Our next activation for 21st April 2025 was Heritage Agreement (No.HA1446) VKFF-4057, at Palmer. The park is located about 4 km north of the town of Palmer, and about 75 km east of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the park. Map c/o Google Maps.

Prior to European settlement, Palmer was located on the western edge of the Ngaralta Aboriginal people. The first European exploration in the area was in 1838 by Dr. George Imlay and John Hill. In September 1846, the Reedy Creek special survey was granted to Enthoven, Capper and Masterman with Samuel Davenport as the agent. In August 1873, the township of Palmer was laid out, named in honour of Lt Colonel George Palmer, a South Australian Colonisation Commissioner. (Wikipedia 2019)

Above:- Lt Col. George Palmer. Image c/o Wikipedia.

You can undertake a History Walk in Palmer, with many of the historic buildings having information boards detailing their history.

We then headed out to the park, which on Google Maps indicated a road leading into it. However, what was found was a locked gate with ‘No entry’ signs. Marija and I managed to find a mobile telephone number as a contact point for the park, which we called. We spoke with the landowner, Greg Johns, who very kindly allowed us access to the park.

The park is located on the eastern side of Davenport Road.

Just inside the gate is an information board with a great amount of detail about the heritage agreement.

On the property is Leif’s Valley. It is named in honour of 21-year-old Leif Indigo Justham. On the 22nd day of March 2021, Leif set off from Adelaide on an adventure to cycle solo around Highway 1 in Australia, to promote the need to divest from polluting industries. On the 6th day of April 201, he was struck by a truck on the Nullabor in Western Australia and was killed. The truck driver was charged with Dangerous driving occasioning death and was sentenced in December 2022. (Leifjustham.com, 2021)

As it was a little wet and windy, Marija and I set up underneath the sheltered information area. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3250)
2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3250)
3. VK3CEO
4. VK3PF/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
5. VK3KAI/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
6. VK2YK
7. VK5GA
8. VK1RX/M
9. VK2EXA
10. VK5HS
11. VK3AMO
12. VK3TKK/P (VKFF-4637)
13. VK5BJE
14. VK3YV/P (VKFF-4440)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/P (VKFF-3250)
2. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-3250)
3. VK3CEO
4. VK3PF/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
5. VK3KAI/P (SOTA VK3/ VT-047 & VKFF-4443)
6. VK2YK
7. VK5GA
8. VK1RX/M
9. VK2EXA
10. VK5HS
11. VK3AMO
12. VK3ZSC
13. VK5CZ
14. VK3ZPF
15. VK3JW
16. VK3UH
17. VK3DCU
18. VK5AR
19. VK5UV
20. VK3JV
21. VK3APJ
22. VK6XL/7
23. VK5SRF
24. VK2LEE
25. VK5BJE
26. VK2USH
27. VK3MDC
28. VK2VW
29. VK2HFI
30. VK2AKA
31. VK2BUG
32. VK4DNO
33. VK3DNO
34. VK3TKK/P (VKFF-4637)
35. VK2YW
36. VK2PET
37. VK5PE
38. VK3VRL
39. VK3YV/P (VKFF-4440)
40. VK3TNL/P (VKFF-4440)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK2HFI
3. VK2AKA
4. VK2BUG
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. VK6XL/7
10. ZL1TM
11. VK5HS
12. VK4CK/M
13. ZL1HIM
14. KG5CIK
15. VK7EE
16. VK2IWU
17. VK4MWL
18. VK6JK
19. VK7XX
20. VK1JIM
21. VK2TER
22. VK2USH
23. ZL1JLM
24. VK2MG
25. VK6NU
26. VK2BUM
27. VK2GWB

References.

1. Leifjustham.com. (2021). Leif Indigo Justham. [online] Available at: https://leifjustham.com/index.html [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].
2. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Palmer. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer. [Accessed 16. Jun 2025]‌

On Easter Monday, 21st April 2025, Marija and I decided to head out into the field to activate some parks. I intended to use the special event call of VI100IARU.

Our first park for the day was Murray Park Reserve VKFF-4048, at Murray Bridge, about 75 km east of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of Murray Park Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Murray Park Reserve is bordered by Eleanor Terrace, Thomas Street, and Albert Terrace.

Above:- An aerial view of Murray Park Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

Murray Park Reserve is a small piece (6 hectares) of remnant scrub located in the residential/industrial area of Murray Bridge.

A small area in the park is excluded from the park. It is the old Murray Park cemetery that was used as the first cemetery in Murray Bridge from 1885 to 1886.

