On Sunday 10th April 2016, my wife Marija and I headed over to the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park, 5CP-104 and VKFF-0781.  Marija’s Foundation amateur radio licence had been granted 5 days earlier, so this was to be Marija’s very first park activation with her new call of VK5FMAZ.

I have activated Kenneth Stirling many times previously and have touched on its very interesting history in previous posts….

https://vk5pas.org/2015/04/09/kenneth-stirling-conservation-park-vkff/

https://vk5pas.org/2015/01/24/kenneth-stirling-conservation-park-3/

https://vk5pas.org/2014/07/11/kenneth-stirling-conservation-park-2/

https://vk5pas.org/2013/05/10/kenneth-stirling-conservation-park/

Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park is located about 17 km east of Adelaide, in the Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park in the Adelaide Hills.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The park is divided into four autonomous sections (Wotton Scrub; Filsell Hill, Whites Scrub; and Burdett Scrub) and we decided to play it safe and activate the Wotton Scrub Section, which is very easy to access.  It is just a short drive from our home through the Adelaide Hills.

Above:- Map showing the location of the four (4) autonomous sections of the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

We arrived at the park at around 2.00 p.m. South Australian local time, and parked the 4WD in the small carpark out the front of the park, off Gum Flat Road.  There is a nice area here just inside the gate on Gahnia Track, allowing you to stretch out a dipole.

We set up the deck chair, the fold up table, the Yaesu FT-857d, and the 40m/20m linked dipole on the 7 metre heavy duty telescopic squid pole.  We were ready to go by about 0447 UTC.

Above:- Map showing our operating spot in the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Marija started calling CQ on 7.130 and her first ever park contact was with Mick VK3PMG in western Victoria with a very strong 5/9 plus signal.  This was followed by Les VK5KLV, Peter VK2NEO, Alan VK3LSD and then Adrian VK5FANA.  It wasn’t long before Marija had a little pile up going, which I thought she handled extremely well.  I assisted Marija with writing down some of the call signs heard and helping her out with the names of many of the familiar call signs.

Marija ended up working a total of 69 stations in VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  This included Park to Park contacts with: John VK5BJE/p in the Butcher Gap Conservation Park 5CP-027 and VKFF-0793; Peter VK5FKLR/p in the Mount Remarkable National Park 5NP-015 and VKFF-0360; Rob VK4AAC/3 in the Wodonga Regional Park VKFF-0980; and Adam VK2YK/p in the Popran National Park VKFF-0417.  Marija also made a Summits on the Air (SOTA) contact with Nick VK3ANL/p on Mount Warrenheip VK3/ VC-019.

And Marija was very pleased to work Julie VK3FOWL, and Connie VK2FCON.  Marija was Connie’s first ever contact on HF.

Below is a 10 minute video of Marija at the mic for her very first park activation…..

Just after 0700 UTC it was my turn to put out a few CQ calls on 20m.  I headed for 14.210 and started calling CQ.  This was almost immediately answered by Don VK2DON, followed by Sasa 9A3NM in Croatia, Luciano I5FLN in Italy, and then Rick VK4RF/VK4HA.  I was kindly spotted on the DX Cluster by a number of stations, and this resulted in a mini pile up of European and VK park hunters.

After 45 minutes on 20m I had 42 stations in the log, and it was starting to get a bit late.  Countries worked on 20m were:- Australia (VK2, VK4, VK6), Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Finland, France, Slovenia, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Scotland, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, and Sweden.  I quickly headed over to 40m where I spoke with Adam VK2YK/p ‘Park to Park’ in the Popran National Park VKFF-0417.  And to finish things off I called CQ on 21.244 for around 5 minutes, but only managed to work John VK6NU (5/7 sent and 5/5 received).

