From 14:00 UTC Saturday to 14:00 UTC Sunday on the 5th and 6th of July 2008
The VHF/UHF 24 hr Contest is around again, and not a thing planned for a good weekend on radio out in the wild!
It had been a number of years since we took part in the VHF/UHF 24hr Contest. Being as there is a little bit of enthusiasm in the club this year, it would be nice to go on a 24hr contest again I heard them saying, or was I hearing things? I must say this was when we had fine weather! What am I talking about fine weather? Go back to sleep I hear you say. Well we organised it anyway.
Some of us went mad and bought a mobile windup tower. Then we had to have a radio, an Icom IC-7800 would do the job! Gosh! No not for Field Days! Well maybe if someone sponsored it! We would be assured of a good turn out the first Field Day and that’s for sure. What about the Yaesu FT-2000 D 200W? As Waters and Stanson in PW August 2008 says “it is almost having a 2 el. Yagie for FREE”.
Ah yes we could do with that! Well we settled for a second hand Yaesu 897 HF + 6m, 2m, 70cm, CW, SSB, AM, FMN and FMW. An ideal base portable radio and bomb proof! “We will see!” We are well away now I can hear you say. Will we hold it on the site where we won “The Thomond Shield” in 2001? Or is it going to be our usual place on the top of the mountain overlooking Kiltamagh and nearly level with the tower at Knock Airport….I mean I.W.A.K!? I checked out the site we used in 2001. It all came flooding back to me now, not much changed there only there is less turf cut and harvested and the road has deeper potholes. I know because I was through the most of them! The site is wonderful for radio, not an electric wire or radio mast in sight or for miles around. The only high ground is to the West and North of this site and with great take off out over Lough Mask to the South and East, I was pleased with the location. There would be a lot of travelling to get there, but it would be worth the effort.
News broke that the Hollymount Vintage Rally was on that Sunday 6th July. We are regulars at the Show for a number of years, so we would have to attend to keep our place (competition is great)!
Saturday 5th July arrived; in the morning it was raining so heavy you could not let out your dog! Some lads had work commitments and other problems that came up that had to be attended too. And then there was only three. Will we or wont we? That was the question at 1.o clock? We decided to give it a go, and opted for our usual site overlooking Kiltamach (IO53LU).
We knew that the ground would be wet and we may not get to our highest point with the automobiles, but with a push from John EI7FAB, I got into position alongside Jimmy EI2GCB and John EI7FAB, let’s not worry about getting out!. It was the first time putting the entire jigsaw together. Thank God it was dry with little or no wind. It was after 16.00 before we were ready to put a station in the log. First call on 50.150 for a radio check got SK2AT with a report and serial number 59001. YES! 6 meters was open! Forgot the clamp for the 70 cm aerial…. I know how the person that invented the cable tie felt once! At about 18.00, Padraic Jnr EI5IX arrived, with help from Jimmy EI2GCB giving the directions. A lot of stations worked on 6 meters and 2 meters into Europe, with Scotland and England on 70 cm. There were good conditions for radio for the few hours we were operating and I only wished we could wait for longer. “The bug has bitten” we will be back! We dismantled and packed away all again, it would have to be put up again the next day at the Vintage Show in Hollymount.
Ready for leaving or so I thought? “SUGAR” my battery was flat and my wheels were sinking into the soft ground! A lonesome place without jump leads! I wondered why Jimmy EI2GCB kept starting his jeep and leaving it running every so often!! It only happens on Field Days! Hi Hi. After having an interesting day in the VHF/UHF Contest, the beautiful evening sun was setting in the northwest when we started to move off the top of the mountain. Would we have time for a PINT??!!.... Better eat first though!
Many thanks to the lads who took part; Jimmy EI2GCB, John EI7FAB, ,Padraic EI9JA and Padraic EI5IX, who made up the EI7MRE/P team for the Contest.
Roll on the next Field Day
Maybe IOTA 2008? Sure there is not an island in sight! Forgot! I am inside and it’s dark out there. How about going to Jamaica? 6Y/EI7MRE! http://www.6y1v.com Just bring your toothbrush! any takers?
I think we are late for this years contest!! There are a few enquires ahead of us! Ah well sure there is always next year, I am sure it’s not going to go away.
“dah di dah”
73s
Padraic EI9JA
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