WELCOME TO SARC
Serving the Northern Rivers of NSW
John Moyle Memorial Field Day 2024
SARC members Pat VK2FAAD, Graham VK2BWC & Graeme VK2QJ met up at Coutts Crossing on Friday morning for a coffee & snack, before making the trip to Vista Point, arriving just in time for lunch, followed by treats supplied by Graham. The weather threatened but held out until mid afternoon, allowing just enough time for the 2m – 6cm antenna set up before the rain set in and nightfall arrived. Receive tests of the Brisbane beacon (300km) were successful 70cm, 23cm & 13cm, with rain affecting the higher bands.
Graham headed home late afternoon, after an enjoyable time assisting with setup. Thanks for your help Graham.
Unfortunately due to work commitments, David VK2JUB could not make it this time, leaving just Pat & myself to cover the event. After cooking our night meal, we settled in for a few light refreshments and a chat while listening to the rain coming down. The rain persisted Friday night with some heavy falls & strong winds, overnight temperature dropped just below 10 Deg C making for a cool night. We woke to find ourselves fogged in with less than 100m visibility which didn’t clear until after 10:00.
Saturday morning saw Pat set up the 2 m & main 70cm station along with my 3cm gear, also the swap out of the 9cm equipment. Receive tests were then conducted on the main 70cm, 9cm & 3cm station with reception of Brisbane beacons proved successful. Reception of the 3cm (10Ghz) beacon was again quite outstanding given the constant rain, and the fact that it is transmitting 1w into an omni antenna at a distance of 300km.
The event started well with several stations including a few portable VK4s worked, things soon quietened off after the first half hour or so, until the start of the next 3 hour block. Overall the number of stations were well down on last year with over 100 less contacts made during this event. The rain came back on Saturday afternoon along with the fog, luckily the wind held off, the temperature dropped down to around 10 Deg C again overnight.
Kevin VK4UH made the trip out portable to Western Lookout with 9cm & 6cm, unfortunately we were unable to make contacts for unknown reasons, maybe it was just the conditions. This location had been very successful on all bands up to 3cm in the past, 2m contacts were made to the Sunshine Coast some 324km away, there was also a 6m opening to JA with several stations heard. The higher band also performed well with contacts of over 314km on 23cm and 13cm, and over 305km on 9cm. No contacts were made on the 6cm or 3cm bands. The overall number of VK4 stations were well down due to forecast rain north of the border. A few stations ventured out portable Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, seeing contacts made with most active stations.
We packed down Sunday after the event completion, & between the rain showers, heading off the hill just after 15:30pm, stopping at Mountain View for a quick break before I made it home around 18:00, with Pat arriving home not long before 19:00.
As always it was a great weekend on a hilltop doing what we enjoy, we are looking forward to the Winter Field Day in June.
Thanks to all that supported & made contact with us during the event.
Regards Graeme VK2QJ
Flu precautions : update 1 August
Please stay away if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms.
We are still asking people to sign in as they arrive, using the book on the table at the door. Use of hand sanitiser and social distancing are still sensible things to do.
Get the SARC Newsletter – each Monday by email
To receive the SARC weekly Newsletter you DO NOT have to be a member, it’s available to all.
Simply send your email address to with <please subscribe me> in the subject line.
WHAT’S ON IN 2024
DOWNLOAD CALENDARMembership and Information
For more information about SARC activities and our membership form
Click Here:- SARC Membership & Information Brochure 2024
Or you can download any newsletter from the current and previous year – here:
SEE NEWSLETTERS