29th October 2023 - Allt yr Esgair GW/SW-023 by Matt MW0KAX

Allt yr Esgair GW/SW-023 

Bit of a delay in posting last weekends SOTA activities (how inconsiderate of work to get in the way🤣). Having been off the mountain for a couple of weeks due to a fractured foot, this weekend was a trial run to see if the foot could cope with being back on the mountains, and with notification that Ben Yaesu Man was heading for the hills, I though it fitting to drag the kids and dogs along to try and make it for an S2S.

 

The summit of choice this time was Allt yr Esgair GW/SW-023, as with all the others being new to SOTA this was a first for me, and was chosen using my usual "last minute" summit planning technique, (a quick look at SOTLAS whilst making breakfast). With the summit picked, I packed the gear, kids and dogs into the car and we were on our way. 

This summit turned out to be a relatively easy walk up from the large lay-by on the side of the A40 via the public footpath, with great views out over the black mountains to Llangorse lake and the twisting Usk river in the valleys below. We were very fortunate with the weather on the way up and we arrived at the top within 20 minutes nice and dry, albeit a little wind swept.

 

I got to setting up the station whilst the kids and dogs ran around with far too much energy for a sunday🤣, and was on air just in time to make the S2S with Ben, thanks for that buddy, it was great to get you in the log on both SSB and CW (and thanks for slowing down from your usual 500WPM for me 🤣🤣). 

The bands seemed to be in great shape again and I went on to work a great pile up making some 25+ contacts on 40M alone, before mother nature cut our activation short with sharp wind and rain that came from nowhere. 

The walk down seemed to take an age in the heavy rain 🌧  but a great time on summit and another successful activation made it worthwhile. I did have to make a detour into Brecon on the way back home to get the kids waffles at llanfaes dairy as "reward" for doing a summit with me🤦. As always a big thanks to everyone that called in to us, your support is much appreciated, and it was nice to be back on the mountains.

73, Matt MW0KAX

 

 

22nd October 2023. GW/SW-030 and GW/SW-024

It’s been a while since we added any new activations to this blog, but it was suggested we post them here again, so here we go. Two 1pt activations to get things going again.

GW/SW-030 Mynydd Machen. 

The wx was promising a mixed bag for todays double activation, but neither summit had long walks involved so we didn’t perceive any issues. Although a little overcast, it was dry and was even promising some sun. The parking spot for 030 is at the starting point of the concrete path giving access to the comms towers on top of the hill. 

GPS track of our route

The walk up is pretty easy going on a good surface. Ted seems happy to be out with us again (plus it was his 3rd Birthday) so he was getting lots of treats and attention. Towards the top of the hill, the communication site comes into view and the grade lessens. 

The view from the start point 

This summit can be quite busy by the trig point, so we chose a spot in the heather and wimberries on the opposite side of the comms compound to set up for our activation. Needless to say, I was very surprised to see the Wimberry bushes still covered in fruit. Natural breakfast was on the books for me (and purple fingers). We soon had the pole up with hf and vhf antennas on top, and settled in. The wx had brightened considerably, and we were even sat in warm sunshine. 

Looking towards the summit and the communications tower

We opened on 40m to find the bands very busy with both contest and Scout stations working from around the World. Great to hear amateur radio being used like this. After a couple of quick calls we were rewarded with a nice little pile up and a few summit to summit contacts. We did notice considerable qrm and lots of qsb, but most contacts were completed without too much difficulty. 20m came next and again we managed to work a number of contacts on this frequency. Time was starting to catch up with us, so we made 2m our final band, and although not brilliant from this summit, we managed to get a couple more in the log. At this point, we packed up and headed back down the hill to drive to our second summit of the day.

Ted hiding in the heather and wimberries.

The view from 030 as we set up.

Breakfast was provided for free. Lovely too. 

Mal in his comfy operating position.

The other guy on 40m. 

GW/SW-024 Mynydd y Lan

The drive to our second summit was quick and uneventful, but parking is often an issue near the start point and today was no different with a car taking up the entire gateway… luckily, we found a spot just down the lane and tucked in there. The walk upto the AZ on this summit is easy. Just follow the path from past the solar farm and keep heading up. Of note: if you have dogs with you, the land owner has signs up saying dogs found harassing sheep will be shot. Keep this in mind, close gates etc. 

Route up to 024. We stopped short of the actual summit as the bench at the comms site is well inside the AZ and the wx had turned. 

The AZ for this summit starts just before the large comms site, with the actual summit to the right some 18m higher. As we were in the AZ and there was a handy bench at the site, we chose to operate there. The wx was turning, and rain was hitting us as we set up. Ted just found himself some long grass to hide in, while the Humans did silly things. 

The other guy with Ted on our way up towards the second summit. 

Mal started on 20m on this summit and managed a few good contacts. The bands were still very busy, and again qsb was causing some issues, as were strong stations above and below us. Mal had a better run on 20m that I did, but the opposite was true when we swapped to 40m with a good number of contacts entered itl. 

That pesky 2W station on 40m, again :) 

At this point, more rain came over us, and much more was on the way. With this in mind, we shut down and packed up for the walk back to the car. A great outing to two little summits. Good fun was had on both. Many thanks to everyone who contacted us. Mal GW6OVD and Ian 2W0IWM.