<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" ><generator uri="https://jekyllrb.com/" version="4.2.2">Jekyll</generator><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" /><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/" rel="alternate" type="text/html" /><updated>2026-03-14T19:04:09+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/feed.xml</id><title type="html">VK2VRO</title><subtitle>This is the blog of radio amateur VK2VRO</subtitle><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of Mt Carousel</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2025/04/sota-mt-carousel" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of Mt Carousel" /><published>2025-04-13T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2025-04-13T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2025/04/sota-mt-carousel</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK4/CW-234" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Near the start of the summit walk, where it starts to get significantly harder than this scene might suggest. Short activation report on a single summit, Mt Carousel (Hayman Island) in the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2023-06-mt-cobaw/IMG_7404.jpg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2023-06-mt-cobaw/IMG_7404.jpg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry><entry><title type="html">Packet Radio from the Bottom Up: An Introduction and Explanation</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2023/07/packet-radio-intro" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="Packet Radio from the Bottom Up: An Introduction and Explanation" /><published>2023-07-16T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2023-07-16T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2023/07/packet-radio-intro</id><author><name></name></author><category term="Packet Radio" /><category term="packet" /><category term="protocols" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[What is Packet? Packet radio has been a way for digital information to be communicated across large distances since 1978, when amateurs in Montreal, Canada developed the Terminal Node Controller (TNC). The TNC is a modem for your computer (or terminal, such as a VT220), batching digital information into bite-sized packets to be sent using standardised tones. The specifications that sit behind these packets being able to be deciphered at the other end form the AX.25 protocol. Because packet has existed as a way for amateur radio hobbyists to exchange information for more than 40 year, a number of concepts, tools and nomenclature constitute idiomatic packet operation. As I have tried to learn about this networking and communication standard that once competed with TCP/IP, I have struggled to break into a largely forgotten, poorly documented, and rarely discussed world. This post is intended to be my main location for helpful packet information. If it gets too large I may have to split it up; I hope I might eventually collect enough worthwhile information to justify that.]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of Mt Cobaw</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2023/06/sota-mt-cobaw" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of Mt Cobaw" /><published>2023-06-25T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2023-06-25T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2023/06/sota-mt-cobaw</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK3/VC-015" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Foggy views typical of the day. This is a shot from the final approach to the summit. Short activation report on a single summit, Mt Cobaw, within the Macedon Ranges in Victoria.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2023-06-mt-cobaw/IMG_7404.jpg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2023-06-mt-cobaw/IMG_7404.jpg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of Andrews Hill</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2022/03/sota-andrews-hill" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of Andrews Hill" /><published>2022-03-16T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2022-03-16T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2022/03/sota-andrews-hill</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK3/VN-020" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[I made it. Short activation report today, covering a straightforward summit in the Kinglake region in Victoria. This was my first successful DX, both on SSB and CW.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2022-03-andrews-hill/IMG_0402.jpeg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2022-03-andrews-hill/IMG_0402.jpeg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of The Cascades and Mt Kosciuszko (Kosciuszko National Park)</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2022/03/sota-kosciuszko-national-park" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of The Cascades and Mt Kosciuszko (Kosciuszko National Park)" /><published>2022-03-12T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2022-03-12T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2022/03/sota-kosciuszko-national-park</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK2/SM-014" /><category term="VK2/SM-001" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Activating Mount Kosciuszko I was in Canberra for a wedding over the Labour Day weekend, and wanted to make the most of the opportunity to ‘drop in’ on Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, on the trip home. After a few false-starts planning wise, I settled on activating The Cascades on Saturday, Kosciuszko on Sunday, and then driving home to enjoy a public holiday of rest. The following is my report on those activations. Tip: if you are planning an activation in this region, be sure to check the SOTA summit information page for each summit in the region that you plan to activate, and follow any notification steps, ideally more than a week out from your planned activation date. I was requested to move my Kosciuszko activation to Sunday due to an event on the Saturday, so it can help to be flexible and not rushed while gaining any necessary approvals.