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

After returning to Goondooloo Cottage in the Deep Creek Conservation Park, with the help of Marija, I set up the station in the sun room at the rear of the cottage.  Sadly, when I turned the FT-857d on, the noise floor was about a strength 5.  But I did manage to work a total of 18 stations before relocating outside.  They included a number of park to park contacts as follows:-

• Andrew VK5MR/p, Caroona Creek Conservation Park
• Adrian VK5FANA/p, Innes National Park
• Greg VK5GJ/p, Lowan Conservation Park
• Norm VK5GI/p, Lowan Conservation Park
• Stev VK5HSX/p, Beachport Conservation Park
• Peter VK5FKLR/p, Whyalla Conservation Park

I then moved the gear outside and made a further 27 contacts on 40m including some more Park to Park contacts as follows:-

• Greg VK5ZGY/p, Karte Conservation Park
• Garry VK1ZZ/4, Forty Mile Scub National Park

It was then time to head in for some dinner.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5MR/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park)
2. VK5FANA/p (Innes National Park)
3. VK5GJ/p (Lowan Conservation Park)
4. VK5GI/p (Lowan Conservation Park)
5. VK2YK
6. VK5FTVR
7. VK2RM
8. VK5FMID
9. VK3VEF
10. VK5HSX/p (Beachport Conservation Park)
11. VK5FKLR/p (Whyalla Conservation Park)
12. VK5TRM
13. VK3MRH
14. VK5NFT
15. VK3PMG
16. VK2XXM
17. VK5IS
18. VK5FD
19. VK7CW
20. VK5TR
21. VK5ZGY/p (Karte Conservation Park)
22. VK3FENV
23. VK6MB
24. VK5HOS
25. VK5FPAC
26. VK5DF
27. VK3AV
28. VK5NJ
29. VK2HHA
30. VK6OX/5
31. VK5HEL
32. VK2FSPG
33. VK4QQ
34. VK5ZA
35. VK6JON/m
36. VK5FGRY
37. VK3OHM
38. VK4FW
39. VK4HNS/p
40. VK3ZD
41. VK2NP
42. VK3MCD/p
43. VK5FKLF/p (Whyalla Conservation Park)
44. VK4FBMW
45. VK1ZZ/p (Forty Mile Scrub National Park).

Marija and I made quite an early start on Saturday (2nd April 2016) morning, after enjoying a nice breakfast and coffee.  Our plans for the day were to activate the Talisker Conservation Park, 5CP-223 and VKFF-0790, and then head back to the cottage in Deep Creek.  The Talisker Conservation is about 104 km south of Adelaide, and is just a short 6 km drive (by road) from the cottage.

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

We travelled along Blowhole Creek Road and then on to Three Bridges Road.  It wasn’t long before we reached the little area of Silverton.  We turned left on to Rarkang Road and it wasn’t long before we had reached the park.  On the way I had a chat on 40m with Dennis VK2HHA, Tony VK5ZAI mobile in St Arnaud in Victoria, Cliff VK2NP, and Mick VK3PMG.

Talisker Conservation Park was established in 1976 and consists of 211 hectares of native scrub set in very hilly terrain.  The park incorporates the old Talisker silver-lead mine, which was discovered by John McLeod in 1862.  It was named after a locality on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.  Talisker employed Cornish miners and supported a nearby township called Silverton.  The population of Silverton grew to 3000 at its peak in 1870.  The Talisker Mining Company worked the mine until falling ore grades and a lack of finance, forced the mine’s closure in 1872.  Between 1917 to 1920, the mine was worked again, mainly for arsenic.

Prior to activating the park, we continued south through the park along Talisker Road, enjoying the spectacular views across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island.  The road does not take you down to the beach, but I recommend travelling as far south west as you can along Talisker Road, as the views are terrific.  4WD is recommended.

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Marija and I then returned back to the trig point in the highest point of the park.  This is called Tree Hill and is around 350 metres ASL.  There is a nice clearing here where you can park your vehicle and set up a dipole.

Above:- Map showing our operating spot in the north western section of the park, right alongside of the trig point.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

In fact, if you walk a short distance along the trail, you will reach an old camping area, some toilets and a wooden table and benches.  I suspect that in years gone by you could drive your car into the camping area, but there is now a locked gate preventing access.

Prior to calling CQ I had a look around the 40m band and found Peter VK3PF on 7.090 calling CQ from Point Hicks Marine National Park VKFF-0953, which was a unique park for me.  Peter had a nice 5/7 signal, and it was a nice start to the activation to get a “Park to Park” contact with a brand new park.

I then headed to 7.144 and started calling CQ.  This was answered by Mick VK3PMG, followed by Tony VK3VTH mobile (on his way to the Narracoorte Caves National Park), and then Steve VK7CW.  A short time into the activation, I had another two Park to Park contacts in the log.  This time it was with Greg VK5GJ and Norm VK5GI who were activating the Mowantjie Willauwar Conservation Park 5CP-152 and VKFF -0919 in the Murray Mallee.  Greg and Norm were a very strong 5/9.  Soon after, Adrian VK5FANA/p called in from the Warrenben Conservation Park 5CP-248 and VKFF-0818 on the Yorke Peninsula.  Adrian was a very strong 5/9 plus.

