After leaving the Derek Sutcliffe Reserve on 8th April 2025, I headed to the town of Cambrai where I intended to activate the Cambrai silo VK-CMI5 for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.
Above:- Map showing the location of Cambrai. Map c/o Google Maps.
I headed west on Jutland Road and stopped briefly to admire the old South Rhine Presbyterian (later Uniting) Church. The Foundation Stone was laid on the 26th day of April 1882, by Thomas Gray. Its closing service was held on the 25th day of April 2010. (Facebook 2022)
The sun was setting as I headed to Cambrai, and I enjoyed a magnificent sunset.
I stopped briefly at one of the lookouts with some amazing views out across the plains towards Victoria.
I soon reached the town of Cambrai, which was formerly known as Rhine Villa. It was one of several towns that were renamed during World War One to remove any connection with German place names. It was renamed Cambrai after the Battle of Cambrai. (Wikipedia 2025)
The Cambrai silos are located on SIlo Road.
I parked near the gates of the silos ane operated from the 4WD. I 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 Cambrai silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3WRD
- VK3ZLF
- VK2LDJ
- VK2IO
- VK3PWG/P
- VK3ACZ
- VK3NP
- VK5QA/P
- VK2DBF
- VK3CLD
- VK2USH
- VK3AGM
- VK3CJN
- VK3QHU
- VK7PJM
- VK2UAJ/P
- VK3PF
- VK6CAO
- VK3TDX
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
References.
- Facebook. (2022). Log into Facebook. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/profile/100066749306355/search/?q=south%20rhine [Accessed 15 Jun. 2025].
- Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Cambrai. Wikipedia.
VK5PAS 