Six teams (well, five as MrX and MrY were stuck in traffic) started this first Mid-Thames event of the season. Torches were a must on this dark evening.

Alan Simmons was the hidden station transmitting on 1905 kHz which, to our surprise, was giving a fair audible signal when competing with SSB QRM. I plotted a bearing of 352, (others were similar) which passed towards the Princes Risborough area. The majority of the teams managed to get through the traffic in High Wycombe and onto the Aylesbury map (but not me, I only managed to get to the edge of the Reading map). Good signals were received by all (at this time MrX and MrY arrived at the start!).

At the 8:15 signal, Alan still was strong but the bearings proceeded Northwards, then after driving up further into the Chilterns the fog came down, in some areas quite dodgy. Still driving along narrow roads with almost no idea where I was, I spotted Graham Phillips and after a quick moan decided to attempt to drive around the area to find either Alan's car or a suitable track. The next signal I somehow appeared in Dunsmore where the signal was weaker so back to the place where I met Graham.

Out of the car and trotted off down the Ridgeway path. By this time Alan was on continuous transmissions. Plod, plod onwards - I eventually caught up with Graham and then both of us were confused as the signal strength stated to change up and down dramatically. However, we both managed to find Alan hidden in a thick bush beside a wire fence.

With only MrX and Y not in the area, Alan called for any response and decided to pull the plug at 21:21 (sadly the duo were actually around 250 mt away - sorry chaps).

Alan's site was in woods near Buckmoorend near Dunsmore. First into the transmitter was Mark Coventry just beating Mr Lisle.

A good chat was held at the local pub with Mr X and Y not entirely happy. (That's life)

Brian Bristow