On Wednesday 13th November 2024, myself and other members of the Strathalbyn Amateur Radio Group, activated the Strathalbyn silo VK-STN5. Strathalbyn is about 55 km southeast of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of Strathalbyn. Map c/o Google Maps.
The town of Strathalbyn was founded in 1839. The first landholders were Dr. John Rankine (b. 1801. d. 1864) and Donald McLean (b. 1780. d. 1855).
Below is an excellent video on beautiful Strathalbyn.
The Strathalbyn silos are working silos and are located in Callington Road. The Strathalbyn silos are working silos and are part of the company Viterra, which is one of the largest buyers and exporters of Australian wheat, barley, canola, pulses, sorghum and cotton. It is also part of Laucke Flour Mills, the last of Australia’s industry founding family-owned and operated, independent Millers.
I have activated these silos several times previously, but this particular day was about having some fun out in the field, and for many of the fellas attending, this was their very first SiOTA activation.
We set up on the Strathalbyn Strikers Football club oval, in the activation zone of the silo.
Above:- Map showing the activation zone at the Strathalbyn silo. Map c/o SiOTA website.
Our main station was my Yaesu FT857, running 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole. Det VK5DET also brought along his military manpack.
We spent a few hours activating the silo, having lots of laughs, and all successfully activating the Strathalbyn silo.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3WSG
- VK3DX
- VK5MAZ
- VK5MRD
References.
- Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Strathalbyn. Wikipedia.
VK5PAS 