On Friday 2 Oct I managed to do a quick recky of Blackdown near Haslemere. Walked up to the "Temple of the winds" view point on south east side of Blackdown about 270m ASL. Put out some calls on my Yaesu 65 handy... Made contact with Adam in Hastings! 56 miles according to Google, well pleased with that out of a handy. Maybe a location for the longest day next year?
Great contact, and a great location find (maybe you would want to keep it a secret 😉😉)
Checking an elevation tool, it was almost a line of sight.
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Looking at the above, I would think Devils Dyke, Radio Corner & Ditchling Beacon could be worked as well. . . .
Yep that's what I was thinking. Not sure i'd get Reigate either as its partially screened by Leith Hill, but with my 5 element portable beam set up and 270m height, i'd hope for some good contacts.
Its a portable location only, with the nearest car parks either 15 mins walk or an 80m steep climb!!! Its a 1 1/2 hours drive from me so for a normal net i'd need to wild camp somewhere after (and the woods at the top aren't ideal). Alternatively, I could go on one of the longer mondays next summer and transmit 8.00 - 10.00 and drive home? Maybe i could swap next years net birthday expedition to a summer jaunt ;D
56 miles on a handheld from Blackdown is cracking work!
That height really makes all the difference. The summer jaunt idea sounds spot on late sunset, better weather, and way easier than dragging gear up that 80m climb in the dark. Better odds than putting a punt on rivocasino (https://www.rivocasino.co.uk/), that's for sure. A 5-element beam up there will definitely punch well above its weight toward Devil's Dyke and Ditchling.
Quote from: Neil M/stone on Oct 04, 2026, 01:17 PMYep that's what I was thinking. Not sure i'd get Reigate either as its partially screened by Leith Hill, but with my 5 element portable beam set up and 270m height, i'd hope for some good contacts.
Its a portable location only, with the nearest car parks either 15 mins walk or an 80m steep climb!!! Its a 1 1/2 hours drive from me so for a normal net i'd need to wild camp somewhere after (and the woods at the top aren't ideal). Alternatively, I could go on one of the longer mondays next summer and transmit 8.00 - 10.00 and drive home? Maybe i could swap next years net birthday expedition to a summer jaunt ;D
As we discussed on the net, what about something for Monday 21st of June 2027? 🤔
It's in the diary!
The only downside I can see is that I'm normally the furthest East station, when I go out West to Blackdown there won't be any one further away than Adam in Hastings to push the distance further. I need to get Matt in strood mobile and sitting on my Hastingleigh perch ;D ;D ;D