#gm5fff

Dawsholm Park Nature Reserve – POTA Activation GB-3309

On 17 May 2025, operators MMØDFV and GM4XYL brought Dawsholm Park Local Nature Reserve (GB-3309) on the air for Parks on the Air (POTA). Operating as GM5FFF/m, the team set up a simple mobile station inside the car, running an Icom IC-725 at 20 watts into a magmount whip antenna. The activation was carried out on 10.136 MHz FT8, producing steady results across Europe. No DX was heard during the session, though the longest contact was with R1BED, at approximately 1295.4 miles (2084.8 km).

The Park

Dawsholm Park, located in northwest Glasgow along the River Kelvin, is a site with both history and natural appeal. The area was purchased by Glasgow Corporation in 1922 from Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth, incorporating parts of his Garscube estate once known as the Belvidere plantation. Grasslands to the south and old shale waste mounds (blaes bings) to the east were added, the latter being levelled into recreation grounds that once hosted several football pitches.

Today, the park is valued for its woodland walks, with a criss-crossing network of paths and plenty of seating for visitors to rest and watch wildlife. The mature woodland and grassland habitats support a wide variety of plants and animals, making it an attractive place for both walkers and nature enthusiasts.

Wildlife

The park is home to a diverse range of species. Among the trees are beech, larch, yew, rhododendron, hawthorn, and foxglove, providing seasonal colour and shelter. Sparrowhawks are sometimes spotted hunting in the scrubland, a welcome sign of recovery after years of decline. Grey squirrels are common, darting across the paths in search of acorns and beech nuts, while smaller birds such as blackbirds and blue tits are constant companions in the woodland canopy.

The Activation

Operating from within the park was straightforward, though one discouraging fact was hard to ignore: the proximity of a waste recycling plant nearby, which took away some of the natural charm of the setting. Still, the station performed well, logging European contacts throughout the session. The lack of DX was balanced by steady regional propagation, and the distance worked into Russia with R1BED was a highlight of the day.

Reflections

Dawsholm Park combines history, recreation, and nature within Glasgow’s urban landscape. Although modern developments such as the waste facility detract somewhat from the surroundings, the woodland walks and wildlife habitats retain their appeal. For POTA operators, it offered a mix of challenges and rewards—easy mobile setup and steady contacts, set against a backdrop of woodland, history, and the sound of the River Kelvin.

Activation Details: