SOTA Mount McDonald VK1/AC-048

With a warm day forecast decided to do a morning only SOTA activation of a nearby summit. Mt McDonald is about a half hours drive from home and a 2.6 Km 40 minute walk so easy enough to do before too hot.

As per other activations parked off the Brindabella Road in the car park for the walk. Sign for the walk.

Climbed up the mountain. Some good views towards the Tindbinbilla Range to the South West.

Looking due South along the Bullen Range.

Reached the summit. trig and the remnants of an old fire tower burnt out in the Canberra 2003 fires.

View from the summit to the East looking towards Mt Stromlo on the right. Black Mountain tower visible

As too hot in the sun didn't use the trig for the squid pole, instead used a stump by the fire tower structure, which had some shady gum trees growing around it.

View from the trig looking South. I used it to support one of the dipole legs.

Set up the SOTA shack in the shade of the trees.

Got on 40 m. Conditions not great, close by NVIS skip gone, seemed to be limited to parts of VK3, VK5 and VK7. Worked same chasers again after UTC rollover. A massive strong signal from Matt VK1MA.

Switched to 20 m. Got Paul VK5PAS, not as strong as usual but enough to work with no problems. Also worked Tony VK5TT in Adelaide.

As the sun had gotten higher lost my shade and getting warm, so packed up after about a half hour operating. A total of 12 contacts. Headed back down and home for lunch.