My 120-mile Hike Carrying Homebrew Tube Transceiver

I considered that. But I don’t use hiking sticks and it was too much gear.

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

If marked on the map, yes. I didn’t check out this one.

Many roads in England were originally Roman Roads.

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

The first part of today’s 10-mile hike had a very Avengers vibe.

The village of Tatsfield is very quiet but the hotel had a late 60s vibe with plastic furniture and posters of David Bowie.

At breakfast I was surprised that the patrons at the next table were two glamorous young businesswomen.

One had a strong French accent, the other upper class English, clad in a black leather skirt and 3-inch stiletto heels.

Their conversation centred on the perilous state of the world financial system.

Somewhat befuddled, I packed and set off.

The village of Tatsfield was catatonic. No human in sight except for an old lady smoking a cigarette in the bus shelter.

Classic village, complete with pond and ducks.





Headed to the former radio monitoring station. The footpath had this warning.





Reached this field. The Ordnance Survey map showed a public footpath directly through the middle of this private farmer’s field, so I marched through the crops. (Under English law I have right of way.)



After marching through the field I found the heavily overgrown gate leading to a country lane.





(To be continued. My hotel dinner starts in five minutes.)

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

I would like to join them. I lack practice in the upper class English )

 

My thanks for taking us along on your trip! Bits of the British country side one photos at a time.

 

So would I except:

• Very happily married.
  
• 40 years older.
• A gazillion other stuff.

Wlad, it would be cool to work you with the Peashooter. Truly innocent fun.

G3EDM/P

 

A very large meal later.



I reached the front gate, which was open.

A white van was in the entrance. A bearded young man emerged.

Me: Is there public access!

White Van Man: No, this is government property. I’m just waiting for a delivery.

Me: I have an interest in this property and have an Ofcom licence.

WVM: Sorry, can’t help you there.

A photo taken through the fence.


>
That’s it for the monitoring station.

The rest of the day continues in my next post.

G3EDM

 

Will continue update.

Bedtime.

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

If it doesn't have a Wullenweber array, throw it back.

 

Karl - this is funny...

73 Jason KD9ZHF

 

After a few hours of essential sleep we continue Tuesday’s story. Before going back to get even more sleep.

I am pretty sure I could have got into the Tatsfield monitoring station from the back, via Pitchers wood. But that needed several hours, which I did not have. It was also probably illegal.

It turn so out that visiting the site is streng verboten for two reasons:

• “Government site”.
• A major natural gas pipeline runs through it. The young man was probably from the gas company.

Even if I had been wearing a bowler hat, carrying a furled umbrella and citing “government work” the man was too young to see the cultural reference.

I walked south for a few minutes and rejoined the North Downs Way.

(to be continued)

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

A couple of hours later I operated radio from a wood on Westerham Hill.

This is close to Biggin Hill, the famous World War Two air base. Vintage fighters and bombers still fly from there and my QSOs were against a background of vintage aircraft engines.

Antenna was the EFHW in a V shape with the centre about 7 metres up.



The operating position.



It started with a brief, repeat QSO with @G3TXL.

I then worked @G4AYR. It was gratifying that by now, my CW copy skills have progressed such that I can catch the gist.

So for instance I copied that his name was Terry, QTH near Oxford and was operating QRT (I think). “Congrats OM FB” and that sort of thing.

After the QSO I continued calling CQ for a while, somewhat hampered by a persistent wasp that kept landing on my keying hand.

After an hour I packed up the Peashooter and returned to the trail.

(to be continued)

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

An hour or so later I was buzzed by a large bird of prey. No idea what it was; red-tailed kite? Got a photo but it was far away by now so I won’t post it here.

A couple of minutes later human birds of prey appeared in the sky.

A WWII bomber, probably a Lancaster, escorted by a Spitfire.

Video:https://youtube.com/shorts/Br3hL9NwYT0?feature=shared

I walked on and a few minutes later came across this.





I must admit that the juxtaposition of the impromptu “flypast” with the visit to this memorial left a lump in my throat.

(to be continued)

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

The rest of the walk was glorious. Perfect weather, partly cloudy, low 20s and a fresh breeze.

In the distance, Chevening, a “grace and favour” mansion in the gift of the British foreign secretary (U.S.: Secretary of State).



Some more pix from today.









That’s it. More adventures tomorrow, Wednesday.

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P

 

It’s Wednesday morning and another beautiful day for hiking, with a forecast of 24 maximum temperature and partly cloudy.

However the forecast for all of the other remaining days of my hike (Thursday through Sunday) is less benign, with a steady maximum of 28 and no cloud cover.

I will need to switch to an early start and this may mean skipping the catered breakfast at some hotels. Breakfast is seldom served earlier than 7:00 a.m. and at some hotels it’s 7:30 or even 8:00.

Today’s stage is 8 miles to the village of Wrotham (pronounced ROO-tum).

As usual I have no idea if or when I will do radio today.

73 de Martin, G3EDM/P