This weekend Dave M0TAZ took part in the 144 MHz trophy contest as well as a few HF stations in the RSGB HF SSB Field day from the Bunker site. He kindly provided this report.

The contest attracts activity from all over Europe, and on Sunday it also coincides with the low power back packer series. The contest has a number of categories from 24 hours to 6 hours. Dave M0TAZ decided to opt for a casual entry on Saturday only, operating for just under 4 Hrs. The contest was very busy, with a lot of high power multi-antenna UK stations with exceptional signals.

Using a Icom IC-7100 with 50w and a 12m mast supporting a 9-element tonna, Dave was able to work 41 stations.

Some DX highlights for the day was

DL0GTH in JN50 @741 KM.
DA0FF in JN40 @ 688 KM
DL0GM in JO31 @520 KM

You can view the claimed scores here: http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/claim.pl?Contest=144MHz%20Trophy&year=2014

On Sunday, Dave decided to work a few HF stations, the RSGB SSB Field day continued
until 2PM local, so set up a simple station using 100w from the Icom into a doublet antenna 20m per leg fed with 300 Ohm ribbon cable.

With the able assistance of Fred G3SVK we worked 35 stations quickly before getting sidetracked by some JA stations calling on 21 MHz.

After a few calls I was able to work:

JA7NVF
JA1OGI
JM1PLN

I also operated on 5 MHz and was able to work Mal G3KEV/p in Scarborough and Peter G4LNA in Hertfordshire.

A map showing the QSO completed on 144 MHz is available here:  https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/kml_files/2014/ONatUP7C7ck9GURxR8dAElXIfGezADV

Dave M0TAZ

Members of the contest group took to the air this weekend operating for the 2014 VHF national field day.  Members activated 4 bands, 6 metres, 4 metres, 2 metres and 70 centimetres.

Two masts were used.  Pictured below are the 6 metre and 2 metre antennas on the SCAM 12 metre mast.
During the 24 hours of activity, starting 2pm UTC on Saturday, we managed to rack up 20 QSOs on 50 MHz, 53 QSOs on 70 MHz, 76 QSOs on 144 MHz and 24 QSOs on 432 MHz (173 QSOs total). Maps of the QSOs made are shown below for the 4 bands.

50 MHz

70 MHz

144 MHz

432 MHz

Members of the contest group took to the air this weekend operating for the 2014 50 MHz Trophy Cup.  Equipment was an Icom IC-7700 transceiver, 6-element 6 metre beam and 12 metre SCAM pneumatic mast.

50 MHz 6-element beam

During the 24 hours of activity, starting 2pm UTC on Saturday, we managed to rack up around 150 QSOs in conditions which where a little above average.  Best DX was a tie between EA8 and IZ1 both very close to 3000 km.  Splashes of sporadic-E were noticed, but these patches where few and far between (hence sporadic!).

Map of QSOs:

This event was similarly organised to the previous event.  Just a few of us run the event other the weekend, with a few others from the club helping out.  No photos of this event, but some breakdown of the 393 QSOs made.

The map below shows some of the contacts made.  Locations were taken from QRZ,com and so not all worked stations are on the map.

Map of some of the stations worked

Below, a breakdown of the bands used and the number of QSOs made.

Crude analysis of contacts made by mode of operation.

At about 5pm, Spencer M0STO and Peter G0IAP converged on the grass outside the main mast at GB0SNB.  In their usual style, George M1GEO and Chris G8OCV were late delayed by around 1 hour by collecting their caravan.  Kevin M0TBX and others arrived some time later since they were coming from work.

George’s car was pretty full

Spencer and Peter had made a good start on the beam construction, while Chris and George were levelling the caravan and setting up the awning as a shack.

Spencer drinking a tea with the antenna parts in the background

By the time the mast had been erected, it was dark, and the generator was running some halogen lamps for the final stages.

Members help guide the Cushcraft ASL 2010 up on the SCAM12, with Diamond F-23 colinear atop.

Once erected and inflated, the mast was locked in position.  We checked the antennas functioned and went to sleep.  We awoke around 6:30am to try and get some DX into the log.  While operating, we erected the other SCAM mast with a 4 metre antenna.

The field weekend setup near the bunker’s original tower site

After some initial contacts, it became apparent that there was an intermittent connection on the Cushcraft ASL 2010.  Spencer volunteered to adjust the antenna.

Spencer standing on the car roof adjusting the beam

Strike a pose

Once the adjustments were made, we went inside to operate.

Members listen in as Steve G8PMU operates 4 metres

Icom IC7700 comprises the HF station

Below, Fred G3SVK operates the key on 17 metres, beaming towards Japan.

Fred operates 17 metres CW

Some preventative maintenance on the generator during the weekend; Here Graham M0PAX and George fill the generator with fuel, while Spencer checks the oil level.

Tending to the generator

In total, there were 280 QSOs made that weekend, covering all areas of the globe.  The map below shows some of the contacts made.  Locations were taken from QRZ,com and so not all worked stations are on the map.

Map of some of the stations worked

Below, a breakdown of the bands used and the number of QSOs made.

Crude analysis of contacts made by mode of operation.  FM mostly comprised of 4m and 2m activities although there were a couple of HF FM contacts on 10 metres.

A hurriedly organised event at a Wednesday club night saw members meeting at the bunker for a field day on the 15 March 2014.  We arrived early morning, with Spencer M0STO arriving at 7:30am.  Other members arrived about 9am.  We erected a small day-tent, the SCAM12 mast, and a 4 element tri-bander HF beam.

Higher HF bands QRV via Spencer M0STO‘s yagi

Members outside the day tent chatting

Most operating was done on 10 metres FM since, and the GB0SNB callsign achieved a good pile-up with plenty of activity.  Dave M0TAZ called into the club top-band net from his car (although not /M).

Dave M0TAZ operates top-band portable from his car boot with fishing rod antenna

Steve G8PMU brought a crazy looking 4 metre antenna and some good contacts were made.

Steve G8PMU works some nice DX on 4 metres with Clansman

Dave G7UVW and Steve G8PMU pose with Clansman radios on back-packs.

Steve G8PMU poses with Clansman

David G7UVW with clansman was pedestrian mobile on 160 metres!

Pictures taken by Chris G8OCV.