Hi all
I plan to activate a new unique VK1 summit, Mt McDonald VK1/AC-048 on Tuesday starting between 07:30 and 08:00 UTC on 20m for approximately one hour.
Looking for EU/UK S2S and DX chasers. Rig FT-857 operating 25 to 40 watts.
73
Andrew, VK1NAM
In reply to VK1NAM:
Hello Andrew,
Will listen out for you 8)
Mike G6TUH
In reply to G6TUH:
Hi Mike
Cooler weather this week, a nice change from very high 30s and hot dry winds. Hope 20m is open along the greyline.
73
Andrew, VK1NAM
In reply to VK1NAM:
As long as it’s not pouring with rain, Rod VK2LAX and I intend to go up to Mt Elliot VK2/HU-093 at the same time as you are on VK1/AC-048 Andrew, to give the EU stations a second VK Summit to chase.
73 Ed.
In reply to VK2JI:
Hi Ed, good luck to you and Rod chasing SOTA DX.
Sunset in VK1 is 0900 UTC, I will finish up at 08:30 UTC
73
Andrew, VK1NAM
I will finish up at 08:30 UTC
Goodness, that’s early 
I’ll see what the weather’s like here, but if I don’t need a boat to get off the drive, I could well be up for giving it a go! Probably with an 857 and up to around 60W
Don
M0HCU
In reply to VK1NAM:
Will activate Mt Ainslie Andrew for S2S. Try for some 20m DX but only have 5w 
In reply to M0HCU:
I will finish up at 08:30 UTC
Goodness, that’s early
Hi Don, okay I may operate to 08:45 UTC, but no later 
Cheers
Andrew
In reply to M0HCU:
Hi Don,
Gray line has pretty well past here on the East coast of Australia by 09:00 UTC (at best) - so we only have a small window (which is unfortunately early in Europe).
In reply to VK1NAM and VK2LAX:
Hello Andrew and Rod, glad to catch you both this morning(evening). I just listened out for Ian VK1DI but he was being buried by Spanish QRM. Time for another coffee 8)
Thanks
Mike G6TUH
Edit PS: Glad you moved frequency Ian! Thanks for contact.
What a pileup on 14.310 for VK1NAM/P! Go Andrew!!!
In reply to HA5LV:
What a pileup on 14.310 for VK1NAM/P! Go Andrew!!!
True = Good signals Victor 8)
Mike G6TUH
In reply to G6TUH:
Hi all
That was a huge EU/UK SOTA pile up. Thanks everyone for the chance to work you and offer up a new VK1 summit. Thanks Mike 2EOYYY for the S2S contact. That was one of my best DX activations.
73
Andrew, VK1NAM
In reply to G6TUH:
No worries Mike, good to contact you.
Was having a ball on 14.280 until the Spanish stations decided to have a chat there…I caught up with Andrew VK1NAM on 14.335 later, we then had a call from 2E0YYY on G/SP-013 for S2S. Gave it away at 0900z as the sun had set.
Thanks for the contacts, great fun
VK2LAX/P VK2/HU-093
VK1NAM/P VK2/AC-048
VK2JI/P VK2/HU-093
VK1DI/P VK1/AC-040
Thanks for the SOTA QSOs this morning. Great condx.
1kW and 3 ele tribander on LP here.
CU soon 73!
Viktor HA5LV
In reply to VK1DI:
heard you on 14.335, but just couldn’t get heard from g/wb-004, maybe next time with a different antenna (Have a linked dipole and GP made, but haven’t had the opportunity to tune either yet due to the weather here )
Still, 2 VK stations in the log today, so not at all bad
Thanks!
Don
M0HCU
In reply to VK1NAM:
Hello Andrew and VK activators,
"…That was one of my best DX activations. "
Good stuff 8)
I think what helps (for chasers) is the timing of the activation (propagation) and also the +/- accurate ETA’s/freq. for the summit.
What next ?!8)
Best wishes
73
Mike G6TUH
In reply to G6TUH:
timing of the activation (propagation) and also the +/- accurate ETA’s/freq. for the summit.
What next ?!8)<<
Mike agree, the timing is deliberate on my behalf. Since November 2013 when I first started this journey on SOTA DX, I worked out the best time is 90 to 60 minutes before sunset in VK.
What next? Have a field day to attend this weekend, I will activate another local summit next week for DX into the UK/EU. Most likely VK1/AC-034 Mt Majura.
We have a public holiday/long weekend on 10 March, I will try Mt Ginini (8 points) on the Saturday night here in VK, Saturday morning UTC.
Cheers
Andrew, VK1NAM
In reply to VK1NAM:
Hello Andrew, well timing - it works 8)
Well I got up 0530, got myself sorted out and walked Bertie the greyhound in the forest, gave him his breakfast, left him to it and was all ears by 0715Z.
Good day chasing aided by the fact that it has been raining most of the day here.
Will keep ears open for your next activations.
Local time is now 2001Z so some news on the TV and I think I will be in bed reading by 2130Z 8)
Best wishes
Mike G6TUH
PS: My wife thinks I am crazy to get up early to play radio!
In reply to G6TUH:
Hi Mike,
if you think that’s crazy - what about Michel, who not only got up but also went out portable to work us!
Thanks to all the chasers for a great short activation of Mount Elliot - Rod VK2LAX and I really enjoyed ourselves. It’s amazing what is possible with a very simple antenna and between 30 and 100W.
Here is the list of our contacts:
Stations worked
VK2LAX/P
ON5SWA - Frans
HA5LV - Victor
VK1NAM/P - Andrew -s2s
VK3FPSR- Peter
VK3PF - Peter
VK2CCW - Michael
VK1DI/P- Ian -s2s
VK2YK - Adam
VK1RX - Al
VK1MDC - Mark
VK5GJ - Greg
G6TUH - Mark
DJ5AV - Mike
G4UXH - Colin
EA2LU - Jorge
OE7FMH - Franz
OE9HRV- Herbert
VK2JI/P
40m
VK1NAM/P Andrew S2S
VK1DI/P Ian S2S
20m
G4OBK (UK) - Phil ( a fellow Yorkshireman!)
HA5LV (Hungary) - Victor
SV2OXW (Greece) - Makis
IK4CBO (Italy) - George
F5IVP/P (France) - Michel - not on a SOTA summit but out portable in the early hours with a temperature under 5 degrees!
OH5HVZ (Finland) - Pekka.