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2DON
2. 9A3NM
3. I5FLN
4. VK4RF
5. VK4HA
6. VK2LEE
7.  IK1GPG
8. IK3SCB
9. VK2IO
10. IK8FIQ
11. HA6OB
12. VK2NP
13. Sp5INQ
14. IK2JZN
15. 9A1DX
16. 9A5M
17. OG3MS
18. F5PAU
19. 9A7PPD
20. 9A1MB
21. F1BLL
22. VK6JON/m
23. S51XA
24. VK4SMA
25. VK4FW
26. OZ5HP
27. VK6WX
28. ON4VT
29. DL1YD
30. 2M0EVS/m
31. IZ1GLT
32. 9A3AR
33. VK6BEC
34. VK2TCI/m
35. ON7YZ
36. ON5SWA
37. 9A5RBS
38. RC5F
39. F4GYG
40. DK7TX
41. F2YT
42. PD7DX
43. DB6VP/p
44. PB7Z
45. IK2TTJ
46. IZ5WTV
47. EA7ANC
48. SA5ACR
49. F5RLW
50. VK2RD/m
51. EA2DT
52. F4KJR/p

I worked the following station on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2YK/p (Popran National Park VKFF-0417)

I worked the following station on 15m SSB:-

1. VK6NU

Below is a short video of me operating on 20m……

Here is a quick rundown on how to register for Logsearch with the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Logsearch is the WWFF database, where all activator logs are uploaded (by National co-ordinators), and from where activators and hunter can track their progress.  WWFF awards are also applied for on-line via WWFF Logsearch.

Please note, that until the Activator log/s are uploaded to Logsearch, then the activators cannot claim the park, nor can any of the park hunters who worked the activator.

So how do I register?

First up, click on ‘Register’.  It will bring you to the screen below.  Fill out all the options, including your Callsign, Home DXCC, Continent, Password (and ensure you confirm your password), Personal name, and your email address.  PLEASE double check the information you entered and ensure it is correct.  There have been some instances of people entering incorrect or incomplete email addresses and then blaming the Logsearch system for not being registered.

Then click on ‘Create’.  Once you do, the following should appear on your screen.  You should see your callsign and acknowledgement that your member details have been created.

As per the message, check your email.  You should have received an email confirmation from the Logsearch system.  It will contain a link which you will need to click on to confirm your email address.

You will also see the following message on Logsearch

You will then receive another email asking you to verify your email address by clicking on a link in the email.  

You will then receive a confirmation email from Logsearch to advise that you have confirmed your email address.  Your registration will be reviewed at this time by WWFF Administration, and your account should be activated in a few days.

Finally, you will receive an email verifying that you have successfully confirmed your email address.  You now have access to all of the excellent features of Logsearch.

A new version of Fast Log Entry (FLE) has now been released.  Version 2.4 released on the 10th April 2016 is the latest version of this magnificent program.  FLE is a text editor which allows you to easily and rapidly enter QSOs and create an Amateur Data Interchange Format (ADIF) file).

Remember, that ADIF is one of the formats accepted for Activator logs with the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Activator logs MUST be uploaded to WWFF Logsearch for the Activators to claim the park, and also for all of the park hunters who worked the activator.

I have been using FLE for a long time, as I prefer to use paper out in the field.  I enter all my QSOs when I return home using FLE.  This will generate an ADIF file for me, which I can upload to WWFF Logsearch, and also upload to my own electronic logging program, MacLogger DX.

So how do you get started with FLE?

You can download the program from the following website……

http://www.df3cb.com/fle/

FLE has been created by Bernd DF3CB, and is FREEware, but please consider a donation.  Donations are not required but are welcome.  They help Bernd cover costs for development tools and to continue development on FLE.  I have donated a small amount to Bernd, and I would encourage others to do so as well.  You can make your donation by PayPal. Click on either the USD or the Euro Donate button below. You will then be directed to the PayPal page.

Next up….READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

The instructions are only 5 pages long and are not at all difficult to follow.  But I am amazed at the number of queries I get re FLE, and when queried I find that the producer of the log had not read the instructions.

FLE now offers a WWFF logging option and supports the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  The following screenshots will give you a quick idea on how this new option works.  This is NOT a full tutorial on how to use FLE.  It is just a quick rundown on the new WWFF logging option.  Please read the FLE instructions on how to use FLE in all its glory.

Start off by selecting the WWFF Logging option, by clicking on ‘Options’, and then clicking on ‘WWFF Logging’.

You will then see ‘My WWFF Ref’ and ‘His WWFF Ref’ columns show up.

To enter YOUR WWFF reference, click on ‘Options’, and then click on ‘Edit WWFF Reference’.

The following dialogue box will appear.  Enter your WWFF reference, e.g. VKFF-0781.

Then start typing in your information, e.g. date, band, contact details.  Remember, please read the instructions.

