Winter Series 2001-2002
Round 6 - 17th March 2002

Report by TX operator John Jocys:

Due to a variety of circumstances, the hunted has been unable to take part in much of this series, so as the chosen one for this event it was thought that a little something special should be presented to challenge the undoubted skills of the combatants. In spite of spending some time studying the map, a suitable site proved illusive, until a chance meeting with Mr McNeill (he who has migrated to the hills) when his suggestion of 'a little scrubland just north of Newbridge in Eccles' was investigated.

At 8:30am on day before the event the hunted went to investigate Mr McNeill's suggestion, and oh, what a pleasant site (and sight)! A thoroughly unpleasant plot of land around NGR786985 was explored. In addition to the unpleasantness on the ground, the current OS Sheet 109 shows much of the site as being a hospital (actually the old Ladywell Hospital, demolished a couple of years ago). The area now includes a large secure car park and some commercial premises, equally secure.

The choice of places to hide on this site was extensive. Eventually a position on the north of the site was decided upon. This was on top of a cliff, backed by a steel fence. This position had many advantages: it was high up and it was easy to watch most of the combatants entering and searching the site. By situating the transmitter slightly away from the edge of the cliff, concealment was not difficult.

A distinct disadvantage of the site was the lack of places to hide the car. In such circumstances, a bicycle would normally have been chosen as the mode of transport, but the operator had sustained a back injury which made cycling out of the question. This time.

It was decided to ask a friend to provide transport, thereby leaving no other clues to the position of the transmitter.

At 10:00hrs a transmission was made, but a call to Mr Heys showed that nothing was heard despite having lots of wire out and the transmitter being only a few miles from the start. A quick aerial re-arrangement and a fast counterpoise laid out, resulted in the transmissions being heard, albeit weakly.

10:42hrs: by this time the aerial system had been further extended and the steel fence adjacent to the transmitter was connected up to the earth system. In spite of this, the Heys / Holland team (by now in Ainsworth near Bury) couldn't hear the transmission. Others did hear the signal, notably Mr Plummer who was lurking around the church near Worsley Courthouse.

In view of the fact that the signal was inaudible in Ainsworth, it was decided that transmissions would be extended beyond the normal 2mins CW + 2mins AM.

10:57hrs: Mr Plummer appeared clutching his envelope; he was declared winner of the event, arriving at the transmitter at 10:59hrs.

Some minutes later Mr Heath was spotted searching the area. It was he who entered the adjacent secure car park. Had the car park not been secure, he could have strolled across to the transmitter which was no more than 50m away. In the event he had to drive out of the car park and try to locate the site from the south side. He spotted the Plummer car which at least gave him a clue that he might be on target. He was signed in at 11:08hrs.

A pleasant 40 minutes was then passed with the two successful combatants, when Mr Chippendale was spotted 'below' hunting around with his receiver. After some minutes of confusion, the transmitter was switched to AM, the microphone plugged in, and some hints were passed over the air. At 12:00hrs, Mr Chippendale was signed in.

Mssrs Heys and Holland were spotted running around the site. Mr Chippendale peeped over the edge of the cliff to watch the entertainment, unfortunately the movement was spotted by he who is more attuned to keeping an eye open for hungry polar bears, Mr Holland. At 12:02hrs the Heys / Holland team were signed in.

Mr Peacock had been seen exploring the site, after some winding-up, he eventually found the site and was signed it at 12:05hrs.

The post-mortem at the JD Weatherspoon's pub, The Eccles Cross, wasn't the success it should have been. The beer and food were of fair quality and reasonable price, but the crazy rule that young children weren't allowed into the pub, even at lunchtime and for a meal, wasn't discovered until well after meals had been ordered and paid for (or in the case of Mr Plummer, eaten as well). Mr Peacock, with his partner Donna and their two young children were forced to leave. This rather spoiled the day for us by depriving us of their good company and tales (excuses?) of the day, but perhaps was a relief to them for not having to put up with the endless winding-up they would have suffered in coming last in this last event of the season.

A good and well supported event, thanks to all who took part, and to G6LCS for suggesting the site. Thanks also to Mr Heys for the pretty pictures.

A bicycle event was suggested, and as chief bicycle DFer I will arrange an event, the date of which will be discussed and arranged by email so that as many as possible can take part. Please let me have your email addresses, and any dates in May / June which are UNSUITABLE, to john.jocys@btinternet.com.

On your marks...	Chris feels a draft
We can't hear you John!	3rd place Dave Chip signs in
JJ's comfy hideaway	Dave Peacock arrives on site
"That hill was knackering!"	Now, where's the beer emporium?
Dave's set has grown	Megan was upset at Dave P coming last
Mr Heath's car notches up its 1000th DF