Our second park for ANZAC Day was the Bunbury Conservation Reserve VKFF-1691, which is located about 40 km west of the town of Keith, on the western side of Bunbury Road.  This was to be a unique park for both Marija and I for the WWFF program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Bunbury Conservation Reserve.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Bunbury Conservation Reserve is about 1,945 hectares (4,810 acres) in size and was proclaimed on the 11th November 1993.

Above:- Aerial shot of the park, with Adelaide and my home QTH in the distance.  Image courtesy of google maps

The park takes its name from the property ‘Bunbury’ once held by James W.D. Dening (1842-1930) who emigrated to Australia in 1849 with his parents aboard the Louisa Baillie.

The park comprises mainly of white sand dune and watercourses, with Pink Gum, Yellow mallee, Desert Banksia, Sand heath yacca, Swamp paper-bark, Short-leaf honey-myrtle, Round-leaf wilsonia, and Samphire low shrubland.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 54 native species of bird in the park including Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Inland Thornbill, Australian Golden Whistler, Silvereye, Weebill, Spotted Pardalote, Scarlet Robin, White-browed Woodswallow, and Magpielark

We found a gate leading in to the park off the Bunbury Road and drove about 1 km along the sandy 4WD track and set up alongside of the track.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Bunbury Conservation Reserve showing our operating spot in the eastern section of the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Prior to calling CQ Marija and I tuned across the 40m band to see if we could find any other park activators.  We found Ian VK1DI/2 on 7.150, activating the Yanunbeyan State Conservation Area VKFF-1400.  After logging Ian I moved up the band to find a clear spot.  As it was now late afternoon (about 4.00 p.m. local time), the 40m band was very busy with lots of VK and European stations.  I found 7.165 clear and started calling CQ.  This was answered by Peter VK3PF, followed by Graham VK7ZGK and then Steve AX5SFA.

The 40m band seemed to still be in good shape, albeit that the number of callers appeared to have dropped off from our previous activation.  However, there was a steady flow of callers from across Australia.  I qualified the park for WWFF with 44 contacts within 30 minutes.  I logged a total of 49 stations on 40m including another Park to Park, with Bill VK4FW/p who was in the  Glastonbury National Park VKFF-1197.  Marija also logged Bill.

Marija and I then swapped the mic.  Marija called CQ on 7.165 and this was answered by John VK4TJ, followed by Mark VK4SMA, and then Keith AX3FMKE.  After a few minutes, Marija had 10 contacts in the log, qualifying the park for VKFF.  Marija’s 10th contact was with Terry VK5ATN.  Marija went on to log a total of 40 stations on 40m, including two New Zealand contacts: Owen ZL4CY and Ken ZL4KD.  And also a further Park to Park, with Gerard VK2IO/p in the Marramarra National Park VKFF-0307.

We then lowered the squid pole and inserted the links for the 80m band and Marija commenced calling CQ on 3.610.  This was answered by John VK5BJE with a big 5/9 plus signal, followed by Steve VK5ST and then Adrian VK5FANA.  Marija logged a total of 9 stations on 80m from VK2, VK3 and VK5.  Adrian VK5FANA was her 44th contact, thus qualifying the park for the global WWFF program.

We then lowered the squid pole again and removed the links and headed to the 20m band.  But I had left it too late.  It was now after 0730 UTC (5.00 p.m. local time) and the band, long path to Europe, had closed.  I had no takers on 20m.  So it was back to 40m for one final round of calls.  I logged a further 15 stations, including Andre ZL1TM, and John AX6NU/p on SOTA peak VK6/ SW-039.

The sun was setting and it was also starting to get a bit chilly, and we had a good 2 hour drive to get back home.  So with a total of 114 QSOs in the log, including 6 Park to Park contacts, it was time to hit the road.  On the way home we worked Nick VK6NDX who was activating the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park VKFF-1430.  Nick had an excellent 5/9 signal into the mobile.  I also had a quick chat to my good mate Ted VK6NTE.  I also had a quick listen in on the 7130 DX Net, but could hear very few stations, so I decided not to check in.

