Post by 2e0edx on Dec 28, 2006 1:41:36 GMT
Brough Castle G/047/C 29/10/2006 Activation
My first taste of CASHOTA
Remembering that the clocks had gone back by 1 hour, set the alarm and up at 0700 hours. All equipment checked and loaded into the back of the Discovery. Set up the mobile antenna and the FT-8900 quad band on the dashboard and on the road by 0800 hours and hit the Garstang Road. The A6 was quiet as was the M6 northbound and soon reached the junction at Tebay. Called CQ on the way up but got no replies. Onwards to Kirby Stephen with the sun deciding to make an appearance. Onwards and soon reached Church Brough prior to the A66 the old roman road. Into the small village and managed to park up within 100 m of the castle in the designated residents parking bays between the two rows of houses.
Gear out of the car and hit the path leading up to the castle, a simple 100m walk. The sun by this time was again shining and warm to the back. On entering the castle grounds by the swing gate, I immediately turned right and followed the wire fence up to the SSE corner and set up the FT-290 Mk2 in conjunction with the 2m 3 el SOTA beam on vertical polarisation this time mounted on the WASP and Leki pole. This was the first time that I had used the WASP with the Leki pole and it was an easy, simple erection. The Jolly Rebel was of course flown. Set up for 1000 hours and made the first CQ call and continued to call, but no takers. Switched modes to SSB and horizontal polarised and managed to work Richard GW4ERP/P on SOTA NW-010, Moel Siabod. This being a Sunday, early, clocks going back etc, I really think I made the mistake with the QRV time and should have started much later in the day.
My only contact was on 2m SSB and of course with not getting the five contacts failed to qualify this castle. Their was however a lift on, on SSB as I was hearing stations in Devon, but sadly my 2.5 watts were not doing the business. Will attempt to activate this castle later next year and with perhaps an afternoon activation, hopefully with more stations with their radios switched on.
The day was not wasted though and I certainly enjoyed my first portable activation of a castle, the scenery was excellent and I both enjoyed the weather and the tranquillity of Brough Castle. I now look forward to the next castle activation.
My first taste of CASHOTA
Remembering that the clocks had gone back by 1 hour, set the alarm and up at 0700 hours. All equipment checked and loaded into the back of the Discovery. Set up the mobile antenna and the FT-8900 quad band on the dashboard and on the road by 0800 hours and hit the Garstang Road. The A6 was quiet as was the M6 northbound and soon reached the junction at Tebay. Called CQ on the way up but got no replies. Onwards to Kirby Stephen with the sun deciding to make an appearance. Onwards and soon reached Church Brough prior to the A66 the old roman road. Into the small village and managed to park up within 100 m of the castle in the designated residents parking bays between the two rows of houses.
Gear out of the car and hit the path leading up to the castle, a simple 100m walk. The sun by this time was again shining and warm to the back. On entering the castle grounds by the swing gate, I immediately turned right and followed the wire fence up to the SSE corner and set up the FT-290 Mk2 in conjunction with the 2m 3 el SOTA beam on vertical polarisation this time mounted on the WASP and Leki pole. This was the first time that I had used the WASP with the Leki pole and it was an easy, simple erection. The Jolly Rebel was of course flown. Set up for 1000 hours and made the first CQ call and continued to call, but no takers. Switched modes to SSB and horizontal polarised and managed to work Richard GW4ERP/P on SOTA NW-010, Moel Siabod. This being a Sunday, early, clocks going back etc, I really think I made the mistake with the QRV time and should have started much later in the day.
My only contact was on 2m SSB and of course with not getting the five contacts failed to qualify this castle. Their was however a lift on, on SSB as I was hearing stations in Devon, but sadly my 2.5 watts were not doing the business. Will attempt to activate this castle later next year and with perhaps an afternoon activation, hopefully with more stations with their radios switched on.
The day was not wasted though and I certainly enjoyed my first portable activation of a castle, the scenery was excellent and I both enjoyed the weather and the tranquillity of Brough Castle. I now look forward to the next castle activation.