It was very pleasing to see the 40m band in great condition and even more pleasing to see a lot of park hunters.  Many of the normal suspects called in, but a few new calls also appeared in the log.  I worked a total of 41 stations in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6 and VK7, before things started to slow down a little.  This included a QSO “Park to Park’ with Rob VK4AAC/3 who was portable in the Barmah National Park VKFF-0739.  A number of QRP callers gave me a shout, including Amanda VK3FQSO running just 1 watt (5/7 received), Brian VK5FMID running 5 watts from Mount Gambier (5/9 sent), Ron VK3HAK running 5 watts (5/7 sent), and Nev VK5WG running 5 watts from the Mid North (5/7 sent).

When the callers slowed down I took the opportunity of having a look around the band and worked Russ VK2BJP/3 activating SOTA peak The Horn, VK3/ VE-014 which was within the Mount Buffalo National Park VKFF-0339.  I then briefly booked in to the Riverland Radion Group Net on 7.115 to say hi to the Net Control Ron VK5MRE, before heading back to 7.144 where a small pile up commenced shortly thereafter.  My first contact after returning to 7.144 was with Peter VK3YE who was pedestrian mobile, with his normal beautiful signal.  Soon after I worked Greg VK5LG who was portable in the Cudlee Creek Conservation Park 5CP-050 and VKFF-1023.  Gerard VK2IO also gave me a shout from SOTA peak VK2/ HU-056 located in the Yengo National Park VKFF-0559.  Soon after I also spoke with Greg VK5GJ and Norm VK5GI who had now moved to the Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Park 5CP-187 and VKFF-1082.

Again when callers slowed down, I tuned across the band and worked Keith VK5OQ operating portable from the Sandy Creek Conservation Park 5CP-204 and VKFF-0933.  I then headed up to 20m and commenced calling CQ on 14.310.  Band conditions on 20m were average with a lot of QSB (fading) on signals.  I only managed 3 contacts and they were with Ciff VK2NP, Mike VK6MB and Marc VK3OHM.

During the activation, we experienced some light drizzle coming in off the ocean, so the bothy bag was deployed for around 10 minutes, to shelter me and the equipment from the rain.

Upon returning to 40m I again spoke with Russ VK2BJP/3 on SOTA peak VK3/ VE-019, as it was a new UTC day and I could get some extra SOTA points.  The band was quite busy with a lot of park activators, but I eventually found 7.130 and started calling CQ again.  David VK5PL was the first to call in, followed by David VK5LSB, and then Gary VK5PCM.  I worked a further 15 stations here from VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7, including two more Park to Park contacts.  They were with Peter VK5PET in the Kyeema Conservation Park 5CP-107 and VKFF-0826 and Tony VK5FTVR who was activating the Bullock Hill Conservation Park 5CP-173 and VKFF-0792.  This was Tony’s first ever park activation, so it was an absolute pleasure to get Tony in the log.

I then hunted around the band to find some more park activators and it didn’t take long for me to find Stef VK5HSX on 7.135, activating the Beachport Conservation Park 5CP-014 and VKFF-0791.  And then Greg VK5ZGY on 7.150 activating the Peebinga Conservation Park 5CP-173 and VKFF-0830.   I headed back to 7144 and started calling CQ again and this was answered by Peter VK5FLEX.  I worked a further 13 stations including a Park to Park contact with Peter VK3TKK in the Organ Pipes Conservation Park VKFF-0627.

I again went on my mission of seeking out some more park activators and worked Steve VK5SFA in the Morialta Conservation Park 5CP-142 and VKFF-0783, then Keith VK5OQ in the Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park 5CP-097 and VKFF-0897, Greg VK5GJ and Norm VK5GI both in the Ettrick Conservation Park 5CP-267 and VKFF-1029, and Andrew VK5MR operating portable in the Pualco Range Conservation Park 5CP-190 and VKFF-1083.

I decided to try 20m again, but conditions were no better there than earlier, with just three stations logged: Cliff VK2NP, John VK1JP, and Robert VK2XXM.  I then lowered the squid pole and replaced the linked dipole with my 15m 1/2 wave dipole, and started calling CQ on 21.244.  This was answered by Cliff VK2NP who had followed me up from 20m.  John VK1JP also called, but sadly he was struggling with my signal and we were unable to make a successful contact.  I decided to have a listen to the 15m ANZA DX Net on 21.205 and I am very glad I did, as I worked a total of 5 stations on the net: Tony VK2RI, Jim E51JD in the South Cook Islands, Colin VK4FAAS, Maurice ZL1ANF, and John VK7XX.

Time was marching on, but I decided to have one last listen on the 40m band before going QRT.  I bagged a few more Park to Park contacts: Tony VK3VTH in the Narracoorte Caves National Park 5NP-017 and VKFF-0380, Grant VK3VIM in the Great Otway National Park VKFF-0405, Peter VK3PF in the Croajingolong National Park VKFF-0119, Greg VK5ZGY in the Karte Conservation Park 5CP-099 and VKFF-0898, and finally Neil VK4HNS portable in the Bendidee National Park VKFF-0030.  This was Neil’s first ever park activation, so it was great to get a Park to Park contact with Neil.

