Amateur radio

Spring Gully Conservation Park, 2nd October 2014: a mini activation

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Spring Gully CP Look Out: off Sawmill Road JCD photo

Spring Gully CP Look Out: off Sawmill Road JCD photo

I went back to Spring Gully Conservation Park for a third activation this morning. The real purpose was to try out a home brew three band end-fed antenna. The antenna is currently designed for 30, 20 and 17 metres, but I will probably extend it to 40m when I get home. One design fault with the antenna is the running insulator which is in the 20 metre section does not allow for centre mounting. I will move it to the 30m section which will ensure the antenna is mounted at the top of the squid pole in the centre and not off-centre in the 20 metre section. The current arrangement means that too much of the 30m section hangs too low which reduces efficiency. Andrew, VK1NAM, inspired me to build this by his excellent article on a half-wave end-fed system he built.

I tried out the 30m antenna. I had qso’s on 10:115 ssb with VK2AXB, Grant at Orange 5 and 8 and 5 and 2; I could hear VK4NZ, Jim in Mackay, Qld, 5 and 1, but he could not hear my signal; VK4JWT, John in Brisbane was 5 and 6 and he gave me 4 and 1; VK3AAU, David in Warragul very kindly drove to a high point to work me (away from the noise): he was 5 and 8 and gave me 4 and 7 and finally, VK3SQ, Geoff, at Beechworth 5 and 8 and 5 and 6. I used my FT817 at five watts and the SOTA tuner which will handle six watts (parallel-tuned) for the lower bands. I did not post an alert in case all went pear-shaped. It didn’t and the antenna could be useful on a summit.

Later in the day we held a mini-hamfest in Clare. I had already arranged to meet VK5KC, David, who, with his wife, came to Clare for a family weekend. Later in the day I received a call from VK5PAS, Paul, who was driving towards Jamestown to activate some summits and parks and indicated he would activate Spring Gully Conservation Park as he was passing through Clare. Earlier in the morning I had met with Ian, VK5CZ, tractor mobile, who was working. And later, with the aid of the Spencer Gulf Repeater (146.700 – 600 KHz) and 146.500, we arranged to catch up at the end of the day. The meeting place was in the Clare Caravan Park and a picture was taken, which is highly likely to appear on Paul’s Blog.

Sadly our visit to the Clare Valley will come to an end tomorrow as we turn around and drive back to the Adelaide Hills and home. I have had a great time climbing Mount Bryan, visiting Parks, socialising and playing radio.

Red Banks Conservation Park, 1st October 2014

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Red Banks Conservation Park was proclaimed a Park in 2002. Previously is was owned by the Council and used as a recreation area, often inappropriately for off-roading. It is a stunning area. There is a variety of vegetation from scrub to large trees, for example, river red gums, two creeks dissecting the Park with permanent water and massive red-cliffs. There is a camping area with ten camp-sites marked and a day use area separate from the camp-ground. We travelled to the day use area.

I set up my FT897 on five watts and engaged in 11 contacts with locals on 40 metres before moving to 20 metres. I increased the transmit power to 40 watts and easily worked  Paul, EA5/GM0OPK. I used my large LIfePO4 battery and linked dipole.

Red Banks Conservation Park. Using the Yaesu 897. JCD photo

Red Banks Conservation Park. Using the Yaesu 897.
JCD photo

I enjoyed the following contacts on 40 metres: VK5GJ, Greg at 03:36; VK3VBI, Ron; VK3FKJC, Kevin; VK5NQP, David; VK5LY, Larry; VK5WG, Nev; VK5LI/M, Craig; VK5NFB, Don; VK5LY, Larry for a longer qso; VK5BAR, Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society, Inc., David, VK5KC operator and then I migrated to 20 and at 05:34, had a contact with Paul, EA5/GM0OPK, 30k North of Valencia. I gave Paul 5 and 7 and he gave me 5 and 4. I tried to have a qso with Enrico, I6EH, but the E in my call-sign proved too big a stumbling block. I gave him 5 and 8 and he gave me 5 and 4. I will not count the contact.

