	CW
08:24z	VK1DA	14MHz	CW	VK2/ST-044
08:26z	LY2BNL	14MHz	CW
08:35z	EA2DT	14MHz	SSB
08:36z	EB2JU	14MHz	SSB
08:37z	OK4KOP	14MHz	SSB
08:38z	9A7W	14MHz	SSB
08:38z	EA1DFP	14MHz	SSB
08:39z	OK1SDE	14MHz	SSB
08:46z	OK1DVM	14MHz	CW
08:47z	EA2WX/P	14MHz	CW	EA2/BI-055
08:49z	YO2BP	14MHz	CW
08:50z	SM7DIE	14MHz	CW
08:52z	OH6NPV	14MHz	CW
08:55z	EA2BSB	14MHz	CW
08:56z	OE7PHI	14MHz	CW
08:59z	CT1DBS/P	14MHz	CW	CT/ES-007
09:01z	YO2CJX	14MHz	CW
09:11z	SQ9MDF	14MHz	SSB
09:11z	SQ9NOT	14MHz	SSB
09:12z	MI0RTY	14MHz	SSB
09:13z	OE5FSL	14MHz	SSB
09:14z	IW3RPY	14MHz	SSB
09:15z	CT2HPM	14MHz	SSB
09:16z	OE7WGT	14MHz	SSB
09:17z	DF5KR	14MHz	SSB
09:27z	EA7AM	14MHz	CW
09:29z	DL7VBJ	14MHz	CW
09:30z	F4HTV	14MHz	CW
09:31z	OK1JVS	14MHz	CW
09:34z	RZ4AG	14MHz	CW
09:35z	DM3YBN	14MHz	CW
09:37z	G4RRM	14MHz	CW
09:38z	OK1CTB	14MHz	CW
09:40z	DL4CW	14MHz	CW
09:41z	RD3DY	14MHz	CW
09:42z	LZ5WF	14MHz	CW
09:45z	HB9FAQ	14MHz	CW
09:48z	F6HKA	14MHz	CW
09:50z	S52CU	14MHz	CW
09:51z	CT1DRB	14MHz	CW
09:52z	OM6AN	14MHz	CW
09:53z	DL1MDV	14MHz	CW
09:54z	DK3DUA	14MHz	CW
09:56z	R3LL	14MHz	CW
09:56z	IK1QFP	14MHz	CW
10:00z	IK2WQH	14MHz	CW
10:00z	RA6AR	14MHz	CW
10:05z	OE1HFC/P	14MHz	CW	OE/NO-197
10:18z	EA2IF/P	14MHz	CW	EA2/NV-119
10:24z	DL5DXS	14MHz	CW
10:27z	EC2AG/P	14MHz	SSB	EA2/VI-038
10:36z	EA2DCA/P	14MHz	SSB	EA2/BI-056
10:44z	F6HBI/P	14MHz	CW	F/AM-617
11:00z	G4RRM	144MHz	FM
11:04z	G7RYN	144MHz	FM
11:05z	G4UCT	144MHz	FM
11:09z	M3CRV	144MHz	FM
11:12z	2E0QDI	144MHz	FM

Nothing was heard from outside of the UK at all on Tuesday 25th October 2016, until ten minutes before the end of the contest when TF3ML came up with a huge signal. As you might imagine, he had a huge pile-up, and I didn't make it through.

So my best DX contacts were into JO00 and IO70 squares. 65 QSOs made, all 6m SSB. No other SOTA activations heard, so no S2S. That is usually the effect as Summer Fun Evenings become Winter Fun Evenings!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:01z	G3UVR	50MHz	SSB
19:02z	G4YHF	50MHz	SSB
19:03z	G8HXE/P	50MHz	SSB
19:04z	M0OMB	50MHz	SSB
19:05z	G0VOF	50MHz	SSB
19:05z	G6CQC	50MHz	SSB
19:05z	G0CER	50MHz	SSB
19:06z	G4HYG	50MHz	SSB
19:06z	G6HFF	50MHz	SSB
19:07z	GW8ASD	50MHz	SSB
19:07z	G8ONK	50MHz	SSB
19:08z	M3RNX	50MHz	SSB
19:09z	G6XHF	50MHz	SSB
19:09z	G4EII	50MHz	SSB
19:10z	M6KMB	50MHz	SSB
19:15z	GI4SNA	50MHz	SSB
19:16z	GW4ZAR	50MHz	SSB
19:22z	M0GAV/P	50MHz	SSB
19:23z	G0CDA	50MHz	SSB
19:24z	G0BWB	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	G8ZRE	50MHz	SSB
19:25z	2E0LDZ/P	50MHz	SSB
19:26z	G3TBK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:28z	G3PHO	50MHz	SSB
19:30z	G3WIR/A	50MHz	SSB
19:31z	GW4BVE	50MHz	SSB
19:31z	M6KTP/P	50MHz	SSB
19:32z	G4OAR/A	50MHz	SSB
19:36z	M0WBG	50MHz	SSB
19:38z	G4BLH/P	50MHz	SSB
19:39z	2E0DXK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:41z	G0EAK/P	50MHz	SSB
19:41z	G4CLA	50MHz	SSB
19:43z	G4AHJ/P	50MHz	SSB
19:44z	G3VCA	50MHz	SSB
19:49z	M0WYB	50MHz	SSB
19:56z	G8EQD/P	50MHz	SSB
19:59z	2W0JYN/A	50MHz	SSB
20:01z	G4RUL/P	50MHz	SSB
20:02z	GW4EVX	50MHz	SSB
20:04z	M0HWO	50MHz	SSB
20:05z	GI6ATZ	50MHz	SSB
20:06z	G4AQB	50MHz	SSB
20:15z	G7LRQ/P	50MHz	SSB
20:15z	G4NTY	50MHz	SSB
20:17z	G8MKC	50MHz	SSB
20:18z	M6TSS/P	50MHz	SSB
20:19z	G4HBA	50MHz	SSB
20:22z	G3SMT	50MHz	SSB
20:25z	G8NVI	50MHz	SSB
20:29z	2E0KSH	50MHz	SSB
20:31z	2E0RET/P	50MHz	SSB
20:35z	G3MEH	50MHz	SSB
20:36z	M0MDY	50MHz	SSB
20:40z	G0HEL/P	50MHz	SSB
20:43z	G3TDH	50MHz	SSB
20:43z	G3RKF	50MHz	SSB
20:51z	G8BCG	50MHz	SSB
20:56z	G1PPA	50MHz	SSB
21:03z	G8XYJ/P	50MHz	SSB
21:09z	G0BRC	50MHz	SSB
21:12z	G3YJR	50MHz	SSB
21:15z	GD8EXI	50MHz	SSB
21:16z	G8BUN	50MHz	SSB
21:28z	GM3SEK	50MHz	SSB

