GM4AGG/p Activation of GMFF-043 – Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve
In July 2011, members of the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society travelled to the Outer Hebrides to take part in the Islands on the Air (IOTA) Contest, held annually on the last weekend of July. Our chosen destination was South Uist—an island most of us had never visited before, and home to a rare GMFF site: Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve (GMFF-043).
The Journey North
The GM4AGG/p team—2MØRRO Craig, GMØEZP Ernie, GMØVIQ Eugene, GMØWRR John, GM4TOQ Alan, GM7WED Ross, and MM6YUJ Campbell—set off from Glasgow on what would become a 12-hour journey across some of Scotland’s most scenic and historic landscapes.
We passed the tranquil waters of Loch Lomond, continued through the dramatic mountains of Glencoe, and stopped briefly in Fort William before heading on to Spean Bridge and the Commando Memorial. From there, the road took us past the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, across the Skye Bridge, and up through the Isle of Skye to Uig.
At Uig we boarded the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist. Once ashore, we drove through the unspoiled scenery of Benbecula before arriving on South Uist, ready to set up camp for the contest.
Setting Up at Loch Druidibeg
Early on Saturday morning, we established our station at Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve. The setup consisted of:
Radio: Yaesu FT-920 with auto ATU
Antenna: 160-foot delta loop, supported by two 60 ft masts
Power: 5 kW generator
This straightforward arrangement gave us solid coverage and reliable performance throughout the event.
On the Air
Over the contest weekend, we logged just over 300 contacts. While we weren’t competing for the top scores, it was rewarding to both take part in the IOTA Contest and activate GMFF-043 for the benefit of chasers.
Weather Challenges
Saturday gave us pleasant sunshine and calm conditions—perfect for portable operations. But as often happens in the Hebrides, the weather changed overnight. A storm swept across South Uist, making sleep nearly impossible and turning Sunday morning’s operations into a battle against wind and rain.
By the time the contest ended at 13:00 local time, we were forced to dismantle the station and pack everything away in challenging conditions before returning to Lochmaddy for the ferry back to Skye and the long drive to Glasgow.
Reflections
Looking back, the activation of GMFF-043 during the July 2011 IOTA Contest was a memorable experience. The combination of spectacular landscapes, camaraderie within the team, and the satisfaction of putting this rare nature reserve on the air made it all worthwhile.
Would I do it again? Without hesitation. South Uist, with its mountains, lochs, moorlands, and glens, is a truly special part of Scotland. For those who missed us in 2011, there will no doubt be future activations of Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve (GMFF-043).
Further Reading
Glencoe
Commando Memorial
Eilean Donan Castle
Isle of Skye
South Uist
Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve
Article by Ernie Lindsay, GMØEZP