We had a Whale of a time

If you follow K4SWL’s blog / YouTube, you’ll know he’s on a bag purchasing trip holiday in Scotland. Not wanting to miss out on an opportunity to meet Thomas, and do an activation together, I organised a meet-up at GM/SS-280, North Berwick Law, as that was a good midpoint between everyone (and also that badge). Everyone being Fraser, MM0EFI and Neil, G7UFO, and of course myself.

The A1 traffic in the south held Neil and Thomas up a bit but it wasn’t too long before we were all ready for this East Lothian DXexpedition. After a lot of nattering in the car park we eventually set off.

It’s a short walk, but pretty steep straight up to the top, with a myriad of paths, and we’re soon at the top enjoying the views. We had a brief shower before setting off but it was dry and we had reasonable visibility all around. Alan, MM0VPM, was out on GM/SS-182 down the road, and we heard him calling CQ on 2m as we were walking up, and we promised to call for many S2Ss once we got to the top.

Good views all round!

I had the HT out and we tuned back into 145.450 to see if Alan was still about, only to then hear him working a big contingent in Edinburgh, of Andy MM7MOX, Paul MM0RTO, Pete GM7EEY and Steve MM7STT. Once they were done we then worked Alan and then a big parcel the parcel as Fraser, Thomas and I worked everyone else on 2m as well. Great to get everyone!

With the summit already qualified, we split up to setup our own stations to see who else was about on the bands - plus to get a few more for the POTA.

I continued 2m FM with the wee ft-90 and slim g, just perched on an outcrop down from the summit, and found another 5 contacts on 2m.

Thomas had his KH1 out, just standing round the other side, working Europe and NA on 20m, 17m and 15m.

Neil setup on the west side of the summit, doing sideband on 40, 20 and 17. This was actually Neil’s first SOTA activation, and he won the prize for best mast mount. Just don’t go expecting similar options on your next summit!

Fraser had brought his tiny QMX ft8 setup and was working some data whilst sunbathing, and tripping up unobservant dog walkers.

Everyone was thoroughly satisfied with their activation and whilst the weather and views still held up, lunchtime was long overdue and so it was time to head back down. Whilst only a small hill, I didn’t want everyone to miss out on some Scottish scrambling, and so I led us literally straight down across sheet rock and chest high grasses (to continue our conversation of ticks from earlier in the day). But all was well, and we, eventually, made our way to The Ship Inn to enjoy a well earnt lunch!

A great day out, and great to meet Neil and Thomas in person. Hopefully not too far off until the next activation together, wherever that ends up being. Enjoy the rest of your holiday Thomas, and I’m looking out for Neil’s next spot from a SOTA summit! 😅

Also on the reflector.

Thomas wrote up the day as well on his blog. Plus accompanying video: