Marilyn Monroe

What the heck has Marilyn Monroe got to do with Radio and Communications?
A very good question to ask.
Read on….

With Nan being a NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) member, I could not ignore the invitation to nip up to Bendigo to view the Marilyn Monroe Exhibition held at the Bendigo Art Gallery. We have been to most of the similar events held here and they have been a good day out with the exhibition followed by lunch.

We had an early start from home, the weather was inclement but arrived with some time to spare in Bendigo prior to the 10:00 am opening. Being able to pre-purchase tickets for a nominated time certainly helps avoid the queues. At an earlier event, we had spent some hours queued up in the hot sun waiting to get in. Lessons have been learnt!

Anyway, we enjoyed the exhibition. Turns out Marilyn was no dummy when it comes to business and marketing. She was also a tiny woman going by her dress size. Lots of sound and movie clips on offer including “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend”

We had a stroll through the shops and noted that it seemed quieter than previous times and a number of shops were closed or gone completely.Lunch was had at a cafe across the road. Nan & I have been together for too long as, again, we both independently ordered the same meal! Over lunch, the rain bucketed down. Not looking promising for the afternoon’s activities?

VK3/VN-016, Mt Alexander – 741m, 4 Points

Located to the east of the Calder Fwy on the way home, it was but a slight deviation – made longer by some road works on McIvor road requiring a detour via Harcourt. The approach was straightforward along Joseph Young Drive to a T intersection where you turn right to reach the summit just a short distance away. There is a well constructed stone cairn at the summit but I elected to activate from near the T intersection as it would be a bit more out of the way and possibly RF quieter?
The activation zone looks quite vast and the south Trig point would also be inside the zone.
Also, noticed lots of moss & lichen on the road on the way up. Looks like it is cold in winter and also slippery! No problems this time in the mighty VW Caddy.
Commencing the ascent, we could not see the summit for the clouds. The rain had stopped but I was prepared to use the new Bothy Bag.

Mt. Alexander Summit Cairn

Was not too bad once at the top and things only improved!
Mountains are this cats best friends!

Phone coverage Excellent
RF noise – none to speak of.
Drive up summit and lots of places to activate from.

 

Date:30/Apr/2016 Summit:VK3/VN-016 (Mt Alexander) Call Used:VK3CAT/P Points: 4

Time	Call	Band	Mode	Notes
04:11z	ZL1BYZ	14MHz	CW	John 599, 599 great sig
04:13z	RM7KW	14MHz	CW	Victor 559, 579 Russia
04:14z	VK7CW	14MHz	CW	Steve 349, 449
04:19z	ZL3CC	14MHz	CW	Andrew 559, 589
04:24z	US7QQ	14MHz	CW	Alex 339, 339 Ukraine
04:27z	RA6LO	14MHz	CW	Pavel 549, 569 Russia
04:32z	VK2IO	10MHz	CW	Gerard 579, 559
04:35z	VK3ARH	10MHz	CW	Allen 539, 579
04:38z	VK2UH	10MHz	CW	Andrew 329, 329 Tnx
04:41z	VK5CZ	10MHz	CW	Ian 579, 559 solid
04:43z	VK5LJ	10MHz	CW	Laurie 599, 599
04:45z	VK3PF	7MHz	CW	Peter 579, 579
04:47z	VK3BYD	7MHz	CW	Warren 579, 599
04:51z	VK1MA	7MHz	SSB	Matt 5×9, 58
04:52z	VK5WG	7MHz	SSB	Nev 5×9, 57
04:53z	VK3FPSR/M	7MHz	SSB	Peter 5×5, 52
04:53z	VK3FQSO	7MHz	SSB	Amanda 5×5, 52
04:54z	VK3FIRM	7MHz	SSB	Mike 5×9, 58
04:55z	VK2EXA	7MHz	SSB	Greg 5×8, 56
04:56z	VK5FBAA/M	7MHz	SSB	5×7, 55
04:56z	VK3SQ	7MHz	SSB	Geoff 5×9, 59

A slightly different method of operation this time. First checked out the band propagation then tried 20 metres first. Scored well with my first east European chasers plus ZL & VK7.
Followed this up with some further afield (plus local) VK contacts before hitting the usual 40 meter hustings.

Quite happy with the results in about an hours worth of activation time.Packed up and proceeded back to the Calder Fwy near Elphinstone.
Only hiccup was the traffic through King St in Melbourne CBD. This seems to be a worsening problem with even the off ramps from the Westgate Fwy (if taking the Bolte Bridge or Western Ring Rd / Geelong Fwy) presenting major traffic congestion at most times.