We then stopped off at the Riverside Hotel at Tailem Bend for a meal.  We often stop off here and can highly recommend the meal.  During the day you can sit outside on the balcony which overlooks the mighty River Murray.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1DI/2 (Yanunbeyan State Conservation Area VKFF-1400)
2. VK4FW/p (Glastonbury National Park VKFF-1197)
3. VK4TJ
4. VK4SMA
5. AX3FMLE
6. AX2PKT
7. VK2PKT
8. VK3CDR
9. VK5FANA
10. VK5ATN
11. AX5ATN
12. VK3UCD
13. VK4NH
14. AX4NH
15. VK4DXA
16. AX4DXA
17. ZL4TY/VK4
18. VK4FDJL
19. VK2NP
20. ZL4CY
21. ZL4KD
22. AX2LEE
23. VK2LEE
24. VK2EMI
25. VK3ZD
26. VK3MB
27. VK3UH
28. VK3BBB
29. VK3PF
30. AX3PF
31. VK3KAI
32. AX3KAI
33. VK3SX
34. AX3SX
35. VK7JON
36. VK6PCT/3
37. VK3FIAN
38. VK2YK
39. VK2NEO
40. VK2IO/p (Marramarra National Park VKFF-0307)

Marija logged the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5PF
3. VK5ST
4. VK5FANA
5. VK3SQ
6. VK5VC
7. VK2YK
8. AX3FMKE
9. VK2PH

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1DI/2 (Yanunbeyan State Conservation Area VKFF-1400)
2. VK3PF
3. AX7ZGK
4. AX5SFA
5. VK3MDH/p
6. VK3GGG
7. VK3PMG
8. AX3GGG
9. AX3PMG
10. AX3MRG/p
11. VK5BJE
12. VK7JON
13. VK2HOT
14. AX2HOT
15. VK2PKT
16. AX2PKT
17. VK3ZZS/p
18. VK2NP
19. VK2LEE
20. AX2LEE
21. VK3UCD
22. VK3FSPG
23. VK3MPR
24. VK5ATN
25. VK3LDB
26. VK2HHA
27. AX2HHA
28. VK4FW/p (Glastonbury National Park VKFF-1197)
29. VK2EIR/p
30. AX2FRKO/p
31. VK2JNG/p
32. VK3TKK/m
33. VK4NH
34. AX4NH
35. VK4DXA
36. AX4DXA
37. ZL4TY/VK4
38. VK4FDJL
39. AX3ANL
40. VK3ANL
41. VK5FANA
42. VK3SQ
43. VK4SMA
44. AX3FMKE
45. VK3FDI
46. VK3KSK
47. VK4PDX
48. VK2BHO
49. VK3BMT
50. VK2IO/p (Marramarra National Park VKFF-0307)
51. VK2NEO
52. ZL1TM
53. VK3ARH
54. AX2PDW
55. VK3OHM/6
56. VK2NP
57. VK3ZPF
58. AX2AKB
59. VK2AKB
60. VK2YK
61. VK3SX
62. AX3SX
63. AX4ITT
64. AX6NU/p (SOTA VK6/ SW-039)
65. VK3BFR

References.

Birds SA, 2018, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/bunbury-conservation-reserve/>, viewed 26th April 2018

State Library South Australia, 2018, <http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/digitalpubs/placenamesofsouthaustralia/>, viewed 26th April 2018

Yesterday (Wednesday 25th April 2018) was ANZAC Day.  Some would say the most important date on the Australian calendar.  ANZAC Day is a National day of remembrance in both Australia and New Zealand that commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations”.

And each year on ANZAC Day, Australian amateurs can replace the normal VK prefix with the special prefix of AX.  It is normally raining at this time of the year here, but yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, and Marija and I decided to pack the 4WD and head to the Upper South East of South Australia to conduct two park activations: The Gum Lagoon Conservation Park, and the Bunbury Conservation Reserve.  These would both be unique parks for Marija and I in the World Wide Flora Fauna program and the VK5 Parks Award.

We had some travelling ahead of us.  We needed to travel to the town of Keith, about 200km to the south east of our home, and then our to the parks.  By the end of the day we had travelled around 450 km.

Above:- Map showing our route for the day.  Map courtesy of plotaroute.

