Tobernaveen Hill, GI/AH-009 - 319m ASL - J 176 927 - OSNI Discoverer 14 - 1 SOTA points        

From Divis GI/AH-004, Jimmy directed a route towards and beyond Antrim town, and steadily up narrow back lanes towards a clump of forest perched atop a hill. This was Tobernaveen Hill GI/AH-009, and we found the same parking spot and access point as used in 2005.

We knew this was a short walk, a small distance along the bridleway, then turn right up a slightly steep and very muddy track into the forest. As we turned left for the summit, the mud beneath our feet turned to bog and was quite difficult to negotiate. We emerged into the small clearing containing the trig point, and wondered if we would have enough room to erect the 80m antenna.

       

We just about managed it, but needed to bend the guy strings over low tree branches. Thankfully, there was just enough room to have the actual dipole legs up and in the clear.

Business was brisk again on 3.557MHz CW, as it then was for both Jimmy and myself on 3.660MHz SSB. The pairing of John GW4BVE/P and Pete MW0COP/P were worked summit-to-summit again, this time on GW/SW-010, while Dave 2W0BYA/P was worked on Great Rhos GW/MW-002. We finished with three local contacts on 2m FM using the VX-7R and RSS after the main station was packed away.

We heard Dave G6LKB and Jordan M3TMX calling, and called them in, but the QSB won the battle.

   

Things were going well. The 80m CW/SSB combo was working a treat for us both, and with only a short descent to the car, and a short drive to the next hill, we had a chance to complete a four summit day, on day one. Jimmy directed the route to nearby Big Collin GI/AH-008.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 5 watts: