SOTA Mt Gillamatong VK2/ST-034

When Andrew VK1AD and Andrew VK1DA announced they were going to activate Big Badja Hill VK2/SM-059, and Bald Mountain VK2/SM-052, thought I would try for an S2S from a close by mountain, Mt Gillamatong VK2/ST-034. This is located near Braidwood and should have a clear line of sight to these 2 mountains to the South.

The drive to Braidwood was uneventful, although did get some spots of rain on the way, so knew could be a damp activation. Approached Mt Gillamatong along Gillamatong Lane.

At the end of Gillamatong Lane a small car park with an unlocked gate.

Up the hill, then headed to the right and up. Walked through the long grass, getting fairly wet feet... 

At the top a small foot gate

Went to the left after the gate for a while, finding a hole in a fallen down fence and then headed up the mountain through the scrub. Lots of thistles... managed to avoid the worst by following the rocks.

Reached the top. Guess should have expected it on a work day, there were a couple of workers near the trig, cutting and clearing away tree branches, probably for improving radio reception up there. I didnt want to get in their way, so set up in the bush just behind one of the compounds. Still well within the activation zone, almost at the same altitude as the trig anyway. Set up just the 2m Jpole on the squid pole.

Shack on the tarp. Running 40w on 2m SSB.

Got on 2m SSB just before UTC rollover at 10:45am. Surprisingly heard Compton VK2HRX/p on VK2/IL-003, Mt Wanganderry. This is around 135 km away to the North... Not real strong but easy copy. Also worked Matt VK1MA.

After rollover worked lots of activators and chasers

VK1MBE Andrew on VK2/ST-001 Mt Cowangerong. Real strong, S9+, although expected as only about 30 Km away to the South.

VK2HRX again post rollover on VK2/IL-003, Mt Wanganderry

VK1MIC, VK1MA

VK1RX/p Al on Mt Stromlo, VK1/AC-043 70 Km away. Quite strong.

VK1AD/2 Andrew on VK2/SM-059 Big Badja Hill, Good S9, about 65 Km to the South

VK2DO Chris operating a remote station down at Batemans Bay, around 45 Km away

VK1DA/2 Andrew on VK2/SM-052 Bald Mountain, about 55 Km to the South. A huge 59+ signal.

It looked like the rain was headed my way, so packed up and headed down the hill to Braidwood for lunch at the bakery.