Activation of Mt Leura (VK3/VS-050), a volcanic summit in Western Victoria near Camperdown, about 3 hours west of Melbourne, about 30 minutes before sunset.
Using a homebrew 5 watt CW and SSB rig on 40 and 20 to a 10m wire, quarterwave on 7mhz, end fed half wave on 20.
Working VK, OK, G. Activation Reports @VK2IO @VK7MAT @VK3PF @VK5BJF @OK1KT @G3RDQ
Hi Paul, loved your video. Thanks.
Geoff vk3sq
It’s 10C in my living room as I watched this summer-solstice SOTA video from Australia. My wife asked, Am I watching it because psychologically it will make me feel warmer? Yes!
Listening to the background noise on 40m and the frequent crackling, you must get a lot more summer thunderstorms in Australia than we do typically in a British summer.
I like the speed and clarity of the Morse sent by all (I transcribed it to the back of an envelope whilst watching) - just right for QRP under noisy conditions.
I like the robust-looking homemade QRP rig - I wish I had the skills to make one.
Thanks for the comments Andy. I like sharing videos of local band conditions and I like it when others do so from another part of the world. I’ve never operated out of VK so I’ve no idea if our local conditions are typical or not.
When I listen to some of the US Parks and Sota activators on video they seem to have good SNR, and an abundance of chasers. Of course it all depends also on the receiver. Mine is a one-off and it does have plenty of gain end to end, maybe even too much. On the lower bands it runs under AGC control and sounds full and lively. Thats personal preference.
We do get a lot of electrical storm QRN in summer, and this Spring and the first weeks of summer seem to have been more stormy and wet than usual.
I will upload some more summer activations in the coming weeks, its just so much fun getting 559 back from the other side of the planet on 5 watts! This and next summer will be out cycle highs, so lets make the most of it.
I hope you stay warm. Christmas Day is forecast to be low 30s C. Boxing Day forecast is for 40C.
73 Paul VK3HN.
To quote the British tabloids: Phew!
I guess a white Christmas is right out of the question…
…one Xmas year it did, my qth is 500m asl or 1500ft, it was so cold it did snow. Had to light the wood heater and celebrate indoors. It does happen! This Xmas it is tipped for 40+c. Love it.
Geoff vk3sq
I am from Buenos Aires City, Argentina and I have been living in Japan for more than 20 years.
To be honest, there is nothing more fun and relaxed than spending Christmas with more than 30c hahaha
What memories!
I hope you had a warm and happy Christmas!