I have a few catch-up posts (2m and 23cm) to complete for this blog. I will do so in the next couple of days.
73, Andrew VK1AD
Post COVID-19 I’m still here!
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SOTA VK1AD – April 2021 2m – 23cm activations
The purpose of this post is to share information with fellow radio amateurs, which demonstrates how you can achieve VHF-UHF Dx contacts with as little as 5 watts output on 144.200 MHz and 2.5 watts to 25 watts output on 1296.150 MHz.
Yes, you can also qualify a SOTA peak with a mono or dual band HT on 2m and 70cm. You can achieve greater distances with the use of an external antenna such as the 2m 4 element Yagi
This month’s activations include:
- Mount Perisher VK2/SM-007
- The Peak (Hudsons Peak) VK2/SM-068
- Mount Taylor VK1/AC-037
1 April 2021 – Mount Perisher VK2/SM-007 QF43EO 2054 m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK3BJM 366 km near Kyneton in Victoria (VK3)
- 23cm 1296 MHz SSB VK2DO 182 km, NSW South Coast
2m 144.2 MHz QSOs
23cm 1296.150 MHz QSOs
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Mt Perisher 2 April 2021
Summit to Summit QSOs 2m and 23cm: VK1RX at Mt Ainslie VK1/AC-040 144 km and VK1FLEX at Mt Kosciuszko VK2/SM-001 12km, Australia’s highest mainland peak
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23:33 | VK2TWR | 2m | SSB | QF43PL Rod s59 r59 |
| 23:34 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s58 r55 |
| 23:36 | VK2NSS | 2m | SSB | Steve s55 r52 |
| 23:37 | VK1DSH | 2m | SSB | QF44MS Dale s52 r52 |
| 23:38 | VK1AT/3 | 2m | SSB | QF32UC Jim s52 r51 175 km |
| 23:41 | VK1JA | 2m | SSB | QF44NO Jason s58 r58 |
| 23:42 | VK2COW | 2m | SSB | QF44OX Dimitris s58 r57 |
| 23:43 | VK2DO | 2m | SSB | QF54CH Chris s58 r59 |
| 23:47 | VK3BJM | 2m | SSB | QF22ES Barry s52 r41 366 km |
| 23:50 | VK1RX/P | 2m | SSB | Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-040 |
| 23:57 | VK1KW | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 00:00 | VK2TWR | 23cm | SSB | QF43PL Rod s59 r59 82 km |
| 00:02 | VK2DO | 23cm | SSB | QF54CH Chris s57 r57 182 km |
| 00:05 | VK1DSH | 23cm | SSB | QF44MS Dale s51 r51 143 km |
| 00:06 | VK1KW | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 147 km |
| 00:07 | VK1RX/P | 23cm | SSB | QF44NR Al s51 r51 S2S VK1/AC-040 144 km |
| 00:09 | VK1JA | 23cm | SSB | QF44NO Jason s58 r58 |
| 00:39 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | Matt s58 r55 |
| 00:40 | VK1MIC | 2m | SSB | Wade s51 r51 |
| 00:42 | VK1FLEX/P | 2m | SSB | Drew s59 r59 S2S VK2/SM-001 12 km |
| 00:54 | VK1FLEX/P | 2m | SSB | Drew s59 r59 S2S VK1/SM-001 (VK1NAM) |
2 April 2021 – Hudsons Peak (The Peak) VK2/SM-068 QF43NN 1230 m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK1KW 140 km, Canberra
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz SSB VK1MA 140 km, Canberra
2m 144.2 MHz and 23cm 1296.150 MHz QSOs
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log The Peak 2 April 2021
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:45 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s51 r51 |
| 04:45 | VK2TWR | 2m | SSB | QF43PL Rod s59 r59 |
| 04:47 | VK1MIC | 2m | SSB | QF44NT Wade s51 r51 |
| 04:49 | VK1KW | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 04:52 | VK2TWR | 23cm | SSB | QF43PL Rod s59 r59 |
| 04:55 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s41 r41 |
| 05:06 | VK2UK | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s41 r41 |
| 05:07 | VK8GMT/1 | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s41 r41 |
| 05:09 | VK1RX | 23cm | SSB | QF44NN Al s52 r51 |
| 05:20 | VK2DO | 23cm | SSB | QF54CH Chris s57 r57 |
| 05:41 | VK3TST/4 | 40m | SSB | Marcus s54 r54 S2S VK4/SE-117 |
| 05:43 | VK2DO | 2m | SSB | QF54CH Chris s59 r59 |
1 April 2021 – Mount Taylor VK1/AC-037 QF43MP 850 m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK2EMA 382 km at Tottenham NSW (VK2)
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz SSB VK1MA 60 km, near Yass NSW
2m 144.2 and 23cm 1296.150 MHz QSOs
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Mt Taylor 18 April 2021
Summit to Summit QSOs – VK1DA/2 at Mt Canobolas VK2/CT-001 225 km and VK1MA at Mt Mundoonen VK2/ST-053 60 km.
