GM4ZFZ/P - Mountain Adventures with a Radio

Stob Ban (Mamores)

10th December 2004

GM/WS-058 - Stob Ban - 999m - NN148654 - 6 points
QSOs: 40m CW - 4

Decided to take the North Ridge for the first time and it turns out to be a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing route. From the car park I aimed for the right hand side of the craggy ground and soon ran into a path that leads faithfully through the steep ground to the shoulder. A gentle ridge walk with fine views & situations leads to a steep scrambly ascent of Pt 911 and then across to Stob Ban itself.

The weather wasn't as good as I had hoped; gradually clearing but still pretty wild on the summit. I was glad both of a sheltered notch in the summit rocks to hide in and 4 rapid QSOs on 40m. CQs on 2m yield nothing so I packed up and headed down the east ridge to descend via Coire Mhusgain, the lower section as boggy as ever, doubly so in the dark!

I was calling CQ on 7031 at about 1455z and EI7CC blasted in strong as ever followed by M0AHT (nr Durham), G3LAS (Ware) & DL8MLD (nr Hannover). FOF2 was 6.8MHz at time of activation and stations worked were between 197m & 725m distant. 2.5W into a dipole on the walking poles throughout.

The Fara

GM/WS-106 - The Fara - 911m - NN598844 - 6 points
QSOs: 80m CW - 2, 40m CW - 2

This is a very undemanding hill. From the roadhead near Dalwhinnie Railway Station the track alongside Loch Ericht takes you past a new Gatehouse and a new Lodge. Just above the latter (at NN615835) is a firebreak through the plantation above which old fence posts lead to the summit.

A nice covering of summit snow glowed pink in the sunrise and clear views were had in all directions across the central highlands.

I was experimenting using a slinky again. From the ATU I took 10m of wire to the top of the walking poles which was then connected to the top of the slinky which sloped steeply to the ground on a guy. With a 20m counterpoise it presented, sans ATU, a near perfect match on 3.560MHz (not by design!) where I worked GM0AXY (80miles) and EI7BA in Cork (395miles) both good signals.

160m was very quiet and the only thing I heard on the band was a Beacon on 1854 (CZECH I think, an OK0). 40m CW raised EI7CC and later ON5AG.

Mam na Gualainn, Tom Meadhoin & Doire Ban

9th October 2004

Just about managed to activate all three tops on Saturday with very variable conditions on HF. It was a fine day with eagle-eye views of the villages of Glencoe and Ballachulish (see photo) with respective dramatic backdrops. 2 watts into multiband dipole on HF & 0.5W into rubber duck for 2m.

GM/WS-173 - Mam na Gualainn - 796m - NN115625 - 4 points
4 QSOs: 2m FM - 1, 20m CW - 2, 40m CW - 1

Parked yet again at the West Highland Way access point (NN100667) but this time took the path through the woods by torchlight, roaring stags on the hillside adding to the already eerie atomosphere. Putting on my gaiters I managed to ford the river at NN110636 without too much seepage and heading up the steep hillside joined the stalkers path to the ridge and then up to the summit by 0715bst (about 2.5hrs). This is a pleasant hill.

It was really quite chilly and I was glad I had taken my fleece trousers and down jacket for their first outing of the season. After a chat with GM7PKT on 2m FM I set up on 40m but no G stations heard so wandered up to 20m and worked David, EA7/EI6AL and also Mike, RU3BL/QRP in Moscow. I spent quite a while struggling to find a fourth contact but eventually found Petr OK1FAQ/QRP on 40m who gave me a good report into the Czech Rebublic. Conscious of my tight schedule, I quickly packed up and left for summit #2.

The photo below (taken from Tom Meadhoin) show the West Highland Way snaking through the Glen with Mam na Gualainn on the right.

