I was pleased to have this certificate turn up in my in-box overnight. To qualify for the award I had contacts with three VI25AREG operators; my three modes were AM, SSB and CW. My certificate is number 15 – very pleased with that! While operating at Wooribinda Bushland Reserves, I had two stations request an AM contact, so I suspect that more certificates will be awarded. Thanks to all of the operators who gave me a contact.
Mark, VK5QI and Will, VK5AHV preparing balloon and checking the payload
The helium gas cylinders, payload and flight crew
Will demonstrating for me the figure eight knots used to secure the payload
Harmless Science Experiment, Project Horus, device on 145.100 Mhz
Mark, VK5QI, securing neck of balloon and gas
Balloon just about ready for launch
A final check prior to launch
Up, up and away (1)
Up, up and away – to a location near Tailem Bend
All photos by VK5BJE, unless otherwise acknowledged
I decided I would visit and support the special Horus 60 balloon flight from Mount Barker. This flight was part of the anniversary celebrations marking 25 years of AREG. When I arrived at the launch place, at the school oval, the flight crew were all at work preparing the flight payload and the balloon. I made this event a photographic outing with the possibility of a blog post eventually. I have been to a few Project Horus flights, the last at the Wireless Institute of Australia’s Annual General Meeting in Adelaide in 2017. On that occasion I joined the queue who used the dual band on board repeater. It was fun – similar to working through a terrestrial repeater and a satellite and I was surprised at the rapid attenuation of the signal as the balloon climbed higher. I did not do any tracking at this event, but rather concentrated on taking a photographic record.
The crew were, Mark, VK5QI; Drew, VK5CLD; Will, VK5AHV; Michaela, VK3FUR; Geordie, VK5CLR and Liam, VK5ALG. I was impressed: they were so focussed on the task at hand, they were young and energetic and contrasted with the older, three visitors, including me, that were present. I thought that the amateur service is in good hands and there may be a future, after my generation moves on to the great ham shack in the sky. I was surprised that there were so few visitors, AREG two, our new President and myself and AHARS one. May be the weather deterred some! It was raining lightly when I left home but by the time I arrived at Mount Barker the sky was clearing and the cloud breaking up.
I had a really good chance to see how the system works, the payload established and attached to the balloon with appropriate distances between each item. For those who are wanting to know more about the payload and the purpose of each device please visit the AREG webpages and search for Project Horus 60.
After the balloon was launched the crew became the recovery team and chased the balloon about 80 kilometres to a farm near Tailem Bend.
The photo above was taken from the AREG web pages and is a typical view from high in the atmosphere. On the AREG site there are many more images as well as a link to a splendid video of the flight.
The Amateur Radio Experimenters Group celebrated its 25th anniversary during July and August 2023. The club had a number of interesting events planned and also obtained the special callsign, VI25AREG.
I chose to use this call for an “atno” activation of Woorabinda Bushland Reserves. This park is owned by the Adelaide Hills Council and is protected by a State Government Heritage Agreement. (see page called Radio Language for definition of ‘atno’).
It is an interesting park comprising a number of blocks that appear to join at one point. The standard gauge railway to Melbourne leaves Adelaide and climbs through the Adelaide Hills until it reaches Murray Bridge. The track not only travels through Belair National Park but traverses Woorabinda on the far side of the lake across the hills face.
The track is not visible in the photo above but when trains go by they are clearly observable and the noise of the train echoes through the hills. I had to stop transmitting on each occasion a train passed.
Click to expand map
Here is a map of the Woorabinda Bushland Reserves at Stirling. Milan Terrace, the main road on the right hand side of the map will take you to Stirling and the reserve is very close to Mark Oliphant Conservation Park.
Contacts
All contacts have been uploaded to WWFF as VI25AREG (operator VK5BJE) and also uploaded to Club Log under AREG. ADIF file from Fast Log Entry.
click to expand Log
Unfortunately I was unable to complete the activation as VI25AREG before the end of August 2023 when the callsign expired. However, I will return to the Park and aim for 44 contacts, both voice and CW.
vk5bje 