GB2MUL DX-PEDITION ISLE OF MULL 18TH SEPTEMBER 2010- 24TH SEPTEMBER 2010
Five members of the Middlesex DX Group are back from The Isle Of Mull. The Crew who went were Simon 2W0VAG John G0KLX Jason M1PRO Carl 2E1IDC Kevin G1KAW. We left the QTH of Carl 2E1IDC in Northolt at 7.00PM on friday evening and settled down for a 500 mile drive, good job we had a 17 seater minibus cos we filled it up and some. With a few ciggie and toilet breaks we made it to Oban on the west coast at 5.00am. The ferry office opened at 5.45 and we booked our tickets on the first ferry at 7.30. We had some fantastic weather on the journey up and the ferry crossing was just as good.
The first thing of great interest we spotted was Duart Castle, home of the Mclean clan for over 800 years. The drive from Craignure to our Cottage in West Carsig bay was different, single track road with passing places for 24 miles, who is going to pull over first. The last 4 mile were through open country and down hill very steep, glad it was dry because i forgot my trunks and we would have seen the see rather quicker than expected. We arrived at our cottage and took in the breathtaking views that lay before us.
Lacation Info IO76AH EU-008 WAB NM52 Scotia Award CN10 OS REF NM54521 56. 19 .31 North 5 . 58. 53 West World Lighthouse On The Air WLOTA REF 2485
We unloaded the mini bus and allocated rooms for differnt stations. HF was allocated the dining room and the 2,4,and 6m stations were put in the front room. Due to the fact that we arrived earl it enable us to get alot of the antenna work done on Saturday afternoon. By sunday lunchtime we were ready. 2x Scam 12 Masts. 17 ele for 144MHZ 4 and 6m Yagi Carolina Windom 80CW Jaybeam Yagi for 10, 15, and 20m Vertical for 80m
With great thanks tp Paul at Linear Amp Uk we were able to run 400watts all week long. Unfourtunately until you get to these locations you are unsure about operating and the layout. We had a 130 degree window which was not beaming in to solid volcanic rock. Appologies to all the stations that were calling and we did not hear you. Best bands were 80, 40, and 20m with some openings on others but very brisk. Over the five days we operated we racked up 2400 qso's on HF and had some super pileup's which were managed and dealt with. Next time we go away learn CW because my voice was in pieces by wednesday night. The equipment we had worked very well and had no problems or failiures Each trip away is a learning curve and hopefully we all learnt something this time lol. With very little time we had planned to Operate on EU-108, but with the best laid plans we did not go, bit we did take in some sight seeing and had a fabulous time. Our best DX was VK7 and we had a fantastic path in to South Africa with 20 odd qso's. The annoying thing was when someone told us that VK's were calling but nothing heard. Antenna system is on the change...
The 144MHZ Station consisted of aYaesu FT-736, Homebrew Linear with a pair of GI7B's, 17 Element Tonna and was run by G1KAW
The 6m and 4m Station was run by M1PRO and G0KLX The 4m station was a good sucess and consisted of Yaesu FT-897D and FT-817ND 4m Spectrum Communications transverter and 100Watt Linear, antenna was a 6 and 4m Yagi.
More To Follow..................
While away we did some tests with the 817ND and 897D on SSTV, BPSK-31. Overall a very enjoyable trip, we had a great time and would do it again.
QSL Info
Thanks for all the QSO'S
All QSL Cards will be handled by 2W0VAG either by the Buro or direct. All direct cards will need an IRC or $2 to cover postage. All stations worked will be sent a special QSL Card
Thankyou for all the cards that have arrived by post. Yhe QSL cards are goin to print in about two weeks due to work commitments.
2W0VAG 36 Jones Street, Tonypandy, Mid Glamorgan, CF40 2BY.
With special thanks to Paul from Linear Amp UK for the Supply of the Linear and ATU
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The Hf station consisted of, Yaesu FT-920, Linear AMP UK Challenger 3 Linear,SPC Supertuner.Logging was done using Ham radio Deluxe.
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