GM/WS-261 - Tom Meadhoin - 621m - NN087621 - 2 points - 0930-1000bst
4 QSOs: 40m CW - 4

Reached this summit about 1000bst and initially 40m seemed dead but returning after half hour elsewhere suddenly found I was getting a 599 report into Lichfield with G4EHT followed by Pete, EI7CC and Ken, GM0AXY in Edinburgh & G3MNS/P in Lincoln. So used to being alone on these lower hills I was surprised when a fellow walker wandered up and started chatting to me half way through my QSO with Pete EI7CC! Sorry if my sending was slightly erratic Pete!

GM/WS-280 - Doire Ban - 566m - NN090643 - 2 points - 1200-1230bst
4QSOs: 2m FM - 1, 40m CW - 3

I was pushed for time and knew I needed to make this a swift activation if I were to get down in time. I switched on the rig and heard GM7PKT/P straightaway on GM/WS-018 giving me QSO #1, then on 40m G3AIO (Pembury), DK6XM (Hamburg), and then, with difficulty, Pete EI7CC again to complete the activation. A quick call to the XYL assuring her I would be back home in time preceded a run down the hill back to the car in less than 30 mins!

This was an enjoyable circuit and particularly satisfying getting all 3 tops activated after frustrated recent attempts at these hills.

73, Jon
GM4ZFZ

Doire Ban

2nd October 2004

GM/WS-280 - Doire Ban - 566m - NN090643 - 2 points - 0730bst
3 QSOs: 40m CW - 2, 2m FM - 1

Feeling the need to blow away the cobwebs I decided to defy the wet and windy forecast but the weather won, eventually driving me off the hill and causing me to abandon the other two tops I was planning to activate.

Parking again at the West Highland Way access point (NN100667) at about 0630bst, I walked across the bridge and then sought to ford the stream issuing from Lochan Lunn Da-Bhra. This was in spate after all the rain and posed a problem until I discovered a plank and handrail just upstream from the ford (NN095664) which had previous evaded my headtorch beam. I gingerly picked my way through a couple of hundred metres of bog and, thinking I had reached the hillside proper, relaxed only to plunge thigh deep into what felt like a bottomless pit of runny sphagnum soup. Thankfully managed to lurch to the other side before sinking too deep and extracated myself before too much seeped into my boots. I was glad I had set out with full Goretex body armour!

The north ridge is a pleasant plod and teases with a few false summits before a little cairn announces the summit. There was a stiff wind but was actually quite dry and even bright when I reached the top at about 0745 a little behind schedule. Unfortunately my walking pole jammed so was operating with even lower dipole than normal at about 1.5m. A few minutes calling on 7.028MHz rasied G3RDQ in Andover also using only 2 watts but got no other responses so wandered up to 2m for a quick chat to Robin, GM7PKT. Back down on 40m I worked ON5 AG and then moved up onto the higher bands.

The weather then become really quite hostile as the winds intensified and heavy shower of horizontal sleet swept in. This combined with rising static levels had me collapsing the antenna and legging it off the summit for shelter. With no respite for 20 mins I wandered back up, packed up the antenna and called it a day!

Photo of this top in rather more pleasant conditions is at the bottom of the previous post below.

Beinn na Gucaig

GM/WS-263 - Beinn na Gucaig - 616m - NN063653 - 2 points
5 QSOs: 15m CW - 1, 30m CW - 3, 2m FM - 1

Once I realised this was not going to be an easy activation and had made the decision to abandon the other three tops I was planning to activate, I quite enjoyed chilling out on this hill. The sunset over the Ardgour Hills was stunning and there is a commanding view down Loch Linnhe toward Mull. Also, behind, Ben Nevis looms with a particularly good view of Five Finger Gully.

Parking at the West Highland Way access point (NN100667) I followed the road across the bridge and at the road's high point took a rising traverse of the hillside above a couple of deep cut gullies to the beallach NE of the summit, and then up the ridge to the top and trig point. I returned the same way. The SW ridge from Inchree looks like a better route and I might have taken it if I had known is was only doing this hill. However, the advantage of the route as described is a 170m head start on ascent!

