This is VK3OE's remote site, thus VK3OER. It is an internet connected (3G and microwave to DSL)remote site using solar power. The remote rig units are used to provide connection (see remoterig.com).

The site is at 570m and has a clear take off in all directions well below 0 degrees except in the direction of Mt Alexander where the horizon is at +1 degrees. Frequencies are 14Mhz, 21MHz, 28MHz, 50MHz and 144MHz.

A high exposed site is nice except that the equipment is VERY exposed to lightning strikes so that the electrical design must take this into account.

The other issue is that the height exposes the receiver to a great deal of interference which can be generated from great distances. As the radio horizon is nearly 100km away, this is a considerable area from which interference can be received.

I have now also changed the 6m antenna over to a 6 element LFA-MAX from InnovAntennas. The noise performance of this antenna is outstanding and the noise pattern measured is very different and considerably lower than my previous antenna. This was a most interesting result and makes me wonder what the real pattern of my previous antenna was.

I have successfully used this site in a bistatic chirp and CW radar mode, transmitting from VK3OE and receiving at VK3OER. Some of the results from this work are published in Amateur Radio for Dec 2012 and DUBUS 4/2012. I mostly run the radar on 10m and 6m. The latest exploit was to get a 10m signal to go around the earth three times. See http://vklogger.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=9002

QSL cards must be sent via VK3OE. Do not send cards to this address as there is no one there! Several thousand sheep keep the grass under control. Eagles and hawks regularly patrol the site.

Looking towards Europe.

Looking towards Japan/China.

Looking towards N America.

Looking towards S America.

Mt Alexander is in the right of the picture, Melbourne is directly behind Mt Alexander.

Looking towards S Africa.