My final activation for the trip away to the South East was the Grass Tree Conservation Park VKFF-0885 and 5CP-080.  This was to be my ninth park activation on the trip.  And again this was to be a unique park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  I had activated this park previously as part of the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award back in June 2014.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Grass Tree Conservation Park in the South East of South Australia.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Grass Tree Conservation Park is situated about 17 km north of Naracoorte, off the Naracoorte to Keith Road (Riddoch Highway).  The park is accessed via Boddingtons West Road.  The park which is 15.88 hectares in size, was gazetted in 1972 to protect the grass tree Xanthorrhoea Australis.  Since last coming to this park it appears that an access point has been added for people to enter the park.

Access point to the park

The eastern boundary of the park

Other than the grass tree, the park also features brown stringybark, pink gum, South Australian blue gum, and austral bracken.  The park also has a substantial number of banksias, many of which were in flower.

I set up just inside the northern perimeter fence, and actually used the fence to secure the squid pole and then strung out the 40m/20m linked dipole and tied off the ends to the fence.  I made myself comfortable on the deck chair with the fold up table and commenced calling CQ on 7.090.

Above:- Aerial image of the Grass Tree Conservation Park showing my location in the northern section of the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

My first caller was Gerard VK2IO who was portable in Kumbatine National Park VKFF-0271.  This was followed by a number of the park regulars including Mick VK3GGG, Geoff VK3SQ, Rick VK4RF, and Les VK5KLV.  The 40m band was still behaving itself, with signals very strong from all parts of Australia.  About 30 contacts into the activation I was called by Luigi IK1QFN with a good 5/5 signal amongst all the VK’s.  Luigi gave me a 5/5 in Italy which I was very surprised with.  I then took a break from the Australian callers and called for any stations from outside of VK, but sadly there was no reply.  I have since received an email from a friend in Europe, advising that he was calling but couldn’t break the VK pile up.  It is a timely reminder to occasionally listen for outside of VK.

A few contacts later I was called by Adam VK2YK who was operating portable from SOTA peak VK2/ HU-080, west of Newcastle.  Adam was a nice 5/7 signal to Grass Tree.

After logging a total of 57 stations on 40m I headed over to 20m and commenced calling CQ on 20m, and this was answered by Lee VK2LEE, followed by Peter VE7CV in Canada, Mark VK2UMA, and finally Mike VK6MB.  But despite conditions being quite good on the band, a number of CQ calls went unanswered.  So I headed down the band to 14.183 and booked in to the ANZA DX Net where I worked 6 stations including VK2, VK4, VK6, VK7, and the USA.

It was getting on time wise and I still had a 3 hour drive to get home, so it was time to pack up with a total of 57 contacts in the log and another park underneath my belt for the WWFF program.  It was also the end of a very enjoyable trip to the South East of South Australia.

Thanks to Mike VK6MB and Rick VK4RF for posting me on Facebook, and thanks to Rob VK4AAC, Paul VK2HV, Rick VK4RF, Mark VK4SMA, and Luigi IK1QFN for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (Kumbatine National Park VKFF-0271)
2. VK3GGG
3. VK3PMG
4. VK3SQ
5. VK4RF
6. VK4HA
7. VK5KLV
8. VK3PF
9. VK5FANA
10. VK5FTVR
11. VK4HNS/p
12. VK6JON mobile 7
13. VK4AAC/3
14. VK3MRH
15. VK2KYO
16. VK3MKM
17. VK2HHA
18. VK3AWG
19. VK3AW
20. VK2GAZ
21. VK4SMA
22. VK3FSPG
23. VK6MB
24. VK3MNZ
25. VK3SIM
26. VK2NEO
27. VK5KIK
28. VK3VBI
29. IK1QFN
30. VK5FMID
31. VK7ALB
32. VK5BJE
33. VK3ZMD
34. VK2YK/p (SOTA VK2/ HU-080)
35. VK3FJBA
36. VK7DX
37. VK5FTCT
38. VK7CW
39. VK3FOTO mobile
40. VK2XUP
41. VK3ARH
42. VK7DW
43. VK3AJO
44. VK5FSPJ mobile
45. VK4FBMW
46. VK4AAC/3
47. VK2LEE

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2LEE
2. VE7CV
3. VK2UMA
4. VK6MB
5. VK7XX
6. VK2RI
7. KI6KFB
8. VK4NH/5
9. VK6NTE
10. VK4SWE (Sweers Island OC-227)

My second activation for Monday 13th June 2016 was the Talapar Conservation Park VKFF-1103 and 5CP-222.  This was also to be a very first time activation of this park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  It was also to be the very first time that I had been to this park.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Talapar Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Talapar Conservation Park is situated about 40 km north west of Naracoorte, and is about 494 hectares in size.  The park was gazetted in 1977 and contains mallee honey-myrtle, brown stringybark, pink gum, South Australian blue gum, and South Australian swamp paperbark.  The park contains several small interconnected wetlands in the eastern section.  The area surrounding Talapar has been cleared for farming and the park preserves a remnant of open forest and heath vegetation which once covered most of the South East region.  There are boundary access tracks, but these were locked.

The southern boundary of the park

Cleared land on the southern side of the park

Access track on the southern side

This is truly a very beautiful little park and I suspect does not get a lot of visitors.  There are no facilities here and there did not appear to be any dedicated walking tracks in the park itself, other than the boundary vehicular tracks, which as I mentioned you can only access on foot.

I set up near the southern side of the park off Lochaber North Road.  I used the fenceline to secure my 7 metre squid pole with the assistance of an octopus strap, and strung out the 40m/20m linked dipole.