Our first planned park activation for the day was the Gum Lagoon Conservation Park 5CP-083 & VKFF-0886, which is located about 269 km south east of Adelaide, and around 45 km south west of the town of Keith.

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

We travelled out of Mount Barker along the South Eastern Freeway and along the way we logged Ivan AX5HS and Andy AX5LA who were activating the Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697 in the Riverland region of South Australia.  They were strength 9 into the mobile.  This was a good sign of things to come with band conditions.  Ivan and Andy informed us that Peter VK5PE was with them and was operating on 40m, so we headed there and also logged Peter who was 5/9 + into the mobile.  Here is a link to the Riverland Radio Club’s website with info on their activation…..

https://rrc.org.au/2018/04/25/anzac-day-activation-25-04-2018/

Both Marija and I then logged Rob VK4AAC/2 who was activating the Murramarang National Park VKFF-0371.  Rob had a good 5/8 signal into the mobile.

We then continued onto the Dukes Highway, passing through the towns of Coomandook, Yumali, Ki Ki, Coonalpyn, Culburra, and Tintinara, until we reached the town of Keith.   Along the way we logged Stef AX5HSX/3 who was activating the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park VKFF-0954.  We also chatted with Mike VK3KMH, Ross AX7ALH and Mark VK3MDH/p.  Just outside of Tintinara we logged Danny AX5DW in the Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697.

We then took the Mount Charles Road and then turned left onto Cantara Road.  It is amazing some of the things we have seen in our travels.  And this trip didn’t disappoint.  Not sure what the significance is, but we found the fellow below hanging from a tree.

A little further on we spotted the two Wedge Tailed Eagles below, soaring in the breeze above some paddocks.  Unfortunately they were a little too far away and too high for any good photos.  Wedge Tailed Eagles are the largest bird of prey in Australia.  They have a wingspan of up to 2.84 metres.  The females are larger than the males and can weigh up to 5.8 kg.  The wedge tail of the bird is clearly visible when they are in flight.

As we travelled along Cantara Road we logged Mick AX3GGG/p who was in the Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118.  We soon reached the north eastern corner of the park at the intersection of Cantara Road, Wicks Road and Eatts Road.  This section of the park is known as Blacket Scrub, and is well signposted.

We drove a little further up Cantara Road, looking for a clearing in the scrub.  Cantara Road is dirt but is in good condition and was quite busy.  It links the Dukes Highway with the Princes Highway and the Coorong.

The Gum Lagoon Conservation Park is a large park, comprising around 2,700 hectares.  It was originally proclaimed as Gum Lagoon National Park in August 1970 and constituted as Gum Lagoon Conservation Park on proclamation of the National Parks and Wildlife Act in 1972.  Historically, the area that is now Gum Lagoon Conservation Park had been held under miscellaneous and pastoral leases for “grazing and cultivation”.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Gum Lagoon Conservation Park, with the Coorong National Park to the left of the picture, and my home QTH and Adelaide in the distance.  Image courtesy of google maps

The park contains grasslands, herblands, heathlands, woodlands and scrub.  About 375 native plants have been recorded within the park, including four which are nationally threatened or rare.

The Duck Island Watercourse flows through the park.  It is an important flushing mechanism for the Tea-tree heathlands and wetland basins along its route.  The watercourse sustains a corridor of wetland habitat joining wetlands on Duck Island with Naen Naen Swamp in the park.

The conservation park has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area, principally because it supports an apparently sustainable population of the vulnerable Malleefowl.  The Malleefowl is a stocky ground-dwelling bird, about the size of a domestic chicken. They are notable for the large nesting mounds constructed by the males.

Above: Mallefowl.  Image courtesy of wikipedia.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 133 bird species in the park including  Malleefowl, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Brown Hornbill, White-browed Woodswallow, Grey Shrikethrush, Grey Fantail, Swamp Harrier, White-necked Heron, Spotted Nightjar, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Slender-billed Thornbill, and Red-browed Finch

A number of native animals call the park home including some mammals of conservation significance including the rare Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, and Common Wombat, and the regionally rare Little Pygmy Possum.

