G4CIB and G4RHK on Lundy
4th - 11th September 2010

Our annual visit to Lundy this year is later than last year - Saturday 4th - Saturday 11th September. Staying in the same property as last year - Stoneycroft, the delightful bungalow adjacent to the Old Lighthouse, originally built in the 19th century to accommodate visiting Lighthouse inspectors. The property has a large paddock to the rear, so there will be ample room to erect a wire dipole.

Equipment this year will be my trusty Icom IC202 along with a Microwave Modules 30 watt amplifier for 2 metres, and my Icom IC703 for HF and 6 metres. Those familiar with the contest calendar will know that I will be spoilt for choice the day we arrive - a 2 metre contest also HF SSB Field Day so hopefully the week on Lundy will start with plenty of QSOs! Once again my 3 element SOTA beam for 2 metres and HF wire dipole will be used. The bungalow is well elevated with a good clear take-off in all directions.

On HF, please look around the QRP CW frequencies of 3560 MHz and 7030 MHz, but we will be pleased to QSY to the phone part of the bands if required. I’m hoping to operate on Top Band during the evenings which will be a first for me on Lundy. On 6 metres, CW around 50.090MHz, SSB around 50.150MHz and FM 51.51MHz. On 2 metres, SSB 144.300MHz and CW 144.050MHz. Our usual operating schedule is 0700 - 0800 BST, 1700 - 1800 BST daily. Monday 6th September is the club AGM but I will monitor 3560MHz in case there is time for a QSO when the AGM finishes. Other operating will take place as and when the weather, social engagements and other pressing matters on the island permit. For inter-island communication, Leta and I keep in touch with a couple of Hora 50mW 70cm transceivers, using 439.52MHz, but it will be highly unlikely we will QSO any club members on this frequency!

We have had a special QSL card printed and will be pleased to QSL direct from Lundy as the card will then be stamped and franked with Lundy’s own postage stamps as the island is outside the jurisdiction of Royal Mail and so have their own postage stamps. I will have a call book with me, so “QTHR” during any QSO will confirm that the details in the current call book are correct. For those who use the internet, I will be pleased to qsl via eQSL.

Our many years of visiting Lundy has taught us to expect the unexpected - all the above is written in good faith - weather dominates life on Lundy and the first hurdle will be that the sea state will enable us to cross on the supply boat MS Oldenberg. Should the weather exceed Force 5 then the helicopter is used which severely limits what we can take, although when this happened last year, we were able to take all the equipment including the mast.

Leta and I look forward to having a QSO with you whilst on Lundy.

Brian (G4CIB) and Leta (G4RHK)

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or read what actually happened on Brian and Leta’s visit