My third and final park for Sunday 27th November 2016 was the Ridley Conservation Park VKFF-0932 which is situated on the western side of the Swan Reach to Mannum Road, about 10 km south of Swan Reach, and about 120 km from Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Ridley Conservation Park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

Ridley is a long and narrow park (10km by 0.4 km) and has a total area of around 414 hectares.The southern boundary of the park lies on the edge of the valley of the River Marne, with the highest point in the park being located in this southern section.  The remainder of the park to the north comprises flat country which is typical of the limestone plaines west of the Murray River.  The park covers a transition zone in the natural vegetation just to the south of Goyder’s Line between the mallee open scrub to the south and the semi-arid, low woodland to the north.

The park is covered by two major vegetation formations: 35 per cent comprises an open scrub of red mallee (Eucalyptus oleosa) and yorrell (E. gracilis), including some very large specimens. Also present are stands of murray pine (Callitris columellaris) and associated areas of shrubland dominated by hop bush (Dodonaea attentuata), and cassias (Senna spp.).

The remaining 65 per cent of the park comprises low open woodland of native apricot (Pittosporumangustifolium) and false sandalwood (Myoporum platycarpum). The understorey consists of spear-grass (Austrostipa spp.) and ephemeral herbs; wait-a-while (Acacia colletioides) also occurs in this formation.  A small area near the southern boundary of the park and much of the northern part is almost devoid of trees and can be sub-categorised as open grassland.

The park was originally set aside to conserve native vegetation and bird habitats, but in addition, the open areas of the park include a number of warrens of the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.

Above:- Southern Hairy-nosed wombat.  Image courtesy of wikipedia.

Other native animals found in the park include echidna and Western Grey kangaroos.  Various birdlife can be found in the park including Mallee Ringnecks, Purple-crowned Lorikeets, Regent Parrot, White-winged Fairywren, and Butcherbirds.  A total of 109 species of bird have been recorded in the park.

Ridley was once part of a Travelling Stock Reserve (TSR) which ran for roughly 5-10 kilometres parallel to the River Murray.  This reserve linked the stock market of Burra to the north with Murray Bridge to the south.  In the early days of the colony of South Australia, sheep and cattle were driven overland from New South Wales to stock the newly-developed pastoral industry in South Australia.  During the early 1860’s when the Hundreds of land were proclaimed on the western plains of the Murray River, it became necessary to provide areas under the Crown for the localised movement of stock and to give access to markets.  Travelling Stock Reserves, which normally consisted of 20-chain (approx 400 metres) width, were given fixed boundaries and often followed existing stock tracks.

This particular stock route, as with others, became uncessary with the advent of mechanised transport such as the railway.  The Morgan to Adelaide railway was completed in 1878.  Increasingly there were moves to resume and allot the TSRs to adjoining landowners.

By 1901 local landowners in the Ridley area had approached the Department of Lands, requesting that the TSR in the Hundreds of Ridley and Fisher be resumed and made open for allotment.  During 1901 and again in 1907, proposals went before Parliament, but were not approved.  In 1910 farmers adjoining the reserve requested permission to erect fences and graze sheep on the TSR, claiming that the unused TSR harboured vermin and tied up valuable grazing land.

By 1934 the District Council of Caurnamont had contacted the Director of Lands requesting that the TSR be resumed for allotment, again claiming that it was a home for vermin and was a drain on council funds.  Similar requests were made again in 1937.  In 1939, the ranger of the Crown Lands Department, Inspector Klau inspected the TSR and reported that it was used for camping and watering stock when feed was scarce in the districts to the north of the TSR.  He recommended that the TSR not be resumed as he believed the reserve would be used for this purpose again in the future.

During 1838-1940 there were a number of requests to cut wood in the reserve for charcoal burning and a proposal to clear 28 hectares of the reserve north of Haywards Hill.  The ranger described the reserve as ‘an asset to the State’ and recommended the TSR be retained in its uncleared state.

By 1956 there were further requests to utilise the TSR and on this occsion Annual Licences were granted for grazing purposes.

