HEMA Mount Observation VK5/ HSE-027

Posted on by

On Tuesday 15th April 2025, I activated Mount Observation VK5/ HSE-027 for the HEMA program. The summit is located about 11 km south of Ashbourne and about 81 km south of the city of Adelaide.

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

I first tried to activate the summit via Signal Flat Road, which involved some door knocking. I got permission from one land owner, but this resulted in me falling short of the activation zone of the summit.

So I headed around to the western side of the summit and tried access via Bull Creek Road. I was lucky to find the electronic gate open at the commencement of the track leading to the summit. I knocked on a few doors of farms on the track and was very kindly granted permission to activate the summit.

The summit has a tower with radio communication equipment on it.

There are some nice views to be enjoyed of the surrounding countryside from the summit, which is about 262 metres above sea level and has a prominence of 101 metres. (HEMA 2021)

I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I tried my best to get the laptop up and going with FT8 during this activation, but I was unsuccessful with accurate timing.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK5HS
  3. VK5LA
  4. VK3TUX
  5. VK5PE
  6. VK5FANA
  7. VK3BEL
  8. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK2VW
  3. VK1BPM
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2IO
  6. VK3YV
  7. VK4AS
  8. VK2LDJ

References.

  1. Hema.org.uk. (2021). HEMA VK5/HSE-027 – Mount Observation. [online] Available at: http://www.hema.org.uk/fullSummit.jsp?summitKey=59876 [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌

Leave a comment