Today I qualified for my latest VKFF certificate, the VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 1,025 certificate.  The certificate is issued for having worked 1,025 different VKFF references.

Many thanks to all of the VKFF activators.

Between Monday 11th June 2018 and Sunday 17th June 2018 I had the privilege of operating as VI50IARU3.  This is a special call to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Region 3 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

During my time with the call I operated from home and also activated one summit for Summits on the Air (SOTA), and four parks for World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF).  Unfortunately work got in the way on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

I ended up making a total of 631 contacts on 10m SSB, 15m SSB, 20m SSB, 40m SSB, 80m SSB, & 2m FM.  I found band conditions pretty tough at times, particularly with the DX.  I only had the one real opening to Europe on the long path on 20m.  I did not work any Japanese or Asian stations on 15m which is very unfamiliar.  Propagation just wasn’t there.

But despite the average conditions I did work a total of 26 different DXCC entities:

• Alaska – 1
• Asiatic Russia – 1
• Australia – 531
• Belgium – 2
• Canada – 1
• Croatia – 2
• Czech Republic – 1
• Dominican Republic – 1
• European Russia – 1
• Germany – 2
• France – 9
• Greece – 2
• Hawaii -1
• Indonesia – 6
• Italy – 5
• Japan – 6
• Netherlands – 1
• New Zealand – 27
• Poland – 1
• Portugal – 1
• Romania – 1
• Serbia – 1
• Spain – 2
• Switzerland – 1
• Ukraine – 1
• USA -23

The map below shows my contacts around the globe using VI50IARU3.  I worked 16 of the 40 CQ Zones, and 13 IOTA entities.

I worked 14 of the 50 US States.  This was a mixture of contacts on 40m SSB & 20m SSB.

Most of my contacts were around Australia, with New Zealand in 2nd place.  I also worked a few stations in Indonesia.

On Tuesday I had a short opening on the long path on 20m into Europe.

I think the most interesting call logged was HI8RD in the Dominican Republic on the 40m band.

I had a great time with the call and would like to thank Fred VK3DAC for giving me the opportunity of using the call.  I would also like to thank everyone who called me.

Don’t forget….there is a special QSL card available (downloadable only) and also a special Award on offer.  Details can be found by clicking on the link on the VI50IARU3 QRZ.com page.

After leaving Mount Lofty we headed east to the Monarto Conservation Park VKFF-0828 hoping to log some more stations using the special VI50IARU3 call sign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of region 3 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

As we drove east we could see blue sky which was very promising.  Sadly that didn’t last for long and we soon had a huge downpour of rain.  It wasn’t looking good to be sitting out in the park.

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

Once we got to Monarto the weather had started to clear somewhat, but not enough for me to sit outside of the vehicle.  We set up the 20/40/80 m linked dipole and operating from the comfort of the Toyota Hi Lux.

Our operating location was our normal spot in the carpark off the Ferries McDonald Road.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Monarto Conservation Park showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

We started off the activation on the 40m band.  First in the log was Bill VK4FW/p who was activating the King Conservation Park VKFF-1572.  After logging Bill we moved down the band to 7.130 and I called CQ.  Andrew VK2UH had followed me down and was logged with a strong 5/9 signal.  Next up was Peter VK3PF, followed by Ray VK3NBL, and then Brett VK2VW.

I logged 40 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 VK7 and VK8.  This included another Park to Park, this time with Nik VK3NLK/2 in the Murray Valley National Park VKFF-1178.

I then moved to the 20m band and called CQ on 14.310.  Greg VK4VXX/8 had followed me up from 40m, and was first in the log.  Next was Snow VK4FE.  But despite a number of further CQ calls I had no further takers on that band.

So to finish off the activation I called CQ on 3.610 on the 80m band.  I logged 13 calls on that band from VK2, VK3, & VK5.