In 1966 when land was being resumed and purchased for the purpose of national parks, the Land Board proposed that portions of the TSR “be retained and dedicated as a Wildlife Reserve under the control of the Commissioners of the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves at the expiration of the current Annual Licence”.  In September 1967, a field officer for the National Parks Commission, Mr. G.C. Cornwall inspected the TSR and stated “Although a long narrow strip of land such as this is not the ideal shape for a national park, the idea of preserving natural vegetation and bird habitats by setting aside portions of the Travelling Stock Reserve is an excellent one and the area under investigation is suitable for this purpose‘.

First proclaimed as Ridley National Parks Reserve on 30 May 1968 and re-proclaimed on 27 April 1972 as Ridley Conservation Park.

After leaving Swan Reach I drove north along the Murraylands Road and it wasn’t long before I reached the northern section of the park, which is located on the western side of the Murraylands Road.  Along the way I spoke with Norm VK5GI and Greg VK5GJ who were in the Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0866.  I told the fellas I was very close to setting up and that I would come to find them for a Park to Park contact.

I found a spot to pull off the road and drove a short distance into the park and found a shady spot to set up.  Again for this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts and the 80/40/20m linked dipole, supported on the 7m squid pole.

Above:- Map showing my operating spot in the park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

After setting up, I turned the radio on.  It was already set on 14.310 and I had the links removed in the dipole.  It was fortunate, because on 14.310 I found Phil VK6ADF and Hans VK6XN, both in parks.  I gave Phil and a call and then crash, down came the squid pole.  The second section on this virtually new pole has a habit of de-telescoping.  An issue I have never had before.  So it was out with some tape to hold it in place.

I headed back to 14.310 and worked Phil VK6ADF who was in the Stokes National Park VKFF-0468, and then Hans VK6XN/p who was activating the Rapids Conservation Park VKFF-1437.  Phil was an excellent 59 signal and reciprocated with a 5/9 for me.  Hans was a little lower down and we exchanged 5/2 signal reports.

I then QSY up to 14.315 and called CQ.  This was answered by John VK6NU, followed by Ray VK4NH, and then Rick VK4RF/VK4HA.  Band conditions on 20m were exceptionally good, wth great signals particularly from Queensland.  I logged a total of 9 stations on 20m from VK3, VK4, VK6, and VK7, before Rick reminded me that Greg and Norm were waiting for me on 40m.  So it was a quick dash to insert the links in the dipole, again tape the second section of the squid pole, and off to 7.130 on 40m.

I logged Norm and Greg Park to Park from Aldinga Scrub.  They had a very nice 5/9 signal coming in from south of Adelaide to the Murray Mallee.  I then headed up the band to 7.144 and it was not long before I had a mini pile up.   I logged a total of 48 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  This included two Park to Park contatcs on 40m with Hans VK6XN from the Rapids Conservation Park VKFF-1437 and Phil VK6ADF in the Stokes National Park VKFF-0468.  It was nice to log Hans and Phil on two bands.

Band conditions on 40m were extremely good and I had a lot of callers who in the end I kept the QSOs quite short with.  Time was starting to march on and I had an early start the next day.

To wrap up the activation from Ridley I headed to 3.610 on 80m where I made a total of 4 contacts with Mick VK3PMG/VK3GGG, Jim VK5TR, and finally Michael VK5FMLO.  I would have liked to have stayed a little longer, but I really want to get on the road and head for home.

Fortunately during this activation, the only reptile I encountered was the little fella below, a Shingleback lizard.

After 90 minutes in the park I had a total of 65 stations in the log, including 6 Park to Park contacts.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5GI/p (Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0866)
2. VK5GJ/p (Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0866)
3. VK4RF
4. VK4HA
5. VK3MLU
6. VK2IO/m
7. VK5KLV
8. VK3PMG
9. VK3GGG
10. VK5FANA
11. VK3FRAB
12. VK3GTS
13. VK3YSP
14. VK5KKT
15. VK7DW
16. VK5KPR
17. VK4SMA
18. VK1AD
19. VK2JDR
20. VK6XN/p (Rapids Conservation Park VKFF-1437)
21. VK1DI
22. VK3TKK/m
23. VK2VW
24. VK3ARH
25. VK3IRM
26. VK5NJ
27. VK2XXM
28. VK1AT
29. VK3PF
30. VK5TR
31. VK4FFAB
32. VK5FMLO
33. VK3JK
34. VK6ADF/p (Stokes National Park VKFF-0468)
35. VK2WGW
36. VK1RX
37. VK3SFG
38. VK3BHR
39. VK3FPHG
40. VK3OY
41. VK5YL
42. VK2WOW
43. VK5FD
44. VK2FLEW
45. VK3DDU
46. VK3CC
47. VK7FRJG
48. VK3UH
49. VK2FAD
50. VK6VZZ/m

