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

2 April 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation of Mount Perisher on 2m 144.2 MHz – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

23cm 1296.150 MHz QSOs

2 April 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation of Mount Perisher on 23cm 1296.150 MHz – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

2 April 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation of The Peak on 2m and 23cm – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

18 April 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation of Mount Taylor on 2m and 23cm bands to local stations – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

18 April 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation of Mount Taylor to 2m DX stations – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

8 March 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation of Boboyan Range on 2m and 23cm bands – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

VK1AD 2m & 23cm SOTA shack at Boboyan Range

Oblong Loop Antenna for 144 MHz

2m Oblong Loop antenna

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

Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

VK1AD SOTA activator log 6 February 2021

• 

  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

20 February 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation Spring Hill on 2m and 23cm bands – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

VK1AD SOTA activator log Spring Hill 20 February 2021

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

20 February 2021 VK1AD SOTA activation of Mt Mundoonen on 2m and 23cm bands. Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

VK1AD SOTA activator log Mt Mundoonen 20 February 2021

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

21 February 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation Webbs Ridge on 2m and 23cm bands. Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

VK1AD SOTA activator log Webbs Ridge 21 February 2021

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

21 February 2021 VK1AD SOTA activation of Mt Coree on 2m, 23cm and 13cm bands. Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

Extract VK1AD activator log – Mt Coree 21 February 2021

• 

• 

Mt Coree – 2m Oblong Loop mounted on a 5m telescopic pole – best contact VK2EFM 309 km at 5 watts

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

23 February 2021 VK1AD SOTA activation of Mt Ainslie on 23cm and 13cm bands. Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS.

23cm and 13cm transverter output power settings are 1.5 watts and 2.5 watts respectively

• 

• 

• 

• 

23 February 2021 – VK1AD SOTA shack at Mt Ainslie VK1/AC-040

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

VK1AD Mt Cowangerong 28 February 2021. Images courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

VK1AD SOTA shack at Mt Cowangerong (CAPT Flat Wx Radar)

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

2 January 2021 – VK1AD SOTA activation Livingstone Hill on 2m and 23cm – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

Extract VK1AD SOTA activator log 2 January 2021

2 January 2021 – VK1AD and VK1DA Joint activation of Livingstone Hill

7 January 2021 – Mount Stromlo VK1/AC-043 QF44MP 782m ASL

Equipment – FT817ND, 5m telescopic pole and a 2m flower pot antenna

7 January 2021 – VK1AD SOTA Activation Mount Stromlo on 2m – Image courtesy of SOTA MAPS

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

Extract VK1AD SOTA activator log 7 January 2021

• 

• 

• 

• 

VK1AD SOTA shack at Mt Stromlo

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!

Former VHF aircraft navigation VOR/DME array site – all that remains are two circular concrete slabs. This elevated site is perfect for a VHF-UHF field day.

VK1AD SOTA shack at Snow Gum Mountain 1179m ASL

23cm SOTA gear – working stations in Canberra on 1296.150 MHz SSB

View east – 14 km our granite monolith Mt Coree VK1/AC-023 1421m ASL

23cm RF path over Mt Coree to Canberra VK1. Mt Coree is 242m higher than this summit Snow Gum Mountain. Distance as the crow flies is 14 km.

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

VK1AD Activator Log – Snow Gum Mountain Sunday 24 May 2020

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

view south-west at 07:35h local

VK1AD SOTA shack at Mt Wee Jasper

23cm SOTA gear

Mt Wee Jasper trig station at 1121m ASL

view around the summit

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

VK1AD Mt Wee Jasper Activator Log 23 & 24 May 2020

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

SOTA – Mount Tumorrama on 23cm

Saturday 4 May 2019 #maythe4thbewithyou

I have taken receipt of a SG-Lab 23cm (1296 MHz) 25 watt RF amplifier and today Compton VK2HRX and I will attempt a SOTA Summit to Summit (S2S) QSO over 190 km (118 miles).

It’s Star Wars Day! Travel time from my home in Canberra to the summit at warp speed is 1 hour and 40 minutes, my departure time was 05:30 am in the dark. After 30 minutes of setting up 2m, 23cm and HF antennas I was on air at 7:50 am local (21:50 UTC).