I ended up with a total of 55 stations in the log for the activation.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4FW/p (King Conservation Park VKFF-1572)
2. VK2UH
3. VK3PF
4. VK3NBL
5. VK2VW
6. VK2IO/m
7. VK2KEL
8. VK4NH
9. VK4DXA
10. ZL4TY/VK4
11. VK3NLK/2 (Murray Valley National Park VKFF-1178)
12. VK2NP
13. VK4SMA
14. VK4VXX?8
15. VK3MDH/m
16. VK3ZPF
17. VK5KLV
18. VK3FMKE
19. Vk2HPN/m
20. VK7RN
21. VK5FMWW
22. VK4WJW
23. VK3ANL
24. VK2KMI
25. VK3SQ
26. VK5TRM
27. VK5FANA
28. VK3FSPG
29. VK3MPR
30. VK3GGG/p
31. VK3PMG/p
32. VK4SOE/p
33. VK4FW/m
34. VK4TJ
35. VK2ABN
36. VK3ARH/m
37. VK5TS
38. VK3VAR
39. VK7FRUS
40. VK3VGB

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4VXX/8
2. VK4ME

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK3SQ
3. VK5GJ
4. VK3GGG/p
5. VK3PMG/p
6. VK5FMLO
7. VK5KC/m
8. VK3FMKE
9. VK5MRT
10. VK3PDG/p
11. VK2NP
12. VK3DET
13. VK3PF

On Sunday 17th June 2018 I activated Mount Lofty summit VK5/ SE-005 using the special VI50IARU3 call sign.  This was an impromptu activation.  I had wanted to get out to do something portable that day, but the weather was miserable.  However by 1.00 p.m. there was some blue sky appearing, so Marija and I packed the 4WD and headed for Mount Lofty, which is also located within the Cleland Conservation Park 5CP-042 & VKFF-0778.

We decided to try to activate the summit on 2m FM using my little handheld, Yaeu VX-6R.  Along the way we telephoned John VK5BJE who kindly placed a post on the Facebook page of the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society.  Many thanks John.

We were all set up and ready to go on the summit by around 1.30 p.m.  First in the log was Marija VK5FMAZ who had remained in the car as it was too cold and windy for her initially.  It was then fitting that I was able to log John VK5BJE at nearby Scott Creek.  Arno VK5ZAR followed and he had a very strong signal.  Next was John VK5OI in the southern suburbs, followed by Steve VK5SFA (very strong), and Kym VK5FKYM in the southern suburbs.

But that was the extent of calls sadly.  I thought more people may have called, but perhaps they couldnt hear me.

Marija and I were hoping to activate the summit on HF as well, but just when we thought the weather had cleared, the heavens opened up and it started raining again.  Plan B.  Head to the Monarto Conservation Park on the other side of the Mount Lofty Ranges, where it may be a little clearer.

I worked the following stations on 2m FM:-

On Wednesday evening (13th June 2018) I headed to the Mount George Conservation Park 5CP-147 & VKFF-0784 for an evening activation using the special call of VI50IARU3.

The Mount George Conservation Park is located just a short drive down the South Eastern Freeway from my home.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Mount George Conservation Park.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I have activated this park many times previously for both the WWFF program and the VK5 Parks Award.

Above:- Aerial view showing the Mount George Conservation Park, looking back towards Adelaide.  Image courtesy of google maps.

I set up in my normal operating spot, in the picnic ground at the end of Mount George Road.

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

It was quite a miserable night weather wise and I had to retreat to the vehicle on a number of occasions.  I kicked off the activation on 3.620 on the 80m band.  First in the log was John VK4TJ with a strong 5/8 signal, followed by Tony VK5TT and then Ivan VK5HS.  Despite there being strong static crashes on the band, I had a steady flow of callers and ended up logging a total of 22 stations on 80m in 35 minutes, from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7 and VK8.  It was great to speak with Owen ZL2OPB/VK5 who has just moved to South Australia.  And also Wayne VK6JR/8 who was about 100 km west of Alice Springs.

I then headed to 7130 hoping to check into the 7130 DX Net, but it had already closed due to poor band conditions.  But I did log my good wife Marija VK5FMAZ.  Unfortunately I soon started to experience Indonesian interference, so I moved up the band to 7.180 where I logged 7 stations from VK3, VK4 & New Zealand.

I then moved back to 80m and called CQ on 3.615 logging a total of 5 stations from VK3 and VK6.  But callers dried up, so I tuned across the band and booked into the North East Victoria ARC Net where I logged 6 stations.  I then tuned across the band and found another group on 3.600 including Mark VK2PH.  I logged 5 stations on that frequency, before deciding it was just too wet and windy to continue the activation.

It was time to pack up and head back home to the warmth and out of my wet clothes.  I had a total of 46 contacts in the log and had hopefully given some more people the opportunity of logging the special call of VI50IARU3.

