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

Tobernaveen Hill 2008

 

From Divis GI/AH-004, Jimmy directed a route towards and beyond Antrim town, and steadily up narrow back lanes towards a clump of forest perched atop a hill. This was Tobernaveen Hill GI/AH-009, and we found the same parking spot and access point as used in 2005.

We knew this was a short walk, a small distance along the bridleway, then turn right up a slightly steep and very muddy track into the forest. As we turned left for the summit, the mud beneath our feet turned to bog and was quite difficult to negotiate. We emerged into the small clearing containing the trig point, and wondered if we would have enough room to erect the 80m antenna.

Jimmy on Tobernaveen Hill GI/AH-009    Trig point and mast    Tom on Tobernaveen Hill

We just about managed it, but needed to bend the guy strings over low tree branches. Thankfully, there was just enough room to have the actual dipole legs up and in the clear.

Business was brisk again on 3.557MHz CW, as it then was for both Jimmy and myself on 3.660MHz SSB. The pairing of John GW4BVE/P and Pete MW0COP/P were worked summit-to-summit again, this time on GW/SW-010, while Dave 2W0BYA/P was worked on Great Rhos GW/MW-002. We finished with three local contacts on 2m FM using the VX-7R and RSS after the main station was packed away.

We heard Dave G6LKB and Jordan M3TMX calling, and called them in, but the QSB won the battle.

The 80m antenna on GI/AH-009    Tom MI1EYP/P activating Tobernaveen Hill GI/AH-009

Things were going well. The 80m CW/SSB combo was working a treat for us both, and with only a short descent to the car, and a short drive to the next hill, we had a chance to complete a four summit day, on day one. Jimmy directed the route to nearby Big Collin GI/AH-008.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 5 watts:

G4OBK Pickering Phil 80m CW T
GW0DSP Connahs Quay Mike 80m CW T
G3WPF Wilmslow Reg 80m CW T
G4RQJ Walney Island Rob 80m CW T
EI7CC Dun Laoghaire Pete 80m CW T
EI2CL Dublin Michael 80m CW T
G4OWG Rawdon Roger 80m CW T
MW0COP/P Craig y Llyn SW-010 Pete 80m SSB T, J
GW4BVE/P Craig y Llyn SW-010 John 80m SSB J
G4OBK Pickering Phil 80m SSB T, J
G6MZX Thornton-in-Craven Geoff 80m SSB T
G4CPA Crosshills Geoff 80m SSB J
MX0BCQ/A Crosshills Geoff 80m SSB J
2W0BYA/P Great Rhos MW-002 Dave 80m SSB T, J
2I0MRN Bangor Mark 2m FM T, J
MI3VIN Loughgall Everett 2m FM J
2I0SGM Tandragee Steve 2m FM J