We're bucking the trend, and next Sunday we're planning to go MAD.
In South East VK4, a number of uWave operators are planning to activate bands from 1.2GHz and up from various /P locations around the region. Final details are being organissed, but should enable stations to travel and be on site for a few hours of activating.
So rather than keep it a secret, lets share our planned activation's!
Who's operating?
From where?
What bands?
What times?
As mentioned in another forum I will be activating Howells Knob QG63JF for the MAD. I will be working 1296, 2.4, 5.7 and 10Ghz. I'm still waiting to hear on an official start time. Most MAD's in the past have started around 1 or 2pm. I can't see any reason why we can't start earlier like maybe 10 or 11am but I'm happy with what ever time suits the majority of participants.
I have also looked into the long range weather forecast and it's not looking good. Then again how often has the weatherman got it right. If it is overcast on the day then I will still go portable but if it's raining in the morning then I will not be going. No point going out and getting myself and the gear all wet.
Brisbane VHF Group Club web site. Is advising in conjunction with the MAD event, the 23 on 23 event has been posted and all members have been advised of this Sunday 24th event so we can only hope for a larger amount of station roll up. I 'm having a picnic on Mt Nee so i ll pack some radios as well as the tea bag and thermos. see you there
Not quite true John.... 23-on-23 will still occur on Sat 23rd [see other Forum thread] - Sydney and possibly other locations will still be running.
The SE VK4 MAD has been moved to the Sunday 24th [not visa versa] to enable operation by some stations who are unable to participate if held on a Saturday.
End result TWO excuses to operate on 23cm and Above in a single weekend
The date set for this "Microwave Activity Day" is part of a schedule of similar outings that is published on the Brisbane VHF Group web pages. These are all on Sundays because taking microwave gear portable is greatly to be preferred in the daytime and, as Scott has suggested, MAD participation has been shown to be better on this day of the week.
As for me, weather permitting, I intend to return to Kamarun Lookout (QG61NU), just to the North of O'Reilly's at the edge of the Lamington National Park. I should have available all microwave bands from 1296 MHz to 76 GHz inclusive, with liaison on 146.55 or 439.0 MHz FM simplex. Someone recently suggested that we vacate 146.5 FM for MAD liaison due to the main calling simplex channel (146.5 MHz) often being used by different Southern VK4 and Northern VK2 stations for 'chatting' on weekends.
My mobile phone 0428191066 sometimes is usable at that location, the difficulty being that quite a number of Telstra bases are all strong at that site - using text messages seems to be more effective than voice calls. I should be operational from around 11:00 a.m. onwards.
Here's hoping that lots of challenging contacts will be had by many participants on the day!
With TC Oma now approaching the VK4 coast, the WX forecast has changed and by the weekend we're now looking at 60-70% chances of rain... But at this stage falls of less than 10mm!
VK4CZ wrote:With TC Oma now approaching the VK4 coast, the WX forecast has changed and by the weekend we're now looking at 60-70% chances of rain... But at this stage falls of less than 10mm!
It's an MAD weekend so I would put the chances of rain much closer to 100% chance of rain and lots of it.
I don't think it's ever failed to rain at some point on an MAD weekend. Oh well will be good for giving rain scatter a go.
VK4CZ wrote:With TC Oma now approaching the VK4 coast, the WX forecast has changed and by the weekend we're now looking at 60-70% chances of rain... But at this stage falls of less than 10mm!
Sent from my CPH1721 using Tapatalk
I have pop up shelters and vehicle awnings, no reason to get wet. But if the rain becomes horizontal it’s going home time.
VK4CZ wrote:With TC Oma now approaching the VK4 coast, the WX forecast has changed and by the weekend we're now looking at 60-70% chances of rain... But at this stage falls of less than 10mm!
It's an MAD weekend so I would put the chances of rain much closer to 100% chance of rain and lots of it.
I don't think it's ever failed to rain at some point on an MAD weekend. Oh well will be good for giving rain scatter a go.
Robert
VK4LHD
I have plenty of shelter, there won’t be any of this getting wet caper.
Hi y'all!
It's Saturday evening and the forecast weather for tomorrow is not too bad - only a little windy, more so on hill tops, I imagine. We should have known better than to be scared off by the forecasters at the BOM.....
So I propose to go out to Kamarun Lookout and to be there in the middle of the day for a while with 1296.150, 5760.150, 10368.150, and 24048.150. I'll also be able to run with low power on 2400.150, 2403.150 and 3398.150. 47 GHz and 76 GHz will also be available in the van.
Liaison on 146.500 or 146.550 or 439.000 or text messages to 0428191066. 1296.150 also may double as a liaison frequency.
I'll check this medium before leaving in the morning.....
Cheers ad 73,
--Doug, '4OE.
