My fifth silo for 26th April 2023 was the Saddleworth silo VK-SDH5. Saddleworth is located in the Mid-North region of South Australia, about 111 km north of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of Saddleworth. Map c/o Google Maps.

The town of Saddleworth was initially established as one of many settlements on the road to the mining town of Burra. It was named after Saddleworth Lodge pastoral station. The station was in turn named after a civil parish on the edges of the Pennines in Yorkshire in England. In March 1846 Joseph Dunn applied for a Publican’s Licence to open Saddleworth Lodge. His application was granted.

Above:- the main street of Saddleworth, early 1900s. Image c/o State Library South Australia

Saddleworth has a 3 km long Heritage Walking Trail which provides an insight into the history of the town and the district.

The Saddleworth silos are a large complex and are operated by Viterra Australia. They are located on Girth Street in the town.

I parked in Girth Street and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna (1.5 metre stainless steel whip).

Above:- the activation zone at the Saddleworth silos. Map c/o SiOTA website.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK1AO/p (SiOTA VK-GNT2, VK-NWH2)
2. VK2MET/p (SiOTA VK-GNT2, VK-NWH2)
3. ZL3RIK
4. ZL3YB
5. VK7AAE
6. VK2LEE
7. VK1ARQ
8. VKMAZ
9. VK5HS
10. VK2VBR
11. VK3PF
12. VK7WN

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK2LEE
3. VK5HS
4. VK3DL
5. ZL3MR
6. VK2PBC
7. VK4VAW
8. VK3APJ
9. VK4FDJL
10. VK3GJG
11. VK7AAE
12. VK3OZY
13. VK3HX
14. VK4SMA
15. VK3EW

References.

1. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddleworth,_South_Australia>, viewed 16th May 2023.