What is the Mountain Radio Challenge?
The Mountain Radio Challenge started in 1987. The idea was to see what distances could be achieved on 27MHz Citizens Band radio using direct-wave or line-of-sight propagation only. It is relatively easy to talk interstate or overseas when the skip is running, but to make long distance contacts without using skywave or skip propagation is a challenge.
The MRC originated with CB operators in the North Eastern suburbs of Melbourne who would find different mountains to camp on for the weekend and try and establish contact mountain to mountain.
After doing this a while, and with some knowledge of several mountains, and some confidence in what we could achieve, these events expanded across the country and evolved into a relay format event - where a chain of stations pass a message from the first to the last station and back again being careful to maintain the integrity of the message like a game of Chinese whispers. Over the last 34 years the MRC has operated in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and New South Wales and provided an opportunity for CB radio, camping and 4WD enthusiasts across those states to combine their interests and come together as an on-air community.
We have observed that the best conditions for line-of-sight contacts on 27 MHz are found after dark when the skip has finished and band noise is at a minimum. Under these conditions distances over 200km are commonly achieved with normal type-approved 27MHz CB radios and base or mobile vertical antennas. During daylight, conditions and station distances are sometimes too challenging for direct communication so skip is needed to complete the message relay. Stations monitoring the MRC from more distant parts of Australia have been very helpful over the years to act as skip relays.
If you have an interest in CB Radio, camping or 4WDing then consider the MRC.
Tony355 [email protected]
Founder and Event Director
The Mountain Radio Challenge started in 1987. The idea was to see what distances could be achieved on 27MHz Citizens Band radio using direct-wave or line-of-sight propagation only. It is relatively easy to talk interstate or overseas when the skip is running, but to make long distance contacts without using skywave or skip propagation is a challenge.
The MRC originated with CB operators in the North Eastern suburbs of Melbourne who would find different mountains to camp on for the weekend and try and establish contact mountain to mountain.
After doing this a while, and with some knowledge of several mountains, and some confidence in what we could achieve, these events expanded across the country and evolved into a relay format event - where a chain of stations pass a message from the first to the last station and back again being careful to maintain the integrity of the message like a game of Chinese whispers. Over the last 34 years the MRC has operated in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and New South Wales and provided an opportunity for CB radio, camping and 4WD enthusiasts across those states to combine their interests and come together as an on-air community.
We have observed that the best conditions for line-of-sight contacts on 27 MHz are found after dark when the skip has finished and band noise is at a minimum. Under these conditions distances over 200km are commonly achieved with normal type-approved 27MHz CB radios and base or mobile vertical antennas. During daylight, conditions and station distances are sometimes too challenging for direct communication so skip is needed to complete the message relay. Stations monitoring the MRC from more distant parts of Australia have been very helpful over the years to act as skip relays.
If you have an interest in CB Radio, camping or 4WDing then consider the MRC.
Tony355 [email protected]
Founder and Event Director