It was time to pack up and head back to the Goondooloo cottage in the Deep Creek Conservation Park.  This had been a great activation, with a total of 121 contacts in the log.  This included 27 Park to Park contacts.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF/p (Point Hicks Marine National Park)
2. VK3PMG
3. VK3VTH/m
4. VK7CW
5. VK4HNS/p
6. VK5GJ/p (Mowantijie Willauwar Conservation Park)
7. VK5GI/p (Mowantijie Willauwar Conservation Park)
8. VK3MRH
9. VK3FOWL
10. VK5FANA/p (Warrenben Conservation Park)
11. VK3MCD
12. VK5BJE
13. VK5IS
14. VK3FQSO
15. VK6MB
16. VK5HEL/p
17. VK3TKK/p
18. VK5KLV
19. VK2PKT
20. VK3HJ/m
21. VK5FMID
22. VK2LEE
23. VK2HHA
24. VK3ANL
25. VK2NP
26. VK5KC
27. VK4AAC/3 (Barmah National Park)
28. VK5HCF
29. VK1DI
30. VK3SIM
31. VK3HAK
32. VK2GJC
33. VK5FTVR
34. VK3YSP
35. VK3JR
36. VK5WG
37. VK1AT/3
38. VK3BBB
39. VK5JK
40. VK5NFT
41. VK3VBI
42. VK2BJP/3 (SOTA VK3/ VE-014 and Mount Buffalo National Park)
43. VK5BRL
44. VK3YE/p
45. VK3VIN
46. VK5LG/p (Cudlee Creek Conservation Park)
47. VK3MIJ
48. VK3MCK
49. VK7EK
50. VK5ND
51. VK5HW/m
52. VK5RM
53. VK5MJ
54. VK2IO/p
55. VK3FSTA
56. VK5GJ/p (Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Park)
57. VK5GI/p (Poonthie Ruwwe Conservation Park)
58. VK5FUZZ
59. VK5FD
60. VK2KF
61. VK3ZMD
62. VK2LKW
63. VK5MAS
64. VK5OQ/p (Sandy Creek Conservation Park)
65. VK2BJP/3 (SOTA VK3/ VE-019)
66. VK5PL
67. VK5LSB
68. VK5PCM
69. VK5FCJM
70. VK5DC
71. VK5AV
72. VK3FSPG
73. VK5PET/p (Kyeema Conservation Park)
74. VK3CM
75. VK3AFW
76. VK2PDW/m
77. VK5FTVR/p (Bullock Hill Conservation Park)
78. VK3MRH
79. VK7FMPR
80. VK3YYR
81. VK3FIRM
82. VK3LIP
83. VK5NIG
84. VK5HSX/p (Beachport Conservation Park)
85. VK5ZGY/p (Peebinga Conservation Park)
86. VK5FLEX
87. VK5TRM
88. VK4RF
89. VK4HA
90. VK3TKK/p (Organ Pipes National Park)
91. VK3ARH
92. VK3ANL
93. VK5FAKV
94. VK3AWG
95. VK3NBL
96. VK3SQ
97. VK3FALE
98. VK3FJBA
99. VK5FRCP
100. VK5SFA/p (Morialta Conservation Park)
101. VK5OQ/p (Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park)
102.  VK5GJ/p (Ettrick Conservation Park)
103. VK5GI/p (Ettrick Conservation Park)
104. VK5MR/p (Pualco Range Conservation Park)
105. VK3VTH/p (Narracoorte Caves National Park)
106. VK3VIM/p (Great Otway National Park)
107. VK3PF/p (Croajingolong National Park)
108. VK5ZGY/p (Karte Conservation Park)
109. VK4HNS/p (Bendidee National Park).

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2NP
2. VK6MB
3. VK3OHM
4. VK2NP
5. VK1JP
6. VK2XXM

The following stations were worked on 15m SSB:-

1. VK2NP
2. VK2RI
3. E51JD
4. VK4FAAS
5. ZL1ANF
6. VK7XX

After packing up Marija and I headed down to the old mine area for a walk.  Although we have been down here before, the interpretative walk through the old mining area and ruins is extremely interesting.

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On the way back to the cottage from Talisker I spoke in the mobile with Stef VK5HSX in the Beachport Conservation Park, then Greg VK5ZGY activating the Karte Conservation Park, and then Adrian VK5FANA operating from the Innes National Park.

After leaving Myponga, Marija and I continued south along the Main South Road, with our destination being the Deep Creek Conservation Park, 5CP-054 and VKFF-0780.  Deep Creek CP is located about 108 km south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Deep Creek Conservation Park, south of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After passing the Myponga Reservoir we then drove through Wattle Flat until we reached the little two of Yankalilla.  I worked here way back in the mid 1980’s.  We continued on to Normanville and followed the coast, admiring the fantastic views of Lady Bay and Yankalilla Bay.  This is a very scenic drive through the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula.  We continued on to Second Valley and the little town of Delamere.  It was here that we turned left onto Cole Road.  It wasn’t long until we reached a sign for the park and Goondooloo Cottage on the corner of Cole Road and Dog Trap Road.

We continued south on Dog Trap Road until we reached the intersection with Three Bridges Road.  The SOTA summit, Black Bullock Hill VK5/ SE-016 is located here.  We continued south on Tent Rock Road until we reached the cottage which was well signposted.  The fun of unpacking then started.