Pleasant little outing on The Cloud G/SP-015, Saturday 29th October 2016.

1535 to 1700z, 54 QSOs:

21 on 20m CW, 33 on 20m SSB.

1 S2S - EA5FV/P on EA5/MU-033

DXCCs worked: 5B4, 9K, CT, DL, E7, EA, EA8, HA, HB, HB0, I, LY, OH, OK, OM, RA, S5, SM, SP, UR, VE, W, YO, YU.

DX: 1 Africa, 2 Asia, 7 North America

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
15:35z	EA5FV/P	14MHz	CW	EA5/MU-033
15:39z	DL1ASA	14MHz	CW
15:40z	OH9XX	14MHz	CW
15:41z	VE2JCW	14MHz	CW
15:41z	OK1DVM	14MHz	CW
15:42z	EB3EPR	14MHz	CW
15:42z	CT7AGR	14MHz	CW
15:43z	VE1WT	14MHz	CW
15:44z	KG3W	14MHz	CW
15:44z	DJ5AV	14MHz	CW
15:45z	N4EX	14MHz	CW
15:46z	LY2BNL	14MHz	CW
15:51z	OK2PDT	14MHz	CW
15:52z	OK2HMS	14MHz	CW
15:58z	DL3RDM	14MHz	CW
15:59z	S52CU	14MHz	CW
16:00z	CT1DRB	14MHz	CW
16:00z	EA8AA	14MHz	CW
16:01z	HA7WA	14MHz	CW
16:03z	SQ8JMZ	14MHz	CW
16:04z	DL6DSA	14MHz	CW
16:10z	IO5P	14MHz	SSB
16:11z	EA2DNR	14MHz	SSB
16:14z	IQ5CPO	14MHz	SSB
16:15z	RT5Z	14MHz	SSB
16:17z	S50G	14MHz	SSB
16:17z	HG7T	14MHz	SSB
16:19z	YP0C	14MHz	SSB
16:20z	DQ2C	14MHz	SSB
16:21z	S50L	14MHz	SSB
16:22z	IO5O	14MHz	SSB
16:23z	HB0A	14MHz	SSB
16:24z	UR3GU	14MHz	SSB
16:25z	E74A	14MHz	SSB
16:26z	HG6V	14MHz	SSB
16:27z	9K2HN	14MHz	SSB
16:30z	YU6DX	14MHz	SSB
16:31z	OM7M	14MHz	SSB
16:34z	IQ2LS	14MHz	SSB
16:35z	YU3EEA	14MHz	SSB
16:36z	NN3W	14MHz	SSB
16:40z	LZ3ZZ	14MHz	SSB
16:42z	SJ0X	14MHz	SSB
16:46z	II2S	14MHz	SSB
16:47z	ED3V	14MHz	SSB
16:48z	YT0W	14MHz	SSB
16:50z	HA3LN	14MHz	SSB
16:52z	VC2T	14MHz	SSB
16:54z	IO5P	14MHz	SSB
16:54z	VY2ZM	14MHz	SSB
16:55z	C4A	14MHz	SSB
16:56z	S58Y	14MHz	SSB
16:58z	HB2K	14MHz	SSB
17:00z	S57DX	14MHz	SSB

Saturday 5th November 2016 and I visited G/SP-015 to take part in the 144MHz CW Marconi contest. Always a rare pleasure to get into double figures on VHF CW!

