Yesterday (Saturday 11th May, 2013) I had to go up to Mannum to pick up a camping fridge for my brother in law, so I decided to drive a few extra kms and activate some parks for the VK5 Nat & Cons Parks Award.

First up was the Swan Reach Conservation Park, which is situated about 168 kms north east of Adelaide, and 11 kms west of the town of Swan Reach on the Murray River.  The park consists of of thick mallee scrub, off the Swan reach-Sedan Road.  Plenty of bird life here (of the feathered variety), kangaroos and a large wombat population.  Saw quite a few kangaroos but no wombats.  There are no facilities in this park and there are no major signs on the main road to indicate where it is.

Set up the little Yaesu FT-817nd and my dipole.  Conditions were very good on 40m.  I managed 17 QSO’s, with quite a few highlights.  This included 3 SOTA contacts with Marshall VK3MRG, Allen VK3HRA, & Wayne VK3WAM.  And contacts with Dave VK5DGR, Mandy VK3FMOO, and Mark VK5QI, who were all portable down at Deep Creek Conservation Park.  And also Col VK5HCF and Brian VK5FMID who were portable down at Telford Scrub Conservation Park.  I was Mandy VK5FMOO’s first every HF contact so that was a real pleasure.

Stations worked were:- Marshall VK3MRG/p (SOTA); Dave VK5DGR/p (in Deep Ck CP); Col VK5HCF/p in CP); Rob VK8RC/m2; Mandy VK5FMOO/p (in Deep Ck CP); Allen VK3HRA/p (SOTA VK3/VC-018); Roy VK5NRG; Fred VK3JM; Peter VK3PF; Andy VK5AKH; Mark VK5QI/p (Deep Ck CP); Mal VK3AZZ; Ed VK2JI; Wayne VK3WAM/p (SOTA VK3/VE-137); John VK2YW; Ron VK3AFW; & Ray VK3NBL.