Freeholds top - G/SP-011 TP4100 - WABsq SD92. The ONLY operator in England!

The sister in law had a pre planned visit to the Rochdale infirmary for a small procedure, that was going to take about 4 hours.... hmmmm.... Freeholds top! G/SP-011.

Its only about a 20-25 min run from the infirmary at rochdale to Sharneyford, and the start of the track up to freeholds top so it was cracking idea!.... except for 1 thing..... the weather! The hourly weather was hastily pulled up on the PC and what do you know? dry from 1300 :laughing: :laughing: its VERY unusual for the WX gods to act favourably on me, but hey.. ill take it!

The start of the walk is a nice made up track called Limers gate, in the Village of Sharneyford a couple of miles East of the town of Bacup, but be warned it somewhat luls you into a false sense of security! and I somewhat understimated the time it would take me (and my still gammy ankle) to get up the track to the trig point! further up the track its made up of huge bricks and full of holes and chunks, that in the wet made the track quite hard going in places, with water completely covering the track over for large parts, facilitating the need to either wade or find an alternative! The path veers right near the end, and climbs steeply onto the moor plateu, with the wet weather this was by far worse than the track, and "bog hopping" was the order of the day, for the final tortuous 200M to the trig!

Just as i opened the gate to the trig area, lady luck ran out.. the heavens OPENED! So a quick operation on the "rubber duck" was called for, I fired up VK portalog, spotted gave it a min or 2 and then called CQ, Quickly Paul @M0CQE came back to me, for number one in the log.... "you know my friend, you are the only operator out in England today according to the spots" he informed me! Mind you, i wasnt suprised with the weather! it soon became apparent that paul was the only person who could hear me on the rubber duck, so with the rain pouring i stuck the trusty mast and Spectrum slim G up, and made another call.... BOOM! Straight into 3 more M7ELO - John, G1JPV - Tony and G6XBF - Walt! gotta admit it was a releif to hit the 4 mark, it was more of a releif for the rain to be stopping too! I added 6 more to the log for a total of 10, that'll do!

Anyhow the descent was more of the same, bog hopping, ankle crunching fun and it thankfully stopped dry! if i go again, i might try it from Shawforth next time.. steeper, but shorter!

Oh, and im now on 20 Activator points! haha

Thanks to all the Chasers and those taking the time to read.

Alan

Battling Gun - G/SP-013 - TP3538 29/03/24

My lovely Wifey decided that she wanted to go to Bingo, with her pal and wanted to be dropped off in Manchester near Belle Vue at 1715… given that it was now 1500 that didnt leave me alot of time. So a plan was hastily formed to have a quick trip up the Gun, i should be able to drive there, activate, and get back to the car before we lost complete daylight. and given its a fairly straightforward half mile wander up a well defined track a headtorch descent wasnt the end of the world! the weather had been fairly decent here all day, and so I reckoned the going would be ok, with no major issues!!

Quick activation gear was packed, and the Girls dropped off to (try) and win us some money I was on my way to the Gun! G/SP-013. all was well, as I passed through the town of Macclesfieldbut as we drove up the Leek road, the heavens OPENED! proper biblical rain… ooooohhhhh i was chatting with my mate on 4M FM at the time and distinctly remeber saying “if this doesnt clear up soon, im calling it off” anyhow, as quickly as it started was as quick as as it stopped, with warming spring sunshine and blue skies behind it, I decided to press on.

As I arived at the parking area, I could see the remnants of a hail storm settled on the road, but it was fast dissapearing, but there was ALOT of water on the road… i had a quick look at the track and the bottom bit by the gate was a quagmire, but the rest form this position looked easy going, so the gear was grabbed and off i went! Quagmire was an UNDERSTATEMENT it was a horrible wet mud pit that tried to suck my trekking poles into its black depths, but after some careful footwork i was accross and on the track proper. Now this was to be the HARDEST virtually flat 1/2 mile i have EVER walked, the mud and water was constant and never ending, and what should have been a 10 min bounce to the top turned into a half hour battle with the bog!! however, i would come oput triumphant!

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud…

Anyhow, the twighlight was fast approaching and in the distance in incoming squall, I needed to do this and do it FAST! I chucked the roach pole up on the trig point, whipped the Slim G up on it, and cracked on… 10 contacts in 11 mins, that’ll do!

Everybody loves a Slim G!

Selfie time!

With the rain spit spotting as i packed my final bits, and donned my head torch we were off to do battle again! unsuprisingly things hadnt improved much, but the descent was slightly quicker (about 20 mins) than the ascent! after again crossing the mud pit of doom, I was elated to be back at the car! gear packed and off to find food…

Muddy…

Great little evening out, and ill be back on the Gun, i can see it being a great little spot on a nice summers evening in the dry!

