How to attract Chasers and Hunters

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I was recently asked by an amateur who has been bitten by the ‘portable bug’ as to how they could ‘spot’ themselves for parks activity & thus attract callers.  And listening on air in the past couple of days, it has been evident that it has been a little bit of a struggle during a weekday for some ops to pick up the required number of 10 QSO’s for the WorldWide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  I know that in the past there have been a few unsuccessful SOTA & Parks activations here in VK5.  Not many, but enough to perhaps discourage activators.

So I thought I would point out the various websites & spotting / alert facilities which should help you in filling up your logbook.  And I’ve also included a few tips I’ve found when operating QRP from a summit or a park myself.

I would welcome all of the other regular SOTA & Parks Activators / Chasers / Hunters to comment with their own tips & suggestions.

If you are a SOTA Chaser, or Parks Hunter, please do your best to advertise that the Activator is out there.  Don’t just work them and leave it at that.  If they are not already on there, place them on SOTAwatch, parksnpeaks, etc.  Your contribution as a Chaser / Hunter may help the Activator qualify a SOTA peak or a WWFF Park.  It may also help another keen Summit or Parks Chaser / Hunter, to add another summit / park under their belt.

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Summits on  the Air…..

The first point of call for SOTA is SOTAwatch2 of course.  Here you can view the ‘Latest Spots’ and ‘Upcoming Activations’.

As a Chaser, you can ‘spot’ an Activator.  Many keen SOTA Chasers keep a watchful eye on the SOTAwatch2 site.  And even if they are not near their computer, and viewing SOTAwatch, the introduction of various phone apps such as SOTAGoat and Rucksack radio will alert the keen Chaser to the ‘spot’.

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And of course you can post an intended activation as an activator.  For the vast majority of activators, SOTAWatch is used to very good effect.  Some activators find that adding an alert for a planned summit, places pressure on them regarding arrival time on the top of the summit.  But nowadays the vast majority of SOTA Chasers are well aware of the various anomalies that come in to play when reaching a summit on time.

There is also the SOTAwatch 2 reflector.

The SOTAwatch Reflector is an extension of the SOTAwatch facility.  Recently the SOTAwatch reflector has been put to very good use when advertising planned activations involving Europe – Australia contacts.

http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php

And there is the SOTA Australia Yahoo Group.

Many SOTA activators place their intended activations onto this site which has numerous members all around Australia.  If you place your intentions here, it is exposing your intended activation to a wider audience.

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SOTA_Australia/info?tab=s

And why not also try the DX cluster.  Remember the ‘DX Code of Conduct’.  It is impolite to self spot (spot your own call sign) unless you are desperately trying to drum up activity on an open but quiet band.  But as a SOTA Chaser, why not spot the Activator you just worked, on the DX Cluster.  The bigger the audience the better !

http://www.dxwatch.com

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VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award…..

With the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award there are a number of different options open to you to ‘advertise’ your intended activation.  Sadly, at this time, there are no phone apps to alert you of activators being on a particular frequency in a South Australian National or Conservation park.  But this is being worked on.  To help you achieve success and lots of QSO’s in the log, try adding your intentions to the following sources.

There is the SANPCPA Yahoo Group.  This has members from all across Australia, and Activators are encouraged to place their intended activation/s on the Yahoo Group as a message.  Hunters have also placed messages on the group, announcing that they have just worked an Activator.  This is welcomed.

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/sanpcpa/info

Allen VK3HRA has developed a magnificent site called parksnpeaks.  On the parksnpeaks site you can view VK Spots and VK Alerts.  Registration to the site is free.  You can add either a Spot (new VK Spot – Current Activity) or An Alert (new VK Alert – Proposed Activity) for a VK5 Park, QRP operation, Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA), VK WWFF.  For a SOTA spot/alert it is recommended that SOAwatch be used.

http://www.parksnpeaks.org

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As mentioned above, consider using the DX Cluster.  If you hear an Activator out in a park, help him/her fill up their logbook, and place a spot on the DX cluster, so everyone around the world can see.

http://www.dxwatch.com

Why not consider setting up an SMS group on your mobile telephone.  I do this and use to to great effect.  It contains a list of amateurs I know that are keen Parks Hunters, who receive an SMS message each time I work a parks activator.

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Try sending out an e-mail to your mates in the local radio club or other interested amateurs to notify them of your intended activation.

Use the local repeater to your advantage.  Although repeater contacts are not allowed for SOTA, VK5 Parks Award, WWFF, etc, there is nothing stopping you jumping on the local repeater before an activation, and advising people that you are sitting in a park and looking for contacts.

WorldWide Flora & Fauna…..