Best DX into France and Belgium. It's hardly a busy contest though, so I veered onto 2m SSB and 2m FM at times. I expected to do so again when I would return for a couple more hours the following morning.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
14:00z	F6DWG/P	144MHz	CW
14:06z	G4CZB/P	144MHz	CW
14:08z	G4HGI	144MHz	CW
14:14z	G8X	144MHz	CW
14:17z	G3ZOD	144MHz	CW
14:19z	G4RGK/P	144MHz	CW
14:21z	G3JDT	144MHz	CW
14:23z	F8KIH	144MHz	CW
14:25z	G0CDA	144MHz	CW
14:26z	M4M	144MHz	CW
14:28z	M4A	144MHz	CW
14:38z	F1AKK/P	144MHz	CW
16:01z	ON4KHG	144MHz	CW
16:03z	2W0JYN/A	144MHz	SSB
16:07z	M0DCK	144MHz	SSB
16:12z	M0TGT/M	144MHz	FM
16:18z	M0CQE	144MHz	FM
16:19z	M5AGI	144MHz	FM
16:22z	G7AFM	144MHz	SSB
16:23z	G0RQL	144MHz	SSB
16:24z	M0WBG	144MHz	SSB
16:31z	G3RLE	144MHz	CW
16:40z	G3USE	144MHz	CW
16:48z	M7R	144MHz	CW
17:04z	F6HPP/P	144MHz	CW

Sunday 6th November 2016 contained a further 14 hours of the Marconi 2m CW contest. In fact as I type, there's still over an hour left! What's more, I had up to 3 hours and 56 minutes of operating time available. Well not really; I needed to be back home in time to change, load the car and get on the road to Blackpool for a gig with Mr Longthorne. Still, without an alarm, I found myself awake before 8am, so decided to go and do another couple of hours at least.

Winter has arrived. It was really cold on The Cloud summit, and snow was falling for a spell. I found myself repeatedly disappearing into my bothy bag for a little respite from the biting cold. Anyway, the results were:

14 contacts on 2m:

2m FM: 4 2m SSB: 4 2m CW: 6 ... taking mt 2m CW contest total to 23, including yesterday's QSOs.

Best DX this morning was ON7RY/P in JO20ti. Another highlight was a long rag-chew with Matt G8XYJ on 2m SSB, mainly about bass guitars and amplification!

I was going to stay for another half hour, despite the unpleasant cold wind and worsening rain/sleet. However, this happened...

Tom M1EYP Oh dear...

...end of activation. #SOTA mode OFF #GIG mode ON

Time	Call	Band	Mode
09:30z	G3TCU	144MHz	CW
09:33z	G4XPE	144MHz	CW
09:46z	G3MEH	144MHz	CW
09:55z	ON7RY/P	144MHz	CW
10:00z	M4J	144MHz	CW
10:21z	G8XYJ/P	144MHz	SSB
10:36z	G3TPP	144MHz	SSB
10:39z	G0RQL	144MHz	SSB
10:43z	MK0BKV	144MHz	SSB
10:49z	G6ORS/M	144MHz	FM
10:50z	G4ZWY	144MHz	FM
10:53z	M6UKZ	144MHz	FM
10:54z	G6VGC	144MHz	FM
10:58z	G4FAD	144MHz	CW

I'm nipped out on the afternoon of Saturday 12th November 2016 to try a new configuration out for doing PSK on a SOTA activation. There were a few new aspects to this, so a few reasons it might fail. But if it did (which it did), I'd happily play on CW and SSB (which I might have done in addition to the PSK31 anyway!)

Attempting to use a 7" tablet for PSK31. DroidPSK working OK on rx

Nobody missed anything. It didn't work. I had picked up a cheap 2nd hand Arnova Android tablet and was hoping to use this to run DroidPSK app and connect to my FT-817 using the Wolphi-Link adapter and cables. Anyway, it couldn't send or receive via the wired connection, so it's probably too old. I had seen something that this set-up would only work on 2nd Generation and up tablets.

8 contacts were made on 20m CW, including 3 into the USA and a S2S with EA5FV/P on EA2/TE-003.

Anyway, the tablet-PSK woes were not the only ones on this disappointing activation. My radio-controlled clock seemed to freeze, and needed to be restarted. I did this, but this particular model seems to take an incredibly long time to latch onto the LF signal (I'm not sure whether this model is listening for the 60kHz signal from Anthorn or the 77.5kHz from Mainflingen). Anyway, it did find the correct time - but only well after the activation!

Tom on The Cloud G/SP-015 Murky!

I also had problems with the speed calibration of my Palm Code Cube. Again. Even with the dial on the lowest possible setting, it was still motoring along at about 30wpm, which is rather too fast for my fingers, let alone the ears of the chasers. Well done to those of you I worked, and apologies for anyone that I was too fast for. Of course, back in the shack, the recalibration procedure worked perfectly first time! Three attempts to do that on the summit all failed.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
11:29z	EA5FV/P	14MHz	CW	EA2/TE-003
11:31z	KG3W	14MHz	CW
11:40z	N4EX	14MHz	CW
11:51z	N1GB	14MHz	CW
11:54z	HA7WA	14MHz	CW
11:56z	SV2QXS	14MHz	CW
11:59z	IT9QAU	14MHz	CW
17:00z	EW3DU	14MHz	CW

Saturday 19th November 2016 - SOTA EU-NA S2S QSO Party - The Cloud G/SP-015

Didn't think anything could top the SOTA EU-VK S2S QSO Party - but how wrong could one be? The results from my activation were remarkable - in fact I still can't quite believe what happened! My participation was in serious doubt. I had been suffering with a cold all week and every morning was starting with a nasty sore throat. I seriously considered bailing out of Friday football after work in order as to not deteriorate my health. Predictably, I couldn't resist joining in, so I feared for how I would feel waking up on the Saturday morning!

