SOTA North Brother VK2/MN-081 and Dooragan NP VKFF-0143

After activating Freshwater National Park drove North on the Pacific Hwy, turning off to Laurieton and then heading up North Brother mountain. The mountain is Dooragan National Park, VKFF-0143.

There is a lookout at the picnic area on top. Looking out over Laurieton

On the other side of the lookout a view to the South of Middle and South Brother mountains

The picnic area is not in the SOTA activation zone though. Climbed up to the trig, only a few hundred metres along a walking track.

Sign on the trig, Camden Haven.

I have operated from the trig before and found it a bit cramped for a 40 m dipole, so headed along the track a bit to find a sapling for squid pole support, and space for a dipole.

Looking back the other way

Shack on the tarp.

Started on 40 m running about 40 w. First worked VK4VXX/p Greg for a park to park in VKFF-0412
Then moved to 7.090 and spotted myself on SOTAwatch. Bit of a pileup

VK3PF
VK2NP
ZL1TM
VK5BJE
VK4RF VK4HA
VK4NH VK4DXA ZL4TY/VK4
VK4TJ VK4/AC8WN VK4/VE6XTAs

Another park to park with VK6MB/3 Mike in VKFF-2232

Tried 20 m. Quite a few calls on this band too

ZL1BYZ
VK6MB/3 again in VKFF-2232
KG5CIK in Texas !
VK2UXO
VK5BJE
VK3GTV

As getting late and the sun setting headed down and drove to Port Macquarie for the night.

SOTA North Brother VK2/MN-081

I activated North Brother last year and enjoyed it so much I returned for another visit. Access is simple, drive towards Laurieton and turn off onto the road to the lookout. North Brother is in Dooragan National Park VKFF-431 for WWFF award park hunters.

Usual great view to the North over Laurieton below

View to the South of Middle Brother and South Brother peaks

Walked up to the trig and set up the squid pole on the trig, 20/40 m linked dipole to nearby trees. Fairly tight fit but got up okay. Sorry for the poor image, low light and moved I think.

Got on 40 m. Band fairly crowded with an Alara contest on. First chaser Peter VK1XP in Canberra, a goos 58 signal. Worked Col VK2LED next on VK3/VN-023. Peter VK3PF, then Gerarld VK2IO/P on VK2/SM-068 The Peak with a good strong signal.

Interestingly Gerard reported both Paul VK1ATP/2 and Matt VK1MA calling me, I couldn't hear them very well at all, so some selective propagation today on 40 m.

Switched to 20 m. Worked Greg VK8GM in Alice Springs with a good 58 signal. Albert S58AL called me next, only 53, he gave me 33 and was having problems with QRM plus my low signal, 20 m not the best today.

Starting to get dark, and the temperature which was a nice 17 c earlier dropped to around 13c, so headed off to Port Macquarie for the evening.

SOTA North Brother VK2/MN-081

After activating Mt Yarrahapinni drove to Kempsey for lunch, then turned off to Port Macquarie and followed the coast South to Laurieton, at the base of North Brother.

North Brother is one of 3 "brother" mountains, named by Captain James Cook on his discovery voyage of the East Coast of Australia in 1770 since they resembled each other. Amazingly the aboriginals also knew these as the 3 Brothers, in the dreamtime, 3 brothers were killed by a witch and buried under the mountains, the youngest one being Dooragan.

Drove from Laurieton up to North Brother lookout in Dooragan National Park.

A terrific lookout here over the town of Laurieton, looking South to Port Macquarie.

The site is used by hang gliders to launch from. Saw some flying later down in Laurieton.

On the South side of the car park another lookout, Don Johnstone Lookout. The mountain on the left is South Brother VK2/MN-078 at 494 m and the one on the right is Middle Brother VK2/MN-066 at 558 m.

Just to the East of this lookout the track to the top of North Brother starts

A bit overgrown but still easy walking.

Reached the North Brother trig

Nameplate on the trig, "Camden Haven"

Set up the squid pole on the trig, dipole legs tied off to a couple of branches. A bit tricky finding a free path for the wires through the trees.

Looking the other direction

Set up the radio on the tarp. Lots of mosquito's buzzing about, luckily too small to bite me, just annoying... Got on 40 m. Worked VK4DD, VK3ZPF/P, VK2WTY and VK2IO.

Tried 30 m, worked VK3PF, VK2YW and VK5WG. Gave 40 m another try, worked VK3VTH/2.

Switched to 20 m, worked VK3XL, VK3AFW, VK5PAS and VK3DAC. Also a local station, VK2HOT Bruce in Port Macquarie with a strong signal.

Went back to 40 m, worked VK1NAM and VK1EM. As getting late in the day headed down to Laurieton to get accommodation for the night.