Red cliffs at Redbanks Conservation Park

Red cliffs at Red Banks Conservation Park

The view from my operating position at Redbanks CP

The view from my operating position at Red Banks CP

Mokota Conservation Park, 1st October 2014

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Mokota Conservation Park: notice rocky spine! JCD photo

Mokota Conservation Park: notice rocky spine!
JCD photo

Mokota Conservation Park was proclaimed in 2002. The land, 455 hectares, was purchased by the State and Federal Governments to conserve native grassland. The park is treeless. On the highest section small rough hewn rocks emerge from the ground giving the appearance of a backbone running up the hill. Interpretative signs are placed strategically to assist visitors. See the photo below.

I set up my station near the entrance using the park fence to support my squid pole and linked dipole. The radio I used was the Ten Tec Argonaut, Model VI, with the power set at five watts. I was very pleased to work two SOTA stations, including VK1ATP/P7, Paul, in Tasmania and Ian, VK1DI/P1, on Black Mountain in Canberra.

The following contacts were had on 7.100: VK1DI/P1, Ian, on VK1/AC-042 at 00:27; then 7.090, VK1ATP/P7, Paul on VK7/EC-045; 7.100, VK5WG, Nev; VK5FPAC, Bob; VK5AKM, Keith; VK5LDM, Dennis; VK5AKM, Keith, then on 14.150, VK2AXM/M2, Max travelling to Newcastle. Eight contacts – and I called on 20 metres for a few minutes before Max called me and we enjoyed a 20 minute qso before conditions deteriorated.

Mokota CP: no trees just grassland

Mokota CP: no trees just grassland

Five Wedge-tail Eagles under siege! JCD photo

Five Wedge-tail Eagles
under siege! JCD photo

There are five wedge-tail eagles in the photo. The attacker (a magpie?) is above the eagle highest in the picture. Double-click on picture to expand.

Mount Bryan, VK5/SE-001, 29th September 2014

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View from Mount Bryan: Heysen Trail marker in foreground JCD photo

View from Mount Bryan: Heysen Trail marker in foreground JCD photo

Today we climbed Mount Bryan, VK5/SE-001, 933 metres and ranked 49th highest in the State. It took us just over one and three quarter hours. It is a steep climb, but the view is great. I operated on two bands, 40 and 20 metres and my log is reproduced below. It took a while to find the best access point. I read Paul’s blog (VK5PAS) and we visited the Wild Dog Hotel (simplified name) at Hallett to seek directions. They remembered Paul, but the person who provided the directions was not present. The two persons we spoke to referred us to the the Mini Mart and the owners suggested the Heysen Trail access point on the northern side, but we decided after a look, to travel along Mount Bryan East Road from the township of Mount Bryan, about 16 kilometres to the Southern end Heysen Trail point. (We decided not to walk in from the northern end after being warned about snakes and seeing the long grass in the paddocks through which the Heysen Trail passes. The Trail, on private property here, is located on the fence line). After parking our 4 x 4, loading up our gear, we embarked on what was a hard walk for us and quite steep towards the summit. But I need the exercise. The grass was much shorter here and the path was well worn giving a clear view of what was ahead.

Jenny explored the summit and I enjoyed the operating conditions. Some Victorians suggested I move to 20 metres. And I did! But, I always like to ensure the VK5 chasers have a chance to have a contact first and Larry, VK5LY, kindly spotted me. Conditions on 20 metres were really good into Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. I also enjoyed a contact with Mike, VK6MB, 5 and 8 both ways. Andrew, VK1NAM, gave me 5 and 9: of course he was 5 and 9+ on the FT817.

Heysen Trail Notice & access point

Heysen Trail Notice & access point: Mt Bryan in background

A couple of onlookers!

A couple of onlookers!

Among the big boys! JCD photo

Among the big boys!
JCD photo

Mount Bryan & VK5BJE/P5

Mount Bryan & VK5BJE/P5

Trig Point and memorial

Trig Point and memorial

These blades are big!

These blades are big!

At Mount Bryan township there is a display relating to the Hallett wind-farm which provides sufficient power for 40,000 South Australian homes. A blade from a turbine is on display. There are three such blades for every generator.

