Drove back to Carcoar, then on to Blayney, Orange and the road to Mt Canobolas. The road up starts sealed but turns to dirt, however suitable for 2WD, in fact gets lots of tourists. Near the top gets twisty and narrow, needed to watch out for oncoming cars on the bends. Reached the car park at the top, a short walk down and up the hill and ready to activate.
A problem finding an operating position, the trig was in the middle of a car park island with tourists swarming all over it...
Headed down the slope, as needed to get on air quickly, used a small gum tree for support.
Just tied the dipole legs to rocks and quickly got on air. Got on 40m, found Rod VK2TWR and Matt VK1MA chatting away wondering when I was getting on air...After waiting for them to finish called Rod VK2TWR/p for a S2S on VK2/SM-043 with a good S8 signal, despite my dodgy setup...
After working Rod chasers started calling me, told them to wait while I secured the dipole a bit better, running the legs out to a copper log and a tree branch. Some wind but more stable
Shack at the base of the tree
Got mobbed by chasers, many calling at once with strong signals. Some nice signals, VK4BZ from Brisbane a good S8. After 40 m died down went to 20 m. Lots of strong EU stations in the Oceana DX contest, but no replies to my calls. As needed to drive back to Orange and check in to accommodation did not stay long, packed up and headed down.
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