Just to show you how your VKFF reference number is captured after entering it in the ‘Edit WWFF Reference’ box, I have entered just 2 contacts and then clicked on the ‘Update the log grid’ icon.  You can see that the information has been converted from the log grid (the box on the left) to the Data grid (the box on the right), and the VKFF reference is recorded in the ‘My WWFF Ref’ column.

In this example I continued to add the QSOs until I reached the QSO with John VK5BJE, who was operating portable from the Butcher Gap Conservation Park.  This was a park to park contact.  After John’s callsign I typed the keyword WWFF (after a space).  It immediately highlights in yellow (which means I have typed the details correctly).

I continue on by adding a space and then adding the VKFF reference for the ‘park to park’ contact.  In this case it was VKFF.  As you type, the reference will be highlighted in yellow.  When you complete the reference, the highlighting will disappear.

You should continue to add your QSOs but to show you how the park to park data has been captured, I have again clicked on the ‘Update the log grid’ icon.  This has converted the date over to the Data grid on the right.

So as you can see, FLE is now very user friendly for WWFF Activators.  Many thanks to Bernd, DF3CB.

Here is my latest VKFF Hunter certificate, issued for working a total of 400 different VKFF references.  No doubt as a result of all of the activity over the weekend.

It was Monday morning (4th April 2016) and unfortunately it was time to head home.  Marija and I had enjoyed three fantastic nights on the Fleurieu Peninsula, staying at Goondooloo Cottage which we highly recommend.

http://www.southernoceanretreats.com.au/

It was also the end of another successful anniversary weekend for the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award.  I don’t think there was as much activity as previous years, but netherless it was still a very enjoyable and busy weekend on the airwaves.  Our one and only planned park activation for the day was the Myponga Conservation Park 5CP-157 and VKFF-0921.  The park is situated about 67 km south of Adelaide, and about 8 km south of Myponga.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Myponga Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Prior to heading to the park, Marija and I drove south along Blowhole Creek Road, down to Blowhole Beach.  This is definitely 4WD only.  Don’t even try to attempt this in a conventional vehicle.  The drive was a lot of fun, and the views out to Kangaroo Island were quite spectacular.

Looking down Blowhole Road

Blowhole Beach in the background

Cape Willoughby lighthouse on Kangaroo Island

We then headed back to Delamere and along the Main South Road, to Normanville and Yankalilla.  We continued north towards the town of Myponga, and turned onto Wild Dog Creek Road and then to Kemmis Hill Road.  We were about 300 metres above sea level here and there were some very nice views of the surrounding countryside and out to the ocean.

Myponga Conservation Park is 168 hectares in size and is very hilly terrain.  The name Myponga is taken from the Aboriginal word ‘maippunga’ meaning ‘high cliffs’.  The famous Heysen Trail passes through the park.

Marija and I had expected to walk into this park along the Heysen Trail, so we had prepared the Yaesu FT-817nd and the backpack.  But after talking to one of the locals as we drove along James Track, we were given directions to a 4WD track leading to the park.  The track runs off James Track and is near the property called ‘Martinga Park’.  This was to be a unique park for me.  In fact this was the first time that Myponga Conservation Park had been put on air.

As we drove along the track we passed a number of bee hives.  The bees were busy at work and you could clearly smell the honey.

It wasn’t long before we reached the south eastern corner of the park.

This is where we set up.  Out came the deck chair and the fold up table.  It was quite a warm morning, so the shade provided by the gum trees was very welcome.

Above:- Aerial view of the Myponga Conservation Park, showing the boundaries, and our operating spot in the south eastern corner.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After setting up I commenced calling CQ on 7.144.  My first taker was Col VK5HCF in Mount Gambier who was a strong 5/8, followed by Mick VK3PMG in western Victoria, Charlie VK5KDK, and then Peter VK3PF.  The 40m band was in good condition again with callers from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  I worked a total of 39 stations on 40m including Phil VK2JDL on SOTA peak Mount Marulan VK2/ ST-039, and Gerard VK2IO in the Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049.

I then moved up to 20m and commenced calling CQ on 14.310.  I called and called and called and eventually Cliff VK2NP came back to my call after I had self spotted on parksnpeaks.  I was competing with the Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) on 20m, and managed 5 contacts into VK2, VK3, and VK6, including another Park to Park contact with Gerard VK2IO.  As it was fairly quiet, it offered Gerard and I the opportunity of having a good chat.  Ray VK4NH/6 had also informed me that he had just worked a Hawaiin park activator on 14.307.  I listened there, and could hear a voice faintly in the distance, but was unable to make a successful contact.

