IARU TV Contest 2024 Day 2

 An early start was made from Membury services after coffee and pastries. I then drove to Combe Gibbet, IO91GI61 from where I could see Gareth G4XAT/P on top of Walbury. 

He was worked on 5GHz, 10GHz and 24 GHz easily, it didnt really matter which way the antenna was pointed

Noel, having driven from Devon appeared from Stockbridge and was worked from IO91GC on 5GHz, 10GHz 24 GHz 47 GHz and 76GHz 

Dave G8GKQ/p appeared from Lane end, IO91JA and was worked on 5GHz, 10GHz and 24 GHz

Noel then moved to Morestead Road, IO91IB and was worked on 5GHz, 10GHz 24 GHz 47 GHz and 76GHz

While Noel moved to Butser Hill IO90 MX. I moved to Combe Masts which had a good takeoff in that direction.  On the way past I visited Gareth

G8GTZ/P was worked on 5GHz, 10GHz 24 GHz 47 GHz and 76GHz. 76GHz was fairly easy and set a new UK distance record of 53km. 

76 GHz

47GHz was harder, taking 30 minutes, mainly due to Noels synthesised LO not locking up

47 GHz

Having worked all I could on the TV contest I had a quick tune around 144MHz and found a 2m QRP contest was happening and was surprised to work GW1YBB/P using the IC705 and vertical whip on the car roof. I think he was equally surprised by the locator of G4FRE/P!!

IARU TV Contest 2024 Day 1

 Noel G8GTZ decided he would be starting the contest at Dunkery beacon IO81FD so the obvious place to start the contest was Cleeve Common IO81XW, at the roadside position which always completes the path. The normal road to the car park was closed for 6 weeks for repairs so a convoluted route was taken, which was full of sponsored walkers. However Noel was worked on 5GHz, 10GHz and 24 GHz easily as usual

10GHz towards Dunkery

Gareth G4XAT had meanwhile installed himself at Walbury hill IO91GI. I packed the gear into the man portable fishing trolley and moved to the trig point and worked him on 5 GHz 10 GHz and 24 GHz

5GHz man portable towards Walbury

Next I drove to Notgrove IO91BV and again worked Gareth G4XAT/P on 5GHz, 10GHz and 24 GHz easily

IO91BV 5 GHz

I then drove to Membury services on the M4 and stayed the night there at the Premier Inn hotel, which would be convenient for the day 2 activities.