Above:- Aerial view of the Talapar Conservation Park showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I immediately went to 7.144 and started calling CQ and this was answered by Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula with a 5/9 signal, followed by Geoff VK3SQ also 5/9, and then Mick VK3GGG in western Victoria who was also 5/9. The 40m band was still in great shape, as it had been for my 4 days away.  As this was a brand new park for WWFF, it wasn’t surprising that a mini pile up soon ensued with callers from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  Many of the regular park hunters appeared in the log, but there were a few new calls spread amongst those.

During the activation I made two Park to Park contacts.  They were with Nick VK3ANL who was portable on SOTA peak West of England Fire Tower VK3/ VW-016 which is located within the Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629.  And also with Gerard Vk2IO who was operating portable in Kumbatine National Park VKFF-0271.

I also had some great QRP contacts.  They included Steve VK3HK running just 1 watt (5/8 sent and 5/9 received).  Peter VK3PF also running just 1 watt (5/8 sent and 5/9 received).  Damien VK5FDEC running his normal 5 watts (5/8 sent and 5/5 received), and Lloyd VK3FSTA also running 5 watts (5/9 both ways).  But the best QRP contact of this activation was with Peter VK3YE who was running just 500 milliwatts with a home brew transceiver (5/7 sent and 5/8 received).

A total of 49 contacts were made on 40m in around 45 minutes.  I then moved to 20m and made just 2 contacts into Western Australia with Mike VK6MB and then Greg VK8KMD in Alice Springs.  Albert S58AL in Slovenia tried calling me.  Albert was quite readable, although very weak, but just couldn’t quite get my signal report, so it was an unsucessful contact.  And to finish off the activation I spoke with Rick VK4RF/VK4HA and Mark VK4SMA on 21.244 on 15m.

So after around one hour and 20 minutes in the park, I had a total of 54 contacts in the log, and had well and truly qualified the park for WWFF.  It was off to Grass Tree Conservation Park for me.  And I am very pleased to say that the Toyota Hi Lux started first time, which I was very very pleased with.

Thanks to Rick VK4RF and Mike VK6MB for posting me on Facebook.  And thanks to Adrian VK5FANA and Robert VK2XXM for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK3SQ
3. VK3GGG
4. VK3PMG
5. VK2HHA
6. VK4AAC/3
7. VK3FOTO mobile
8. VK6MB
9. VK5KLV
10. VK3BBB mobile
11. VK3XV
12. VK3VZX mobile
13. VK4RF
14. VK4HA
15. VK5FDEC
16. Vk1DI
17. VK3KYF
18. VK3AWG
19. VK3NMK
20. VK3MRH
21. VK3BKT
22. VK3ARH
23. VK3VEF
24. VK4HNS/p
25. VK3ANL/p (SOTA VK3/ VW-016 and VKFF-0629)
26. VK5JK
27. VK2YK
28. VK6JON mobile 7
29. VK3YE
30. VK3HK
31. VK3PF
32. VK2FADV
33. VK3GYH
34. VK2KYO
35. VK5FVSV
36. VK5BJE
37. VK5FTVR
38. VK2XXM
39. VK5FMLO
40. VK2FBBA
41. VK7CW
42. VK3FSPG
43. VK3FONZ
44. VK3FSTA
45. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0271)
46. VK5FD/p
47. VK2KJJ
48. VK2KPP mobile
49. VK2SK

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6MB
2. VK8KMD

The following stations were worked on 15m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK4SMA

References.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1992, Small Parks of the Upper South East Management Plans.

I had three planned park activations for Monday 13th June 2016.  The first being the Fairview Conservation Park VKFF-0879 and 5CP-065.  This was again another park that had been previously activated for the VK5 Parks Award but not the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

I last activated this park back in June 2015, when I was last in the South East for the SERG Convention.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Fairview Conservation Park in south eastern South Australia.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I had a bright and early start from Mount Gambier.  And it was a freezing cold morning with overnight temperatures below zero.  I checked out of the motel and headed for the ‘Golden Arches’ (McDonalds) for some breakfast.  I then headed out of Mount Gambier along the Riddoch Highway, enjoying an amazing sunrise.

I travelled out through Narracoorte until I reached Lochaber Lane.  There is a large sign indicating the park at this location.  I drove out along Lochaber Lane until I reached Woolumbool Road, and it wasn’t long before I reached the park.

A few km along Woolumbool Road there is an open gate which allows access to the park.  A large rainwater tank can be located here.  This is the start of the 4WD tracks that traverse through the park.  This is where I set up my station.

Above:- Aerial shot showing my operating spot within the Fairview Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Fairview CP is situated about 17 km north of Lucindale and about 345 km south east of Adelaide.  The park was constituted in 1960 and covers an area of around 1,398 hectares (3,440 acres) so it is quite a large park.  The park contains two semi permanent lagoons which I did not visit.   According to the park Management Plan there is a picnic area situated between the lagoons which can be reached by a track leading from the north west corner of the park.  But due to the date of this publication, I’m not sure if that still exists.

The park also has extensive areas of seasonally inundated flats, sandy flats and ridges, and limestone ridges.  The park contains large gums, Stringy Barks, various native grasses, and Banksias.  Other than the native wildlife, deer can also be found in the park.  The rare Red Tailed Black Cockatoo can be found in the park.

Although the sun had come out and the sky was a beautiful blue, it was still absolutely freezing.  At the time of setting up in Fairview it was 2 degrees C.  Prior to calling CQ I had a look around the 40m band and worked Gerard VK2IO who was activating the Crowdy Bay National Park VKFF-0120 (5/9 both ways).  I then spoke with Al VK1RX/2 who was activating SOTA peak Mount Gillamatong VK2/ ST-034 (5/9 both ways).  And then Nick VK3ANL who was activating Paddys Range State Park VKFF-0772 (5/9 both ways).  The 40m band was in excellent shape.