I went back to 40m very briefly to pick up any of the stragglers, before trying my luck on 15m on 21.244.  My first taker on 15m was Rick VK4RF/VK4HA, followed by Ray VK4NH/6 who kindly spotted me on the DX Cluster.  I was then called by my good mate Phil ZL2TZE at Blenheim on the North Island of New Zealand.  A number of Japanese stations followed, along with Geoff VK6FNLW.  The signals coming out of Japan were very strong.

After around 2 hours in the park, Marija and I decided to pack up and head home.  I had a total of 57 contacts in the log and had successfully activated the park.

Prior to leaving the park, Marija and I continued along the 4WD track to the western boundary of the park.  There are some great views along the track.

Out to the north is the thick scrub of the park, set amongst very hilly terrain, and to the south are the cleared hills and out to the sea.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HCF
2. VK3PMG
3. VK5KDK
4. VK3PF
5. VK4RF
6. VK4HA
7. VK3FQSO
8. VK3FALE
9. VK5KLV
10. VK4FW
11. VK2PKT
12. VK3VTH/m
13. VK3PAT
14. VK3EJS
15. VK6MB
16. VK3ZMD
17. VK2NP
18. VK2HHA
19. VK4HNS/p
20. VK3OHM
21. VK2JDL/p (SOTA VK2/ ST-039)
22. VK3FAPH/p
23. VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park VKFF-0049)
24. VK1AT/3
25. VK2JDS/m
26. VK5ZGY/m
27. VK5FTVR
28. VK2LEE
29. VK5BB
30. VK2XXM
31. VK5FMID
32. VK7BC
33. VK3FADM
34. VK5FUZZ
35. VK3MEG
36. VK5HSX/m
37. VK6FN
38. VK3MRH
39. VK5NP
40. VK3MCK
41. VK7VDL
42. VK2EXA/p

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2NP
2. VK3PMG
3. VK2IO/p (Bouddi National Park)
4. VK4NH/6
5. VK2XXM

The following stations were worked on 15m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK4NH/6
4. ZL2TZE
5. VK6FNLW
6. JG4ITR
7. JR1BEI
8. JM2MHQ
9. JH7OHS
10. JH1RFZ

Our second park activation for Sunday 3rd April 2016 was the Eric Bonython Conservation Park 5CP-062 and VKFF-0877, which is located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, around 100 km south of Adelaide.  It is just a short drive from our previous park, Waitpinga Conservation Park.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Eric Bonython Conservation Park, south of Adelaide.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After leaving the Waitpinga Conservation Park we continued south on the Tunkalilla Road and then turned left onto Rymill Road.  This is quite hilly country, with some great views out to sea, including views of The Pages, and Kangaroo Island.

Above:- View out towards The Pages.

The park is about 250 metres ASL.

Above:- Contour map showing the terrain surrounding the Eric Bonython Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The Eric Bonython Conservation Park takes its name from Eric Glenie Bonython (1910-1971) who was an author, explorer, and conservationist.  The park is quite small and is situated on the northern side of Rymill Road.  It is situated on a ridgeline, with great views out across farming land and the ocean to the south, and farming land to the north.  The Tunkalilla Creek flows on the northern edge of the park.

The park soon comes into view only a few hundred metres after turning onto Rymill Road.  The park sign is quite visible amongst the narrow length of scrub.

We set up in a clearing amongst the scrub in the south western section of the park.  For this activation I ran my normal park equipment, consisting of the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 20m/40m linked dipole and the 15m 1/2 wave dipole.

