For the somewhat less well equipped end, earlier this year saw myself and Nigel G1JKE having a go at the RSGB Backpacker's Contest. Yes that is a rucksack by the wall (with a plaque on it), and it does match the requirement to be 100m from the car. The fact that it's a nice flat walk from the car park, there's a nice drop at the other side, and for those interested it's here Kilburn White Horse .
Not that I really expect anyone to really move in on this location, this escarpment is a good length and we're just near the horse's head.
Previously I was near here having a go at another 2m contest, where I came second to last in my section (oh dear?) ahead of a club effort, but on the other hand it did confirm this as a good location. 3hrs out of a 6 hour session was the killer, but being out in the open in not so good weather does not help.
Yes we did work France from here, with 2.5W, the antenna an HB9CV and a classic rig, a Yaesu FT290R Mk1. I suppose those in some countries consider this as cheating, that you can get PA, ON, and DL from here when conditions (and available operators) permit, and it's less than 25km from home. My best DX on this band was Northern Italy (1600km) but that was definitely Sporadic-E.
If anything you can hit just about every repeater in Yorkshire from here with a hand-held and a couple of watts, and you can watch the gliders take off behind you. You also get used to passing walkers asking you questions about what you are doing and their look of surprise at the the range you get with such a modest set-up. Quite the opposite of HF contesting, rather less frantic but a nice excuse to get some fresh air.
QRP means low power by the way, and just shows what a bit of practical application can do.