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PMG
2. VK3GGG
3. VK5TR
4. VK5FMLO

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6ADF/p (Stokes National Park VKFF-0468)
2. VK6XN/p (Rapids Conservation Park VKFF-1437)
3. VK6NU
4. VK4NH
5. VK4RF
6. VK4HA
7. VK4SMA
8. VK3SQ
9. VK3IRM
10. VK7CW
11. VK6MB

At the conclusion of the activation I made a quick tour down to Walker Flat.  I had not been there for many years.  This is where the mouth of the Marne River is located, flowing out to the mighty Murray River.

As I left Walker Flat I encountered this big fella, a Red Kangaroo bounding along the road in front of me, and then alongside of me.

Sadly another VKFF Activation Weekend had come to an end.  I certainly had a great time, and I sincerely hope all of the other activators did, along with the park hunters.

References.

Birds SA, 2016, <http://www.birdssa.asn.au/location/ridley-conservation-park/&gt;, viewed

National Parks and WIldlife Service, 1984, ‘Conservation Parks of the Murraylands (Western Plains) Management Plans

My second planned park activation for Sunday 27th November 2016 was the Swan Reach Conservation Park VKFF-0832, which is located south of the Swan Reach to Sedan Road, and about 10 km west of the town of Swan Reach and about 120 km from Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Swan Reach Conservation Park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The park covers an area of around 2,017 hectares and was primarily set asise to conserve the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.  Two major vegetation formations are found in Swan Reach Conservation Park.  Around 84% of the area is an open area of scrub of Mallee Box, Red Mallee and Yorrell.  The remaining 16% comprises low woodland with False Sandalwood and Bullock Bush over an understorey of Spear-grass and ephemeral herbs.

Other than the wombat, other native animals found in the park include Western Grey kangaroos and Red kangaroos.  Around 60 species of bird have been recorded in the park including Cockatiels, Mallee Ringneck parrots, Galahs, Banded Lapwings and White-winged Choughs.  Various reptiles can be found in the park including Gould’s Goannas and Central Bearded Dragons.

Although Occupationl Licences were issued to pastoralists in the early 1840’s and Pastoral Leases from 1851, the area south-west of Swan Reach township was not taken up.  It was not until the last decade of the 1800’s that the Swan Reach district was eventually occupied.  Swan Reach township was established in 1896, largely to cater for the small farms which were being developed in the surrounding district.

During the mid to late 1960’s, following seveeral years of devastating droughs and increasing land subdivision, there was growing public concern for the Southern-hairy nosed Wombat.  The Field Naturalists Society of South Australia approached landowners in the district and submitted various reports concerning wombats to the South Australian State Government.  It was suggested that an area of 180 square km be purchased near Blanchetown as a National Park for the conservation of wombats.  The suggestion was considered desirable, but also highly impractical as $300,000 was required to purchase the land, and this was not available.

Above:- Southern Hairy-nosed wombat.  Image courtesy of wikipedia

In 1969 Mr E.M. Esau offered to the State Government Sections 38, 39, 55, 58, 59, & 60, Hundred of Fisher.  A number of wombat warrens were located on the property.  In August 1969 the 875 hectares was purchased at a cost of $7,500.  Swan Reach National Park was subsequently proclaimed on 28th May 1970. It was subsequently re-dedicated as Swan Reach Conservation Park.

In 1972 several other land owners offered to sell land to the State Government for conservation purposes.  Sections 40-43, 57 and 58, Hundred of Fisher, comprising 1,026 hetares, south of the original park, were offered to the South Australian State Government by E.R. and R.M. Greatz in January 1972.  In September 1972 Ministerial approval to purchase the land at $3.00 per acre was given, and the land was subsequently dedicated in May 1974.

