Mills 2018

Location

Saltford Brass Mill is situated on the banks of the River Avon in the village of Saltford, 5 miles west of the City of Bath in the South West of England. Its postal address is Saltford Brassmill, The Shallows, Saltford, BS31 3EY. However, there are some specific details that will be of interest to radio hams:

  • Lat/Long (Brassmill): 51.401219°,-2.451116°
  • IARU: IO81sj
  • IOTA: EU005 (UK Mainland)
  • WAB: ST66 – England

The Operation

This year marks a departure from our normal historic operations. Whereas in previous years we have set up on the grass verge outside the Mill and operated more or less from outside the Mill, this year we had agreed with the Mill Volunteers to come inside the grounds. Whilst still an outdoor operation this dramatically increases the ease with which the operation can be undertaken as above all else it allows us access to mains power avoiding the need for generators or batteries. It also gets us more contact with the visitors to the Mill and allows us to build a stronger relationship with the volunteers at the Mill.

We also had some new equipment to deploy, which although it had been tested was seeing its first outing at this years first Special Event.

The Station

  • Yaesu FT-991 HF/VHF/UHF Multi-mode transceiver
  • Manson EP-925 25A constant 30A peak linear power supply
  • B and W Manual HF ATU with balanced connection
  • Behringer 302USB audio mixer (splits audio out from the FT-991 to operators headphones and external amplified speakers)
  • Noname headphone/boom microphone with foot operated PTT
  • Logitech USB powered amplified speakers
  • 20m 4 way mains extension lead
  • 80m doublet fed with 450Ω ladder-line
  • Fibreglass telescopic mast to support centre of doublet in an inverted vee configuration

Saturday 12 May 2018

The morning went more or less to plan, Andy G7KNA and mark M0SKV arrived on site more or less simultaneously at 09:35 only 5 minutes behind the agreed start time. They were joined in short order by Eddie M0LJT, Joe 2E0EIC, Dave 2E0GZO and Gary 2E0HCC. The station went together as planned although the antenna took a littel longer to set up than originally planned as the opportunity to replace the wire arms of the doublet with Flexweave was taken before the arms were hoisted into place.

The station equipment was set up under a gazebo kindly provided by our hosts the Saltford Brass Mill.

Andy G7KNA operating GB0SBM with Mark M0SKV Logging and Eddie M0LJT ensuring due decorumAndy G7KNA discusses operational policy with Eddie M0LJT and Joe 2E0EIC as Mark M0SKV heads for coffee

Later in the day other members joined the operation including Paul 2E0GHT, John M0JFO and Fred G7LPP.

Mark M0SKV in his natural environment with microphone in handLeft to right: Joe 2E0EIC, Garry 2E0HCC, Mark M0SKV with Dave 2E0GZO. There is no truth in the rumour that this was the template for Hear no Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

The weather favoured us with pleasantly mild conditions. Whilst many of the stations we spoke to in the east of the country were experiencing rain to a lesser or greater degree, we in the south west were lucky enough to avoid such problems. Although by no means as hot and sunny as the bank holiday weekend that preceded the Mills weekend we nevertheless had warm temperatures, overcast with occasional sunny intervals and usefully next to no wind which made our outdoor setup particularly nice especially when these conditions were coupled with the tranquil location that the Mill is situated in.

By the end of the day we had worked 52 stations including 8 other Mills stations and one “Pubs and Clubs on the Air”

Sunday 13 May 2018

Sunday dawned fair much like the Saturday that preceded it, and truth to tell the operation started out pretty much the same way as it finished on Saturday. Mark M0SKV and Andy G7KNA, the latter accompanied by number 2 son Ken who is currently a SWL, headed to site, netting on GB3BS after listening to the GB2RS News on GB3ZB. Joe 2E0EIC had heard the conversation and also headed to the site to give a hand setting up the antenna which had been dismantled and safely stored overnight.

We were also joined by Liam 2E0LHD so although numbers were down on Saturdays attendance there were plenty of people on hand.

Having the pattern of the previous days operation we were quickly back on air, oddly starting off in the same way as we finished the previous day with a second “Pubs and Clubs on the Air” Special Event Station.

Mark M0SKV operating GB0SBM with Ken SWL loggingVisitors to the Operating Area

By the end of the weekend we had over 100 contacts in the log, in fact we had 64 on Sunday bringing the total for the weekend to 116 QSOs although there were a few duplicates in that count. Total Mills stations rose from 8 to 27 as we managed 19 Mills on the Sunday.