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5IS
2. VK2YK
3. VK5GA
4. VK3ZPF
5. VK3JW
6. VK3SO
7. VK3CEO
8. VK3SQ
9. VK2BD
10. VK3ALF
11. VK3MCK

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK5IS
2. VK2YK
3. VK5GA
4. VK3ZPF
5. VK3JW
6. VK3SO
7. VK3CEO
8. VK3SQ
9. VK2BD
10. VK3ALF
11. VK3MCK
12. VK3ZSC

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK3CEO
2. VK3APJ
3. VK2EXA
4. VK3VIN
5. VK2YK
6. VK5GA
7. VK3ZSC
8. VK6XL/7
9. VK1MA
10. VK5PL
11. VK3PAH

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK4/ZL3MR
2. ZL2BB
3. VK2IO
4. VK2GEZ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK2GEZ
3. VK2KET
4. VK2VW
5. VK2HFI
6. VK2AKA
7. VK2BUG
8. VK1AO
9. VK2MET
10. VK2USH
11. VK7TO
12. ZL2BB
13. ZL1POTA
14. VK4BJS
15. VK4SYD
16. ZL3RIK
17. VK4HNS
18. VK2BUS
19. VK2MG

References.

1. Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022 [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌

On Tuesday 15th April 2025, I activated Mount Observation VK5/ HSE-027 for the HEMA program. The summit is located about 11 km south of Ashbourne and about 81 km south of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of Mount Observation. Map c/o Google Maps.

I first tried to activate the summit via Signal Flat Road, which involved some door knocking. I got permission from one land owner, but this resulted in me falling short of the activation zone of the summit.

So I headed around to the western side of the summit and tried access via Bull Creek Road. I was lucky to find the electronic gate open at the commencement of the track leading to the summit. I knocked on a few doors of farms on the track and was very kindly granted permission to activate the summit.

The summit has a tower with radio communication equipment on it.

There are some nice views to be enjoyed of the surrounding countryside from the summit, which is about 262 metres above sea level and has a prominence of 101 metres. (HEMA 2021)

I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

I tried my best to get the laptop up and going with FT8 during this activation, but I was unsuccessful with accurate timing.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5HS
3. VK5LA
4. VK3TUX
5. VK5PE
6. VK5FANA
7. VK3BEL
8. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK2VW
3. VK1BPM
4. VK1AO
5. VK2IO
6. VK3YV
7. VK4AS
8. VK2LDJ

References.

1. Hema.org.uk. (2021). HEMA VK5/HSE-027 – Mount Observation. [online] Available at: http://www.hema.org.uk/fullSummit.jsp?summitKey=59876 [Accessed 16 Jun. 2025].‌

In April 2025, I purchased the very first issue of CB Action on eBay. Issue No. 1 was released in 1977 and cost 80 cents.

In April 2025, the Strathalbyn Amateur Radio Group met at my home. I delivered a short presentation on Short Wave Listening and also showed the gents my Bambu Labs 3D printer.

It was another great day.

My final activation for 8th April 2025, was the White Sands silo VK-WHS5. White Sands is located about 9 km south of Murray Bridge and about 81 km southeast of Adelaide.

The White Sands silo is located on Flagstaff Road and is operated by Inghams.

The locality was named after the White Sands Ski Resort, a water skiing and wakeboarding facility, in March 2000. (Wikipedia 2024)

I parked on Flagstaff Road and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

Above:- the activation zone at the WHite Sands silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5MRE
2. VK2EXA
3. VK3VEF
4. VK3TCT
5. VK3CWM
6. VK7ALH
7. VK5LDM

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1AO
2. VK2MET
3. VK5MAZ
4. VK3PF
5. VK3ASU
6. VK3ZPF
7. VK7PJM
8. VK3ACZ
9. VK1CHW
10. VK3LOL
11. ZL1XS
12. VK1NC
13. VK2LEE

References.

1. Wikipedia Contributors (2024). White Sands. Wikipedia.‌

After leaving Apamurra, I headed into Murray Bridge, where I got an evening meal.

I then activated the Murray Bridge East silo VK-MRT5 and the Murray Bridge silo VK-MRE5. Again, I used the special event call of VI100IARU.

Above:- Map showing the location of Murray Bridge, east of Adelaide. Map c/o Google Maps.

On my way to the activation zone for both silos, I passed the old Murray Bridge Railway Station on Railway Terrace. The station was opened in the 1880s as part of the Adelaide-Wolseley railway line. (Wikipedia 2025)

The Murray Bridge silo VK-MRE5 is located on Hume Reserve Road. The Murray Bridge East silo VK-MRT5 is located on Mary Terrace.

In 2023 it was planned that the Murray Bridge silos would become part of the Australian silo art trail. Sadly, this was cancelled.

I parked on Railway Terrace within the activation zone of the two silos and operated from the 4WD. I ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

Above:- Map showing the activation zone at the two silos. Image c/o SiOTA website.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5MAZ
2. VK3PF
3. VK1AO
4. VK2MET
5. VK7IAN
6. VK2EXA
7. VK2LEE
8. VK2IO
9. VK2EG
10. VK7PJM
11. VK2USH
12. VK7LTD
13. VK5DMO
14. VK3BLG

References.

1. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Murray Bridge railway station. Wikipedia.‌

After leaving Cambrai on 8th April 2025, I headed to the Apamurra silo VK-APA5. Apamurra is located about 12 km northwest of Mannum and about 77 km northeast of Adelaide.

I have activated the Apamurra silo several times previously.