Thanks to all the Chasers, with a special mention to Paul @M0CQE First in the log, and for later checking I was down safe by whatsapp. thankyou buddy!

73 all, till next time!

Alan

First HF activation G/SP-004 Shining Tor TP5950 25/11/23

No idea why i forgot to post this one.. Anywhoo!

As pretty much all of you know by now, I have been off the mountains since my unfortunate accident on the way to Kinder Scout at the beginning of the year. Having missed pretty much all of the summer SOTA season and with my leg much improved, I have been ITCHING to get out! I also reckoned it was time to test the Little Xeigu G106 out on a proper activation…

A window of opportunity presented itself, and after spending most of the week watching the mountain weather, Saturday looked suprisingly pleasent! it also had the advantage of being a weekend when i had my son, so he could be roped in to help!

The day was pleasant and although it was cold, it was lovely in the sunshine. I couldnt have asked fr better walking conditions although imnot going to lie, I was nervous… conditions were spookily similar when it all went so wrong on Kinder! but I put this to the back of my mind as we set off up the track from the Cat and Fiddle. Now i must confess, I did cheat slightly, William was my Sherpa!

Anyhow, summit reached and time was knocking on… we were late (as usual for me) so we rapidly set up the EFHW to the summit finger post and got the G106 hooked up to the SLAB, found a peaceful frequency on 40M… chucked up a spot on SOTAwatch, gave it 2 mins and put a call out…

9 contacts later,i got wiped out by QRM and loads of stations suddenly deciding to use my frequency,sometimes QRP has its drawbacks! Either that or some people are just plain ignorant, but hey ho, I was not too dissapointed though! 9 contacts meant for the first time it was activation complete on 40M… happy days!

I left William packing up the HF gear, and decided on a quick VHF activation on the handheld with the NR770 antenna, mainly because I wanted a 10th contact for the POTA! This lead to another 7 in the log, but I soon had to call time on the activation, honestly i could have worked stations all day!

The sun was fading RAPIDLY as by now it was 1530 and i didnt fancy a walk off by head torch we gathered the gear and made our way back to the Cat and Fiddle just in time for the sun to set.. Perfect!

This is fantastic SOTA mountain I reckon ill be back to spend a whole afternoon up there in summer playing radio and making contacts. It was honestly such a fantastic feeling to be working contacts form a SOTA summit again, after the fat end of a year off the hills... Thanks to everyone for their ongoing support, and the Chasers I worked, you guys make SOTA what it is!

Till next time, 73 - Alan & William!

Broken leg vehicle assisted 6 Trig day! with a bonus HEMA.. 26/02/23

Getting pretty peed off stuck indoors with my smashed up leg, Duane (2E0DIJ) came up with a plan to activate 6 vehicle accessible trig points around Greater Manchester! as plans go, this wasn't a bad one, and obviously I was well up for it! a date was set for the 26/02/23 and we were off! 

WAB Trig #18 TP1071 WABSq SJ79 Barton Moss

First of the day, Barton Moss located up a private road near the AirField, we decided forgiveness was easier then permission and rocked up activate the trig!

 Me Making a dash on sticks for the trig! 😂😂

Anyhow, this one is a leaner, and is slowly toppling... 

1 contact made, 2E0LMD Anne in Heald green! (Anne and her partner Mark feature quite heavily in this story). as i was completing the contact the landowner came along to ask what we were up too (fair enough) he was a sound fella! good to have a natter matey! 5 mins later, we were off to the second one of the day..

WAB TRIG #19 TP2030 WABSq SJ78 Castle Hill

Interesting trig this one, being in view of the runways at Manchester Airport.

I absolutely promise you, there is a plane landing in this pic! 

Quick fire contacts with M0XMX/P who was up on the Gun G/SP-013 performing a SOTA activation (bonus chase FTW), 2E0LMD Anne (again, told you!) and M0CQE Paul in Oldham. Duane made his contacts separately, and with that we were off again.. no messing around with these! 

WAB TRIG #20 TP3640 WABSq SJ88 Harrison Pit

Not an easy one to locate this one, we had to use the Trig FindAR app to help us, its below road level in a field, but not to worry! we could operate well within the 30M limit from the car... slightly dodgy parking so no messing with this one, quick in and out smash and grab job! 😂😂

Quick contact with Mark this time, in Heald Green.. 2E0LKC, and off we went!

