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Monday 25 February 2013

GW/SW 009 & 015



Mynydd Llangorse (GW/SW-015) - 515m, 2 points
Association: Wales  Region: South Wales  
Latitude: 51 55 56 N, Longitude: 3 13 28 W
Grid Reference: SO 159267, QTH Locator: IO81JW



Mynydd Troed (GW/SW-009) - 609m, 4 points
Association: Wales  Region: South Wales  
Latitude: 51 57 21 N, Longitude: 3 12 54 W
Grid Reference: SO 166293, QTH Locator: IO81JW 







For this weekends activation the Aberdare Amateur Radio Society SOTA group decided to do a 'double' activation of Mynydd Troed and Mynydd Llangorse. These are situated next to each other and located in the Black Mountains region of the Brecon Beacons National Park (Approx 2 miles North East of the village of Llangorse) . Present at the activations were Mal (GW6OVD) and Andy (GW7RKC).



We set out from our start point in Aberdare at around 9.30 am. And arrived at the parking site for the summits (SO 16072 28330) at around 10:30. The final approach to this parking is by narrow country lanes which had several patches of treacherous ice caused by water runoff from nearby fields so caution is advised. Limited parking is available on both sides of the road.







View back toward car park, Mynydd Troed in distance

We wasted no time in getting our kit together and set off toward the peak of Mynydd Llangorse.

















Mal on the trail to SW015
This was the lower of the two summits at 534 meters (2 points) and has a fairly steep but well defined path which made for rapid progress.



















Nearing the summit, view to South East
 Weather conditions were overcast and a cool -1 degrees although fortunately dry with no rain forecast all day.




















Mal operating on SW-015
We reached the summit just before 11am and found a convenient dip in the terrain which served to shelter us from the cold wind which invariably exists on peaks at this time of year. We quickly set up our groundsheets and equipment and were soon operating the station.









Business was brisk with plenty of stations calling in including summit to summit contacts from Mike (2E0YYY/P) on G/SP-004 (Shining Tor) and Barry (MW0IML/P) on GW/NW-047 (Mwdwl-eithin). By mid-day we had full log pages and being aware that we still had another summit to do we decided to pack up and make our way back to the car park. There we had some refreshments and set off toward the summit of Mynydd Troed.





The approach to this mountain starts with a gentle slope but rapidly becomes very steep and frequent breaks were required to catch our breath, steady progress was made and we arrived at the summit around 13:00 hrs.



Looking back at Mynydd Langorse (on right) from Mynydd Troed



Again we scouted around and found another dip in the terrain which would give some respite from the cold wind, without this we would have much less time to operate before we got too cold.



Operating on Mynydd Troed, a smattering of snow is visible on the ground.


Business was again brisk and we activated in no time. A particular highlight for me was a trio of summit to summit contacts with Gordon (M0OMG) on G/SP-017 (Billinge Hill),  Mike (2E0YYY/P) on G/SP-004 (Shining Tor) and  Andy (G4AFI/P) on G/WB-003 (Stiperstones).




As always we'd like to thank all the stations that helped us with our activation.
73 


Andy - GW7RKC





View roughly South from Mynydd Troed toward Mynydd Llangorse and Llangorse Lake




My Logs for the activations









Friday 22 February 2013

GW/SW-012



Summit Information for GW/SW-012
Coity Mountain - 581m, 2 points
Association: Wales  Region: South Wales   
Latitude: 51 45 55 N, Longitude: 3 6 56 W
Grid Reference: SO 231080, QTH Locator: IO81KS










TimeCallBandModeNotes
11:25zGW0PLN144MHzFMPETER
11:28zM0JLA144MHzFMROD
11:29zG4ENZ144MHzFMMARTIN
11:30zM1JMH144MHzFMJOHN
11:33zMW1AND144MHzFMMEL
11:34zM0IBC144MHzFMDAVE
11:36zG4STH144MHzFMTIM
11:39zG4YLO144MHzFMHAZEL
11:41zG4WUH144MHzFMIAN
11:43zG4WTF144MHzFMIAN
11:45zGW1PKM144MHzFMPAUL
11:47zG4KPM144MHzFMMALCOLM
11:53zG0RQL144MHzFMDON
11:55zGW8JLY144MHzFMLYN
11:58zG3LVP144MHzFMKEN
11:59zMW6TBU144MHzFMMAL
12:11zM6CJE144MHzFMDAVE
12:15zMW6ZAN144MHzFMPETER
12:20z2W0RHI144MHzFMTONY

Saturday 16 February 2013

GW/SW 006 & 007



 GW/SW-006
Fan Gyhirych - 725m, 6 points  
Latitude: 51 51 33 N, Longitude: 3 37 35 W
Grid Reference: SN 881191, QTH Locator: IO81EU


 GW/SW-007
Fan Nedd - 663m, 4 points  
Latitude: 51 51 12 N, Longitude: 3 34 46 W
Grid Reference: SN 913184, QTH Locator: IO81FU 



