Daily Archives: December 15, 2023

Murray River National Park VKFF-0372 and Paringa silo VK-PRG5

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As we headed back into Renmark from Chowilla, a small group of us gathered on 40m, including myself in the mobile. As a result, we agreed to head out for dinner together at the Parilla Hotel.

Once back in Renmark, Marija and Hans decided to have a rest. I chose to head out for a quick activation at the Paringa Paddock section of the Murray River National Park VKFF-0372. Peter Hunter, the Mayor of Renmark delivered a very interesting presentation on Saturday evening at the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together about the Paringa Paddock section of the Murray River National Park. As a result, I was very keen to have a look at this section of the National Park.

Above:- An aerial view of Paringa Paddock showing my operating spot. Image c/o Google Maps.

My operating spot was within the activation zone of the Paringa silo VK-PRG5.

Above:- The activation zone of the Paringa silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

The Paringa Paddock is a newly declared section of the Murray River National Park. It is well-signposted off the Sturt Highway between Renmark and Paringa.

This section of the park was alive with birdlife during my visit.

The Paringa silos were painted by Jack Fran and Sam Brooks. The silos feature a silhouette likeness of a local hero to the region. This includes George Disher, Sister Elaine Balfour-Ogilvy, Captain Pearl Wallace, and Charles Francis Chaffey. For more information on the silo have a look at the Australian SIlo Art Trail website.

I operated from the vehicle for this activation, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5-metre stainless steel whip.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5BRU/p (Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831)
  2. VK5AAF
  3. VK3CAT
  4. VK5HS
  5. VK3IO
  6. VK5LA
  7. VK5KAW
  8. VK3GJG
  9. VK7DIK
  10. VK3CBH
  11. VK2XXL
  12. VK3ZDK
  13. VK2IO/p (Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831)
  14. VK3PF/m
  15. VK3VIN
  16. VK3ACZ
  17. VK4EHI
  18. VK2EAT/m

That evening, a group of us enjoyed a very nice meal at the Paringa Hotel.

References.

  1. Australian SIlo Art Trail, 2023, <https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/paringa>, viewed 16th December 2023.

Chowilla Regional Reserve VKFF-1698

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After packing up at Danggali on Sunday 29th October 2023, Hans, Marija and I travelled south to our next activation, the Chowilla Regional Reserve VKFF-1698.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Chowilla Regional Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

We drove south along the Chowilla Track, keeping a watch out for the emus and the big Red Kangaroos.

We soon reached the Reserve which is about 75,221 hectares (185,880 acres) in size and was established on the 8th day of April 1993. The reserve is situated on the Chowilla floodplain, a part of the Riverland Ramsar site, designated by the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.

The reserve contains several lakes and wetland areas, however, due to drought and water being regulated from the Murray, much of the Chowilla plain has been dry for many years. Lake Limbra is one such area in the reserve. It is regarded as a sacred site by the First Nations people and was used as a burial site. In March 2021, a project was undertaken to pump water into the lake from the river. Three months later, in June, numerous wildlife was observed around the lake, including wetland birds and Shield Shrimp.

In 1864 Richard Holland (b. 1815 d. 1881) acquired the lease of Bookmark Station. He was the son of Richard Holland, a convict sent to New South Wales. Some years earlier, in 1849, Holland had married Margaret Robertson nee Harper, the widow of Captain Robert Robertson. He took on three stepsons, John, William, and Robert.

Above:- Richard Holland. Image c/o State Library SA.

In 1896 Bookmark was divided into Calperum and Chowilla Stations. Robert Robertson took up the Chowilla Station, while John took up Calperum.

Chowilla is an aboriginal word. Its exact meaning is unclear. Tindale (1974) reports that Chowilla (or Tjowilla) means ‘a place of spirits and ghosts’. The Robertson family records the meaning of Chowilla as ‘good camping place.’

It was quite a warm afternoon, so we chose a shady spot under a tree. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80 m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  2. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  3. VK5GY/p (Bullock Hill Conservation Park VKFF-0873)
  4. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
  5. VK2USH
  6. VK4CPS
  7. VK5FL
  8. VK5FANA
  9. VK3KR/p (Boomers Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2051)
  10. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  11. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  12. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
  13. VK2EG/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
  2. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  3. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  4. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  5. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  6. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  2. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  3. VK5GY/p (Bullock Hill Conservation Park VKFF-0873)
  4. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
  5. VK2USH
  6. VK4CPS
  7. VK5FL
  8. VK5FANA
  9. VK3KR/p (Boomers Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2051)
  10. VK3MIJ
  11. VK5LA
  12. VK5KAW
  13. VK3APJ
  14. VK3CLD
  15. VK3CA
  16. VK3WMF
  17. VK1CHW
  18. VK5KLV
  19. VK3GJG
  20. VK2LEE
  21. VK7EE
  22. VK1AD
  23. VK1NAM
  24. VK3MLT
  25. VK2GQR
  26. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  27. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  28. VK3UP
  29. VK2TER/p (SOTA VK2/ HU-093)
  30. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
  31. VK2EG/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  32. VK5TR
  33. VK5AMH
  34. VK5TRM
  35. VK5YL
  36. VK3ALF/p
  37. VK3QA
  38. VK5AR