I then moved to 7.144 and commenced calling CQ and this was answered by Dennis VK2HHA in Albury, followed by Mike VK6MB who was 5/9, and then Steve VK7CW.  I worked a total of 56 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, and VK7.

I then moved to 20m where I worked just 5 stations from VK2, VK4, and VK6.  All had excellent signals and despite being placed on parksnpeaks by Rick VK4RF, I had no further takers.  To finish off the activation I made a single 15m contact with Mike VK6MB (5/7 sent and 5/9 received).  Unfortunately I could not self spot from the park as I had very limited mobile phone coverage.

So off to the next park it was for me.  Well, not quite.  I got in the Toyota Hi Lux and it wouldn’t start.  The battery appeared flat.  Fortunately for me I was able to get a jump start from one of the local farmers, for which I am extremely grateful.

Thanks to Les VK5KLV and Rick VK4RF for posting me on Facebook.  And thanks to Rick VK4RF, Adrian VK5FANA, and Rob VK4AAC/3 for spotting me on the DX cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0120)
2. VK1RX/2 (SOTA VK2/ ST-034)
3. VK3ANL/p (VKFF-0772)
4. VK2HHA
5. VK6MB
6. VK7CW
7. VK3TJK
8. VK2YK
9. VK3SIM
10. VK3MRH
11. VK3SQ
12. VK3MCK
13. VK5FANA
14. VK2GAZ
15. VK5KLV
16. VK2MT/p
17. VK4RF
18. VK4HA
19. VK2LEE
20. VK6JON mobile 7
21. VK2LAX
22. VK3FLES
23. VK3PAT
24. VK3PF
25. VK2HV
26. VK4HNS/p
27. VK1AT
28. VK4VXX/2
29. VK3DAC
30. VK3ZMD
31. VK2KYO
32. VK4RF
33. VK4HA
34. VK1DI
35. VK2WOW
36. VK3FGMO
37. VK3FADM
38. VK5HS mobile
39. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0120)
40. VK4AAC/3
41. VK3IL/p
42. VK5FLEX mobile
43. VK3GGG
44. VK3PMG
45. VK5BJE
46. VK2LEE
47. VK5JK
48. VK3NXT
49. VK3FSPG
50. VK3ERW
51. VK3ARH
52. VK3FLCS
53. VK2YW
54. VK3XV
55. VK5FTVR
56. VK2LAX

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2LEE
2. VK4HNS/p
3. VK4RF
4. VK4HA
5. VK6MB

The following station was worked on 15m SSB:-

1. VK6MB

My one and only planned activation for Sunday 12th June 2016 was the Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park VKFF-1018 and 5CP-038.  This was another park that had been activated previously (including by myself) for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award, but it had not been activated for World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF).  So this was to be a new park for me and all the hunters who worked me.  I was also going to see how many contacts I could make for the VK Shires Contest.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I left Mount Gambier quite early in the morning, so it was slow going on the roads.  There were lots of kangaroos and wallabies on the edge of the road, and crossing the road at times.

And then there were the wombats!

Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park protects 30.5 hectares of coastal habitat, which was purchased with the assistance of the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust.   A number of threatened species and plant communities are conserved within the park.  The park protects part of the only known population of Carpenter Rocks Manna Gum and provides significant roosting habitat for the Orange-bellied Parrot, which is critically endangered at a national level.

The land comprising the reserve is significant for the local Aboriginal Boandik people, with one site of significance located in Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park and another two sites within close proximity.

Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park was proclaimed on 6 September 2001 under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 with a section 43 proclamation providing for existing and future rights for exploration and mining under thePetroleum Act 2000.  The South Australian Government purchased the land with the assistance of the Australian Government through the National Reserve System Program of the Natural Heritage Trust and a contribution from the Nature Foundation SA Inc.

To access the park you need to travel along Carpenter Rocks Road, into the little seaside township of Carpenter Rocks.  Then turn left onto Pelican Point Road and travel south east.  You will find a small clearance in the scrub a short distance down on the left, and this is where you enter the park.  You will drive into a small clearing and this is where the park sign is located.  There is a track which then follows a dog leg around to the left and follows the power lines through the park.

The last time I activated this park back in September 2013, I activated from a clearing in the scrub about 100 metres along the 4WD track.  This time I set up near the park sign.  The 4WD track looked way too overgrown to drive down and I was concerned that I might not be able to turn around.

Sadly this park appears to be a bit neglected.  There are no real walking tracks through the park as the vegetation is just too thick.  The park is not sign posted from the road, which seems to be a common theme with many South Australian parks.

So with the 4WD track being overgrown I wasn’t left with a lot of options as to where to set up.  I was also cognisant of nearby overhead power lines and was concerned that they would be throwing off a bit of noise.

Fortunately after setting up, I was pleasantly surprised that the band was very quiet.  The power lines appeared to be having no adverse effect on the noise level.  I did not go to 7.144 for this activation, as it was a Sunday, and the upper portion of the 40m band was occupied by the numerous WIA weekly broadcasts.  So I called CQ Contest and CQ Parks on 7.110 and this was answered by David VK3IL, followed by Marcus VK3TST, and then Andy VK3VKT.  It was not long before I was in a bit of a rythm with a steady flow of callers from all across Australia.  The 40m band was in excellent shape.

I went on to work a total of 75 stations on 7.110 before things started to slow down a little.  These contacts included Park to Park contacts with Marcus VK3TST who was portable in the Clinton Conservation Park VKFF-0813, and Rob VK4AAC/3 in the Shepparton Regional Park VKFF-0976.  I also worked VK3SOL (with Peter VK3FPSR at the mic) at the Echuca Steam Rally.