The World Wide Flora & Fauna program (WWFF) does not have a spotting & alert facility like SOTAwatch.  But Activators are encouraged to place their intended activations on the WWFF Forum.

http://forum.wwff.co

The Australian (VKFF) branch of WWFF has a Yahoo Group.  Australian activators are encouraged to place any intended activations on the Yahoo Group.

http://au.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/wwffaustralia/info

Another option is the WWFF Facebook site.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wwff44

And you can also follow WWFF on Twitter.

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As mentioned above, the parksnpeaks site has a facility to either spot or alert.  It is a great tool, so please use it.

http://www.parksnpeaks.org

And as mentioned above, consider utilising the vast audience at the DX cluster.

http://www.dxwatch.com

Some general portable operation / QRP tips…..

Below are just a few general tips to help you fill up your logbook.  It is by no means an exhaustive list.  But it contains a few things that I have found through trial & error.

The secret is in the antenna

We have all heard this, but it is true.  It has been said that antennas compose one third of your QRP station.  The other two thirds are your operating equipment and your operating skills.

Try different bands 

Propagation is not always kind on 40m for the longer hauls around VK, and certainly for DX if you are running QRP.  So if possible, try operating on a selection of bands.  This may not always be possible I know, due to restrictions with licences, and lack of appropriate antennas.  But the give the people further afield the chance to get in the action as well.  The vast majority of portable activity here in Australia seems to be on 40m SSB, which often excludes the guys & girls in Western Australia (VK6).

Place your intentions on as many forums as possible

The more people who know you are out there the better.  So post your intentions on as many forums as possible.

Consider the time of day / know when bands are open

Who is your targeted audience ?  There is no point going out at midday if you want to work Europeans on 20m long path.  So try to time your activations for those who you would like to get in the log.

Look at the solar figures / propagation conditions

Propagation conditions are extremely important with any QRP operation.  If the solar figures are lousy, then maybe consider putting off an activation until another day.

Operating skills / practice

This is just a suggested practice I try to adopt.  If you do call for DX, you might be surprised who comes back to you.

–  call for any SOTA/parks activators
–  call for QRP stations
–  call for portable or mobile stations
–  call for any DX
–  call for stations who can hear you, but with difficulty (there is nothing worse as a Chaser/Hunter listening to an activator who is weak, but then disappears down below the noise floor due to a change in the band.)
–  call for anybody else (now the fun starts).

2,500 SOTA Chaser points

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A few days ago on 21st December, 2013, I reached another milestone in SOTA…my 2,500 points as a Chaser.

Thanks to Peter VK3PF, I crossed the 2,500 point threshold.  Peter was on an un-named summit , VK3/ VE-159, which is south of Tallangatta in north eastern Victoria.  And to my surprise I was even able to comfortably work Peter on 20m, which is not normally the case between VK3 – VK5 on that band.

Thanks to all the keen activators who have allowed me to reach this point.

I have posted Peter a certificate of appreciation…..

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European and UK activators

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Last night (Monday 23rd December, 2013) I was on the 7.130 DX Net on 40m, and the goat bleated on my iPhone on the SOTA Goat app, to advise there was a SOTA activator out and about.  So I checked the phone and saw that it was Jana, DG5WU operating portable on Wildalpjoch, DL/ MF-075.  It was just starting to get dark outside, so things looked promising with the grayline.  I tuned to 20m and I could just barely hear Jana, but certainly not strong enough to work.  And there was a constant pile up.

So feeling a little dejected, my goat bleated again a few minutes later, and I saw a spot for Patricio EA2EX who was portable on Ilso, EA2/ BI-050 in the Vizcaya region of northern Spain, not far from the French border.  I tuned a few kc away from Jana, and there was Patricio.  Not all that strong, but audible all the way down here in South Australia.  So I eagerly picked up the mic, and I tried calling Patricio, but couldn’t make the grade through the European pile up.

But I kept listening and remained patient, and to his credit, Patricio called for outside Europe, and I was able to make contact with him.  Not flattering signal reports either way, but a contact nether less.  We were able to hear each other.  All the way from a mountain top in Spain to the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.  And all on Patricio’s 5 watts.

Patricio was using a Yaesu FT-817, 5 watts, and a ground plane antenna.

Patricio is ranked 9th in the EA2 Association as a SOTA activator.

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I then saw another spot for Col, F/MM0YCJ, on 20m, on F/ AB-204.  Hoping that I might get lucky again, I tuned to his operating frequency.  But that wasn’t to be the case.  Sadly I could not hear Col at all.  I could clearly hear the Chasers, but not Col.

I have now worked a total of  22 DX Activators in 14 different European SOTA Associations on SSB (20m & 10m).  I have my Bronze Mountain Hunter certificate (currently 9 different Associations with QSO’s with at least 2 different summits).  I have 11 Associations where my count is 1 summit. So I need just 1 more contact to qualify for Silver Mountain Hunter.