The land on which Goondooloo Cottage stands and adjacent areas was originally opened up by Mr. Aaron Bennett in the 1880’s.  The nearby Aaron Creek and its walking trail commemorate this early pioneer.  The land was periodically fired on a north wind, burnt to the coast and then grazed with sheep and cattle until the scrub became too thick when the process was repeated.

In 1937, Arthur and Mavis Loch purchased the land and the adjacent ‘Tent Rock’ property where they built their house and commenced to clear the land using bulldozers.  The area around the cottage was cleared in 1951 to 1952 and the dam below the cottage was constructed about the same time.

Lennard and Hazel Graves, store keepers from Streaky Bay purchased the land from the Loch’s in 1955 and called their property ‘Karella’.  It was on this land that Mr. Graves and his sons Colin and Ross built a one room shed/garage from hand made bricks.  This was the basis of the cottage.  It was shortly after that a kitchen, two bedrooms, outside bathroom and toilet, laundry and enclosed sleepout/verandah were added.

This was to be a ‘temporary dwelling’ until 1961 when Mr. and Mrs. Graves built the house south of the cottage.  The cottage was then used as aresidence by Mr. Graves’ son, Ross and his wife Jean.  The surrounding land continued to be cleared and a dairy was established with the milking shed approximately 400 metres down the road from the cottage.

In 1972 the property and buildings were sold to W.H. ‘Bill’ McGrath and Anntette Forrest who renamed the property ‘Goondooloo’, the local aboriginal name for the Southern Cross star constellation.  The cottage underwent refurbishing, with front glass sunroom internal bathroom and vernadah added.  In 1979 the property was sold to the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the Deep Creek Conservation Park.

The cottage was leased out as a private residence until 1981 when it became the first Park Headquarters.  It was used for this purpose until the headquarters were shifted to the current location above Glenburn Cottage in 1985.  The building was used as a temporary Ranger’s residence and as a storage area until 1987 when it became a holiday cottage.

In 1984, Southern Ocean Retrests took on the management of the cottages in Deep Creek Conservation Park and embarked upon an extensive rennovation program for each cottage.  Work on Goondooloo commenced in 1998 and included a complete refit of the bathroom and kitchen areas, the laying of slate floors throughout and use of larger windows.  Other less visible changes included the establishment of an independent rainwater supply system no longer leaving the cottage at the mercy of dam water.  Revegetation of the surrounding area was undertaken at the same time by Southern Ocean Restreats utilising seedlings grown from seeds collected in the park.  These include stringy bark, sheoak, pink gum, cup gum and mauye bottle brush.

Marija and I highly recommend a stay here.  More information can be found at……

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

Above:- Map showing the location of Goondooloo cottage within the Deep Creek Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Deep Creek Conservation Park is 44.96 km² (about 4,500 hectares) and is a spectacular park, with very thick scrub amongst some very hilly terrain.  The park contains some of South Australia’s most spectacular semi-wilderness areas and coastal scenery.  There are some amazing views to be enjoyed out to the Southern Ocean and across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island.    The famous Heysen Trail passes through the park, and there are numerous other walking trails through the park.  Deep Creek CP was named after the waterfall which flows through the year.  The park is alive with Western Grey kangaroos.  Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the park, and we certainly saw a lot including Wedge Tailed eages, Superb Blue wrens, numerous honeyeaters, and Rosellas.

Above:- Map showing the extent of the Deep Creek Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After unpacking and settling in to the cottage, Marija helped me set up the portable station in the ‘back yard’ of the cottage.  I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 400 watts, and the 20m/40m linked dipole for the activation (supported on the 7m heavy duty squid pole).  My first contact was with Mick VK3PMG who kindly spotted me on parksnpeaks.  This was followed by many of the ever keen park hunters including John VK5BJE, Amanda VK3FQSO (running just 1 watt and was 5/3), and Tony VK7LTD.

Nine QSOs into the activation and I worked Stef Vk5HSX ‘Park to Park’.  Stef was operating portable in the Little Dip Conservation Park 5CP-120 and VKFF-0904, in the South East of South Australia.  Unfortunately I started to experience the normal QRM from a VK2 Net on7.146.  Bill VK4FW tried calling but we just couldn’t quite make it due to the QRM, which fortunately did not last for long.  I continued to work a steady pile up of callers from VK2, VK3,, VK5, and VK7.  Sadly, the QRM free frequency didn’t last, with the stations starting up again on 7.144.  I perservered and worked a number of other stations including another “Park to Park” contact, this time with Rob VK4AAC/3 in the Barmah National Park VKFF-0739.  But it just got too tough and I decided to QSY to 20m.

I commenced calling CQ on 14.310 and was pleased to get Bill VK4FW in the log as number one on 20m.  This was followed by Cliff VK2NP, Jim VK1AT/3, and then my first DX for the park, Sergey RA3PCI in Russia.  This was followed soon after by Pista HA8CE in Hungary.  I then spoke with Garry VK1ZZ/4 in the Forty Mile Scrub National Park VKFF-0181, my first “Park to Park” for this activation on 20m.  I worked a few more VK4 and VK6 stations and also Alex UA3AR in Russia, but it was still a little too early for good long path Europe propagation.

So I headed down the band to the ANZA DX Net and checked in there.  I worked a total of 7 stations on the Net from VK1, VK4, VK6, New Caledonia, South Cook Islands, and China.  I then headed back to 40m.