Left to right: Joe 2E0EIC and Liam 2E0LHD await their turn operating or loggingOur new Special event telescopic mast supporting an 80m doublet cut from flexweave

Sundays at Special Events, or certainly at our Special Events, tends to be the day we try odd things. In the past we have established second stations to experiment with other modes, which in the case of Railways on the Air resulted in an established PSK31 operation, or just mess around. This time Mark M0SKV brought a drone along and flew several flybys of our antenna; at least one of which had the correct combination of: sufficient battery, facing the correct way and available memory card with sufficient storage space to actually record the view from the feedpoint. We might even get a copy of this off him at some point to see if we can get a bit of video footage cut together!

The Log

Date of Contact Time Station Worked Band or Freq (MHz) Mode TX RX Operator’s Name QTH IARU Locator Distance (km) Notes
RST No. RST No.
12/05/2018 10:01 M0ITN 80m SSB 59   58   Tim Malton     Reported slightly muffled audio from us using headset
12/05/2018 10:20 G4GFI 80m SSB 59   59   Martin Epsom Downs Surrey     IC7100 into inverted V dipole
12/05/2018 10:25 G7SYW 80m SSB 59   59   Roger Honiton      
12/05/2018 10:28 M0BAW 80m SSB 59   59   Don Warley Brentwood      
12/05/2018 10:30 GW1MNC 80m SSB 59   59   Alec Portcawl      
12/05/2018 10:32 GB0BM 80m SSB 59   59   David Burcott Mill Wookey     Mid Somerset ARC
12/05/2018 10:36 GB2AWM 80m SSB 59   59   John Alderford Watermill Essex      
12/05/2018 10:38 M1AYU 80m SSB 59   59   Richard Leverington Wisbeach      
12/05/2018 10:42 GB0HSM 80m SSB 59   59   Phillip High Salvington Windmill Worthing     Worthing and District ARC
12/05/2018 10:43 GB0LM 80m SSB 59   59   Rich Llanyrafon Water Mill Cwmbran      
12/05/2018 10:47 M0TWB 80m SSB 59   59   Tony Blackburn      
12/05/2018 10:49 G3YHN 80m SSB 59   59   Chris Walsall      
12/05/2018 10:52 G1BVI 80m SSB 57   59   Nick Maidenbower Crawley      
12/05/2018 10:57 GB50TEL 80m SSB 59   59   Graham Telford     Telford and District Amateur Radio Society 50th Anniversary of Telford New Town
12/05/2018 10:59 GB2TMI 80m SSB 59   59   Geoff Thwaites Water Mill Stourton Leeds      
12/05/2018 11:02 G3TLD 80m SSB 59   59   Mike Coleford Gloucestershire      
12/05/2018 11:10 M3DPQ/P 80m SSB 59   59   Bob Sevington Windmill Bedordshire     WAB SP95
12/05/2018 11:15 G1RAF 80m SSB 59   59   Dave RAF Halton     RAF Halton Radio Society
12/05/2018 11:19 GX1WOR 80m SSB 57   57   Ed Worthing Suffolk     Worthing and District ARC 70th Anniversary
12/05/2018 11:24 2E0JFY 80m SSB 57   47   Mark Wigan      
12/05/2018 11:26 GM3VAL 80m SSB 57   58   Alan Selkirk      
12/05/2018 11:30 G4GEW 80m SSB 59   59   Peter Coulsdon      
12/05/2018 11:32 G3VCG 80m SSB 58   58   Don Chelmsford      
12/05/2018 11:36 M1EUX 80m SSB 59   59   Chris Buckingham north Buckinghamshire      
12/05/2018 11:42 G3VHH 80m SSB 59   59   John Langley Berkshire      
12/05/2018 11:49 G4YBU 80m SSB 59   59   Tim Epsom      
12/05/2018 11:51 G0BIN 80m SSB 59   59   Phil Bedworth Warwickshire      