Above:- Aerial view of the Eric Bonython Conservation Park, showing our operating spot in the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Prior to propping on a frequency and calling CQ, I tuned across the band and worked the following park activators:-

• Andrew VK5MR/p, Mokota Conservation Park
• Tony VK5FTVR/p, Cox Scrub Conservation Park
• Richard VK5ZRY/p, Bird Island Conservation Park
• Col VK5HCF/p, Reedy Creek Conservation Park
• Joe VK3YSP/p, Churchill National Park
• VK3FOWL/p, Churchill National Park
• Tony VK3VTH/5, Glen Roy Conservation Park.
• Dennis VK2HHA/3, Baranduda Regional Park
• Ron VK3MRH/p, Baranduda Regional Park
• Norm VK5GI/p, Bakara Conservation Park
• Greg VK5GJ/p, Bakara Conservation Park
• Rob VK4AAC/3, Yarrawonga Regional Park

I then headed to 7.150 and commenced calling CQ and this was answered by Peter VK3PF operating portable in the Snowy River National Park.  This was followed by Steve VK5SFA operating portable in the Morialta Conservation Park.  Steve was using a 1.2 metre diameter magnetic loop antenna and had a beautiful 5/9 signal.  There was a steady flow of callers from across Australia: VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  More Park to Park contacts followed, including:-

• David VK5PL, Swan Reach Conservation Park
• Andrew VK5MR, Mimbara Conservation Park
• Gordon VK5GY/p, Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park
• Adrian VK5FANA, Innes National Park
• South Coast Amateur Radio Club VK5ARC/p, Onkapringa River National Park
• South Coast Amateur Radio Club VK5TTY/p, Onkaparinga River National Park
• Adam VK2YK/p, Brisbane Water National Park
• Greg VK5ZGY/p, Monarto Conservation Park
• Andrew VK5MR/p, Hopkins Creek Conservation Park

I also spoke with Peter VK3PF who was activating SOTA peak Mount McLeod, VK3/ VE-034.

I then moved up to 20m and called CQ on 14.310.  The ever reliable Rick VK4RF/VK4HA was there waiting for me and kindly spotted me.  I was then quite surprised when I was called by VK5ARC/p (op Barry VK5KBJ) in the Onkaparinga River National Park.  I worked a further 8 stations in VK2, VK4, and VK6.

I then lowered the squid pole and put up the 15m 1/2 wave dipole and started calling CQ on 21.244.  I was extremely pleasantly surprised to be called immediately by Joe KG6JDX in Guam.  This was a new country for me whilst operating portable.  Joe was a very strong 5/9 and gave me a 5/9 from Guam.  Rick VK4RF/VK4HA then called in, and this was followed by Alberto P29LL in Papua New Guinea.  This was another great contact.  A number of Japanese stations then followed, all of whom had strong signals.  I ended up working a total of 11 stations on 15m from VK4, Guam, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.

I then moved back to 20m and 14.310 and called CQ for around 10 minutes but there were no takers.  Mobile phone reception in the park was very marginal, and it took numerous attempts to eventually self spot on parksnpeaks.  But despite being spotted, I had no callers.  So I headed back to 40m briefly before going QRT, working a further 19 stations, including the following park to park contacts:-

• VK5PL/p, Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park
• Garry VK1ZZ/4, Forty Mile Scrub National Park
• Andrew VK5MR/p, Redbanks Conservation Park.

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It was getting mightily cold, and dark, so Marija and I pack up and headed back to Goondooloo cottage.  I had a total of 100 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5MR/p (Mokota Conservation Park)
2. VK5FTVR/p (Cox Scrub Conservation Park)
3. VK5ZRY/p (Bird Island Conservation Park)
4. VK5HCF/p (Reedy Creek Conservation Park)
5. VK3YSP/p (Churchill National Park)
6. VK3FOWL/p (Churchill National Park)
7. VK3VTH/5 (Glen Roy Conservation Park)
8. VK2HHA/3 (Baranduda Regional Park)
9. VK3MRH/p (Baranduda Regional Park)
10. VK5GI/p (Bakara Conservation Park)
11. VK5GJ/p (Bakara Conservation Park)
12. VK4AAC/3 (Yarrawonga Regional Park)
13. VK3PF/p (Snowy River National Park)
14. VK5SFA/p (Morialta Conservation Park)
15. VK5TR
16. VK3AWG
17. VK4RF
18. VK4HA
19. VK6MB
20. VK5BB
21. VK2LEE
22. VK2NP
23. VK3SIM
24. VK3YB
25. VK5PL/p (Swan Reach Conservation Park)
26. VK2IO/m
27. VK1AT/3
28. VK5KLV
29. VK7CW
30. VK5BMC
31. VK5FMID
32. VK3PAT
33. VK3PMC
34. VK3ARH
35. VK1DI
36. VK3FAPH/p
37. VK5MR/p (Mimbara Conservation Park)
38. VK5GY/p (Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park)
39. VK3NCC
40. VK3TKK
41. VK5HP
42. VK4VXX/p
43. VK4ATM
44. VK3EJS
45. VK4HNS/p
46. VK3ZMD
47. VK5KDK
48. VK5FANA/p (Innes National Park)
49. VK5ARC/p (Onkapringa River National Park)
50. VK5TTY/p (Onkaparinga River National Park)
51. VK3PF (SOTA Mt McLeod VK3/ VE-034)
52. VK2YK/p (Brisbane Water National Park)
53. VK5ZGY/p (Monarto Conservation Park)
54. VK4QQ
55. VK3VEF
56. VK5LG
57. VK5MR/p (Hopkins Creek Conservation Park)
58. VK2NNN
59. VK3FORD
60. VK3KRH
61. VK3NBL
62. VK4FW
63. VK5PL/p (Maize Island Lagoon Conservation Park)
64. VK5KAF/p
65. VK3ZD
66. VK4MON
67. VK1ZZ/4 (Forty Mile Scrub National Park)
68. VK3ANL
69. VK5MR/p (Redbanks Conservation Park)
70. Vk2SR
71. VK2BDR/m
72. VK2MOR
73. VK4KET
74. VK4FLYT
75. VK4FBMW
76. VK3CM