Activator Log

Time Call Band Mode Notes
03:01z VK3VBI 7MHz SSB Ron 50k West of Warrnambool
03:06z VK5LY 7MHz SSB Larry
03:10z VK2NSS 7MHz SSB Steve, 50k West of Canberra
03:12z VK5HS 7MHz SSB Ivan
03:17z VK1MA 7MHz SSB Matt
03:19z VK5MCB 7MHz SSB Mike, Port Pirie
03:23z VK5NQP 7MHz SSB David
03:24z VK5WG 7MHz SSB Nev
03:27z VK5IS 7MHz SSB Ian
03:30z VK3BHR 7MHz SSB Phil, Bendigo
03:34z VK5TN/P3 7MHz SSB Robin, at Mildura
03:36z VK3FPSR 7MHz SSB Peter
03:40z VK3PF 14MHz SSB Peter
03:42z VK2DAG 14MHz SSB Matt, Central Coast
03:43z VK1NAM 14MHz SSB Andrew
03:46z VK1MA 14MHz SSB Matt
03:48z VK2AFA 14MHz SSB Sam, 30k North of Newcastle
03:49z VK3DET 14MHz SSB Ernie, Ballarat
03:50z VK2TWR 14MHz SSB Rod
03:51z VK3AFW 14MHz SSB Ron
03:51z VK2GAZ 14MHz SSB Garry, Richmond, NSW
03:55z VK2UH 14MHz SSB Andrew, Yass
03:57z VK3AV 14MHz SSB Bernard
04:00z VK2MIK/P2 14MHz SSB Mik, Lighting Ridge
04:02z VK6MB 14MHz SSB Mike
04:04z VK3UH 14MHz SSB Ken
04:07z VK1NAM 14MHz SSB Andrew
Mt Bryan

Spring Gully Conservation Park, 27th September 2014

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Spring Gully Conservation Park is about 12 kilometres from Clare and about five from Sevenhill. It preserves bushland in the midst of farms and vineyards. The park is 400 hectares. It was originally 15 acres and gazetted in 1962. The Park was established to conserve ‘the only stand of red stringy-barks in South Australia’ (Friends of Spring Gully Conservation Park, 1988). These trees are relics of an earlier wetter period and can also be found in the Grampians National Park, Cape Otway (Victoria) and near Dubbo in New South Wales. We also collected the latest brochure from the Information Centre. There are not too many changes but the walks are now shown on the map. We returned to the Park today (28th September 2014) and took a few more photos, including the red stringy-bark eucalypts.

Red stringy bark trees

Red stringy bark trees

This was my second activation. I first activated the Park on the 3rd November 2013 (see my blog – An Alternative to a Buy and Sell). I enjoyed my activation late in the afternoon making 19 contacts in VK2, VK3 and VK5. Conditions were good.

I was on the air at 06:35 UTC on 7.100 and enjoyed the following contacts: VK3YSP/P, Joe at the Organ Pipes National Park, VK-FF 627; VK5NQP, David (thanks for spotting me); VK5IS, Ian; VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK5GJ, Greg; VK5AW/M, Adrian mobile near Loxton; VK5GJ, QRP, Greg trying out his MST400; VK5YX, Hans; VK5VH, Ron, a great contact with Ron using two antennas from his unit, the second being just one metre long; VK3AFW, Ron; VK3ZZS/P, Colin; VK3CVB, Brenton; VK3HEX, Peter; VK2CCJ/P, Cliff camping near Hillston; VK5LY, Larry; VK5PAS, Paul; VK5WG, Nev; VK3FKJC, Kevin and at 07:54, VK5AV, Bernard.

Thanks to all who gave me a call. It is greatly appreciated.

Changing a battery: not as simple as ABC (or AAA), 13th August 2014

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After 11 years our 48 volt battery, the storage for our off-grid solar power system was beginning to show its age. It was commissioned on the 2nd July 2003. We determined some few months ago that we should upgrade during 2014. The battery was comprised of 24 two-volt deep-flooded lead acid cells. It has performed exceptionally well: we have never been without power. I have noticed that the capacity of the battery, 1110 amp hours, was beginning to decline and that it was necessary to top up the system using the generator more often during the cloudy weather though July and August. It never died, it just grew old and I shut it down on Tuesday 12th July 2014. I then had to move the 24 cells out of the battery enclosure ready to install a new set of 24 cells which were due to arrive on Wednesday morning soon after 09:45. I was assisted by VK5TW, Trevor, a long-standing friend and my wife, Jenny.

