Spring VHF/UHF FD 2012

[VK3PY]

Is it too early to start a thread on the forthcoming VHF/UHF FD to be held on the weekend of 24-25 November?

I'll be out with the VK3UHF crew at our usual QTH in the Barabool Hills, 15km west of Geelong (QF21CU). My accomplices will be David VK3QM, Ken VK3NW and Arie VK3AMZ.

We will have all bands 50 MHz to 47 GHz inclusive. Our intention this year is to mainly concentrate on working new grids and long distances, particularly on microwave bands. We'd be very pleased to dedicate operating time to trying to work any Adelaide and VK1/2 stations that might be available, especially if propagation on lower bands is promising. We have a 1.2m dish for 2.4 GHz and 60cm dishes up to 10 GHz, but if required we can do some feed-swapping to bring the 1.2m dish into operation for 3.4 and 5.7 GHz.

Any takers?

Chas
VK3PY

[VK3DXE]

If I can wrangle it, I might (still a big might) try to activate some of the rarer gridsquares in SW Vic/SE SA on 6m, 2m and 70cm unless somebody a little closer can? QF01, PF92, PF93.

[VK2KRR]

I'll be operating from home as usual. 6/2/70/23 (10 GHz still in box )

[VK2AVR]

Is it too early to start a thread on the forthcoming VHF/UHF FD to be held on the weekend of 24-25 November?

definitely not, was thinking about it recently and wondering when it was planned for (but kept forgetting to check WIA when I was near a computer)

could be operating portable, depending on availability of my co-operator (he has most of the gear!)

[VK2MER]

Will anyone be working 23cm 13cm and 6cm near me in QF55HK. Sat or sun.

[VK2XQ]

Some great grid squares there lads, especially from VK3DXE, VK2DAG and VK2CU, need some of those on 50MHz, but sadly, the way propagation has been on six in recent weeks, things are not looking all that promising.

Let's hope the band really kicks into action in the coming fortnight, meanwhile, I will maintain my lonely vigil on 50.117MHz CW hoping to hear the ZL7A beacon in the Chatham Islands and perhaps work him for a new 50MHz mode, CW of course!

Jack Haden VK2XQ QF-56ne

[VK4OE]

Greetings to all.

As I often do, I propose to be at Mt Gravatt in Brisbane (QG62MK) on the Saturday evening and at Springbrook Mountain (QG61PS) on the Sunday morning - all weather permitting, of course.

All bands 50 MHz to 24 GHz will be available, but not all at the same time! Preferred operating frequencies either on the contest centre-of-activity frequencies, or on .175 on each band.

I usually try to keep 439 MHz FM simplex 'open' as much as possible for local liaison, otherwise it's somewhere on SSB on two metres, or the Logger iChat service, or 'phone to 0428 191 066.

VK2MER, I like your new dish plus feed but, except for a tremendous tropo opening, the only way we could possibly consider a QSO would be by aircraft enhancement - but then there's quite a thick layer of rainforest due South of my Springbrook operating position! Better from there to the SW where VK2DAG may well be.....now that would be a good QSO on any band!!!!

Best 73,

--Doug Friend, VK4OE.

[VK4ADC]

My plans (at this stage) are to set up VK4ADC/P near Mt Kynoch, just north of Toowoomba, QG52XL, with another siting option to the north of that. Either should give me a reasonable shot at microwave to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane areas, and maybe to the south if there is anyone down that way. Now that 6m can be used in the Toowoomba area, it opens this area up as a possible FD location. As always in VK4, weather permitting, and I will plan a local venue in QG62 for poor weather. The plan is to operate for the Saturday arvo & evening, just for the 8 hours.

The frequencies should be 50.150+ (100w PEP), 144.150+ (40w), 432.150+ (20w), 1296.150+ (30w), 2403.150+ (1w) and 3400.150+ (1.5w) SSB plus FM on 52.525, 146.500+/-, 439.000 with the option of also operating FM near 1296.2+, 2403.2+ and 3400.2+, as requested just for the FD for those without SSB. I may also have 5.7GHz FM and 10.368 SSB/FM running at times, but at low power (approx 10-20mW) and with limited receiver sensitivity.

[VK4CZ]

Just completed a site inspection, and now have a Field Day site for Spring 2012.

