Sugarloaf Peak VK3/VN-011
Activated 15 February 2014
This activation was almost a repeat of my last activation of this summit back on 25 May 2013. It was planned at the last minute and once again I was accompanied by my two daughters who enjoyed the climb last time and were happy to come along.
Light rain started falling just as we arrived at the saddle carpark but it looked like it was going to blow over fairly quickly so we pressed on and started up Canyon Track. The rain made some of the rocky parts of the track slippery and extra care was needed. As we climbed the rain cleared and we were able to set up in the same position as last time. I spiked the vertical antenna into the ground and tapped the coil for 40 metres while the girls were running out the counterpoise wires.
I wanted to make this a fairly quick activation and keep any boredom at bay for the girls as Dad did his radio thing. This turned out well as I was quicly able to log my first contact with Ivan VK5HS at 0417z. Phil VK3BHR was next and was able to spot me on SOTAWATCH. From here on was a flow of contacts with Peter VK3FPSR, Peter VK3PF, Amanda VK3FQSO, Paul VK5PAS, Matt VK1MA. My last contact was with Joe VK3YSP operating portable in the Dandenong Ranges National Park as the rain returned. After 12 minutes on air and the summit easily qualified, we quickly packed the station away and made our way back down.
Thanks to the stations contacted allowing me to work you all efficiently as the weather rushed the activation to an abrupt end.
Activated 15 February 2014
This activation was almost a repeat of my last activation of this summit back on 25 May 2013. It was planned at the last minute and once again I was accompanied by my two daughters who enjoyed the climb last time and were happy to come along.
Light rain started falling just as we arrived at the saddle carpark but it looked like it was going to blow over fairly quickly so we pressed on and started up Canyon Track. The rain made some of the rocky parts of the track slippery and extra care was needed. As we climbed the rain cleared and we were able to set up in the same position as last time. I spiked the vertical antenna into the ground and tapped the coil for 40 metres while the girls were running out the counterpoise wires.
I wanted to make this a fairly quick activation and keep any boredom at bay for the girls as Dad did his radio thing. This turned out well as I was quicly able to log my first contact with Ivan VK5HS at 0417z. Phil VK3BHR was next and was able to spot me on SOTAWATCH. From here on was a flow of contacts with Peter VK3FPSR, Peter VK3PF, Amanda VK3FQSO, Paul VK5PAS, Matt VK1MA. My last contact was with Joe VK3YSP operating portable in the Dandenong Ranges National Park as the rain returned. After 12 minutes on air and the summit easily qualified, we quickly packed the station away and made our way back down.
Thanks to the stations contacted allowing me to work you all efficiently as the weather rushed the activation to an abrupt end.