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK5TT
3. VK5HS
4. VK3UCD
5. VK5PL
6. VK3HJ
7. VK2NP
8. VK3JL
9. VK3ZPF
10. VK5KLV
11. VK5NM
12. VK3PF
13. VK3VVC
14. VK3LCB
15. VK5YX
16. VK6JR/8
17. ZL2OPB/VK5
18. VK6POP
19. VK5FMAZ
20. VK6DW
21. VK3GYH
22. VK7ROY

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5FMAZ
2. ZL1TM
3. VK4NH
4. VK4FDJL
5. VK3ZPF
6. VK3GGG
7. VK3PMG
8. VK3TKK/m
9. VK3ARH
10. VK3GGG
11. VK3PMG
12. VK3FSTU
13. VK6HRC
14. VK3ANE
15. VK3CM
16. VK3MXT
17. VK3BPH
18. VK2MOP
19. VK3AHR’VK2PH
20. VK5VST
21. VK5NJ
22. VK3FMKE
23. VK3KWB

We left Bool Lagoon and drove about 10 km to Bournes Bird Museum, which contains an amazing collection of around 600 birds.  The bird specimens are generally from road kills or birds that have flown into power lines.  Marija and I met with Marion, the owner of the property.  She had kindly opened up the museum for us and explained in detail the history of the museum and her father Jack Bourne’s passion.  Not only are there birds, but there are reptiles, mammals, and a bird egg collection.  We highly recommend a visit here.

Marija and I then headed to the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park 5CP-085 & VKFF-0888 for a quick activation, as the weather was turning nasty.  The park is about 25 km south of the town of Narracoorte, and 359 km south east of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park is 202 hectares in size and was proclaimed as a Fauna Reserve on 8th June 1967.  Further land was added on the 27th April 1972 and the area was proclaimed as the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park.  Additional land was again added on 4th November 1993.

In 1985, the area covered by both the conservation park and the adjoining Bool Lagoon Game Reserve was added under the name “Bool and Hacks Lagoons” to the List of Wetlands of International Importance maintained by the Ramsar Convention.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 111 native birds at the park including Pacific Black Duck, Australian White Ibis, Swamp Harrier, Superb Fairywren, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Buff-banded Rail, Spotted Harrier, Red Wattlebird, Southern Emuwren, Striated Fieldwren, and Restless Flycatcher.

Some of the birds we observed are shown below

We drove back into the park via Bool Lagoon and soon reached the park, which is located to the northeast of Bool Lagoon.  The park is well signposted.

There is a niced lawned area here with picnic tables which would have made an ideal operating spot on a sunny day.  But we had very average weather and pulled up the Toyota Hi Lux close to one of the benches, to provide a bit of a windbreak.

Above:- Map of the park showing our operating spot.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer

I started off the activation, and again used the special call of VI50IARU3.  I called CQ on 7.144 and this was answered by Geoff VK3SQ, followed by Brenton VK3YB, and then Eric VK7EV.  Band conditions were quite good and it didn’t take long for a little pile up to commence.  I logged a total of 23 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and Vk7, before the weather closed in and it started to rain.  But more concerning was the thunder and lighting.  It was a quick retreat to the vehicle and a break in operating until the weather had cleared.

During our activation we had some interested onlookers.

Once the weather had cleared, Marija and I set up again and removed the links for the dipole, and headed to 14.310 on the 20m band.  First in the log there was Gerard VK2IO/p in the Queens Lake State Conservation Area VKFF-1771.  I logged a further 6 stations from VK2, VK3 and VK4, until callers dried up.

So I headed to the ANZA DX Net on 14.182 and checked in.  I worked 11 stations on the net from VK1, VK2, VK4, VK8 and New Zealand.

I now had 41 contacts in the log and was just 3 short of qualifying the park for the global WWFF program.  Marija and I again lowered the squid pole and inserted the links so we could operate on the 80m band.

Marija called CQ on 3.610 and this was answered by Adrian VK5FANA with a very strong signal.  Within 10 minutes Marija had her 10th contact in the log, qualifying the park for VKFF.  Contact number 10 was with Geoff VK3SQ.

I then put out some CQ calls on 80m and it wasn’t long before I had contact number 44 in the log, with a QSO with John VK5BJE.