When things slowed down I tuned across the band and found Michael VK3FCMC operating portable from the Organ Pipes National Park VKFF-0627.  This was my third Park to Park contact for the activation.  I then moved back to 7.110 where I worked a further 8 stations in VK3 and VK5.  But things had really slowed down, and many CQ calls went unanswered.  So it was off to 20m for me where I worked 13 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK6, VK7, and New Zealand.

I then went back to 40m for one lat quick listen and worked 5 further stations.  This included another Park to Park contact.  This time with Peter VK3PF who was portable in The Lakes National Park VKFF-0484.

I had spent a little longer in the park than expected (a total of 3 hours) and it was time to pack up and head off to the SERG Convention.  I had a total of 102 contacts in the log.

Thanks to Rick VK4RF for posting me on Facebook.  And thanks to Chris VK3AWG, David VK3IL, & Adrian VK5FANA, and for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3IL/p
2. VK3TST/p
3. VK3VKT
4. VK1MA
5. VK3GGG
6. VK3PMG
7. VK3DAC
8. VK2HHA
9. VK5KLV
10. VK3KLB
11. VK2YK
12. VK4HNS
13. VK6JON mobile 7
14. VK4RF
15. VK4HA
16. VK1DI
17. VK1AT
18. VK5FANA
19. VK5NFT mobile
20. VK5PO
21. VK6QM
22. VK5FVSV
23. VK4FW/p
24. VK7CW
25. VK3SQ
26. VK3NCR/p
27. VK3VH
28. VK3PI
29. VK3MCK
30. VK4ATH
31. VK5PL
32. VK3FSPG
33. VK2YW
34. VK3AVV
35. VK6TDF
36. VK3NMK
37. VK5BJE
38. VK3ZPF
39. VK3TST/p (VKFF-0813)
40. VK2IO mobile
41. VK3AMZ mobile
42. VK4AAC/3 (VKFF-0976)
43. VK2GAZ
44. VK3FMRC
45. VK7GN
46. VK2MT/p
47. VK2MTC
48. VK3JLS
49. VK7BC
50. VK5NFT
51. VK5BW
52. VK5NRG
53. VK3SOL
54. VK2VVV
55. VK5NAQ
56. VK5NM
57. VK3OHM
58. VK3ELH
59. VK7JGD
60. VK3SMC
61. VK7ZGK
62. VK5APR
63. VK3AWG
64. VK3FJBA
65. VK2TUT
66. VK3FADM
67. VK5AFZ
68. VK3MDB
69. VK3ZLD
70. VK5WG
71. VK2BO
72. VK3FHDJ
73. VK2FAIB
74. VK7QP
75. VK3AXH
76. VK3FCMC/p (VKFF-0627)
77. VK3PAT
78. VK5AW mobile
79. VK3PNF mobile
80. VK3DBP
81. VK3ZE mobile
82. VK3DQ
83. VK3NXT
84. VK3XV
85. VK3PF/p (VKFF-0484)
86. VK3FMOL
87. VK3MRH
88. VK3SFG
89. VK6JON mobile 7

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. ZL2AYZ
4. VK2MOR
5. VK4FW/p
6. VK4ATH
7. VK2HV
8. VK3UH
9. VK2JNG/5
10. VK3VH
11. VK7QP
12. VK4ME
13. VK6QM

Following my activation at Carpenter Rocks I headed back to the motel to freshen up and change and then headed in to the SERG Convention/Hamfest.  I spent an hour or so there chatting to amateurs.

It was still mid afternoon and I had a few hours before all the fox hunters were going to be in, and for the formal presentations (including mine) would start.  So I headed off up to the Blue Lake and surrounds and made a number of contacts from my mobile.

I then headed back to the Scout Hall and gave a presentation on the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), and this was followed by the traditional SERG dinner.  A great night.

xx

After leaving the SERG clubrooms, I decided to head out to the nearby Telford Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0805 and 5CP-226.  I had activated this park previously for both the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program and the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, but the VK Shires Contest was on.  So although it wasn’t going to be a new park for me, I had hoped for an hour or so of fun in the VK Shires.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Telford Scrub Conservation Park.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Telford Scrub is located just 14 km north of Mount Gambier, just off the Riddoch Highway.  The park is 175 hectares in size and contains 11 species of plants that are considered to be of conservation value.  Over 20 species of native orchids can be found in the park including pink fingers, common donkey orchid, tiger orchid, and purple cockatoo.  The park contains a 100 metre long and 4.2 metre high boardwalk which provides a birds eye view of the forest.

I set up in a little clearing in the scrub adjacent to the carpark on Grundys Lane.  I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, set at 30 watts, and the 40m/20m linked dipole supported by the 7m telescopic squid pole.

Above:- Aerial view of the Telford Scub Conservation Park, showing my operating spot on the southern boundary.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Prior to calling CQ I had a listen around the 40m band which was quite busy with VK Shires Contest stations.  My first contact was with Norman VK6NJW.  I then found Gerard VK2IO who was activating the Sea Acres National Park VKFF-0606.  I then propped on 7.095 and called CQ Contest and CQ Parks.  First taker there was Paul VK2HV, followed by Shaun VK3VH.  Sadly after working just 10 stations I was pushed off the frequency by a station who decided to come up on 7.093.  I just could not compete with his high power signal, so I moved to 7.105 and called CQ again.  This was answered by Hauke VK1HW, followed by Nev VK5WG and then Rhett VK3WE.  I worked a further 25 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4 VK6, VK7, and New Zealand.  The ZL callers were Roly ZL4AU in Ivercargill, Bill ZL2AYZ in Blenheim, and Mike ZL4OL in Waitati.  I also managed to work Stef VK5HSX/4 who was portable in Blackdown Tableland National Park VKFF-0037.

When things slowed down a little I had a further look around the band and logged a few more contest stations and then put out some final CQ calls on 7.130.  To finish off the evening I headed to 80m where I logged 5 stations from VK3, VK6, VK7, and New Zealand.