Apamurra is a railway siding on the former Monarto-Sedan railway. Apamurra is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘fresh water’. The township of Apamurra was laid out in 1921 on part sections 30-31, Hundred of Finniss, by Johann Gottfried Hartmann. It comprised 19 allotments contiguous to the railway station. On the 17th day of February 1922, the Apamurra Post Office opened. It closed on the 31st day of July 1971. (Place Names 2023)

The Apamurra silos are located on Milendella Road.

I parked on Milendella Road outside of the silos and operated from the 4WD, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

Above:- the activation zone at the Apamurra silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5MAZ
2. VK1AO
3. VK2MET
4. VK3PF
5. VK2USH
6. VK2EXA
7. VK5HYZ
8. VK5RA
9. VK2IO
10. VK5FL
11. VK5ADP
12. VK2YW
13. VK7PJM
14. VK5DMO
15. VK2LEE
16. VK5FB
17. VK7LTD

References.

1. A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia, 2023, <https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/>, [Accessed 15 Jun. 2025]

After leaving the Derek Sutcliffe Reserve on 8th April 2025, I headed to the town of Cambrai where I intended to activate the Cambrai silo VK-CMI5 for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of Cambrai. Map c/o Google Maps.

I headed west on Jutland Road and stopped briefly to admire the old South Rhine Presbyterian (later Uniting) Church. The Foundation Stone was laid on the 26th day of April 1882, by Thomas Gray. Its closing service was held on the 25th day of April 2010. (Facebook 2022)

The sun was setting as I headed to Cambrai, and I enjoyed a magnificent sunset.

I stopped briefly at one of the lookouts with some amazing views out across the plains towards Victoria.

I soon reached the town of Cambrai, which was formerly known as Rhine Villa. It was one of several towns that were renamed during World War One to remove any connection with German place names. It was renamed Cambrai after the Battle of Cambrai. (Wikipedia 2025)

The Cambrai silos are located on SIlo Road.

I parked near the gates of the silos ane operated from the 4WD. I ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5 metre stainless steel whip.

Above:- the activation zone at the Cambrai silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3WRD
2. VK3ZLF
3. VK2LDJ
4. VK2IO
5. VK3PWG/P
6. VK3ACZ
7. VK3NP
8. VK5QA/P
9. VK2DBF
10. VK3CLD
11. VK2USH
12. VK3AGM
13. VK3CJN
14. VK3QHU
15. VK7PJM
16. VK2UAJ/P
17. VK3PF
18. VK6CAO
19. VK3TDX
20. VK1AO
21. VK2MET

References.

1. Facebook. (2022). Log into Facebook. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/profile/100066749306355/search/?q=south%20rhine [Accessed 15 Jun. 2025].
2. ‌Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Cambrai. Wikipedia.‌

My next activation for 8th April 2024 was the Derek Sutcliffe Memorial Reserve VKFF-6414. The park is located about 8 km east of the town of Springton and about 81 km northeast of the city of Adelaide.

The reserve is located on the southern side of Jutland Road, Springton.

The park commemorates Derek Sutcliffe, who was the first President of the Mount Pleasant Area Trees for Life Group. (Monument Aust 2025)

The reserve is about 20 hectares in size. It is surrounded by three other Heritage Agreements, including Guthrie Gorge.

I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK7XX
2. VK4JT
3. VK1AC
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. VK5QA/M
7. VK2DBF/M
8. VK3CLD/M
9. ZL2LDX
10. VK2BUM
11. VK2HDT
12. VK2USH/P (VKFF-1008)
13. VK1AO
14. VK2MET
15. VK3HJV
16. VK3ANL
17. VK2IO
18. VK2GEZ
19. VK2MOE
20. VK1MO
21. VK2LEE
22. VK3AMO
23. VK2VW
24. VK2HFI
25. VK2AKA
26. VK2BUG
27. VK3UH
28. VK2MG
29. VK6JK
30. VK5XB
31. VK5CZ
32. VK5XE
33. KG5CIK
34. M0TRP
35. VK4BT
36. VK4IO
37. VK4KTX

I worked the following stations on 20m FT8:-

1. EA1AKD
2. EA7TR
3. DL2MIJ
4. VK2IO
5. EA7ST
6. VK3AWA

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4DNO
2. VK3DNO
3. VK3PF
4. VK3KAI
5. VK4HMI
6. VK2MOE
7. VK1MO
8. VK3WSG
9. VK7PJM
10. VK5CZ
11. VK5XE
12. VK3CEO
13. VK2LEE
14. VK3BY
15. VK5GY
16. VK5HS
17. VK5SFA
18. VK3CJN
19. VK3QHU
20. VK5FANA

I worked the following stations on 40m FT8:-

1. VK5CZ
2. VK3PF
3. VK5XE
4. VK3KAI

References.

1. UBC Web Design (2021). Derek Sutcliffe | Monument Australia. [online] Monumentaustralia.org.au. Available at: https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/community/display/119494-derek-sutcliffe [Accessed 15 Jun. 2025].‌