Marija and I had 59 contacts in the log between the two of us and it was time to pack up and hit the road, as we still had a substantial drive home ahead of us.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK3YB
3. VK7EV
4. VK3ZPF
5. Vk2RP/m
6. VK2BDR/m
7. VK2VW
8. VK5IS
9. VK2JNG/p
10. VK2KJJ
11. VK5KLV
12. VK5VC
13. VK4TJ
14. VK3AWG
15. VK3PF
16. VK7FRJG
17. VK7RM
18. VK2PKT
19. VK4FDJL
20. VK4FARR
21. VK2AHF
22. VK7FMAC
23. VK2QK

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (Queens Lake State Conservation Area VKFF-1771)
2. VK2LEE
3. VK3SQ
4. VK4ME
5. VK2NP
6. VK2HPN
7. VK4FE
8. ZL2GLG
9. VK2RI
10. VK4NBP
11. VK4LMB
12. VK1TX
13. VK2HOT
14. VK4XCS
15. VK8KMD
16. VK7XX
17. ZL4QJ
18. VK4SWE

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK5VC
3. VK5BJE
4. VK3PF
5. VK3SQ
6. VK3GGG
7. VK3PMG
8. VK3UCD

On the way home we stopped off at one of our favourite hotels, the Riverside Hotel at Tailem Bend, and enjoyed a great meal (as always).

References.

Birds SA, 2018, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/hacks-lagoon-conservation-park/>, viewed 19th June 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacks_Lagoon_Conservation_Park>, viewed 19th June 2018

It was now Monday 11th June 2018, and time for Marija and I to head back home after 3 very enjoyable nights in Mount Gambier.  We had hoped to activate a park or two on the way home, but hadn’t really decided on which one, as the weather was looking quite threatening.  So after another stop at Subway for breakfast we hit the road and headed north along the Riddoch Highway out of Mount Gambier.

As we approached Penola we decided upon turning off at Narracoorte and activating some parks between there and Bordertown, on the South Australian/Victorian border.  But as we continued northwards, the weather became more threatening and we decided to activate a closer park, the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve VKFF-1687.

Bool Lagoon is located about 26 km (by road) south of Narracoorte and about 359 km south east of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

This was to be another unique park for both Marija and I in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

The Bool Lagoon Game Reserve is about 3,103 hectares in size and was established on 8th June 1967.  It is one of the largest and most diverse freshwater lagoon systems in southern Australia.  In 1985, the area covered by both the game reserve and the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park was added under the name “Bool and Hacks Lagoons” to the List of Wetlands of International Importance maintained by the Ramsar Convention.

Above:- Aerial view of the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve.  Image courtesy of google maps 

Prior to its proclamation, Bool and Hacks Lagoons were subject to private pastoral leases.  In 1940 the Flora and Fauna Committee and the South Australian Ornithological Association (now Birds SA) proposed that all or part of the wetland be declared a Bird Sanctuary.    On the 8th June 1967, Sections 223 and 224 were proclaimed as a Game Reserve.  On Section 323 was added on the 29th August 1974, with Section 380 being added on 27th August 1992.  Section 330 and other land was added on 4th November 1993.

At certain times of the year there is no water at Bool Lagoon.  The park contains various habitat types including Tall Shrubland, Sedgeland, Grassland, Floating waterplants Herbland, and Open Water.

Bool Lagoon provides critical habitat for the nationally vulnerable Southern Bell Frog. Several hundred, perhaps thousands of these frogs live at Bool Lagoon.  The endangered Striped Legless Lizard also calls the park home.

Birds SA have recorded 183 native species of bird at Bool Lagoon.  This includes Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Eastern Great Egret, Swamp Harrier, Plumed Whistling Duck, Glossy Ibis, Black-backed Bittern, Cattle Egret, Spotted Harrier, Australian Pratincole, and Sacred Kingfisher.

Below are some photos of some of the birds we observed during our visit to Bool Lagoon.

Yellow Billed Spoonbill

Black shouldered Kite

Australian Shelduck

Whistling Kite

Black shouldered kite

We entered the park via the main entrance which runs off Bool Lagoon Road.  The reserve is well signposted.

There is an information board as you enter the park, with lots of interesting information about the reserve and its inhabitants.

We followed the track on the southern side of the lagoon and travelled to an area which is called Big Hill.  It was slow going along the track as there was lots of birdlife.

We set up in a clearing near Big Hill.  There was plenty of room to stretch out the dipole and not interfere with other users of the reserve.  We initially set up outside of the vehicle, but the rain struck during our activation so we retreated inside the vehicle for the remainder of the activation.

Above:- Our operating spot in the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I kicked off the activation, using the special call of VI50IARU3.  I had been allocated the call for a week, to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union in Region 3.

So what is the call about?