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02:54 | VK1MCW | 2m | SSB | QF44NN Bill s59 r59 |
| 02:59 | VK1MIC | 2m | SSB | QF44NT Wade s58 r59 |
| 03:01 | VK1DO | 2m | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 03:04 | VK1DO | 23cm | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 03:06 | VK1MA/P | 23cm | SSB | QF45ME Matt s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 |
| 03:14 | VK1MA/P | 2m | SSB | Matt s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 |
| 03:19 | VK2COW | 2m | SSB | QF44OX Dimitris s59 r59 |
| 03:26 | VK1DA/P | 2m | SSB | Andrew s55 r55 S2S VK2/CT-001 |
| 03:52 | VK1KW | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 03:54 | VK1JA | 23cm | SSB | QF44ON Jason s59 r59 |
| 04:26 | VK2EMA | 2m | SSB | Mark s55 r52 |
SOTA VK1AD – March 2021 2m – 23cm Activations
The purpose of this post is to share information with fellow radio amateurs, which demonstrates how you can achieve VHF-UHF Dx contacts with as little as 5 watts output on 144.200 MHz and 2.5 watts to 25 watts output on 1296.150 MHz.
Yes, you can also qualify a SOTA peak with a mono or dual band HT on 2m and 70cm. You can achieve greater distances with the use of an external antenna such as the 2m Oblong Loop antenna.
This month’s activations include:
- Boboyan Range VK1/AC-044
8 March 2021 – Boboyan Range VK1/AC-044 QF44ME 1489m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK2DO 110 km
- 23cm 1296 MHz SSB VK2DO 110 km
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
| 00:06 | VK1DSH | 23cm | SSB | QF44MS Dale s59 r59 |
| 00:07 | VK1KW | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s58 r59 |
| 00:08 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s51 r51 |
| 00:10 | VK1RX | 23cm | SSB | QF44NN Al s51 r51 |
| 00:19 | VK2DO | 2m | SSB | QF54CH Chris s59 r59 110 km |
| 00:21 | VK2DO | 23cm | SSB | QF54CH Chris s58 r59 110 km |
| 00:27 | VK3ZPF/P | 80m | SSB | Peter s55 r51 S2S VK3/VN-030 |
| 00:29 | VK1DI/P | 2m | FM | Ian s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-038 |
| 00:31 | VK1MA | 2m | FM | Matt s59 r59 |
| 00:34 | VK1FELF | 2m | FM | Elizabeth s59 r57 |
| 00:35 | VK1FDNK | 2m | FM | Tony s59 r57 |
| 00:35 | VK1LH | 2m | FM | Les s59 r57 |
| 00:36 | VK1DB | 2m | FM | Dermy s55 r59 |
Oblong Loop Antenna for 144 MHz
SOTA VK1AD – February 2021 2m – 23 cm Activations
The purpose of this post is to share information with fellow radio amateurs, which demonstrates how you can achieve VHF-UHF Dx contacts with as little as 5 watts output on 144.200 MHz and 2.5 watts to 25 watts output on 1296.150 MHz.
