VK Activation 07:15 UTC 7 Nov 13

Old Reflector
1

Hi all

I plan to activate VK1/AC-035 around 07:30 UTC 7 Nov 13. Will attempt DX on 20m 14.340 using a FT-857 running up to 75 watts. I will self spot when ready.

73
Andrew, VK1NAM

SOTA blog:

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In reply to VK1NAM:

Will attempt DX on 20m 14.340 using a FT-857 running up to 75 watts.

I was listening yesterday morning, and caught a fleeting “CQ SOTA” call on 14.310 just after your spot appeared, but it was one of those there-then-gone signals that barely twitch the S-meter. I hoped folk with bettter antennas than mine might stand a chance, but checking your log I guess conditions just weren’t quite there for DX. Thanks for trying.

73, Rick M0LEP

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In reply to M0LEP:

Hi Rick

Thanks for listening, one day I am going to crack the SOTA DX nut.

I will continue to try on 20m around 07:30 to 08:30 UTC over the next 3 months. VK1 has 7 local summits which can be activated after work. Andrew VK1DA and I favor Friday evening activations, although I guess the best option would be Saturday evening in Australia to encourage participation in the UK and broader EU on Saturday mornings.

Look out for future alerts and posts on my blog http://vk1nam.wordpress.com

73
Andrew, VK1NAM

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In reply to VK1NAM:

Hi Andrew;

Just too let you know that I also had a listen when you spotted on 20m, I heard a few very weak words with an Ausy accent then nothing further.

I definitely do not have a dx antenna but I have worked a SOTA VK on cw so might be worth advertising for a cw op even if they are very slow.

73 de Ken G3XQE

5

In reply to G3XQE:

advertising for a cw op even if they are very slow.

VK3FTRV was spotted on 15 metres CW overnight…

73, Rick M0LEP

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In reply to M0LEP:

I plan to activate various vk1 summits after work on 10, 14 and 18 CW in the coming months. Will post alerts. In Feb/March I did work a number of EU chasers on 14 Mhz CW. Also will try ssb but that requires the conditions to be a few db better. This week’s successes by Andrew VK1NAM on 20m will encourage other VK activators to widen their operating bands. Times will be from about 0700 to 0900 or later if possible.

A weekend operation is possibly going to be more effective and I will be doing that in 2 weeks, as I will be at Mt Ginini (vk1/ac-008) for the VK VHF/UHF field day. With judicious separation of activity between the vhf setup in the main tent and a sota station out in a separate tent I will try for some dx around the same times. Will be on the hill overnight so some other band options may be open. Also means I will be there for the morning grey line period around 1800-2000 UTC Saturday.

Just now at 2000 UTC I am hearing reasonable signals from the US on 14 cw but none of the activators are audible. I listen most days around this time.

73
Andrew VK1DA/VK2UH