Special Eclipse Station
Slieve Croob.
GI0SMU
After a very successful DXpedition on Wednesday 11th August morning at 10.45... AM Local Time, to observe the Eclipse the following contacts were recorded and are on the list shown below..
I must thank MI1 BEI Bob from Ballynahinch for all his assistance in relaying the weaker stations to me. His help was invaluable and much appreciated.


Since I wrote the above, Bob has passed away. He died in the early hours of Sunday Morning (August 22nd) shortly after speaking to his friends on the Radio. I have known Bob for about ten years and came to like and respect him as a good friend. He will be sadly missed by the Radio Amateur Fraternity. He enriched the lives of all who knew him and will be sadly missed by his Family and Friends. 73's Bob, Rest in Peace.


I have included four pictrures of the Eclipse taken by Dr David Hutchinson (GI4 FUM) they are by far and away the best pictures taken by any local astronomer. He has kindly given me permuission to upload them for your pleasure.
My signals were strong from the summit of Slieve Croob but unfortunately my receiver front end was de-sensitised by the strong signals eminating from the transmitters located close to me.
There was high cloud cover but we did catch the occasional glimpse of the Eclipse and take a few photograps of it, so the DXpedition achieved everything we wanted.
It was very cold on the summit and I began to shiver even though I put on the extra clothing I brought with me. The sandwiches and drinks also proved to be a blessing and we were very fortunate it did not rain during the time we were on the summit. Heavy showere were observed in the direction of Banbridge but in general the conditions were good.
I can not give an accurate assessment of the possible variations in propagation conditions because of the problem with the nearby transmitters. However sufficent to say we did manage to make a few contacts.
My personal thanks to everyone who called in and made the Eclipse a very special and memorable event for me.

  1. GI4 VIV Peter
  2. MI0 EIF Archey
  3. MI1 BEI Bob
  4. GI4 SFV Alex
  5. GI8 RUC Tom
  6. GI0 VVJ Peter
  7. GI0 SMY
  8. GI4 MAY John
  9. GI0 BBJ John
  10. . MI1 DRU Mark
  11. . MI0 BBF from Ballymena
  12. . GI7 MDX Bill
  13. . GI0 FFL Charles
  14. . MI1 BIW Robert
  15. . GI0 DHW C. Clelland from Cregagh.
  16. . GI4 HGQ Frank
  17. . GI4 VAB from Stormont
  18. . MI0 EAH Johnny.

The frequency was 145.550 Mhz (S22)
Notes on the location...
Slieve Croob is an ancient site inhabited from the Bronze Age also used as a lookout for the local populous until modern times now we have several communications relay stations on the site.

There are numerous burial cairns on the site.It is also the source of the River Lagan.
During the Neolithic era there is evidence of cereal crop cultivation at an altitude of 485 meters on the site which has been dated to 3,600 to 3,200 BC. (Sally Kirk)
What better place to watch the eclipse with it's ancient historical connections





This station used was a DJ - G5 (EY) Alinco feeding onto a 5/8th vertical whip with a supplementary power pack giving 5 hours continuous use at maximum power.
Operators and Short-wave Listeners should QSL via the internet to the address

Many thanks to my two sons Stefan and Jonathan who did the event with me I enjoyed their company on this memorable occasion. This is the last such event this Milleniun and I was glad to have seen it.
Kindest Regards and best 73's
Adrian
GI0 SMU. rf