Our next activation for Tuesday 22nd October 2024 was the Batchica silo VK-BTA3 for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
Batchica is located about 290 km northwest of Melbourne and about 9 km north of Warracknabeal.
Above:- Map showing the location of Batchica, Victoria. Map c/o Google Maps.
Batchica is derived from an aboriginal word batchik meaning fly. The Batchica Post Office opened at Yallangip South in 1908. It was renamed Batchica in 1909 and closed in 1931. Batchica once had a State School. In 1 1916 newspaper article it was reported that “Batchica State School holds the proud distinction of being able to state that every boy who has attended it and who is of age has enlisted to assist the Empire in its present struggle.” I wonder how many of those paid the ultimate sacrifice? (Blake 1978) (Wikipedia 2024)
Above:- Article from the Warracknabeal Herald, Tue 17 Oct 1916. Image c/o Trove.
The Batchica silos are located on the eastern side of Henty Highway between Darts Road and Batchica Lane.
Marija and I parked right alongside the silo and operated from the 4WD. We ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.
Above:- The activation zone at the Batchica silo. Map c/o SiOTA website.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3PF
- VK3TKK/P (Ah Knows Gully Reference Area VKFF-6228)
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK3APJ
- VK4DNO
- VK3DNO
- VK3ZSC
- VK3TKK/P (Lerderderg River Heritage Area VKFF-4434)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3PF
- VK3TKK/P (Ah Knows Gully Reference Area VKFF-6228)
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK3APJ
- VK4DNO
- VK3DNO
- VK3ZSC
- VK3TKK/P (Lerderderg River Heritage Area VKFF-4434)
- VK5DW
- VK3DAC
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
- VK4EMP
- VK4TI
- VK4GKO
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK2MG
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- ZL1TM
- VK2VW
- VK2HFI
- VK2AKA
- VK2BUG
References.
- Leslie James Blake, 1978, Place Names of Victoria.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Warracknabeal. Wikipedia.
VK5PAS 