This month’s activations include:
- Mt Ginini VK1/AC-008
- Spring Hill VK2/ST-036
- Mount Mundoonen VK2/ST-053
- Mt Coree VK1/AC-023 plus 13cm 2.4 GHz
- Webbs Ridge VK2/ST-005
- Mt Ainslie VK1/AC-040 plus 13cm 2.4 GHz
- Mt Cowangerong VK2/ST-001 plus 13cm 2.4 GHz
6 February 2021 – Mount Ginini VK1/AC- 008 QF44JL 1760m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK2EMA at Tottenham 387 km
- 23cm 1296 MHz SSB VK1DA/3 at Mt Hotham 218 km
2m 
23cm
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Mt Ginini 6 February 2021
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
| 20:56 | VK2TWR | 2m | SSB | QF43PL Rod s59 r59 120 km |
| 20:59 | VK1AT/3 | 2m | SSB | QF32UC Jim s55 r51 279 km |
| 21:01 | VK2EMA | 2m | SSB | QF37QS Mark s55 r55 387 km |
| 21:02 | VK1DO | 2m | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 21:06 | VK1RX/P | 2m | SSB | Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-040 |
| 21:12 | VK1DO | 23cm | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 21:13 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 21:14 | VK1RX/P | 23cm | SSB | QF44NR Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-040 |
| 21:15 | VK1DSH | 23cm | SSB | QF44MS Dale s55 r53 |
| 21:20 | VK1DA/3 | 2m | SSB | QF33NA Andrew s51 r51 S2S VK3/VE-006 |
| 21:23 | VK3JBL | 2m | SSB | QF32FK Andrew s41 r51 S2S VK3/VT-022 |
| 21:28 | VK1KW | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s58 r59 |
| 21:40 | VK1DA/3 | 23cm | SSB | QF33NA Andrew s57 r53 S2S VK3/VE-006 218 km |
| 21:57 | VK1DA/3 | 2m | SSB | QF33NA Andrew s57 r57 S2S VK3/VE-006 |
| 22:02 | VK1DI | 2m | FM | Ian s59 r53 |
| 22:08 | VK1DB | 2m | FM | Dermy s59 r59 |
| 22:25 | VK1RX/P | 2m | SSB | QF44NR Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-040 |
| 22:58 | VK1DA/3 | 2m | SSB | QF33NA Andrew s59 r59 S2S VK3/VE-006 |
| 23:21 | VK1MCW/2 | 2m | FM | Bill s59 r59 S2S VK2/SM-093 |
| 23:37 | VK1CT | 2m | FM | Chris s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-042 |
| 23:38 | VK1HF | 2m | FM | Ian s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-042 |
| 23:56 | VK3PF/P | 2m | SSB | QF33XC Peter s51 r51 S2S VK3/VG-022 165 km |
| 23:57 | VK3EQ | 2m | SSB | QF33XC Rik s51 r1 S2S VK3/VG-022 |
| 23:57 | VK2IO/3 | 2m | SSB | QF33XC Gerard s51 r51 S2S VK3/VG-022 |
2m yagi 
23cm gear 
viw south Mt Gingera VK1/AC-002
20 February 2021 – Spring Hill VK2/ST-036 QF44NV 876m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m and 23cm S2S with VK1DA2 and VK1MIC/2 at Mt Cowangerong VK2/ST-001 74 km
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Spring Hill 20 February 2021
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
| 23:11 | VK1RX | 2m | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 |
| 23:14 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 23:16 | VK1FJMG | 2m | SSB | John s59 r47 |
| 23:20 | VK1DA/P | 23cm | SSB | QF44S Andrew s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-001 74 km |
| 23:21 | VK1MIC/P | 23cm | SSB | QF44SI Wade s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-001 |
| 23:24 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 10 km |
| 23:25 | VK1RX | 23cm | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 39 km |
| 23:38 | VK1MIC/P | 2m | SSB | QF44SI Wade s58 r58 S2S VK2/ST-001 |
| 23:42 | VK2PET | 2m | FM | Pete s59 r59 |
| 00:07 | VK1AD/2 | 2m | FM | Andrew s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-001 |
| 00:10 | VK1MA | 2m | FM | Matt s59 r59 |
| 00:12 | VK1DI | 2m | FM | Ian s59 r59 |
20 February 2021 – Mt Mundoonen VK2/ST-053 QF44ME 810m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB S2S with VK1DA2 and VK1MIC/2 at Mount Gillamatong VK2/ST-034 96 km
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz SSB VK1RX 68 km
2m 
23cm
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Mount Mundoonen 20 February 2021
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
| 02:41 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s58 r58 |
| 02:44 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s52 r51 |
| 02:46 | VK1RX | 2m | SSB | QF444N Al s59 r59 |
