7th/8th (Sat/Sun) September 2019 1300-1300utc
Newport Amateur Radio Society and friends
We are operating in the RSGB SSB Field Day contest this year, 7th/8th September, from a field next to the River Monnow just outside the small village of Grosmont, between Abergavenny and Hereford, IO81nv, 45 mins from Newport. We all know that contesting is not for everyone, but we are treating it as a radio get together where sitting around the camp fire, chatting and having an enjoyable time is the only requirement.
Station building will be starting at 1300utc on the 6th (Friday) for those that would like to help and get involved with that side of it. We are entering the Low Power Unassisted Portable section, single transceiver, 100W max. One single element antenna (vertical or dipole) with a maximum of two elevated supports not exceeding 15m above ground. Receiving with more than two receivers or receiving while transmitting is not allowed. An 80m doublet seems to be the antenna of choice, positioned parallel to the river. We aim to use battery/solar but will have a generator on standby if required.
The camp site is a back to basics, so no showers, but there is a nicely maintained sink and loo at the farmhouse, a couple of mins walk from the field. It is a ‘zero’ RF noise site, set in slight bowl with the River Monnow along side, so we are just inside the Welsh border. If you are a stargazer and the night is clear/moon free, you will be in for a treat ! Whilst we would love to have a couple more operators to assist during the event (especially the night) please don’t feel that you need to operate. It is a get together with members and friends of the club which is why we are inviting both Cwmbran and Chepstow clubs. If you fancy just popping in and perhaps grabbing a tea/coffee that would be great as well.
We are planning on having a communal BBQ and refreshment area, so please bring enough for yourself to cook up or add to the collective ‘pot’. Tents and campers are fine, however to get a caravan to the site might require you to perform a recce just to check access up and over Grosmont. A hot plate/grill will be available on the camp fire so you can cook burgers etc. late into the night. You can even have your own off the ground fire wherever you set up camp.
Heading north from Abergavenny along the A465 continue over the restricted width bridge, under the low bridge that follows, and next right in to Pontrilas (12.7 miles from the Abergavenny roundabout). Then take your immediate next right (300yrds) and follow the B4347 into Grosmont. Half way along the B4347 there is a 90’ bend, follow it around and over the bridges and head on up into Grosmont, just stay on the B4347. When in Grosmont, keep going past the Angel Pub, and drop down the other side, Tresenny Lower Farm Camp Site is on the left. If you go over the bridge with the white farm house ahead you have gone 100yrds too far.
We have arranged with Mo the landowner, a £7 per head per night charge. Mo would prefer if all bookings and payments came through a single contact (Richie-MW0LGE) with cash handed over during the event. You can book extra nights as well, so you could turn it into a mini break. Please try to get the bookings completed by the end of August. Hopefully we will see you there ! 73.
LOC: IO81nv NGR: SO408241 WAB: SO42
Lower Tresenny Farm
Grosmont
NP7 8LN
Google Map Link : https://goo.gl/maps/fCAGwrapH5DEhzeQ8