With my logging assistant back from University, it was time for another portable radio adventure: two of us, and two parks to activate on our first POTA excursion into Wiltshire. Since we had a student’s sleep schedule to contend with, we didn’t set off until 1300 local time, which on practically the shortest day of the year gave us about three hours’ daylight to play with.

The first park was GB-0631 Langley Wood, a great example of ancient woodland but with large areas fenced off for management, there’s not a lot of space for a radio station. We parked here which has space for around three cars, and headed a few hundred metres into the wood, to where a signposted path branches off to the right. The corner between the two paths offered enough space for the JPC-12 vertical, and we set to work, getting 10 in the log on the 20 metre band in reasonably short order.

Once we had our 10, we decided to pack up and head on to our other planned spot, GB-3251 Pepperbox Hill, since the top of the hill would let us take better advantage of the remaining daylight.

The “pepperbox” is a 19th century “folly” (a purely decorative structure) commissioned by Lord Eyre of nearby Brickworth Manor. The surrounding park land, now managed by the National Trust, isn’t particularly big, however the top of the hill does provide a great view across to Salisbury and beyond, with the cathedral clearly visible in the distance.

The hilltop also provides a good take-off to the west, so at the request of Joe KC1SRI, we set up on the 10 metre band, using the vertical again.

We only managed a brief QSO with Joe due to some rapid and quite deep QSB on the band, exchanging 31 & 41 reports. However, we stuck with the band rather than switching to 20 or 40, and persevered as the sun sank lower towards the western horizon.

I still find the higher bands pretty incredible. (You can tell this is my first sunspot cycle peak as a ham.) This is just a metal stick, barely taller than me, stuck in the ground on a hilltop… and I can talk to America?!

Another 7 QSOs with the USA and 7 in Europe brought the total to 15, at which point the sun was setting and the wind getting colder, so we packed away. After a brief walk around the rest of the park, we headed for home.

Thanks to all our contacts during today’s activations. See you on the air next time!