I finished up with a total of 54 contacts for the activation in around 90 minutes.  It was absolutely freezing and it was time to head back to the warmth of the hotel, a hot shower and a relaxing night watching the footy on TV.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK6NJW
2. VK2IO/p (VKFF-0606)
3. VK2HV
4. VK3VH
5. VK4FAAS
6. VK3SFG
7. VK2YW
8. VK2NEO
9. VK2JAZ
10. VK2VVV
11. VK4CL
12. VK5KPR
13. VK1HW
14. VK5WG
15. VK3WE
16. VK6WE
17. VK3FD/6
18. VK4ME
19. ZL4AU
20. VK2NSS
21. VK5HSX/4 (VKFF-0037)
22. VK2PAW
23. VK2FOUZ
24. VK2ICW
25. ZL2AYZ
26. VK2LEE
27. VK6WE
28. VK2PHP
29. VK7ROY
30. VK2TTL
31. VK2DEK
32. ZL4OL
33. VK6QM
34. VK3PF
35. VK4AAC/3
36. VK6DW
37. VK6MSC/p
38. VK6PAW
39. VK4TJ
40. VK6WE
41. VK7NWT
42. VK4GH/p
43. VK6FVIA
44. VK6POP
45. VK7FGGT
46. VK3FSPG
47. VK6QM
48. VK4FBOB
49. VK3KRH

The following stations were worked on 80m SSB:-

1. VK7NWT
2. VK3ZPF/p
3. VK6POP
4. VK6QM
5. ZL2AYZ

References.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Telford Scrub Conservation Park brochure, 2010

My one and only planned activation for Saturday 11th June 2016 was the Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025 and 5CP-056.  Although this park has been activated previously (including by myself), it has not been activated for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  So this was to be another unique park for me and the WWFF park hunters.

Above:- Map showing the location of Dingley Dell Conservation Park in the south eastern corner of South Australia.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I left Mount Gambier quite early after some breakfast, and travelled south along the Riddoch Highway, out passed the extinct volcano Mount Schank and then on to Allendale East.  The park is well signposted along the way.  I parked in the carpark opposite Adam Lindsay Gordon’s cottage and set up in the picnic area.

Dingley Dell Conservation Park was proclaimed in 1972 and comprises around 6 hectares of scrub including South Australian blue gum, blackwood, golden wattle, coastal bearded-heath and native box.  The park is surrounded by cleared grazing land.

Dingley Dell Conservation Park is most famous for its historical connections.  The famed poet and horseman, Adam Lindsay Gordon owned the small cottage that is located in the park.  He resided there from around 1864 and it was given to the local council by his wife Maggie in around 1873.  The cottage had been built in 1862 and was purchased by Gordon in 1864 for 150 pounds.  The cottage has been restored and you can undertake guided tours through the cottage (which I did during this visit to the park).  The cottage was the first house on South Australia’s Heritage Register, having been registered in 1922.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

So how did Dingley Dell get its name?  It is certainly an interesting name.  The following account comes from an old resident of the Port MacDonnell district who had an intimate acquaintance with Adam Lindsay Gordon.  He said:

“The country surrounding the cottage was then, even more so than now, a sylvan paradise, in which gums and wattles ran riot and it was from the music of the birds in the trees, mingled with the tinkling of the bells of the hobbled stock, that the name ‘Dingley Dell’ was derived”.

Adam Lindsay Gordon was born in the Azores, and arrived in Australia in November 1853, aged just 20 years.  He immediately obtained a position in the South Australian mounted police and was stationed at Mount Gambier and Penola.  He left the police in 1855 and took up horse breaking in the south east of South Australia.  He earnt a reputation of being a ‘good steady lad and a splendid horseman’.  Gordon also became interested in poetry and he went on to become well known for his poetry.  Sadly it was after his death that his name and his works began to grow.  He also served as a politician, having been elected to the South Australian House of Assembly in 1865 for the District of Victoria.

Above:- Adam Lindsay Gordon.  Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

You can take a very interesting walk around the cottage and through the park.  It is well signposted and has some interesting interpretive signs along the way.

More information on Dingley Dell can be found at…..

http://www.dingleydell.net/

The weather was very inclement, but fine upon my arrival at the park, so I set up on a wooden bench and table in the picnic area.  After calling CQ, the first station in my log from Dingley Dell was Geoff VK3SQ in Beechworth, followed by Bill VK5MBD at Red Hill in the Mid North of South Australia,  Adrian Vk5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula, and then Mike VK3ZMD in Melbourne.  All had excellent 5/9 signals.  Despite the band being in very good shape and it being a Saturday morning, it was very very quiet on the 40m band.  I worked a further 7 stations from VK3, VK4, & VK5, before the rain started to come down.  It was also about this time that the caretaker of the park came along, and kindly opened up the adjacent shelter shed area for me.

After having a chat to the caretaker and relocating in the shelter shed, I called CQ again on 7.144 and this was answered by Mick VK3GGG mobile, followed by Al VK7AN and then John VK5BJE.  But that was it.  Callers dried up very quickly, unlike the weather.

So I took the opportunity of tuning across the 40m band and found Gerard VK2IO on 7.090 activating SOTA peak, North Brother VK2/ MN-081 which is located within the Dooragan National Park VKFF-0143.  Gerard was a good 5/7 signal to Dingley Dell and reciprocated with a 5/7 for me.

I then returned to 7.144 and called CQ again and this was answered by Don VK3MCK, followed by Craig VK3WAR, Tony VK5FTVR, and then Jim VK1AT.  This time around, a steady flow of callers followed.  I went on to work a further 33 stations from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  I was very pleased to be able to work Daniel VK6WE all the way over in Western Australia.  And also Damien VK5FDEC and Michael VK5FVSV, both running just 5 watts QRP.

