My first activation for the Wagga Wagga trip was the Wyperfeld National Park, in Victoria, which qualifies for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA) and the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  I have activated Wyperfeld previously, back in November 2013 as part of the 2013 KRMNPA Activation Weekend.  But I had fallen short of the required 44 QSOs for the WWFF program.  In fact I had 43 contacts in the log.  Not sure what happened there?  So my activation at Wyperfeld was going to be a quick one as I only needed 1 contact to qualify the park.

Above:- Map showing the location of Wyperfeld National Park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

It was a bright and early start to the day (Thursday 22nd October 2015).  In fact it was a 5.15 a.m. rise out of bed.  No sleep in for me on my days off.  But, I am normally up around this time anyway to head off to work, so it wasn’t so bad.  All up, I had a 500 km drive to my intended first overnight stop, which was Balranald in New South Wales.  And it was 300km to Underbool in Victoria, from where I intended to access Wyperfeld.

Above:- Map showing my drive from Mount Barker in South Australia, to Balranald in New South Wales.  Map courtesy of google maps.

After leaving home I headed east on the South Eastern Freeway and travelled over the mighty Murray River at Murray Bridge and then on to the town of Tailem Bend.  It was just out of Tailem Bend that I turned left onto the Mallee Highway, which is the main highway between Adelaide and Sydney.

My drive from there would take me east on the Mallee Highway through the little South Australian towns of Moorlands, Sherlock, Peake, Jabuk, Geranium, Parrakie, Lameroo, Parilla, and finally Pinnaroo before reaching the South Australian/Victorian border.

Above:-.  Courtesy of malleehighway.com.au

I briefly stopped at the little town of Peake to have a look at ‘Pollys Well’ which was sunk by John Whyte, and was an important watering point for Moorlands Station.  During the 1900’s, early farming settlers depended upon ‘Pollys Well’, as it would take a total of 8 days to travel by bullock wagon, between Tailem Bend and Pinnaroo.

I continued on to the Victorian border where I stopped for a stretch of my legs and a brief photo opportunity.

I next stopped at the Victorian town of Murrayville which is about 24 km from the border.  The town is the birthplace of Australian Olympic basketballer, Rachael Sporn.  There is a great tourist stop here with some interpretive signs explaining about the local National Parks and the rare Mallee Fowl which can be found int he park.

Following after Murrayville, are some other interesting little towns including Cowangie, Underbool and then Walpeup.  Cowangie is the birthplace of V8 Supercars driver, Larry Perkins.

Wyperfeld National Park is located in the flat, semi arid western corner of Victoria.  It is a very big park consisting of 360,000 hectares.  Pressure from naturalists inspired the government to reserve 3,900 hectares in 1909.  It was proclaimed in 1921.  The name is of German original and was most likely given by German settlers who cane to the Wimmera Mallee region from South Australia.  The park contains a chain of lake beds which are connected by the normally dry Outlet Creek, which is the northern extension of the Wimmera River.

About 450 species of native plants occur in the park.  Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in Wyperfeld.

Above:- courtesy of malleehighway.com.au

I was set up and ready to go by 10.00 a.m. Victorian local time.  It had just gone past midnight UTC.  For this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 30m/20m linked dipole supported on the 7m telescopic squid pole.

I headed for my nominated operating frequency of 7.144 and called CQ.  My first contact was with Mick VK3PMG who was very very strong from Stawell in Victoria.  This was followed by Adrian VK5FANA who was a good 5/8 from Arthurton on the Yorke Peninsula.  Next up with Tom VK5EE in Mount Gambier who was 5/9.

My ninth contact was with Julie VK3FOWL who was operating portable at a primary school where she shares her interest in the hobby of amateur radio with students.  So I took the time to have a chat with young Isobel and Carla at the school in Ormond.

I went on to work a further 9 stations on 40m, but it then went very quiet.  I had just started lowering the squid pole and was about to remove the links when I was called by Mark VK7MK who was way off frequency.  I responded to Mark but unfortunately he didn’t come back to me despite a few attempts at calling him in.

So I then removed the links in the dipole and called CQ on 14.310.  This was answered by Brett VK2VW with a good 5/8 signal.  This was followed by Adam VK7VAZ and then park stalwart Rick VK4RF.

