| Competitor | Time | Adj. Time | Time Diff. | Score | Bill North |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoffrey Foster | 20:52:00 | 20:52:00 | 00:00:00 | -5 | 10 |
| Justin Snow | 20:58:00 | 20:58:00 | 00:06:00 | 8 | 6 |
| Alan Simmons | 20:59:00 | 20:59:00 | 00:07:00 | 10 | 4 |
| Peter Lisle | 21:03:00 | 21:03:00 | 00:11:00 | 15 | 3 |
| David Ryan | 21:10:00 | 21:10:00 | 00:18:00 | 23 | 2 |
| Bill Pechey | 21:20:00 | 21:20:00 | 00:28:00 | 34 | 1 |
| Justin Oldham | NF | 21:40:00 | 00:48:00 | 55 | 0 |
| Roger Shepherd | op | - | - | - | 4 |
Unfortunately work committments meant that I have not been able to compete recently, however I did commit to running a DF, normally I would have chosen a late season event when the nights are drawing in. Thought therefore was needed as to how I could make this event a bit more interesting.
Unknown to most competitors, my business is now based in Arborfield [Bill admitted at the end that he should have paid more attebntion to that] so I decided to examine a few potential sites in that area. Restriction on getting additional hands to erect the aerial also contributed to the fun.
In the end I elected to place the Tx in the triangle bounded by Sindlesham, Barkham and Arborfield, I spent several lunch hours pounding the maze of paths so be warned there are loads more sites around.
In the end I found a fallen tree, adjacent to a small stream with plenty of clear water and boggy soil. I thought therefore that a simple long-wire aerial would provide a suitable option - there being a well defined path only a few degrees off the general direction of Maidenhead Thicket. I got lucky - getting around 100M of fresh brown wire high into the trees, followed by a further 50M of black wire, ending in the middle of a holly thicket.
I understand that quite a few teams were checking their sense at the start.
My greatest surprise when I spotted torch-light approaching around about the 8:15 transmission and had a torch illuminate my reading matter a few seconds later - however, strangely, lights didn't re-appear at the 8:30 or 8:40 transmissions. However shortly after 8:50 Geoffrey finally spotted the tree and decided to investigate more thoroughly. Justin and Alan approached from the stream side a bit later, Justin being attracted by the reflection from the camo netting.
My choice of pub was less of an achievement - there being a shortage of decent ale - so one thing I must do is to get out a bit more and test the quality of the local hostelries - just in case I put on another event in the area.
Roger Shepherd