SOTA Mount McDonald VK1/AC-048

The weather on Sunday was nice and sunny, without the strong cold winds that have been blowing lately. Decided to go activate a SOTA summit and get out in the sun. I enjoy Mt McDonald, an easy walk up, plus it would be too warm to do later in the year as no shade. Parked at the car park off Brindabella Rd and started the walk up. Track to the left of the sign.

The walking track joins the Mt McDonald road. I did a brief detour to the lookout over the Cotter dam.

Continued on up the road. View to the South over the Cotter and Bullen Range

Reached the summit. Usual trig and old fire tower remnant structure.

Track log of walk. Taken from Alltrails App. It's a couple of Km walk to the summit

First got up the 2m ladder line Jpole. Matched in well, resonant at 146.11 Mhz

2m antenna on the trig

Got on 2m FM, 146.500 Mhz. Ran 40w from the FT857D. Worked several local stations.

VK1MA, VK1AD, VK1BAR, VK1DVO, VK1ARQ, VK1CHW, VK1MIC

Set up the 40m dipole.

Worked a park first, VK4HRE Bob in VKFF-1526 David Fleay Conservation Park

Then some of the usual chasers.

VK1MA, VK2IO, 

VK3PF Peter in VKFF-3878 Tarago River, Neerim South SS.R. Natural Features Reserve

VK1AO/VK2MET, VK1ARQ, VK2WP, VK2GMC

Packed up and headed home for lunch.