Third attempt at a 10GHz contest / activity day...

To be honest, on Saturday evening, I really wasn't feeling it for the following day's contest on 5.7GHz and 10GHz. But, waking up on the morning of the 26th July (2026) - and following a pot of tea - perhaps I should at least try...

The result was that with the time I had available to me, I wasn't going to get the batteries charged for the Yaesu FT290R, which meant a quick charge of the Quansheng handheld plus the two LiPo batteries that power the transverter. Choosing to head up to PIlsdon Pen also meant that I had to log on to ON4KST and change my locator to IO80NT. It was now gone 10:00BST and I had to get everything together, get over to the hill and then hike up it with the equipment... to be back home in time for lunch.

What is it about microwave contests that is so... 'busy'? I always feel unprepared... in the first 10GHz contest, getting used to listening in and watching KST messages flying around, whilst also trying to take notes and point the dish in the right direction was, well, not easy! In the last contest, I thought I would be more prepared, so having set everything up by a field gate, got my bearings and being ready with KST, I felt in control. That lasted about 8 minutes when the 2m talkback was going, KST messages were flying around, I'm still trying to peak the dish and listen to CW at the same time... and then, one of our radio club members also turned up to see what was going on! At which point it sort of descended into a comedy sketch with me thinking that I'm keeping it all together and looking cool and professional, whilst actually being in a complete state of confusion and panic. I don't think Malcolm noticed...

Getting sorted for the 2nd 10GHz contest, watched by Malcolm and the cows...

Anyway, back to contest #3 for me and after running around and picking everything up, throwing it into the car and heading on up to Pilsdon Pen, I got set up by the trig point.

10GHz system set up and ready on the top of Pilsdon Pen

KST at the ready, bearings sorted and a quick check to listen to GB3SCX, then GB3KBQ. All good and I'm ready to go. Then a Dutch family come along and want to have a chat about what I'm doing, I take the family photos of them at the trig point, and with that done, I'm off.  A chat with Adrian, G4UVZ, starts the proceedings and then I (finally) make contact with Lehane, G8KMH. A 73km path and we managed SSB and FM. I say "finally" as we've tried on a number of occasions to make a contact but the terrain didn't make it possible previously. That was followed by an FM contact with Paul, M0EYT, and then the best of the day, was with David, G4YTL. This was a CW contact over a 192km path, which I was very happy with, using just 200mW into a 35cm dish.

10GHz from Pilsdon Pen iron age hillfort.

So, for all the maddening frustration and seemingly out-of-control nature that I find myself in... I'm absolutely loving the world of microwave operation!