WAB TRIG #21 TP3920 WABSq SJ88 Hill Top Farm

Another one up Private farm tracks in this case, you have to go through the farms yard.. tried to call to request permission, but no answer.. so like last time we went for it! We got busted in the farms yard, but the guy was sound and allowed us to continue 😄 another one where we had to use the TRIGFINDAR app, buried in a hedge just off the track is the trig... again, the 30M rule was used here, I think we were 16M away from the trig point. not wanting to block the farms track, it was fast again... 2E0LKC - Mark in heald green was the contact! less tan 5 mins on this one.. time to go again!

WAB TRIG #22 TP4668 WABsq SJ98 Marple Ridge

Spectacular spot, plenty of altitude... could have played radio up here all day, but the pillar is on someone's drive in a cul-de-sac.. 

the usual quick call and we got 2W0JYN Stephen in Rhos, nice and strong full scale too! fantastic! and with that, the curtain twitchers were starting, so off we went again!

WAB TRIG #23 TP6798 WABsq SJ99 Werneth Low

Located in a gatehole Just off Cowlishaw Road, this was to be the last one of the day. usual quick call and Mark 2E0LKC replied.. job done!

6 trigs in just over 2 hours... and my 20 activated certificate too! Fabulous day out.... good company and some right laughs! 

But, you said there was a bonus HEMA?? I did! and for that you will have to wait till tomorrow evening.. sorry! [NB - Post will be 1700 on the 03/03/23 - Alan]

Thanks as usual to the chasers, its great fun working you all, and a special thanks again to Duane 2E0DIJ for being the driver and photographer!

Cheers, till tomorrow! 

Alan - 2E0JWA

Worked all Britain trig #17 TP1391 - Birshaw SD90 WAB 7/12/22 Part 2

 Part 2 of my unexpected day off...

The earlier contact with 2E0DIJ led to another text message.. "do you fancy a crack at the angry farmer?" the name we gave to the Birshaw trig, as the reports on the Trigpointing UK all point to the farmer not being so keen on people visiting the trig! talk of arguments, confrontations and dogs meant setting a contact up in advance was a must, as I would have to be stealthy to avoid the gaze of the farmer and speed was essential, its position in a valley also meant that an "organic" contact would be difficult on the hand held with a rubber duck antenna! contact set up, i made off for the difficult approach to the trig, through a forest in twilight, up a steep hill and out to the Trig...

 

I gave a CQ call, and was VERY surprised when G4DEE- Tony in Bury!

Did a QSY, completed the call, Duane followed us up, so had a second one with him and then my peace was shattered by the sound a barking dog, getting louder and louder, next thing, its on to me! Oh balls I thought, quickly completing my QSOs... the hound was hotly followed by a human, I can only assume it was the angry farmer.. I didn't wait to find out! I high-tailed it for the trees and disappeared in the undergrowth before I was spotted! PHEW!

Back at the car, I caught my breath.. job done! happy I had finally done the closest Trig to my house! who would have thought trig activating could be so exciting!

As usual thanks to the chasers, we couldn't do this stuff without you!

Till next time, Cheers! 2E0JWA - Alan

Worked all Britain Trig #16 TP3756 - Hey Farm SD91 WAB 7/12/22 part 1

 One of my locals, and been on the list for AGES! (but not as long as Trig #17).... anyway an unexpected day off, gave me a bit of free time so I reckoned i could squeeze a couple in off my list..

Maps read and plan made, went for the direct route (and later regretted it)..

the reason for my regret?? the path after a couple of hundred yards following a stream, becomes the stream!! and here's me in my lightweight boots.. oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound!

After a VERY muddy ascent (if i ever go up again, wellies 100% needed!) you end up wondering up a sheep field, looking for the trig... 

AHHHH There it is! activation at the actual trig is difficult, as its in a mud pit, so I set up on an adjacent fence within the AZ...

I HOPED due to its great take off that an operation on the rubber duck would do the job, but sadly that wasn't to be, Luckily I had chucked the Mast and the Spectrum slim G in the bag! so, mast up... improvement none.... Balls, this is going to be a cold waste of time!

Got a text off Duane 2E0DIJ, "are you coming on the radio pal?" WINNER!! Trig activated... but, this brought in another caller Paul G6SPG in Irlam, 2 contacts.. that'll do! by this time I was positively icy, so a quick de-rig and made for the ascent, not before a quick look back to see the moon rising! 

Now, the ascent! I didn't much fancy the river bed again, so I found a longer but MUCH drier way down via the farm, if I'm honest I wish I went up that way!

Anyway, job done! onto the next... #17 - Birshaw!

