10    Long Mynd

The TDARS annual trip up the Long Mynd for VHF NFD has been and gone again. Will we win the Mix & Match section again for the 5th year on the trot ? Who knows, as conditions were poor, with contact numbers well down. This piece is really directed at those TDARS members who didn’t take part, as I thought they might like a glimse into the running ( and problems) and the fun of a big field day.

Let’s take the weather to start with. We have been very lucky for many years with the weather being kind over the weekend. This year it was ‘b’ hot! But what might have happened if it had not been so? If it were wet and windy, getting the tents up early is essential to ensure that there’s adequate shelter. Providing no one forgot the groundsheets, the radio gear won’t get wet and the people keep dryer too . If there’s wind, tents are a so-and-so to erect. If there were only have few people on site, on time, all hands will have to muck in and put up one tent at a time. Three tents takes ages. So, even if you could not come for the whole of the contest, a little help putting things up on the Saturday at 1030 a.m. and taking everything down again at 3pm Sunday would help out enormously, as the everyone is naturally a bit tired by then.

What about the gear? Well it’s a good job that the 3 team managers do their homework and get the equipment needed checked out before the day. As usual, the burden falls on the few who do a great job. Masts to be serviced, rigs, PSUs, rotators and aerials checked over, coaxial cables and their terminations tested and checked for compatibility. Coaxial adaptors must be taken just in case they’re needed.(which they were!) The diesel generator must be serviced and fuelled. Mains wiring checked out and lighting thought about. The previously terrible chore of hand writing and scoring the logs is now done on Lap-top computers is now the norm for all contests. Have you got an OLD laptop that the society could have?

What about food and drink? Nowadays everyone seems to cater themselves. This is a good thing in one way as each person can then bring what they like and have it when they feel the need. In times past, Field Day groups had a central kitchen, providing hot drinks on demand, day and night, with food coming up, as and when. But that meant another tent to put up and also 2 people to run it. This yea,r Richard ‘RKH came up trumps providing yummy hot spicy mince Fajitas with sour cream for us all, followed by hot bananas and blueberries in a chocolate sauce. Phew! Maybe someone else could do something similar for next year’s event! Please, please, please !!!!
Having enough transport is usually no problem……provided there are enough cars with tow bars to get the two mobile masts and the diesel generator trailer up ‘the hill’. Because the Burway access road up to the Long Mynd from Church Stretton is very narrow, we usually convoy up and down together, with a lead car halting the opposing traffic in the lay-bys. This is because the masts are quite long and the car drivers have a problem negotiating the sharp bends with them in tow. We never seem to have quite enough towing vehicles. If you have a tow-bar on your car, could you help us out next time?

Then there’s the actual operating? Well, yes, things are always a bit hectic to start with, so the better operators usually go on first. However, they need a ‘logger’. Basically another set of ears to help the operator be accurate with the log and keeps him supplied with food and drink! In the past the logger wrote down all the contact information and kept a ‘duplicate’ list going, so the operator did not work stations twice. Lap-tops do the log and dupe checks now. Remember that you don’t need a license to be a logger or a member of the RSGB for that matter to operate, just be a TDARS member. Sitting beside a good operator can teach you much. Great on-the-job training. They were all contest novices once and have learnt from others and from experience. You could too! Later in the contest things always slow down, with many CQs on lots of antenna bearings needed. No, you won’t lose your voice as all our rigs now have‘parrot’ CQ recorders to do the talking for you. Why not come along the next time there’s a contest on and have a go ? It’s great fun, really!

Some goings-on from this year’s event. The area next to our usual site had been cleared, as a fire break we think, making setting up so much easier. I took along my electric fan to keep Martyn and me cool but it was pinched to be a load for the generator, to stop the engine hunting! It got so hot we ended up on the Sunday afternoon with the canvasses being removed from the frames early as it was so hot. Simon’s van STILL leaks water! Mike ‘NKC ‘lost’ his preamp (again) Fortunately, Jim ‘UGL had a spare. The new loo tent is brilliant but becomes a sauna bath when it’s hot! Again, lots of walkers sighted but fewer questioners this year. The NT wardens were much in evidence below our site but there were no visits from them or an RSGB adjudicator. TDARS is seriously overdue for a visit! Derek ‘EYX still has no license for exposing his knees in public. Keeping the sun off my delicate skin using my XYLs little parasol was not appreciated by anyone except by ME! There’ll be photos of the event on the society web-site in due time. Oh yes, we all got a bit of a sun-tan too. And, oh yes, we all enjoyed the shared experience as always. See you on the next one? I, for one, hope so.

That’s about it for this time. Vy 73. Mike G3JKX