| 02:49 | VK1RX | 23cm | SSB | QF44NN Al s52 r51 |
| 03:19 | VK1MIC/2 | 2m | FM | Wade s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-034 |
| 03:20 | VK1DA/2 | 2m | FM | Andrew s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-034 |
| 03:22 | VK1MIC/P | 2m | FM | Wade s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-034 |
| 03:30 | VK2COW | 2m | FM | Dimitris s59 r57 |
21 February 2021 – Webbs Ridge VK2/ST-005 QF44JR 1306m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK2YW at Wagga Wagga 126 km
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz SSB VK1RX S2S at Mt Ginini VK1/AC-008 24 km
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Webbs Ridge QF44 21 February 2021
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01:06 | VK1RX/P | 2m | SSB | QF44JL Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-008 |
| 01:11 | VK2YW | 2m | SSB | QF34QU John s52 r51 |
| 01:12 | VK2COW | 2m | SSB | QF44OX Dimitris s59 r59 |
| 01:12 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 01:13 | VK1MIC | 2m | SSB | Wade s54 r59 |
| 01:23 | VK2COW | 23cm | FM | QF44OX Dimitris s59 r59 |
| 01:26 | VK1RX | 23cm | FM | QF44JL Al s55 r51 S2S VK1/AC-008 |
| 01:29 | VK1MA/ | 23cm | FM | QF44MT Matt s56 r55 |
| 01:31 | VK2UK/1 | 23cm | FM | QF44MT Matt s56 r55 |
| 01:38 | VK2STG | 2m | SSB | Steven s58 r55 |
| 01:40 | VK2VEX | 2m | SSB | John s58 r55 |
| 01:43 | VK1DI | 2m | FM | Ian s58 r51 |
| 01:44 | VK2PET | 2m | FM | Pete s59 r55 |
| 01:46 | VK2VEX | 2m | FM | John s58 r58 |
21 February 2021 – Mt Coree VK1/AC-023 QF44JQ 1421m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK2EFM 309 km, 5 watts into a 2m Oblong Loop antenna (see pic)
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz SSB VK2TWR 141 km
- 13cm 2403.150 MHz SSB S2S with VK1RX at Mt Ginini VK1/AC-008
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
| 21:03 | VK1KW | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 21:04 | VK2YW | 2m | SSB | John s52 r51 Wagga Wagga |
| 21:05 | VK1AI | 2m | SSB | QF44MQ Greg s59 r59 |
| 21:06 | VK1BG | 2m | SSB | QF44MS Ian s59 r59 |
| 21:08 | VK1DSH | 2m | SSB | QF44MS Dale s59 r59 |
| 21:09 | VK1EM | 2m | SSB | QF44QO s59 r59 |
| 21:10 | VK1JTX | 2m | SSB | QF44NT John s59 r59 |
| 21:12 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 21:15 | VK1DO | 2m | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 21:21 | VK2TWR | 23cm | SSB | QF43PL Rod s52 r55 141 km |
| 21:26 | VK2BCC | 2m | SSB | QF56DI Colin s51 r51 231 km |
| 21:36 | VK2EFM | 2m | SSB | QF56OQ Allan s55 r55 309 km |
| 21:45 | VK1DSH | 23cm | SSB | QF44MS Dale s59 r59 |
| 21:47 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 21:47 | VK1KW | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 21:49 | VK1MT | 23cm | SSB | QF44NM Matt s58 r58 |
| 21:54 | VK1DO | 23cm | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 22:04 | VK1AT/P | 2m | SSB | QF44BH Jim s51 r51 304 km |
| 22:09 | VK1RX/P | 2m | SSB | QF44JL Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-008 |
| 22:15 | VK2COW | 23cm | FM | QF44OX Dimitris s59 r59 52 km |
| 22:20 | VK1RX/P | 23cm | FM | QF44JL Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-008 |
| 22:26 | VK1RX/P | 13cm | SSB | QF44JL Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-008 25 km |
| 22:27 | VK1KW | 13cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 22:47 | VK1MA | 13cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 23:28 | VK2IO/P | 80m | SSB | Gerard s57 r57 S2S VK2/SM-014 303 km |
Special event (23 on 23) 23 cm on 23 February – Mt Ainslie VK1/AC-0405 QF44NR 843m ASL.
Longest path
- 2m 146.5 MHZ FM VK2PET at Bowning
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz FM VK2COW at Gundaroo 29 km
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz SSB S2S with VK1RX at Tuggeranong Hill VK1/AC-038 21 km
- 13cm 2403.150 MHz SSB S2S with VK1RX at Tuggeranong Hill VK1/AC-038 21 km
23cm and 13cm transverter output power settings are 1.5 watts and 2.5 watts respectively
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Mount Ainslie 23 February 2021.