I am yet to make contact with a US activator.  I must polish up on my CW skills and give Morse a go and I would probably have more success !

As I have found out myself, as a SOTA Activator, it is possible to make good DX contacts all the way to Europe, the UK, & the USA, on QRP power.  It all depends on the conditions, your antenna, the Chaser’s antenna, good listening skills, good operator practise, the time of the day, and of course GOOD LUCK !

In closing, I just wanted to say thank you to those European & UK SOTA activators that take the time to have a listen out for us all the way down here in Australia.  It seems that more & more interest is growing in getting Europe – Australia SOTA contacts, thanks to the recent efforts of Andrew VK1NAM, Ed VK2JI, & others. Ian VK5CZ (the VK5 SOTA Assoc Manager) made contact with a station in Poland on 10m just a few nights ago.

So thanks for listening for us Aussies.  There is a core group of us SOTA enthusiasts down here that would be more than happy to get you in the log.

New book added to my library

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Recently I purchased the following book from the WIA Library…..

‘Low Power Communication.  The Art and Science of QRP”.

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I am only half way through reading it, but this book is highly recommended.  It contains some terrific information and tips on QRP operation, not just for portable enthusiasts, but for Foundation calls as well.

The book includes the following…..

  • Tips to Get You Started the Right Way
    An introduction to QRP operating, FAQs for newbies and tips that even experienced amateurs will appreciate.
  • Equipment and Station Accessories
    Off-the-shelf commercial gear, kit building and homebrew, including an all-new homebrew photo gallery.
  • Antennas for QRP – Updated and Expanded!
    Wire beams, loops, dipoles, portable antennas and a look at the author’s new stealth antenna design.
  • Operating Strategies
    Contesting, awards and advanced techniques for becoming a successful QRP operator.
  • Emergency Communication
    Training, planning and other factors for utilizing low-power gear during an emergency.
  • HF Propagation for the QPRer
    NEW! An authoritative look at likely propagation conditions for Solar Cycle 24.
  • Plus, QRP calling frequencies, manufacturers…and much more!

The other day I heard someone commenting on air as to how stupid it was that Foundation calls used just 10 watts.  All I can say to that is that SOTA, the KRMNPA, the VK5 Parks Award, etc, have all recently shown what can be done with a lot less than 10 watts.  For me its all about knowing the band conditions, timing your calls, and antenna…antenna….antenna.

Mt Lofty summit and Cleland CP

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On Friday evening, 20th December, 2013, I headed up to Mount Lofty summit, which is only 20 km west of home.  Well, I actually had the luxury of a chaufferred ride up there by my wife Marija, who dropped me off and then headed back home.  Marija didn’t fancy sitting on a log in the bush, holding hands, and listening to me talking on the radio, so she dropped me off and we organised for her to come back over and pick me up later.  Now thats a dedicated wife.  I think she may have had plans of leaving me on the summit !

Mount Lofty summit is also located within the Cleland Conservation Park, so it qualifies for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award as well as SOTA.  I have activated Mount Lofty & Cleland Conservation Park, 3 times before, but my motivation for the activation was that the 7.130 DX Net was holding a special Christmas edition of the net.  So I decided to do something a bit ‘novel’ for the net and head up to the summit.

surfing_santa

After Marija dropped me off, I set up in my favourite spot on the eastern side of the summit, along a walking track in the bush.  This is a quieter location, away from the obelisk, the cafe, and the tourists.  There is a convenient Telstra sign there which is great to secure the squid pole to.  The weather conditions were not the best.  The temperature had dropped from a very hot 40 deg C down to about 25 deg C and the wind had really whipped up and was very strong.  Every time I heard a crack or a creak, I was looking up to make sure it wasn’t a gum tree limb about to come crushing down.  And out to the east of me there was plenty of shower activity.

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I set up the linked dipole to 20m first, and my first contact was with John VK2YW who had  beautiful strong signal coming in from Wagga Wagga.  This was followed by Tom VK3EO who also had a very strong 5/9 signal from Swan Hill.  Normally the VK3 fellas don’t come in all that well on 20m, but Tom certainly had a magnificent signal.  Andrew VK1NAM then called in from the ACT with his normal good solid signal.  And thanks to Andrew as well for spotting me on SOTAWatch.  And my fourth contact was with another VK3….Marshall VK3MRG, who had a beautiful strong signal.

