Well done. When I was there in July the weather was terrible, and I only just managed to get a mast up. The rain was relentless and despite my best effort to keep my TX-500 dry it survived a lot of water. I modified my sota kit afterwards to take a small towel to dry off my radio in the future.
I think I must've been very lucky when I activated that one. But that drop into the valley is spectacular. Lovely part of the world. And I totally echo your point about others on the mountain.
Damn, have to admire your fortitude in taking on these summits - they look absolutely fantastic views and so good to see the QSO's coming in ! Thanks for an interesting video - really appreciate the upload.
Thanks. Given that I've been blown off my feet on every occasion that I've been up there, I think I'm going to give this summit the metaphorical two fingered salute by taking the kite up there next time!!!
All joking aside, the idea of taking the kite antenna up there had crossed my mind! Hell with it......if we really want to tempt fate on a summit which seems to be unlucky for me then maybe I should livestream it as well! Kite antenna while live on my bogie summit......what could possibly go wrong?!?!?!
Hi Fraser. Yep, had to leave that in there! You've known me & followed my channel long enough to know that if something goes wrong it generally makes it into the video, if only to give everyone a laugh at my misfortune (or stupidity as the case may be)! As you said, third time lucky. I'll give it another go and I WILL get it right the third time round!!!
I have a Motorola Bullet satellite emergency transceiver module for if I get stuck. They aren't massively expensive (£160 or so) and can either be used standalone as an SOS button or paired with a mobile to send SMS via satellite either for emergencies or just to let people know where you are / are safe via satellite. I'm not off-grid very often, but it is nice to know I have a backup should I need it.
Sounds like it does the same thing as the Zoleo, which is what I carry? I rarely use it but it's handy to have in case things do ever go badly wrong. The SMS function can also be used for sending SOTA & POTA spots, which is handy if you are doing an activation in a location with no mobile signal.
Good video and I'm sure that filming while on the ascent of any summit helps others who may be thinking of doing an activation. Glad you didn't edit out the camera falling over 😂 73 Chris M0RSF
Hopefully our videos will help a few people who might be thinking about taking on some of these summits. As for not editing out the camera falling over, you often don't get a sense on camera of just how windy it is (especially if the mic has a decent windshield on it), so I felt like leaving that in kinda demonstrated the point! I also like to include outtakes in the video for people to have a laugh at. If it goes wrong it generally ends up in the video!
Hi John. I know people do take shelters for SOTA activations. It's something that I have considered but it's more equipment to carry & set up. Generally my activations last between 30 minutes & an hour. In most cases you can get away with putting on some warm layers and then sticking on waterproofs over the top. If I was doing an extended activation then it might be worth taking a lightweight shelter but for a short activation I question whether it's worth the extra time, weight & effort. The other problem is that setting up a shelter on the summit can draw a lot of attention (more so than setting up a small aerial such as a loaded vertical), especially on summits patrolled by wardens. I generally try to be as low profile as possible.
Well done. When I was there in July the weather was terrible, and I only just managed to get a mast up. The rain was relentless and despite my best effort to keep my TX-500 dry it survived a lot of water. I modified my sota kit afterwards to take a small towel to dry off my radio in the future.
I think I must've been very lucky when I activated that one. But that drop into the valley is spectacular. Lovely part of the world. And I totally echo your point about others on the mountain.
Cracking activation James. Just an idea, promoting What 3 Words may be of help to lost souls......
Good man James 👍
Thanks Tim. One day I will activate this particular summit without getting rained upon or blown off my feet!!!
Damn, have to admire your fortitude in taking on these summits - they look absolutely fantastic views and so good to see the QSO's coming in ! Thanks for an interesting video - really appreciate the upload.
Thanks. Given that I've been blown off my feet on every occasion that I've been up there, I think I'm going to give this summit the metaphorical two fingered salute by taking the kite up there next time!!!
Should have taken the kite antenna James, you could have flown home🤣. Seriously, admire your dedication to the SOTA cause buddy 🤘
All joking aside, the idea of taking the kite antenna up there had crossed my mind!
Hell with it......if we really want to tempt fate on a summit which seems to be unlucky for me then maybe I should livestream it as well!
Kite antenna while live on my bogie summit......what could possibly go wrong?!?!?!
@@AmateurRadioUK 🤣🤣🤣
I'm glad you left the bit in when the camera fell over James. 😂
Third time lucky?
Cheers, Fraser MM0EFI
Hi Fraser. Yep, had to leave that in there!
You've known me & followed my channel long enough to know that if something goes wrong it generally makes it into the video, if only to give everyone a laugh at my misfortune (or stupidity as the case may be)!
As you said, third time lucky. I'll give it another go and I WILL get it right the third time round!!!
I have a Motorola Bullet satellite emergency transceiver module for if I get stuck. They aren't massively expensive (£160 or so) and can either be used standalone as an SOS button or paired with a mobile to send SMS via satellite either for emergencies or just to let people know where you are / are safe via satellite.
I'm not off-grid very often, but it is nice to know I have a backup should I need it.
Sounds like it does the same thing as the Zoleo, which is what I carry?
I rarely use it but it's handy to have in case things do ever go badly wrong.
The SMS function can also be used for sending SOTA & POTA spots, which is handy if you are doing an activation in a location with no mobile signal.
Good video and I'm sure that filming while on the ascent of any summit helps others who may be thinking of doing an activation. Glad you didn't edit out the camera falling over 😂
73 Chris M0RSF
Hopefully our videos will help a few people who might be thinking about taking on some of these summits.
As for not editing out the camera falling over, you often don't get a sense on camera of just how windy it is (especially if the mic has a decent windshield on it), so I felt like leaving that in kinda demonstrated the point!
I also like to include outtakes in the video for people to have a laugh at. If it goes wrong it generally ends up in the video!
Thanks for sharing James. Do you not bring a little pop up tent for shelter, or is it not practical?
Hi John. I know people do take shelters for SOTA activations.
It's something that I have considered but it's more equipment to carry & set up.
Generally my activations last between 30 minutes & an hour. In most cases you can get away with putting on some warm layers and then sticking on waterproofs over the top.
If I was doing an extended activation then it might be worth taking a lightweight shelter but for a short activation I question whether it's worth the extra time, weight & effort.
The other problem is that setting up a shelter on the summit can draw a lot of attention (more so than setting up a small aerial such as a loaded vertical), especially on summits patrolled by wardens.
I generally try to be as low profile as possible.
Isn't that typical English weather? 73 de Nic ON4MGY
Yes but complaining about it is our favourite national pass time!!!