Again members of the club will be going up the hill to operate a portable station for the Practical Wireless 144MHz QRP contest on Sunday 11th June. We will be using the callsign GM4YEQ/P.

(See next post for how it went.)

The contest runs between 0900-1500 UTC (1000-1600 Local/BST). We’ll likely be on site by 0915 (local) if not earlier for setting up.

We’ll be at the usual “Middle Swire” location between the Yarrow and Ettrick valleys 6 miles west of Selkirk.

All club members are welcome to come and visit and catch up for a few hours, assist with setting up or operating, or operate your own sets on HF away from urban QRM.

Or if not able to come to the site, please give us a shout on 2m simplex FM or SSB if you hear us (144.150-144.397MHz is the SSB range). Someone will likely be scanning simplex channels 145.200-575Mhz through the day. The more contacts we get (even local ones) the more points we get multiplied by the number of locator squares. Calling CQ on 145.500 isn’t allowed so don’t just listen for us there (nor on the repeaters)! Individual members may be monitoring repeaters and calling channels though.

Exchange will be signal report, serial number (if you’re not participating then give 001 for your first contact) and your Maidenhead grid reference (or approximate location if you don’t know it as it still counts as a contact just not a new grid square).

Visitors should bring their own food and drink if they’re staying all day. Bring suitable clothing in case it’s windy or wet and footwear suitable for a grass field (with sheep droppings!). Dogs under strict control.

Location: Yarrow Swire, off summit of C22 road between A708 (Yarrow) and B7009 (Ettrickbridge). Marked as Witchie Knowe on some maps.
Locator: IO85MM
Coordinates: 55.5215N , 2.9984W 360m (1180ft) ASL
NGR: NT370257 (WAB Square NT32) (NT 37058 25768)
Google Maps shortcut: 9C7VG2C2+JJJ
Closest Postcodes: TD7 5ND (Wester Kershope Farm on north side of the hill on the approach from Yarrow valley) or TD7 5JW (Area covering from our site southwards)
What3Words: /// sweeten.footpath.perfect (Switch to satellite view)

Directions:

From Yarrow Valley:

From Ettrick Valley