As some of you know, I recently purchased a Diamond brand 5 element Yagi for 2 metres.
This was tested at Devilbend Reservoir going into the club repeater VK3RUV and worked really well with 1 watt.
I would like to try this at Sorrento which is 47km and bearing 48.3 degrees.
Which day depends on the weather and we have a week of rain. Next Tuesday 2nd September might be promising. Wouldn’t want too much wind but perhaps I could raise the antenna half way up so it wouldn’t wobble too much.
It’s possible I could go at short notice, let me know if anyone wants to come, have lunch in a pub.
I’d like to do other places such as the Dandenongs and Portarlington and any promising line of sight locations.
Daryl VK3HBP.
Tuesday at Sorrento drew a blank, I set up the beam on the foreshore tied to a fence post and did not reach the repeater at 48km over water. Tooradin was 30km so limit is between 30-48 km depending on terrain.
At least I had a meal.
Therefore there’s not much point in trying Portarlington.
Friday is the nexd day of reasonable weather, tentatively Mt Dandenong or I could try Glen Iris although inner suburb driving is not appealing.
It is interesting getting a reaction from the public. I’ll carry some Famparc brochures.
Progress report,
The day before the Sorrento run after I fixed this lady’s Netfix problem, it was bright and sunny so I took the beam to Tooradin.
After a bit of re-aiming I was able to reach the club repeater at a distance of 31km and spoke to VK3VCE, VK3CR VK3NCR and a couple on the side.
I learned a few things…
The tolerances are finer at this range. It’s easier to go off-beam.
For the first time I adjusted the RF gain at 2 metres.
It was ok hoisting a 5 element yagi in a public carpark, but I think stacked yagis might be over the top. Likewise the 10 element yagi with the 7 foot boom might be awkward.
You can tell the new members that you can go DX-ing at 2 metres.
I hope the weather is stable for a planned trip to Sorrento on Tuesday, it might be windy.
I plan to go elsewhere on Friday which looks promising, haven’t decided where, could be Mt Dandenong or Portarlington via ferry. Love to have people with me but I often go early and or short notice if the weather looks good.
Day is looking a bit windy. probably aim at arriving ten-ish. suggest the simplex frequency 146.500MHz.
Good write up Daryl..
I'm keen... so keep me in the loop mate..
Cheers.
Craig