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2022-03-kosciuszko-national-park/IMG_2456.jpeg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2022-03-kosciuszko-national-park/IMG_2456.jpeg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of Mt Donna Buang and Mt Toolebewong</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2022/01/sota-donna-buang-toolebewong" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of Mt Donna Buang and Mt Toolebewong" /><published>2022-01-08T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2022-01-08T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2022/01/sota-donna-buang-toolebewong</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK3/VC-002" /><category term="VK3/VC-033" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[The vibe of the whole day. I was disappointed to miss the traditional start to a SOTA year on New Year’s Day due to having to isolate after a possible close contact, so was keen to make amends and open my account for 2022 after 7 days of staying at home. Having had a few weeks away from summits, I chose 2 straightforward summits around Healesville I had activated previously: Mt Donna Buang and Mt Toolebewong.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2022-01-08-donna-buang-toolebewong/IMG_0224.jpg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2022-01-08-donna-buang-toolebewong/IMG_0224.jpg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of Mt Skene, Mt Shillinglaw, Connors Plain and Mt Selma</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2021/12/sota-mt-skene-and-co" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of Mt Skene, Mt Shillinglaw, Connors Plain and Mt Selma" /><published>2021-12-18T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2021-12-18T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2021/12/sota-mt-skene-and-co</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK3/VE-031" /><category term="VK3/VE-068" /><category term="VK3/VT-022" /><category term="VK3/VT-013" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Looking at SOTL.AS for inspiriation for my next SOTA outing, I saw a series of closely-placed, accessible high-value summits along an unsealed 2WD road. I planned to activate them on a weekend over a day in late December. These summits are mostly along the Jamieson-Licola Road, a reasonably driveable 2WD track between Licola and Jamieson that runs for 97km (though I would drive only 69km on this road). The day was planned and totalled about 8.5 hours of driving and a possible 34 SOTA points.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2021-12-mt-skene-and-co/IMG_5537.jpg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2021-12-mt-skene-and-co/IMG_5537.jpg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of Mt Torbrek</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2021/12/sota-mt-torbreck" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of Mt Torbrek" /><published>2021-12-12T11:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2021-12-12T11:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2021/12/sota-mt-torbreck</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK3/VN-001" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Navigation Make sure that you turn off the Eildon-Jamieson Road at point 55H 405358 5868781. I made the mistake of travelling further in a 2WD and taking the next right — this is a mistake not for repeating. Travelling further along Barnewall Plains Road in a 2WD was fine in summer. The surface might appear to steadily deteriorate as you drive along the unsealed road however it should remain passable in a 2WD and improve after some rocky corners. There is ample parking space and some lovely campgrounds at the Barnewall Plains camping grounds. The Hike The hike is one of the more technically challenging hikes within my SOTA experience. There are rocks to be scrambled over. Care and trustworthy footwear are required. I was suspicious of the area harbouring snakes, but I did not see any during my time on the mountain. I did see many geckos on the hike and would take care in approaching the narrow/enclosed path in the future.]]></summary></entry><entry><title type="html">SOTA Activation of Mt Dom Dom and Mt Strickland</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2021/11/mts-dom-dom-and-strickland" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="SOTA Activation of Mt Dom Dom and Mt Strickland" /><published>2021-11-06T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2021-11-06T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2021/11/mts-dom-dom-and-strickland</id><author><name></name></author><category term="SOTA Activation" /><category term="VK3/VN-017" /><category term="VK3/VN-030" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[The best view from within the activation zone of Mt Dom Dom Mt Dom Dom Navigation A turn off the Maroondah Highway at point 55H 380109 5838673 leads to the bottom of the summit via Road 8 and then Dom Dom Road to point 55H 381155 5838091, walking in from here. There is sufficient room to park a number of cars. The Hike The terrain is difficult, with a steep climb. Additionally loggers have made it impossible to 4WD up the mountain by digging enormous divots throughout the track, making it cumbersome to pass on foot. Soil from these divots is loosely piled. Passage is eminently possible but just makes it that much more difficult, and makes the mountain uglier for it.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2021-11-06-mt-dom-dom/IMG_5376.jpg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2021-11-06-mt-dom-dom/IMG_5376.jpg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry><entry><title type="html">Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) iGate and a Homebrew 2m (144MHz) Dipole</title><link href="https://vk2vro.radio/2021/02/aprs-igate-2m-homebrew-dipole" rel="alternate" type="text/html" title="Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) iGate and a Homebrew 2m (144MHz) Dipole" /><published>2021-02-20T00:00:00+00:00</published><updated>2021-02-20T00:00:00+00:00</updated><id>https://vk2vro.radio/2021/02/aprs-igate-2m-homebrew-dipole</id><author><name></name></author><category term="Antennas" /><category term="APRS" /><category term="Homebrew" /><category term="FT-2980R" /><category term="VK3LIT" /><summary type="html"><![CDATA[Introduction Introduction Living in the nothern suburbs of Melbourne I became aware that a great swathe of the city had no good coverage for APRS. At the same time, Bradley VK3LIT let me know about a 2m dipole antenna design he was happy to share with me. This is a description of putting together an APRS iGate (receive and transmit) from scratch.]]></summary><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2021-02-20-dipole-for-aprs/IMG_4259.jpg" /><media:content medium="image" url="https://vk2vro.radio/assets/images/2021-02-20-dipole-for-aprs/IMG_4259.jpg" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" /></entry></feed>