The VK6 SoTA programme has started and thanks goes out to everyone who made it possible.

Anxious to get started, I thought a trip up to Mt Dale on my day off would be a great beginning. I have been here a few times before, once camping and a few other times chasing thunderstorms. At one time I would have said that I knew the way through the hills like the back of my hand … but it’s been a while.

A FT-817 was lent to me again by on old friend, until I can get my hands on a X1M, and headed up the hill same way I always remembered. The only real problem, apart from HF conditions, was the road I had always used had been blocked by Water Corporation. For future reference, this is Pickering Brook Road out towards the old Barton’s Mill prison farm.

The best…