After enjoying a barbecue lunch and no alcohol, removing watches and rings and donning our protective gear: steel-capped boots, safety goggles, old clothes and a sturdy heavy plastic apron I went through the shut down procedure at 14:15 hours. Trevor then disconnected each cell and I moved each cell outside, out of the way, so that at the end of the procedure I could clean the enclosure. The whole process took just over two hours. Each cell weighed (with electrolyte in place) 65 kilograms. They are 690mm high, 210 wide and 147 in length. I used a sack trolley and I noticed at the end of the day that I had been working! I had an early night to prepare to do the whole procedure again on Wednesday morning. I probably would have replaced the cells with the same product if still available. Unfortunately the cells, labelled BP and made by Exide, are no longer manufactured. BP in Australia has left the renewable energy market. The down-side of deep-flooded lead acid cells is that they hold plenty of electrolyte (and thus needed infrequent topping up with distilled water), but they are heavy and it is easy to spill the electrolyte as cells are moved. They are ‘dangerous goods’ and new transport regulations apply to moving them on public roads.

The old cells JCD photo

The old cells JCD photo

Old cell specifications: VK5BJE photo

Old cell specifications: VK5BJE photo

New battery: one pallet one box VK5BJE photo

New battery: one pallet one box VK5BJE photo

The new battery JCD photo


The new battery JCD photo

So on Tuesday night we went back to the ‘dark ages’: we had no power.

After considerable research I decided to purchase 24 ‘dryfit Gel’ cells. These are made by Sonnenschein and come from Germany. In these cells the electrolyte is contained within a glass mat. They are nearly maintenance free and they are not classed as ‘dangerous goods’ with respect to transport. These have a capacity of 850 amp hours, but a better discharge curve compared with standard lead acid batteries. It is a little like comparing the small SLAB batteries we use (or used to use) in our SOTA and Parks activations with LIPO and LifePO4 batteries. The battery arrived on time and with the help of a Country Fire Service colleague, from my days gone by, we took each cell from the pallets and soon had them in place for the electrician to do his work. We used a smaller trolley for this purpose. The new cells are 648mm high, by 147mm and 208 mm and weigh 49 kilograms. It was a bit like comparing AAA cells with AA!

The rest of our system remains the same except for the regulator. I decided to upgrade the regulator to one which provides more parameters in ensuring a better and more comprehensive set of measures of battery performance.

Mount Lofty, VK5/SE-005, Cleland Conservation Park, 27th July 2014

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Today, Sunday 27th July was the VK1 SOTA mass activation day. I indicated I would activate Mount Lofty, VK5/SE-005, in the Cleland Conservation Park, and for a short time attempt to become an honorary VK1!

I can look out our family room window and see Mount Lofty. Most days Mount Lofty is visible, but over the last few weeks there have been many days when it has been shrouded in cloud. Even though, as the RF travels, at least by ground-wave, we are only about eight kilometres away, the weather is different at Mount Lofty compared with Scott Creek. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) even provides a district forecast for Mount Lofty. The Bureau predicted winds from the North West of about 45 kilometres per hour: and they were! Nevertheless, tucked away in our favourite activation spot on the north-eastern side of the summit, it wasn’t too uncomfortable. This was my third activation of Mount Lofty summit and the activation spot in on the Heysen Trail. This is the famous walking trail which traverses the State from Cape Jervis (the departure point for the Kangaroo Island ferry) to Parachilna Gorge in the Flinders Ranges, a total of 1200 kilometres.  It was VK5PAS, Paul, who showed me this spot and there were many walkers who gave me a wave and lots of trail bike riders were struggling up the hill or going fast in the opposite direction. Mountain bikes are permitted in the Cleland Conservation Park on this section of the trail, but it is a trial and it is subject to review.  I suspect that the Park authorities will be concerned about erosion.

I was able to set up and get on the air at about 23:19 UTC and the 40 metre band was really busy with SOTA stations. Here is my log for the 40 minutes before UTC roll-over. It was great and thanks to all of the operators who gave me a call. I managed 31 contacts, including 15 summit to summit contacts.