I had a listen on 7.144 and heard Peter VK5PET calling CQ from the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park 5CP-148 and VKFF-0916.  Peter was activating the park as part of our normal Friday afternoon/evening event for the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, and had a beautiful 5/9 signal.  I knew that there were some more VK5 Park Activators out and about, so I decided to have a tune across the 40m band before finding somewhere to prop and start calling CQ.  It didn’t take me long to find Adrian VK5FANA on 7.130, operating from the Innes National Park 5NP-010 and VKFF-0243.  Adrian had a very strong 5/9 plus signal coming in from the bottom of the Yorke Peninsula.

Soon after I found Peter VK3PF on 7.100 on SOTA summit Granite Peak, VK3/ VG-137 which is located within the Alfred National Park VKFF-0618.  I then headed up to 7.150 and started calling CQ and it wasn’t long before the throng of park hunters had found me.  First taker was Ron VK3AFW, followed by Matt VK3FORD, and then Peter VK3TKK operating portable in the Organ Pipes National Park VKFF-0627.  Quite a pile up ensued with callers from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5, all with excellent signals.

Whilst operating I had a crowd of onlookers.  No not people, but a mob of kangaroos who were grazing in the clearing about 100 feet from where I was operating.

When things quietened down a little I took the opportunity of looking around the 40m band again, and I soon found Gerard VK2IO in Gariral National Park VKFF-0191.  This was a very first time activation of the park, so I was very pleased to get Gerard in the log with a beautiful 5/9 signal.

I decided to head back to 20m and started calling CQ on 14.245.  To my surprise this was immediately answered by Mike M0FCD in England with a strong 5/9 signal (5/6 received).  This was followed by Steve who kindly placed me on the DX Cluster.  This clearly resulted in quite a few subsequent calls from Europe.  I worked into Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Hungary, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Russia, Finland, France, Germany and Ukraine.  Signals were quite good.  In fact the best I had heard whilst out portable for some time.  I even got to work my good mate Danny ON4VT.

Danny asked if I could QSY up the band to work a Belgian Foundation operator.  Apparently they cannot operate below 14.250.  So I headed up the band to 14.285 where I spoke with ON3EVO/m (5/5 both ways).  I then returned back down to 14.245 where I worked into VK2, Alaska, Belgium (including my mate Swa ON5SWA), Germany, Slovak Republic, and Finland.  I then headed inside the cottage for some dinner and a few beers from the Smiling Samoyd Brewery at Myponga.

After dinner, I headed back outside again and called CQ on 7.150, which was answered by Rick VK5FGFK, followed by Lewis VK2JDW mobile, and then Darrell VK3AWA.  Next in the log was Oliver ZL1AAW in Auckland.  Band conditions were excellent again, with further calls from VK3, VK4, and VK6.  This included contacts with John VK6VZZ and Jonathan VK6JON, who were both mobile in Perth.

It was approaching 8.00 p.m. South Australian local time (0930 UTC) so I headed to the 7130 DX Net where I booked in and subsequently worked into VK4, VK6, VK7, and USA.  This included another “Park to Park’ contact with Garry VK1ZZ/4 in Forty Mile Scrub, Bill W1OW in Massachusetts in the USA, and Carstern VK6PCB portable on the banks of the Swan River in Perth, running just 5 watts.

It was the end of a great day.  I had 113 contacts in the log already from Deep Creek.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PMG
2. VK5BJE
3. VK3FQSOP
4. VK7LTD
5. VK5GJ
6. VK5GI
7. VK3SFG/p
8. VK3FOWL
9. VK5HSX/p (Little Dip Conservation Park 5CP-120 and VKFF-0904)
10. VK2YW
11. VK5KBB
12. VK5ZGY
13. VK2HHA
14. VK3TUL/p
15. VK2LEE
16. VK5FTVR
17. VK5FMID
18. VK2NP
19. VK2XXM
20. VK3FAPH/p
21. VK7CW
22. VK3AWG
23. VK4AAC/3 (Barman National Park VKFF-0739)
24. VK3SIM
25. VK5PET/p (Mount Magnificent Conservation Park 5CP-148 and VKFF-0916)
26. VK5FANA/p (Innes National Park 5NP-010 and VKFF-0243)
27. VK3PF/p (SOTA VK3/ VG-137 and Alfred National Park VKFF-0618)
28. VK3AFW
29. VK3FORD
30. VK3TKK/p (Organ Pipes National Park)
31. VK5KLV
32. VK3OF
33. VK2RM
34. VK4RF
35. VK4HA
36. VK5TRM
37. Vk5LDM
38. VK3FCCK
39. VK5JK
40. VK3FQSO
41. VK4QQ
42. VK5NRG
43. VK5KPR
44. VK5ZRY
45. VK1EL/p
46. VK4FFAB
47. VK2IO/p (Gariral National Park VKFF-0191)
48. VK5FGFK
49. VK2JDW/m
50. VK3AWA
51. ZL1AAW
52. VK3MCD/p
53. VK3TJK
54. VK4FBMW
55. VK4NAI/6
56. VK6VZZ/m
57. VK6JON/m
58. VK6WE
59. VK7ROY
60. VK4TH
61. VK1ZZ/4 (Forty Mile Scrub National Park VKFF-0181)
62. VK4MON
63. W1OW
64. VK6PCB/p