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:01 | VK1DSH | 23cm | SSB | QF44MS Dale s59 r59 |
| 08:04 | VK1RX/P | 23cm | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-038 |
| 08:10 | VK1JA | 23cm | SSB | QF44NO Jason s59 r59 |
| 08:15 | VK2COW | 23cm | FM | QF44OX Dimitris s59 r59 |
| 08:21 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 08:24 | VK1KW | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 08:36 | VK1RX/P | 13cm | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-038 |
| 08:40 | VK1KW | 13cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s58 r58 |
| 09:00 | VK1DI | 2m | FM | Ian s59 r59 |
| 09:03 | VK1DB | 2m | FM | Dermy s58 r59 |
| 09:05 | VK1MA | 2m | FM | Matt s59 r59 |
| 09:07 | VK2PET | 2m | FM | Pete s48 r51 |
28 February 2021 – Mt Cowangerong VK2/ST-001 QF44SI 1364m ASL
Longest paths
- 2m 144.2 MHz SSB VK3VG 374 km
- 23cm 1296.150 MHz SSB S2S with VK1RX at Mt Mundoonen VK2/ST053 102 km
- 13cm 2403.150 MHz SSB 2.5 watts S2S with VK1RX at Mt Mundoonen VK2/ST-053 102 km
2m 
23cm 
13cm
Extract – VK1AD SOTA activator log Mt Cowangerong 28 February 2021.
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
| 20:48 | VK1JA | 2m | SSB | QF44NO Jason s58 r58 |
| 20:51 | VK2COW | 2m | SSB | QF44OX Dimitris s58 r59 |
| 20:58 | VK2COW | 23cm | FM | QF44OX Dimitris s51 r51 |
| 21:08 | VK1RX/2 | 2m | SSB | Al s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 |
| 21:10 | VK1DSH | 2m | SSB | QF44MS Dale s51 r53 |
| 21:11 | VK1AI | 2m | SSB | QF44MQ Greg s57 r54 |
| 21:11 | VK1KW | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 21:17 | VK1RX/2 | 23cm | FM | QF45ME Al s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 102 km |
| 21:19 | VK1KW | 23cm | FM | QF44MT Rob s56 r52 |
| 21:23 | VK1DO | 2m | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 21:24 | VK1DO | 23cm | SSB | QF44PO Chris s53 r54 |
| 21:26 | VK1BG | 23cm | SSB | QF44MS% Ian s58 r58 |
| 21:35 | VK1JTX | 2m | SSB | QF44MT John s58 r58 |
| 21:38 | VK3VG | 2m | SSB | QF23RO Trevor s55 r53 374 km |
| 22:03 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s54 r52 |
| 22:10 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s41 r31 |
| 22:20 | VK1RX/2 | 13cm | SSB | QF45ME Al s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 102 km 2.5 watts |
| 22:28 | VK2COW | 13cm | SSB | QF44OX Dimitris s51 r55 74 km |
2m and 23cm 
Wx Radar 
Compound view 
13cm
SOTA VK1AD – January 2021 2m – 23cm Activations
The purpose of this post is to share information with fellow radio amateurs, which demonstrates how you can achieve VHF-UHF Dx contacts with as little as 5 watts output on 144.200 MHz and 2.5 watts to 25 watts output on 1296.150 MHz.
Yes, you can also qualify a SOTA peak with a mono or dual band HT on 2m and 70cm. You can achieve greater distances with the use of an external antenna such as the 2m Oblong Loop antenna.