Time Call Band Mode Notes
23:20z VK3ANL/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VU-002
23:21z VK3ARR/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/ SE 018
23:23z VK1RX/P1 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-025
23:24z VK3MCD/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VE-006
23:26z VK3YY/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-002
23:28z VK3FPSR 7MHz SSB Peter at Cobram
23:29z VK3PF 7MHz SSB Peter
23:30z VK3FQSO 7MHz SSB Amanda
23:31z VK2YK 7MHz SSB Adam, Newcastle
23:33z VK3BHR 7MHz SSB Phil, Bendigo
23:34z VK3MRG 7MHz SSB Marshall, QRP
23:35z VK3WE 7MHz SSB Rhett
23:37z VK2GAZ/P2 7MHz SSB VK2/CT-082
23:39z VK3CAT/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-030
23:41z VK3XL/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-031
23:42z VK3AFW/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-007
23:42z VK1DI/P1 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-023
23:43z VK1MBE/P4 7MHz SSB VK4/SE-094
23:44z VK6MB 7MHz SSB Mike
23:45z VK5WG 7MHz SSB Nev
23:46z VK2DMT 7MHz SSB Dean, Ulladalla
23:47z VK5LY 7MHz SSB Larry
23:48z VK3YSP/P3 7MHz SSB Joe, French Island NP
23:49z VK1MA/P1 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-042
23:50z VK5FTRG 7MHz SSB Tom, Millicent
23:52z VK3PI 7MHz SSB Mark
23:53z VK1NAM/P1 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-032
23:54z VK3HRA 7MHz SSB Allan
23:56z VK3FOWL/P3 7MHz SSB Julie, French Is NP
23:57z VK2AET/P2 7MHz SSB VK2/NR-038
23:58z VK3DET 7MHz SSB Ernie, Ballarat

After 00:00 had gone by I enjoyed another burst of activity, totalling 34 contacts, including 14 summit to summit contacts.

Time Call Band Mode Notes
00:00z VK3IL 7MHz SSB David
00:02z VK3PF 7MHz SSB Peter
00:03z VK2FAJG/P2 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-038
00:07z VK3PI 7MHz SSB Mark
00:08z VK5TX/P2 7MHz SSB VK2/MN-067
00:10z VK3DAC 7MHz SSB Fred
00:15z VK3AFW/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-007
00:15z VK2UH 7MHz SSB Andrew
00:18z VK3EK/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VT-041
00:19z VK1RX/P1 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-025
00:20z VK3WE 7MHz SSB Rhett
00:28z VK2AFA/P2 7MHz SSB VK2/MN-067
00:32z VK3FKSA 7MHz SSB Bandar
00:36z VK3WG 7MHz SSB Nev
00:37z VK3CAT/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-030
00:38z VK3FPSA 7MHz SSB Peter
00:39z VK3ARR/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-018
00:41z VK3XL/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-031
00:43z VK5NQP/P5 7MHz SSB David, Sandy Creek CP
00:44z VK1DI/P1 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-023
00:46z VK3CBV 7MHz SSB Brenton
00:48z VK5IS 7MHz SSB Ian
00:50z VK3FIAN 7MHz SSB Ian, East Bentleigh
00:52z VK2IO/P2 7MHz SSB VK2/CT-082
00:54z VK3MCD/P3 7MHz SSB VK3/VC-006
00:55z VK3BHR 7MHz SSB Phil
00:56z VK5FAKV 7MHz SSB Shawn, Renmark
00:57z VK3DET 7MHz SSB Ernie
00:58z VK5CZ 7MHz SSB Ian
01:02z VK5FTRG 7MHz SSB Tom, Millicent
01:08z VK5TD 7MHz SSB John
01:10z VK3AV 7MHz SSB Bernard, VK3AMB
01:21z VK2SWD/P2 7MHz SSB VK2/CT-019
01:23z VK1NAM/P1 7MHz SSB VK1/AC-032

 

I said on air to at least one VK1 station, VK1NAM/P1, Andrew, that the mass activation day was a great idea and thanked him for his part in getting it organised. I have not checked the VK1 blogs, but I suspect that many of the amateurs would be activating summits already activated this year and thus would not accrue additional activator points. Sadly the same is true in my case.

Shack Sloth 17th July 2014

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Shack Sloth

Shack Sloth

After missing VK1RX/P2, Al on VK2/ ST – 042 this morning and, then not hearing VK3ANL/P2, Nick in Sydney at VKFF-473 on 20 metres, I finished up having a quick contact first with VK6MB, Mike and second with VK5PAS, Paul, on 20 metres on 14.285 MHz. This was the frequency where we should have heard Nick. But propagation did not favour our direction! Paul said he was going to have an early lunch at about 11:30 central time and would tuck into a bowl of ravioli. Not to be outdone, my wife Jenny and I decided we would visit our local and have lunch. I now don’t have to cook our dinner tonight! Anyway we collected our mail at the Stirling Post Office and my Shack Sloth certificate had arrived from the UK. I was pretty happy with that. Now for the next 1000 points!