A small area of land was added to the western boundary of the park and dedicated as Section 212 in January 1979.  This brought the park up to its current day size of 2,017 hectares.

Above:- Map showing land offered by various land owners.  Image courtesy of

After leaving Marne Valley I turned left and headed north along Muellers Road for a few km until I reached the junction with Sleeper Track.  I then headed east until I reached the south western corner of the Swan Reach Conservation Park.  I then drove along the western boundary track of the park.  The track is very rocky in places and I would not recommend it in a conventional vehicle.

I drove a few km along the track trying to find a shady spot as it was now around 30 degree C.  But finding shade in this section of the park was not easy.  It was all quite low growing mallee, reaching about 8 metres in height.  I eventually found a spot to pull off the track which afforded a little bit of shade.

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

If you believe my themometer it was around 41 degree C in the sun.  And it certainly felt like that.  The park is absolutely bone dry and was nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing and as comfortable as Marne Valley.

Prior to calling CQ I tuned across the 40m band and logged a few Park to Park contacts.  They were with Ian VK1DI who was activating the Tidnbilla Nature Reserve VKFF-0989, and then Rob VK2QR who was portable in the Brindabella National Park VKFF-0054.  I then headed to 7.110 and commenced calling CQ.  My call was answered by Greg VK5GJ and Norm VK5GI who were both in the Moana Sands Conservation Park VKFF-1061.  I was very envious of them.  A beautiful beach with a sea breeze.  Certainly none of that here at Swan Reach.

I then logged a further three Park to Park contacts with Peter VK3PF/p in the Colquhoun Regional Park VKFF-0962, Allen VK3ARH in the Enfield State Park VKFF-0757, and then Bob VK5AFZ who was activating the Springmount Conservation Park VKFF-0789.

The band had picked up in activity and there were a lot of callers compared to earlier in the day at Marne Valley.  I logged a total of 54 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.  This included a further 16 more Park to Park contacts as follows:

• VK5KPR/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine National Park VKFF-1757)
• VK5ZGY/p (Douglas Point Conservation Park VKFF-0795)
• VK5KLV/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine National Park VKFF-1757)
• VK4AAC/3 (Cobboboonee National Park VKFF-0728)
• VK5FANA/p (Eastern Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1706)
• VK5HCF/p (Calectasia Conservation Park VKFF-1010)
• VK5EE/p (Calectasia Conservation Park VKFF-1010)
• VK4HNS/p (Flinders Peak Conservation Park VKFF-1542)
• VK3FCMC/p (SOTA VK3/ VT-046 Mount Tassie)
• VK3TKK/p (Macedon Regional Park VKFF-0972)
• VK7JON/p (Arthur Piemann Conservation Park VKFF-1132)
• VK7FOLK/p (Arthur Piemann Conservation Park VKFF-1132)
• VK2IO/p (Burragorang State Conservation Area VKFF-1292)
• VK5NIG/p (Para Wira Conservation Park VKFF-1739)
• VK5GY/p (Cox Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0824)
• VK3XV/p (Lerderderg State Park VKFF-0763)

I also spoke with Michael VK3FCMC who was activating SOTA peak Mount Tassie VK3/ VT-046.

I then decided to quickly try 20m.  I had intended to give 80m and 15m a shot as well, but the heat was starting to get to me a bit, so I gave those bands a miss from Swan Reach.  On 14.310 on 20m I logged a total of 13 stations including Park to Park contacts with Gerard VK2IO/p in the Burragorang State Conservation Area VKFF-1292, Peter VK3TKK/p in the Macedon Regional Park VKFF-0972, and Tony VK3XV/p in the Lerderderg State Park VKFF-0763.  Once again, the Victorian stations were coming in extremely well on 20m.

I also worked Mike VK6MB and it was very interesting to note that Mike had a lot of echoe on his signal.  My only DX station worked on 20m was Mike ZL1JLA in New Zealand.