I'll have 6, 2 & 70cm and be located on top of a hill near Kobble Creek (just 11.4km from home QTH) with uninterrupted views from 330 through east to 210 degrees..... -27.27691S 152.82678E (QG62jr) at 365mASL.

A quick analysis of the immediate paths are positive.
Path south -

Path north -

As yet I'm unable to confirm whether I'll be there Sat pm, or Sunday am due to family commitments.... but I will be on!

[VK4ADC]

Can I suggest that all FD operators/users update their VKLogger "/portable" profile early this week so that their grid square details (6 character preferred) are correct for this event. Club station nominated operators, you too.

It will make it easier to work you (and also get the radically-correct bearings for pointing directional antennas) if we know where to point !!!

Finally, spend a few minutes this week and net the radios to frequency so that if you say to QSY to 1296.175 then that is where to find you, not (for example) 1296.1722 - even more important on the bands above 23cms. That means checking transverter LO frequencies and the IF transceivers too. It is amazing how much spread there is around a nominal frequency ( eg xxxx.150 ) when surveyed across a dozen or more stations, all purporting to be on the same frequency !!

This FD is less than a week away, now is the time to do the final preparation work.

[VK4CZ]

Current forecast for SE VK4 is conflicting. Both 'chance of showers' and 'medium chances of rain' (ie: 50 - 75%) are provided for both Sat & Sun!

[VK4EA]

Redcliffe Club (VK4IZ) will try again from House Mountain, Sat afternoon. Limited interest from Club members means our capability may be limited. And very weather dependant.

Planning on at least 6m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm, 13cm with maybe, 6cm and 3cm if there are other stations about.

[VK3HY]

VK3HY/P will operate from from Mt Terrible (near Kevington) 37.395556S 146.140278E QF32bo on Saturday and if all goes well will stay overnight and operate for the full 24 hours.

See 'op info' for equpment details.

Gavin, VK3HY

[VK4CZ]

Transfered from iChat before it's lost...

22:18:10 VK5OQ For the FD weekend I will be at QF08ga, 80km west Broken Hill with 3 el on 6m and 7 el on 2m looking Sat arvo & Sun morn
22:19:03 VK5OQ Won't have internet but will have phone

[VK4XA]

The gang at TREC (Tablelands Radio & Electronics Club) will NOT be operating in this or any other VHF / UHF field day, we are sick and tired of throwing masses of RF at the RF black hole called Townsville and further south for no reward year after year.

Good luck to you all, we'll stick to HF thanks, at least we can hear and work other people.

[vk1da]

VK1DA/portable will operate from Mt Ginini at about 1800m asl on bands from 50 to 2403 MHz.
24 hour operation planned.
Good luck and good weather to all.


Andrew Davis VK1DA & VK2UH
Sent using Tapatalk

[VK4ZQ]

Hello All,

I will be operating from Mt Gravatt (QG62mk) on Saturday 24 Nov 2012 from 0100hrs until 0600hrs UTC in the Spring Field Day.

The bands I intend to use will be: 6m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm, 13cm, 9cm, 6cm and 3cm on SSB.

I will also be looking for FM signals on 146.550 and 439.00 MHz using separate transceivers to the units committed to the SSB Station.

For the record, I have spent a considerable time trying to find another suitable location, however with the way the bush is growing in and around Brisbane, it is impossible to find a clear site at this time so Mt Gravatt it is!

I look forward to working you on the field day.

Regards Roy VK4ZQ

[VK2BOZ]

Hi ALL
VK2BOZ/P crew will be out braving what ever is throw at us. Will be tring 2.4g for the first time so it will be interesting to see how that goes.

I will be looking for you Matt 2DAG, I was out that way a while back looking for somewhere to play. Little rocky hill on the left just be for you go into the NP. But like you say private property, im sure if you asked the owner he would let you camp and play radio.

Will also be looking for the vk5 guy near Bourke 1097Km.

Dan 2GG will be looking for you too.

Cheers and good luck to all

Cris
VK2BOZ/P
QF68ck
0418 649007 will be on
VK Logger also

[VK2XSO]

Keep an eye on the VK2RMO-3 digipeater Boz. It's a good indicator of conditions from Bourke. I've seen it hit VK2RTM a few times recently.

[VK3ALB]

VK3ALB/P will be back at Mt Leura Camperdown, Vic QF11NS with everything from 6m to thru to 47GHz.