After about 50 minutes in the park it was time to pull stumps and get back on the road,  I still had a 200 km drive ahead of me.  I had qualified the park and had a total of 23 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PMG
2. VK5FANA
3. VK5EE
4. VK5VGC
5. VK2IO
6. VK4RF
7. VK4HA
8. VK3MEG
9. VK3FOWL/p
10. VK5JK
11. VK5BJE
12. VK3FAFC/2
13. VK2VW
14. VK2MOR
15. VK7LTD
16. VK3SFG
17. VK5ZGY
18. VK2PKT

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK7VAZ
3. VK4RF
4. VK4HA
5. VK2WWV

Last Thursday (22nd October 2015) I headed off bright and early for Balranald in New South Wales.  My eventual destination was Wagga Wagga for the SOTA and Parks gathering being held at the Wagga Wagga Amateur Radio Club clubrooms.

I returned back home on Monday 26th October, 2015, after putting about 2,500 km on the clock on the Toyota Hi Lux.

During the trip I activated 2 x Victorian National Parks, 4 x NSW National Parks, 2 x NSW SOTA peaks, and 1 x SA Conservation Park, with a total of 484 contacts.

The following were activated…….

• Wyperfeld National Park, VKFF-0549 – 23 contacts
• Yanga National Park, VKFF-0554 – 94 contacts
• Oolambeyan National Park, VKFF-0403 – 48 contacts
• Galore Hill, VK2/ RI-047 – 69 contacts
• Mount Flakney, VK2/ RI-025 – 36 contacts
• Livingstone National Park, VKFF-0292 – 51 contacts
• Cocopara National Park, VKFF-0104 – 50 contacts
• Hattah Kulykne National Park, VKFF-0231 – 67 contacts
• Ngarkat Conservation Park, VKFF-0829 – 46 contacts

Thanks to everyone who called in. And many thanks to everyone who took the time to spot me.

I will post more info and photographs on each activation in the coming week or so.

In the past few days I received the certificate below.  It is the Pine Code Award issued by the Great Outdoors Radio Club (GORC).

The certificate is available to members of GORC who operate from an ‘outdoor QTH’.  The first Pine Cone is issued for working a maximum of five different stations in a 24 hour period whilst you are in a portable location.  You are limited to counting a maximum of five QSOs in a 24 hour period, and are eligible for the first Pine Cone after accumulating 25 QSOs.  You can apply for an a second Pine Cone after logging an additional 25 QSOs, and so on, up to a maximum of five Pine Cones.

For more information on the Great Outdoors Radio Club, please check out their website at…..

http://thegorc.org/

On Sunday 18th October 2015, my wife Marija suggested we go for a drive as it was such a beautiful day.  And she hinted to take the radio gear, so I didn’t let the opportunity slip.  We packed the 4WD and headed south for the Newland Head Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula.  The park qualifies for the World Wide Flora Fauna program and is VKFF-0922 and also qualifies for the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award.

We drove down to the little town of Strathalbyn and then further south through Finnis and then the wine growing region of Currency Creek.  We stopped off for a stretch of the legs and a look at the magnificent canoe tree at Currency Creek on the side of the Strathalbyn – Goolwa Road.  The tree is a very large River Red Gum and is listed with the National Trust of South Australia.  Aboriginal people used wood and bark to construct canoes.  The length of this particular trees scar is about five metres, which indicates that the canoe was capable of carrying a number of people.

We continued on to the seaside towns of Middleton, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor.  We again stopped briefly to admire the view of Victor Harbor from Range Road.

Newland Head Conservation Park is located about 100 km south of Adelaide and about 15 km south west of Victor Harbor.  The park protects two long beaches, Waitpinga and Parsons, along with rocky headlands and surrounding coastal vegetation including the sand dunes.  The park takes its name from Newland Head which features prominently at the eastern boundary of the park.  The park is about 12 km2 in size and is popular with surfers and fishermen.  It is believed that Waitpinga is an aboriginal word meaning ‘Windy Place’.

Above:- Map showing the location of the park, south of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of SA Maps Viewer.

We decided to head to the Waitpinga Beach section of the park, and took a brief photo stop at the corner of Waitpinga Road and Dennis Road.  If you continue west along Waitpinga Road, you will reach the Parsons Beach section of the park.

The view as you travel along Dennis Road into the park is very nice.  The mighty Southern Ocean is visible, as are the sand dunes and the adjacent Waitpinga Creek which flows out into the ocean.

Prior to setting up we had a quick look at all the activity on the beach.  There were quite a few surf fisherman trying their hand in catching salmon and mullett.  You certainly do not want to try swimming here.  This is not a swimming beach!  If you travelled south, the next piece of land you would reach is Antartica.  Waitpinga Beach has rough waves, power rips and not to mention the White Pointer sharks that frequent the area for a feed of fish.  There was a fatal shark attack here back in 1989, whilst I was working in the area.

We then travelled to the campground area for a look at Dennis Hut which was built in 1890.

