Friday Sept 9th   Chelmsford DF

Operator  G4ICP - Richard

Start Location:        Tiptree Heath

Start Time:             7.30 PM

Main TX:                1930 KHz        (2 minutes in 10 until 8.50 PM, then continuous until 9.30 PM if needed).

Getaway  TX:         1960 KHz        (Timings as main station).

Getaway from the Getaway  -  1843  KHz  Continuous  - range restricted -  5 metres on my set!

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Lots of QRM  and competition from the assembled bat watchers  but nevertheless Richard's twin  counterpoise (no aerial) system gave a reasonable signal at the start. Some of us (well one)  knowing his liking of  mega radiating kites thought he may be far across the water.  At this point I best go silent until I think of a good excuse...



Richard says ..

The site at Goldhanger Creek turned out to be a good choice as it was accessible for my friend Tony, G4ZVR who had expressed an interest in coming along and observing top band DF at first hand. (Actually we had another "guest" but he was kept locked in the car until the Pub. Poor Alfie!)

With Tony "on point" at a convenient seat placed on the seawall and equipped with 2m talkback to me, he was able to see (and hear!) exactly what sheer pleasure these events can be, especially so for Roy who kindly arranged set malfunctions to enable this important element to be clearly demonstrated for our guest.

Since the event would be mainly in darkness I chose a safe position between the sand and the top of the seawall. "Aerials" deployed consisted of a counterpoise running just below the path and the main radiating element running out to sea at 90 degrees to the c/p. Both wires were on the ground and not elevated whatsoever.

My concern about whether the rig was getting out was confirmed just after 8pm when Larby appeared, to be followed shortly after by Ian. Gary put in good time in third position and went on to gain good Getaway points.

The (Mini) "Getaway" tx was located deceptively close to the main station and successfully fooled Larby who used up valuable time working through the various double bluff possibilities allowing Ian and Gary through.

I got Tony to look after the Micro, which was kept as a last minute surprise. It was not switched on until everyone had arrived on site. In an attempt to keep things simple the radiating distance was kept to just 5m which still caused confusion in generous measures.

An excellent apre-DF was held at the Cricketers, in Goldhanger village. Bearings and strategies were discussed at length and finally the world was put back to rights for another few weeks.



Results:
Main Tx
1.    Larby  20:03
2.    Ian      20.12
3.    Gary    20.15
4.    Roy     20.23 		Getaway
Ian       9
Gary    6
Peter   4
Roy     3 		Getaway from Getaway
Ian       9
Peter    6
Gary    4
Roy     3


Thanks to Richard - never knowingly predictable - I still can't think of a decent excuse, so with great reluctance I will ask Larby how he did it ...

Larby’s Report.

Signal at start moved about but I went with 160. degrees The 2nd bearing near Little Totham gave me a cross on the sea wall at Goldhanger.

When I arrived, Richard came on and the set said SEA WALL! Although confident, my confidence was boosted when a man coming towards me said “you’re a radio ham, I know here he is”!  I sauntered towards Richard noticing the mini was a minute late. This gave me a chance to listen to it. The signal was (it turned out)  a reverse sense to my right! Ian who had pulled up as I left my car also had a reverse sense so went there first! Richard fired up as I approached the seat and the gentleman who was dismissed instantly. Richard was found seconds later.

As I ran away from him towards the mini the mini went off. I believed it was further on so went further. When it came on, it was back where it had gone off earlier. Now then, has Richard played a bluff and put the set the other side of the impenetrable hedge? NO, I was on the wrong side, witnessing Ian getting MY 9 POINTS !

Then we learned there was a micro and Ian beat me on that as well. Shame I had left the dog in the car, I could have set it on him! Still, I got a good points score on the main station, didn’t I Roy?

Silence .....

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