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4FW
2. VK2NP
3. VK1AT/3
4. RA3PCI
5. VK4HNS
6. VK3MCK
7. HA8CE
8. VK1ZZ/4 (Forty Mile Scrub National Park VKFF-0181)
9. VK6BG
10. VK4MNM/m
11. UA3AR
12. FK8HZ
13. BD4CZX
14. VK4DGU
15. VK4LJ
16. E51JD
17. VK4NH/6
18. VK1TX
19. M0FCD
20. VK4OZI
21. IZ1JMN
22. I5FLN
23. ON4VT
24. SQ1GQT
25. EA4DTV
26. HA6OB
27. G4OJY
28. CT2IHP
29. ON1JU
30. PD2JAM
31. M5AFD
32. R2AGM
33. G0RQL
34. EA2KV
35. OH6IU
36. F5XL
37. UR7ET
38. F1BLL
39. F6BWA
40. OT4V
41. DF4TD
42. ON3EVO/m
43. VK2QM
44. AL7KC
45. ON5SWA
46. OM7OM
47. DL1LQC
48. OH1NYD

On Friday 1st April 2016, Marija and I made a bright and early start and we headed off for the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide.  We had booked in to stay for 3 nights at Goondooloo Cottage in the Deep Creek Conservation Park and had plans to activate that weekend a total of six parks for the 3rd year anniversary of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award.  Our first, and only activation for Friday was to be the Yulti Conservation Park, 5CP-261 and VKFF-1128.

Yulte Conservation Park is located about 60m south of Adelaide, and about 3 km south east of the town of Myponga.

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

I have activated Yulti Conservation Park twice before, but this was to be my first activation of the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  The park had not been on the WWFF list during my two previous activations.  So I was keen to get 44 QSOs.

Yulti Conservation Park is often referred to as Yulte Conservation Park on maps and various websites.  The Department of Environment Water & Natural Resources (DEWNR) website lists the park spelling as Yulte.  But the sign in the park itself shows the spelling as Yulti.  The road leading up to the park is spelt as Yulte.  The park derives its name from the Kauna aboriginal word ‘yulti’ meaning stringy bark.

The park is 41 hectares in size and consists of a series of hills and gullies.  It is disected by several small creeks with gurgling waterfalls.  The Heysen Trail passed through the dense overgrowth in the park.

As we drove along Pages Flat Road, the park soon came into view to our left across the cleared farming land.

We then turned left onto Barclay Road, and then right onto Rowley Road until we reached Yulte Road.  The Fleurieu Milk & Yoghurt Company has their processing plant on this corner.  We continued south along Yulte Road, which becomes Coopers Road.  On maps, Cooper Road continues out to Trig Point Road (but in reality this is not the case).  There is no vehicular access to the park from the Trig Point Road end.

Since last being at the park, it was evident that access up to the park sign was not possible, as there were a lot of tree branches down over Coopers Road (which is a 4WD track).  We parked the car at the ‘turn around’ at the end of Yulte Road, just down from the property called ‘Highlands’, and started carrying the gear a short distance up the track to our operating spot.

Above:- Map showing our operating spot on the western side of the Yulte Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The track leading up to the park is quite a gentle slope and it is only a few hundred metres until you reach the park boundary.

As Yulte Conservation Park is located in the hills around Myponga, there are some very nice views to be enjoyed of the surrounding countryside if you get up high enough.

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We were up on air by 9.50 a.m. South Australian local time.  I headed to my nominated operating frequency of 7.144 and commenced calling CQ.  This was answered by Mick in Stawell in western Victoria with a beautiful 5/9 plus signal.  Mick kindly spotted me on parksnpeaks and this resulted in a mini pile up.  My second caller was Don VK3MCK who had become a regular park hunter of late, followed by Graham VK2MGA who was mobile on the Hume Highway, and had a strong 5/9 signal from his mobile.

Fourteen contacts into the activation and I had my first ‘Park to Park’ contact for the activation.  It was with Adrian VK5FANA who was operating portable in the Leven Beach Conservation Park, 5CP-117 and VKFF-0814, on the Yorke Peninsula (5/9 both ways).

I continued to work quite a pile up, with callers from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK6 with many of the regular park hunters featuring, but also some new callers.  I worked a total of 27 stations prior to the UTC rollover.  There were some nice QRP contacts and they included Paul VK3DBP running 2.5 watts and who was a good 5/3.  Also Amanda VK3FQSO running just 1 watt and who was 5/6.  Amanda often runs QRP and is always very readable to me whilst I’m out portable.

After the UTC rollover I worked a total of 22 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5.  This included another ‘Park to Park’ contact with Adrian VK5FANA.   Adrian stayed on the frequency with me, and we worked stations in tandem.  A few more QRP operators called in, including Greg VK5GJ at Meadows (5/7), and Brian VK5FMID running 5 watts (5/8 sent),  I lowered my power down to 5 watts and I dropped from a 5/9 to Brian, down to a 5/7, down to Mount Gambier, about 500 km to my south east.

I also tried 20m where I made a total of 5 contacts into VK2 and VK4.  Rick VK4RF/VK4HA was about 30db over S9, and gave me 20/9.  Other callers including Bill VK4FW, Geoff VK2WFF and Paul VK2PG running just 5 watts were also very strong.  But despite the 20m band being in very good shape, there were very few callers.

