Post by 2e0edx on Jan 13, 2013 17:26:08 GMT
Kendal Castle G-244 Activation Sunday, 13th January 2013
Alarm clock sounding off at 0600 hrs saw me open my eyes from deep
slumber and peer once again round the curtains hoping to see a tornado,
avalanche or at least torrential rain to cancel the programmed CASHOTA
activation and jump back into my warm pit, but no such luck!
Now washed and dressed and headed down stairs for the first cuppa of
the day and of course make up the sarnies and flask ready for the day
ahead. Car packed........... but what have I forgot? Would you believe
it, the XYL! Crammed her in and at 0815 hrs off we set out of Thornton
Cleveleys in C4 XTR and onto the A585 heading towards Windy Harbour. WX
was fine with the car exterior temperature showing -1degree but what a
lovely skyline to the south over the Pennines as the sun was rising, a
lovely orange/red tinge to the sky. What is it they say, "Red sky
at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning sailors warning"!
This was a warning for things to come later in the day.
Onwards and upwards and on leaving four lane ends we entered the A586
towards the A6 and Lancaster. Soon at the end of the A6 and onto the M6
heading north with very light traffic before coming off at J 36
signposted Kendal. Followed the A591 with signs to Sizebergh Castle and
Levens Hall and then turned off towards the town of Kendal and followed
the signs to Kendal Castle where we parked up in a parking area
frequented by dog walkers. Sufficient room for a dozen cars or more.
And we off-loaded our rucksacks, put our walking boots on, through the
latched gate and up the hill towards the castle at a distance of
approximately 200M.
Once on top of the hill we went into the courtyard and I set-up the
20/40 linked dipole and the YAESU FT-817. The intention was to activate
on 40M but it was wall to wall contest stations who did not leave any
part of the band free for non-contesters. Found Kevin 2M0KVM in Wishaw,
nr Motherwell, Scotland calling CQ at 7.175 so I went back to him
receiving a 59 report and giving him a 58. I then piggy-backed Kevin
and worked Steve M0SJS/P in Manchester with a 59 report both ways and
then Rab MM0RWJ also in Motherwell with 59 both ways. Unfortunately, it
was just CQ Contest after that with a couple of nets opening up
RoyalSignals/Royal Navy etc..........
So with that I reverted to 2M FM and worked Colin and Heather G4UXH &
M6UXH on LD0-040 a hump with 59 both ways reports, Edy M3UGN 52 53
report, Brian G0RDH in Morecambe 59 both ways, Darwin G4XLC in
Morecambe 59 both ways and Doch G4ZJO in Hest Bank, Lancaster 56 both
ways.
I did hear Jennifer calling in Blackpool but could not get back to her.
However, just managed to qualify the castle with the six FM
contacts.............. Thanks to Brian M0OYG & Jennifer for trying.
Equipment used:
Yaesu FT-817
SOTA Bandhopper 11 20/40 Linked dipole
7M SOTA pole
12V 12AHr gell cell battey
Yaesu VX-170
SOTA Multi Functional Dipole
1230 hrs and no one else could be heard on 2M FM and the 40m contesters
were still at it and then the heavens opened with showers of sleet,
previous red sky warning... hi...hi
So it was pack up and head down the hill back to the car.
As we packed the car the wx was getting worse so we decided to abandon
the Castle Howe and Monument activation for another day. Sorry to
anyone waiting for me.
A good day though with another castle struck of the list to do page. I
now have three CASHOTA activations completed.
Photos of the activation have been posted in the 'Gallery' on the main CASHOTA website.
73's
Ian 2E0EDX
Alarm clock sounding off at 0600 hrs saw me open my eyes from deep
slumber and peer once again round the curtains hoping to see a tornado,
avalanche or at least torrential rain to cancel the programmed CASHOTA
activation and jump back into my warm pit, but no such luck!
Now washed and dressed and headed down stairs for the first cuppa of
the day and of course make up the sarnies and flask ready for the day
ahead. Car packed........... but what have I forgot? Would you believe
it, the XYL! Crammed her in and at 0815 hrs off we set out of Thornton
Cleveleys in C4 XTR and onto the A585 heading towards Windy Harbour. WX
was fine with the car exterior temperature showing -1degree but what a
lovely skyline to the south over the Pennines as the sun was rising, a
lovely orange/red tinge to the sky. What is it they say, "Red sky
at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning sailors warning"!
This was a warning for things to come later in the day.
Onwards and upwards and on leaving four lane ends we entered the A586
towards the A6 and Lancaster. Soon at the end of the A6 and onto the M6
heading north with very light traffic before coming off at J 36
signposted Kendal. Followed the A591 with signs to Sizebergh Castle and
Levens Hall and then turned off towards the town of Kendal and followed
the signs to Kendal Castle where we parked up in a parking area
frequented by dog walkers. Sufficient room for a dozen cars or more.
And we off-loaded our rucksacks, put our walking boots on, through the
latched gate and up the hill towards the castle at a distance of
approximately 200M.
Once on top of the hill we went into the courtyard and I set-up the
20/40 linked dipole and the YAESU FT-817. The intention was to activate
on 40M but it was wall to wall contest stations who did not leave any
part of the band free for non-contesters. Found Kevin 2M0KVM in Wishaw,
nr Motherwell, Scotland calling CQ at 7.175 so I went back to him
receiving a 59 report and giving him a 58. I then piggy-backed Kevin
and worked Steve M0SJS/P in Manchester with a 59 report both ways and
then Rab MM0RWJ also in Motherwell with 59 both ways. Unfortunately, it
was just CQ Contest after that with a couple of nets opening up
RoyalSignals/Royal Navy etc..........
So with that I reverted to 2M FM and worked Colin and Heather G4UXH &
M6UXH on LD0-040 a hump with 59 both ways reports, Edy M3UGN 52 53
report, Brian G0RDH in Morecambe 59 both ways, Darwin G4XLC in
Morecambe 59 both ways and Doch G4ZJO in Hest Bank, Lancaster 56 both
ways.
I did hear Jennifer calling in Blackpool but could not get back to her.
However, just managed to qualify the castle with the six FM
contacts.............. Thanks to Brian M0OYG & Jennifer for trying.
Equipment used:
Yaesu FT-817
SOTA Bandhopper 11 20/40 Linked dipole
7M SOTA pole
12V 12AHr gell cell battey
Yaesu VX-170
SOTA Multi Functional Dipole
1230 hrs and no one else could be heard on 2M FM and the 40m contesters
were still at it and then the heavens opened with showers of sleet,
previous red sky warning... hi...hi
So it was pack up and head down the hill back to the car.
As we packed the car the wx was getting worse so we decided to abandon
the Castle Howe and Monument activation for another day. Sorry to
anyone waiting for me.
A good day though with another castle struck of the list to do page. I
now have three CASHOTA activations completed.
Photos of the activation have been posted in the 'Gallery' on the main CASHOTA website.
73's
Ian 2E0EDX
