SOTA Mt Gillamatong VK2/ST-034

After activating Mt Budawang VK2/ST-015, drove back to Braidwood then on to Mt Gillamatong, VK2/ST-034. See my earlier activation reports for access.

Climbing up the side of the mountain. It is a lot steeper than it looks, tough going...

After around half an hour reached the trig at the top

Set up the squid pole on the trig, dipole legs out to nearby trees and bushes

Shack on the base of the trig

Got on 40 m. There was an activation by Allen VK3HRA but was unable to hear him, other chasers also had problems copying him. Usual chasers from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7. Did make an S2S with Nick VK2AOH/P on VK2/CT-044.

After chasers dried up on 40 m put up my 10/6 m linked dipole and got on 10 m. Having worked sporadic e on 10 m earlier on Mt Budawang I had a listen for 10 m beacons, sure enough the Adelaide beacon VK5WI was a good S8 on 28.259 Mhz. It proved useful as I could rotate the dipole a little using different supports (bushes and trees) and get a better signal.

Made a weak contact with Andrew VK1AD first, heard Matt VK1MA calling but he was unable to hear me due to local noise. Then Paul VK5PAS came up and blew me away with an S9+ signal!

Went on to work Adrian VK5FANA with a fair signal and Nev VK5WG with a good S7 signal. No more answers to my calls, so packed up and headed home.