2 January 2021 – Livingstone Hill VK2/SM-093 QF44NG 932m ASL
Longest path – VK2TWR at Nimmitabel 88km on 1296.150 MHz SSB
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:09 | VK1RX | 2m | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 |
| 00:13 | VK1MA | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Matt s56 r51 |
| 00:21 | VK1MA | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Matt s51 r51 |
| 00:22 | VK1RX | 23cm | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 |
| 00:29 | VK2DO | 2m | SSB | QF54CH Chris s56 r52 |
| 00:39 | VK1MF | 2m | SSB | Matt s54 r57 |
| 00:48 | VK1KW | 2m | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 00:50 | VK1KW | 23cm | SSB | QF44MT Rob s59 r59 |
| 01:03 | VK3PF/P | 40m | SSB | Peter s59 r57 S2S VK3/VE-265 |
| 01:09 | VK2TWR | 23cm | SSB | QF32PL Rod s59 r59 88 km 1296.150 |
| 01:12 | VK2TWR | 2m | SSB | QF32PL Rod s59 r59 |
| 01:16 | VK3AFW | 40m | SSB | Ron s59 r59 S2S VK3/VT-022 |
| 01:22 | VK1MA | 2m | FM | QF44MT Matt s59 r56 |
7 January 2021 – Mount Stromlo VK1/AC-043 QF44MP 782m ASL
Equipment – FT817ND, 5m telescopic pole and a 2m flower pot antenna
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:06 | VK1DA/P | 2m | SSB | Andrew s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-048 |
| 07:08 | VK1DB | 2m | SSB | Dermy s59 r59 |
| 07:15 | VK1MIC | 2m | FM | Wade s59 r59 |
| 07:16 | VK1MA | 2m | FM | Matt s59 r59 |
| 07:20 | VK1CC | 2m | FM | Conrad s59 r59 |
| 07:24 | VK2XDT/M | 2m | FM | s59 r59 |
| 07:25 | VK1JP | 2m | FM | John s59 r59 |
SOTA – Snow Gum Mountain on 23cm
Sunday 24 May 2020. Andrew VK1DA and I have chosen two summits for the day, first Mount Wee Jasper VK2/ST-017 1121m ASL grid square QF44HU followed by Snow Gum Mountain VK2/SW-028 1179m ASL, grid square QF44IR.
Snow Gum Mountain
Snow Gum Mountain is 11.5 km line of sight from Wee Jasper, however the route between summits is convoluted through pine forests. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes.
Until recent times Snow Gum Mountain hosted a VHF VOR/DME air navigation facility. The VHF DME was decommissioned, all communications infrastructure have been removed from the site. The site is now a drive-up summit, there are no signs, gates, barriers, buildings or fences. The mountain peak has been returned to nature 🙂
The view of the horizon is an uninterrupted 360!
Extract of VK1AD SOTA Activator Log: Snow Gum Mountain VK2/SW-028 Sunday 24 May 2020
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02:19 | VK1MA | 144MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s58 r55 |
| 02:23 | VK1RX | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 |
| 02:30 | VK1MA | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s54 r51 37 km |
| 02:33 | VK1RX | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 49 km |
| 02:39 | VK8GMT/1 | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s55 r51 37 km |
| 02:40 | VK2UK/1 | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s55 r51 37 km |
| 03:17 | VK1MIC | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NT Wade s55 r51 |
SOTA – Mount Wee Jasper on 23 and 13cm
Sunday 24 May 2020. Andrew VK1DA and I have chosen two summits for the day, first Mount Wee Jasper VK2/ST-017 1121m ASL grid square QF44HU followed by Snow Gum Mountain VK2/SW-028 1179m ASL, grid square QF44IR.
Mount Wee Jasper
Extract of VK1AD SOTA Activator Log: Mount Wee Jasper VK2/ST-017 Sunday 24 May 2020
Summit to Summit QSOs: Jim VK1AT at Mt Mundoonen VK2/ST-053, QF45ME and Al VK1RX at Mt Ainslie VK1/AC-040, QF44NR and ZL1JPS on ZL1/WK-147. I worked Jim and Al on three bands; 2m, 23cm and 13cm.
23cm gear: SG-Labs 23cm transverter plus a 25 watt RF amplifier
13cm gear: SG-Labs 13cm transverter power output 2.5 watts
IF Source: FT-817 @ 1.5 watts on 144.150 and 435.150 MHz respectively
Not shown in the photos is VK1DA, Andrew’s HF station
| Time | Callsign | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:38 | VK1DO | 144MHz | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 22:41 | VK1DO | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 72 km |
| 22:47 | VK1RX/P | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NR Al s58 r58 S2S VK1/AC-040 49 km |
| 22:53 | VK1AT/P | 1240MHz | SSB | QF45ME Jim s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 52 km |
| 22:57 | VK1MA | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s51 r51 40 km |
| 23:13 | ZL1JPS | 7MHz | SSB | s52 r52 S2S ZL1/WK-147 2351 km |
| 23:28 | VK1AT/P | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF45ME Jim s55 r51 S2S VK2/ST-053 52 km |
| 23:29 | VK1RX/P | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF44NR Al s51 r41 S2S VK1/AC-040 49 km |
| 23:38 | VK1MA | 144MHz | FM | QF44MT Matt s59 r58 |
| 00:03 | VK1MA | 144MHz | FM | QF44MT Matt s59 r58 |
| 00:04 | VK1DI | 144MHz | FM | QF44 Ian s58 r51 |
SOTA – One Tree Hill on 23cm and 13cm
Wednesday 30 October 2019. Left work at 16:30h for a 30 minute drive to Hall township. The walk to the summit is 5 km taking 50 minutes, my plan is to start the activation by 07:15 UTC (18:15h local). The last 300 metres is quite steep, lots of steps to climb 🙂
Sunset is 08:30 UTC (19:30 local), the return walk to the car will be in the dark 😦
Ambient temperature is 30 degrees C.