Well I woke up feeling better. Not "better" as in cured - I still had a cold. But better than I felt yesterday, and the day before that. So, it would be game on. I was pretty last minute as I still had a few bass parts to transcribe for three bands I'm working with, and I wanted them done before going out. As it was, I was QRV on The Cloud G/SP-015 just after 2pm, so not too bad. Part of that "punctuality" was due to my last minute decision to not bother with 17m, and just set up the single 20m groundplane/vertical. I was pleased with this tactic, and the 20m kept me perfectly busy throughout the 3 hours. I did naughtily chase a couple of S2S opportunities on 17m through the 20m aerial with "less-than-optimum" SWR!

Anyway, what I ended up with was 66 QSOs, with more than half of them - 37 in fact - being S2S. Summary as follows:

66 QSOs: 20m CW: 37; 20m SSB: 27; 17m CW: 1; 17m SSB: 1. 4 SWL logs.

4X: 1

CT: 1

EA: 9

EA8: 1

F: 3

G: 2

GW: 8

HB: 6

I: 2

IS0: 1

LZ: 1

OE: 1

OH: 1

OK: 2

S5: 2

SP: 1

SV: 2

VE: 4

W: 14

YO: 2

YU: 2

Asia: 1 Africa: 1 Europe: 46 North America: 18

37 S2S QSOs:

Africa: 1 Europe: 27 North America: 9

AC2KL - W2/WE-031

CT7AGT/P - CT/DL-014

EA2IF/P - EA2/NV-151

EA8/M0FMF/P - EA8/FU-042

EB2GKK/P - EA2/VI-029

F5LKW/P - F/CR-254

F6HBI/P - F/AM-617

GW0WPO/P - GW/NW-039

GW2HFR/P - GW/NW-044

GW4AZS/P - GW/NW-013

GW4OIG/P - GW/NW-077

GW4TJC/P - GW/NW-071

HB9AFI/P - HB/VD-048

HB9BCB/P - HB/FR-036

HB9BIN/P - HB/ZH-018

HB9DQM/P - HB/ZH-018

HB9FVF/P - HB/ZH-018

IZ2YWI - I/LO-320

KB1RJD - W1/AM-217

LZ1GJ/P - LZ/RO-092

M0HCU/P - G/WB-004

MW0WBG/P - GW/NW-071

MW0XOT/P - GW/NW-061

N1EU - W2/EH-001

N2GBR - W3/SV-018

NS1TA - W1/AM-038

OE9HRV/P - OE/VB-511

OH9XX/P - OH/JS-067

S52FT/P - S5/PK-041

S58R/P - S5/PK-043

VE2DDZ - VE2/LR-017

W3CDW - W3/SV-018

WB8OGK/P - W1/CR-013

WI2W - W2/NJ-001

YO6PIB/P - YO/EC-403

YO8AZQ/P - YO/EC-576

YU1CA/P - YU/JS-073

SWL - tried to call all these but couldn't get through...

2E0YYY/P - G/SP-017

DL4ROB/P - DL/CG-094

M0JLA - G/WB-021

N1EU - W2/EH-001 (on 18MHz)

I was supposed to go QRT bang on 1700z as I had work that evening. I was still QRV at 1715z, enthralled by the afternoon, but "had a word with myself", packed up and drove home. Then onto a local gig with a band named "Funky Treacle", and pleased to see a healthy AR turnout in the audience, with 2E0NSR, 2E1AEQ, G0DMV, M0GIA, M0HGY and M1BYH all in attendance!

