The Summits on the Air (SOTA) programme has been operating in the vk1 call area, aka the Australian Capital Territory, since 1st February 2013.

In that time we have seen an increased interest in operating from hilltops, with some operators using simple equipment like VHF HTs to make local contacts. Others are setting up HF dipoles and verticals to operate on the 7, 14 and 24 MHz bands. HF antennas are typically supported by fibreglass poles which collapse to about 1m length.

To mark the semi-anniversary of SOTA in vk1, a multiple operator event is planned for Sunday 11th August from 9:15 local time onwards. Details are on Andrew Moseley’s blog at vk1nam.wordpress.com.