We then headed back to the Waitpinga Beach carpark and carried the radio gear down the boardwalk and onto the beach.  I was the only one on the beach with a squid pole, not doing any fishing!  For this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-857d and 40 watts, and the 40m/20m linked dipole supported on my 7 metre telescopic squid pole.  Because it was such a sunny day, we even set up the solar panels to keep the 44 amp hour power pack charged up.

Above:- Map showing my operating spot in the park, south of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of SA Maps Viewer.

Prior to calling CQ I headed for 7.144 and worked Rob VK4AAC who was operating portable from Karte Conservation Park.  Rob had a nice 5/9 signal coming in from the South Australian/Victorian border area.  I then moved down to 7.135 and asked if the frequency was in use and this was immediately answered by John VK5BJE in the Adelaide Hills.  Next up with Terry VK3UP, followed by Mick VK3PMG who was portable in the Creswick Regional Park, VKFF-0964, north of Ballarat.

Band conditions on 40m appeared to be very good and I had a nice steady flow of callers from VK5 and the eastern States of Australia.  It wasn’t long before I had another VKFF park in the log.  This time it was Dave VK2JDC who was operating portable from the Cattai National Park, VKFF-0092, in the Hawkesbury region of Sydney.  Dave had a good strong 5/8 signal coming in to Waitpinga Beach.

A number of contacts later I spoke with Richard VK5ZRY who was activating the Clinton Conservation Park, VKFF-0813, on the Yorke Peninsula.  Richard had his normal 5/9 plus signal.

I went on to work a total of 64 stations on 40m in VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5.  This included four parks, and a nice contact with Amanda VK3FQSO who was running just 1 watt and was a very respectable 5/7.

I then QSYd to 20m where I worked a total of 49 stations in VK6, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, France, Croatia, Spain, Russia, Latvia, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Czech Repiublic, and Switzerland.  The only VK caller was John VK6NU (5/5 both ways).  My first taker on 20m was Xaver DK4RM.  Prior to going QRT I worked special event call, VK2015TDF being operated by Chris VK3FY.

I was very happy as I had a total of 113 stations in the log, including some nice contacts into Europe on the long path on 20m.

After packing up we headed down Waitpinga Road and to the Parsons Beach carpark, where you can enjoy the excellent views of both Parsons Beach and Waitpinga Beach. There is a small plaque here commemorating Andrew ELLIS who drowned here back in 1986.  In fact a number of people have drowned here at Waitpinga and Parsons.  You would never catch me swimming here.

The sun was just starting to go down in the west.  The photos below are looking west along the coast towards Cape Jervis, where you catch the ferry from the South Australian mainland over to Kangaroo Island.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4AAC/5 (Karte Conservation Park VKFF-0898)
2. VK5BJE
3. VK3UP
4. VK3PMG/p (Creswick Regional Park VKFF-0964)
5. VK5LSB
6. VK5STU
7. VK3DAC
8. VK3PF
9. VK2VW
10. VK5FTRG
11. VK3NBL
12. VK5FANA
13. VK2JDC/p (Cattai National Park VKFF-0092)
14. VK2NEO
15. VK5KDK
16. VK5PL
17. VK2BFC
18. VK3FOLK
19. VK2BDR
20. VK5FKYM
21. VK3ZMD
22. VK5AV
23. VK5ZAR
24. VK3HRA
25. VK3HB
26. VK5PET
27. VK2AWJ
28. VK4RF
29. VK4HA
30. VK3VKT
31. VK3HBR
32. VK3FRJK
33. VK5HAC
34. VK5NRG
35. VK3FMRC
36. VK3TKK
37. VK3FQSO
38. VK5JW
39. VK2YK
40. VK5JK
41. VK3FTAD
42. VK2PKT
43. VK3FPSR
44. VK3BGE
45. VK3CNW
46. VK2MOR
47. VK2IO/m
48. VK5FTCT
49. VK3VIN/p
50. VK3TQ
51. VK3NBV
52. VK5ZGY
53. VK3FAPH
54. VK5ZRY/p (Clinton Conservation Park VKFF-0813)
55. VK3KLB
56. VK1AT
57. VK7ROY
58. VK3FABE
59. VK4FFAB
60. VK3HK
61. VK3KHZ
62. VK3MCX
63. VK4FBMW
64. VK3FIRM