Some Reflections on Shack Sloth eligibility, 22nd June 2014

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I qualified for the Shack Sloth award on Sunday afternoon after my contact with Rhett, VK3WE/3, who was portable in East Gippsland on VK3/VG 027, Mt Baldhead. I began chasing SOTA operators in March 2013 contacting VK5NIG/P5, Nigel at Mt Crawford, or Mr Mount Crawford as he is called by VK5PAS, Paul, and 15 months later I reached my goal. It has been a great journey! All contacts have been on 40 and 20 metres and mainly SSB with an occasional CW contact as well. I want to improve my CW skills after a long lay off, especially sending in the first instance, with a hand key.

Once again I am reminded of Dante’s Divine Comedy where the climbers are rewarded and the lazy ones…well?

‘Behold for here are mysteries:

The laziness of this one could afford

Comparison with Sloth, as if she were

His energetic sister’

The Divine Comedy, Book 2, Canto 4, Purgatory, Dante, translated by Clive James, Picador, London, 2013

What is this all about? Well Dante (the author) and his companion Virgil are making their way through hell, purgatory and on to heaven. They are in purgatory. They are climbing a peak, yes it is pre-SOTA, and see a narrow gap! You know the feeling, it is cold but you are sweating, you keep wondering how far it is to go to the summit, you wish you had not packed so many batteries and had left a couple of antennas behind. You feel like you are in hell, but suddenly you think you see the summit, then another twist in the track (purgatory) and then finally the summit. (I am not referring to the easy summits which can be approached by car and a short walk). You can sit down and you think this is heaven! Now I can set up my radio, you think. You think you see a chaser sitting near a rock (or think of her/him in the shack) – ‘sloth’ you think, or as one translator says, ‘laziness’.  But you, oh activators you know well, your efforts would be in vain but for the Chasers. Dante Alighieri  wrote his famous trilogy, ‘The Divine Comedy’ in the 13th century. I am a fan and have four translations of this work, not written in Latin, but the vernacular language of Florence, the language we now call Italian. It is an epic poem and I commend it to you. My apologies to Dante for my radio-influenced existential interpretation!

An early reward from Paul, VK5PAS

An early reward from Paul, VK5PAS

Thanks Paul for this splendid certificate. It adds a lot of colour to my blog. I will apply for the SOTA ‘Shack Sloth’ Certificate and Trophy as well and I am very pleased to join this small South Australian group.

Belair National Park, VKFF – 022, 1st June 2014

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After most, but not all, of the new-comers had successfully activated Mount Lofty Summit within Cleland Conservation Park, we moved to Belair National Park. I guided the little group of hopefuls to one of my favourite spots in the park where there is plenty of room for a squid pole and wire antennas and not too many people going by. This was my third activation of Belair National Park. I had previously activated the Park on the 26th January 2014 and on 1st  August 2013 making a total of 33 contacts.

There was some interest in alternative power technology so I set up my FT897 and a LiFePO4 battery to show the participants the power and weight advantages of Lithium chemistry batteries compared with Lead Acid batteries. I had just one contact, with VI50CONV, operator John, VK5DJ, the special event station for the South East Radio Group for their forthcoming convention to be held during the June long weekend. So I was pretty pleased with that but then it was time to encourage the newcomers.

Map showing Mount Lofty Summit, Belair NP & other CPs. (Adelaide & Environs free map)

Map showing Mount Lofty Summit, Belair NP & other CPs. (Adelaide & Environs free map)

We also compared the recovered audio from the FT897 with Paul’s FT450. I thought the two radios sounded good with audio that was easily copied in an outside environment, but to my ears the FT450 had the edge. Paul’s view was he thought that the FT897 was better. Not a scientific experiment but an interesting subjective experience.

After VK5PAS, Paul, VK5GW, Graham, VK4FR/P5, Chris and I had lunch (high quality and low calories!) then Chris and I adjourned to my QTH to explore and try out our new ten amp chargers on our LiFePO4 larger capacity batteries.

Paul, VK5PAS, has a much more detailed account of the day on his blog at http://vk5pas.wordpress.com