The heat had won, and I was well and truly over Swan Reach.  So it was time to pack up and head off to Ridley.  I had a total of 67 contacts in the log including 25 Park to Park contatcs.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1DI/p (Tidnbilla Nature Reserve VKFF-0989)
2. VK2QR/p (Brindabella National Park VKFF-0054)
3. VK5GJ/p (Moana Sands Conservation Park VKFF-1061)
4. VK5GI/p (Moana Sands Conservation Park VKFF-1061)
5. VK3PF/p (Colquhoun Regional Park VKFF-0962)
6. VK3ARH/p (Enfield State Park VKFF-0757)
7. VK5AFZ/p (Springmount Conservation Park VKFF-0789)
8. VK5LSB
9. VK3SQ
10. VK3MRH
11. VK3ELH
12. VK5KBJ/p
13. VK5KPR/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine National Park VKFF-1757)
14. VK7EK
15. VK3PMG
16. VK3GGG
17. VK5ZGY/p (Douglas Point Conservation Park VKFF-0795)
18. VK5KLV/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine National Park VKFF-1757)
19. VK4AAC/3 (Cobboboonee National Park VKFF-0728)
20. VK2VU
21. VK3YSA/m
22. VK7CW
23. VK3YSP
24. VK3KMH
25. VK1AD
26. VK3IRM
27. VK5FANA/p (Eastern Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1706)
28. VK5HCF/p (Calectasia Conservation Park VKFF-1010)
29. VK5EE/p (Calectasia Conservation Park VKFF-1010)
30. VK5PL
31. VK5KKT
32. VK5KDK
33. VK3FADM
34. VK2VOO
35. VK4HNS/p (Flinders Peak Conservation Park VKFF-1542)
36. VK3FCMC/p (SOTA VK3/ VT-046 Mount Tassie)
37. VK2XXM
38. VK3TKK/p (Macedon Regional Park VKFF-0972)
39. VK2UH
40. VK7ALH
41. VK3WAC/p
42. VK7JON/p (Arthur Piemann Conservation Park VKFF-1132)
43. VK7FOLK/p (Arthur Piemann Conservation Park VKFF-1132)
44. VK2IO/p (Burragorang State Conservation Area VKFF-1292)
45. VK5FDEC
46. VK5NIG/p (Para Wira Conservation Park VKFF-1739)
47. VK2KYO
48. VK3ALB
49. VK5FANA/m
50. VK3BHR
51. VK3SFG
52. VK5GY/p (Cox Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0824)
53. VK5MAP
54. VK5FMID
55. VK3XV/p (Lerderderg State Park VKFF-0763)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK3IRM
2. VK2IO/p (Burragorang State Conservation Area VKFF-1292)
3. VK7ALH
4. VK4SMA
5. VK3TKK/p (Macedon Regional Park VKFF-0972)
6. VK6MB
7. VK7DW
8. VK4NH
9. VK3XV/p (Lerderderg State Park VKFF-0763)
10. ZL1JLA
11. VK3PMG
12. VK3GGG
13. VK1AD

At the conclusion of the activation at Swan Reach CP, I drove down towards the town of Swan Reach which is located on the other side of the Murray River.  I enjoyed the view of the mighty Murray for around 10 minutes and then headed off to Ridley.

References.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1983, ‘Conservation Parks of the Murraylands (Western Plains) Management Plans

My first activation for Sunday 27th November 2016 and day two of the 2016 VKFF Activation Weekend was the Marne Valley Conservation Park VKFF-0906, which is located about 30 km north of Mannum , about 4 km east of the little town of Cambrai, and around 100 km north east of Adelaide.

I had been to this park a number of times previously and had qualified it for both the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program and the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Marne Valley Conservation Park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

Marne Valley was proclaimed on the 11th March 1976, and is 94 hectares in size.  The park is bisected by the Marne River.  The river valley formed part of the main Adelaide to Sydney stock route.

The major vegetation association in the Park is a River Red Gum open forest, with an understorey dominated by introduced species. This community extends from beside the watercourses, across the low-lying portions of the park. The other vegetation communities present in the park are tall open woodlands dominated by Mallee Box (E. porosa), and Narrow-leaved Mallee (E. foecunda) and Mallee Box and White Mallee (E. dumosa).

In the south western comer, along the eastern central boundary, and along the northern boundary the native vegetation has been largely cleared. The cleared areas are low open shrublands dominated by various exotic grasses and ephemerals and Small-leaved Bluebush (Maireana brevifolia), Climbing Twinleaf (Zygophyllum eremaeum), Bassia (Sclerolaena uniflora), Balcarra Grass (Austrostipa nitida), and Bladder Saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria).