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
  2. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  3. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  4. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  5. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  6. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1A
  2. IR6T
  3. VL4A

References.

  1. PIRSA, 2023, <https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/dept_of_agriculture_as_an_organisation/locations/turretfield_rc/history_of_turretfield>, viewed 16th December 2023.
  2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chowilla_Regional_Reserve>, viewed 16th December 2023.

Danggali Conservation Park VKFF-0825

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We enjoyed a brilliant day on Saturday 28th October 2023 for the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together.  There were some excellent guest speakers during the day, and the Saturday evening meal and guest speaker were excellent.

It was now Sunday 29th October 2023 and the day kicked off with a BBQ hosted by the Riverland Radio Club, held at Jarrett Memorial Gardens in Renmark. I had a slightly sore head from the night before, so the bacon and egg roll and a strong coffee were very welcome.

After breakfast, Hans VK6XN, Marija VK5MAZ and I headed out to the Danggali Conservation Park VKFF-0825. We had activated the park previously, but as it was such spectacular countryside out there and very remote, we decided to take Hans for a drive.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Danggali Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

Our first stop was at the Bookmark Information Bay. There are a number of information boards here with some very interesting information pertaining to the Calperum and Taylorville Stations. 

A little further on is the sign for Calperum Station, a former cattle station, now a 2,386 km2 reserve.

On our way out to Danggali, we worked Chris VK1CHW from the mobile. Chris was activating the Red Hill Nature Reserve VKFF-0860.

We then took the Danggali Road which showed that we had 31km ahead of us before reaching the Danggali Conservation Park.

As we were travelling through the Chowilla Regional Reserve VKFF-1698, we stopped briefly to work Peter VK3PF and Leigh VK3SG from the mobile. Peter and Leigh were activating the nearby Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697. Not surprising we were 5/9 both ways.

We also logged Colin VK2GOM and Bob VK2BYF from the mobile while in Chowilla. Colin and Bob were activating Four Mile Creek Conservation Area VKFF-2904 in Tasmania.

This is spectacular countryside out here and extremely remote. There is no mobile phone coverage, so if you are travelling in the area, be well prepared.

Kangaroos, emus, lizards and snakes were regularly seen on our way out to the park.

After a nice drive out through remote Australian countryside, we reached the sign for the Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area.

We stopped to log Malcom VK3OAK and Peter VK3PWG from the mobile while in Chowilla. Malcolm and Peter were activating Loch Luna Game Reserve VKFF-1723. Signal reports of 5/7 both ways were exchanged. We then drove a short distance into Danggali and logged Malcolm and Peter once again for some more Park to Park contacts.

The Danggali Conservation Park is about 48,417 hectares in size and was established on the 4th day of November 1976. The neighbouring Danggali Wilderness Protection Area is 202,815 hectares in size and was proclaimed in 2009. The park takes its name from the Danggali indigenous people.

We drove on a little further to the campground area and set up our station comprising the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported by the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole. I used the VI10VKFF callsign for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5AYL/p (Loch Luna Game Reserve VKFF-1723)
  2. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
  3. VK3CLD/2
  4. VK2EXA
  5. VK3CA
  6. VK5DW/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  7. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
  8. VK7DW/p (Sidmouth Conservation Park VKFF-3393)
  9. VK5NHG
  10. VK5FANA
  11. VK3PF/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
  12. VK3SG/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
  13. VK5CZ/p (Pooginook Conservation Park VKFF-0929)
  14. VK3UAO/p (Glenmaggie Natural Features & Scenic Reserve VKFF-3706)
  15. VK5AAF
  16. VK3YV/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
  17. VK2IO/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)

