VK3FS

Australian Amateur Radio Station based in Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula. More recently, well in December 2012 I became VK3FS.

First licensed in 1981, I began my radio life as VK3XFQ – what was then known as a limited call. It took less than a year to get my combined Novice and Limited call and I became VK3KIR for the next 30 odd years. I held both calls for a couple of years until moving to the Mornington Peninsula in 2016. In my uni days, foxhunting was my passion. Homemade yagis with lashings of velcro holding jerry-ri

gged hot carrier diode wideband 2m receivers to inflexible booms was the order of the day. It was the 80s, so the nanny state wasn’t what it is today. Legends of the sport and good friends to this day include Geoff VK3VR, Greg VK3VT, Paul VK3PW, Richard, VK3XRG and Ron VK3EHF to name just a few. I was working in the TV industry so amateur television was another aspect of the hobby I spent a lot of time perfecting. I spent many long nights working from Mt Waverley to Geelong on 426MHz simplex as well as through the Melbourne ATV repeater VK3RTV. This was a time of boxy but good 4×3 analogue TV.

05/06/2026

It stopped raining long enough yesterday for Marty VK3MRT and I to activate AU-7615 Coolart Historic Area & Wetlands Park and AU-11079 Coolart Historic Reserve which are located near Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsula. These parks are within walking distance of each other. The kit consisted of a FT-891 and a Mad Dog coil on 40m.

15/05/2026

Another magnificent day on the Mornington Peninsula. 2 parks… Saint Andrew’s Beach AU-10305 part of the MP national park (VKFF-0333) and Fingle Reserve AU-4555 VKFF-4988. 46 in the log for Fingal. Even worked F5PYI on 40m. Tried and failed at Gunnamatta Beach. The noise on 40 was horrendous.

Winter starts on Sunday, so 1 day to go.

13/05/2026

A first time activation from Rye Back (Ocean) Beach AU-10276 in the fog. 14 in the log here before heading to the front beach at Cameron’s Bight AU-8956 as the fog had started to lift.

02/05/2026

A late after activation with Marty VK3MRT at au-3958 Balcombe Creek Bushland Reserve, our local. 30 in the log. Thanks to all hunters. It gets dark quickly these days.

23/04/2026

Yesterday's Microwave outing. Rob VK3KRD made his way to Ararat and Gavin VK3HY and I went to Franklin's lookout on Arthurs Seat. We took 5 and 10 GHz and had success on 5 GHz with 5x2 to 5x5 signals over 217km through the smoke of a few controlled burns. Gotta love this autumn weather in VK3 - 26° and not a breath of wind.

31/03/2026

Today's outdoor activity was at the other end of the spectrum. We had a great turn out for a impromptu midweek MAD. I took 3.4 and 5.7GHz to the Mt Martha Hill and worked VK3HY VK3MQ VK3JMA VK3KRD VK3IE and VK3US across both bands. Big signals from some. Surprising paths from others, especially Mark VK3JMA.

29/03/2026

Just left Bald Hill on the Mornington Peninsula AU-3960 after an afternoon of POTA.

10/03/2026

38 contacts in 48 minutes on 40m before it got dark and the mozzies carried us away. Marty VK3MRT and I activated AU-4448 Devil Bend Natural Features Reserve last night around 7.30 PM. Thanks to all the hunters from as far away as ZL, VK6 and VK4.

14/02/2026

During the week Marty VK3MRT and I activated AU-5422 Oliver's Creek Bushland Reserve. Sunny late afternoon activations is what makes POTA fun. 21 contact is about as many minutes. Once again, the Mad Dog Coils "Little Dog" paired with the FTX1 is a formidable combination on 40m.

28/01/2026

Up at Mt Martha Park AU-0315 with Marty VK3MRT working 40 on a cooler evening.

Address

Red Hill South, VIC

Website

https://3fs.au/, https://amateurradio.au/

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