GB4MF - Maltby Festival - Sunday 8th August 2010
Once again we took our place in Coronation Park for this annual event. Finding a suitable spot to keep us away from PA systems, loud music, and giant generators proved a little difficult but eventually we settled on a spot, pitched the tent, and set everything up.
To operate on VHF/UHF we used a triband aerial for 2/70/6. The site doesn't lend itself to a long wire for HF so we decided to try out the vertical that was damaged at Tickhill in July. We'd examined it at the clubroom prior to the event, and although a little out of shape at the top it seemed OK, so up it went.
Unfortunately things didn't work out too well on HF. Although we were receiving many stations, getting back to them was proving difficult, and we were told that our transmissions were very weak and barely audible. All the indications were that the rig was set up correctly and working OK, so it looks as if the aerial was the root of the problem.
A good number of members turned out making it a good social as well as radio day. The weather stayed fine, and we finally cleared the site around 1630 hrs.
The club rig was checked on another aerial at the next available club meeting and all appeared well, so we now have to check whether it was the aerial or the ATU that was giving the problem.
will be listed here
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