GB0SNB - Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

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CQWW WPX SSB Contest 2016

Posted: 29 Mar 2016 06:41 AM PDT
http://www.gb0snb.com/wordpress/2016...b-2016-mx0snb/


Over theÂ*2016 Easter public holiday weekend, the team at the SNBCG decided
to participate in the CQWW WPX SSB contest, using the club callsignÂ*MX0SNB.
On arrival, our usual camp location close to the bunkers communication mast
had become unusable due to recentÂ*wet weather,Â*withÂ*the grass boggy to say
the least! It soon became apparent one of the vehicles was stuck in the
mud, and after much pushing and pulling we decided another location would
be required. Luckily the owner of the site offered us another location,
higher up on the hill with the added advantage that once onto the hill your
vehicle only need to slide down to the bottom of the hill to exit a very
useful feature!









Using George M1GEOs 14 MHz homebrew beam and Dave M0TAZsÂ*21 MHz beam, Â*we
set up our stations on a lovely sunny Friday afternoon.



Power was provided by 2 x Honda EU20 generators coupled together and
providing 4 kWÂ*of peak-power. Enough to run the two stations with
amplifiers and a kettle for making tea!



Dave M0YOL kindly offered his awning, along with copious cups of tea, bacon
sandwiches and supplies throughout the event. Â*We had completed the set up
before sun down on Friday, allowing us to complete some testing with both
of the solid state amplifiers.George M1GEO and Chris G8OCV had recently
purchased an SPEÂ*Expert 1.3K-FA amplifier and Dave M0TAZÂ*was using
theÂ*hal1200_atlantic, with both amplifiers are capable of providing over
1kW of RF power, more than enough to meet the UK full legal power of 400W.



George M1GEO and Chris G8OCV have designed and built a 3 element 14 MHz
beam, the design uses roach poles and provides a lightweight portable beam.
The 21 MHz beam Dave M0TAZ constructed was based on DK7ZB design, and the
construction details have been previously discussedÂ*in this articleÂ*on his
personal website.

The setÂ*up inside the caravan (trailer) awning provided a dry and
largelyÂ*windproof operating position, although at this early in the year
the evenings are somewhat chilly! The weather provided a real challenge as
the weekend progressed. In such a high and exposed location, with storm
Katie approaching the south of the UK.



Over the course of the next 48 hours,Â*the rain and the wind increased to
storm force with gusts in London of 50 mph,Â*and in our exposed hilltop
location gusts in excess ofÂ*70 mph were felt rocking the caravan.

This video, comprised to clips from throughout the weekend captures the
more sane parts of the experience, with the scary parts unrecorded (because
we were all too busy holding things down)!



We lowered the beams and continued as best as possible using a vertical and
doublet antenna well, it started vertical!



Late on Sunday nightÂ*and inÂ*early hours of Monday morning, the storm really
hit had, the awning was in danger of parting from the caravan so the
decision was taken to quickly move all the equipment into the safety of the
caravan. It wasnt until the following morning, when the storm had passed,
that we were able to assess the damage!











Unfortunately the beam isÂ*not likely to make any further field days, but
George M1GEO and Chris G8OCV do have plans for a mark 2 aluminium version
soon.



Dave M0TAZsÂ*21 MHz beam fared a little better with the weather and survived
the storm, but unfortunately, the mast will require a new guide rail (a
plastic wedge that stops the mast rotating) due to the wind loading put
upon the mast in the storm.

Despite the awful weather conditions we did manage to work 744 QSO in 94
DXCC in the main on 14 and 21 MHz.

The following maps show QSO made on 21 MHz (Red pins) and 14 MHz (Yellow
pins) showing North America, South America and Asia.

You can view the log and further statistics online using the excellent SH5
contest log analyser software.