SOTA Mt Budawang VK2/ST-015

As per previous activations drove to the start of the walk via Braidwood, Mongarlowe then the Budawang Rd, stopping to open the 3 gates to cross private properties. Arrived at the start of the walk around 9:30 am. The summit is in Budawang National Park, WWFF reference VKFF-0061

Initially overcast, did get a bit of sunshine later travelling through the ferny part of the road. Nice cool temperate rainforest.

Another view along the road, nice little ferny glade here.

The track eventually starts to climb and doesn't let up until the top. About a 4.5 Km walk. Arrived at the summit over an hour later. Fairly cloudy with not much of a view due to cloud. Nice and cool though, as the summit is exposed with no shade glad of the cloud.

Set up the squid pole and antennas on the South East corner of the compound. Currockbilly Mountain VK2/ST-018 in the cloud on the far right, VK2/ST-026 unnamed mountain to the left of it.

Looking the other way. Set up 40/20 m and 10/6 m linked dipoles, plus 2m jpole ribbon

Set up the shack on the tarp at the base of the squid pole. Lots of small black ants, seemed to be all over the summit...They didn't bite, just a nuisance.

Started on 2 m FM. No replies. Tried 2 m SSB, got SMSed by Andrew VK1AD who advised not hearing me, could I try 6m. Gave this a try but could barely copy Andrew, too weak to work. Did work Roald VK1MTS okay though not strong.

Tried switching the links to 10 m. Tuning around I heard a couple of familiar voices on 28.500 Mhz, Paul VK5PAS chatting to Rick, VK4RF, both regular chasers...Broke in and worked them both, good S9+ signals, especially after Paul turned his beam on me! Obviously Sporadic e propagation.

Went on to work Yoshi JH8XBH, Mick VK3PMG in Western Victoria and Peter VK2FVG on ground wave from near Jervis Bay, around 80 Km up the coast.

Went to 40 m to get Tony VK1VIC/P  S2S to VK1/AC-048, Mt McDonald. Also worked him on 6 m. Returned to 40 m and worked the regular chasers from VK1, VK2, VK3 and VK7. Another S2S with Paul VK3HN/P on VK3/VT-040.

Returned to 10 m, the Adelaide beacon VK5WI and Tasmanian beacon VK7RAE both strong but no-one else on. Packed up and headed back down.

SOTA Activation Mt Budawang

As part of the VK2 SOTA anniversary weekend thought I would reactivate a couple of peaks close to Braidwood, Mt Budawang VK2/ST-015 and Oakey Creek Firetrail VK2/ST-023.

Drove to the start of the walk for Mt Budawang the same route as my last activation, going through 3 gates on an access road through private properties. The drive was tricky in places, the area has had a lot of rain recently and several muddy patches to negotiate. Eventually reached the Budawang National Park sign and parked.

A short walk and crossed the locked gate. No giant dogs allowed...

The first Km or so of the walk passes through nice rain forest, lots of ferns.

The track then climbs steeply, after 4 Km and over an hour of walking reached the top fire tower and communications masts.

For a change decided to set up on the NW corner of the compound rather than the SE like last time. This is where Andrew VK1NAM set up.

One leg of the dipole attached to a tree on the edge of the cleared area, the other end to a tree root. A great view looking NE to Currockbilly Mountain, Mt Owen, The Castle and Pigeon House Mountain.

Set up the SOTA shack on the tarp on the ground at the base of the fence.

Connected up the dipole, not receiving anything, not even static...After wriggling the coax worked out I had a broken coax inner core connection in the PL259 plug on the back of the rig. Twisted it about until I had it working and left it alone, need to redo the plug...

Started with chasing a spot for Al, VK1RX/2 for an S2S on nearby Mt Palerang VK2/ST-009 on 20 m. As expected he was very strong. Switching to 40 m links worked Mark, VK1EM/p doing a first time activation of Booths Hill, VK1/AC-016. Well done Mark, I had thought of doing this one but the 800+ m climb had put me off!

Went on to work the usual chasers. As per my last activation here conditions were not that great, lots of fading, mainly working close by VK1, VK2, and VK3, nothing from VK5. Later on switched back to 20 m and worked Nev VK5WG with a good signal, he couldn't work me on 40 m due to poor conditions. Also worked Peter ZL2MS with a good signal, although I was in a prime position for working ZL here.

Tried a 2 m SSB contact with Andrew, VK1NAM. I could hear him faintly but readable but I was very weak to him.

After lunch Mark VK3ASC/p popped up on 40 m from VK3/VE-138 for another S2S. Total of 19 contacts. Headed back down.

Track log of walk

Track profile of walk, 4 Km each way with a 400 m climb

  

SOTA Activation Mt Budawang VK2/ST-015

From home in Canberra drove out to Bungendore via Macs Reef Rd, then the Kings Highway to Braidwood, then turned off to Mongarlowe on the Mongarlowe Rd. Turned off to the right in Mongarlowe down the Budawang Rd. After a turn to the left off Northangera Rd the road becomes unsealed. Mt Budawang on the right in the distance.

The road crosses several private farm properties with public road access through them. First of 3 gates to stop at, open, drive through and close...

Not long after this gate saw a NSW National Parks sign indicating to turn down a track to the left. This is the Mt Budawang Rd.

The track leads to another access gate...Shut the gate mate!

After driving through farm property another gate. Had a few cows on the other side, they ignored me.

After this gate the road passes through forest rather than farmland. Entered Budawang National Park. There is a locked gate just past the sign so parked here.

The locked gate. Walking only from now on.

The road passes through some cool temperate rain forest, nice tree ferns.

After a bit over an hour reached the top. I was disappointed to see the fire tower was closed off, last time I was here it was open access and I was able to go inside, now it is locked up.

Used one of the fence posts to support the squid pole and dipole.

Leg of the dipole tied to a small bush. Looking North, left to right bumpy Currockbilly Mountain, Wirritin Ridge, Mt Roberts, Mt Owen, The Castle, Byangee Walls and the distinctive cone of Pigeon House mountain. All new VK2 summits, all unactivated so far...Most of these very hard walks...

Set up the FT817 radio on my pack, using it as a desk.

Got on 40m. Started with S2S with Glenn, VK3YY and Peter VK3ZPF on VK3/VT-006. Worked regulars. Some other S2S with Peter VK3PF on VK3/VT-046, Andrew VK1NAM/3 on VK3/VC-009 Marshall VK3MRG on VK3/VT-010 and Andrew VK1DA on VK1/AC-040. 25 contacts on 40m. Tried 2m, no luck on 146.5 Mhz. Got on a repeater, possibly VK2RHR and worked Graeme VK2FPQ in Bundanoon direct. Marginal signal, had to move about to get a path, but made it, impressive distance with just the FT-60R, 5w and whip.

Packed up after lunch and headed down. Track log of walk