Yesterday morning (Sunday 30th September 2018) Marija and I made an early start from home and we headed to just outside of Gummeracha in the Adelaide Hills to watch the Bay to Birdwood.  The Bay to Birdwood Classic Car Rally is the largest, continually held motoring event for veteran, vintage and classic vehicles held anywhere in the world.

The Bay to Birdwood consists of two events held on alternative years – the Classic and the Run.  The Classic is an event for vehicles manufactured between 1 January 1956 to 31 December 1981. This event is held in ‘odd’ numbered years ie. 2019, 2021, 2023 etc.  The Run is an event for vehicles manufactured up to to 31 December 1959. This event is held in ‘even’ numbered years ie. 2018, 2020, 2022, etc.

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We spent about 2 & 1/2 hours watching these classic cars drive by on their way from Glenelg ‘The Bay’ to Birdwood in the Adelaide Hills.  We then headed to my Dad and Step mum’s place for a very enjoyable lunch, sitting outside underneath the pergola.  It was a beautiful sunny day with the temperature being about 22 deg C.

On the way home we decided to do a quick activation of the Anstey Hill Recreation Park VKFF-1683.  I have activated and qualified this park previously, but this was to be a new park for Marija.

Anstey Hill Recreation Park was established in 1989 and comprises 362 hectares of steep gullies, creek lines with various walking trails.  It was dedicated as park in response to public demand that the State Government protect the land from development.  The Anstey Hill summit which is located within the park is 371 metres above sea level.

As the park is in close proximity to metropolitan Adelaide, there are some terrific views of the city of Adelaide.

About 290 native flora species have been recorded in Anstey Hill.  The western end of the park is dominated by Pink Gums, while the eastern end is dominated by the Box Tree, a species which has rarely been rpeserved in Adelaide.  A number of plants which are now rare on the Adelaide plains are found in the park.  This includes Leamon beauty-heads, Pussy-tails, Dwarf Hakea, Silky guinea-flower and Black Rapier sedge.  The steep areas of the park support native pine, Drooping Sheaok and Pink Gums.  Understorey species include Kangaroo thorn, Rock Grass-tree, Sticky Hop-bush, and Heath Tea-tree.  Manna Gums which are found mostly in the east of the park are home to koalas.  Over 39 species of native orchids have been recorded in Anstey Hill, including the King Spider-orchid and Wax-lip orchid.

Native animals found in the park include Western Grey kangaroos, echidnas, koalas, and Brush-tailed possums.  Up to 35 species of reptiles and amphibians call the park home including Brown Tree frogs, Bearded Dragons, and the rarely seen Cunninghams Skink.

We initially set up just inside gate 16 on Range Road, but sadly when we turned on the transceiver, we had strength 9 noise.  I suspect from the nearby power lines.  So we decided not to worry about persevering in this spot, and then moved a little further down Range Road.

As there was no gap in the fence here, we climbed over the barbed wire fence, and set up just off a walking trail/BMX track.  But we were to be sadly disappointed again, as the noise floor was still strong, with S8 noise.

As I had previously qualified the park, Marija kicked off the activation with a Park to Park contact with Peter VK3ZPF/p who was in the North Western Port Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2166.  Marija then moved up to 7.144 and called CQ.  Ray VK4NH called in, followed by Gerard VK2IO, and then Al VK7AN.  George VK4GSF was Marija’s 10th contact, thus qualifying the park for the VKFF program.

Marija made a total of 18 contacts on 40m into VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.

I then jumped onto the mic and made a total of 17 contacts on 40m into VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and New Zealand.  I then moved to the 20m band and called CQ on 14.310 with no contacts being logged.  Marija and I did hear a European station calling, but unfortunately the noise was too high for us to pull them out.

To complete the activation, I called CQ on 3.610 on the 80m band, which was answered by Andy VK5LA in the Riverland with a S9 plus signal.  Peter VK3PF then gave me a shout, but despite band conditions being good on 80m, they were my only 2 takers.

We had spent about 1 hour in the park and had a total of 37 contacts between the 2 of us.  It had been a long day, so we packed up and headed home.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (North Western Port Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2166)
2. VK4NH
3. VK4DXA
4. ZL4TY/VK4
5. VK2IO
6. VK7AN
7. VK5KC
8. VK2HHA
9. VK3PF
10. VK4GSF
11. VK2NP
12. VK3ZMD
13. VK5FO
14. VK3NXT
15. VK4BYE
16. VK4FDJL
17. VK5TT
18. JR2GIA/VK5

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (North Western Port Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2166)
2. VK3OHM
3. VK2PKT
4. VK7QP
5. VK2HMV
6. VK3XPT
7. VK3PF
8. VK4SMA
9. VK4FDJL
10. VK2UXO
11. VK2NP
12. VK2UH
13. ZL1TM
14. VK4FARR
15. VK1FJBC
16. VK4AAC/2
17. VK2HHA

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5LA
2. VK3PF

 

References.

Bay to Birdwood, 2018, <http://baytobirdwood.com.au/>, viewed 1st October 2018

National Parks South Australia, ‘Anstey Hill Recreation Park’ brochure