SOTA Isaacs Ridge VK1/AC-041

For the annual SOTA end of year UTC rollover event decided to activate a summit also in a park, Isaacs Ridge VK1/AC-041, also Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0845. As per other activations parked off Long Gully Rd in Isaacs.

After 15 minutes and a short steep climb reached the activation spot. A trig South of the Southern transmitter tower. A bit more open now compared to other years, some of the nearby pines cut down. The sign is for a mountain bike trail, one runs close to the trig.

As 10:30am only had a half hour before UTC rollover at 11am local time. Set up the 2m Jpole only on the squid pole.

Checked the antenna with the 230 stick analyser. A bit low in resonant frequency but so broad did not really matter.

FT857D on a rock near the trig. Ran 40w on 2m FM

Started by working some summit to summits

VK1MCW Bill on VK1/AC-002 Mt Gingera

VK1AD/2 Andrew on VK2/ST-010 Mt Foxlow

A special call for the VK1 10-year SOTA anniversary, in February, 

VI10SOTA Wade on VK1/AC-040 Mt Ainslie

There were a couple of stations I could not hear that others were working, an unknown call on VK2/ST-053 Mt Mundoonen and VK2ZRK Andrew on VK2/SM-052 Bald Mountain. Andrew was almost workable, just too noisy to read. Looking on a map later had the Tinderries range in the way.

Also worked a couple of local chasers, VK1MT and VK1KCM, both very strong.

After UTC rollover worked again

VK1AD/2 Andrew on VK2/ST-010 Mt Foxlow

VI10SOTA Wade on VK1/AC-040 Mt Ainslie

VK1MCW Bill on VK1/AC-002 Mt Gingera

Put up the linked dipole and got on 40m. Conditions quite good for short hop contacts. Worked

VK3ZPF Peter on VK3/VN-001 Mt Torbreck

VK3TKK Peter on VK3/VC-014 Mt Disappointment

VK2EG Bob on VK2/HU-024

Spotted myself and worked VK3AT, then

VK3AFW Ron on  VK3/VT-057 Mt Fatigue

VK2ASD Maritime mobile on Sydney harbour.

VK3BCM Brian on VK3/VT-046 Mt Tassie

VK2HRX Compton on VK2/IL-003 Mount Wanganderry

VK3BEL, VK4FW/VK8MM

VK3ARR Andrew and VK3ARH Allen on VK3/VT-030 Mt Lookout

VK2ZRK Andrew on VK2/SM-052 Bald Mountain, able to hear him on 40m.

VK2PET, VK3FAR, VK2DIF, VK2DHN, VK3VIN, VK3KIM

A park to park with VK3GJG Garrick in VKFF-0269 Kosciuszko National Park

VK2VH/VK4AAC, VK3KR.

The cloud which had made the morning cool and comfy had cleared, with the sun out started to get warm. Packed up at noon and headed to nearby Mawson for lunch at a cafe.

SOTA Isaacs Ridge VK1/AC-041

Local SOTA activator Andrew VK1DA was going for SOTA mountain goat, so along with some of the other SOTA activators decided to chase him from a nearby peak for a summit to summit contact. I picked Isaacs Ridge, as it has a good path to Andrews summit VK2/ST-006 South Black Range, and as an added bonus activating a new WWFF park for me, VKFF-0845 Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve.

As per previous activations parked off Long Gully Rd. A walk starts here for walkers, mountain bike riders and horse riders in the park.

Map on the fence for Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve

Walked straight up the road to the top of the hill, short but steep... Just to the South of the transmission towers some concrete post survey markers, used one to support the squid pole. Initially just set up the 2m folded dipole ribbon antenna, left the dipole wires down until later as in a hurry to get going on 2m first.

Location of my operating spot. Map from Protected Planet website.

Shack on the tarp at the base. Using my FT-857D for extra power.

Got on 2m calling frequency 146.500 FM. worked VK1AD/p Andrew on VK1/AC-043 Mt Stromlo and Matt VK1MA/2 on VK2/ST-001 Mt Cowangerong both with strong signals.

Then Andrew VK1DA/2 came up from VK2/ST-006 South Black Range. I was his 3rd contact, his 4th being with Andrew VK1AD/p for the 4 needed to claim the 1000 summit points and Mountain Goat. Well done Andrew!

Went on to work Al VK1RX/p on nearby VK1/AC-038 Tuggeranong Hill, a huge signal. Worked Matt VK1MA/2 again after UTC rollover at 10:00 am.

Went on to work the following on 2m FM

VK1MIC/p Wade, VK1CT/p Chris in a park VKFF-0859 Percival Hill NR, VK1FJDO, VK1AD/p on VK1/AC-043, VK1AT Jim at home.

Tried putting up the 40 m dipole. The band seemed quite dead, not even the usual Sunday WIA broadcasts coming in that well. After a few calls worked Tex VK1TX on ground wave. As obvious the MUF was low added in the wire extensions and moved down to 80 m.

Had more luck on 80 m. Worked VK1DA/2 Andrew again with a massive signal from VK2/ST-006. Got a call from Peter VK3PF/p activating VK3/VT-046 Mt Tassie. A park to park with Gerard VK2IO/p in VKFF-0092 Cattai National Park.

Geoff VK3SQ also called me on 80 m with a strong signal. Worked a couple more F calls on Mt Stromlo, VK1/AC-043 VK1FCLU/p and VK1FDHA/p.

Tried 40 m again. Managed a summit to summit with Mathew VA3OZI/VK2 on VK2/MN-079 - Mount Yarrahapinni. A bit weak but workable.

Packed up and headed back down. View down the hill to the South West.