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. DK4RM
2. S52KM
3. I5FLN
4. S58AL
5. DL2ND
6. IK1GPG
7. F1BLL
8. IZ5JMZ
9. IK7MXB
10. IZ2LSR
11. 9A1AA
12. DK6MP
13. DF1YQ
14. IZ8EFD
15. EA5RJ
16. IU2EFB
17. UA6NT
18. YL2BJ
19. UR7ET
20. DH4PSG
21. ON4VT
22. DL1EBR
23. IZ8DFO
24. ON4BB
25. I5JFG
26. SP6KD
27. SA5ACR
28. RA3PCI
29. SA7AUH
30. DK2ZT
31. IZ8IEV
32. DL5EBG
33. ON5SWA
34. DL2DQL
35. IK3SCB
36. F4HJO
37. F1RHS
38. HB9EYP
39. OH6IU
40. F8DWH
41. DP6T
42. OH6JE
43. F4ESV
44. F8ATM
45. DF7GK
46. I1JHS
47. OK1DOY
48. VK6NU
49. VK2015TDF

On Saturday afternoon (17th October 2015) I activated the Morialta Conservation Park, VKFF-0783, situated in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

The park was not my first preference for the day.  I had nominated to activate the Cleland Conservation Park, but after driving along Summit Road and passed the entrance to the Mount Lofty summit, I found that Summit Road was closed just above the entrance to the Cleland Conservation Park.  A speed cop was manning his post at this location and I soon found out that the road was closed due to the Classic Adelaide Car Rally.  Bugger!  So I turned around and headed all the way back down Summit Road and onto the Piccadilly Road.  I stopped off briefly to admire the views out to the east from Summit Road.  And although I was very frustrated, the drive through the Piccadilly Valley was very picturesque.  The Piccadilly Valley is a market gardening centre which produces food for the Adelaide and overseas market.  Premium ‘cool climate’ grape varieties are also grown in the Valley.

After reaching the little town of Summertown I turned left and travelled west along Greenhill Road, hoping to access Cleland Conservation Park from the northern side.  But sadly, Greenhill Road was blocked off as well.  Strike two.  I didn’t feel like driving all the way back to Mount Lofty summit, so I decided to implement plan two, and head for Morialta Conservation Park.

View to the east from Summit Road

Another road blocked off

Morialta Conservation Park is located about 10 km north east of the Adelaide Central Business District.  The park contains some very rugged bush terrain, with a narrow gorge set with three waterfalls which are bounded by steep ridges and cliffs.  It is truly an amazing park, right on Adelaide’s doorstep.

It is believed that the Morialta Conservation Park derived its name from the aboriginal Kaurna word, ‘moriatta’, meaning ‘ever flowing’ or ‘running water’.  However other linguists suggest the name was derived from the Kaurna words ‘mari yeertalla’ meaning ‘eastern cascade’.

A number of activities are undertaken in the park including bushwalking, bird watching and rock climbing.

Wednesday 15th July 2015 marked the 100 year anniversary of the proclamation of Morialta Falls as a National Pleasure Resort.  It later became a National Park in 1966/67, and then became the Morialta Conservation Park in 1972.  The park is steeped in history.  Between 1915 to 1956 a tram ran from Adelaide to the western entrance of the park.

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of SA Maps Viewer.

I drove to the little town or Norton Summit and then travelled west along Norton Summit Road which straddles the southern edge of the park.  But there was no where for me to park the car and the terrain along this section was just way too steep to activate from.

So I headed back into Norton Summit and turned left and travelled north along Colonial Drive.  This took me passed the historic Morialta Barns.  This was the site of the former Morialta Old Winery complex.  The buildings were constructed by South Australia’s second Premier, John BAKER, who was a businessman, parliamentarian and pastoralist.  The Barms were part of the Morialta House Estate built by BAKER, where he established a farm and orchard.  By the 1860s, Baker had established vineyards and was exporting his wine to London. Guests to Morialta House included the Duke of Edinburgh and future King George V. Baker also built a hilltop horse racing track, on which he trained the winner of the 1873 Melbourne Cup, Don Juan.

Above:- The Hon. John Baker.  Courtesy of State Library SA

Today the buildings are listed on the State Heritage Register, and are of State Heritage significance, dating from the second decade of colonial South Australia.  The Barns were most recently used as a winery, but they were recently sold.  I guess thats what all the scaffolding was about.  This impressive complex of stone buildings includes two barns (one 3 storey and the other 2 storey), a well house, a bake house, a dairy, stables, a stoned walled enclosure around the barns, and the original stables and coach house. The Barns also accommodate a poultry shed, an old piggery, and a few other small farm buildings. The site itself has impressive views across the valley to the east. These functional stone buildings are excellent examples of the early colonial agricultural and viticultural structures of South Australia.

I then drove passed the historic Morialta Cottage on Colonial Drive.  This is often confused for the Morialta Homestead built by John Baker in 1847.

This is a beautiful drive through this section of the Adelaide Hills.  I highly recommend it to anyone who would like a nice weekend drive.  A small creek follows the road which is lined by beautiful tall gum trees with an understorey of other plants including ferns.