Bearing from Mount Tumorrama to Mount Wanganderry VK2/IL-002 is 58 degrees.

I made a successful 23cm S2S QSO with Compton at 22:55 UTC just over 1 hour after setting up. Why did it take so long? I initially set up the 13cm transverter and connected it to the 23cm amplifier (oops). I spent 30 minutes faffing around trying to work out why I couldn’t hear the VK1s on 23cm 1296.150 MHz only 50 km to my east. I happened to look down at the blue tarp and noticed the 23cm transverter sitting in its plastic case, oh dear!! I need to put dymo labels on the outside of each transverter case. 🙂

With a 23cm 1296.150 MHz S2S at 190 km (118 miles) completed and signal reports at 5-7 and 5-5 there is ample headroom to work a 220 km (137 miles) Summit to Summit QSO.

Mt Tumorrama to Mt Wanganderry 190 km

Path profile at 1296 MHz

Mount Tumorrama Trig Station at 07:10 am

VK1AD SOTA Shack at Mount Tumorrama

VK1AD/2 SOTA shack at Mt Tumorrama VK2/SW-027

I left the tripod top platform on the bench at home

23cm transverter and 25 watt RF amplifier wedged into the tripod frame, not ideal!

ZS6BKW HF antenna on 7 and 14 MHz

VK2HRX at VK2/IL-003 4 points

Extract of VK1AD SOTA Activator Log: Mt Tumorrama VK2/SW-027 3 May 19 UTC

Time	Call	Band	Mode	Notes
21:55z	VK1MA	144MHz	SSB	QF44MT Matt s58 r57
21:56z	VK1KW	144MHz	SSB	QF44MT Rob s59 r59
21:57z	VK2COW	144MHz	SSB	QF44OX Dimitris s59 r59
21:59z	VK2HRX	144MHz	SSB	Compton s51 r55 S2S
22:04z	VK1AT	144MHz	SSB	QF44MQ Jim s59 r55
22:20z	VK1BG	144MHz	SSB	QF44MS Ian s59 r59
22:20z	VK1AI	144MHz	SSB	QF44MP Greg s59 r59
22:34z	VK1JA	144MHz	SSB	QF44NO Jason s59 r59
22:35z	VK1RX	144MHz	SSB	QF44NN Al s58 r58
22:39z	VK1DA/P	144MHz	SSB	Andrew s58 r S2S VK1/AC-042
22:41z	VK1JA	1240MHz	SSB	QF44NO Jason s58 r59
22:46z	VK1DA/P	1240MHz	SSB	QF44NR Andrew s58 r57 S2S VK1/AC-042
22:47z	VK1KW	1240MHz	SSB	QF44MT Rob s59 r59
22:48z	VK1AT	1240MHz	SSB	QF44MQ Jim s54 r54
22:50z	VK1MA	1240MHz	SSB	QF44MT Matt s55 r51
22:55z	VK2HRX/P	1240MHz	SSB	QF55DQ Compton s57 r55 S2S VK2/IL-003 190 km @ 25 watts (118 miles)
23:01z	VK2IO/P	7MHz	SSB	Gerard s59 r56
23:03z	VK3ZPF	7MHz	SSB	Peter s59 r55
23:05z	VK6MB/3	7MHz	SSB	Mike s56 r52
23:06z	VK3PF	7MHz	SSB	Peter s59 r47
23:07z	VK4ZD	7MHz	SSB	Bill s59 r59
23:08z	VK7JON	7MHz	SSB	John s59 r59
23:10z	VK3CAT	7MHz	SSB	Tony s59 r49
23:13z	VK7FOLK	7MHz	SSB	Helen s59 r59
23:16z	ZL1SKL	7MHz	SSB	Soren s55 r52
23:17z	ZL1IU	7MHz	SSB	Nick s58 r55
23:20z	ZL3GA	14MHz	SSB	Geoff s59 r59 S2S ZL3/CB-650 new summit
23:26z	ZL3GIG/P	14MHz	SSB	Ian s59 r59 S2S ZL3/CB-650
23:30z	ZL1BYZ/P	14MHz	SSB	John s56 r55 S2S ZL1/WK-158