Braehead Moss NNR [GMFF-010]

Braehead Moss
National Nature Reserve
GMFF-010
MM0DGR Mobile DX-pedition 2010
Photo Report by J. Phunkner, MM0DFV

This is a short photo report about the mobile DX-pedition to the Braehead Moss National Nature Reserve (GMFF-010) organized by members of the Scottish-Russian Amateur Radio Society (SRARS) on 23rd January, 2010. Jurij MM0DFV, John GM0WRR, and Ernie GM0EZP have used our club station's call sign MM0DGR "slash" Mobile during this short trip to the reserve.

Right after arrival we quickly installed our fancy 10m vertical antenna on a roof of our car. We found a nice spot on Blackhill Road along the nature reserve. All the cables, connectors, power leads have been prepared beforehand, so that it didn't take long to put all the bits and pieces together. Everything was ready at 13:10 UTC, so that after a cup of coffee we started CQ-ing on 40 meter band, SSB at 13:27 UTC. It took no longer than 5 minutes to have a huge pile-up of calling stations on our frequency. And guess what guys? We couldn't stop for a few hours, the pile-up always was there! Only one hour break has been taken while we were trying to setup our data mode software and interface. Unfortunately something went wrong with drivers, and we decided to move back on SSB to finish the expedition. The pile-up came back again, and we finished this fun at 19:25 UTC with 406 contacts in the MM0DGR/m log. Thanks to all who called us. The QSL-card has already been designed and ordered (see below). All contacts will be confirmed within one month via the QSL-bureau.

On a back side of the QSL-card you can see what equipment has been used. Transceiver was Icom IC-706MKIIG, mobile power amplifier - HLA-300 Plus (approx. 400W output), antenna - 10m vertical with the automatic antenna coupler CG-5000. A wee Acer Aspire One laptop with the N1MM Logger has done a good job for logging the QSOs. Our ADIF log has been uploaded to the WFF LogSearch database.

The Braehead Moss is a peat bog in the central belt of Scotland. It has arisen from peat developing in two separate basins, which have now fused. Most of this intermediate raised bog with peripheral areas of degraded bog is owned by Scottish Natural Heritage and is the subject of a National Nature Reserve Management Plan that is regularly reviewed. On two small sections of the site, SNH is engaged in the negotiation of a management agreement to control grazing. SNH has taken steps to increase public awareness of the site through liaison with schools and villages in the area.

The weather wasn't great, but it's quite usual for us living in Scotland. The temperature was about +2ºC...+3ºC, rain all the time, and light wind sometimes. Some spots of old snow were everywhere over the place. Please have a look below for some photographs taken during the expedition.

View of the Braehead Moss from Blackhill Road.

John, GM0WRR. Dampness is everywhere.

Ernie, GM0EZP (left) and Jurij, MM0DFV (right) installing the 10m mobile antenna.

Antenna is ready. By the way guy ropes didn't help much when stronger wind appeared. Antenna toppled one time. The best way is to install it on a field with many radials at the bottom. Combination of the magmount and guy ropes on a roof of the vehicle is not safe enough for this size of antenna in stronger wind conditions.

Locals along the Blackhill Road.

At the bottom of the CG-5000 automatic antenna coupler.

John, GM0WRR is handling a pile-up.

Thin ice on deep water pits. Dangerous place.

Typical marshland.

It's easy to get stuck in here...

Old snow spots are everywhere.

The only trees we could find over there.

Jurij, MM0DFV. A short break. It was safer to walk along the fence.

You have to watch such tiny nearly invisible water holes. They can be really deep.

Peat makes water black.

The bright green mounds of star mosses are named for the arrangement of their small spiky leaves, and are found where the water table has been lowered, because of historical drainage. Star mosses grow in cushions that can be 40cm deep and look quite solid, but push the plant and your hand will disappear into its centre.

The beauty is everywhere, you just need to find it...

These dry stone fences, typical of the stone fences in Scotland and other parts of Great Britain, were built with great craftsmanship.

Ernie, GM0EZP is working on a pile-up.

The MM0DGR/m Team. From the left-to-right: Ernie, GM0EZP, Jurij, MM0DFV, and John, GM0WRR.

Sunset at the Braehead Moss.

Busy friendly team.

Our Icom IC-706MKIIG and HLA-300 Plus.

Ernie, GM0EZP is operating. Jurij, MM0DFV is handling the log.

A wee Acer Aspire One laptop with the N1MM Logger has done a good job for logging the QSOs.

A short break for a cup of tea. Jurij, MM0DFV and John, GM0WRR.

Ernie, GM0EZP is trying to take a picture of the sunset.

Another view of the Braehead Moss from Blackhill Road.

That's the story guys. You may use the material from this website for radio amateur publications without our permission. Any non-amateur or commercial use is prohibited. The sponsor of this mini DX-pedition is Radioarena www.radioarena.co.uk Thanks again for everybody who called us. It was another enjoyable day out with the radio.

Amateur radio is a hobby. It does not compete in terms of importance with one’s job, one’s safety, one’s health or wellbeing or that of one’s family. These after all are the important things in life. That said, how we spend our leisure time is critical to our happiness and quality of life.