We found a clearing in the scrub off Cantara Road and set up, rolling out the awning on the 4WD as the sun had quite some bite to it.  We used the Yaesu FT-897 and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Above:- Map of the Gum Lagoon Conservation Park showing our operating spot in the north eastern corner of the park.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After setting up Marija and I had a tune across the 40m band and found Stef AX5HSX/3 on 7.139, activating the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park VKFF-0954.  It was a great way to kick off the activation, with a Park to Park contact.  We then found Mick AX3GGG/p on 7.144 in the Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118 in western Victoria.

Following logging Mick we moved down to 7.150 where I commenced calling CQ.  This was answered by Brett VK3FLCS and then Ivan AX5HS/p and Andy AX5LA/p who were in the Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697 in the Riverland region of South Australia.  And they were roaring in at signal strength 5/9 plus.

The 40m band was in very good condition.  The best I have heard it in a long time.  There was no fading (QSB) on signals as there has been in recent weeks, with signals from all across Australia coming in exceptionally well.  And it was pleasing to have the good old mini VKFF pile ups occurring.  The band was in such good shape, that within 30 minutes I had 44 contacts in the log, having qualified the park for the VKFF program.  Erick AX7EK was my 44th contact.

I logged a total of 66 contacts on 40m before swapping the mic with Marija.  As Marija holds a Foundation licence, her power output is limited to 10 watts PEP.  Marija’s first contact after calling CQ was with Peter VK3PF, followed by Linda VK7QP (Marija’s 10th contact), and then Charlie VK5VC.  Marija had qualified the park for VKFF and continued on, logging a total of 57 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.  This included some more Park to Park contacts & a SOTA contact:

• Gerard VK2IO/p – SOTA VK2/ SY-001
• Craig VK3NCR/2 – Koscisusko National Park VKFF-0269
• Liz AX2XSE/p – Jimberoo National Park VKFF-1172
• Peter VK2KNV/p – Jimberoo National Park VKFF-1172
• David VK2CDS/p – Hunter Wetlands National Park VKFF-0595
• Ivan AX5HS/p – Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698
• Ivan VK5HS/p – Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698
• Andy AX5LA/p – Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698
• Andy VK5LA/p – Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698
• Peter VK5PE/p  – Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698
• Danny AX5DW/p – Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698
• Danny VK5DW/p – Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698

I then called CQ again on 7.150 and logged a further 11 stations including two further Park to Park contacts:

• Neil AX4HNS/p  – Mount Barney National Park VKFF-0338
• Ian VK1DI/2 – Yanunbeyan State Conservation Area VKFF-1400

It was very hard getting off 40m as there were so many callers.  And we were running a little short of time.  So I had to cut it short with a few of the final callers, as I really wanted to quickly try 80m and 20m and then head off to the next park.  So with 88 contacts in the log we moved to 3.610 on 80m.  First in the log was John VK5BJE, who was patiently waiting for us.  John had a brilliant 5/9 plus signal from the Adelaide Hills.  Next up was Peter VK5ZPG at Quorn in the north of South Australia, and then Greg AX5GJ who was running QRP with just 5 watts, with a good 5/8- signal.  I logged a further 3 stations on 80m, David VK3UCD, Keith AX3FMKE and finally Eric VK5KBB.

To complete the activation I put out a few quick calls on 14.310 on 20m.  I logged George VK4GSF and then Greg AX5GJ.  However a further dozen CQ calls yielded no takers, so we packed up and hit the road.  Sadly I didn’t have time to try the 15m band.

This was a great activation, with excellent band conditions on 40m.  Between us we had 159 contacts in the log, including 44 Park to Park contacts.