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I was hoping that some of the Western Australia SOTA Chasers may call in, and sure enough Mike VK6MB came up.  It was good to get Mike in the log, because I can only imagine how hard it must be all the way over there in Western Australia to get 20m SOTA / QRP contacts.  So that’s why I have been trying to make a concerted effort to get onto 20m more often during any SOTA or Parks activation.  I have mentioned it before, but I think us Aussies take distance/s for granted down here in this big country of Oz.  It is about 4,000 km from Sydney to Perth (east to west), and a little over 3,000 km from Adelaide to Darwin (south to north).  They are big distances.  The map below will give you a good idea of the size of Australia compared to Europe.  And we regularly call VK3 – VK6 contacts…a local QSO !

aust-europe-map

I was also hoping that a bit of DX might call in, and to my surprise (with the help of Andrew’s spot on SOTAWatch), Michael DJ5AV called in with a booming 5/9 signal.  I received  a 5/5 signal report back Michael, who has recently been chasing a lot of the Australian SOTA activators.  My second DX contact was with Colin G4UXH.  This was much more of a challenge.  I could hear Colin very well (5/6) but he was struggling with me (3/2).

I then looked down the band to 14.156, hoping to speak to a few of my friends in the UK, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand, who gather there every day for a chat.  I spoke to John EA7BA (5/9 sent & 5/4 received).  I could clearly hear Terry G0VWP, but sadly he was unable to hear me.  This was a real shame, because Terry is a SOTA enthusiast.  I could also hear Billy, GI3NVW, but unfortunately I wasn’t quite making the grade with him.  He could hear me, but that was about it.

After working 11 stations on 20m I was running out of time, so I switched over to the 40m band and initially called CQ on 7.090 and worked Nev VK5WG, Allen VK3HRA, and Tony VK3CAT.  All had very nice signals.

I then QSY’d to the 7.130 DX Net.  Sadly the Over the Horizon radar was extremely strong and this made conditions very difficult indeed for me to work any of the DX that was on the net with my flea power of 5 watts.  I tried calling Brian ZL2ASH who was a good signal, but sadly he couldn’t hear me through the radar.  I normally make the grade quite easily with Brian when I am portable/QRP, but not this night.  William FO5JV was coming in very strong, and despite the fact that I had worked him previously whilst portable/QRP, I decided not to call, simply because of the radar.

I did take a little bit of video which I have placed on You Tube, which shows the radar in action…..

After working 6 stations on the net (in VK2, VK3, & VK7), I announced that I would QSY down to 7.110 and work anyone who might like Mount Lofty & Cleland Conservation Park.  The weather had deteriorated dramatically, and Marija had arrived and was waiting for me in the car, so it was a case of getting any interested ops in the log and moving on.  The weather had dropped from 40 deg C earlier in the day, down to about 13 deg C on the summit, with drizzly rain and strong gusty winds.  I did manage to work a few more stations in VK2, VK3, VK4, & VK5, (including Andrew VK2FAJG, operating QRP with 4 watts) before packing up and heading back home to the warmth of home.

By the end of the activation, I had a a total of 26 stations on 20m SSB and 40m SSB in the log.

The following stations were worked:-

John VK2YW; Tom VK3EO; Andrew VK1NAM; Marshall VK3MRG; Ed VK2AFY; Mike VK6MB; Michael DJ5AV; Gerard VK2IO; Colin G4UXH; Glenn VK3YY; John EA7BA; Nev VK5WG; Allen VK3HRA; Tony VK3CAT; Andy VK4TH; Ron VK3IO; Richard VK3IDX; Dennis VK2HHA; Paul VK7CC; Roy VK7ROY; Colin VK4FAAS; Urey VK3ATA; Luke VK3HJ; Iva VK4HG; Rod VK5FTTC; and Andrew VK2FAJG (QRP 4 watts).

Despite the weather, and the fact that it was no extra points for me for either SOTA or the VK5 Parks Award, this was a good fun evening.

The Summitsbase S2S Award

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This morning I checked my e-mails and to my pleasure I found an e-mail from Mike G4BLH from ‘The Summitsbase’.  The e-mail contained my Class 2 Summit to Summit Award for 50 Summit to Summit contacts.

The Summitsbase website is primarily tailored for amateur radio operators who participate in programs such as Summits on the Air (SOTA),  the Summitsbase HuMPs Awards (HEMA) or S2S Awards, Wainwrights on the Air (WOTA).  More information can be found on the Summitsbase website……

http://www.summits.org.uk

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Other than having some really interesting information which is well worth reading, Summitsbase also runs a number of awards.  Some of these such as the HuMPS Awards are not applicable to Australian hams, but the Summit to Summit (S2S) Awards Scheme is.  The S2S award is currently valid for contacts between two SOTA summits and is available at a number of different levels (I have highlighted the levels I have reached)…..