I was cognisant of the time, as I had to get to the South East Radio Group’s convention/hamfest, so I headed to 20m and called CQ on 14.310.  I put out numerous CQ calls which all went unanswered so I self spotted on parksnpeaks.  This was immediately followed by a call from Albert S58AL in Slovenia.  I was more than surprised to receive a call from Albert as it was only 11.00 a.m. SA local time.  Albert was a good 5/5 and gave me a 4/4 signal report.  Sadly, my only other taker on 20m was Adam VK2YK who was 5/9.

I then decided to give 15m a quick try, and I am very pleased that I did, as I had a good QSO with Steven ZL4CZ on 21.244.  Steven advised that he had heard me on 20m and was going to give me a call, but he had received a phone call preventing him from doing so.

I had a total of 56 contacts in the log and it was time to pack up and head off to Mount Gambier.

Thanks to Robert VK2XXM and Adrian VK5FANA for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK5MBD
3. VK5FANA
4. VK3ZMD
5. VK5KLV
6. VK3MRH
7. VK3PF
8. VK4AAC/3
9. VK3AZN
10. VK2LAX
11. VK4HNS
12. VK3GGG mobile
13. VK3PMG mobile
14. VK7AN
15. VK5BJE
16. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-081  & VKFF-0143)
17. VK3MCK
18. VK3WAR
19. VK5FTVR
20. VK1AT
21. VK2XXM
22. VK6WE
23. VK3BYD
24. VK5ZGY mobile
25. VK3QA
26. VK3FIRM
27. VK2YK
28. VK3DAC
29. VK3MCX
30. VK5FDEC
31. VK3ZPF
32. VK5MAP
33. VK2HV
34. VK5PL
35. VK5PET
36. VK5ZEA/p
37. VK7NWT
38. VK2HHA
39. VK3CFA
40. VK3YSP mobile
41. VK3FOWL mobile
42. VK5ZK
43. VK2WG
44. VK2YW
45. VK5FVSV
46. VK3UH
47. VK3IL/p
48. VK3GYH
49. VK3ARH
50. VK5RM
51. VK3VEF
52. VK3SIM
53. VK5IU

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. S58AL
2. VK2YK

The following station was worked on 15m SSB:-

1. ZL4CZ

After leaving Dingley Dell I went to the SERG Convention and spent the afternoon there until around 5.00 p.m.  For anyone who has never attended this event previously, I can highly recommend it.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

References.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2010, Dingley Dell Conservation Park brochure.

Wikipedia, 2016, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Lindsay_Gordon&gt;, viewed 14th June 2016

My third and final park activation for Friday 10th June 2016 was the Aberdour Conservation Park VKFF-0994 and 5CP-001.  The park is situated about 260 km south east of Adelaide and about 35 km south of Keith.

This was again to be another unique park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  The park has been activated previously for the VK5 Parks Award, but not for WWFF.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Aberdour Conservation Park in the South East of South Australia.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After leaving Christmas Rocks CP I continued south on Riddoch Highway until I reached Cannawigara Road on the eastern side of the Highway.

The weather was moving in fast with predicted heavy rainfall for the afternoon.  I soon reached the south western corner of the park where there is a sandy 4WD track.  I toyed with the idea whether I should venture down there, but as I was on my own and there was predicted heavy rain, I decided against it.

I continued on through the park until I reached Nankivell Road and travelled north, following the eastern boundary of the park, until I found a clearing in the scrub.

Aberdour Conservation Park is around 133 hectares in size and was dedicated as a Conservation Park in February 1991.  It was a gift from the Nankivell family (named after the road I was on).  The park preserves an area of remnant vegetation which is very typical of undulating dune and limestone country of the South East of South Australia.  The endangered Jumping Jack Wattle can be found in the park.

As the weather was rapidly setting in, I quickly set up the fold up table and deck chair, and the Yaesu FT-857d and the 40m/20m linked dipole.  I started calling CQ on 7.144 and my first hunter for the park was Dennis VK2HHA with a beautiful 5/9 signal, followed by Chris VK3PAT (also 5/9) and then David VK5PL from the Barossa Valley who was also 5/9.  During the activation the wind really picked up and I lost the squid pole at one stage in the middle of a QSO.  After making 24 contacts on 40m, the drizzle set in and I was forced to hide underneath the bothy bag.

I cut 40m a bit short and headed up to 20m where I made a total of 4 contacts, until the drizzle turned to rain, and I had rain droplets seeping through the bothy bag.  I quickly packed up the gear and made a hasty retreat for the Toyota HiLux.  I apologise to those stations that were still calling, but the rain had become very heavy and steady.  I will need to go back to this park to pick up the remaining QSOs to reach the 44 QSO threshold for WWFF.

Thanks to everyone who spotted me during this activation, as I had no mobile telephone coverage, and was unable to self spot on parksnpeaks.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HHA
2. VK3PAT
3. VK5PL
4. VK3SQ
5. VK3TKK mobile
6. VK7LCW
7. VK1AT
8. VK3PF
9. VK3GGG
10. VK3PMG
11. VK3DAC
12. VK4AAC/3
13. VK3ARH
14. VK5KLV
15. VK2YZS mobile
16. VK2CPC/p
17. VK2IPK
18. VK2VOM
19. VK3SFG
20. VK3UH
21. VK3QA
22. VK4RF
23. VK4HA
24. VK3ZMD

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK5KLV
4. VK2DEK

I then headed off to Mount Gambier, with the sub completely gone and the rain really teeming down.  After booking in to my motel, I headed around to have a coffee with Col VK5HCF.

