GW/MW-001 Plynlimon Pen Pumlumon Fawr 753m 6pts 

13th November 2019

Mal GW6OVD fancied a change today and wanted to head up into mid Wales. The target was MW-001 Plynlimon Fawr. The last time I did this summit with him, we walked from the farm Parking spot, in a blizzard... so while the photos we managed were spectacular, I didn’t get to see much of the scenery.

Today’s weather was looking much better. Snow was forecast, but only really in the later afternoon, so we hoped to miss it. It’s quite a drive up to the start point from our QTH near Mountain Ash, but traffic was light and we were parked up and sorting equipment by 9.50am Zulu.

Today’s start point was from the Nant-y-Moch reservoir side. Having seen the OS map for this area, I had a good idea of the upcoming terrain...

The first part of the walk takes us up an access track that leads up to the Llyn Llygad Rheidol reservoir. At SN 77807 87653, we turned off the access track, and started up the hillside following the path that runs parallel with the river.

This becomes a little steeper and very boggy / slippery. After topping the first rise, the summit came into sight, and from there, it was a matter of following the path until reaching the bottom of the small ridge running to the summit itself.

This last part is quite steep and slow going, but Mal the mountain goat was up it in a shot. I admit, I was a little slower. This last section took about 15 mins for me, but there are many footholds and steps cut into the path to help the winded walker.

Hitting the top of the ridge brought me out on the summit, with a view of the trig point and the two summit shelters. Mal was already setting up the antenna pole, so I grabbed a couple of photos, then helped set up the gear.

The weather was kind. Some cloud, some blue sky, a mild wind, it’s the temperature at around 3-5°c out of the wind (about -2° with wind chill). Though dry, it was gradually becoming more overcast.

After setting up, we were soon on air on the FTM-400XDE calling out on 145.500 fm. Contacts came in steadily and we piggy backed on the calls until we had both qualified the summit. With our 4 calls each logged and out of the way, we enjoyed the next 40 or so minutes taking calls as they came, including a summit to summit call.

Timing worked out well, as the calls dried up as the temperature dropped considerably. We packed up, and after a quick equipment check, we started back down the mountain. My descent was almost quicker than Mal’s after I managed to go head over tit on a steep section... I wish Mal had caught it on camera 😂 trying to get up found a twisted ankle. No damage, but it did slow us down a little heading back to the car.

The rest of the walk down was uneventful. A cracking activation with great views and good weather. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Many thanks to all of the chasers and other activators for the contacts.

73s, Maldwyn GW6OVD and Ian 2W0IWM 

GW/MW-025 and GW/SW-041

Well, firstly, I would like to offer an apology. The SOTA blog for Aberdare and District Amateur Radio Society has been left idle for quite some time. However, with a little encouragement from other members, the blog will now be updated every time any of the team venture out. 

There have been many activation's since the last entry on here, and it may be possible to add these in the future, but for now, the blog will be updated with any current activation's from this date. 

Also please note. We have a new club website where you can find the latest news and events happening at the AADARS Club. 

Aberdare and District amateur Radio Society

Wednesday 18th September 2019

The AADARS SOTA guys have been at it again. Maldwyn GW6OVD and myself (Ian 2W0IWM) left home quite early on Wednesday the 18th to give our legs a little stretch.

We didn’t really have any specific summits in mind, so after checking the SOTA alerts to see who was out and about, we settled on GW/MW-025 The Begwns and GW/SW-041, Black Mountain, with 025 being a unique for me. These didn’t clash with any other operators and gave us the chance of some summit to summit contacts.

GW/MW-025 The Begwns. 415m IO82jc. 1pt. 

Well, it’s fair to say there are some easy summits out there, and the Begwns is one. The summit is located about half a mile from the parking spot, and the ascent is quite gentle and pleasant. This is a good point for the inclusivity of the SOTA scheme.

The trig point is located to the side of a large circular stone walled enclosure, which has a semi circular stone bench within! No sit mat required on this one.

We arrived at the summit and set up our gear so we could sit on the bench while operating. A few calls started things rolling, and we both qualified in short order. Quick apology, I was distracted, and didn’t take any operating photos on this one. Only a couple on the way up. We chatted to a few walkers and explained what we were doing, then it was back to the car for a drive to Black mountain.

GW/SW-041 Black Mountain 703m IO82ka 6pts

I haven’t activated Black mountain for a while, and I’d forgotten its charm. Mal soon reminded me with a full frontal assault from the car part, meeting the diagonal path around 3/4 of the way up. My thigh muscles love you Mal! 

Shortly before reaching the top, we switched back along another diagonal track, bringing us out closer to the path we needed for the actual summit.

Once on top, we set a decent pace, and were soon on the summit. We set up on VHF once more and calls came in quickly on both 2m and 70cm. It was a glorious day, and we didn’t rush, taking a good page or more of contacts.

Of note was our company throughout the activation... I thought at first we were being chased by horse flies, but it turns out they were little bees drunk on heather nectar. We both had them all over us, but there was no harm caused. After a closing flurry of 2m calls that Mal let me take solo... it was a quick pack away, check of gear and descent to the car park. See the bees on Mal below!

We did intend to try for a third summit on the way home, but operator wear and tear during the black mountain decent made us think better of it.

All in all, a fabulous day with beautiful weather. Many thanks to the chasers and fellow activators for the contacts.

73, Mal GW6OVD and Ian 2W0IWM