We spent a little under 2 hours in the park, and a total of 53 contacts were in the log.  Hopefully I had given some of the park hunters a brand new park, and I was pleased as I had qualified the park as an Activator.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB prior to the UTC rollover:-

1. VK3PMG
2. VK3MCK
3. VK2MGA/m
4. VK4FFAB
5. VK5BJE
6. VK4NH/6
7. VK5FMID
8. VK1AT
9. VK2HHA
10. VK3MEG
11. VK3DBP
12. VK5HCF
13. VK4HNS/p
14. VK5FANA/p (Leven Beach Conservation Park)
15. VK2MOR
16. VK3FQSO
17. VK5HS
18. VK2NP
19. VK5PL
20. VK5ZGY
21. VK2XXM
22. VK2YK
23. VK4RF
24. VK4HA
25. VK5BXN
26. VK2MTC
27. VK3FADM

The following stations were worked on 40m after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2LEE
2. VK3PMG
3. VK2IO
4. VK3HKV/p
5. VK4RF
6. VK4HA
7. VK3ZMD
8. VK5KLV
9. VK3AV
10. VK3FLCS
11. VK2FAAA
12. VK7BC
13. VK3NBL
14. VK5GJ
15. VK5FANA/p (Leven Beach Conservation Park)
16. VK3MRH
17. VK5FMID
18. VK3PAT
19. VK3VIN
20. VK3EJS
21. VK2HHA

The following stations were worked on 20nm SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK4FW
4. VK2WDD
5. VK2PG

After the park activation we drove down into the little town of Myponga and went to the Smiling Samoyd Brewery for lunch and some refreshments.  We started off with Arancini balls (containing rice, cheese & pumpkin), followed by a wood fired pizza.  BEAUTIFUL!  We also tried some of the home made beer: Kolsch, a German style Golden Ale, and a Full Flavoured Australian Dark Ale.  We highly recommend this place.  More info on the Smiling Samoyd can be found at…..

http://www.smilingsamoyed.com.au/

References.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, Parks of the Fleurieu Peninsula

The weekend just gone (Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April 2016) saw the special activation weekend to celebrate the 3rd year anniversary of the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.

Firstly a huge thankyou to everyone who took part in the weekends event.  I hope everyone who took park, whether that was either as a park activator, or a park hunter, had a great time.

I activated 6 different Conservation Parks down on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, and had a total of 602 QSOs.

On my way home from Victoria last week (Wednesday 30th March 2016) I called in to the Wolseley Common Conservation Park 5CP-258 and VKFF-1125, for a brand new activation for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  The park had been activated previously for the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, but this was to be the very first time that the park had been put on air for WWFF/VKFF.  It was also to be a unique park for me.

The Wolseley Common Conservation Park is located about 287 km south east of Adelaide and just 4 km from the South Australian/Victorian State border.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Wolseley Common Conservation Park near the Victorian border.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Travelling west on the Western Highway in Victoria, I turned off at the Serviceton Road and made a short detour into the little town of Serviceton.  Why?  It was to view the historic Serviceton Railway Station.  I have been here before, but this building always impresses me.  The town of Serviceton was named after Sir James Service, Premier of Victoria in 1880, and again from 1883-1886.

In 1887, when the Victorian and South Australian railways were joined at the old State border, a railway station was constructed on the border.  The cost of the 3 level building was to be equally shared by the 2 colonies.  It was constructed of Horsham made bricks on the then ‘Disputed Territory’ and was completed in 1889.

The State border was intended to be on the 141st meridian east, however owing to a surveying error, border markers were placed 3.6 km west of the meridian.  In November 1913, the State of Victoria finally succeeded in having the erronously surveyed border declared to be the legal border .  As such, Serviceton is now fully in Victoria.

Today, the railway station is no longer in use, however The Overland and freight trains, pass through the town of Serviceton.  

After leaving Serviceton I travelled west along the Serviceton-Wolseley Road, crossing the South Australian/Victorian State border.

It wasn’t long until I reached the little town of Wolseley, which has an area population of about 351 people.  The town is situated about 5 km south of the Dukes Highway.  Wolseley was first proclaimed as a town in 1884 and was initially named Tatiara.

During the early 1880’s the railway line from Adelaide to Wolseley was opened.  The railway line from Melbourne to nearby Serviceton was completed in 1886.  The remaining ‘3 miles’ of track from Wolseley to Serviceton was completed by the South Australian Railways in 1887.  The railway station in the town was named after Field Marshal Garnet Joseph Wolseley, 1st Vicount Wolseley KP, GCB, OM, GCMG, VD, PC, who was the Commander in Chief of the British Army.  The name of the town was changed to match the name of the station on the 20th February 1941.

Above:- Lord Wolseley.  Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Wolseley Common Conservation Park is a small park, comprising about 25 hectares of one of the few remaining stands of Buloke Woodland on gilgai soil (comes from an aboriginal word meaning small waterhole), which is classified as endangered under national legislation.  The park which was proclaimed on the 29th November 2001, comprised the former parklands of Wolseley.  The commonages were used by locals for depasturing animals, firewood gathering, recreation and rubbish dumping.

