Very late on Sunday afternoon (10th May 2020) and with all of the Mother’s Day festivities over, I headed out to do a very late afternoon/evening activation of the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park 5CP-104 & VKFF-0781.

I have activated Kenneth Stirling many times before and well and truly qualified the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

The park is located about 17 km east of Adelaide in the Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’, just a short drive from my home.

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

The Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park in quite unique in that it consists of four autonomous sections: Wotton Scrub, Filsell Hill, White Scrub, and Burdett Scrub.  The largest section being Filsell Hill.

Above:- Map showing the location of the four sections of the park.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet. 

The park is about 253 hectares in size and protects valuable remnant eucalypt vegetation.  The park habitat includes Messmate Stringybark, Bracken, Heaths, Pea-flowers, Guinea-flowers, and Wattles.  There is a 4.7 loop walking circuit in the park.  More details on that can be found on the Walking SA website.

The park is named in honour of Kenneth George Stirling, who was an accountant and benefactor.  He died suddenly in 1973, of heart disease, aged just 38.  Stirling earnt considerable wealth due to shareholding in mining interests, and apparently, this paper value embarrassed him.

According to his wife, ‘he believed he hadn’t earned the money the mining boom brought him’ and ‘his main concern was to use it for the good of the community’.  He was a member of the Nature Conservation Society of South Australia and other organisations and over the years made several anonymous gifts including $200,000 to the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) to establish national parks in South Australia.

The money he gave to the A.C.F. helped to establish national parks at Montacute and Mount Scott, both near Adelaide, and in the extension of existing reserves at Scott Creek, in the Mount Lofty Ranges, and Warrenben, on Yorke Peninsula.  In 1990 the State government acquired land in the Adelaide Hills for the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park.

Above:- Kenneth Stirling

I have only ever operated from the Wotton Scrub section of this park, and this is where I again headed for this particular activation.  I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.  The dipole was supported by a 7 metre heavy duty telescopic squid pole.  The ends of the dipoles were tied off to some trees.

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

There were some stations chatting on 7.140 so I started calling CQ on 7.145, 1 kc higher than 7.144 which is the suggested calling frequency for park activators.  First in the log was Rod VK7RG in Tasmania with a beautiful 5/9 signal, followed by Scott VK4CZ, Bill VK3CWF, and then Robert VK4ADR.

I logged a total of 26 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK6 and VK7.  There was apparently no close in propagation, with no South Australian stations logged.  And conditions into Victoria were a bit tricky at times with lots of deep fading on signals.

It was now just after 6.00 p.m. local time and it was totally dark.  The temperature had dropped from 10 deg C top 5 deg C, and I had to get out my headtorch.

I moved to the 80m band and called CQ on 3.610.  First in the log was Ivan VK5HS in the Riverland with a strong signal, followed by Rex VK3OF, Marija VK5FMAZ, and then Scott VK4CZ.

Band conditions on 80m were excellent.  The band was exceptionally quiet, with no static crashes.  I could even hear a conversation going on frequency between two USA stations.

I logged a total of 33 stations on 80m from VK2, VK3, VK4, Vk5, and New Zealand.  It was great to be able to log regular park huter Andrew ZL1TM on 80m.

I then moved back to the 40m for just a few more CQ calls before calling it quits for the night.  I logged just the 4 stations on 7.130 before I started experiencing QRM from stations in South East Asia.

Before turning off the transceiver, I tuned across the band and found Matt KC1XX in new Hampshire USA with a very big signal.  I waited a few QSOs and then gave him a call and much to my surprise he was able to hear me.  Not surprising when you look at Matt’s QRZ.com page and see his antenna farm.

Below is a short video of Matt, including my QSO with him.

All up I logged a total of 64 contacts for the activation from Vk2, VK3, VK4, Vk5, VK6, VK7, New Zealand, and the USA.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK7RG
2. VK4CZ
3. VK3CWF
4. VK4ADR
5. VK4NH
6. VK4DXA
7. ZL4TY/VK4
8. VK3PF
9. VK3ZPF
10. VK4TJ
11. VK4/AC8WN
12. VK4/VE6XT
13. VK4SSN
14. VK3FGNT
15. VK3ANL
16. VK2BHO
17. VK2IO
18. VK6BEC
19. VK3OHM
20. VK6AV/2
21. VK2FPAR
22. VK2HBO
23. VK3OF
24. VK2TFJ
25. VK2PV
26. VK2NN
27. VK4SMA
28. VK2LEE
29. VK2FJJM
30. VK4FARR
31. KC1XX

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK3OF
3. VK5FMAZ
4. VK4CZ
5. VK3ECH
6. VK3ANL
7. VK4TJ
8. VK4/AC8WN
9. VK4/VE6XT
10. VK4SSN
11. VK3MCL
12. VK5PE
13. VK3TJS
14. VK5ST
15. VK3AWG
16. VK5FBBJ
17. VK3ZPF
18. VK3TOT
19. VK2YW
20. VK2VU
21. VK3AXF
22. VK5HAA
23. VK5PL
24. VK4HAW
25. VK2FNYN
26. VK5TS
27. VK2KJJ
28. ZL1TM
29. VK3LZ
30. VK2FALL
31. VK5KLJ
32. VK3TSR
33. VK2LEE

References.