On the 12th April 1968, 50 years ago, a regional arm of the International Amateur Radio Union, IARU Region 3, was established in Sydney.  The IARU had been established a number of years earlier, in Paris, in 1925.  is an international confederation of national amateur radio organisations that allows a forum for common matters of concern and collectively represents matters to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

First in the log from Bool Lagoon was Rob VK4AAC/5 at the Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025, followed by Andrew VK7DW, and then Gerard VK2JNG.  Despite this being a rarely activated park and a special call, the number of callers was far less than expected.  And after 15 minutes, callers had completely dried up on 40m.  I had 17 QSOs in the log, including another Park to Park contact, with Gerard VK2IO/p in the Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958.

I headed off to the 80m band where I called CQ on 3.610.  This was answered by Peter VK3PF, followed by Geoff VK3SQ, and then Peter VK3ZPF.  I logged a further 5 stations, including another Park to Park, with Rob VK4AAC/5 at Dingley Dell.

Marija then called CQ on 80m and logged 5 contacts from VK3 and VK5.  This included a Park to Park with Rob VK4AAC/5 at Dingley Dell.  Despite band conditions being quite good on the 80m band, callers soon stalled, so we headed back to 40m.  We put a call out on 7.144 to see if the frequency was in use and didn’t hear anything.  Ivan VK5HS/m then responded to our CQ call with a strong 5/9 signal.  But we then heard people tell us that the frequency was in use by a QRP station.  Rob VK4AAC then came up to let us know he was on the frequency but had been stomped on by VK5HS.  So after logging Rob, we moved down the band to 7.139.

I logged a total of 20 stations on 7.139, swapping the mic every now and again with Marija so she could log particular stations.  Marija’s 10th contact, qualifying the park for VKFF, was a QSO with Rob VK4AAC/5 at Dingley Dell.  Contact number 44 for me was with Kevin VK7KEV in Tasmania.  We also logged some more Park to Park contacts, with Alan VK2MG/p in the Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550, and Gerard VK2IO/p in the Lake Innes Nature Reserve VKFF-1955.  Other good contacts were with Bob VK6POP over in Western Australia, Andrei ZL1TM in New Zealand, and Ivan VK5HS maritime mobile on the Cadell ferry.

To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m where I logged 3 stations; Andrei ZL1TM in New Zealand, Cliff VK2NP in Sydney, and Alan VK2MG/p in the Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550 VKFF-0550.

Marija and I packed up, with another park under our belt, and took a walk along the boardwalk in the park.  Whilst doing so Marija put a call into Bournes Birds, a nearby tourist attracation, which we hoped to visit.  Unfortunately we reached their answering machine.  But 15 minutes later we received a call to advise they would open up for us, so it was off to Bournes Birds for us.  Just a short drive from the park.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5HS/m
2. VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
3. VK5FANA
4. VK5UV
5. VK4AAC/5 (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)
6. VK2IO/p (Lake Innes Nature Reserve VKFF-1955)

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5FANA
3. VK5UV
4. VK3ZPF
5. VK4AAC/5 (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4AAC/5 (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)
2. VK7DW
3. VK2JNG
4. VK2AB
5. VK5KLV
6. VK4TJ
7. VK2VW
8. VK3PF
9. VK1MIC
10. VK2NP
11. VK4YLU
12. VK3UH
13. VK7JOn/m
14. VK2AMF
15. VK7FOLK/m
16. VK2YK
17. VK2IO/p (Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958)
18. VK5HS/m
19. VK4FFAB
20. VK3SQ
21. VK7DW/p
22. VK2NEO
23. VK5UV
24. VK2MG/p (VKFF-0550)
25. VK7GN
26. VK4PDX
27. ZL1TM
28. VK7QP
29. VK5HS/mm
30. VK2MCG
31. VK5LG
32. VK5FANA
33. VK6POP
34. VK2IO/p (Lake Innes Nature Reserve VKFF-1955 VKFF-1955)
35. VK2PKT
36. VK7KEV
37. VK2CPC
38. VK2MT/p
39. VK3ZZS/7

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3SQ
3. VK3ZPF
4. VK3ANL
5. VK5BJE
6. VK4AAC/5 (Dingley Dell Conservation Park VKFF-1025)
7. VK5FANA
8. VK5UV

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. ZL1TM
2. VK2NP
3. VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550 VKFF-0550)

References.

Birds SA, 2018, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/bool-lagoon-game-reserve/>, viewed 18th June 2018

Wireless Instittue of Australia, 2018, <https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2018/20180411-1/index.php>, viewed 19th June 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bool_Lagoon_Game_Reserve>, viewed 18th June 2018