After leaving Kelvin Powrie Conservation Park, I continued south east along the Dukes Highway until I reached the town of Keith where I turned off onto the Riddoch Highway and commenced to travel south towards my next planned park activation, the Christmas Rocks Conservation Park VKFF-1020 and 5CP-266.

Although this park has been activated previously for the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, this was to be the very first activation for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Christmas Rocks Conservation Park.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

On the way to the park I spoke with Paul VK3SS and Tom VK5NFT on 40m.  Paul was thumping in, and Tom was initially a good 5/7 and then completely faded away on me.

The Christmas Rocks Conservation Park is just slightly north of the tiny town of Willalooka.  Sadly, there is no sign to indicate that there is a Conservation Park.  There is however a brown tourist sign indicating that in 400 metres ahead there is a photo opportunity.  If you’re travelling south and you’ve reached Willalooka, you have gone too far.  Willalooka itself is just a tiny place containing a general store & service station, tavern, community hall and a Country Fire Service (CFS) station.

The park was proclaimed in 2014 and consists of a small square shaped section of native scrub and a series of granite rock outcrops.  These were once part of the archipelago of granite rocks in the shallow sea that covered the Limestone Coast some 25 million years ago.

There is a short walk up to the top of the granite outcrop and this affords you with some very nice views of the surrounding countryside.  If you’re lucky you may also spot a wallaby.

I parked the vehicle in the carpark and walked a short distance into the scrub and set up my station, comprising the Yaesu FT-857d (set at 30 watts output) and the 40m/20m linked dipole, on the 7 m squid pole.  I called CQ on 7.144 and this was answered by Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula (5/9 both ways), followed by Les VK5KLV in Port Augusta (5/9 both ways), and then Tom in Millicent.  Our signal reports though were definitely not 5/9 both ways.  In fact it was 4/1 both ways, as Tom’s QTH is about 150 km south of the park, and it was clear that close in propagation was not working well.

A mini pile up ensued with callers from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  I was very surprised to hear Col VK5HCF in Mount Gambier, about 180 km from the park.  Col was 5/9 and gave me a 5/5.  This QSO was just 10 minutes after my contact with Tom, and the band conditions had clearly changed for the better for the close in contacts.

Above:- Aerial shot showing my operating spot in the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Eighteen contacts into the activation, I had my first Park to Park contact in the log for the activation.  It was with Gerard VK2IO who was activating SOTA peak Brumlow Tops VK2/ MN-120 in the Barrington Tops National ParkVKFF-0017.  Gerard had a good 5/7 signal and advised that it had been an 8km walk in to his 10 point summit.  A dozen or so QSOs later I was called by Greg VK4VXX who was portable in the Currawinya National Park VKFF-0127.  I don’t believe that Greg is a dedicated park activator, so I will have to contact Greg to explain the WWFF program to him, and seek his log.  This was followed by a call from Mitch Vk3XDM who was activating SOTA peak Mount Bolton VK3/ VC-023 (5/2 sent and 5/3 received).  Half a dozen QSOs later I was called by Phil VK2JDL who was portable on SOTA peak Mount Elliot VK2/ HU-093 (5/7 sent and 5/8 received).  And shortly afterwards I made another SOTA contact, this time with Andrew VK1MBE who was portable on Mount Stromlo VK1/ AC-043 (5/7 sent and 5/9 received).

It was also pleasing to get Mike VK6MB in the log again on 40m with such a good signal late in the morning.  We exchanged 5/7 signal reports at 11.30 a.m. SA local time which is very good on 40m.  Some of the mobile stations that I worked also had excellent signals.  That included Jonathan VK6JON/7 mobile near Deloraine in Tasmania, Mark VK3FOTO/m and Wayne VK2PDW.

I worked a total of 45 stations on 40m and then decided it was time to head to 20m.  I commenced calling CQ on 14.310 and this was answered by John ZL1BYZ in Pukekohe, south of Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand (5/8 sent and 5/7 received).  Much to my surprise this was followed by a contact with Albert S58AL in Slovenia (5/5 sent and 5/5 received).  It was only 12.19 p.m. local time (0249 UTC) and this was very very early for long path Europe to be coming through.  I then worked into VK4 and VK6, and my last contact for the activation was with Dima UA9LT in Western Siberia.

The weather was starting to move in and I had 1 more park to activate and still a few hundred km before I reached Mount Gambier, so I packed up with a total of 52 contacts in the log.

Thanks to Peter VK3PF, Adrian VK5FANA, & Brett VK3FLCS, and for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK5KLV
3. VK5NFT
4. VK2HHA
5. VK5PL
6. VK5HS/m
7. VK3SQ
8. VK3PMG
9. VK3GGG
10. VK2KYO
11. VK4AAC/3
12. VK1AT
13. VK3MCK
14. VK3DAC
15. VK6JON mobile 7
16. VK5HCF
17. VK3DRM mobile
18. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-120 and VKFF-0017)
19. VK2CPO/p
20. VK2LEE
21. VK3FLCS
22. VK3AZN
23. VK3PF
24. VK3MEG
25. VK6MB
26. VK5FMLO
27. VK7LCW
28. VK4VXX/p (VKFF-0127)
29. VK3XDM/p (SOTA VK3/ VC-023)
30. VK5VGC
31. VK7CW
32. VK3FOTO mobile
33. VK3KRH
34. VK3VBI
35. VK2PDW mobile
36. VK2JDL/p (SOTA VK2/ HU-093)
37. VK3GMC
38. VK7RX/p
39. VK2MTC
40. VK1MBE/p (SOTA VK1/ AC-043)
41. VK3SFG
42. VK3MCO
43. VK3WAR
44. VK3ARH
45. VK7EE

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. ZL1BYZ
2. S58AL
3. VK4XPJ
4. VK2LEE
5. VK6MB
6. VK6MMB
7. UA9LT

On Friday morning (10th June 2016) I made an early start from home, heading to Mount Gambier for the South East Radio Group’s Annual convention/hamfest and the National Fox Hunting Championships.  I was on the road a little after 6.30 a.m. local time.

