Day: April 28, 2014

Lake Eildon National Park, VKFF-625

Posted by

0

We left Mount Skene and travelled to Lake Eildon and decided to take the Jamieson to Alexandra road and arrived at the Lookout Point in Lake Eildon National Park. On my Rooftop’s Map it is named Williams Lookout. At this point, about six kilometres past the turnoff, there is a great view of the upper reaches of Lake Eildon. It is spectacular.

I set up and checked the frequency at 7.090 and then gave a call at 05:19. Twelve contacts later at 05:57 it was time to pack up and head for Seymour. I spoke with VK5LY, Larry;  VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK3FLAK, Bob; VK2AMA, Ross; VK2KVH, Victor; VK3NBC, Rob; VK5HS, Ivan; VK2CCW, Michael; VK5MBD, Bill; VK5FGRY, Gary in Morialta Conservation Park, VK7ZGK, Graham from Hobart and finally at 05:57, VK7KEV, Kev from Wynyard.

Lake Eildon National Park from Lookout

Lake Eildon National Park from Lookout

I decided to pack up as we had to drive to Seymour. I was sorry we didn’t have more time to explore Lake Eildon National Park.  It would be a great place to camp for a week and explore.

Mount Skene, Sota Summit VK3 VE 031, 28th April 2014

Posted by

0

After some encouragement from VK3PF, Peter, I decided to activate Mount Skene VK3 VE 031. We left Bairnsdale at 08:00 and arrived at Mount Skene at about 12:00 noon. We enjoyed the drive. Licola is pretty much as we remembered it. The road is gravel a few kilometres after leaving Licola and returns to a sealed tarmac just before Jamieson. We saw only four vehicles on the road after Licola. There are a few pot holes and the usual corrugations on corners. The road is two-wheel drive capable providing care is taken. Travelling slowly and picking your path is the key to success. Some kind person had recently cleared a break through a fallen tree.

Tree over road between Licola and Mt Skene

Tree over road between Licola and Mt Skene JCD photo

It is an easy summit. You only have to walk from the parking area to the summit and carry your gear about 200 metres. The trig point is in great condition and make sure you read the plaque under the trig point. The altitude is given as 1551 metres. The old track is just visible, but if you look for two large rocks put in place by the authorities to stop vehicles going off road, you will see the track.

Mount Skene summit track JCD photo

Mount Skene summit track JCD photo

After setting up at the summit, 13 contacts were enjoyed. I am really appreciative of those who gave me a call, given that most of the regulars were probably back at work. The first contact was at 02:17 UTC and the last at 02:58.  At 02:17 I worked VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK3YN, Mark at Bendigo; VK2JNG/P2, Gerard QRP; VK3UH, Ken; VK2IO, Gerard; VK2AMI, Ross; VK5HS, Ivan; VK2UH, Andrew; VK3AFW, Ron; VK1MBE, Andrew; VK5LY, Larry; VK3XD, John and at 02:58, VK3YN, Mark.

The first picture shows me kneeling on a rug and operating the FT817. While I had my rain coat on and there were a few spots it was not really cold. My nine metre squid pole is inserted into a tube and tied to a stump. Power for the five watt radio was supplied from a 4.2 amp hour LiFePO4 four cell battery.

VK5BJE at Mt Skene

VK5BJE at Mt Skene JCD Photo

FT817 and 4.2 Amp hour LiFePO4 battery

FT817 and 4.2 Amp hour LiFePO4 battery