The participants in Net #58 on 12th May 2021 were: Colin GM4HWO (controller), Melvyn GM4HYR, Briain GM8PKL, Peter GM4DTH, Norrie GM1CNH, Pete GM4BYF, Brian GM8BJF (Peebles), Mike GM8KCS, Steve GM7UAU (Greenock) & Peter GM0PXV.
There was quite a lot of discussion of the plans for this weekend’s 2m portable contest from Gatehouse of Fleet, which is not reported here. Colin had installed a 2m FM rig in his red Landrover and would be on-site by 3pm on Friday. It was concluded that the proposed D/F Hunt would not take place in late-May due to pub limitations. Melvyn had been away for a few weeks and now had car-brake problems. Briain’s amplifier was now OK. He measured the net frequency as 144.350.020. Peter DTH was hearing Brian BJF at 4&2 with Brian’s antenna at 45 degrees. Norrie had been busy maintaining the contest check-list and was looking forward to the weekend. Pete had been on the 70cm contest last night but it was “dire” with aircraft scatter being useful. He did work G3XDY in Ipswich. There was an aurora the previous afternoon when he worked 10 stations including SM4GGC. He was hopeful that the LRS BBQ could take place at “Bates Motel” on 23rd June. Brian was running an amp to his antenna at 45 degrees and was audible by most. He had received the PCBs for synthesisers. Mike worked Toby MM0TSS/M as usual today. He noted a number of military aircraft today, probably in connection with a major exercise out of RAF Brize Morton. The “Phantom Jammer” wide-band scatter was very bad today. Alan will listen out for GM3HAM/P at the weekend. Brian BJF was very readable tonight at “5&0” on his S-meter!. There were two call-ins after the net had officially closed: Steve GM7UAU in Greenock who had listened to the net, but could not hear GM4HYR, GM1CNH or GM8BJF. Peter GM0PXV had held back as he did not want to interrupt the ‘contest’ talk! E&OE. Regret no audio recording of this net.