My first planned park activation of the trip was the Kelvin Powrie Conservation Park VKFF-0899 and 5CP-103.  I activated Kelvin Powrie back in March this year but hadn’t quite reached the 44 required QSOs for the global World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program, so I had planned a quick stop there to pick up some more contacts to go towards the 44 tally.

The Kelvin Powrie CP is located about 217 km south east of Adelaide, and approximately 8 km north west of the town of Keith.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kelvin Powrie Conservation Park in the South East of South Australia.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Along the way I had a listen on 40m and booked in to the Mid South Coast Amateur Radio Club Met and spoke with John VK2NJP and Adrian VK4FBMW.  Both had excellent signals into the mobile, and I hoped that this was a sign of things to come with propagation for the remainder of the day.

I continued along the Dukes Highway, passing through the little towns of Cooke Plains, Coomandook, Yumali, Coonalpyn, Culburra, and then Tintinara.  I then reached the park.  Kelvin Powrie CP was named in honour of James Kelvin Powrie, an agricultural scientist.  For more information on Mr Powrie and the park, please have a look at my post from March 2016…..

https://vk5pas.org/2016/04/04/kelvin-powrie-conservation-park-5cp-and-vkff/

I pulled in to the carpark off the Dukes Highway and found that there were 2 caravaners in there already so I pulled up on the south eastern side of the carpark and started setting up my station.  Whilst I was doing so, one of the gentlemen came over to ask what I was doing.  I took some time out to explain the hobby of amateur radio and also explain about the World Wide Flora Fauna program and the VK5 Parks Award.

Above:- Aerial image of the Kelvin Powrie Conservation Park, showing my operating spot in the south eastern corner of the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Kelvin Powrie CP is a relatively small park, comprising some 17.66 hectares.  It is bordered by the very busy Dukes Highway (the main Adelaide-Melbourne road) on one side, and the Adelaide-Melbourne railway line on the other.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I was up on air by just before 9.00 a.m. local time (2330 UTC) and headed to 7.144 where I came up to ask if the frequency was in use.  Before I even got the chance to call CQ, a number of voices came back to advise the frequency was clear and they were waiting for me.  My first contact for this activation was with Dennis VK2HHA in Albury, followed by Rob VK4AAC/3, and then Rick VK4RF/VK4HA.  All had 5/9 signals and all gave me 5/9 in return.  But it was clear that the close in propagation (within about 300 km) was not working well.  Mick VK3GGG/VK3PMG forwarded me an SMS to advise that I was not readable at Stawell in western Victoria.  And Tony VK5FTVR from Strathalbyn tried calling me on a number of occasions but we were sadly unable to make a contact.  As there was no noise in the park I was able to hear Tony perfectly, but that was not the case at Tony’s end.

However, conditions to other parts of Australia were very good.  This included Western Australia.  I worked Mike VK6MB who was an excellent 5/8 (5/7 received), and Jonathan VK6JON mobile 7 near Launceston (5/9 both ways).

I was also very pleased to get a Park to Park contact with Neil VK4HNS who was portable in the Moogerah Peaks National Park VKFF-0326, in the Fassifern Valley of South East Queensland (5/7 sent and 5/6 received).

Whilst activating, one of the caravaners came over to have a listen, and seemed very interested to hear such strong signals coming in from all across Australia.  During my activation, I had another onlooker.  But this was of the feathered variety.  A Sulphur Crested Cockatoo flew in to a gum tree just above my operating spot and created one hell of a racket for a while as the ‘second operator’.

The serenity of the park was also disturbed at one stage by a passing goods train on the Adelaide-Melbourne rail line.

I worked 16 stations on 40m prior to the UTC roll over, and then a further 13 stations following rollover.  The VK6 stations (VK6MB and VK6IA) were incredibly strong on 40m considering the time of the day.  I then lowered the squid pole and removed the links in the dipole and started calling CQ on 20m.  The ever reliable Rick VK4RF/VK4HA was my first taker there.  This was followed by Mike VK6MB, then VK3VPG (who was struggling to hear me), and lastly a Park to Park contact on 20m with Neil VK4HNS in VKFF-0326.

It was time to pack up and head off to my 2nd planned park activation of the day, Christmas Rocks Conservation Park.  I was very happy with 34 contacts in the log, and together with my previous activation, I had qualified the park for WWFF.

Thanks to Mike VK6MB for posting me on Facebook.  And thanks to Rick VK4RF, Adrian VK5FANA for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2HHA
2. VK4AAC/3
3. VK4RF
4. VK4HA
5. VK3DAC
6. VK1MA/3
7. VK6MB
8. VK3PF
9. VK4FAAS
10. VK5NFT
11. VK2VOO
12. VK5KLV
13. VK2HV
14. VK3UH
15. VK2LEE
16. VK3KX
17. VK3OHM
18. VK4HNS/p (VKFF-0326)
19. VK6JON/7
20. VK4RF
21. VK4HA
22. VK5FANA
23. VK2FDAV
24. VK6MB
25. VK6IA
26. VK3EI
27. VK3DQ
28. VK3VM
29. VK3BGS

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK6MB
4. VK3VPG
5. VK4HNS/p (VKFF00326)

On Thursday 9th June 2016 I attended the South Coast Amateur Radio Club (SCARC) at Railway Road, SEAFORD.  I delivered a presentation on the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) and the logging program Fast Log Entry (FLE).  The WIA part of the presentation was not originally planned.

The meeting was attended by about 15 keen SCARC members.

Thanks to Peter VK5PET for asking me to come down to SCARC.