Our next park for Friday 27th October 2023 was the Murray River National Park VKFF-0372. Marija VK5MAZ and I have activated and qualified this park a number of times previously, but this would be a first-time activation for Hans VK6XN, and a first-time activation for me in this park using the special event callsign of VI10VKFF.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Murray River National Park. Map c/p Google Maps.

The Murray River National Park comprises six distinct sections:-

• Katarapko
• Lyrup Flats
• Bulyong
• Paringa Paddock
• Gurra Gurra
• Kingston-on-Murray.

We chose to activate the Lyrup Flats section of the park, which is well-signposted on the Sturt Highway.

The Murray River National Park was proclaimed on the 20th day of June 1991 and comprises more than 14,879 hectares ( 36,770 acres) including a vast network of Murray River wetlands and floodplains. The park originally consisted of the Katarapko, Lyrup Flats, and Bulyong Island sections. In 2022 the Paringa Paddock, Gurra Gurra, and Kingston-on-Murray sections were added.

In 1829, explorer Captain Charles Sturt navigated down the Murrumbidgee River to where he encountered the Murray River. He named it after Sir George Murray, a British soldier from Scotland who became a South Australian politician.

Above:- Sir George Murray. Image c/o Wikipedia.

During our visit to the park, we saw a significant amount of birdlife. The very distinct whistle of the Whistling Kites was present during most of our activation.

We drove down to one of the campsites alongside of the Murray River and set up our station which comprised the Yaesu FT857, 40-watts output, and the 20/40/80m lined dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3UAO/p (Tarra Bulga National Park VKFF-0480)
2. VK3PF/p (Yarrara Flora Reserve VKFF-2498 and VK-YRA3)
3. VK3ZPF/p (Benetook Bushland Reserve VKFF-4126)
4. VK3VIN
5. VK5MH
6. VK5CZ/m
7. VK1CHW/p (SOTA VK1/ AC-037 and Mount Taylor Nature Reserve VKFF-0854)
8. VK2GOM/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
9. VK2VAR/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
10. VK2BYF/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
11. VK3ZSC
12. VK5FANA
13. VK1DI/p (Yanga National Park VKFF-2249)
14. VK3MCA
15. Vk3NDG
16. VK2LAG
17. VK2IO/p (Karween Bushland Reserve VKFF-4120)
18. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
19. VK5FR/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
20. VK5BRU/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
21. VK3DCQ/p (Kurkuric Creek Streamside Reserve VKFF-3742)

Marija worked the following station on 40m AM:-

1. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3UAO/p (Tarra Bulga National Park VKFF-0480)
2. VK3PF/p (Yarrara Flora Reserve VKFF-2498 and VK-YRA3)
3. VK3KBC/s
4. VK5FANA
5. VK3ZSC
6. VK3ZPF/p (Benetook Bushland Reserve VKFF-4126)
7. VK5MH
8. VK3MCA
9. VK5CZ/m
10. VK3NDG
11. VK1CHW/p (SOTA VK1/ AC-037 and Mount Taylor Nature Reserve VKFF-0854)
12. VK2GOM/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
13. VK2VAR/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
14. VK2BYF/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
15. VK1DI/p (Yanga National Park VKFF-2249)
16. VK2IO/p (Karween Bushland Reserve VKFF-4120)
17. VK3APJ
18. VK5TN
19. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
20. VK5FR/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
21. VK5BRU/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
22. VK3TKK/m
23. VK3DCQ/p (Kurkuric Creek Streamside Reserve VKFF-3742)
24. VK3ANL
25. VK3SQ
26. VK2BD
27. VK2KYO
28. VK3SMW
29. VK3MIJ
30. VK5MAZ/m
31. VK6XN/m
32. VK5TCP

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
2. VK3KAI/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
3. VK3GV/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
4. VK3APJ
5. VK3ANL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2NP
2. VK6LMK
3. ZL3MR
4. VK8DNT
5. VK2TER
6. VK2BM
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA

References.

1. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_River_National_Park>, viewed 9th December 2023.