Class 3 Award: 25 unique Summit–Summit contacts
Class 2 Award: 50 unique Summit-Summit contacts
Class 1 Award: 100 unique Summit-Summit contacts
Intermediate Award: 250 unique Summit-Summit contacts
Advanced Award: 500 unique Summit-Summit contacts
Master Award: 750 unique Summit-Summit contacts
Supreme Award: 1000 unique Summit-Summit contacts

So why not add a bit more wallpaper to your shack and apply for some of The Summitsbase certificates.  They are really impressive.

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VK5PAS SS-25-070

European/UK summit contacts

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During the past couple of weeks, a number of VK amateurs have been aiming for Summit to Summit (S2S) contacts with European & UK SOTA activators.  Andrew VK1NAM has been leading the charge, and has been very successful in bagging some great S2S contacts and also along the way some general DX QSO’s with SOTA Chasers in Europe.  Check out Andrew’s WordPress site at…..

http://vk1nam.wordpress.com

As a result, Andrew’s enthusiasm has rubbed off on me, and my interest in keeping an eye on SOTAWatch for European activators has increased (from the comfort of home at this stage).  In the past week I have worked 5 x European/UK SOTA activators:-

  • Steve, G1INK/p in ENGLAND
  • Klaus, DF2GN/p in GERMANY
  • Dinos, SV3IEG/p in GREECE
  • Csaba, YO6PIB/p in ROMANIA
  • Don, M0HCU/p in ENGLAND

My first ever SOTA contact was actually with a DX station.  That was back in December, 2011, and was with Mike, 2E0YYY/p, who was portable on Moel Famau, in WALES.  What an introduction to SOTA.  I would go on to work Mike again in May 2012, and May 2013.

In between time, I had worked a few other DX activators…..

  • EA3EGB/p in SPAIN
  • EA1/M0UOK/p in SPAIN (my mate Barry who was on holidays)
  • OK/SQ9SHR/p in CZECH REPUBLIC
  • HA5MA/p in HUNGARY
  • HA5LV/p in HUNGARY
  • G7TAS/p in ENGLAND
  • SP6KEP/p in POLAND
  • S57MS/p in SLOVENIA
  • HA3LV/p in HUNGARY
  • SV3GLI/p in GREECE
  • OE4JHW/p in AUSTRIA

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So, on Saturday (23rd November, 2013) I saw that Andrew VK1NAM and Al VK1RX were heading to Mount Taylor, VK1/ AC-037 to see if they could work some DX summit to summit QSO’s.  Surprisingly I could barely hear Andrew & Al on 20m from Mount Taylor.  Normally they both have thumping signals on 14 mhz, but this day their signals were really low down (almost unreadable).  But to my surprise I could hear the SOTA activators in Europe that they were working.  So there was some hope that I could work a few from the comfort of my shack.

I tuned across the 20m band, but sadly could not find any of the European activators, so I headed up to 10m, which is my favourite band, hoping to work some DX.  And much to my surprise, I found Steve, G1INK/p, who was on SOTA peak, Kinder Scout, G/SP-001.  Steve was one of the activators that had previously worked Andrew and Al on 20m.  Activity was pretty quiet, so I called Steve who came back to me (5/4 sent and 5/7 received).  Steve is the leading activator in England, and is currently sitting on 1,011 summits activated, with a total of 4,081 points.  Not a bad effort at all.  I think I have a bit of catching up to do !!!

Below is a photo of Steve…..

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Kinder Scout is 636 metres above sea level, is worth 4 SOTA points, and is situated in the Southern Pennines Region of ENGLAND.  It is a moorland plateau and National Nature Reserve in the Dark Peak of the Derbyshire Peak District in England.  It is the highest point in the Peak District, the highest point in Derbyshire, and the highest point in the East Midlands.  During excellent weather conditions, the city of Manchester and Greater Manchester can be seen.  Below is a photograph of Kinder Scout plateau as viewed from the south…..

800px-KinderScoutPlateau

Steve has a terrific You Tube page with lots of videos.  Click on the link below to have a look…..

http://www.youtube.com/user/g1ink

A week later, on Friday afternoon (29th November, 2013), I saw that Andrew VK1NAM was heading to the hills again in the hope of getting some more European S2S activity.  And he succeeded.  Well done Andrew.  And this time I could hear Andrew well, so I gave him a shout and bagged Mount Taylor, VK1/ AC-037.  He was using a Yaesu FT-857d, 50 watts, into a 20m/40m linked dipole.

I then hunted around the 20m band, hoping to find some of the European SOTA activators.  I managed to track down Klaus, DF2GN/p, who I had heard working Andrew a little earlier.  Klaus was portable on SOTA peak, Hummelsberg, DM/ BW-228 and had a very strong 5/8 signal into my shack.  I received a genuine 5/9 from Klaus.   He was using an inverted L antenna.  Klaus is ranked 16th as an Activator in the DM Association.