The Buloke Woodland conserved by the park has been found to represent the best example of a remnant pure Buloke Low Woodland ecosystem on gilgai soil in South Australia. About 68 indigenous plant species can be found in the park, with 32 of those being of State and or Regional conservation significance.

It is reported that by the 1960’s, the land that now forms part of the park was reported to have been reduced to virtually bare ground with only a few scattered Buloke trees.  But with the decline of the town, the associated pressures on the land abated, and native vegetation commenced to regenerate.

It is estimated that Pre-European vegetation cover for Buloke Woodland was around 18,400 hectares, and currently only about 530 hectares remains (2.9%).

The park provides a vital food source for the endangered South Eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, which is restricted to a small area of South Australia and Victoria.  More information on this beautiful bird can be found on the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Recovery Project website at…..

http://www.redtail.com.au/

Above:- Red tailed black cockatoo.  Image courtesy of wikipedia.

I set up on the western side of West Terrace, on the southern side of the town of Wolseley.  I drove along a track which follows the fenceline, and established the station in a clearing.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Wolseley Common Conservation Park on the outskirts of the town of Wolesley and my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Enroute to the park I had telephoned John VK5BJE and asked him to place an alert for me on parksnpeaks, which he kindly did.  I then switched the transceiver in the 4WD over to 7.144 and heard John chatting to Adrian VK5FANA, waiting for me to come up.  So it was appropriate that John and Adrian were my first two contacts from the park.  This was followed by park devotees Col VK5HCF, Peter VK3PF, Peter VK3TKK mobile, and Mick VK3PMG.  Many of the normal ‘suspects’ called in across VK2, VK3, and VK5.

Unfortunately, after being on 7.144 for 15 minutes, I started to experience QRM from some stations on 7.142.  The splatter was just too great, so I decided to QSY to 20m.  I headed for 14.310 as Peter VK3PF had informed me that Glen VK6HAD was on a SOTA summit on that frequency.  I was pleased to find Glen coming in very well, with a nice 5/3 signal.  Not a strong signal, but perfectlly readable due to the low noise floor in the park.

I then worked Paul VK2KTT, Russell VK4ARW, Steve VK7CW, and finally Rick VK4RF/VK4HA.  All had solid 5/9 signals into Wolseley Common.

I then headed back to 40m and called CQ on 7.144 and this was answered by Lee VK2LEE.  The SOTA Goat app on my iphone then bleated, indicating that there was a SOTA activator out and about.  As it was quiet, I took the opportunity of heading to 7.090 where I worked Derek VK3XY on SOTA peak Mount Sarah VK3/ VE-032.  I then returned back to 7.144 where I worked a total of 27 stations in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5.  This included Gerard VK2IO who was portable on SOTA summit Mount Wolgan VK2/ CT-065 located within the Gardens of Stone National Park VKFF-0190.

Time was pushing on, so I had one last quick listen on 20m where I worked my good mate Greg VK8GM, Fred OE6BMG and Luciano I5FLN.  Sorry to all the other European stations that would have liked to have got this park in their log.  I still had a 3 hour journey home ahead of me and I had to go QRT.

Thanks to those who patiently waited for me on 2 occasions after my squid pole de-telescoped.  It is a brand new pole from Haverfords and has a crook section, and occasionally in high winds it collapses.  And that’s what it did here in Wolseley Common.

After a little under 2 hours in the park, I had a total of 59 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5FANA
3. VK5HCF
4. VK3PF
5. VK3TKK/m
6. VK3PMG
7. VK5KLV
8. VK5ND
9. VK5GJ
10. VK5PL
11. VK3SIM
12. VK3ZMD
13. VK2AJD
14. VK5FMID
15. VK2HHA
16. VK2NP
17. VK3PAT
18. VK3HSB
19. VK3DBP/2
20. VK5GI
21. VK3FJBA
22. VK2LEE
23. VK3XY/p
24. VK3TJK
25. VK3NRG
26. VK5ZGY
27. VK2JDS
28. VK3FOWL
29. VK4CPS
30. VVK5FTVR
31. VK5HDW
32. VK4RF
33. VK4HA
34. VK3KWB
35. VK1MA
36. VK3FQSO
37. VK2YW
38. VK4HNS/p
39. VK3MCK
40. VK5WG
41. VK3AAE/p
42. VK3BBB
43. VK5KS
44. VK2FJCQ
45. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ CT-065 and VKFF-0190)
46. VK5FD
47. VK3MRH
48. VK3MLU
49. VK2VAA
50. VK5YX

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6HAD/p (SOTA VK6/ SW-007 and VKFF-0467)
2. VK2KTT
3. VK4ARW
4. VK7CW
5. VK4RF
6. VK4HA
7. VK8GM
8. OE6BMG
9. I5FLN

After the activation I stopped off for a look at the old fuel tanks on the edge of town.  During the early stages of the Second World War, No. 12 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot was established at Wolseley, with an initial capacity of 1.27 megalitres  in three tanks camouflaged to look like farm buildings. The depot started operations in 1942 and three additional tanks were added later.  It was disbanded on 14 June 1944

References.

Department for Environment and Heritage, 2006, Department for Environment and Heritage Management Plan

Kaniva live the country life, <http://www.kaniva.info/serviceton-railway&gt;, viewed 5th April 2016

Wikipedia, 2016, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serviceton,_Victoria&gt;, viewed 5th April 2016