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
14:07z	YU1AB	14MHz	CW
14:08z	HB9AFI/P	14MHz	CW	HB/VD-048
14:09z	OK1DVM	14MHz	CW
14:10z	IS0LYN	14MHz	CW
14:10z	SP9AMH	14MHz	CW
14:11z	N4DA	14MHz	CW
14:12z	SV1RHL	14MHz	CW
14:13z	4X1ZZ	14MHz	CW
14:14z	N1GB	14MHz	CW
14:18z	N1EU	14MHz	CW	W2/EH-001
14:19z	LZ1GJ/P	14MHz	CW	LZ/RO-092
14:23z	YU1CA/P	14MHz	CW	YU/JS-073
14:25z	OK2PDT	14MHz	CW
14:26z	AC1Z	14MHz	CW
14:28z	EA2DT	14MHz	CW
14:32z	YO8AZQ/P	14MHz	CW	YO/EC-576
14:33z	F6EAZ	14MHz	CW
14:33z	OH9XX/P	14MHz	CW	OH/JS-067
14:34z	EA5DNO	14MHz	CW
14:35z	F5LKW/P	14MHz	CW	F/CR-254
14:37z	IZ4IST	14MHz	CW
14:43z	EA2IF/P	14MHz	CW	EA2/NV-151
14:47z	HB9BCB/P	14MHz	CW	HB/FR-036
14:48z	VE1WT	14MHz	CW
14:51z	GW3VVL	14MHz	CW
14:52z	S52FT/P	14MHz	CW	S5/PK-041
14:59z	GW4OIG/P	18MHz	CW	GW/NW-077
15:03z	GW2HFR/P	18MHz	SSB	GW/NW-044
15:05z	IZ2YWI	14MHz	SSB	I/LO-320
15:08z	EB5STT	14MHz	SSB
15:10z	YO6PIB/P	14MHz	SSB	YO/EC-403
15:11z	GW4AZS/P	14MHz	SSB	GW/NW-013
15:13z	EA4DE	14MHz	SSB
15:16z	M0HCU/P	14MHz	SSB	G/WB-004
15:19z	GW0WPO/P	14MHz	SSB	GW/NW-039
15:20z	EB3GGB	14MHz	SSB
15:25z	MW0WBG/P	14MHz	SSB	GW/NW-071
15:27z	WB8OGK/P	14MHz	SSB	W1/CR-013
15:31z	S58R/P	14MHz	CW	S5/PK-043
15:35z	F6HBI/P	14MHz	CW	F/AM-617
15:40z	VE2JCW	14MHz	CW
15:40z	EA2BD	14MHz	CW
15:41z	SV2AOK	14MHz	CW
15:52z	MW0XOT/P	14MHz	SSB	GW/NW-061
15:57z	EB1IFK	14MHz	SSB
15:58z	VE2WFF	14MHz	SSB
15:59z	OE9HRV/P	14MHz	SSB	OE/VB-511
16:00z	M0HGY	14MHz	SSB
16:03z	GW4TJC/P	14MHz	SSB	GW/NW-071
16:05z	EA8/M0FMF/P	14MHz	SSB	EA8/FU-042
16:14z	HB9FVF/P	14MHz	SSB	HB/ZH-018
16:15z	HB9BIN/P	14MHz	SSB	HB/ZH-018
16:16z	HB9DQM/P	14MHz	SSB	HB/ZH-018
16:21z	HB9BHW	14MHz	SSB
16:35z	CT7AGT/P	14MHz	CW	CT/DL-014
16:39z	EB2GKK/P	14MHz	SSB	EA2/VI-029
16:43z	N2GBR	14MHz	SSB	W3/SV-018
16:44z	W3CDW	14MHz	SSB	W3/SV-018
16:46z	KA1R	14MHz	SSB
16:48z	AC2KL	14MHz	SSB	W2/WE-031
16:50z	KB1RJD	14MHz	SSB	W1/AM-217
16:54z	NS1TA	14MHz	CW	W1/AM-038
17:05z	VE2DDZ	14MHz	CW	VE2/LR-017
17:11z	W4DOW	14MHz	CW
17:12z	WI2W	14MHz	CW	W2/NJ-001
17:14z	N2NL	14MHz	CW

Saturday 26th November 2016 - The Cloud G/SP-015

Tuning around the CQWW CW contest at home on the Saturday morning revealed that 15m appeared in reasonable shape, but would have gaps in the spectrum to make SOTA activating viable. I was also keen to get my SOTA PSK portable set-up going again.

As reported earlier, the Arnova G3 tablet I "uninformedly" purchased for this purpose is not up to the job, as the headphone jack is just that - a 3.5mm 3-pin headphone jack. I spent some time in phone/tablet buy/sell shops in Macclesfield at lunchtime trying to upgrade to an Android tablet that would work with my Wolphi-link interface. I was on the point of getting a Samsung Tab 3 when the store I was in advised that there would be a 2 hour wait before my existing tablet could be tested and valued for part-ex. That old chestnut.

So I ditched that idea, I was now well behind schedule and wanted to get a bit of a walk and fresh air in. It occurred to me that my HTC One Mini smartphone in my pocket was a different unit to the one I had a few months ago which "bit the dust". I thought I might as well see if my current one worked, as it was a surprise that my old one didn't.

I drove through thick fog from Macclesfield to Bosley. Fog, that I was later to learn, caused the abandonment of the Macclesfield Town vs Dover Athletic football match that I had elected not to attend. As I drove up onto Cloudside, I emerged from that fog, so I began to really look forward to my short walk.

Cloud summit above the fog Tom on Cloud summit

Sure enough, as I neared Cloud summit, the views all around were spectacular with the dense fog filling the valleys either side and completely covering the Cheshire Plain and all points north. There was hardly a breath of wind at the summit either, so for once I wasn't huddled under one side of the topograph, but set up right on the edge of the escarpment so I could enjoy the views throughout my activation.

It was good that there was no wind, as even the slightest breeze would have applied a notable chill factor to the zero degrees temperature. I started off by connecting up my phone and interface to the FT-817 for PSK31. And this time, everything worked perfectly! It was clear from the waterfall that signals were being detected via the interface and cables, and the transmit side worked straightaway. I wondered if my previous phone of this model actually had a fault in the 3.5mm jack socket?

Topograph and sunset Fog filling the Dave Valley

What I couldn't find was any other PSK31 signals on the 15m band, although the "bleed over" from the CQWW was up to 60kHz beyond the normal datamode QRGs. I did find a decent gap just above 21.070MHz and did a fair bit of CQ SOTA calling there on PSK31, but without getting any replies. So I guess I cannot yet be 100% certain that my system is working - but it looked like it!

I had been on summit a while, the temperature was dropping into the subzero and it was getting dark. I thought therefore it might be a good idea to actually make some QSOs. So I disconnected the PSK gear and installed my Mini Palm Paddle and Code Cube instead. Yet even when I found a gap and self-spotted, I still couldn't solicit any replies. What seemed like gaps to me though could have been very busy with contest traffic in other parts of the world of course.