Much of the surrounding land was cleared of many of its Red Gums by the early 1900’s.  A saw mill was located in the area, and the local red gum was considered superior to many other varieties for use as railway sleepers.

A large amount of birdlife can be found in the park including Adelaide Rosellas, Mallee Ringneck parrots, Brown Treecreepers, White Plumed Honeyeaters, and Striated Pardlotes.  Western Grey kangaroos call the park home.

The Marne River which passes through the park was originally known as the South Rhine River, with the nearby town of Cambrai originally being known as Rhine Villa.  However it was one of many Australian towns renamed during World War One to remove any connection with German place names and named after the Battle of Cambrai.

To get to the park from my home I drove out along Onkaparinga Valley Road through the towns of Woodside, Charleston, and then on to Birdwood and Mount Pleasant.  After leaving Mount Pleasant I started the decent out of the Mount Lofty Ranges and onto the Murray River plain along the Angas Valley Road.  There are some nice views from here out towards the east.

I then turned onto Ridley Road and it wasn’t long before I reached the Marne River, just on the outskirts of the town of Cambrai.

The gum trees here along the river were absolutely alive with very noisy Corellas.

I continued on into Cambrai and then turned right onto Black Hill Road and commenced to travel east towards the Marne Valley Conservation Park.  There are a number of turf farms here, and the lush green lawns broke up the already dry surrounding countryside.

As I drove towards the park I made contact with Gerard VK2IO who was portable in the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area VKFF-1386.  Gerard had a very nice signal into the mobile.

I then reached the southern boundary of the park on Black Hill Road.  This is from where I have operated in the past.  What I did notice this time was that the vegetation leading to the park boundary was very overgrown.  It worried me a bit as it was already a warn day and I was very cognisant of snakes.

I parked the Hi Lux near the southern gate, which is locked.  However, the fence alongside of the gate is in a very bad state of repair and is easily stepped over.  I set up my fold up table, deck chair, the Yaesu FT-857d and the 80/40/20m linked dipole on the 7 metre squid pole.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Marne Valley Conservation Park, showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

Sadly the previous access track into the park at this location which lead to a picnic area near the Marne River is no longer accessible.  This part of the park is the River Red Gum forest and it afforded me shade from the already hot sun.

I was up and ready to go by around 9.15 a.m. South Australian local time.  Prior to calling CQ I tracked down Gerard VK2IO so I could get a Park to Park contact with him from Upper Nepean State Conservation Area VKFF-1386.  As it was a Sunday morning, many of the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) broadcasts were occurring from 7.130 and above, so 7.144 was not an option for me to operate from.  I headed to 7.095 and started calling CQ.  This was answered by Mick VK3PMG/VK3GGG, followed by Joe VK3YSP, and then Peter VK5KPR who was portable in the Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757.

I went on to work a total of 28 stations on 40m including another Park to Park contact, with Les VK5KLV who was with Peter in the Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757.  Band conditions on 40m were less than ideal, with signals being quite well down compared to normal.  Callers for me came from VK1, VK3, VK3, and VK5.

I then lowered the squid pole and inserted the links for the 80m section and headed off to 3.610.  I started calling CQ and this was answered by Adrian VK5FANA who was activating the Eastern Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1706.  Adrian was very low down, as I was to Adrian.  But we were able to hear each other perfectly and exchanged 5/1 signal reports.  Sadly I had no mobile phone coverage and I was not able to spot myself on parksnspeaks, so around 5 minutes of CQ calls on 80m went unanswered.

I then headed to 14.310 on 20m and started calling CQ.  This was answered by Ray VK4XXX.  What a great suffix.  Next up was Rick VK4RF/VK4HA who had a very strong 5/9 signal.  Rick was kind enough to replay an SMS message to my wife Marija to let her know I was safe in the park.  Thanks Rick, greatly appreciated.  I then worked Neil VK4HNS, Park to Park.  Neil was activating the Moogerah Peaks National Park VKFF-0326.

