SOTA Mt Canobolas VK2/CT-001

After activating Caloma Trig in Goobang National Park drove to Orange, booked accommodation, then drove up Mt Canobolas for a late afternoon activation. A good 20 Km from Orange, it was getting close to sunset when I arrived on top. I had the place to myself, probably due to the cold wind and 6c temperature...

Set up just down from the summit on a small gum tree, a little lower than the small one I used last time here.

Shack on the tarp at the base of the tree.

Got on 40m. Due to the late evening time NVIS had dropped out, leaving only long distance stations audible. Really strong S7-S9+ signals from VK3s and VK5s. Just managed to work a very weak Gerard VK2IO in Sydney, too close... There was a spot for Andrew VK1NAM/p on VK1/AC-040 Mt Ainslie on 7.100, I listened for him but could only hear his chasers.

The surprise contact was EA2CKX, Pedro from Spain, EU DX on 40m! He was 5x1 and gave me a 3x1 report, as expected running only 5w...

Packed up and headed back down to Orange for the evening after 9 contacts. Wanted to get off the mountain before dark.

Sunset on Mt Canobolas

SOTA Mt Canobolas

After activating Mt Macquarie VK2/CT-011, got an SMS from Matt VK1MA that Rod, VK2TWR would wait for me for an S2S on my next summit, Mt Canobolas, so the trip there was rather rushed...

Drove back to Carcoar, then on to Blayney, Orange and the road to Mt Canobolas. The road up starts sealed but turns to dirt, however suitable for 2WD, in fact gets lots of tourists. Near the top gets twisty and narrow, needed to watch out for oncoming cars on the bends. Reached the car park at the top, a short walk down and up the hill and ready to activate.

A problem finding an operating position, the trig was in the middle of a car park island with tourists swarming all over it...

Headed down the slope, as needed to get on air quickly, used a small gum tree for support.

Just tied the dipole legs to rocks and quickly got on air. Got on 40m, found Rod VK2TWR and Matt VK1MA chatting away wondering when I was getting on air...After waiting for them to finish called Rod VK2TWR/p for a S2S on VK2/SM-043 with a good S8 signal, despite my dodgy setup...

After working Rod chasers started calling me, told them to wait while I secured the dipole a bit better, running the legs out to a copper log and a tree branch. Some wind but more stable

Shack at the base of the tree

Got mobbed by chasers, many calling at once with strong signals. Some nice signals, VK4BZ from Brisbane a good S8. After 40 m died down went to 20 m. Lots of strong EU stations in the Oceana DX contest, but no replies to my calls. As needed to drive back to Orange and check in to accommodation did not stay long, packed up and headed down.