Skipton Castle G-397 Activation 29/09/13

Up at the usual time of 0600 hours and carried out all the necessary prep required and with the car packed I was soon heading for the M55 out of Cleveleys and within a matter of minutes was southbound on the M6 and on reaching J31 turned off towards Salmesbury while noting the signs for this famous Hall which is reputed to be one of the most haunted buildings in the country and a future CASHOTA activation location and the A59 towards Skipton.

Traffic was steady with no great problems encountered as I by-passed Ribchester (Roman Cavalry Fort Bremetenacum Veteranorum) then Clitheroe with its famous Castle, both to be activated in the coming months ahead and then onto Skipton.On entering Skipton I found initial parking on the main street approximately 100M from the castle main entrance next to the roundabout and facing the Town Hall and right in front of a Coffee and Pottery Cafe. The parking is free for up to two hours and then you cannot return within an hour.



Okay initially set-up on 40M with the FT-857, LDG Z-100 and a bog standard G-Whip.
Having a quick brew I started to work 40M working the following stations:

MM0VEG/M 57 59+ 7.160 John Coatbridge Glasgow NS 76 & NS66
G4WQZ 59 59+ 7.117 John Portsmouth
M0HEM 59 59 7.130 John Air Amb Sp Event TQ48

Conditions were very poor so moved locations to a main car park behind the Town Hall in case I had to deploy other antennas but cost me £3.50 for upto 3 hours and worked:

EJ0M 59+ 59+ 7.188 Ian Aranmore Island B61 Donegal
GM0BKC/P 59+ 59 7.188 Paul SOTA ES28
G0VHS 59 59+ 7.167 Terry Weymouth (With kite antenna)
GB2IWM 59 59 7.132 Mike Sp Event Imperial War Museum TL44
F8CHM 57 59 7.157 Jean Tours
MX0PHX 59 59 7.170 Roy Nottingham SK63
GM0GMY 59 59 7.160 Paul NG36
G0FEX 59 59 7.160 Ken SK50
G8CBU 58 59 7.160 Ray Luton TL02
MM3PDM/P 58 58 7.160 Peter Peterhead
Equipment used:

YAESU FT-857
40M G-Whip
12V 80AHr Battery
50W

Many thanks to all stations worked especially the WAB net.

All photos will be placed on the Photo Galleries of the CASHOTA, CASHOTA Northwest England Group and CQPortable websites.

73's
Ian 2E0EDX