December 29, 2023

Mt Marulan VK2/ST-039 - my first failed activation

December 29, 2023/ Wade Smith

Having not been out on summits for a little while I received a push by my good friend https://www.instagram.com/trig_ventures/ who is a frequent hiking buddy and another good friend to try and activate VK2/ST-039 Mt Marulan.

Reading blogs from VK1MCW, VK1AD and VK2IO we followed the GPXs within the files section here on groups IO.

Arriving at the G98 trail head, we noted a new sign compared to other blog images noting the gate was now PRIVATE, which without direct permission we did not want to enter. We checked the other 2 gates on the eastern side of the fence, both were also locked.

Noting some comments on some older activations from VK2IO and VK2HRX they mentioned the trail comes out near Tiyces Lane further to the south.

Heading to the very end of Tiyces Lane the former brown sign indicating the trailhead direction was missing compared to VK2IO's blog

Once arriving at the trail head a nearly 3km climb awaits you - I suggest not trying it on a 30 degree day like we did.

Arriving at the trig was a feat that was celebrated by Trig_Vetures

Sadly HF conditions were a complete blow out - not a single call in response to my CQs on 40 or 20m.

I could hear faint murmers of VKFF parks activators on 7.144 but not actual words. VK1AD reported he could not hear me and I could not hear him on the usual workhorse band of 40m. Mt Marulan has become my first failed activation. With that steep climb I doubt I will be returning in a hurry either!

A refreshing ginger beer was had at the Hiberian Hotel in Goulburn and a safe return in the early evening was a welcome finish. VK1AD advised the MUF for that time as 4MHZ

February 22, 2021

Double Summit Saturday VK2/ST-001 & VK2/ST-034

February 22, 2021/ Wade Smith

I have been slowing down on my SOTA activities lately and I needed to get back out and activate some summits.

Thankfully Andrew VK1DA was keen to head out and knock over two summits being ST-001 - The shared location for the Captain’s Flat Weather Radar site and ST034, Mt Gillamatong near the NSW town of Braidwood.

The day was glorious - about 28-33 Degrees on an Aussie summer’s day and it seemed that every flying insect wanted to visit us.

After great hour or so on 80m-23cm we packed up and started heading for ST-034 which was a hot walk up the fire trail to knock out some contacts on HF and 2m.

January 11, 2018

SOTA: 3 8 Point Summits, 2 Andrews and a day out 4WDing

January 11, 2018/ Wade Smith

Being the owner of a lovely little 2wd city car can be a little bit limiting in tackling some of the more remote or far-flung VK1 Summits.

Just before Christmas, 2 legends of VK1 and indeed VK SOTA were planning a sojourn to 2 8 point summits just over the border into VK2 in the hills surrounding VK1

Andrew VK1AD and Andrew VK1DA (yes, its is confusing doubly) offered a seat in the 4WD on the trip, and I jumped at the chance.

1AD was testing and comparing 2 antennas he had made for 23cm (1200Mhz) operation while 1DA was concentrating on SSB HF contacts, I qualified on 70cm and 2MFM operations.

You can read more about 1AD’s 23cm work on his blog here https://vk1nam.wordpress.com

While 2 summits were planned, we were making a good time so another drive up 8 pointers was added to the plan. The second summit required a bit of bush bashing, the drive up nature of the 3rd was a relief.

Check out my video from the triple activation.

April 25, 2017

SOTA: Quick activation of Canberra's iconic Black Mountain VK1/AC-042

April 25, 2017/ Wade Smith

As you can see there is a fair bit of interferance possible from the tower site, I have been advised that 2M is practically a no go.
However even with the quiet morning activation I managed to snag enough to activate a 'day' eariler than I had planned!

Video is up.

Summit number 14 for me.

Wade

VK1FWBD.com

April 09, 2017

SOTA: Mt Taylor VK1/AC-037

April 09, 2017/ Wade Smith

I keep saying it, another weekend and another summit!

The VK summer is definitely coming to an end, the weather is Canberra has started its usual turn for the worse in April. That being said yesterday it was a rather glorious day on the summit of Mt Taylor, VK1/AC-037 one of the tallest summits located within the ACT residential area at 850m ASL.

Taking Andrew (VK1AD)'s advice I stayed clear of the trig point as it gets VERY busy with walkers of all descriptions. This gave me a chance to test out not only my new 7m squid pole which was much lighter than my 10m one but, also my DIY free standing guying system. Up until now, I had always had the trig or another structure to strap the squidpole to.

Activation:

Another HUGE (by my standard) day with the summit qualified on HF 40m in under 5 mins!

Longest distance was over 950km just north of Brisbane (VK4).

I had not looked much into the WWFF or Parks program however the last 2 summits were also in parks. My (limited) understanding is 44 contacts are needed to activate the park over a UTC year, I managed to activate both parks in 1 sitting each!
4 2S2

Working VK1DI, Ian on 2 summits in one day!

DIY guying system:

I had been looking for a super lightweight guying system. I had seen some operators using 3D printed collars etc, but as I was building it on a Friday prior to a Saturday activation (I am a bad planner) to a trip to the local hardware was in order.

I managed to put together a system using a plumbing collar and 3 stainless steel wire key ring loops.
How did it work? PERFECTLY. It sits about 3m up so gives a good stability point.