|
If this indeed an activation of Rockall I take my
hat off and salute the team involved. Over the past 20 years I have
activated almost all of the Scottish Offshore Islands and have gone to great
lengths to study Rockall including maps and photographs and I know just how
difficult this operation will be.
I discussed possible landings with The Scottish
Coastguard Service when the Chief Officer was a licensed Amateur and we looked
at going with the Coastguard S61 Rescue Chopper. You can see a
picture of this chopper on my old web site at:
The site is no longer active but still
exists.
The S61 on a full fuel load and otherwise empty
could only hover at Rockall for 10 minutes. Unfortunately I am too
old and too fat to dangle from the rope of a helicopter.
Rockall has been activated once before, but by a
non licensed CBer who made a few QSOs and even sent out some "QSL"
cards.
The WX on the west coast of Scotland today was
pretty foul I can only guess what it would be like at Rockall....In the winter
the sea breaks right over the rock. As the activation took place
when I was at work today and is likely to take place whan I am at work tomorrow,
never the less I am excited by the thought that somebody has actually made it at
last.
Saturday is supposed to be hot and sunny in
Scotland so maybe we might be successful then if they are still
around.
de Tom
GM4FDM
|
