SOTA Mount Macquarie VK2/CT-011

After stopping overnight in Orange left for the final summit on my trip, Mount Macquarie. From Orange drove to the turnoff to Blayney, getting on the Mid Western Highway, then turned off into the historic village of Carcoar. Followed the Mount Macquarie Road up the mountain.

The pine trees had been logged since here last October, the turnoff I took last time

At Gerard VK2IOs suggestion drove up to the top by travelling around to the Eastern side of the summit and then approaching it from the North. The road was a bit rough in places with remnants of pine trees over the road, however got up okay.

The trig was in the shade, decided a bit too cold to operate nearby like the last activation

Found a pine tree stump in the sunshine

Set up the tarp on the pine needles, quite comfy

Got on 40m. The band was quite good and worked several VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4 and VK5 chasers, before and after UTC rollover, several with strong signals.

Still had a few more hours driving to go, packed up and headed home to Canberra via Cowra and Booroowa.

SOTA Mt Macquarie

This was the first summit for me in the Central Tablelands region, Mt Macquarie VK2/CT-011.

Driving from Cowra to Blayney turned off at Carcoar and onto Mount Macquarie Road. Soon turned to dirt. Summit towers visible on a pine tree covered hill.

Turned off at a logging track on the left

After a short drive saw on the left the track up to the summit  Looked steep and rough... As only 600 m parked and walked from here.

Glad I didn't drive, looked rather cut up and boggy...

Reached the top. Comms towers on the left

The trig on the right

Name plate on trig "Macquarie"

Set up the squid pole on an old stump and strung out the 40 m dipole to a couple of pine trees.

Shack on a tarp on the grass in front of the stump

Got on 40 m. Sounded quiet, hardly any signals. Livened up after calling CQ :) Mobbed by VK1, VK2, VK3 and VK5 chasers, many with S9+ signals. Tried 20 m later, only 1 chaser, Nigel VK5NIG with a good S9 signal. Oceanea DX contest on so probably being drowned out by contesters. Got an SMS from Matt, VK1MA wanting a contact so returned to 40 m and worked him.

Headed back down. As is the way got a notification that Rod VK2TWR was on a summit. Matt advised me via SMS he would wait for me on my next summit, Mt Canobolas, so hurried off to drive there.

Track log of drive/walk