Aberdare And District Amateur Radio Society AADARS: July 2013

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Myarth GW/SW-036

Summit Information for GW/SW-035

Myarth - 292m, 1 point

Association: Wales Region: South Wales

Latitude: 51 52 46 N, Longitude: 3 12 20 W

Grid Reference: SO 171208, QTH Locator: IO81JV

Myarth, a densely wooded mountain which just happened to be the only SW summit I had not yet activated.

After Phil and I had obtained permission from the Glanusk Estate who own the land, we found just enough room to park the car without causing any problems at SO181 200. We headed west along the road for a short distance until we picked up the track NW towards the summit. Even after a month without rain the track was very wet and muddy underfoot. After about 500 meters we joined a larger track which was a lot easier going, but it soon became obvious we needed to apply plenty of bug spray. The track is quiet but it is sometimes used by estate vehicles harvesting trees from the hillside.

Its only about 2.3K to the summit with a gentle gradient most of the way and lots of shade.

We set up a full size inverted V for 40 & 60 plus our trusty slim jim for 2M in a small clearing near the summit. After working Rod MW0JLA and Viki MW6BWA on 2m , who were on a nearby summit, it soon became clear that this was a pretty poor location for VHF.

We spent the rest of our time at the summit on 60 and 40 with contacts all around the UK and several in Europe. The inverted V dipole gave a very good account of itself on this,its first outing, and I'm sure its going to become part of our regular kit.

Many thanks to all stations who helped with our first activation of Myarth, GW/SW-035

73, Mal (GW6OVD)

Phil MV0PJJ sporting his anti gnat hat

Log for GW6OVD

Time	Call	Band	Mode	Notes
10:03z	MW6BWA/P	144MHz	FM	Viki
10:07z	MW0JLA/P	144MHz	FM	Rod
10:25z	G0RQL	5MHz	SSB	Don
10:33z	G4OBK	5MHz	SSB	Phil
10:34z	GV8MIA	5MHz	SSB	Andy
10:35z	G4JZF	5MHz	SSB	Graham
10:36z	G6MZX	5MHz	SSB	Geoff
10:42z	G4ZRP	5MHz	SSB	Brian
10:45z	MW0TOX	5MHz	SSB	Baz
10:48z	G0RQI	7MHz	SSB	Don
10:52z	G3XQE	7MHz	SSB	Ken
10:53z	EB2CZF	7MHz	SSB	Jose
10:54z	MW3PZO	7MHz	SSB	Sean
11:00z	DF5WA	7MHz	SSB	Berthold
11:04z	PE1PIC	7MHz	SSB	Keesjan
11:06z	M0NTC	7MHz	SSB	Jez
11:07z	PA0B	7MHz	SSB	Rob
11:08z	G0TRB	7MHz	SSB	Roger
11:09z	M0TRO	7MHz	SSB	Tony
11:10z	DL2KAS	7MHz	SSB	Hans
11:11z	M0TVU	7MHz	SSB	Paul

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

GW/SW 039, 036 & 028

Summit Information for GW/SW-039

Mynydd Llangyndeyrn - 262m, 1 point

Association: Wales Region: South Wales

Latitude: 51 47 48 N, Longitude: 4 12 10 W

Grid Reference: SN 482132, QTH Locator: IO71VT

What a fantastic day for a few SOTA activations! 27deg.C with a light breeze to take the edge off.

On my own again today so I took a leisurely drive down the M4 towards Carmarthen to the starting point for my first activation of the day SN478 128.

From here there is a path straight to the summit, about 10 minutes easy walk away.

Strange conditions on vhf today, with some qrp stations coming in from Cornwall but very quiet locally. Worked a couple of summit to summits but very surprised to work one of my regulars, Dave MV0IBC from Rowley Regis from here.

The contacts soon dried up on 2 meters so I set off for the second summit of the day GW/SW-036

Time	Call	Band	Mode	Notes
09:40z	GW4VPX	144MHz	FM	Allan
09:48z	GW6DGU	144MHz	FM	Roy
09:54z	MV6RGF	144MHz	FM
09:55z	M3XIE	144MHz	FM	David
09:57z	M0COP/P	144MHz	FM	Peter
09:58z	M6GBO	144MHz	FM	Bruce
10:04z	MV0IBC	144MHz	FM	Dave

Summit Information for GW/SW-036

Mynydd Sylen - 284m, 1 point

Association: Wales Region: South Wales

Latitude: 51 45 3 N, Longitude: 4 9 9 W

Grid Reference: SN 515080, QTH Locator: IO71WS

At the second summit there are a couple of large transmitting masts so I was half expecting a little breakthrough on 2 meters but I did not experience any.

It took quite a lot of effort to get my 4 contacts in the log, I think everyone must be sunning themselves in the garden today hi hi.

Very easy to access this summit as it is only a couple of hundred yards from the road.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	Notes
11:04z	GW4VPX	144MHz	FM	Allan
11:07z	M6GBO	144MHz	FM	Bruce
11:09z	G7FLI	144MHz	FM	John
11:25z	G6HWO	144MHz	FM

Summit Information for GW/SW-028

Mynydd y Betws - 374m, 1 point

Association: Wales Region: South Wales

Latitude: 51 46 1 N, Longitude: 3 56 15 W

Grid Reference: SN 664094, QTH Locator: IO81AS

I arrived at my final summit at around 12.10Z and set up for my final activation of the day.

Again, very quiet on 2 meters locally taking an hour to get 5 contacts, but a qso with Ian, GJ7DNJ followed by a summit to summit with Colin, GM4UXH on 5Mhz, who was making the first ever activation of GM/SI-054 made a great end to the day. Many thanks to all those who helped with my 3 activation's today.

73, Mal GW6OVD