12/05/2018 11:57 GB2DWM 80m SSB 59   59     Duloe Windmill     Mill not on List
12/05/2018 12:46 MW0LUK 80m SSB 59   59   Chris Pontypool      
12/05/2018 13:04 M0OPK 80m SSB 59   59   Peter Crowthorne Berkshire      
12/05/2018 13:25 IZ3WUW 20m SSB 59   59   Enrico Venice      
12/05/2018 13:39 G0AOZ 80m SSB 58   58   Roger Southmore Abingdon Oxfordshire      
12/05/2018 13:41 GJ7DNI/MM 80m SSB 59   59   Steve Channel Islands Chausey      
12/05/2018 13:44 M0PSC 80m SSB 59   59   Philip Bicester      
12/05/2018 13:45 G4UHJ 80m SSB 59   59   Dave Forest of Dean      
12/05/2018 13:48 GW0AGZ 80m SSB 58   59   John Llanymynech Powys      
12/05/2018 13:51 2E0KZK 80m SSB 58   59   Andy Sevington Kent      
12/05/2018 13:58 G4RAC 80m SSB 36   59   John Burton-on-Trent      
12/05/2018 13:59 M3GJA 80m SSB 46   59   Trevor Fairgreen Middleton Kings Lynn Norfolk      
12/05/2018 14:00 GW0FGO 80m SSB 58   59   Bill Cwmbran     30W into long wire
12/05/2018 14:03 GB4WM 80m SSB 58   59   Phil Walkington Mill      
12/05/2018 14:07 G0GWK 80m SSB 58   59   John Lambourn      
12/05/2018 14:13 G0XTA 80m SSB 47   59   Ray Leverington Wisbech Cambridgeshire      
12/05/2018 14:16 GB0CMW 80m SSB 58   58   Will Cattells Mill Willingham      
12/05/2018 14:22 G4UZE 80m SSB 59   59   Chris Ruislip      
12/05/2018 14:28 G0HLL 80m SSB 59   59   Ron Wigston Fields Leicester      
12/05/2018 14:32 G1NYN 80m SSB 59   59   Dave Dewsbury      
12/05/2018 14:39 G3UHN 80m SSB 59   59   Peter Harpenden      
12/05/2018 14:44 G0EHR 80m SSB 59   59   Mike Isle of Wight      
12/05/2018 14:48 M0LJT 80m SSB 59   59   Eddie Bristol      
12/05/2018 14:49 M0WBS 80m SSB 57   57   Bill Oldham      
12/05/2018 14:55 GB0TVA 80m SSB 59   59   Pete Verden Arms Crewe     Pubs and Clubs on the Air
13/05/2018 09:18 GB0TGI 80m SSB 59   59   Tracey Tuckers Grove Inn     Pubs and Clubs on the Air
13/05/2018 09:53 ON5NT 80m SSB 59   59   Ghis Maarkedal      
13/05/2018 09:56 M1TES 80m SSB 59   59   James Bungay Suffolk      
13/05/2018 09:58 M0RZS 80m SSB 59   59   Mark Rangeworthy      
13/05/2018 10:02 G8WBO 80m SSB 59   59   Steve Salisbury      
13/05/2018 10:05 GW0WWQ 80m SSB 59   59   Hugh Denbigh North Wales      
13/05/2018 10:08 G3OKA 80m SSB 59   59   John Meols Wirral      
13/05/2018 10:10 G6RGA 80m SSB 59   59   John Eastbourne      
13/05/2018 10:12 GB4NHM 80m SSB 59   59   Rob New Hall Mill     Home call 2E0ZAP
13/05/2018 10:15 GB2DWM 80m SSB 59   59   Merv Duloe Windmill     Mill not on List
13/05/2018 10:19 M0DSZ 80m SSB 59   59   Hugh Oswestry      
13/05/2018 10:23 G4UUQ 80m SSB 59   59   Terry Matlock Derbyshire      
13/05/2018 10:28 G6RQA 80m SSB 59   59   David Heacham Norfolk      
13/05/2018 10:30 GB2RM 80m SSB 59   59   Dave Ruiton Windmill Dudley and District ARS HQ     Mill not on List
13/05/2018 10:32 G3OAG 80m SSB 59   59   Steve Presetwich Manchester      
13/05/2018 10:36 G0FEX 80m SSB 59   59   Ken Leicester      
13/05/2018 10:40 G0NKZ 80m SSB 59   59   Kenn West Quantoxhead Somerset      
13/05/2018 10:44 GB0CMW 80m SSB 59   59   John Cattells Mill Willingham      
13/05/2018 10:48 GB2LWM 80m SSB 59   59   Nonie Lytham Mill      