Birds SA, 2019, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/kenneth-stirling-conservation-park-wotton-scrub/>, viewed 29th July 2019.

Friends of Parks, 2019, <http://www.friendsofparkssa.org.au/members-directory/friends-of-kenneth-stirling>, viewed 29th July 2019

Yesterday (Saturday 9th May 2020) with some COVID-19 restrictions lifted here in South Australia, I decided to head out into the field and activate a park.  My choice was the Nurragi Conservation Reserve VKFF-2247 which is located about 70 km south-east of Adelaide.

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

The Nurragi Conservation Reserve follows the old branch railway line to Milang and runs a distance of about 12 km, from Sandergrove to Milang.  The park is about 65 hectares in size.  The Friends of Nurragi was established in 1988 to protect and restore the reserve and in 1991 the Minister of Lands dedicated the area as a Nature Conservation and Plantation Reserve under the Crown Lands Act 1929.

The reserve forms a wildlife corridor linking the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges with Lake Alexandrina and contains extremely important vegetation in a region that has been cleared of over 98% of its original cover. More than 300 native plant species are present, with over 50 of those being of particular conservation significance (eg rare or endangered). It preserves remnant mallee vegetation including square-fruited mallee, narrow-leaved red mallee, peppermint box, and native apricot. Understorey plants include wallowa, needle bush wattle and broombush.

Above:- The Nurragi Conservation Reserve.

The park commences at the town of Milang, which is located on the banks of Lake Alexandrina.  Between 1860 and 1880 Milang was one of South Australia’s busiest ports.  It connected Adelaide with the thriving river trade.

Above:- Milang in the late 1800’s.  Image courtesy of http://www.milang.org.au

Wool from the Darling and Upper Murray stations was landed at Milang and then transported by horse and bullock teams to Port Adelaide. Wheat was transported to Milang, processed at its flour mills and then shipped back as flour.

Above:- the former Landseer buidlings in the main street of Milang.  Image courtesy of http://www.murrayriver.com.au

In May 1854, the first public railway in South Australia was completed, linking Goolwa and Port Elliot.  The success of the Goolwa-Port Elliot line aroused interest in Strathalbyn where local business men saw advantages for them in a direct link with the new port at Victor Harbor.  In 1857 a group of 20 people attended a meeting at the Lake Hotel in Milang, in support of a line from Strathalbyn to Milang.  Unfortunately a larger meeting at Strathalbyn resulted in confirmation that the line would run from Strathalbyn to Middleton on the south coast.

In 1881 there was a new push for a branch line to Milang.  A Select Committee was appointed by the South Australian Government.  On the 8th November 1881 the House of Assembly passed the ‘Strathalbyn and Milang Railway Bill’.  Tenders for the construction of both lines were called on the 18th April 1882 and Walker and Swann were successful in obtaining the joint contract for a price of ₤143,678.

The Milang branch line was opened  on the 17th December 1884 from a junction with the Victor Harbor line at Sandergrove.  At Sandergrove the Milang line served as the passing siding for the station, sharing an island passenger platform with the Victor Harbor main line.  A goods siding also catered for local goods consignments.  The only intermediate station was at Nurragi where there was a 70m long goods siding.  There was also a passenger stop at Punkulde where the line crossed the Milang-Finniss road.

At one stage there was a small turntable at Sandergrove to turn locomotives working to Milang.  Through most of its later life the branchline was operated with Brill railcars.  The last passenger service ran 30 November 1968 with the line closed on 17th June 1970.

Above:- a loco on the Milang branch line

If you are in Milang I highly recommend a visit to the Port Milang Historic Railway Museum.  The museum is located on the banks of Lake Alexandrina and tells the story of the Lakes Railways, displays a collection of South Australian rolling stock and equipment.

