Post by 2e0edx on May 18, 2013 18:17:46 GMT
Dunure Castle GM-036
Carried out a recce of this castle on Sunday, 5th May in company with the family and both enjoyed the sea views and the little swing park on site where my three year old grandson, Charlie, played for an hour. Car parking for up to 30/40 cars including plenty of room for putting up wire antennas, barbecuing and there is toilets on site. At the time of my visit their was a £2 vehicle entry charge to the grounds. Less than a quarter of a mile away is a beautiful small harbour with a pub which serves food and a lovely place to sit out with a beer on a nice day.
Returned on Monday, 13th May after dropping the family off in Ayr. Parked C4 XTR up on the grassed area to the south of the castle and set-up equipment at the rear of the vehicle. Although no rain this morning it was very windy and the vertical ProWhip antenna was certainly bowing on the top section of the whip for the whole activation.
Once set-up, called CQ 40M and worked:
1129 7.160 G0GWY Geoff in Scunthorpe with 53/58 each way reports
1132 7.160 G0FVH David in Poole with 44/45 reports
1133 7.160 G1PIE Mark in Preston with 45/46 reports
1134 7.160 G0BFJ Brian in Huddersfield with 44/55 reports
Realising something was wrong with antenna I stripped the ProWhip down and found the internal wire antenna had dropped off top section, re-applied and continued:
1138 7.144 GM8UPI/P Dave in the Isle of Skye with 53/58 reports
40M conditions dropped so QSY'd 20M
1221 14.210 SQ3PMM Mike in Slupca, Poland with 55/58 reports
Then back to 40M
1226 7.155 EI4FX Liam in Cork with 57/58 reports
1236 7155 G3CRH Hugh in Litchfield with 59+/58 reports
1243 7.155 M0RXV Roger in Birmingham with 57/59 reports
1258 7.135 G0KNK Barry in Wigan with 58/58 each way reports
Equipment used:
Yaesu FT-857
LDG Z100 ATU
20/40M Vertical ProWhip Antenna with balun & counterpoise
50w
With the castle now qualified with ten contacts, WX starting to deteriorate and having to collect family in Ayr on the way home I packed up and headed back.
Thanks to all stations worked and to both John M0JFE & Brian M0OYG of the CASHOTA Northwest England Group who alerted on the group website my activation intentions for Monday's activation.
Unfortunately the intended activation of Rothesay Castle on the Isle of Bute was cancelled due to poor WX and Culzean Castle due to access on the day. To be activated on future trips up north.
All photos of this activation can be viewed in the Scottish section in the 'Gallery' on the main CASHOTA website.
73's
Ian 2E0EDX
Carried out a recce of this castle on Sunday, 5th May in company with the family and both enjoyed the sea views and the little swing park on site where my three year old grandson, Charlie, played for an hour. Car parking for up to 30/40 cars including plenty of room for putting up wire antennas, barbecuing and there is toilets on site. At the time of my visit their was a £2 vehicle entry charge to the grounds. Less than a quarter of a mile away is a beautiful small harbour with a pub which serves food and a lovely place to sit out with a beer on a nice day.
Returned on Monday, 13th May after dropping the family off in Ayr. Parked C4 XTR up on the grassed area to the south of the castle and set-up equipment at the rear of the vehicle. Although no rain this morning it was very windy and the vertical ProWhip antenna was certainly bowing on the top section of the whip for the whole activation.
Once set-up, called CQ 40M and worked:
1129 7.160 G0GWY Geoff in Scunthorpe with 53/58 each way reports
1132 7.160 G0FVH David in Poole with 44/45 reports
1133 7.160 G1PIE Mark in Preston with 45/46 reports
1134 7.160 G0BFJ Brian in Huddersfield with 44/55 reports
Realising something was wrong with antenna I stripped the ProWhip down and found the internal wire antenna had dropped off top section, re-applied and continued:
1138 7.144 GM8UPI/P Dave in the Isle of Skye with 53/58 reports
40M conditions dropped so QSY'd 20M
1221 14.210 SQ3PMM Mike in Slupca, Poland with 55/58 reports
Then back to 40M
1226 7.155 EI4FX Liam in Cork with 57/58 reports
1236 7155 G3CRH Hugh in Litchfield with 59+/58 reports
1243 7.155 M0RXV Roger in Birmingham with 57/59 reports
1258 7.135 G0KNK Barry in Wigan with 58/58 each way reports
Equipment used:
Yaesu FT-857
LDG Z100 ATU
20/40M Vertical ProWhip Antenna with balun & counterpoise
50w
With the castle now qualified with ten contacts, WX starting to deteriorate and having to collect family in Ayr on the way home I packed up and headed back.
Thanks to all stations worked and to both John M0JFE & Brian M0OYG of the CASHOTA Northwest England Group who alerted on the group website my activation intentions for Monday's activation.
Unfortunately the intended activation of Rothesay Castle on the Isle of Bute was cancelled due to poor WX and Culzean Castle due to access on the day. To be activated on future trips up north.
All photos of this activation can be viewed in the Scottish section in the 'Gallery' on the main CASHOTA website.
73's
Ian 2E0EDX
