A small but dedicated group of members of the Lothians Radio Society took part in VHF NFD from our usual site in the hills near Gatehouse of Fleet on the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway on July 3-4. Using the Lothians' distinctive callsign GM3HAM/P, operation was on 6m, 2m and 70cm. The operators were Mike GM4IGS, Alan GM3PSP, Robin GM4YPL, Colin GM4HWO, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF, Stuart MM3TZP, Brian GM4DIJ, SWL MIchael.


On the Saturday there were excellent Es conditions on 6m, allowing DX working into Europe, and good inter-G working plus Belgium and Holland on 2m and 70cm. Unfortunately disaster struck at 7:30 am on Sunday morning when a violent 60 mph squall and downpour brought down the 6m beam and the main operations tent, causing our event to be curtailed at that point. We spent a miserable three hours in driving rain rescuing the equipment and packing up. It had been planned to operate 4m on the Sunday after reconfiguring the 6m yagi to 4m. It is rumoured that one member had to drive home in his PJs and that another had sworn to buy a pair of waterproof trousers asap!  

 

RESULTS - FINAL:

BAND   QSOs   POINTS    Best DX     Dist. km   LOC  

  50       125   104,095      5B4AIF        3584      KM64  - 1st place in 50 MHz Restricted Section - cert. below. 

144       147     45,046      ON65EM/P    715      JO20  

432        39      11,440       PA6NL          635      JO21 

Total     311    160,581                                                      - 1st place in Scotland Restricted Section - cert. below.

 Photographs by Brian GM4DIJ and Alan GM3PSP:

 

The 9-element 6m beam after assembly on Friday evening.

Great view to the W & SW out into the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man. 

 

Preparing to erect the 9-element 6m beam.

 

Brian GM8BJF & Pete GM4BYF struggling with the 2m beam.

 

  

Some final adjustments to the feeder for the 2m beam.

L-R: Stuart MM3TZP, Pete GM4BYF, SWL Michael & Colin GM4HWO.

 

L-R: the 6m, 2m and 70cm beams, all ready to go.

 

L-R: Brian GM4DIJ, Pete GM4BYF & Brian GM8BJF planning contest tactics

in the Masonic Arms in Gatehouse of Fleet on Friday evening.

 

Meanwhile Colin GM4HWO was renewing his friendship

with George & Bruno, "regulars" in the bar with their owner Jock. 

(See photos of the 2010 Microwave Contest).

 

Once again, Colin GM4HWO cooked a sumptuous breakfast of bacon and

black pudding on Saturday morning.

 

Brian GM8BJF busy on 70cm.

 

L-R: Brian GM4DIJ & Mike GM4IGS working DX on 6m during a great Es opening.

 

Later, Mike GM4IGS & Alan GM3PSP continuing the good work on 6m.

 

L-R: Stuart Wright MM3TZP and SWL Michael Flynn did a great job on 2m.

  

Pete GM4BYF on 70cm.

 

Plenty of space for the 70cm (L) and 2m (R) stations in the large operating tent.

 

Robin GM4YPL on 70cm.

 

It was fish suppers all round on Saturday evening.

Looks like Stuart MM3TZP enjoyed his.

 

Brian GM8BJF still working 'em on 70cm.

 

L-R: Mike GM4IGS & Colin GM4HWO on 2m.

 

Last view of the complete antenna farm on Saturday evening.

 

 

Night starting to fall on Saturday evening.

 

On Sunday morning a violent storm blew up, flattening the main operating tent.......

 

 ..... and demolishing the 9-element 6m beam which had performed so well the previous day.

It was to have been converted to a 4m beam for operation on Sunday. Ah well, c'est la vie!