As 15m had performed well the day before, I then headed to 21.244 where I called CQ and this was answered by Rick VK4RF/VK4HA, followed by Neil VK4HNS in the Moogerah Peaks National Park VKFF-0326, then Rob VK4FFAB, and finally Ray VK4NH.  The 15m band was certainly open to Queensland, with signals being quite good, ranging from strength 7 to strength 3.  Sadly I then started to experience some QRM from a JA1 who started calling CQ 1 kc above me on 21.245.  I gave him a shout but he was unable to hear me.  I then tuned across the 15m band and heard no further signals, so I headed back to 40m.

Before propping on a frequency and calling CQ, I tuned across the band and logged a few more Park to Park contacts.  These were with Rob VK2QR in the Brindabella National Park VKFF-0054, Tony VK3VX/p in the Werribee Gorge State Park VKFF-0775, Ian VK1DI in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve VKFF-0989, and Adrian VK5FANA/ P in the Eastern Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1706.

I then started calling CQ on 7.105 where I logged a further 11 stations.  This included two more Park to Park contacts with Rob VK4AAC/3 in the Cobboboonee National Park VKFF-0728, and Neil VK4HNS/p in the Moogerah Peaks National Park VKFF-0326.  This was my third band for Neil.  I also had an interesting contact with Glenn VK3YY who was operating pedestrin mobile/portable from Lysterfield Park.  Glenn was using his Elecraft KX2 handheld, with the internal microphone and a loaded whip on the radio.  Glen had a good 5/7 signal and he reciprocated with a nice 5/8 for me.

Things were pretty slow, so I again tuned across the band and logged a further five Park to Park contacts before going QRT.  The P2P contacts were with Greg VK5ZGY/p in the Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025, Andrew VK7DW/p in the Notley Fern Gorge State Reserve VKFF-1145, Tom VK5EE and Col VK5HCF both activating the Penola Conservation Park VKFF-0803, and finally Peter VK3PF/p who was in the Colquhoun Regional Park VKFF-0962.

After about 2 and 1/2 hours in the park I had a total of 58 contacts in the log on 15m, 20m, 40m and 80m.  This included 17 Park to Park contatcs.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (Upper Nepean State Conservation Area VKFF-1386)
2. VK3PMG
3. VK3GGG
4. VK3YSP
5. VK5KPR/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
6. VK5HCF
7. VK3SQ
8. VK3DAC
9. VK5KLV/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
10. VK2GKA
11. VK3PF
12. VK3SFG
13. VK2VW
14. VK3NBI/p
15. VK3MIJ
16. VK2XXM
17. VK3MRH
18. VK2PKT
19. VK3XPT
20. VK2VU
21. VK3PAT
22. VK3MLU
23. VK1AD
24. VK3FPHG
25. VK2MTC
26. VK2KYO
27. VK3ARH
28. VK6MB
29. VK2QR/p (Brindabella National Park VKFF-0054)
30. VK3VX/p (Werribee Gorge State Park VKFF-0775)
31. VK1DI/p (Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve VKFF-0989)
32. VK5FANA/ P (Eastern Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1706)
33. VK3CM
34. VK5FMID
35. VK3FSPG
36. VK3YY/p
37. VK3FOTO/m
38. VK3FRAB
39. VK7FPRN
40. VK4AAC/3 (Cobboboonee National Park VKFF-0728)
41. VK5NFT
42. VK4HNS/p (Moogerah Peaks National Park VKFF-0326)
43. VK3BHR
44. VK5ZGY/p (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)
45. VK7DW/p (Notley Fern Gorge State Reserve VKFF-1145)
46. VK5EE/p (Penola Conservation Park VKFF-0803)
47. VK5HCF/p (Penola Conservation Park VKFF-0803)
48. VK3PF/p (Colquhoun Regional Park VKFF-0962)

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA/p (Eastern Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1706)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4XXX
2. VK4RF
3. VK4HA
4. VK4HNS/p (Moogerah Peaks National Park VKFF-0326)

I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. VK4HNS/p (Moogerah Peaks National Park VKFF-0326)
4. VK4FFAB
5. VK4NH

References.

Birds SA, 2016, <http://www.birdssa.asn.au/location/marne-valley-conservation-park/&gt;, viewed

National Parks and Wildlife, 1994, ‘Marne Valley Conservation Park Management Plan’

Cockburn R, 1990, South Australia What’s in a Name?