Last of the summer wine

Hello Folks,

At the end of my last entry covering the Group BBQ, I mentioned that I would be putting a special blog together based on one of our members and here it is.

Members of the group have varied interests within the hobby other than contesting, for example Chris Baker enjoys some experimental work creating baluns for use with HF antenna's and often puts emails out with diagrams showing what he has tried, and how well or badly it works. Its not a negative point to document your failures along with the successes because that's how we learn.

The topic for this special is "Summits On the Air"

My first introduction to this subject was with Ian G0VGS in the early days of Summits on the Air when he organised a speaker to come to Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society to do a talk on the subject. We learned a little of the early history and how it was rapidly expanding to other area's of the world... Its grown out of all proportion since then and is a very popular activity taken up by many amateurs and it is very popular in my area.

Barrie G1JYB has been involved for many years and I am pretty sure he has covered most if not all the local summits. Sadly he had a fall on ice during the Christmas period this year and is not fit enough to do much climbing. His other passion is cycling much to his frustration he is improving slowly and has managed the odd 35 mile bike ride but at this moment in time doesn't feel fit enough for climbing yet.

However the focus of this blog concerns another of our members a YL Stephany G1LAT.

I informed Barrie that I would like to put a blog together celebrating Stephany's achievements in SOTA and asked Barrie if he could send me some details of the climbs Stephany has done. here is part of the email Barrie sent back to me (Sorry Barrie) but you have worded the message below so perfectly, I could not do better.

Hi Brian

Thanks very much for thinking about doing a mention on the Blog for Stephany, she does deserve it because she has done a lot of radio operating on SOTA recently and although it may not come under the general heading of “SPORT RADIO” I can assure you that the mere fact of just attaining the Summit is very Challenging and Competitive at times and the operating conditions can from Sublime to outright Ridiculous.

So here's the team:












Planning and emergency cover:
Barrie maps out the routes and acts as emergency cover.

Stephany is often supported by Ray do the summit climbs. Ray is not a radio amateur but is a long time friend and enjoys the exercise.

I would like to thank Barrie for supplying me with all the pictures you will see in the blog from now on, they show many aspects and weather conditions that face anyone attempting to climb a summit.

At this point I should re-enforce the fact that both Barrie and Stephany know the countryside they live in and are aware of the ever changing weather conditions. No climb is ever attempted that would put them at risk.

Below are a number of pictures which include Barrie. This must have been one of the last climbs that Barrie did before his accident dated 9/11/2009

















G1 JYB SOTA Packhorse




















Shack In A Rucksac














G1 JYB Whernside, Note Strong Wind

Last year Barrie and Stephany took a short break to the Isle of Man and activated as many summits as they could.














Bradda Hill IOM














G1 LAT Descending from Bradda Hill IOM














South Barrule SOTA IOM

The picture above is one of peace and tranquility but I feel sure there will be many who have experiencedthe other side of the coin where they have struggled to find a spot of shelter to operate from and shield themselves and the mic against the elements.

As you will know if your a regular visitor to the blog, Sands Contest Group have the privilege of operating many of our contest stations from Barries and Kathy's home at Oysterber Farm an if we look in the right direction we cannot miss seeing Inglebrough and what a glorious sight it is.














A Winter View From The Summit of Ingleborough














Above The Clouds On Ingleborough














Made It The Summit Cairn Of Ingleborough Winter














Ingleborough Radio Shack On A Busy Winters Day

The pictures above are are Achieve pictures the before the Great Snow Storm/Blizzards of 2009/10 hit us all.














Stephany G1 LAT On Ingleborough Summer under better conditions.














Stephany & Ray Ascending Great Coum














The Howgills From Summit Of Great Coum















Pen Y Ghent The Very Steep Final Section















Stephany & Ray Descending Pen Y Ghent on Steep Section

Sadly I cannot add the table Barrie created because MS Word creates all sort of problem with the blog, but she has been a busy lady since she started in 2006. totaled together she has climbed 14'139 metres and if you bear in mind that Mount Everest is 8,848 metres high, its quite an achievement.

Stephany has been joined on her climbs this year by Ray and both have a few knotches on the walking stick of life although I will probably be in trouble for mentioning it. SOTA is open to all ages and can make for a great family day out if you enjoy walking. Stephany has activated at least 10 Sumits this year including "The Old Man of Coniston"

Finally here's a few pictures of Martin another close friend of Barrie and Kathy's














Martin M0LCY Calf Top

If you have found this blog interesting and would like to learn more about SOTA take a look on the link below and you will find it well worth your time.

Two of our members Martin M0ZIF and Hughie G4UME activated Arnside Knott over the weekend and enjoyed themselves.

