Sota Summit G/SP-002 Black Hill - Saturday 13th April 2013 (SE 078046)

Sota Summit G/SP-002 Black Hill - Saturday 13th April 2013 (SE 078046)

After such a great day the weekend before, it wasn't going to be long before we were back out again, some questions during the week about which day would be best weather wise. We picked Saturday.

Only three of us this time Denis, Graham and Myself, the route up taking us about an hour, there was still quite a bit of show about and some very muddy / boggy patches. The streams crossing the path being fun to cross.

We walked up following the pennine way, North to South to the 'trig point' on the summit.:-

The top of Black Hill is quite interesting, you might expect to see the trig point from some way off, but you are almost on top of it before you can see it.

Some views from the Summit ;

 Again I took my trusty, wouxun, and sota beam, 18 QSOs were soon, carried out. Put out a couple of CQs on 2m - nothing was coming back. The wind was now quite strong and it kept moving my beam back to the same direction.

I thought that it was about time I had some lunch and went over to see what Denis and Graham were upto.

I found Denis working a pileup on 40m - quite a number of people asking for his WAB Locator. Denis was using his homebrew 40m dipole and his FT-817 and on 5 watts was working Scotland, Ireland, and Parts of Europe.

Above showing Denis (M0USV) working 40m, (sotabeam in the back ground) and Graham (2E0TRU) (pictured) and myself causing some local QSB (HI).

Had a great time again, this Sota stuff is addictive ! Had quite a number of people stop and ask what we were doing, have to take some info next time !

Also had chance to use my map reading skills, was able to give help and advise to a number of walkers.

 

Sota Summit G/SP005 Pendle Hill - Saturday 6th April 2013

Well, I have been Hill Walking for years, and for a little over 2 1/2 years I held an Amateur Radio License. I had been up on a couple of Sota (Summits on the Air) hills before, but never activated them.

(see www.sota.org.uk ) for more information about Sota.

Well for a number of reasons we didn't, pick the quickest or the easiest route up. 

Our Route is pictured here :-

 
We had the afternoon to make the assent and activate the summit, I took with me my Wouxun KG-UVD1-p 5w on 2m FM and my sotabeam, (these were in addition to all the 'normal' safety equipment I take into the Hill). I had used the sotabeam a number of times before - so I was able to set it up quickly, and start some QSOs on 2m - they came flooding in.

After a short while the weather turned much colder and we started to pack up and make our way off the Hill. Stopping for a quick Photo at the 'trig point' before starting the journey back.

On the journey back we stopped to look at the cairn - in which there are a number of monument to Scouting - the one in the picture being of the 100 years (2007).

 Many thanks for a great day, to Denis M0USV, Graham 2E0TRU and Mick 2E0MKE. We are already planning the next Sota Summit.

Also thanks to Denis and Graham for the pictures and allowing me to share them.

New Diet

Well Started a 'new' diet on the 9th Feb, 2013.

Weight 87Kg

The main driver for this being my increasing use of Insulin, and not being able to get my average blood sugar below 7mmols.

Its a low carb diet with few rules.

Firstly its limited to a 20g carb intake a day. Also no Alcohol, no added sugar, and no carbonated drinks.

Most other things are allowed, butter, cheese, eggs, meat, low carb veg.

Well so far I am down in weight to 82.5 kg, last weeks blood sugar average was 6.4 mmols. The amount of insulin I am injection has fallen from 16 units x 5 per day of novo rapid and 25 units of Slow acting at night.

This is now 6 units x 5 per day and 15 units at night.

Do I feel good ?  you bet !

GPS Tracking

I have been looking at GPS tracking for some time, whilst my phone will do this sort of stuff I been looking at the following device.

Haven't got one yet to try.

Have a look at:

http://www.hamradio.co.uk/gadgets/mydel/mydel-ventus-g730-gps-logger-pd-3934.php

Asparagus!

Asparagus.

Even if the season is very short, English asparagus is always top quality and in my view is well worth the wait. It has an unbeatable freshness and flavour. Not like the stuff our supermarkets fly half way round the world.

I always try and get mine from a Farm shop / Farmers Market or a local market such as Chesterfield, Doncaster or Sheffield.

 I have to say that I like my asparagus lightly cooked and served with melted butter or a fresh poached egg, yum! – And if it does all get eaten I will often make an Asparagus risotto.

I just love the simple qualities of fresh seasonal food.

Amateur Radio

There are a few people I know that knock Amateur Radio and I not sure why, of course there is the view of the hobby as shown in the Simpsons but who takes that seriously?

I consider myself fortunate to have had contact with People all over the world on my radio. I found that they all are helpful and very friendly.

The BBC’s Motto is “Nation shall speak peace unto nation”

It’s really what I have found happens in Amateur Radio (or Ham Radio if you like).

51 QSOs on PSK31 in the last week.

All this was carried out, by getting my half size G5RV in place, not quite where I wanted it, but its working okay.

Station Details

Radio FT897
Interface ZLP
Aerial G5RV

Software HRD


QSL cards via www.eqsl.cc or via bureau.