Thanks to the Chasers as usual, 73! Alan - 2E0JWA

SOTA G/SP-017 - Billinge Hill TRIG #15 WAB Sq SD50 TP1362 - Billinge 3/12/22

Looked at this one once or twice, but the price of diesel has held me back recently, anyway it was my weekend to have my boy, and I had some business to attend to in the nearby town of Atherton so this fitted in perfectly with a trip to Billinge Hill.. FINALLY! 

If I am being completely honest here, I think the real reason I haven't visited was procrastination.. Anyhow, I digress!

I am fairly certain that Billinge must be the lowest summit on the SOTA programme, I honestly cant think of and havent seen another smaller. Mind you, dont be put off by its meagre 179M its a Marilyn.. Just! the walk up is pretty easy, and good practice for my boy, who, I am happy to add has finally stared training with me, for his Foundation exam!

Here he is, having just made the gentle walk up the slope to the Summit!

plenty of space up the top, but it is quite busy. Consequently daft antenna's wouldn't be a good idea! i set up on the trig, with the usual 6M fishing pole, and my NEW spectrum communications Slim G antenna!

Now, just let me take a few seconds out here... The Slim G by Spectrum Communications is an EXCELLENT piece of kit, honestly! I was previously using a homebrew "flowerpot" and while it served me well, the Slim G was in a different league, just so much quieter and less susceptible to noise.. if you want a lightweight portable antenna for £25 you cant go wrong!

Right, back to the action...... there is a large collection of transmitting towers adjacent to the summit, i would advise the use of a filter, so i deployed the SOTABEAMS 2M bandpass filter, and as usual it worked fantastically.

Trig pics, and the Flush Bracket.....

so, all setup, quick spot.. and off we go! first to bite was M0MOL-Gareth in Barrow-in-Furness with a cracking signal 5/9 across the scale! (told you this was a good hill)... ended up with a total of 14 across Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales with the final call 40 mins after I started!

With that, it was time to go. but not before we had a quick look at the ROC nuclear warfare observation bunker on the way down. sadly not much of it left, and what is left has been filled with concrete!

The underground access hatch would have been on the top of this concrete block

Access Hatch from the other side, sadly missing the air vent and louvres

Extant green paint

The FSM tube, missing its metal cap

And sadly that is all that remains! I couldn't find the vent stack or the BPS tube sadly, but hey ho!

If you wish to know more about ROC posts WIKI is a good start and there is TONS of info on google!

Anyway, as usual thanks to the Chasers/SWLs and huge thanks to those who follow my ramblings!

73, 2E0JWA - Alan

SOTA in the dark! G/SP-015 - The Cloud. Trig #14 TP6366 WAB sq SJ96. 23/10/22

 SOTA in the dark?? Well.... the wife decided herself and her niece wanted to go to play Bingo and I dropped them off at the Bingo hall around 1715 (BST). all dropped off, i sat in the car and pondered what to do with myself for the next 3 and half or so hours till the needed collecting! Anyhow, I had all my portable kit in the car so decided to have a go at a SOTA in the dark! 

I needed an easy hill, one that wouldn't get too technical, could be done fairly quickly and preferably one I wouldn't have to put the antenna up! only 1 fitted this bill.... The Cloud! so off I went... just a smidge over an hours drive to get there after a satnav fail I was in the parking area at SJ907633, follow the track up the hill to the steps on the right, and follow your nose to the trig! now, let me talk about them steps.... They are HORRIBLE in my opinion, each step is a different height and shape from the previous, and its damn near impossible to get a rhythm going on them, and they seem to go on FOREVER! anyway, once up the steps its a well defined marked path for about 6 or so mins walking up to the Trig and Viewing area...

 No sparkling photography today, handheld night shots off my phone! Sorry!

*A quick important note about this summit* 

It is located on National Trust land, and sometimes the patrolling wardens do get funny about radio hams chucking big daft antennas and elaborate setups up on their hill! Permission is recommended if not discretion is a must! Keep it simple folks :)  that said I went up at 1900 on a dark Sunday night, i didn't reckon on there being an issue, and there wasn't 😂😂 

Didn't bother chucking the antenna up, went for a handheld activation.. spotted on the app and then called CQ.... Nothing.... UH OH!! this surprised me considering the views and the area's i was potentially transmitting over!

I had a pause, and decided to let the spot do its "thing" as i sat there, a HUGE lightning storm caught my eye to the east, over the hills.. I later found out it was over Leicester and it looked spectacular!

Ok, time for another CQ.... THANK THE LORD! there was life... first call 2E0LKC-Mark in Heald Green followed by his wife 2E0LMD-Anne. a quick recall produced 2E0NRL-Ethan in Sandbach and then finally 2E0DIJ-Duane in Prestwich. PHEW! Activation complete! WAHEY! few more CQs came to nought and the lightening storm appeared to be on the move and getting brighter, so a quick exit was decided upon. Ascend - Activate - Descend all done in 40mins perfect! so I hit the car, and headed back to the Bingo hall to collect the girls and arrived back with time to spare! Short and sweet, the plan worked!

