SOTA Mount Kaputar VK2/NW-001

After stopping overnight in Narrabri headed up to Mount Kaputar. The road up is unsealed but easy, although some narrow sections where you need to look out for oncoming cars, as not enough room to pass. Reached the car park of Mount Kaputar, 1500m ASL

It was cold, some remnant snow on a log near the car park.

 Went to the lookout. A nice clear day, no clouds and wind, good views.

Set up the dipole on the wooden deck out to the trig. Unlike the last time I activated here it was not blowing a gale, so able to put the squid pole up all the way.

As only a short walk from the car I had my 40aH battery pack, so able to run the FT857D at 50w. Got on 40m, able to spot easily here. Worked

VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK1RT, VK2XGB, 

VK3ZK in VKFF-0978 Tocumwal Regional Park

VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK4JG, VK3SG, VK4CCW, VK2LAX, VK4AJP

VK4AAC in VKFF-4737 Carlyle H120 Bushland Reserve, VK2VH

Went to 30m. Worked

VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK2EGC, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3ZPF/VK3JW/VK3PJW, 

VK4AAC in VKFF-4737 Carlyle H120 Bushland Reserve, VK2VH

VK1MCW, VK2YK/VK5GA, VK3ZK

VK3PF now in VKFF-4768 Chiltern I87 Bushland Reserve

Went to 20m. Only worked ZLs

ZL2BB, ZL1IM, ZL1KB

Packed up and headed down to have lunch.

 

SOTA Mount Kaputar VK2/NW-001

After activating Mt Coryah VK2/NW-004 decided had just enough time to do nearby Mount Kaputar before driving back to Narrabri in the dark. The road up from Coryah Gap was steep, the last climb to the summit is dirt and would be more suitable for AWD/4WD vehicles.

Base of the wooden stairs to the summit. Note height, 1510 m, this is a 10 pointer.

There is a large wooden deck on the top of the stairs that leads to the trig

A great view. Nameplate on the trig, "Kaputar"

View looking back towards Narrabri

Set up the 40 m dipole in the middle of the wooden deck.

The wind was very strong, raised the squid pole up to about 5 m and decided this was as far as I dared go as it was swaying and wires flaying about in the wind.. Set up the shack at the base of the squid pole on the deck.

Put my feet out over the edge of the deck, bit like fishing on a pier :) Put a call out on 40 m, Peter VK3PF called me and spotted me. Next caller, Peter VK3FPSR vanished as one of the dipole legs pulled out in the wind...quickly fixed it. Worked VK3CAT, VK3EK, VK5WG and VK3MCD mobile, Brian, who was having trouble with the copy. He was near Tony VK3CAT's place so popped in and worked me on Tonys station.

The wind was still very strong, light fading so packed up having got enough contacts to qualify and headed back down to Narrabri. Managed to just make it out of the park before the light went. I am nervous driving at dusk in the country as animals, eg kangaroos come out to feed and can cause damage if hit.