After leaving Mal’s house I headed towards Renmark where I had booked some accommodation for the night. Prior to leaving Berri, I had a look at the Murray River which was in full flow.

Upon arriving in Renmark I headed to the Cooltong Conservation Park VKFF-0823 for a quick activation. It would have to be quick as I had arranged to go out for dinner that night with Ivan VK5HS and Danny VK5DW.

I have activated and qualified Cooltong Conservation previously. The park is located about 282 km (by road) northeast of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Cooltong CP. Map c/o Location SA Map Viewer.

The Cooltong Conservation Park is 3,710 hectares in size and is located on the northern side of the Sturt Highway. The eastern side of the park adjoins the Renmark airport. The park was proclaimed on the 8th day of April 1983.

Cooltong is an aboriginal word meaning lizard place’. The name Cooltong was applied to a division of the Chaffey Irrigation Area on the 5th day of June 1925. The town of Cooltong was proclaimed on the 1st day of March 1951.

Above:- Article from the Chronicle, Adelaide, Thu 29 Dec 1949. Image c/o Trove

The park’s main vegetation is mallee, with undulating dunes and shales. Mallee species found in the park include Blue-leaf Mallee, White Mallee, Narrow-leaf Red Mallee, and Red Mallee.

Birds SA have recorded 109 species of birds in the park including Malleefowl, Mulga Parrot, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Purple-backed Fairywren (Variegated Fairywren), Southern Whiteface, Weebill, Grey Butcherbird, and Chestnut Quailthrush.

I set up just off Santos Road which travels through the park. I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole and the Codan 9350 antenna for this activation.

Above:- Map showing my operating spot in the park. Map c/o Location SA Map Viewer.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5BJE
3. VK3GRX
4. VK4FW
5. VK8MM
6. VK5DW
7. VK2IO
8. VK1AO
9. VK2MET
10. VK3CWF
11. VK5AYL
12. VK3GJG
13. VK3UAO
14. VK4TJ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK4EHI
3. VK4FW
4. VK8MM
5. IK4IDF
6. VK4EMP
7. VK4TI
8. ZL3MR
9. VK4TJ
10. VK5HS
11. SO5CAL
12. ZL2WE
13. VK1AO
14. VK2MET
15. OH1MM
16. IW2NXI
17. VK6XN
18. OH1XT
19. Iw2BNA

I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-

1. VK4FW
2. VK8MM
3. VK6XN
4. VK5HS

I had 37 QSOs in the log, 7 short of the 44 for the global WWFF program. However I was really cutting it fine for time, so I packed up and headed to my motel, the Citrus Valley Motel at Renmark.

I had a shower and then walked to the motel’s restaurant “Ashley’s” and caught up with Ivan and Danny. We had a great night and a terrific meal.

References.

1. A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia, 2023, <https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/>, viewed 4th February 2023.
2. Birds SA, 2023, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/cooltong-conservation-park/>, viewed 4th February 2023.