Thanks to Stephany, Ray and Barrie and all those who take part in SOTA for being Ambassadors and an Inspiration to others.

http://www.sota.org.uk/RulesAndGuidelines

Best 73
Brian G0RDH

2 Metre Contest

Just to let you all know that Stephany G1LAT and I did the 2 metre contest last night and we did very well for a first attempt, we worked just short of 40 stations and best of all we worked England, Scotland, Wales, Eire, Northern Ireland and Isle of man, but can you believe this, with just over half an hour to go we had an electricity failure and it didn't come back on until 1045pm, how unlucky was that?

Never mind we worked well and the old Yagi was flying all over the place, never realised that so many stations were so keen on vhf, we had a great night.

Just thought I would mention it, Stephany also managed to work a guy who was portable on a SOTA summit called "The Cloud" and it was a unique for her, so she was well pleased.

Kathy M3YOG was not too pleased as every time we swung the yagi to the east, it interfered with her, well, not her exactly, just the TV programme she was watching, ha ha, I told her to stop moaning or I would get her banned from the group.

We used a spot frequency of 144.272 all evening and just called cq contest, well Stephany did, I just worked the rotator and moaned a bit, but it seemed to work.

Cheers

Barrie g1jyb

Sands treated to a BBQ at Oysterber Farm

Hello Folks,

Along with being a contesting group Sands also enjoys its social side. You may have noticed in the general contest blogs, mention of the culinary skills of Barrie Kathy and Stephany who have whipped up a fantastic meal for us usually on the first night of a contest, and we all know that fed that an army marches on its stomach.

In past years we have had quarterly events where we wined and dined our wife's/partners. In June 2009 Barrie and Kathy gave us a great barbecue, the weather was good to us and everybody was able to enjoy an evening of quality food, and drink and friendly chat in the ambiance of Oysterber Farm

Barrie and Kathy invited us to join with them again on the 26th of June 2010 and Sands Contest Group were treated to a first class barbecue with Barrie working hard on the flame grilled chicken and excellent local sausage.

Kathy and Stephany took care of the presentation on the tables of salad based dressings and other savory dishes. A number of members also brought offerings for the table and we were treated to a feast of excellent food.













A fairly rare picture of members outside Hankocks Hut where 90% of our contests take place.

The first thing that hit me as I walked into a gathering of people standing around the area of Hancocks Hut was that tables had been laid out with food and people were sat under parasols to shade them from the evening sun.... enjoying a glass of wine or other drink they fancied (designated drivers enjoyed a soft drink or fruit juice.... I kid you not for I was one of those people)

But something was missing, and it took me a few minutes to realise what it was.













The giant holly bush had been taken down and the area landscaped with a stone floor, table and bench, and very nice it looked too.


























Barrie tending the Flame Grill Chicken Half's and Legs, not to mention the excellent locally made sausages.














Kathy and Stephany were busy setting the tables up with a selection of salads covering all tastes, from Potatoes salad to the famous Basil Fawlty Waldorf Salad to name a few. Group members helped out on the salad front by bringing in a selection of their own salads and of course the Kathy's baked potatoes went down very well.














The tables also had savory meats and salad side dressing which included fresh strawberry's and green and red grapes.



























Hughie was the first to tuck into the food as Barrie invited him to try one of the half chickens













Barrie Ray and Stephany

So the food is cooked and its time for everyone to tuck in.







































Barrie in conversation with Emma & Martin














Here we can see Chris.... he dressed down a bit this year and left his Hawaiian shirt at home.... not that there was anything wrong with the Hawaiian shirt you understand.













As the sun sets over Oysterber Farm at the end of a glorious summers day, we settled down tummy's full, and were able to sit back and enjoy the evening and each others company until home time.













In the foreground we have Frank G8BME, but in the background there's Annette and Damien who did not have far to travel back to their caravan which was located just the other side of the meadow behind them.


















Here's a picture of Hazel and Kev G6FKE













Emma & Martin

Well that's it, the end of the BBQ blog. I have not touched the subject of radio, that's not what the event was about. This blog is about 21 people having an enjoyable evening in each others company on a warm but comfortable evening in June.

We would all like to thank Kathy and Barrie for inviting us to join them for the evening and providing a first class barbecue and of course Stephany who works in the background but plays such an essential part in making the evening a success.

We were missing a few members who would have dearly loved to join us, not least were Mark and Jenni, Joe who was with us last year.... Matt whose had an accident in the garden (Speedy Recovery Matt) and last but not least Mike whose part way through his deployment with the British Antarctic Survey bod at the South Pole..... I really think he should have a shot using M0SCG/P although that may see us having to buy a new batch of QSL Cards.... It would be good to work him under his own call during IOTA at the end of July.

The next blog will be a radio based "special" on one of the group members..... Watch this space!

