SOTA Mount Taylor VK1/AC-037 New Years Day rollover

Here in Eastern Australia the UTC New Year starts at 11:00 am local time, so its easily possible to work SOTA both before and after New Year and get points for the summit for each year. Really just an excuse to get a whole lot of Summit to Summit contacts... This year picked Mount Taylor, VK1/AC-037 as I also needed to complete the associated WWFF park Mount Taylor Nature Reserve VKFF-0854.

As per other activations parked in the car park at the end of Waldock St in Chifley. There is a new sign at the start of the walk for the Mount Tayor Nature Reserve.

 
Followed the track next to the sign up the hill. A bit steep but quickly gained altitude. Looking NE towards Woden and Civic.

After 15 minutes walking reached the trig

Near the trig a lookout over Woden.

The summit area can get quite busy with walkers, joggers and dog walkers, so as per other activations set up the station just to the West of the summit using a small tree for squid pole support.

Sat on the tarp. Had a bit of shade from the nearby trees. Needed it as the temperature climbed later to around 30 c, quite a warm day.

Initially got going on 2 m FM, 146.500 Mhz as only a half hour before rollover and would be a lot of locals on summits listening there. Worked the following.

VK1RX/2 on VK2/SM-093 Livingstone Hill
VK1ATP/M
VK1MIC on VK1/AC-040 Mt Ainslie also P2P VKFF-0850
VK1AD/2 on VK2/ST-053 Mt Mundoonen
VK1DA/2 on VK2/ST-042 Mt Bowning
VK1FDHA

Got on 40 m and worked by tuning and pouncing on calling stations.

VK2HRX/P on VK3/VE-005 Mt Loch
VK2IO/P on VK2/HU-093 Mt Elliot
VK3ALN/P on VK3/VC-002 Mt Donna Buang
VK5FMAZ/P on VK5/SE-005 Mt Lofty, also P2P VKFF-0778
VK5PAS/P on VK5/SE-005 Mt Lofty, also P2P VKFF-0778

After working Paul, VK5PAS at 2359 z worked him again after UTC rollover and Maria VK5FMAZ

VK5PAS/P on VK5/SE-005 Mt Lofty, also P2P VKFF-0778
VK5FMAZ/P on VK5/SE-005 Mt Lofty, also P2P VKFF-0778
VK3ZPF/P on VK3/VT-026 Mt Toorongo Range

Returned to 2 m FM to grab the locals in the new year

VK1MIC on VK1/AC-040 Mt Ainslie also P2P VKFF-0850
VK1MCW/P on VK1/AC-039 Yellow Rabbit Hill
VK1AD/2 on VK2/ST-053 Mt Mundoonen

Returned to 40 m, spotting myself as now plenty of time to work others.

VK2HRX/P on VK3/VE-005 Mt Loch
VK2CDS/P on VK2/HU-054 Broken Back Range
VK3ARH/P on VK3/VT-006 Mt Saint Phillack
VK3ARR/P on VK3/VT-006 Mt Saint Phillack
VK3FPSR
VK1MA/P on VK1/AC-039 Yellow Rabbit Hill
VK1AT
VK3OAK/P on VK3/VS-015 Blue Mountain
VK3FDHA
VK1GT
VA3OZI/VK4 on VK4/SE-006 Goonburra St Forest

Gave 2 m FM another go, worked

VK1MA/P on VK1/AC-039 Yellow Rabbit Hill

Changed to 20 m. Worked the following

VK1MIC on VK1/AC-040 Mt Ainslie also P2P VKFF-0850
VK5WG
ZL1WA

Returned to 40 m to work

VK3KLI on VK3/VC-007 Mt Macedon
VK3ZNR/2 on VK3/VC-007 Mt Macedon
VK2AB
VK3GTV/P on VK3/VC-007 Mt Macedon
VK3ALN/P on VK3/VC-002  Mt Donna Buang
VK3LTL
VK2IO/P on VK2/HU-093 Mt Elliot
VK5FLEA/P on VK5/SE-005 Mt Lofty, also P2P VKFF-0778

Combined with other activations had over 44 contacts so qualified the park for WWFF. Getting a bit warm to continue. Packed up and headed back down to have lunch at nearby Woden