UK DX Field Operating Sites — Net Control Map

Coverage & legal note

Starter set only — not exhaustive. Check public access, landowner rules, conservation designations (SSSI etc.), and safe equipment placement before any visit.

Vehicle / overnight: Parking never authorises transmitting. Camper size limits and overnight rules vary; confirm with the operator. Treat overnight parking as prohibited unless explicitly allowed.

Horizon estimate: Approximate radio horizon to a sea-level target using standard 4/3-Earth refraction and a ~2 m portable antenna. Terrain, vegetation, buildings, band and propagation change real coverage; this is not a predicted contact range.

Terrain layer: Switch to “Terrain (OpenTopoMap)” in the map layer control (top-right) to see contours and relief. Useful when judging take-off and approach routes.

Map controls

Lancashire shortlist Other UK sites Approx. parking

Band suitability HF + VHF Good for both — open space for wire/mast and VHF HF + VHF (coastal) Sea paths help VHF/UHF; HF also workable VHF preferred / HF possible Limited space or busy site — VHF easiest; compact HF only

Typical portable antennas Wire / EFHW / dipole HF wire antennas — need guy space or trees; best on open summits Vertical Compact HF/VHF vertical or loaded whip — smaller footprint VHF yagi Directional 2 m / 70 cm beam — needs clear take-off and a light mast Handheld / compact HT or very small antenna — tight or busy summits only

Original Lancashire shortlist

Beacon Fell Country Park — facilities & broad outlook
Longridge Fell — ridge for multi-bearing comparisons
Pendle Hill — highest / most exposed of the four
Darwen Tower area — southern West Pennine comparison

Before transmitting: Follow your licence, obtain land permission, check access & conservation guidance, use only authorised frequencies and power.

Distances (selected pairs)

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Straight-line only. Use the map to inspect terrain and actual paths.

Sources & further reading

SOTA database · Parks on the Air · HeyWhatsThat horizon tool · OpenStreetMap · RSGB

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Site details are approximate and linked from each card; always verify current guidance before travel.

Local net-control log

Simple roster and activity log stored only in this browser (localStorage). Useful for informal nets while portable. Export CSV/ADIF to keep a permanent copy — clearing site data will erase the log. UTC clock: --:--:--

Logging a station here does not grant permission to transmit. Follow your licence, landowner rules, and band plans at all times.

Data stays on this device only (localStorage). Export CSV or ADIF for a permanent copy. Clearing browser data will erase the log.

Current roster

Callsign	Name	Location / QTH	Status	Last heard (UTC)

Roster is empty.

Activity log

UTC	Status	Callsign	Name	Location / QTH	Freq / mode	Reports	Notes	Actions

No stations logged yet. Add a check-in to begin.