40m was S9 static noise and precious little signals when I started so no contacts there. 30m was little better but SQ9FQC came in strongly from Poland in reply to my CQ there. I popped back down to put out another CQ on 40m and heard a G4 station responding but just couldn't copy in the noise. Sorry if you are reading! 15m was much quieter and I was delighted to work WA1GEP in Lincoln, Nr Boston USA. It'd be great to have a summit to summit one day to the US or for that matter any other country outside the UK!

In the morning 40m was pretty dead so it was back up to 30m for F9KP in Dijon and DJ4BG in Pinzberg to qualify the activation and then a quick chat with GM7PKT/M on 2m FM before packing up.

Picture below shows Doire Ban GM/WS-280 one of the ones that got away.

Creag na Doire Duibhe

30 August 2004

GM/WS-277 - Creag na Doire Duibhe - 574m - NN615906 - 2 points
5 QSOs: 2m FM - 1, 40m CW - 2, 30m CW - 1, 20m CW - 1

This hill is best enjoyed as a horseshoe despite the undulating nature of the ridges. The corrie is boggy and anywhere near Loch Glas-choire doubly so. I found that out last time! A pleasant and easy outing though, starting as it does at over 300m ASL on the A889. Parking just up from Half Way House NN935910 and the return ridge deposits you on the road about 1km from the car. About an hour to the summit and an hour back along the longer northern ridge. The hill is positioned above the watershed and gives fine views both into Strathspey to the east and down Loch Laggan to the west.

I spent most of the time on the top listening to an aurora opening on 6m with a bunch of GI and LA stations coming through quite strongly on CW & SSB. Gripping stuff! The main purpose of this activation however was to test my new multi-band dipole which with a bit of fiddling is now resonant on 40/30/20/15/10/6 and even 2m (ish, with a hack using a bit of wire and a croc clip!). This with only two 'jumper points'on each leg. Next job is loading coils for 80 and top band in the footsteps of G4YSS.

After a natter with Eddie, GM4TGC down the road in Kincraig on 2m, EI7CC & G3ICO came back to my calls on 40m before I was trounced by QRM. A QSY to 7032 yielded nothing so up to 30m. There was strong data qrm on 10116 so called on 10120 and worked SP6TGI in Luban, Poland and then on 14062, YU1CA/QRP Beograd, Yugoslavia. Both getting 579 reports on 2.5 watts. Nearly worked a Russian, RK6 on 21028 but he faded out on his first over depite being 559 to start with. Nothing on 10m.

An enjoyable afternoon with only a spot of rain and a nice breeze to keep the midges away!

Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire

Bidein Bad na h-Iolaire - GM/WS-293 - 528m - NN115708 - 2 points
QSOs: 40 CW - 2, 30m CW - 1, 2m FM - 2, 6m SSB - 1, 40m SSB - 1

28th August 2004

This is a very pleasant hill with good views of Ben Nevis (right, photo from a previous failed activation attempt) and quite accessible from Glen Nevis. From the Youth Hostel gain the forest track that is the West Highland way and follow it to the stile at NN124705. Turn right and steeply up the hillside to where the fences join. Cross and strike out for the steep but fairly friendly summit slopes. About 1 hr 20mins. A mountain bike would significantly reduce this.

I was experiementing with antennas and their position on the hill and know I was operating sub-optimally most of the time so sorry to Mark, M0DEV and any others who were waiting. I was calling, honest! I managed to work GB4TFC (Town & Country Fair, Stomeleigh) on 40m CW & SSB again and had my first 6m qso with Robin, PKT using the 30m dipole (perfect match). Thanks also to MM3PDM on 2m. LX1KC & G3DUZ were also worked with some difficulty on HF CW. I think I also worked an SN6 but it was one of those super-short/super-fast contest QSOs and I couldn't say with total certainly it was me he worked!

