SOTA One Tree Hill VK1/AC-035

WIth a day off work decided to do another local summit in the afternoon. One Tree Hill is near the village of Hall, an easy 15 minutes drive from home. Parked near the start of the walk, part of the Canberra Centenary Trail

After a short walk hopped through a gap in a gate and continued

One Tree Hill in the distance, the hill rising over the top of the 3rd hill on the right

A bit of a slog, around 4 Km. Good views on the way over Canberra

Took a track on the left up to the summit

The track climbs steeply, following the ridge through woodland. NSW border on the right.

Reached the top, trig, fire tower and lookout platform

Set the squid pole up on the wooden post

Looking the other direction towards Canberra

Set up the SOTA shack on the seat

Got on 40 m. Quite a few calls considering an afternoon on a week day. Signals quite strong from VK1, VK2, VK3 and VK5. Saw a spot for Andrew VK1NAM/p on VK1/AC-043 Mt Stromlo on 10 m, so called him there, very strong S 9 +. Put a few calls out on 10 m, very faintly got a reply, might have been VK6NU but too weak to work. Went to 20 m.

On 20 m worked Paul, VK5PAS with a booming S 9 + signal. While chatting to Paul we noticed a spot for Mike, 2E0YYY/p on 14.333 Mhz on G/WB-004, so went up to work him. Got through, he was a nice S7, he gave me an S2, not bad for 5 w over 17,000 Km!

Called on 20 m, worked John VK6NU, still fairly weak, then Franz ON5SWA. Sounded like Europe starting to come in well, however the sun was setting and it was getting cold! Still had a 4 Km walk back. Packed up and made it back to the car before the last of the light went.