As we were about to drive out of the park we logged from the mobile, Peter AX3ZPF/p who was in the Adams Creek Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2034.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. AX5HSX/3 (Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park VKFF-0954)
2. VK5HSX/3 (Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park VKFF-0954)
3. AX3GGG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
4. AX3PMG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
5. VK3GGG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
6. VK3PMG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
7. AX5HS/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
8. AX5LA/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
9. VK3PF
10. VK7QP
11. VK5VC
12. VK2KYO
13. VK5FANA
14. VK5BMC
15. VK5KLV
16. VK3SQ
17. VK2HHA
18. AX2HHA
19. VK2UH
20. VK5KX
21. VK3HQZ
22. VK3VT
23. VK3GG
24. VK3AB
25. VK3MUD
26. VK5LA/m
27. AX5LA/m
28. VK3UCD
29. VK5HS/m
30. AX5HS/m
31. VK3MIJ
32. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ SY-001)
33. VK3UH
34. VK3NBL
35. VK3CWF
36. VK3MDH/p
37. VK3MRG/p
38. AX3MRG/p
39. VK3NCR/2 (Koscisusko National Park VKFF-0269)
40. AX3FMKE
41. VK3FCMC
42. AX2XSE/p (Jimberoo National Park VKFF-1172)
43. VK2KNV/p (Jimberoo National Park VKFF-1172)
44. AX3PF
45. VK2NP
46. VK2CDS/p (Hunter Wetlands National Park VKFF-0595)
47. VK4GSF
48. AX3FSTU
49. AX7ALH
50. VK3SS
51. AX5HS/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
52. VK5HS/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
53. AX5LA/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
54. VK5LA/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
55. VK5PE/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
56. AX5DW/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
57. VK5DW/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
58. AX4HNS/p (Mount Barney National Park VKFF-0338)
59. VK1DI/2 (Yanunbeyan State Conservation Area VKFF-1400)

Marija logged the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5ZPG
3. AX5GJ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. AX5HSX/3 (Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park VKFF-0954)
2. VK5HSX/3 (Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park VKFF-0954)
3. AX3GGG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
4. AX3PMG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
5. VK3GGG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
6. VK3PMG/p (Jilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2118)
7. VK3FLCS
8. AX5HS/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
9. AX5LA/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
10. VK5HS/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
11. VK5LA/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
12. VK2EMI
13. VK3MVS
14. VK7JON
15. VK5FANA
16. VK5KLV
17. VK3FSPG
18. VK3MPR
19. VK3SQ
20. VK2HHA
21. AX2HHA
22. VK3BBB
23. VK2CCP/3
24. VK2NP
25. VK5BJE
26. AX3AHR
27. VK5TN
28. AX2PKT
29. VK2PKT
30. VK3TKK/m
31. AX3TKK/m
32. VK3VIN
33. VK5KX
34. VK7QP
35. VK3ARH
36. VK4TJ
37. VK3UH
38. VK4NH
39. AX4NH
40. VK4DXA
41. AX4DXA
42. ZL4TY/VK4
43. VK5MR
44. AX7EK
45. AX5GJ
46. VK5FMWW
47. VK3AB
48. VK3MUD
49. VK3MDH/p
50. VK3MRG/p
51. AX3MRG/p
52. VK2KYO
53. VK3ANL
54. AX3ANL
55. VK3NCR/2 (Koscisusko National Park VKFF-0269)
56. VK5ATN
57. VK2VW
58. AX5TRM
59. VK5TRM
60. AX3FLJD
61. VK6PCT/3
62. VK3HQZ
63. VK3VT
64. VK3GG
65. VK5VC
66. VK5BMC
67. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ SY-001)
68. AX2XSE/p (Jimberoo National Park VKFF-1172)
69. VK2KNV/p (Jimberoo National Park VKFF-1172)
70. VK2CDS/p (Hunter Wetlands National Park VKFF-0595)
71. AX5DW/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
72. VK5DW/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
73. VK5PE/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
74. AX5HS/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
75. VK5HS/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
76. AX5LA/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
77. VK5LA/p (Chowilla Regional Reserve, VKFF-1698)
78. AX3ASU
79. VK5ZPG
80. VK3FKL
81. VK2USH
82. VK5PL
83. VK4FDJL
84. AX4HNS/p (Mount Barney National Park VKFF-0338)
85. AX5KBB
86. VK3KOP/p
87. VK5DC
88. VK1DI/2 (Yanunbeyan State Conservation Area VKFF-1400)

I logged the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5ZPG
3. AX5GJ
4. VK3UCD
5. AX3FMKE
6. VK5KBB
7. AX5KBB

I logged the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4GSF
2. AX5GJ

References.

Birds SA, 2018, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/gum-lagoon-conservation-park/>, viewed 26th April 2018

Department for Environment and Heritage, 2005, Gum Lagoon Conservation Park Management Plan

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day>, viewed 26th April 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge-tailed_eagle>, viewed 26th April 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malleefowl>, viewed 26th April 2018