Hummerlsberg is located in the Low Mountains in the Bathe Wuerttemberg Region of Germany, and is 1,002 metres above sea level.  It is worth 10 points.

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On Saturday afternoon (30th November, 2013), inspired by working Klaus the day before, I had a listen again on 20m.  I had seen a few Alerts on SOTAWatch from European activators indicating that they would be looking for VK Chasers, so this was very promising.

My first contact was with Dinos, SV3IEG/p, who was portable on SOTA peak, Pergari, SV/ AT-033.  Dinos had a very nice signal and I got through first time to him (5/7 both ways).  Hats off to Dinos, because despite having lots of European Chasers, he regularly stopped and called for VK and outside Europe.  Pergari is located in the Attica Region on Greece and is 1,108 metres above sea level.  It is worth 4 SOTA points.

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My second contact was with Csaba, YO6PIB/p who was portable on SOTA peak, Clabucetul Taurului, YO/ EC-145.  His signal was down a little bit, but still he was very readable.  (4/3 sent and 5/3 received).  Clabucetul Taurului is located in the Eastern Carpathians Region of Romania.  It is 1,520 metres above sea level, and is worth 8 SOTA points.  This was the first time the summit had ever been activated.

Csaba has a Blogspot.  Click on the following link to have a look…..

http://yo6pib.blogspot.com.au

Below is a photo of Csaba operating on a SOTA peak (not YO/ EC-145).

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And finally, I saw a spot for Don, M0HCU, who was on SOTA peak, Titterstone Clee Hill, G/ WB-004.  Initially Don was very weak and I was struggling to hear him through the noise from the neighbour’s plasma television.  And when his signal did come up, it was a struggle to break through the European Chaser pile up.  But eventually I did, and got Don in the log (5/3 sent and 4/7 received).  I was Don’s first ever VK SOTA contact.

Don has a website.  Click on the link below to have a look…..

http://m0hcu.co.uk

The summit of Titterstone Clee which Don was sitting on, is bleak and treeless.  It has been shaped by decades of quarrying.  Many of the quarrying structures still remain, and these lend to the ghostly atmosphere of the hill top, especially during the prolonged winter fogs that descend over the hills.

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I have worked quite a bit of DX since becoming a SOTA activator in March this year.  But I have never had a DX S2S contact.  I would imagine it would be a real buzz when you receive a call back from someone sitting on top of a mountain overseas.  As Andrew VK1NAM told me, it took him 3 days to come down off his high after getting his first European S2S.

I have now worked 17 different SOTA Associations.  I am now just a few contacts away from qualifying for my Silver Mountain Hunter certificate (2 different / unique summits in each of 10 Associations).

  • DM – 1
  • EA1 – 1
  • EA3 – 1
  • G – 3
  • GW – 1
  • HA – 2
  • OE – 1
  • OK – 1
  • S5 – 1
  • SP – 1
  • SV – 2
  • VK1 – 24
  • VK2 – 29
  • VK3 – 134
  • VK5 – 21
  • VK9 – 1
  • YO – 1

Talk at Adelaide Tech Meet

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On Wednesday night I attended the Adelaide Tech Meet meeting at Hackerspace, King William Street in the city, after being invited to do so by Kym VK5FJ.  I delivered a presentation on the portable aspect of amateur radio, which included equipment used, and some of the various formal portable programs including SOTA & the VK5 Parks Award.

Hackerspace are a group of people with an interest in electronics and computing, who meet to work and share on their ideas.

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I was the third of five presenters during the evening.  The first 2 presentations were well at least for me, quite technical in regards to computers.  I think I was lost after the first 5 minutes.  But I have never professed to be computer literate.

The meeting was attended by about 25 people who all showed a keen interest, despite the fact that only 3 that were present were amateur radio operators.  Because the majority of the audience were new to amateur radio, I tailored the start of the presentation, and explained in basic terms what ham radio was all about.

Other than the powerpoint presentation, I took along my FT-817nd, a SLAB battery, and a few portable antennas.

Much to my surprise, at least 2 people in attendance showed a very keen interest in obtaining their amateur radio licence.

Thanks to Kym VK5FJ for giving me the opportunity to attend.

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KRMNPA weekend 2013

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The 2013 KRMNPA weekend was held between Friday 15th – Sunday 17th November, 2013.  My wife Marija and I headed to Pinnaroo (near the Victorian border) for a 2 night stay and activated the Murray Sunset National Park on Saturday, and Wyperfeld National Park on Sunday.  I have added separate blogs for those activations.