Due to frequent heavy showers and strong winds I was also experiementing with the optimum operating position inside the bivibag!

Picture below shows this hill from the other side, taken a few days later on Ben na Gucaig. Ben Nevis is in the clouds on the right.

Druim na h-Earba

27th August 2004

Druim na h-Earba - GM/WS-339 - 288m - NN090713 - 1 point
QSOs: 40m CW - 2, 20m CW - 2, 40m SSB - 2

Known locally as Trig Point Hill and located just to the south of Fort William, this is one of the most easily accessed Marilyns in the area giving a great view up and down Loch Linnhe. From the picnic site (parking) at NN097722 take the gate opposite and cross the field to another gate. Then a path leads to the top past a couple of false summits. 25mins at a leisurely pace.

Shelter from the strong wind was found just below the summit and after a chat to Adrian, MM0DHY/M on the local 2m repeater (GB3HI), I worked G4AJA (Swindon) on 40m CW. However, conditions were pretty flat and I had to hunt around for the following QSOs: OE/IK3GHZ/QRP (Villach, Austria) & DF9YK (Mainz) on 20m CW, GB4TCF (Stoneleigh) & G3WCQ (Coventry) on 40m SSB and a chat with M3GXQ (nr Cambridge) on 40m CW to finish.

Used long wire on the walking poles throughout. I can't make up my mind whether I prefer end fed long wire or centre fed multiband dipole. One practical advantage of the dipole is that you are located at the pole making it easy to operate with a pole mounted 2m antenna without having to change operating position.

Creag Ghuanach & Beinn na Lap

6/7 August 2004

A less pressurised trip this one allowing me to relax and enjoy this remote area whilst experimenting and having my first 80m SOTA contacts.

Creag Ghuanach - GM/WS-262 - 618m - 2 points
QSOs: 80m SSB - 3, 20m CW - 1

As I approached the hill from Corrour Station I eyed up a rightward slanting grassy gully on the west face which turns out to be ok if you don't mind shoulder high bracken and a brutally unremitting steep slog to the top. Other aspects of the hill offer more laid back options!

This summit has got to be one of my favourite places. It is complex, rocky, grassy, scenic (with little lochan) and gives spectacular views in all directions. I would highly recommend sojourning here for a while.

So I didn't mind one bit the fact that it took me 2.5hrs to activate this one. 40m didn't budge an inch so 80m came to the rescue with GM0CME (near Fraserburgh) and 2E0TSW (nr Cambridge) both amazed I was only using 2watts into a 1/4 wave slung over my walking poles. Then a bit later GI3KDR gave me a good report into Belfast. All on 3.706MHz SSB. 20m CW yielded a 569 from Mauro, IZ0EUS (south of Rome) giving me my fourth QSO.

The photo is taken on the summit of Creag Ghuanach and shows Sgurr Innse and Cruach Innse which I activated earlier in the year.

Beinn Na Lap - GM/WS-091 - 937m - 6 points
QSOs: 80m CW - 4, 160m CW - 1, 40m CW - 3

My plan for this trip was to enjoy a more laid back schedule so I refused to rush over to Beinn na Lap and posted that I would be late onto the reflector. So at a leisurely pace I eventually reached the summit for about 2130.

Thanks to EI7CC, G4RQJ & GM0AXY who called in on 3.560MHz CW and gave me 559 and better reports meaning I was getting out ok, again using 20m of wire propped up clothesline style with my walking poles and fed against a 20m counterpoise. Then a more marginal QSO was had with SM6PWQ lower in the band. 10 mins of calling on SSB didn't raise anyone though. To finish off I worked OZ/DL6CKN/P on Top Band CW. I did bring some kit for 160m but being late I just tuned the same bit of wire with the ATU and it seemed to work ok giving me a 579 report into Denmark!

