OZFF-ing meeting Jakob and Finn

So last Sunday I went out /P while on holiday in OZ. I started out in OZFF-0100 where I found that the best option I had was to climb a hill covered in trees. So I threw a fishing line into a tree and pulled my wire antennas up that way.

Set-up at OZFF-0100 - wire up in a tree

I started on an instable 20m with a lot of short skip. QSB was strong but a steady stream of chasers kept me on this band for more than an hour. I then set up a sloping wire for 40m. The set-up was not ideal and the band in a poor shape. 
In total I logged 107 different OMs from 22 DXCCs with most activity from I, DL, G, PA and SP.

I quickly dismantled my station and left for OZFF-0098 to meet up with Jakob OZ7AEI and Finn OZ3FI of the OZFF team. I know Jakob already from the start of the WWFF program but so far we had only had contact via e-mail and SSB. 

I arrived at the designated location to find Jakob and Finn already there. We had a quick chat but decided we could not let the chasers wait for too long. 

We spread out a bit to make the station to station QRM bearable. Finn went for 17m and 30m CW and Jakob and I used 20m and 40m. Finn had issues with his battery, which meant he had to stop operations early. We took a break and had some time for coffee and chat.

OZ/PH0NO, OZ3FI and OZ7AEI

Finn then left us and Jakob and I continued on 20m and 40m. 

In about 1,5 hours radio time (we spent about the same time chatting) I logged 105 different chasers from 28 DXCC evenly spread over 20m and 40m. Jakob also logged 100+ QSOs on the same bands.

On 40m I used a delta loop and on 20m an end fed vertical on an 18m pole. Most chasers I logged were OMs from DL, I, SP and PA.

It was great fun meeting fellow WWFF enthusiasts in person and of course all the usual suspects over the radio. 

Portable in OZ and meeting the OZFF team

Usually I spend my summer holidays in the south of Europe. This year however we opted for a trip north to OZ for a stay of three weeks on two campites. 

So far - a couple of days on our first campsite - we have been blessed with Mediterranean weather and a view over the sea (Kattegat).

View over the Kattegat (IR photo)

As always I managed to squeeze some radio gear, wires and an antenna pole between all the camping stuff (amazing how many items it takes to transform a family of four into happy campers). 

I have decided not to set up my station on the camping itself for various reasons. For one I am not a fan of digital modes (and living in a tent, phone is not an option) and the OZ campsites are far more organised than I am used to with neatly arranged places so that it would be impossible to keep the station low profile, especially as there are no trees around - only hedges.

Instead I will go out portable for a good number of hours at least once from each campsite. I am aiming to activate two OZFF nature reserves each time - so at least four in total. One will be on the shore of a body of salt water. I am curious if that will help me get my signal out.

Discussing my ideas with the OZFF coordinator and longtime fellow WWFF-er Jakob OZ7AEI, it turned out his holiday plans meant we would be relatively close together on two occasions. So we aimed for a radio-active meet-up.

Getting more specific we have planned a joint operation on Sunday evening July 22 from OZFF-0098. It looks like another member of the OZFF team - Finn OZ3FI - will join as well.
I will start off activating a nearby nature reserve first (OZFF-0100) in the afternoon.

Looking forward to meeting these fellow WWFF enthusiasts and adding OZ to my activity list.