SOTA Mt Stromlo VK1/AC-043

With a fine sunny Sunday decided to activate a nearby SOTA summit, Mt Stromlo. This is only a short drive from home, reached the top car park area after a 20 minute drive, and walked the short distance to the trig on top. No-one operates SOTA from here, the S9 QRM on HF from nearby power transformers makes it hard to work anyone.

Some cloud to the East along the coast but clear skies over Canberra. Clear to the West too. Buildings house a satellite laser ranging station for Geoscience Australia used to track the distance to orbiting satellites.

Walked past the laser ranger buildings to a road heading down on the left, here there is a locked gate that makes a suitable support for a squid pole. Set up the 20/40 m linked dipole.

Shack on the tarp near the gate.

There was a SOTA spot on 2 m SSB for Al, VK1RX/p on Mt Gingera, VK1/AC-002. Quickly set up the 2m ribbon jpole to work him. He was a good S7. Also worked Andrew, VK1AD in nearby Woden.

Went to 40 m. Signals nice and strong from the usual chasers in VK2, VK3 and VK7. No VK4 or VK5 contacts today though.

Tried 20 m. The band sounded in poor shape, not many stations audible. Did work John ZL1BYZ in Auckland with a good S8 signal, no one else.

Saw some spots for activations on 40 m so returned there. Summit to Summit contacts with Mal VK3MEL/p on VK3/VS-004, also Compton VK2HRX/p on VK2/CT-012.

Packed up and headed home for lunch.