Marija worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5AYL/p (Loch Luna Game Reserve VKFF-1723)
  2. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
  3. VK3JW/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
  4. VK3CLD/2
  5. VK2EXA
  6. VK3CA
  7. VK5DW/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
  8. VK3GJG
  9. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
  10. VK7DW/p (Sidmouth Conservation Park VKFF-3393)
  11. VK5NHG
  12. VK5FANA
  13. VK5TRM
  14. VK3PF/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
  15. VK3SG/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
  16. VK5LA
  17. VK5KAW
  18. VK3APJ
  19. VK2CDB
  20. VK5CZ/p (Pooginook Conservation Park VKFF-0929)
  21. VK3DL
  22. VK3UAO/p (Glenmaggie Natural Features & Scenic Reserve VKFF-3706)
  23. VK5AAF
  24. VK3UH
  25. VK3AMO
  26. VK5DU
  27. VK3CTM
  28. VK3SQ
  29. VK2BD
  30. VK3YV/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
  31. VK3TNL/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
  32. VK1AD
  33. VK1NAM
  34. VK2NP
  35. VK3MHZ
  36. VK3BEL
  37. VK5HYZ
  38. VK2JES
  39. VK3ACZ
  40. VK2IO/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  41. VK3KGW

I worked the following station on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3BEL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
  2. VK4CZ
  3. VK4EW

I worked the following stations on 20m AM:-

  1. VK4EW
  2. VK4CZ

References.

  1. Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, Danggali Wilderness Protection Area and Conservation Park Management Plan 2011.
  2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calperum_Station_(reserve)>, viewed 15th December 2023.
  3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danggali_Conservation_Park>, viewed 15th December 2023.

Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831

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After packing up at the Murray River National Park on Friday 27th October 2023, I headed to the Hotel Renmark with Marija, where we caught up with Chris VK5FR. We had a few drinks and a bite to eat and looked at the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together venue – the Nanya Function Room at the hotel.

Chris and I decided to head out to the Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831 for a quick activation before the Friday evening dinner at the Renmark Club. I phoned Hans VK6XN and picked Hans up from the motel, and the three of us then headed out to Pike River. Marija VK5MAZ decided to stay back at the motel to finish off the Welcome packs for the VKFF National Get-Together.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Pike River Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Pike River Conservation Park is about 2.88 km2 in size and was established on the 1st day of February 1979. It is located in the locality of Mudic Creek about 215 km northeast of the city of Adelaide. It is named after the Pike River, a tributary of the Murray River which flows through the eastern end of the park. In 2009, additional land formerly known as the Mundic Forest Reserve was added to the park.

We entered the park via a track that runs off the Sturt Highway. There is a dilapidated sign at this location, but in such a state of disrepair that you would not notice it if you didn’t know it was there.

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation. I used the special event call of VI10VKFF to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program in Australia.

This was a fun activation with a lot of laughs.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2XSE/p (Tatlows Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2921)
  2. VK5PE/m
  3. VK5BJE
  4. VK2IO/p (Morkala Bushland Reserve VKFF-4119)
  5. VK5TN
  6. VK1DI/3 (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK3CJN
  9. VK3TKK/p (Rowleys Streamside Reserve VKFF-3848)
  10. VK4NH
  11. VK4DXA
  12. VK3MCA
  13. VK1CHW
  14. VK3DL
  15. VK2MOE/m
  16. VK7XX
  17. VK5HS
  18. VK7MAT
  19. VK5VST
  20. VK4EW
  21. VK7PSJ
  22. VK3BCM
  23. VK3BAP
  24. VK2NP
  25. VK4FDJL/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
  26. VK4WAB/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
  27. VK5FANA
  28. VK3ACZ
  29. VK5PL
  30. VK2HDT
  31. VK5AAF
  32. VK1RD
  33. VK3ACH
  34. VK4HMI
  35. VK3MLT
  36. VK3VIN
  37. VK3CAT
  38. VK1ACE

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2TER
  2. VK2BM
  3. VK4NH
  4. VK4DXA
  5. IK1GPG
  6. 9A2AJ
  7. VK4MUD
  8. ON3CND
  9. SQ9CWO
  10. IW2BNA
  11. KG5CIK
  12. SQ9FMC
  13. OM5TX
  14. IK3HMB
  15. UT5PI
  16. VK4EW
  17. OH5TQ
  18. IW2NXI

I worked the following station on 20m AM:-

  1. VK4EW

After packing up at Pike River, I headed back to the motel and had a quick shower and that evening we enjoyed stage one of the 2023 VKFF National Get Together – a dinner at the Renmark Club. Marija and I handed out everybody’s Welcome pack and the merchandise they had ordered. It was a great evening.

References.

  1. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_River_Conservation_Park>, viewed 15th December 2023.