I worked a total of 63 stations in both parks.  In Murray Sunset NP I had 26 QSO’s into VK1, VK2, VK3, & VK5, whilst in Wyperfeld NP I managed 37 QSO’s into VK2, VK3, & VK5.

I worked a total of 16 different Victorian National Parks, as follows…..

  1. Great Otway National Park
  2. Port Campbell National Park
  3. Terrick Terrick National Park
  4. Churchill National Park
  5. Hatte Kulkyne National Park
  6. Mount Eccles National Park
  7. Grampians National Park
  8. Organ Pipes National Park
  9. Mornington Peninsula National Park
  10. Kara Kara National Park
  11. Wyperfeld National Park
  12. Morwell National Park
  13. Lower Glenelg National Park
  14. Murray Sunset National Park
  15. Dandenong Ranges National Park
  16. Heathcote-Graytown National Park

And I added 4 x new parks to my KRMNPA list, bring me to a total of 33 Victorian Parks worked.  The new Parks worked were…..

  1. Hatte-Kulkyne National Park
  2. Morwell National Park
  3. Dandenong Ranges National Park
  4. Heathcote-Graytown National Park.

Our accommodation at the Pinnaroo cabins was excellent.  They were very friendly and although basic, the accommodation was very clean & tidy.  Recommended !

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It was great to catch up with Larry VK5LY and his wife Di, on the Saturday night.  We had a nice feed at the Golden Grain Hotel at Pinnaroo.

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We can also recommend the Cobb and Co Cafe at Murrayville.  After our activation at Wyperfeld NP, we stopped off there and had a coffee and some really delicious home made cake.

And Marija and I had an enjoyable trip back home to the Adelaide Hills, stopping off on the way back, and looking at a few of the sights on the Mallee Highway.  The Kow Plains homestead just outside of the little town of Cowangie, is well worth having a look at.  There are a number of restored buildings here that date back to the 1860’s.

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Thanks to Tony VK3VTH for co-ordinating a really enjoyable weekend, and everyone else involved in the organisation including Peter VK3ZPF.  Thanks to all the activators.  And thanks to everyone that called me during my 2 activations.  It was a lot of fun.

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Wyperfeld National Park

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On Sunday morning, 17th November, 2013, Marija and I left the Pinnaroo cabins, and again headed across the border into north western Victoria.  We drove into the little town of Murrayville, and then travelled about 30 km along the Murrayville Track, until we reached the Wyperfeld National Park.

Wyperfeld National Park is the third largest National Park in Victoria and covers an area of 3,570.17 km².  It was declared in 1921, and has been significantly expanded since that time to protect a huge area of mallee, woodland, and heartland in the north west of Victoria.

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Wyperfeld contains numerous sand dunes and these are estimated to be between 40,000 and 15,000 year old.  Wyperfeld was once a shallow sea from about 25 million years ago.  As the seas slowly retreated, the westerly winds blew sand over the exposed inland areas, which resulted in the rolling sand dunes that you see today.

Wyperfeld was originally home to the local aboriginal people, the Wotjobaluk, who regularly travelled up and down Outlet Creek, visiting the lakes and swamps in their quest for water and food.    They called Outlet Creek, ‘Tyakil-ba’Tyakil’.  Outlet Creek snakes its way through the centre of the park.  The first European to venture along Outlet Creek was James Clow, who in 1847, established the first pastoral run.

By the early 1900’s, the mallee of Victoria was a fast disappearing habitat.  And luckily, by 1909, a number of naturalists persuaded the Victorian Government to temporarily reserve 3,900 hectares.  By 1921, the park was declared.  The name, Wyperfeld, is of Germanic origin, and was most likely given by the Germanic settlers who came to the Wimmera and Mallee regions from South Australia.

Fortunately Spring is the best time to see the wildflowers in the park.  And there were quite a few plants out in flower that we saw.  About 520 species of native plants occur in the park.  River Red Gum and Black Box woodlands cover the floodplains of Outlet Creek and the lakes within the park.  Cypress-pine woodlands grow on the dunes near the lakes.  On the eastern side of the park, mallee is the predominant flora.  In the western section of the park, heathland covers the rolling sand plains.

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A variety of native animals call the park home including Mitchell’s Hopping Mouse, Desert Silky Mouse, and Western Grey kangaroos

More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in the park, including the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Emus, Mallee Ringneck Parrot, Red-rumped Parrot, Galah, Variegated Fairy-wren, & Red-capped Robin.  Wyperfeld is part of the Wyperfeld, Big Desert and Ngarkat Importand Bird Area, which has been identified as such by BirdLife International, due to its importance for the conservation of the rare Malleefowl and various other mallee bird species.

