VK7FTand VK7HK MM Amateur Radio AU 1978388
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MARINE M a o n E s S
Greg Noble VK7FT
You've heard of some crazy ideas.
Well, here is one to add to the lisL
7.30 a.m. Sunday 12th February: Harvey drifting about 50 ft. away — an extension the rig just in time to give a report to
(VK7HK) arrives at Greg's (VK7FT) QTH lead supported by three plastic bottles the VK7W1 Sunday morning broadcast
where Greg had just concluded fuelling his filled with coolite. Harvey sets up his which was partly heard on the 2 MTR rig
15 ft. half cabin cruiser. They load up their FT101E on a temporary operating table in installed in the boat. The next four hours
gear into the boat which includes various the cabin, throws an earthing rod over the is spent working as many stations as pos-
strange items — strange to go fishing with side and connects to an antenna coupling sible for the John Moyle Memorial Field
at any rate. They depart shortly after and unit. Day Contest. After 34 contacts, 302 points,
head north-east to a place called Dodges Next comes the fun part of the exercise two flatheads, one whiting, several cups
Ferry. On arrival — back the boat down — pull the gas cylinder from under the of coffee and one generator refuel and
the launching ramp to be greeted by some bunk and commence to inflate the weather lots of fun, Greg and Harvey with dinghy
water conditions which are far from being balloon which will support the 66 ft. verti- in tow, head for home, working Mike
pleasant for boating (or whatever they are cal wire antenna — "MAYBE!!" (VK7FB), crossband 20 metres SSB to 2
up to). metres FM, on the way.
Whoops — the acquisition of the balloon
They launch the boat with much difficulty must have been too cheap — it has two NOTE: The generator in the dinghy 50
with very strong winds pushing the waves holes in it and subsequently bursts. ft. away was to reduce any audible or RF
straight in onto the launching ramp. Guess the next step is to employ the interference. Harvey and Greg will prob-
The boat reverses into the "slop" and 18 ft. (4 aluminium section) vertical — it ably be about next year — I wonder what
takes in quite a bit of water over the was taken along as a standby — tie it they will dream up for then. Thanks to all
stern. They head for their next destination into place with some fishing line, tune up who worked them. •
which is only just around the next point
but this takes some time as the 4-5 ft.
waves make for slow going. They look at
each other ("We must be mad").
They arrive at their destination just off-
shore from a boatshed at which Greg's
father-in-law stands with a 12 ft. aluminium
dinghy. The aim at this stage is to get
the dinghy out to the boat. They dare not
go any closer than 25-30 yards to the
shore because of the pounding weather
conditions. Greg's father-in-law makes a
cast with his fishing rod and on his second
attempt Greg's boat becomes "hooked".
They attach a rope to the line and it is
reeled in to shore where it is tied onto
the dinghy. They now head off with dinghy
in tow to their next destination — the
most sheltered spot available — about Vz
mile away in the lee of a small island
called Spectacle Isle. They anchor close
into the island to get some protection from
the weather which by no means has im-
proved.
Now, down to the business at hand.
They pull the dinghy up alongside and
with heart in mouth transfer the rented
600W petrol generator into the dinghy,
connect the extension lead to it and let it
drift away again. They now have a dinghy Greg dismantling the aluminium antenna as Harvey looks on
Page 24 Amateur Radio September 1978