11:51:40
(....another first for the MC0SHLTeam)
The Boys here at the Strumble Head DX & Contest Group like to think we are at the forefront of new ventures in the Ham radio arena and new projects are always taken on board as a challenge. October 2008 was the first time MC0SHL had taken part in the activities of WFF (World Flora Fauna www.wff44.com ) and we weren't sure how, or even if, it would take off in the UK. We 'activated' the 'Pembrokeshire Coast' ''GFF-015'' and worked several hundred in the brief time we had available last year between building antennas and preparing for CQWW 2008.
Since then, I am pleased to say that the programme has grown very rapidly and there can't be many of you out there that haven't seen the '*FF' call signs and references being apparent on all bands over the last 6 months. The latest challenges for me (being the 'Northern Contingent' of MC0SHL!) was to have a bash at the WFF program whilst visiting the 'Tan Hill Inn' in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Inn is the 'Highest Pub in Great Britain' and being 1732ft ASL it has a great take off for Amateur Radio for sure. But don't be lead into a false sense of security as the Snow Mobile parked outside the pub is there for a reason! Although it wasn't snowing, it was lashing it down with rain and setting the Cushcraft A4S up was literally a real dampener on our spirits to say the least. Nevertheless we cracked on and were qrv by late tea time on the Friday and for the next 36 hours. Well, some of us were qrv, the other 'die hard Amateurs' found that the 10 second walk into the pub itself to sample the goods on offer were more of a temptation than they could handle, 'Theakstones Real Ale' not being the only thing on offer for some! Band conditions were not at their best but we found 20M alone was open to the USA and SA until 0030 each night and then again wide open to the East from 0500 with lovely pile-ups into Russia and the Far East, all wanting this new and rare WFF reference! 
So in the end, WFF proved its worth and the amount of stations wanting the reference number exceeded our estimation by far. We finished off with 2349 contacts in the log and all were made on the HF Bands.
In contrast, my latest visit was to Holy Island on the Northumberland Coast. Again WFF & IOTA assured to give us some good contacts and they didn't disappoint. We lost 24hrs due to the trip falling on the IARU Contest weekend (my bad ) but still managed a good 2667 q's with a great opening to JA long path, South America and North America until well after 0200.
Giving not one but two WFF numbers obviously increased our profile and we were happy at the result for sure.
Spurred on by these event sand having being appointed as UK Coordinator for the WFF programme, we then took a look at the other areas available to us that we may activate. We found several literally on our doorstep in and around Wales.
Indeed our well publicised trip to Ramsey Island in July will give another 'new one' away, as well as the IOTA reference and the Island itself which hasn't been activated for many, many Years. This island is amazing and is placed very highly on the RSPB's (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) list of Nature Reserves within the UK. Our 'home' station in Pembrokeshire will also give us a few more later in the year too. There is a new award available for WFF chasers and details can be found on their main website (above) or on mine at www.charlesm0oxo.piczo.com . Be warned.....as well as the other contacts required, you will need at least one contact with MC0SHL, MW0OXO or GB0WFF to claim the award so make sure you bag one 'Q' in your log whilst we are at Ramsey!!!
So, to everyone out there, please listen for the mc0shl team on the bands using our regular or maybe another special call. Please bookmark our websites and check them regularly for updates regarding our events. If you see the mc0shl logo on your qsl cards, you'll know that the boys are still out there 'chasing the dream', whilst at the same time trying to keep Ham Spirit truly alive during these times when propagation is sometime dire.
73, regards, Charles MØOXO
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