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK5ARC/p (Onkaparinga River National Park)
4. VK6YV
5. VK4HNS/p
6. VK4QQ
7. VK2LEE
8. VK2NP
9. VK1ZZ/4 (Forty Mile Creek National Park)
10. VK6WE
11. VK2XXM

The following stations were worked on 15m SSB:-

1. KG6JDX (Guam)
2. VK4RF
3. VK4HA
4. P29LL
5. JH1RFZ
6. JN2OWE
7. JH3JEZ
8. ZL2GLG
9. VK4KUS
10. VK4QQ
11. 7N2TNI

Marija and I spent a very quiet night in the cottage, following a nice meal and a few more beers from the Smiling Samoyd Brewery.

Our first of two planned park activations for Sunday 3rd April 2016, was the Waitpinga Conservation Park 5CP-243 and VKFF-0940.  The park is situated about 120 km (by road) south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and just south of Parawa.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Waitpinga Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The park is accessed via Illawong Road, which runs off Tunkalilla Road.  Upon arriving at the western end of Illawong Road there was a ‘Road Closed’ sign half lying on the ground.  Should we proceed?  Shouldn’t we?  Marija and I had activated the park some time ago (back in December 2013) and we were armed with the knowledge that there was quite a steep drop in the dirt track just before reaching the park, leading down to a creekline.  We suspected the sign may have been placed there some time ago when there had been rain and the creekline was impassable.  As the road was bone dry, we decided to travel through.

When we got to a few hundred metres of the commencement of the park, the road drops away quite steeply down to the creek.  I was confident that the Toyota Hi Lux would easily get down there, but I thought with the road closed sign, I might be pushing my luck if something went wrong.  So we parked the Hi Lux and lugged the gear a short distance down the hill to our operating spot.

The view back up to the 4WD

The view down to the creekline

The Waitpinga Conservation Park is only a small park, and is about 3 hectares in size.  But it is quite spectacular.  The park is dedicated to the conservation of the rare Coral Fern.  The park consists of low open forest of stringy bark and Pink Gum, over an under storey of bracken, tea-tree, sedges and grasses.  The park backs on to the quite large Second Valley Forest Reserve.

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The area to the south of the park has been totally cleared for farming purposes.  It is a stark contrast to the Waitpinga Conservation Park, which is certainly one of my favourite parks.

The park was alive with native flowers during our visit, including grevillias and correas.

There are not too many options when it comes to where to operate in the park.  The scrub is pretty thick, and there are no real clearings, so we operated from the south western corner near the creekline.  The only disadvantage here is that it is down in a bit of a gully.  Netherless, it was a beautiful spot to operate from.

Above:- Aerial shot showing our operating spot in the south western corner of the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Prior to calling CQ I had a tune around the 40m band in the hope of picking up some park activators.  My first contact was with Peter VK3PF who was activating the Coopracamba National Park, VKFF-0113.  Peter’s signal was not super strong, but there was absolutely no noise so he was very readable (5/5 both ways).  This was followed by a QSO with Rob VK4AAC/3 in the Cobram Regional Park, VKFF-0961 (5/9 both ways).