13/05/2018 10:52 G0SYF 80m SSB 59   59   Bob Wooton under Edge      
13/05/2018 10:54 GW1DTA 80m SSB 59   59   Mark Swansea      
13/05/2018 10:55 GB1SWM 80m SSB 59   59   Peter Sacrewell Water Mill      
13/05/2018 10:59 GB6CW 80m SSB 59   59   Rob Cromer Windmill      
13/05/2018 11:03 2W0WMW 80m SSB 59   59   Mike Dolgellau Wales      
13/05/2018 11:12 G0TRV 80m SSB 59   59   Coiln        
13/05/2018 11:18 2E0ZYL 80m SSB 59   59   Sue Pulborough West Sussex      
13/05/2018 11:26 G3YZY 80m SSB 59   59   Howard Waterlooville Portsmouth      
13/05/2018 11:29 M0JCQ 80m SSB 59   59   James Berkhamsted      
13/05/2018 11:35 GB0SNM 80m SSB 59   59   Chris Sturminster Newton Water Mill      
13/05/2018 11:42 GB2MGM 80m SSB 59   59   David Mill Green Mill and Museum      
13/05/2018 11:42 G3YFE 80m SSB 59   59   Peter Amesbury     100W FT840 40m doublet
13/05/2018 11:47 G0AGO 80m SSB 58   59   Bob Harlow      
13/05/2018 11:50 GB0KLM 80m SSB 59   59   Tim Killhope Lead Mine Weardale      
13/05/2018 11:54 M6LWO 80m SSB 59   59   Tony Bedford      
13/05/2018 11:59 GB2GW 80m SSB 59   59   Ivan Gleaston Water Mill Ulverston      
13/05/2018 12:04 GB2NW 80m SSB 59   59   Dave Nutley Windmill East Sussex      
13/05/2018 12:08 G0GPH 80m SSB 59   59   Peter Bury Manchester      
13/05/2018 12:14 GB0BWM 80m SSB 59   59   Terry Brill Windmill Buckinghamshire      
13/05/2018 12:19 M0ZGB 80m SSB 59   59   Jonathan Wroughton Swindon      
13/05/2018 12:26 GB2TMI 80m SSB 59   59   Geoff Thwaites Water Mill Stourton Leeds      
13/05/2018 12:31 GB2WMS 80m SSB 59   59   Art Shepshed Water Mill      
13/05/2018 13:12 G3TGB 80m SSB 59   59   Brian Braintree      
13/05/2018 13:17 GB2ERW 80m SSB 59   59   Steve East Runton Windmill      
13/05/2018 13:22 M0IOK 80m SSB 59   59   Dave Hull      
13/05/2018 13:26 2E0GHT 80m SSB 59   59   Paul        
13/05/2018 13:30 G0HLL 80m SSB 59   59   Ron Wigston Fields Leicester      
13/05/2018 13:33 G6UBM 80m SSB 59   59   Les Tonbridge Kent      
13/05/2018 13:38 2J0GUR 80m SSB 59   59   George St Lawrence Jersey      
13/05/2018 13:48 GB0CMW 80m SSB 59   59   Richard Cattells Mill Willingham      
13/05/2018 13:48 G4UWW 80m SSB 59   59   Tony Lawford Manningtree Essex      
13/05/2018 13:54 G3VCG 80m SSB 59   59   Don Chelmsford      
13/05/2018 13:57 G0WGP 80m SSB 59   59   Ron Burgess Hill      
13/05/2018 14:03 G4AKG 80m SSB 59   59   Peter Burgess Hill      
13/05/2018 14:08 G7OXK 80m SSB 58   59   John Feltham Hounslow      
13/05/2018 14:14 G4UPE 80m SSB 59   59   Dick Lenham Kent      
13/05/2018 14:19 2E0PTZ 80m SSB 59   59   Paul Andover      
13/05/2018 14:29 G6TRD/P 80m SSB 58   59   Gerry Preston Lancashire      
13/05/2018 14:36 M0AVD 80m SSB 59   59   John 15 miles east of Leicester      
13/05/2018 14:39 M0IAA 80m SSB 58   59   Ian Wakefild      
13/05/2018 14:40 GW0FGO 80m SSB 59   59   Bill Cwmbran      
13/05/2018 14:42 G0PHR 80m SSB 59   58   Mike Solihull      
13/05/2018 14:44 GW4FOI 80m SSB 59   59   John Neath      
13/05/2018 14:47 G4MDR 80m SSB 59   59   Alan Milton Keynes      
13/05/2018 14:49 F5VLO 80m SSB 59   58   Gary Cotes d’Armor Brittany