So it was now a case of trying to answer some CQWW contest calls. Which I did, just four of them (successfully):

EF8R - Gran Canaria

K4OAQ - Tennessee

V26K - Antigua

CN2AA - Morocco

I tried to answer many others, including several in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, St Kitts & Nevis, Bonaire and Cape Verde, but didn't make myself heard. I normally am successful in getting through to this level of DX, but I suppose they will be hearing lots of traffic on their frequency, and 5 watts won't make it. On a non-contest day, I'm sure it would.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
16:34z	EF8R	21MHz	CW
16:37z	K4OAQ	21MHz	CW
16:39z	V26K	21MHz	CW
17:11z	CN2AA	21MHz	CW

By Sunday 27th November 2016, I was now of the opinion that my HTC One Mini phone does not work with the Wolphi-link interface after all. I had another try with it on my Cloud activation that morning. It appears to key the tx on the FT-817 OK (from my side - but seems chasers don't see/hear anything), but it only receives the waterfall via the phone's built-in mic, but nothing via the cabled connection through the interface.

So will probably have to upgrade the tablet to something in the Samsung family after all.

Bit of a nightmare as I reached the summit of G/SP-015 on Sunday 27th November 2016 and realised I had left my paper logbook at home. Turfed out all my pockets, but no scraps of paper, not even a receipt. This is where the PSK set-up became useful - I used the logbook within DroidPSK on my phone to log everything! It made things a bit slower than I would prefer, but I still came off the summit with 50 QSOs in the log - all 20m CW.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
10:42z	EF7A	14MHz	CW
10:49z	OH1LWZ	14MHz	CW
10:51z	9A3TY	14MHz	CW
10:52z	RA1TU	14MHz	CW
10:55z	UT5UIA	14MHz	CW
10:59z	YR8E	14MHz	CW
11:00z	G5O	14MHz	CW
11:02z	UA4W	14MHz	CW
11:04z	CR3OO	14MHz	CW
11:06z	RK3PWR	14MHz	CW
11:07z	LZ9R	14MHz	CW
11:09z	RT9S	14MHz	CW
11:12z	RA3UAG	14MHz	CW
11:13z	YL2TQ	14MHz	CW
11:14z	ES7GN	14MHz	CW
11:15z	HA3LN	14MHz	CW
11:17z	RU5A	14MHz	CW
11:20z	ED8X	14MHz	CW
11:23z	OH2BAH	14MHz	CW
11:23z	OH3OJ	14MHz	CW
11:24z	S58J	14MHz	CW
11:26z	EC7CW	14MHz	CW
11:33z	SZ1A	14MHz	CW
11:34z	EF8R	14MHz	CW
11:35z	YU5C	14MHz	CW
11:37z	OH5DX	14MHz	CW
11:40z	LZ6Y	14MHz	CW
11:41z	HG5F	14MHz	CW
11:43z	SP4Z	14MHz	CW
11:47z	LZ9W	14MHz	CW
11:52z	IO5O	14MHz	CW
11:54z	R7LV	14MHz	CW
11:55z	9A1A	14MHz	CW
12:03z	HA7MF	14MHz	CW
12:11z	G1STQ/P	144MHz	FM	G/SP-013
12:17z	SQ5STS	14MHz	CW
12:17z	SP9AMH	14MHz	CW
12:18z	EU5U	14MHz	CW
12:19z	YO2IS	14MHz	CW
12:22z	K2TTM	14MHz	CW
12:33z	E77CFG	14MHz	CW
12:37z	KS1J	14MHz	CW
12:38z	N3QE	14MHz	CW
12:40z	K3PH	14MHz	CW
12:42z	N2ED	14MHz	CW
12:44z	EA5KM	14MHz	CW
12:45z	UR3CMA	14MHz	CW
12:49z	W1GD	14MHz	CW
12:54z	RD3FV	14MHz	CW
12:56z	KJ4QHL	14MHz	CW

Nice afternoon indeed, but very cold on Sunday 4th December 2016. The 2m AFS contest was running for the 6 hours from 10am to 4pm. I wasn't available (nor willing) to sit up there for that timespan in winter temperatures as I have done in previous years, but I did decided to go out for the closing 45 minutes or so.

The wind was pretty wild at the summit, and my mast collapsed no less than 5 times as it got buffeted about. Anyway, I made 31 contacts, all 2m SSB and all from G, GW or GI. Plenty of EU DX was heard pretty well, but none of it landed on my QRG, nor did I really have the time to commit to hunting them down. At least 5 active SOTA chasers in the log.