I then headed for 7.090 and started calling CQ.  I couldn’t get up to my normal operating frequency of 7.144 as it was Sunday morning, and most of the broadcasts for the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) occupy that part of the 40m band each Sunday morning.  My first contact after calling CQ was with my good mate Max VK3MCX in Melbourne, followed by Joe VK3YSP and his wife Julie VK3FOWL who were mobile on their way to the Churchill National Park.  The flurry of park activity had encouraged Joe and Julie to head out themselves.  A steady flow of callers followed from all across Australia: VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK6.  It was very pleasing to be able to work Mike VK6MB in Western Australia (both before and after the UTC rollover).  But there was one State that was noticeably missing…..South Australia (VK5).  It was apparent that the close in propagation was non existent.

It was approaching 10.30 a.m. local time and I was starting to experience QRM on 7.090 from 7.088 and the commencement of the Western Australia (VK6) WIA broadcast.  So I decided to QSY, but not before having a Park to Park contact with Gerard VK2IO in the Belford National Park VKFF-0023.

I tuned across the 40m band and found Norm VK5GI and Greg VK5GJ on 7.115 operating from the Mantung Conservation Park, 5CP-269 and VKFF-1055 in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia.  But they were very very low down in signal strength and I wasn’t sure that I would be able to make it, yet alone break through their little pile up of callers.  But I did get through and we exchanged signal reports and park reference numbers, despite it being quite tough (a distance of around 250 km).

I then worked Tony VK3VTH in Big Heath Conservation Park VKFF-0792 in the South East of South Australia.  It was even harder going with Tony, at a distance of around 350 km.  I tuned across the 40m band and heard a number of stations from the eastern States on 7.110 working John VK5BJE in the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park in the Adelaide Hills.  But sadly, there was absolutely no sign of John.  Not a peep!

I then moved to 7.095 and called CQ and this was answered by Tony VK3AN, followed by Chris VK3AWG, and then Mike VK3GYH.  There was no problem at all in hearing the signals coming in from Victoria.  All signals from VK3 were very strong.  But it was incredibly frustrating not to be able to hear the VK5 park activators.  I really had my fingers crossed that conditions would improve.  I continued to work a number of VK3’s on 7.095 including Peter VKYE/p and Josh VK3VWS/p both pedestrian mobile at Chelsea Beach, until all of a sudden…BANG……Les VK5KLV from Port Augusta called in with  5/9 signal, and this was soon followed by Rob VK5TRM from the Riverland who was 5/8.  Perhaps the propagation gods had turned on the switch for VK5.  Following on from Rob, I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from John VK5BJE in the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park, with a good 5/1 signal.  Although John was quite light in signal strength, he was very readable as there was no noise in the park.  John was hearing me much better and gave me a 5/7 signal report.

I decided to take a break from the radio and went for a walk through the park.  When I returned about 15 minutes later I headed for 20m where I called CQ on 14.310.  Mike VK6MB came back to my CQ call with a good 5/5 signal, followed by Tom VK2KF and Cliff VK2NP.  There was very severe QSB noted on the signals from Tom and Cliff.  Sadly, despite about two dozen CQ calls I had no further takers on 20m.

So I returned back to 40m and was very happy to hear the VK5’s now coming through very strong to Waitpinga.  I had a number of Park to Park contacts including Peter VK5FLEX in the Pike River Conservation Park, Tony VK3VTH/5 in the Big Heath Conservation Park, Greg VK5ZGY in the Billiatt Conservation Park, Adrian VK5FANA in the Carribie Conservation Park, and Tom VK5NFT in the Lake St Clair Conservation Park.

I then moved to 7.144 where I worked a total of 26 stations, including a number of Park to Park contacts: David VK5PL in the Marne Valley Conservation Park, Col VK5HCF in the Furner Conservation Park, David VK5AAH in the Fort Glanville Conservation Park, Stef VK5HSX in the Beachport Conservation Park, Peter VK3PF in the Mount Raymond Regional Park, Chris VK5FCHM in the Clements Gap Conservation Park (this was Chris’ very first park activation…CONGRATULATIONS), Joe VK3YSP and Julie VK3FOWL in the Churchill Conservation Park, Greg VK5GJ and Norm VK5GI in the Mantung Conservation Park.  I was also called by Stuart VK5STU and Nigel VK5NIG activating Mount Gawler summit VK5/ SE-013 and Gerard VK2IO activating SOTA peak VK2/ HU-079.