I set up on the north eastern side of Nurragi Road.  There is a nice spot here to park your car and a ‘pedestrian gate’ to allow access to the park.  I walked a short distance into the park and set up my station.  There is a wooden table and bench here, but it is a little too close to the park boundary for me to stretch out the dipole.  So I chose the wooden benches a little further along and set up my fold up table.  I ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Above:- Aerial shot of the park (indicated in blue), showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of http://www.railtrails.org.au

I found that 7.144 appeared to be clear and I asked if the frequency was in use, an Peter VK3PF came back to let me know that the frequency was clear.  Peter became my first contact with an excellent 5/9 plus signal.  This was followed by Rob VK5TS who was operating remote, Perrin VK3PT, and then Nick VK3ANL.

My 13th, but not unlucky contact, was with Keith VK2PKT using the special call of VI250COOK to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook sailing up the east coast of Australia from what is now Sydney to what is now Cooktown in Far North Queensland.

A few calls later and I had another special event call in the log.  This time it was a QSO with Chris VK3QB using the special call of VI2020STAYHOME.

I logged a total of 24 stations before being called by Gerard VK2IO/p who was in the Lane Cove National Park VKFF-0281.  It was great to log a Park to Park contact.

I logged a total of 48 stations before the heavens opened up.  I was in QSO with Cam VK2DG when the rain really started pelting down.  I made a mad dash back to the vehicle to get the bothy bag and then back to my operating spot to keep myself and the gear dry.

Unfortunately by the time I had settled in with the bothy bag, many in the pile up had lost their patience and moved on.  I logged a total of 56 stations on 40m before the callers dried up.

With a clearing in the weather and a lack of takers on 40m, I took the opportunity of moving to the 80m band.  First in the log on 80m was Ivan VK5HS with a very very strong 5/9 plus signal.  This was followed by Ernie VK3DET, Mark VK7ME, and then Iam VK5CZ.

I logged a total of 9 stations on 80m from VK3, VK5, and VK7.  To complete the activation I moved to the 20m band where I logged just the two stations, Brad VK6BAP and Fred VK4FE.

All up I made a total of 67 contacts for the activation.

At the end of the activation I went for a walk through the park.  I was hoping to get some photos of some Rainbow Bee Eaters, but that was not to be.  I did snap some bird photos though, and they can be found below.

Over 95 species of birds have been recorded in the park including Peaceful Dove, Weebill, Australian Magpie, Little Raven, Grey Shrikethrush, Diamond Firetail, Southern Boobook, Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, and Rufous Whistler.  Native mammals found in the park include Western Grey kangaroos, Brush-tailed possums and bats.  About 11 reptile species have been recorded including the Sand Goanna.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5TS
3. VK3PT
4. VK3ANL
5. VK1MA
6. VK5HS/m
7. VK7RG
8. VK2VH
9. VK4AAC/2
10. VK5JP
11. VK2MOP
12. VK2PKT
13. VI250COOK
14. VK3MTV
15. VK5FMAZ
16. VI2020STAYHOME
17. VK3QB
18. VK3UBY
19. VK3SQ
20. VK4SYD
21. VK3MDH
22. VK4NH
23. VK4DXA
24. ZL4TY/VK4
25. VK2IO/p (Lane Cove National Park VKFF-0281)
26. VK3UH
27. VK4CZ
28. VK5KLV
29. VK2LEE
30. VK5YX
31. VK2YE
32. VK3FCMC
33. VK3ZPF
34. VK5PE
35. VK3ARH
36. VK3MKE
37. VK3VAR
38. VK7AN
39. VK5FANA
40. VK2LHC
41. VK4TJ
42. VK2YK/5
43. VK5GA
44. VK2VU
45. VK3HBG
46. VK3PWG
47. VK3EIR
48. VK2DG
49. VK5WG
50. VK3MCL
51. VK2KF
52. VK5HAA
53. VK7ME
54. VK3MIJ
55. VK3DET
56. VK1NK

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5HS
2. VK3DET
3. VK7ME
4. VK5CZ
5. VK5HAA
6. VK3UBY
7. VK2YK/5
8. VK5GA
9. VK5FANA

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6BAP
2. VK4FE

THANK YOU to everyone who called me.  It was great to be out in the field once again.

References.

Birds SA, 2017, <http://www.birdssa.asn.au/location/nurragi-conservation-reserve/&gt;, viewed 11th August 2017

Milang, 2017, <http://milang.org.au/history/&gt;, viewed 14th August 2017

National Trust, 2017, <https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/nurragi-conservation-reserve/&gt;, viewed 11th August 2017

Steamranger, 2017, <http://www.steamranger.org.au/enthusiast/guides/guide7.htm&gt;, viewed 11th August 2017

Walking SA, 2017, <https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/nurragi-conservation-reserve-walking-trail/&gt;, viewed 11th August 2017