As soon as 4pm arrived, so the already disruptive wind magnified significantly. I got the antenna and mast down as quickly as I could and got packed up. Unusually, Cloud summit was somewhere I really did not want to be!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
15:18z	GI6ATZ	144MHz	SSB
15:21z	GW4ZAR	144MHz	SSB
15:22z	G4ERO	144MHz	SSB
15:23z	G3WJG	144MHz	SSB
15:25z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
15:26z	GW8ASD	144MHz	SSB
15:27z	G4KZD/P	144MHz	SSB
15:28z	M1BXF	144MHz	SSB
15:29z	G4WAC	144MHz	SSB
15:30z	G3YHF	144MHz	SSB
15:30z	G0ODQ	144MHz	SSB
15:32z	G1KAR/P	144MHz	SSB
15:33z	G3MEH	144MHz	SSB
15:33z	G8ZRE	144MHz	SSB
15:34z	G8REQ	144MHz	SSB
15:36z	M0ICR	144MHz	SSB
15:36z	G4FSU/P	144MHz	SSB
15:38z	G4GFI	144MHz	SSB
15:39z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	SSB
15:40z	G7RAU	144MHz	SSB
15:41z	G4ODA	144MHz	SSB
15:42z	G4BWP	144MHz	SSB
15:45z	G3TBK/P	144MHz	SSB
15:47z	G4ASR	144MHz	SSB
15:54z	GW4EVX	144MHz	SSB
15:55z	M0OMB	144MHz	SSB
15:55z	G3TDH	144MHz	SSB
15:56z	G1MZD	144MHz	SSB
15:56z	G0CER	144MHz	SSB
15:58z	G0JCQ	144MHz	SSB
16:01z	G0JLF/P	144MHz	SSB

Fail to prepare? ... Prepare to fail! Probably my least favourite overused pompous quote from virtually every headteacher I've ever worked for. But there is an element of truth in it! So what didn't I do on Monday 12th December 2016?

I didn't check that my new Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet was working properly in conjunction with the Wolphi-link interface and DroidPSK. Not that I had chance; I only bought it at 5pm today.
I didn't check the propagation to see if there was a likelihood of 20m being usable after dusk.
I didn't think to make sure I had a headtorch in the car.
I didn't make sure I had charged up my handheld for back-up.
I didn't check the weather.
I didn't bother to put on my waterproof overtrousers.

This all struck me, all at once, just after parking on Cloudside. I ignored it all even so, and set off up the track, stairway and muddy path to Cloud summit.(G/SP-015), just after 6.30pm. My night vision was working quite well, but once at the summit I needed more light for setting up. I struggled through this process using the flashlight app on my HTC One Mini smartphone.

Up went the 20m vertical with GP antenna, and I set up the 817 with interface and tablet to try PSK. I found a few signals and was able to decode them, but still couldn't trigger the rig into transmit mode. I'm pretty sure this tablet does have a 4-pin 3.5mm jack socket, so I'm not sure what the sticking point is this time.

Time passed quickly and my self-imposed cut-off time of 1930z was approaching rapidly. I connected up the paddle, but the band was dying with only weak fluttery signals left - and not very many of them. Then it actually was 1930z, and I hadn't made a contact. Was this to be the one? The very first failed activation? I tried to flick on my VX7R for a quick 2m contact to at least turn the escapade into an "activation" - but it was out of charge - aargh!

Finally I tuned to 2m FM on my FT-817, still connected to the 20m vertical. I found a very loud local QSO, and worked both of them easily. So no failed activation. I now just needed to pack everything up in the worsening rain, quickly descend down the hill and drive into Congleton to pick Liam up from the pub at 8pm. Which I did - just! I must try and organise myself better for activations...

Time	Call	Band	Mode
19:35z	G4RRM	144MHz	FM
19:35z	G0RDK	144MHz	FM

Sign on The Cloud In a good mood - before I realised a crucial connector was missing! TP6366

I overslept on Christmas Day morning, 25th December 2016, and so was late setting up on The Cloud for my seasonal activation. After connecting up all the radio kit (well nearly), and erecting the Bandhopper 4 linked dipole, I found I was missing my SO239 to BNC adaptor. With the front connector of the FT-817 not working, this meant a VHF FM handheld only activation. I hadn't charged this up recently - and it managed just a single QSO for giving up! At least the coffee from the flask was nice!

Never going to work! There it is!

Later I found the missing adaptor. It was still attached to the feeder on the 20m antenna in the boot of my car. Weird, because I always left it attached to the back of the 817. Well, always minus one it seems. I was interested to note that new, highly visible, "No mountain biking" signs had been erected by the National Trust.

Time	Call	Band	Mode
08:46z	G3SMT	144MHz	FM

As well as leaving the radio at home on 28th December 2016, I'd also left my walking poles at home. I don't normally use them for summits like The Cloud G/SP-015 and Gun G/SP-013, but there are useful for raising the ends of the legs of the 80m dipole to at least 1m above the ground. Using the VX7R FM handheld, I couldn't get any answers to my CQ SOTA calls on 145.500MHz. However, there was a net in progress on 145.525MHz, as there often is in the mornings. I gatecrashed that and worked three stations. Fortunately, unlike last time, my handheld was charged up!

I returned home to collect the poles and radio bag ahead of heading out to Gun G/SP-013, but noticed that the kitchen was a tip. I decided that it would be "good form" to sort this out before Marianne got up out of bed, so I delayed going out again until after I had washed all the pots!

Time	Call	Band	Mode
07:42z	G4XQB	144MHz	FM
07:43z	G4VXW	144MHz	FM
07:51z	G0WBT	144MHz	FM

Indications were that the moderate tropo lift conditions were set to continue at least through the morning of Thursday 29th December 2016, so the promised 80m activation was postponed yet again!