I then moved back to 20m where I worked 6 stations in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and New Zealand.  This included Lawrence ZL1HZ/p operating with just 10 watts from Auckland (5/5 both ways).

I then tried 21.244 on 15m before packing up and was quite successful there, working a total of 13 stations in VK2, VK4, Japan, Indonesia, and New Zealand.  It was really pleasing to be able to work a number of VK4 Foundation stations.  Band conditions on 15m were excellent.

This was a very successful and enjoyable activation with a total of 113 QSOs in the log, including 21 Park to Park contacts.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF/p (Coopracamba National Park VKFF-0113)
2. VK4AAC/3 (Cobram Regional Park VKFF-0961)
3. VK3MCX
4. VK3YSP/m
5. VK3FOWL/m
6. VK3AV
7. VK3FQSO
8. VK3NCR/m
9. VK1MA
10. VK4FW
11. VK3OHM
12. VK6MB
13. VK4RF
14. VK4HA
15. VK3HSB
16. VK3ZPF
17. VK2NP
18. VK3BBB
19. VK3AFW
20. VK2XXM
21. VK2IO/p (Belford National Park)
22. VK3NW
23. VK3FMAA
24. VK3TKK
25. VK3PMG
26. VK6MB
27. VK5GI/p (Mantung Conservation Park)
28. VK5GJ/p (Mantung Conservation Park)
29. VK3ACT
30. VK3MCD/p
31. VK3MCK
32. VK3VTH/5 (Big Heath Conservation Park)
33. VK3AN
34. VK3AWG
35. VK3GYH
36. VK3NBL
37. VK3ZMD
38. VK3PMG
39. VK3DBP
40. VK1AT/3
41. VK3VWS/p (pedestrian mobile)
42. VK3YE/p (pedestrian mobile)
43. VK5KLV
44. VK4HNS/p
45. VK5ZAI/3
46. VK3SIM
47. VK5TRM
48. VK5BJE/p (Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park)
49. VK2YW
50. VK3FAPH/p
51. VK5FLEX/p (Pike River Conservation Park)
52. VK3VTH/5 (Big Heath Conservation Park)
53. VK5ZGY/p (Billiatt Conservation Park)
54. VK5FANA/p (Carribie Conservation Park)
55. VK5NFT/p (Lake St Clair Conservation Park)
56. VK5PL/p (Marne Valley Conservation Park)
57. VK7CW
58. VK5AV
59. VK5HCF/p (Furner Conservation Park)
60. VK5AAH/p (Fort Glanville Conservation Park)
61. VK5HSX/p (Beachport Conservation Park)
62. VK3PF/p (Mount Raymond Regional Park)
63. VK3ANL
64. VK5LSB
65. VK5FTVR
66. VK3FIRM
67. VK3FSPG
68. VK5DF
69. VK5FCHM/p (Clements Gap Conservation Park)
70. VK2PKT
71. VK3YSP/p (Churchill National Park)
72. VK3FOWL/p (Churchill National Park)
73. VK5GJ/p (Mantung Conservation Park)
74. VK5GI/p (Mantung Conservation Park)
75. VK3NBL
76. VK5STU/p (SOTA VK5/ SE-013)
77. VK5NIG/p (SOTA VK5/ SE-013)
78. VK3ARH
79. VK7LTD
80. VK5FSPJ/m
81. VK5FBBJ/m
82. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ HU-079)

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6MB
2. VK2KF
3. VK2NP
4. VK4FW
5. VK2LEE
6. ZL1HZ/p
7. VK2XXM
8. VK1DI
9. VK3SQ

The following stations were worked on 15m SSB:-

1. VK2LEE
2. VK2FSAV
3. VK4FFAO
4. VK4RF
5. VK4HA
6. VK1ZZ/4 (Forty Mile Scrub Conservation Park)
7. VK4DD
8. VK4FSCC
9. VK4FTNA
10. JH6RON
11. YB7SKM
12. JA8XOK
13. ZL4CZ