73
Brian

Red Rose QRP Festival 6th June 2010

Hello Folks,

A few weeks ago Frank G8BME and I attended the Red Rose QRP Festival at Atherton, Its not the largest rally on the calender but ticks all the right boxes for what I am interested in. The only weak point in the journey was the lack of information on route eg. we did not notice any signs on the road pointing us in the right direction. Parking was good for us.

The cost to enter the rally was £2 which was a fair price, and the food and drink on offer was good and well priced.















As always it was good to meet up with old friends and make new ones. I introduced Frank to Francis and it was not long before they found some common ground, they were both classic car owners.















Gordon G3ZFZ, Frank G8BME and Jim G4PPG

Both Gordon and Jim enjoy CW as their main mode of communication.















It was good to see Ian G4VAP at the rally, this being one of a number of events he goes to throughout the year. Ian is a keen CW man who has been responsible for for many people getting through their 12wpm morse exam including Ian G0VGS and Linda G0YLM. G4VAP is also a keen and well respected constructor whose pet hate is any project using Dyno tape to mark controls.

As mentioned earlier the rally had plenty to offer despite its size with displays on for D-Star, there was a good variety of stands and equipment.

Exhibitors included:
WMRC, GQRP, RSGB, UK FM Group(Western) Warrington, D-Star Project, RSARS, Fyle ARS (Silent Key Sale)

Traders included:
AM Tools, Bowood Electronics, Jackson Elec. P&D Howell, Kanga Products,G4VAP, G8LMF, G4KKI, Media Electronics, Dave Austin, Snowdonia Radio, Cross Country Wireless and Laurence Cook.

My first stop was to the stand of Francis Norris a collector and restorer of vintage wireless and audio equipment. I first met Francis at this rally last year and since then we have kept in touch. I was able to pick up a part for my 1155, but it was also a good excuse to see what he had on his stand this year.















The Layfaette KT-200 looked a nice set from reading information on the net it was also badged with the Trio emblem amongst others and could be bought in kit for or ready built. You will find plenty of information and pictures on the net so I have just included one link below.

http://rigreference.com/rig/3545-Lafayette_HE_10_KT_200

US Signals Transmitter Tuning Unit















This is an American Signals Transmitter Tuning Unit Model No. TU 5B although I have not been able to find out any information on it.















This is a Windsor All Wave Signal Generator model C-65















I don't really need to say a great deal about the 1155R

Now to the serious stuff

QRP sets have been built in some strange boxes over the years, but this entry I bought at the rally makes other housings pale into insignificance. If the Oner lets you down you can always kick the bucket











































This set along with quite a few others built in standard tins was built by Peter Howell who lives in Burnley. I thought it was quirky and fun and bought it for the knockout price of £2. And they say its expensive to get on the air!

A little more expensive but not outlndishly so was the Hi Mound BK-100















Those who know the key will have noticed the gray cover protecting the working parts from dust does not look right. The cover should be in clear plastic and this cover was was until it developed a few fractures and cracks, at which point the owner sprayed the cover....

The good news is that replacement covers are still available from the USA at a price.















This is a quality key made in Japan and marketed under a number of names including Radio Shack.















I bought the Key at a very good price and mine contained no brand with the word Japan stamped into the plastic and an orange base which on closer inspection appears to be a roofing ties to add weight to the key. It also has sucker feet to help keep the key steady whilst in use.

Frank G8BME bought himself a Grundig radio to add to his collection.

We both had a great time at the rally and we'd like to thank the organisers and exhibitors for an enjoyable rally.

73
Brian

Heron Corn Mill (Mills on the air weekend)

Hello Folks,

Its nearly two weeks since (Sands Contest Group) took part in Mills on the air weekend from Heron Corn Mill, Beetham in South Cumbria, and what a great weekend it was.

The work for this event stated on Friday 7th May when a working party was assembled to put the antenna's up and with the exception of a strong breeze Wx conditions were excellent.

The antenna's used:

Hughie G4UME and Frank G8BME worked as a team to build the mast and (Nest of Dipoles for 80m 40m) and all the team got together to pull the mast up and secure it with guy ropes. Once the antennas were raised and the coaxial cable fed into the barn, the SWR was found to be the best we have ever managed. A Job well done!

The Coaxial cable was fed through an arrow slot located quite high on the side of the barn, that in itself conjurers up all sorts history as the barn was obviously intended to be defended no doubt against the Scots. The Coax was cunningly kept out of reach by feeding it over the barns wooden beams.

















































40m 80m mast

The Spiderbeam
Whilst Hughie and Frank were sorting the antenna for 80m & 40m out, Kev and Ian started work putting the Spiderbeam together with help from Martin M0ZIF as needed.













Left to right Ian G0VGS, Kev G6FKE, Martin M0ZIF putting the spiderbeam together.