Cloud summit Spectacular sunrise

After Gun G/SP-013 the previous day, this time I chose to revert to my second home, The Cloud G/SP-015. Care was needed with very icy roads throughout the outward journey. Although I had been up since 0529z, I had treated myself to a cooked breakfast (actually cooked by me at home!!!), so it wasn't mega-early by the time I got to the summit. In fact it was well past 8am, and the scene that greeted me was utterly splendid. A thin mist hung around in the valleys and up the sides of the Peak District hills across the valley. Above that was a clear yet deep blue sky, and a very bright winter sun illuminating everything spectacularly. It was a bit cold, but not uncomfortable at just above freezing point with little or no breeze.

I set up the SOTAbeams SB5 antenna and connected to my FT-817. I had a tune around to get a feel for if the tropo was still hanging around. The very first station I found was EA1MX in IN73xk, 1093km. My 5 watts from the FT-817 got him straight into the log - a good start!

Tom M1EYP Nice inversion!

Fast forward to lunchtime, and my belly was telling me it was time to go. It had warmed up to around 7 degrees, but I was actually feeling a bit cold too. Anyway, the entirely-VHF SOTA activation had yielded 77 QSOs as follows: 2m SSB: 20 2m CW: 4 2m FM: 52 70cm FM: 1 S2S: Gerald GM4OIG/P on GM/SS-119 (2m SSB) Simon GW4TJC/P on GW/MW-018 (70cm FM) DXCCs worked: 5 (EA, F, G, GM, GW) Locators worked: 15 (IN73, IN78, IN88, IN99, IO70, IO80, IO81, IO82, IO83, IO84, IO85, IO90, IO91, IO92, JO02) So there you go. My annual submission that "2m is alive and well".

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
08:55z	EA1MX	144MHz	SSB
09:02z	EA1MX	144MHz	CW
09:06z	G0RQL	144MHz	SSB
09:11z	M0ICR	144MHz	SSB
09:16z	M6LZT	144MHz	SSB
09:23z	G8GRS	144MHz	SSB
09:32z	G0FKY	144MHz	SSB
09:35z	2E0SCS	144MHz	SSB
09:37z	M0PNN	144MHz	SSB
09:38z	G8ADD	144MHz	SSB
09:39z	M0JVW	144MHz	SSB
09:46z	F1NUM	144MHz	SSB
09:50z	G7RAU	144MHz	CW
09:52z	F9OE	144MHz	CW
09:54z	F8IQS	144MHz	CW
10:04z	G8XYJ	144MHz	SSB
10:16z	G6WRW	144MHz	SSB
10:28z	M0HWO	144MHz	SSB
10:35z	GM4OIG/P	144MHz	SSB	GM/SS-119
10:41z	M3IFG	144MHz	SSB
10:48z	M0YFT	144MHz	SSB
10:49z	M0JZT	144MHz	SSB
10:54z	G8TIC	144MHz	SSB
11:07z	M0CQE	144MHz	FM
11:08z	M3LIU	144MHz	FM
11:10z	G6LKB	144MHz	FM
11:11z	2E0XLG	144MHz	FM
11:13z	M0GMG	144MHz	FM
11:16z	M0INY	144MHz	FM
11:22z	M0YYC/M	144MHz	FM
11:24z	M0UTC	144MHz	FM
11:26z	G0LGS	144MHz	FM
11:27z	M6YYD	144MHz	FM
11:28z	M6NSV	144MHz	FM
11:29z	G4ENZ/M	144MHz	FM
11:30z	M6HJV	144MHz	FM
11:31z	G0RDU	144MHz	FM
11:31z	2E0FAQ/M	144MHz	FM
11:35z	G0XAE	144MHz	FM
11:39z	G4RRM	144MHz	FM
11:40z	2E0LKC	144MHz	FM
11:40z	M0JZH/M	144MHz	FM
11:41z	2E0DIJ	144MHz	FM
11:42z	2E0MMY/P	144MHz	FM
11:44z	M6RGF	144MHz	FM
11:46z	G0OHY	144MHz	FM
11:49z	2E0SCX/P	144MHz	FM
11:51z	MW3UDA	144MHz	FM
11:52z	M0JEL/M	144MHz	FM
11:57z	M1EGH/M	144MHz	FM
11:58z	2E0LMD	144MHz	FM
11:59z	M0PLA	144MHz	FM
12:01z	G3WGU	144MHz	FM
12:03z	M6UKZ	144MHz	FM
12:04z	G7WFK	144MHz	FM
12:05z	2E0RCS	144MHz	FM
12:07z	2E0JBQ	144MHz	FM
12:08z	M0IGG	144MHz	FM
12:09z	2E0MLG/M	144MHz	FM
12:10z	M0RFU/M	144MHz	FM
12:11z	M0PYA	144MHz	FM
12:14z	G1VTA	144MHz	FM
12:26z	G7LFC/M	144MHz	FM
12:30z	M6CEQ	144MHz	FM
12:32z	G4LOE	144MHz	FM
12:35z	MW0XOT/P	144MHz	FM
12:36z	2E0MGA	144MHz	FM
12:37z	G0TPZ	144MHz	FM
12:38z	G7AMD	144MHz	FM
12:39z	G1GTK	144MHz	FM
12:42z	G7RYN	144MHz	FM
12:44z	M3COY	144MHz	FM
12:47z	GW4TJC/P	144MHz	FM	GW/MW-018
12:49z	G0UFE/M	144MHz	FM
12:51z	M0MAJ	144MHz	FM
12:54z	M6NDD	144MHz	FM
13:09z	G4CDN	144MHz	CW