I drove on to Moores Road and followed the northern boundary of the park.  Moores Road is a dirt road, but is perfectly suitable for a conventional vehicle.  Moores Road becomes a no through road.  At the end is a large parking area.  This is where I parked the 4WD and I climbed the boundary fence and set up the gear.  For this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, and the 40m/20m linked dipole supported on the 7 metre squid pole.

Above:- Map showing my operating spot in the park.  Map courtesy of SA Maps Viewer.

As it was Springtime, many of the local native plants were out in flower.  It was a beautiful spring day with the temperature being about 30 degrees C.  And not a cloud in the sky.

After setting up I headed to 7.144 and found that it was already occupied by Rob VK4AAC who was booming in from Peebinga Conservation Park, VKFF-0830, near the South Australian/Victorian border.  After working Rob I headed down the band to 7.135 and started calling CQ.  My CQ call was immediately answered by a number of stations who had followed me down the band.  First up was Tony VK3VTH mobile with a good strong 5/8 signal, followed by Mick VK3PMG, Roy VK5NRG, and then John VK5BJE.

About 15 minutes into the activation I was called by John VK2WG who was operating portable from the Fusion 15 Multicultural Festival at Wagga Wagga.  Unfortunately John was struggling a little with my signal over to New South Wales.  I also spoke with Ian VK5IS who was operating portable as part of the Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) weekend.  I spoke briefly with Mckay, a young 8 year old cub to enable him to qualify for a badge.

A few QRP stations also called in, including Greg VK5GJ running his normal 4 watts from Meadows, Nev VK5WG up in the Mid North operating with just 5 watts, and Gary VK5PCM operating with just 2 watts.  All had good signals into the park.

After working a total of 45 stations on 40m in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7, I lowered the squid pole and removed the links and headed to 20m.  I called CQ on 14.295 and this was answered by Bill VK4MWG with a very strong 5/9 plus signal.  Bill was kind enough to spot me on the DX cluster which brought in the DX.  But not before I worked Steve VK5SFA who lives near the western boundary of the park.  My first DX contact was with Luciano I5FLN in Italy, followed by Xaver DK4RM in Germany, and then Emilio IZ8VYU in Italy.  All with great signals.  I went on to work a total of 50 stations on 20m in VK4, VK5, VK6, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, France, Czech Republic, Croatia, Russia, Sweden, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Netherlands, England, Balearic Islands, and Indonesia.

Band conditions on 20m were quite good, with signals long path from Europe quite strong.  I did note that the Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) was present intermittently on the band, and was very strong.

I also suffered a little bit of QRM about half way through the pile up.  A couple of German speaking stations came up just 1 kc above me and they were very strong.  They didn’t stick around for too long, as they were politely told by a number of the Europeans to QSY.  It did take about 5 minutes but eventually they bowed to the pressure and moved up higher in the band.  Apologies to the European stations that were calling me that I was struggling with.  The QRM was just too severe.

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I then moved back to 40m to hopefully pick up some of the die hard park desperados.  And it didn’t take long.  First taker was Hauke VK1HW, and this was followed by park stalwart Rob VK4FFAB.  I also spoke to another park devotee, Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula. On my second round on 40m I worked a total of 11 stations before going QRT.  The sun was down behind the trees and the ridgeline and it was getting quite cold (11 degrees C).

The 40m band was just opening up to North America, but it was getting very cold, so I didn’t persevere.  I also heard V73D in the Marshall Islands on 7.182 working split with a great signal.  But he had a massive pile up, with stations calling from Australia, North America, and Japan.

I had a total of 106 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4AAC/5 (Peebinga Conservation Park)
2. VK3VTH/m
3. VK3PMG
4. VK5NRG
5. VK5BJE
6. VK3FDAS
7. VK3HRA
8. VK3YAR
9. VK2WG/p
10. VK5PZ
11. VK1DI
12. VK3ZMD
13. VK4RF
14. VK4HA
15. VK5GJ
16. VK3PF
17. VK2ANM/5
18. VK3FINE
19. VK3FIRM
20. VK2VW
21. VK3AW
22. VK3MCX
23. VK3BBB
24. VK2YK
25. VK7CW
26. VK3CM/m
27. VK5IS/p
28. VK5WG
29. VK5PCM
30. VK3KRH
31. VK3DBP
32. VK2IO
33. VK3KHZ
34. VK3VIN
35. VK2MOR
36. VK3ERW/p
37. VK2JCC/p
38. VK2HHA
39. VK4FAAS
40. VK5KLV
41. VK2PKT
42. VK5PL
43. VK4FBBA/m
44. VK3SIM
45. VK3SOT
46. VK1HW
47. VK4FFAB
48. VK7LCW
49. VK3CWM
50. VK3FVKI/p
51. VK6NU
52. VK7MK
53. VK3FSPG
54. VK4MOO
55. VK5FANA
56. VK3FBNG

