TransTasman 160m Contest 2017 & MWRS Camping Weekend (14-16 July 2017)

Another amazing weekend thanks to Mal (Hangi), Jeff (site) and Greg (contest), and all the attendees.

65 contacts made in the contest.  Contacts were made to most states except VK8 on either 80m or 160m. Our partners across the Tasman were also very busy.  ZL1, ZL2, ZL3 and ZL4 contacts were also made on 160m and 80m.

A 160m dipole and a 20/40/80 OCF were deployed using responsible tools.  An informal roster saw people shuttling between the warm fire and the contest table.  Greg’s IC-7300 had a good workout running on one of the blue batteries.

This year, the area was RF noise free … thanks to the on/off switch on the reversing camera on someone’s camper!

In addition a couple of DX contacts outside the contest in the Caribbean and Japan.  Greg – VK2XE also had an extended chat on 160m with a guy in Batemans Bay talking about low band stuff and working 630m on SSB.

The portable operating location under cover of an awning.

Lots of drone activity from Horst and Mark.  Pictures captured by the drones available on our yahoo exchange site.

Yves – VK2AUJ warming up the radio and getting ready for the contest

The hangi was a success again this year with enough food for all … for few days!  A bonfire kept us warm for the evening.  Rod was responsible for the bedtime stories this year.

Rod – VK2ZZM, Declan and Kara warming up around the fire.

Was it cold? not really, only around 2C in the morning.  The fog spared us this year, allowing the sun dry some of the camping equipment before packing.  We also woken up to a light show on Horst’s caravan, the lights would flash like a disco floor when he was transmitting on the OF net (parasitic diodes?).

Fog sneaking down the valley just before dark.  It didn’t stay long.

The location is easily accessible from Sydney for a day trip, 5 members and family took this opportunity.

Will we do this again next year?  Yves gave up amazing opportunities to attend and will do it again next year!

Those who were present at one point in time during the 3 days … in no particular order:

  • Mal VK2TMF & Samuel
  • Greg VK2XE & Declan, Kara
  • Rod VK2ZZM
  • Michael VK2UCT the president & the first lady Diana
  • Connie VK2CON
  • Yves VK2AUJ
  • Mark VK2MP & Katrina VK2FKAP, Zac & Josh
  • David VK2BPU
  • Horst VK2HL & Gillian
  • Dom VK2JNA
  • Jeff VK2MZZ
  • Nick VK2FS

For more pictures:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/greg_vk2xe/albums/72157686276146676