A large variety of reptiles can be found within the park.  They include the Sand Goanna, dragons, skinks, and geckos.  We saw literally hundreds of lizards sunning themselves on the Murrayville Track.  Surprisingly, snakes are rarely seen in Wyperfeld NP.

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Marija and I pulled up at the Milmed Rock 4WD track, and set up the gear here.  It was already very warm, and safely there was no shade.  I could see some small gum trees about 2 km into the bush, but I didn’t fancy trying my luck along Milmed Rock Track, as it was very very sandy and suitable for 4wd only.

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Fortunately the track ran north – south, so I set up the 40m dipole using my 7 m squid pole, and tied off the ends to some of the small native shrubs.  We set up the folding table and deck chair, and away I went.  My first contact from within Wyperfeld was with Peter VK3YE who was sitting on the end of a concrete pier at Chelsea Beach in Melbourne.  Peter had a great signal as always from his QRP pedestrian mobile set up (5/8 both ways).  This was followed by a  steady flow of callers from VK3 & VK5, including Tim VK3MTB who was operating portable from Morwell National Park, and Tony VK3VTH who was operating portable from the Lower Glenelg National Park.

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I then decided to tune around the band to see if I could pick up a few more park activators, and was fortunate enough to speak with Ben VK3FTRV who was portable north of Halls Gap, in the Grampians National Park, using his full wave loop antenna.  I then spoke with Larry VK5LY who was portable in the Murray Sunset National Park, and then stumbled across Andy VK5AKH who was operating portable from the Morialta Conservation Park, as part of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award.

The 40m band was in quite good condition and was very busy.  The Ballarat Amateur Radio Club were also holding their annual Field Day and I propped on 7.085 and I worked a number of their members, operating portable in the field.  Joe VK3YSP, who was operating portable from the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with his wife Julie VK3FOWL, called in to say hi.

After working a number of stations I decided to tune across the band again, and I spoke with Peter VK3ZPF who was active again on a SOTA peak.  This time, Mount Ida, VK3/ VU-009, which is also within the Heathcote-Graytown National Park.  I was really happy to find Peter, because this was a new Victorian park for me.  Peter was kind enough to leave me his frequency, and again I worked a steady flow of park Hunters.  This included Andy VK3CAH who was portable in the Kara Kara National Park, and Andrew VK1DA/2 who was portable on SOTA peak, Spring Hill VK2/ ST-036.

As the day progressed, it was getting hotter and hotter, so I improvised and used an umbrella from the boot of the car to offer me some shade.

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I had heard a few guys tell me that the south east fellas were around, so I tuned up to 7.110, where I spoke with Col VK5HCF/p, Tom VK5EE/p, and Greg VK5ZGY/p, who were all portable in the Lower Glenelg Conservation Park.  They had gained access to the park via boat, and were using 5 watts from an IC-703 and a linked dipole.  A great effort fellas.

After working Col, Tom, & Greg, I found Glenn VK3YY, who was portable on SOTA peak, Spion Kopje, VK3/ VT-040 (5/6 both ways).

My last 2 contacts of the day were with Stu VK5STU/p, and Nigel VK5NIG/p.  Stu and Nigel were portable at One Tree Hill trying out their new Yaesu FT-817nd’s (which they had bought from the AHARS Buy & Sell, a few weeks earlier) and experimenting with portable antennas (linked dipole & 40m inv fee dipole).

Time was getting away, & I had pushed my luck with Marija sitting in the car watching DVD’s, so it was time to pack up.  I had a total of 37 QSO’s in the log.

I worked the following stations:-

Peter VK3YE/pm; Ron VK3AFW; Ivan VK5HS; Tim VK5AV; Tim VK3MTB/p; Tony VK3VTH/p; Frank VK3GFS;Ben VK3FTRV/p; Larry VK5LY/p; Andy VK5AKH/p; Ian VK3AXH/p; John VK5EMI; Brian VK5FMID; Harry VK3KGL/p; Tom VK5FTRG; Bob VK3NBV/p; Mal VK5MJ; Joe VK3YSP/p; Julie VK3FOWL/p; Peter Vk3TKK; Tony VK3VTH/p; Peter VK3ZPF/p; Bob VK3BNC/p; Andy VK5LA; Craig VK3KG/p; Andy VK3CAH/p; IAndrew VK1DA/2; Dave VK3VCE; Col VK5HCF/p; Tom VK5EE/p; Greg VK5ZGY/p; Glenn VK3YY; Nev VK5WG; Kevin VK3VEK; Stu VK5STU/p; and Nigel VK5NIG/p.

Just wanted to say thank you to Tony VK3VTH for organising the KRMNPA weekend.  It was a lot of fun, and we will definitely be participating again next year.

I have posted a video on You Tube of this activation…..