BATC Forum

Hi Peter,

As previously posted, unfortunately we will be away for the activity weekend.

However, I will be out portable next Saturday (3rd September) from either Long Mynd IO82NN or Clee Hill IO82QJ both in Shropshire - these are both very high (1,500+ Ft) and should be able to work over 100 Kms in most directions on 146 MHz - see below.

What bands etc will be determined nearer the time.

73

Noel - G8GTZ

Noel, I was thinking of going to Winter Hill in Lancashire (IO83RO94) next Saturday to try to receive 3cm RB-TV from you and also try a two-way on 2m. The 144MHz Trophy Contest starts at 3 o'clock and there will probably be others up there, so I wouldn't be popular. It might be OK if we get the timing right.

Clee Hill looks better than Long Mynd. What's the exact location of the Clee Hill site?

Brian

Hi Brian,

Winter Hill is a 137 Km path from Clee Hill and should be (too!) easy on 146MHz (127 dB) and go on 10 GHz (154 dB). Long Mynd is closer @ 122Km and 120 dB on 146 and 154 dB on 10 GHz (free space loss?).

I've accurately marked the Clee Hill site on the Google map https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid= ... -HE2sxqL0c There are 2 spots you can see on Google Earth - the main car park, but that is shielded to the North, and another spot further up the road which partially gets round the hill to the North.

Clee Hill is not as good to the North as Long Mynd but there is an issue getting permission to use Long Mynd as the NT bylaws prohibit masts and aerials but John G7ACD who lives locally is trying to get permission. There is a 3rd site (Brown Clee) which also needs permission which is better than Clee Hill to the north but not as good as Long Mynd.
This picture shows a comparison on 146 MHz between Long Mynd (brown) and Clee Hill purple - areas where both cover are red. This shows there are a couple of sites further north near Lancaster or even in the Lake District which would go, particularly if I get on to Long Mynd.

Yes, there is a big 144 MHz contest and also SSB field day next weekend so potentially we could operate 146 Mhz in the morning and 10 GHz in the afternoon.

Shaun VPG and Dave GKQ are also planning to go out "down south" and the weather and tropo forecasts don't look too bad for the weekend.

73
Noel - G8GTZ

I have not decided where from yet but i might to get out Sat 3rd also.
Looks like the lake district sites in range are all on top of big hills with no roads, need to find a good site over there sometime.

Brown Clee would be good but not sure on access, I work the guys from there on 3cm often.

Rob

Noel, is it possible to output the diagram as a Google Maps overlay? It would make looking for suitable roads much easier.

I think I'll stick with Winter Hill, as I haven't been there before and I'll probably be making the longer journey down to Anchor the week after.

It's a good idea to go out the week before a planned event. Conditions have changed just before the last couple of outings, so maybe we can fool it.

Brian

Still no confirmation if Long Mynd is OK.

Rob - be great if you do go out - looks like somewhere around Malham might work. FYI G3ZME use Brown Clee.

Good question Brian re Google and now I've worked out how to export the RadioMobile plot data as a KML file and then import in to Google Earth to give a really good tool, including street view, to find sites. It does mean downloading Google Earth, which I've been meaning to do for some time, and then just double click on the KML file and it opens automatically - pretty impressive.

I'll email you, Rob, Shaun and Dave a copy of the 3 KML and PNG files - you can overlay any number of sites to do comparisons. If anyone else is interested just PM me.

73 Noel

Will be at home in IO92IQ on the 3rd Sept, Wales looks good, but like GV screened to the North.

See what happens on the day.

Peter

Noel, Thank you for the Google Maps overlays; that is a really useful tool that you have discovered. It is highlighting most of the sites that I discovered by poring over OS map sheets. Brian G6AUR and myself will be out portable on Saturday 3rd September, probably somewhere in the South Somerset/Wiltshire area. The main aim is to work Noel on 146.5MHz, but I will take 437MHz with me aswell. I will decide the exact site when Noel has finalised his plans. Will advise about 10/11th September next week.
73 Shaun.

Heavy rain forecast across the North for Saturday so probably will not be out.
Will be active from home though.

Poor weather = poor Tropo, lesson learned so many times before.
Often really good weather = poor tropo too, it's that bit just before/after that can be good!

Rob

HI Rob,

Re...

Poor weather = poor Tropo, lesson learned so many times before.
Often really good weather = poor tropo too, it's that bit just before/after that can be good!

That is so true.



73

Peter