Our starting point for today's activation is SN 923 190 near the standing stone where the  parking is very limited.
After crossing the stile, Phil and Ian headed SW towards the summit of Fan Ned, while Andy and I headed NW, following the dry stone wall.  Its only a short walk from here until we came to main path that cuts around the base of the mountain.  After about 2k we crossed some boggy ground in the valley and headed up to the west until we met the gravel track.  This track leads almost to the summit of Fan Gyhirych and has quite a gradual climb.  As we reached SN 893 191 we left the track and headed directly for the summit, around 5k from our starting point.  
After establishing contact with Phil & Ian who had just finished setting up on Fan Nedd,  we quickly set up our station and were on air for 11.40. 
After activating the summit we set off towards Fan Nedd to meet up with Phil & Ian, and activate our second summit of the day.
As it took us around 80 minutes to reach our second summit, Phil had made many contacts and was very glad of a break.  
The equipment was all set up so Andy and I wasted no time getting started.  Conditions were good and we soon made enough contacts for our second activation including one in Anglesey.  
By this time we were all getting a little chilly and we decided to start our descent back to the car for a nice hot cup of tea.
Many thanks to all stations who helped with our activation of Fan Gyhirych and Fan Nedd


View from Fan Gyhirych


Fan Gyhirych




Mal  GW6OVD





                           





                   Andy GW7RKC













Fan Nedd
from the south east
(our next port of call)









GPS Tracklog





Phil's log


Time Call Band Mode Notes
11:36z GW4SXA 144MHz FM 5/9+ PAUL
11:37z GW0SFI 144MHz FM 5/9+
11:38z MW6GNA 144MHz FM 5/9 ANGELA
11:39z GW0WLQ 144MHz FM 5/7 ROB IO81G0
11:42z GW6OVD/P 144MHz FM 5/9+ SUM SUM GWSW006
11:43z GW7RKC/P 144MHz FM 5/9+ SUM SUM GWSW006
11:51z 2E0YYY/P 144MHz FM 5/9+ GW/B 004
11:54z M0YDH 144MHz FM 5/9
11:55z M6GGZ 144MHz FM 5/9+ THOMAS
11:57z MW1AND/P 144MHz FM 5/9 MEL
11:59z G0RQL 144MHz FM 5/9 DON
12:00z M0IBC 144MHz FM 5/9+20DB DAVE @ DUDDLEY
12:02z G0LGS 144MHz FM STUART 5/5
12:04z MW6GWR/P 144MHz FM 5/2 NW063
12:07z G0BKU 144MHz FM 5/9
12:08z 2E0NVJ 144MHz FM 5/2
12:09z 2E0MDJ 144MHz FM 5/5 MATT
12:12z GW4VPX 144MHz FM 5/4 ALUN
12:13z MW3AVB 144MHz FM 5/9
12:15z M6JCE 144MHz FM 5/9 JULAN
12:20z 2W0GME 144MHz FM 5/7 GARETH
12:22z G0XCF 144MHz FM 5/9+ +15DB COLIN
12:33z GW1MNC 144MHz FM 5/9 ALEX








12:34z MW0CXH 144MHz FM 5/9 PETER
12:36z GW0VFF 144MHz FM 5/9 STEVE
12:39z M6PMZ/M 144MHz FM 5/7
12:40z G3XQE 144MHz FM KEN
13:02z 2W0XYL/P 144MHz FM 5/4 SUM SUM NW028
13:03z MW0IML 144MHz FM 4/2
13:15z M0TSD 144MHz FM STEVE 5/5
13:17z M0TSR 144MHz FM 5/5 SIMON CLUB CALL
13:18z MW0UAA 144MHz FM
13:25z GW7CSK 144MHz FM 5/9 DAVE
13:27z 2E0UHL 144MHz FM 5/5 MARK
13:32z G3XOB 144MHz FM DAVE 5/9



Friday 15 February 2013

G/SC-001


Dunkery Beacon - 519m, 2 points
Association: England  Region: South Central   
Latitude: 51 9 46 N, Longitude: 3 35 14 W
Grid Reference: SS 891415, QTH Locator: IO81ED 
Today's Sunrise: 07:24 UTC, Today's Sunset: 17:32 UTC


My starting point for today's activation is SS904 420.  Here there is parking for 5 or 6 cars and a well established path direct to the summit, which is 1.3Km away with just 70 meters of accent.
A very easy walk with great views across the moors and out over the Bristol Channel
A good site for VHF with plenty of room for antennas so it wasn't long before I managed to activate the summit.
There is an plaque at the summit showing direction and distance to many points of interest, one of which being Sugarloaf Mountain (SW-011) some 52 miles away which our group activated the previous weekend.
Many thanks to all stations listed below for their help in activating G/SC-001










Log for GW6OVD/P


TimeCallBandModeNotes
11:08zMW0TOX144MHzFMBaz
11:20zGW0UHO144MHzFMPeter
11:25zMW1AND144MHzFMMel
11:26zM0NAA144MHzFMGordon
11:28zM0HCT144MHzFMMartin
11:30zG0VFK144MHzFMMike
11:35zMW0BBU144MHzFMSteve
11:37zG4YLO144MHzFMHazel
11:40zG0RQL144MHzFMDon
11:43zM0IBC144MHzFMDave
11:45zG4ILI144MHzFMGrant
11:48zG1EIX144MHzFMHarry
11:51zG4EBL144MHzFMRalph
11:54zMW0SFI144MHzFMBaz
11:55z2E0MDJ144MHzFMMatt