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4MWG
2. VK5SFA
3. I5FLN
4. DK4RM
5. IZ8VYU
6. S58AL
7. S52KM
8. F1BLL
9. VK6MAC/p
10. IK8FIQ
11. OK7WA
12. OK2MI
13. IZ8EFD
14. 9A2HF
15. DL2JAU
16. IZ8DFO
17. RA3PCI
18. IK1GPG
19. DL5WW
20. VK5LZ
21. SM0MLZ
22. IZ5JMZ
23. DL2ND
24. LY3A
25. DL2NOM
26. DK8PY
27. OK2BZ
28. DJ6OI
29. IT9ABN
30. IZ4TNN
31. DG5LAC
32. UR7ET
33. DL1EBR
34. ON4BB
35. SP6GVU
36. F5IDJ
37. DL8AAV
38. ON3ANY
39. IK2VUC
40. PA1BR
41. ON7ZM
42. DL5EBG
43. VK5LZ
44. M0ZDZ/p
45. EA6ALW
46. VK6MSC/p
47. YB0AR
48. VK6NI/p
49. ON4VT
50. VK6NTE

References.

Commercial Real Estate, 2015, <http://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/colonial-drive-norton-summit-sa-5136-2009911594&gt;, viewed 18th October 2015

I have just had a new VK5PAS portable QSL card printed up by Gennady UX5UO from UX5UO Print.

The new QSL card will be available for all DX stations via my QSL Manager, Charles M0OXO in the UK.

For VK’s, should you like a VK5PAS portable QSL card, please send me a Stamped Self Addressed envelope to….

PO Box 169, Mount  Barker, SA. 5251.

Here’s what the front of the card looks like……..

And the rear of the QSL card…..

What a turn around in time with receiving this certificate.  This afternoon I sent off a request for my global WWFF Hunter certificate for working 444 different WWFF references.  And within about 1 hour I had received the certificate courtesy of Pit YO3JW.  Thanks Pit.

The Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society were fortunate to be allocated the special call sign of VI5ANZAC this weekend as part of the 2015 ANZAC Centennary.  But sadly there was a distinct lack of volunteers to get involved.  That combined with the AFL Grand Final and the Oceania DX Contest meant that I could not get out to activate VI5ANZAC until today.

So it was a bright and early start on a very warm morning, and off to the Belair National Park we headed.  By we, I mean my trusty wife Marija, and our daughter Olivia, 16, going on 25.  It was going to be a very hot day, with an expected maximum temperature of 36 deg C.  Thus, the early start, to beat the heat of the day.

Prior to leaving I had a quick look at the HAP chart for Adelaide.  I wish I hadn’t.  It left me shaking my head again.  Predictions were for poor propagation on the 40m band.

And why operate from the Belair National Park?  Well back in 1962, an avenue of 40 Californian Sequoias redwood trees were planted by staff of Belair National Park, as a memorial to Australian and American Allied Forces who served in World War Two, and in Korea.  Until recently the memorial had only been accessible via a remote fire track.  But back in October 2008, a new path was opened, allowing visitors to walk to the trees.

Belair National Park is situated about 13 km south east of Adelaide, and was the first National Park to be dedicated in South Australia.  In fact it was the second National Park in Australia, after Sydney’s Royal National Park.  The park was originally known as Belair Recreation Park and was established in 1891.  It is a large park, comprising 835 hectares (2,060 acres).

Above:- Map showing the location of the Belair NP.  Image courtesy of SA Map Viewer.

We arrived at the park at around 8.15 a.m. local time.  The gates had officially opened at 8.00 a.m. but there was nobody manning the payment booths at the park entry, and online payment was not an option at Belair, so we drove on into the park.  We headed along The Valley Road, for the Karka Picnic area.   We then drove down the appropriately named Cherry Plantation Road until we reached a locked gate and a carpark.

The drive through the park was very picturesque.  The park contains a mixture of native Australian plants and exotic plants.  Although it was quite early in the day, the park was alive with bushwalkers, cyclists, joggers, and families setting up picnic areas.

Prior to setting up, the three of us went for a walk along the ‘RSL Walk’ which starts at the locked gate on Cherry Plantation Road.

At the start of the walk you will find a stone cairn with a memorial plaque which acknowledges….

‘In 1992, through public subscription, aided by the National Park, Mr. F.H. Snow established here, a plantation of 700 flowering trees, in memory of the fallen of World War One.’

