BREAKING NEWS: New tower at VK2GGC for our 10m LFA is in the ground !

During May 2013 operators Steve (VK2SJK), Aaron (VK2ON), Matt (VK2ZMT), Cleeve (VK2MOR), Peter (VK2PV), John (VK2FJ) and Jaye (VK2SD) will be installing a self standing 45' tower to house the 6 (7) element 10m LFA (as seen above right). We look forward to working every corner of the globe with the new setup.

In the meantime, click here to see a recent 20m longpath pileup from Europe from VK2GGC (http://youtu.be/3GsfbgKYz7Y) and check out some of the links below for other action from the station in the bush !

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to VK2GGC (VK2 Girl Guides Callemondah) Callemondah Campsite, Brookfield New South Wales, Australia.

Grid Square - QF57vl, (32° 31' 28'' S, 151° 45' 26'' E)

About 25 years ago, several hams decided to assist the Coastal Valley Girl Guides with a Jamboree of the Air (JOTA). They installed a 75ft hills tower with a Wilson tribander atop. The station was used over several years but only for JOTA, and only under the callsigns of the operators present. However, as the years went by JOTA, and the station in general fell into disrepair, and subsequently went silent.

In August 2009 Aaron, VK2ON, contacted the local Girl Guide organisation to see if the station was active in any way. He found out that it had been lying dormant and as such contacted Jaye, VK2SD, and together operated that year's JOTA. With a bunch of girls from the local groups they worked stations from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Scandinavia. This was clearly a fabulous RF location!!!

Soon after JOTA 2009, Aaron arranged to get a dedicated callsign for the group and VK2GGC was assigned. Since then a full refurbishment of the station has taken place including a new tower, antennas and rotator, much to great efforts of Jaye and Aaron themselves.

Following that work several more hams have joined Aaron and Jaye to make the site a truely versatile station. As such, the site has now grown into both a wonderful facility not only for JOTA, but also for contesting and general ham radio work.

By the end of 2012 the site will consist of two towers operating a TH6, a 40 mtrs full size rotatable dipole, a 6 element 10m loop feed array (LFA) yagi, an 80/160m dipole and a Diamond X-510 2m/70m vertical. Future expansion may also include a custom made full size 2 ele yagi on 40m and a 6 ele LFA on 6m.

The main aim of the station is to enable the youth of today to enjoy the wonders of ham radio, but every now and then, when time allows, you may hear a few of the old boys getting on and working a contest here and there. So if you do, please turn your antennas our way and call in to say hello.

In the mean time, please enjoy some of the recent footage taken during a few of those moments.

73's and all the best.

The VK2GGC team.

2012 ARRL 10m Contest - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t_kCE90noc&feature=youtu.be

2012 CQWW- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MOaCPzrQRw

Australian 2012 RD Contest- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8DD41x-r6U&feature=related

Pre 2012 CQWW testing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=NzPZLhI1soU&feature=endscreen

TH6, 40m rotating dipole and 10m G0KSC Loop Feed Array

Matt (VK2ZMT) with the G0KSC designed 6 element 10m LFA prior to installation tests

CQWW Weekend 2012