It was good to have Gary M0RGB with us for the afternoon and he wasted no time in getting to work hammering some of the stakes for the spiderbeam into the ground. We later learned that it was a good job these stakes went in at an angle because there was only between 3 and 4ft of soil before we hit the solid rock roof of the cave used to stream water for the fish pass.














Gary M0RGB














Because of the lack of space were spoiled with at Oysterber Farm, the spider beam had to be moved into the car park area of the site so that the sections of the mast could be extended and locked off and guide ropes fitted ready for the spiderbeam to be pulled up vertical. This is no easy task because although the beam is light gravity works against us and maintaining a delicate balance to stop the mast bending too much is crucial. On our first attempt to raise the spiderbeam we narrowly avoided disaster as a section of the mast started to bend badly, however our second attempt was successful.













You can clearly see the strain the mast is put under in these two photographs.












Erecting the spiderbeam involves close team with members using the guy ropes to apply or slacken tension to bring the mast as vertical as possible.













This picture shows Damien holding the mast steady once it was vertical to prevent it slipping whilst the rest of the team were tying the guy ropes off under the direction of Ian













Once the spiderbeam was safely up the area was taped off to prevent people walking into the guyed area's.

It was now time to move our attention to the stations we would be running over the weekend.

Station One
Our DX station was located on the top floor of the mill and consisted of:

Spiderbeam to cover any DX activity from Heron Corn Mill mainly on 20m but 15m and 10m were available to us if needed. Other equipment included the Elecraft K3 Transceiver, Ranger 811 Linear amplifier, and audio was provided by the trusty Heil Headset with a HC-5 Insert.

Band conditions were poor over the weekend an although we had operators dedicating their time very few stations were worked.

However visitors to the Mill showed interest in what was being done. Our callsign for the event was GB4HCM.














Graham and Martin can be seen operating the 20m station.





























Here's Steve G1TLQ advertising the corporate image.

Station 2

Our second station was located in the barn and consisted of a TS-2000 fed by the nest of dipoles on Saturday, the station switched to the K3 and Linear on Sunday because 80m and 40m were the better bands.

Our secret weapon for the special event station was Ian's XYL Linda who started the weekends activities and contributed greatly throughout the weekend with her sense of humour and excellent radio operating procedures.













Linda G0YLM with Ian Logging contacts.














Damien G0LLG is operating here with Ian logging for him.














It was great to see the welcome return of Chris (in the blue shirt) G4LDS who has not been able to to join us for many months due to illness.













I had to include this picture of Damien having a chuckle at something that's amused him.... I don't know what it was but you just want to join in with him and have a chuckle yourself.

Training Display
Along with the radio stations we also had some displays that were popular. When not on the radio Kev and Ian looked after a training display "How to Become a Radio Amateur" The stand had both literature and construction examples on it for people to see, and they were able to advise members of the public about course in Cumbria and surrounding area's.

Video
Ian produced a really good 30 minute DVD of our activities since the group was formed that was projected onto a large screen and ran on a loop throughout the event.

Themed Vintage Military Radio Display.
There was also a display of radio used by Bletchley Park and the Y stations during WWII. The display also covered the work of the SOE and their radio operators which included a replica code hanky and I was able to demonstrate how it was used to encode and decode messages for radio operators.














Brian G0RDH














A fully restored HRO














A fully restored Halicrafter SkyChampion S-20 identical to one stored in the original Station X water tower. This set had a very short production run of just over a year with introductory adverts appear in 1938 after which the more common version of the SkyChampion S20R was produced replacing the large band dial with a dial housed in a casing covering an illuminated dial. A good site to visit to see information on the SkyChampion S20 is http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~postr/bapix/S20.htm another good site where you can see a restoration project on the S-20R is http://www.antiqueradio.org/halli10.htm














A working RCA AR88 supplied to us and the Russian's as part of the Lend Lease agreement.














Again it was good to have Amateur visitors to the event with Barrie G1JYB Stephany G1LAT and Martin M0LCY seen talking to Linda G0YLM and Ian G0VGS. Bob G1OCK has been good to help us out with Transport over the event and it was good to see Bob G3VVT for a short time.













Group Photograph sadly missing Hughie G4UME and Andrew G0LWU who played a large part in the success of the weekend.

Finally just a few pictures of the new Turbine housing and Turbine.










The Turbine Housing building and Sluice in the final stages of construction.



















The top part of the turbine.














The Turbine Drive Shaft




























The Turbine house and Heron Horn Mill. The turbine is due to be commissioned in the very near future. For more information please visit Heron Corn Mills website where you will find video links and loads of information on the mill and its history.

Sands contest group had a fantastic weekend at the mill and our thanks go out to all the staff who looked after us for the weekend..... We've been invited back for next years (Mills on the air weekend) and are looking forward to another great event.