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

Wilmington Hill 2018

 

Friday 22nd June 2018

It was going to be tight, but we could just about squeeze in Wilmington Hill before getting to soundcheck at Eastbourne.  From Firle Beacon G/SE-010, we found our way to the optimum parking spot - but this was still a fair old walk!

Start point for Wilmington Hill        Summit of Wilmington Hill       

Things started off reasonably well at the summit with us both working a couple of stations each using VHF handhelds.  I then managed to work a couple more to qualify, but failed to get either of them to stick around and also work Jimmy!

Jimmy M0HGY trying on 2m FM        The long curving ascent route

Ultimately, with no other signs of activity on 2m FM, I swiftly set up the 20m GP, and Jimmy managed to work a special event station for the 2018 World Cup.  As he continued to look for opportunities to make a fourth contact, I found a strong station on 2m with the handheld.  I tipped off Jimmy, and he called in to make the all-important contact.  Phew!

Trig point        Jimmy M0HGY

We actually made it to the Bandstand at Eastbourne in time for load-in and soundcheck.  It was a good show for a great crowd in this amazing open-air seafront arena.  Afterwards, we called in a local kebab house for some supper before making the late night drive over to Portsmouth, where we were booked into the Travelodge for the night, ahead of our sailing to Jersey the next day.  The next SOTA summit of the trip would be Les Platons GJ/JE-001 a couple of days later.

Eastbourne Bandstand    The Ragdolls, live at Eastbourne Bandstand

Time

Call

Band

Mode

Op

17:51z

G7HFS/M

144MHz

FM

M0HGY/P, M1EYP/P

17:52z

M/PA3IKH/M

144MHz

FM

M0HGY/P, M1EYP/P

18:01z

M3JWH

144MHz

FM

M1EYP/P

18:10z

G4ZTQ

144MHz

FM

M1EYP/P

18:28z

SX18FIFA

14MHz

SSB

M0HGY/P

18:31z

M6VOY

144MHz

FM

M0HGY/P