As usual thanks to the chasers for the dedication to be listening at 1900BST on a Sunday night and coming back to me. 

Till next time 73 for now and cheers! Alan

Trig #13 Brown Edge TP1702 WAB sq SD90 24/09/22

 A DOUBLE Trig day! That rarest of days.. After Trig #12 we had a look at Brown Edge, its essentially overlooking the small town of Mossley adjacent to the large cross that stands over the village, just inside a farmers field! 

we parked at SD96202 03074 and took the public footpath just up the lane to the left, this leads you up a track into a field and you can see the trig at the top of the hill we just sort of winged it from there!

The farmer (im assuming) has re-painted the trig to look like the George cross, and I like it! 

Anyway, all calls hand held again due to my earlier forgetfulness.. Calls were VERY difficult, infact I thought the radio was dead TBH.. after 20 mins of calling I had Zero to show for it. I was about to give up, and had a sudden thought... DUANE! I knew 2E0DIJ was out and about so I jumped on the phone, turns out he was over Pendle direction in the car. he gave a shout on his car radio and BINGO! we were on, the day was saved!! 1 contact, trig activated.. Duane, you are a lifesaver! 

im not sure what it is about Saturday afternoons, they always seem hard work when trying to activate... 

The mighty FT4XE

Thanks for reading! 

Cheers, Alan - 2E0JWA

Trig #12 Slack Hall TP6012 WAB sq SD90 24/09/22

 Probably the second closest to my house and to my shame, I've only just done it 😂😂

Anyway, dragged the boy up there as we had a few hours to kill before i took him home to his mum.. Funny trig this, it seems so pointless! add that to the fact its buried in a hedge and tricky to spot its a bit of a PITA! accessible via Austerlands cricket club if its open, the trig us in the back hedge.. I accessed from the other side off  Back 'Oth Low Road park at the last houses and follow the tracks across the top of the quarry.

Trig located, I went 100% hand held (rookie mistake, I forgot the roach pole to mount the antenna on) we called, and called, and called, and called.. i was about to give it up when a call saved the day! 2E0LKC, Mark in Heald green followed by his wife Anne 2E0LMD.. day saved and 2 calls.. trig Activated!

Buried in the hedge

Some Curious Bovines!

Cheers Alan - 2E0JWA

Trig #11 Moss Moor (White Hill) TP4930 WAB sq SD91 29/08/22

 After the success of Standedge a few days before i had been trying to persuade Duane, 2E0DIJ to come try a trig point, and after some procrastination he agreed to come out! we selected Hare Hill, as its a fairly easy walk, and an area Duane is familiar with as he normally works /P DX from up there just not quite at the trig!

Anyhow, park in the car park at the top of the hill off the M62 Jnc 22, cross the road, and follow the Pennine Way.. EASY!

I set up my usual setup on the Trig, and Duane set up to the side. I went first to give him an example. Sadly not as many calls as a few days before, ended up on 4 M6DSV Shaun was the first into Bury and qualified the Trig. A fairly uneventful hour out, playing radio with a very good friend and his dog Maverick, Thanks Duane 😊

Some piccies

Fantastic afternoon, Cheers. Alan - 2E0JWA

TRIG #10 Standedge, TP6152 WAB sq SE01 27/08/22

 Another local one, stuck for something to do with my Son and my Niece I chucked them in the car "don't worry kids it only a little walk" now my lad loves a walk, my niece not so much.. infact if she has to do something physical away from WiFi for more then 5 mins, panic starts to set in!

Anyhow, this one is an old favourite, its above the village of my birth and childhood till the age of 20 - Diggle! its easy too, park the car where you can near Brun Clough Resr (the car park was closed at the time of activating) and follow the well marked paths to the Pennine way, keep following and you will find the trig.. EASY! 

Just look at them happy smiling faces! 😂😂

Anyway, we soon got the roach pole up and the antenna, and started calling, calls were thick and fast with a nice mini pileup M0ALA was the qualifying first call, QSOs were mainly into Lancashire and Yorkshire the FT4XE doing the business on 5W into the flowerpot antenna. the best call was G1PHN, Clee Hills near Ludlow.. I couldn't believe it! 120 miles on 5W into a home made antenna... the quick session ended with 10 calls and 1 very happy operator!

Anyhow, a great couple of hours out, with some amazing contacts!

Cheers, Alan - 2E0JWA