My objective is to qualify the summit on 23 and 13cm with local VK1 SOTA chasers.
Navigation – ACT Centennial Trail 7 November 2013
The trail starts at the intersection of Hall Street and Hoskins Street, Hall township.
Start here – One Tree Hill lookout trail
View north – One Tree Hill is the furthest summit to the north, 5 km
track condition is good, it’s popular with walkers and MTB riders
One Tree Hill lookout – great view south to Canberra city and beyond.
Lookout platform supporting my 2m 145 MHz rectangular loop antenna
SG-Lab 23cm (1296.150 MHz) and 13cm (2403.150 MHz) transverters and PCB antennas. Transverters are operating barefoot at 2.5 watts output. FT-817 IF frequencies are 144.150 MHz and 435.150 MHz respectively.
FT-817, hombrew duplexer, SG-LAB 23 and 13cm transverters
VK1AD SOTA station at One Tree Hill
Extract of VK1AD SOTA Activator Log: One Tree Hill VK1/AC-035 30 October 2019
Summit to Summit QSO: Jim VK1AT/p at Tuggeranong Hill VK1/AC-038 34 km south on 144.2 MHz and 2.4 GHz.
| Time | Call | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:21z | VK1AT/P | 144MHz | SSB | Jim s59 r58 S2S VK1/AC-038 144.2 |
| 07:22z | VK1RX | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 |
| 07:25z | VK1MA | 144MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r59 |
| 07:27z | VK1NDB | 144MHz | SSB | Dermy s59 r59 |
| 07:28z | VK1MT | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NM Matt s59 r59 |
| 07:37z | VK1AT/P | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF44NN Jim s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-038 2403.150 |
| 07:45z | VK1MA | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r58 |
| 07:46z | VK1RX | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF44NN Al s56 r55 |
| 07:48z | VK8GMT/1 | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r58 |
| 07:52z | VK1MA | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s59 r57 1296.150 |
| 07:53z | VK1MT | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NM Matt s59 r59 |
| 07:54z | VK1RX | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NN Al s51 r51 |
| 07:56z | VK8GMT/1 | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s58 r57 |
SOTA – Honeysuckle Creek on 23cm
Sunday 13 October 2019. Wade VK1MIC and I have chosen a difficult climb to the summit of Honeysuckle Mountain, Namadgi National Park. The forest regrowth is very thick with no formed trail while the ascent grade is quite difficult at 20%, check how close the 10m contour lines are to each other 😦
Correct attire for this bush bash is leather hiking boots, long pants, long sleeve shirt, hat and leather gloves to protect the hands.