We continued on, along the path, and walked over the wooden bridge over the creek.  We followed the path for about 1 km through some very pretty country, until we reached a clearing.  The walk is quite easy, with the gradient being easy.

It was at this point that we had reached another stone cairn with a memorial plaque which reads….

‘In 1962, this avenue of Sequoias was planted by the staff of Belair National Park, as a memorial to Australian and American Allied Forces who served in World War Two, and in Kore.  The construction of the bridge and track to this site was a joint venture by Blackwood and District RSL, National Parks and Wildlife Staff, Rotary Club of Blackwood Inc, Employ SA Youth Conservation Corps, and National Parks Heritage Committee’.

It was here that we stood back and admired the magnificent avenue of Sequoias, which are redwood coniferous trees which can be found in California and Oregon in the United States of America.

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After returning from the walk, Marija and Olivia helped me set up the station.  We positioned the fold up table and deck chair in a nice shady spot, as the sun already had a lot of bite behind it.  For this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 70 watts, and the 40m/20m linked dipole, supported on a 7 metre telescopic squid pole.  Because it was nice and sunny, out came the solar panels to charge up the 44 amp hour power pack.

I was ready to go by 9.15 a.m. (2245 UTC) and I started calling CQ on 7.144.  I called……and called, and called CQ.  Absolutely no takers.  It looked like the HAP chart predictions were spot on.  I tuned across the 40m band and could not hear a single signal.  Fortunately Marija and Olivia had headed off for a walk so they didn’t hear me cursing and swearing.

I returned back to 7.144 and called CQ again, and this was answered by Neil VK4HNS/p at Goondiwindi on the Queensland/New South Wales border.  Neil had a nice strong 5/8 signal and he gave me a 5/7.  So there was some hope, that I would get some contacts in the log.

Following on from Neil, I was called by Mick VK3PMG in Stawell in western Victoria, with a 5/8 signal, but lots of QSB.  I was a little surprised to hear Mick, as the predictions were that propagation would not be possible from Belair to Victoria on 40m.  Mick is normally 5/9 plus to me.  But not on this occasion.  And I normally get a good signal back, but for this activation, Mick gave me a 5/5 signal report.  Peter VK3RV then called in from Melbourne, and he too was 5/8, with lots of QSB.  This was followed by Peter’s wife, Jenny VK3WQ.

I then spoke with Ron VK2AJD at Richmond Hill near Lismore in New South Wales.  Although Ron was only 5/5 and I was 5/3, we were both in man made noise free areas, so we were able to copy each other perfectly.  This was followed by a call from Mark VK2UMA (5/5 sent and 5/3 received) from near the New South Wales/Queensland border.  I continued to call CQ on 40m but sadly there were no takers, so I lowered the squid pole and removed the links in the dipole and headed for 20m.  I was hoping that things may be a little better there.

But I was to be very disappointed.  The 20m band was even worse.  I spent about 10 minutes on 14.310 on 20m calling CQ, but sadly I did not get a single taker.  And after tuning across the entire 20m band I did not hear a single signal coming in from anywhere.  So down came the squid pole again, back in went the links, and back up went the squid pole, and back to 40m I went.

Just as I was about to call CQ, one of the park rangers drove passed and stopped to check out what we were up to.  Fortunately he was a friendly gentleman and was quite interested in what we were up to.

I decided to try my luck a little lower in the 40m band, and called CQ on 7.090.  Almost immediately I was called by Mick VK3PMG, who almost knocked me off my chair.  This time Mick was 5/9 + and he gave me a 5/9 signal report from western Victoria.  It was as if someone had turned on a switch and the 40m band had come to life.

But sadly, it was not to last!  After Mick, I had a good run of callers from VK1, VK2, VK3, & VK5.  Next in the log was Ron VK3AFW (5/9 both ways) from Melbourne, Julie VK3FOWL (5/7 sent and 5/8 received) also from Melbourne, and then Andrew VK2UH (5/9 both ways) at Yass, in New South Wales.

My next caller was also a huge surprise.  It was Bill VK5MBD at Red Hill in the Mid North of South Australia with a monster 5/9 plus signal.  Bill reciprocated with a 5/9 plus signal for me.  Next up was Brian VK3BBB who in recent times has become a regular park hunter. Brian had a nice 5/9 signal, but reported my signal being down a bit, with a 5/4 received.  I was then called by Adam VK2YK in Newcastle who had a 5/9 plus signal from Newcastle.  My signal was reaching Adam’s QTH well, with a 5/9 signal report received.  Adam had informed me that he had listened for me earlier on 7.144 and also on 20m, but he had not heard a peep out of me.  Amazing how things can change in the space of half an hour.