So in conclusion both 80m and 160m seem to work well as SOTA operating bands. All with the same bit of wire I've been using all this time as an end-fed 40m dipole!

A clear day dawned and I was very glad to have plenty of time before I needed to be down for the train; lying there in the early morning sun was bliss. DL6XAT, EI7CC, GM0VMV/P (on GM/SS-167) were worked from the sleeping bag on 40m CW at around 0730, the band being in a much better mood than the previous day!

Below is the view down to a very peaceful looking Loch Ossian.

After wandering down the hill and finding a nice sunbathing spot near Corrour Station I was able watch Robin, GM7PKT slogging up the self same hill, mainly identified by the sunlight glinting off the beam attached to his rucsac. I was able to let him know his progress up the hill on 2m FM before working him on the summit and then catching the train home.

The photo below shows the remoteness of Corrour Station, here dwarfed by Leum Ullieum (click on photo for larger version).

Here is the view out across Loch Ossian towards Ben Alder.

Ben Nevis & Carn Mor Dearg

30/31 July 2004

The weather wasn't quite as good as I was expecting. Instead I had clag most of the time so no nice photos (apart from one of the arete below). However, I managed to get a few Top Band qsos on Ben Nevis.

Carn Mor Dearg - GM/WS-003 - 1223m - 10 points
QSOs: 40m CW - 3, 2m FM - 1

This is normally a great place for a dramatic view of the north face of The Ben but unfortunately thick cloud was stubbornly hanging around the mountain. Got a view south towards the summits of my last trip, looking so different from this angle.

Arrived just before 1800bst and found a nice perch just south of the summit. 40m was strange with stations fading in and out fairly rapidly making it hard to find a clear frequency. However, a call on 7.028MHz with 1 watt quickly brought back G3OVL in Kings Lynn. No other G stations were heard but as usual the Netherlands were strong with good reports from PA0XAW & PA0FEN on 7.029MHz. Then worked Andy MM3USU on 2m FM but there were no more takers.

So then off around the Arete (see photo) and up the final slog to the summit of Ben Nevis.

Ben Nevis - GM/WS-001 - 1344m - 10 points
QSOs: 2m FM - 4, 160m CW - 7, 160m SSB - 1

First priority was to find a comfy bivi spot. That found I then set up my Mark II portable Top Band antenna, the main feature of which is a slinky (containing about 18m of wire) as a helical radiator, some more wire and a couple of radials. However, conditions sounded difficult so wandered up to 2m for a while where I worked GM4XQJ, MM3USU, MM0EMC & GM7PKT.

Back down on 160m at about 22:15 I heard John, G4YSS calling and we just about managed to complete a QSO on CW (1.836MHz) and then on SSB (1.846MHz). Hard work, only just made it but very satisfying to do a summit to summit for my first portable 160m QSO. Then after several attempts I was very pleased to work Pete, M0COP in Birmingham.

My main problem was S9+ noise with static crashes thrown in. Obviously using a vertical has its draw backs. Throughout the night I was able to faintly hear other CW stations calling but just too low down in the noise. My apologies to those stations - thanks for trying. Faintly in the background I heard "....keep trying....keep trying..." from G4YSS. Thanks for all the encouragment John!!

At midnight however things started to open up with good reports from Age PA0XAW, Bill G4EHT (Lichfield), Bob G3ITH (Dudley), Dave GW4GTE (Chester) and Bill GI3MMF (Belfast) on on 1.836 MHz CW. So although I had the 2m QSOs as a fall back it was good to get the qualifying number of contacts for Top Band.

I was very ready for sleep when I crawled into my sleeping bag at about 1ish. Again, emerging from the warmth was quite a battle in the morning but hearing the first voices from the summit hurried me on to disappear before the crowds arrived! Descent down the Pony Track to the Red Burn and then the bog trot to Torlundy.

I am already thinking about the Mark III antenna so expect another Top Band activation soon!