VK1/AC-027 GPS track log
VK1/AC-027 track profile – 250 metre ascent over 2 km taking 1 hour and 40 minutes through thick scrub
At the summit – surrounded by huge granite Tors
Summit environment – three storey granite Tors
homebrew 2m 145 MHz rectangular loop
homebrew 2m 145 MHz rectangular loop antenna
SG-Lab 23cm transverter and 25 watt amplifier driving a homebrew 6el brass yagi
VK1AD SOTA station at Honeysuckle Mountain
QSO paths on 144.2, 1296 MHz
VK1AD – 2m and 23cm signal paths from Honeysuckle Creek
Extract of VK1AD SOTA Activator Log: Honeysuckle Mt VK1/AC-027 13 October 2019
Summit to Summit QSO: Bill VK1MCW/2 at VK2/SM-036 unnamed summit in the Snowy Mountains, distance 47 km
| Time | Call | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:25z | VK1MA | 144MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s58 r55 |
| 22:30z | VK1RX | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NN Al s59 r59 |
| 22:31z | VK1MT | 144MHz | SSB | QF55NM Matt s59 r59 |
| 22:32z | VK1NDB | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NP Dermy s59 r59 |
| 22:45z | VK1MT | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NM Matt s58 r56 1296 18 km |
| 22:47z | VK1RX | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NN Al s51 r51 21 km |
| 22:51z | VK1MA | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s58 r54 45 km |
| 22:53z | VK8GMT/1 | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Matt s58 r54 |
| 23:00z | VK1DC | 144MHz | SSB | Emma s59 r59 |
| 23:14z | VK1MCW/2 | 144MHz | FM | Bill s57 r57 S2S VK2/SM-036 |
| 23:20z | VK1MCW/2 | 144MHz | SSB | QF44HC Bill s48 r59 S2S 144.2 |
| 23:34z | VK1MCW/2 | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44HC Bill s41 r53 S2S 1296.150 47 km |
Descent – bush bashing around granite tors and through dense scrub
SOTA – Mt Cowangerong on 23 and 13cm
Sunday 19 May 2019. Activation of Mt Cowangerong 1364m ASL on 23 (1296 MHz) and 13cm (2403 MHz) using voice SSB
RF path profiles from Mt Cowangerong to Mt Stromlo 782m ASL and Mt Mundoonen 810m ASL
Mt Cowangerong to Mt Stromlo in the Canberra suburbs, RF path 59 km
Mt Cowangerong to VK1DA/2 at Mt Mundoonen, RF path 104 km
Equipment:
- SG-Lab 23cm Transverter
- SG-Lab 23cm 25 watt RF amplifier
- SG-Lab 13cm Transverter
- Homebrew 23cm 12el Yagi
- Homebrew 13cm 20el Yagi
- Yaesu FT-817ND, IF driver for both SG-Lab transverters (144.150 and 435.150 MHz respectively)
- Battery – 13 volt 4S 8.4 Ah LifePO4
Summit compound surrounded by eucalypt trees.
Left dual band 2m/70cm yagi. Right 23cm DL6WU Yagi
Top to Bottom – SG-Lab 23cm 25 watt RF amplifier and SG-Lab 23cm transverter
QSO paths on 144.2, 1296 and 2403 MHz
2m 144.2 MHz , 23cm 1296.150 MHz and 13cm 2403.150 MHz QSOs
Furthest 23 cm 1296.150 MHz QSO is with VK1AD/2 at Mt Mundoonen 102 km north-west
Extract of VK1AD SOTA Activator Log: Mt Cowangerong VK2/ST-001 18 May 19 UTC
Summit to Summit QSOs: Andrew VK1DA/2 at Mt Cowangerong 104 km, Al VK1RX/P at Mt Stromlo 58 km, Bill VK1MCW at Mt Ainslie 56 km and Tony VK1VIC at Mt Foxlow 17 km.
| Time | Call | Band | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:04z | VK1MCW/P | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NR Bill s59 r58 S2S VK1/AC-040 |
| 22:06z | VK2COW | 144MHz | SSB | QF44OX Dimitris s58 r58 |
| 22:07z | VK1RX/P | 144MHz | SSB | QF44MQ Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-043 |
| 22:11z | VK1MT | 144MHz | SSB | QF44NM Matt s58 r57 |
| 22:15z | VK1DO | 144MHz | SSB | QF44PO Chris s59 r59 |
| 22:22z | VK1KW | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MT Rob s57 r58 |
| 22:24z | VK1RX/P | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MQ Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-043 |
| 22:27z | VK1MCW/P | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NR Bill s58 r58 S2S VK1/AC-040 |
| 22:29z | VK1DO | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44PO Chris s52 r55 |
| 22:36z | VK1MT | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44NM Matt s52 r52 |
| 22:44z | VK1RX/P | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF44MQ Al s59 r59 S2S VK1/AC-043 58 km |
| 22:48z | VK1MCW/P | 2.3GHz | SSB | QF44NR Bill s53 r54 S2S VK1/AC-040 56 km |
| 23:05z | VK1RX | 1240MHz | SSB | QF44MQ Al s58 r59 S2S VK1/AC-043 |
| 23:11z | VK1DA/P | 1240MHz | SSB | QF45ME Andrew s58 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 104 km |
| 23:21z | VK1NAM/P | 1240MHz | SSB | QF45ME Andrew s58 r59 S2S VK2/ST-053 |
| 23:26z | VK1VIC/2 | 144MHz | FM | QF44QK Tony s59 r59 S2S VK2/ST-010 |
| 23:55z | VK1MA | 144MHz | FM | QF44MT Matt s56 r42 |
VK1 SOTA on 1.2 and 2.4 GHz 