I then spoke with Jim VK1AT (5/7 sent and 5/6 received), Brett VK3FLCS (5/6 both ways), and Colin VK3NCC mobile at Kerang with a nice strong signal (5/8 sent and 5/9 received).  Next in the log was Gerard VK2IO in Sydney, who was struggling a little with me (5/3 sent and 3/2 received).  This was followed by Mark VK5QI mobile (3/1 sent and 5/3 received).  It was a real struggle with Mark, even though the noise floor in the park was very very low.  But, we made it.

I then took a short break to stretch my legs and returned to 7.090 and called CQ again.  This time my CQ call was answered by Dieter VK3FFB in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, who was struggling with a high noise floor (5/9 sent and 5/7 received).  The band had certainly taken a few steps back in just a 15 minute period.  Dieter’s signal was affected by very severe QSB.  This was followed by Peter VK2YPU in Sydney (5/9 sent and 5/5 received), and then Bill VK4ZD between Toowoomba and Brisbane in Queensland (5/7 sent and 5/6 received).

My next contact was a real struggle.  And I’m still not sure if I got the call right.  I logged VK7HBS, but I am not sure that is accurate.   This was a very difficult QSO and despite many repeats of the call sign, I think it may be incorrect.  This was followed by Colin VK2JCC portable in Pennant Hills, trying out his brand new linked dipole (5/5 both ways).

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Andrew VK1NAM who was portable on SOTA peak Mount Stromlo, VK1/ AC-043 in the Australian Capital Territory(5/5 sent and 5/8 received).  I had received an earlier message from Andrew advising that he was going to head out to activate, so it was nice to get Andrew in the log,

I was then delighted to speak with Bruce, VK2EJU, between Newcastle and Port Macquarie in New South Wales.  Bruce told me that he was X Royal Australian Navy, so it was an extra pleasure to get Bruce in the log with the special VI5ANZAC call.  Bruce was only a 5/3, but very readable in the park.  Sadly, the band dropped out half way through out QSO.

Dianne VK4DI then called in from Gatton in Queensland (5/7 sent and 5/5 received), followed by Ray VK3NBL in Melbourne (5/7 sent and 3/3 received), and then Frank VK2BFC near Albury/Wodonga (5/7 sent and 5/9 received).

My last contact was with Tony VK1VIC who was portable on SOTA peak Tuggeranong Hill VK1/ AC-008 in the Tuggeranong Hill Nature Reserve VKFF-0863 (5/7 both ways).

I left the frequency with Tony, and we packed up the gear as the morning was getting on and it was certainly heating up.

After packing up we headed down The Valley Road and found a picnic area where we enjoyed lunch.

After lunch, we took a short stroll to have a look at the Commissioner’s Shack, which was constructed in 1926, for the park blacksmith.  A short distance away is an interpretive sign for Foots Cottage, which no longer stands.  However, there are some signs of previous habitation in the area, including an old Magnolia tree.  We also briefly stopped to have a look at Old Government House, constructed in the 1850’s.

Commissioner’s shack

Old Government House

The park was alive with birdlife including Rainbow lorikeets, Eastern Rosellas, Magpies, Superb Blue wrens, and honey eaters.  There was no sign though of any kangaroos.  Way too hot for them at this time of the day.  Many of the native plants were also out in flower.

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As it was such a hot day, we headed for the kiosk in the park and had some gelati.  We then proceeded down to Playford Lake at the western end of the park.

On the way out of the park, we saw a couple looking high up into a tree with their binoculars.  We stopped, suspecting they were looking at a koala.  Sure enough, there was a female koala ‘doe’ perched in a gum tree, grasping hold of her young baby ‘joey’.

It was back home to the cool of the air conditioning for the three of us.  It was a little disappointing with the band conditions, but netherless, still a very enjoyable day out.  I had a total of 28 stations in the log, which is a lot more than I expected after my experiences in the first 5 minutes of the activation.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4HNS/p
2. VK3PMG
3. VK3RV
4. VK3WQ
5. VK2AJD
6. VK2UMA
7. VK3AFW
8. VK3FOWL
9. VK2UH
10. VK5MBD
11. VK3BBB
12. VK2YK
13. VK1AT
14. VK3FLCS
15. VK3NCC/m
16. VK2IO
17. VK5QI/m
18. VK3FFB
19. VK2YPU
20. VK4ZD
21. VK7HBS
22. VK2JCC/p
23. VK1NAM/p (SOTA)
24. VK2EJU
25. VK4DI
26. VK3NBL
27. VK2BFC
28. VK1VIC/p (SOTA & VKFF)