On Sunday, 26th October 2025, Marija and I had some time to spare before heading out to dinner at the Gunghalin Lakes Golf Club. So we decided to drive up to Black Mountain in Canberra for a VKFF activation.

Black Mountain Nature Reserve is bordered by Caswell Drive to the west, Parkes Way to the south, and Belconnen Way to the north.

Black Mountain is known as Galambary in the language of the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people. It was used as an initiation site. The mountain is said to represent the growth of a boy into a man. (Wikipedia 2023)

Above: An aerial view of Black Mountain. Image c/o Google Maps

In 1820, a party of three led by Charles Throsby Smith, James Vaughan and Joseph Wild, travelled through the eastern reaches of Ginninderra, crossing the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers, and climbing Black Mountain. (Chirp 2026)

Above: Charles Throsby Smith. Image c/o Wikipedia

Between 1829 and 1833, surveyors Robert Dixon and Robert Hoddle mapped the Canberra area. Hoddle made a sketch of Black Mountain, naming it Black Hill.

Above: Robert Hoddle. Image c/o Wikipedia

Black Mountain Nature Reserve is 434 hectares in size. It contains Black Mountain summit, which is 812 metres above sea level. Unfortunately, there was some drizzle, so it was not conducive to conducting an activation for the Summits On The Air (SOTA) program. (and 2025)

More than 660 species of plants, including 60 orchid species, have been recorded in the reserve. This includes 40 nationally and regionally rare plant species. The reserve is home to several threatened and declining nomadic or migratory birds. This includes the Gang-gang Cockatoo and the Scarlet Robin. (and 2025)

On top of Black Mountain is the Telstra Tower, which is 195 metres tall. I had been told before my visit to be prepared to see that the tower was closed and covered in graffiti.

The tower has been closed since 2021. I have great memories of going there for a coffee with Andrew VK1AD, John VK5BJE, and Heath VK3TWO back in 2015 after a SOTA activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2YK/p (VKFF-0851)
2. VK5GA/p (VKFF-0851)
3. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0850)
4. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0850)
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK3CLD
8. VK2DBF
9. VK5QA
10. VK2LDJ/P (VKFF-0860)
11. VK3SQ
12. VK3JT
13. VK2BD
14. VK5AYL
15. VK1DI
16. VK3EME
17. VK3FTOM

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2YK/p (VKFF-0851)
2. VK5GA/p (VKFF-0851)
3. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0850)
4. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0850)
5. VK1AO
6. VK2MET
7. VK3CLD
8. VK2DBF
9. VK5QA
10. VK2LDJ/P (VKFF-0860)
11. VK3SQ
12. VK3JT
13. VK2BD
14. VK5AYL
15. VK1DI
16. VK3EME
17. VK3FTOM

References.

1. and, P. (2025). Black Mountain Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/black-mountain-nature-reserve. [Accessed 21 Jan. 2025]‌
2. ‌Chirp Internet (2026). Rediscovering Ginninderra: Charles Throsby | Hall Heritage Centre. [online] Hall.act.au. Available at: https://heritage.hall.act.au/display/1939/person/2150/charles-throsby.html [Accessed 21 Jan. 2026].
3. ‌Wikipedia. (2023). Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory). [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mountain_(Australian_Capital_Territory). [Accessed 21 Jan. 2025]‌

As mentioned in a previous post, on Sunday, 26th October 2025, myself, Marija VK5MAZ, Hans VK6XN, Chris VK5FR, Hide 7M4MON, and Dan VK4DNO, activated the Callum Braw Nature Reserve VKFF-0836.

Callum Brae is located in Symonston, south of Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory.

The reserve’s western boundary is Mugga Lane, its northern boundary is Narrabunda Lane, while West Jerrabombera Nature Reserve is located just to its east.

Callum Brae Nature Reserve is 143 hectares in size and was established in 2008. The reserve is located on the lower eastern slopes of Mount Mugga Mugga. The reserve features large hollow-bearing eucalypts, predominantly Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum, which provide refuge for native birds (ACT Govt 2023)

The reserve is home to numerous species of native woodland birds, including Diamond Firetail, White-winged Triller, Varied Sittella, and Southern Whiteface. (ACT Govt 2023)

The area on which Callum Brae is now located has been used for farming since the early 1830s. Before becoming part of the Canberra Nature Parks, Callum Brae housed an explosives reserve from 1955 for about 40 years. Explosives for the Mugga Mugga quarry were stored in the powder magazines, which had a capacity to store 4,000 pounds of explosives in each magazine. The magazines are still found in the park and consist of three small brick buildings. (ACT Govt 2025)

Below is an excellent video on Callum Brae Nature Reserve.

Our main reason for heading to this park was to give Hide 7M4MON his first opportunity of activating a VKFF park, and to get Dan VK4DNO on air.

Above: Hide 7M4MON

Hide and Dan made a significant amount of contacts from the park.

Above: Dan VK4DNO on air making contacts.

Once Hide and Dan had their fill of contacts, Marija, myself, Hans, and Chris got on air and made a number of contacts.

We had a nice operating spot just inside the gate on Mugga Lane. We had a bit of interest from bushwalkers and birdwatchers.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2VIC
2. VK1VIC
3. VK2GOY
4. VK2GOM
5. VK2VAR
6. VK5AYL
7. VK2IO
8. VK2GEZ
9. VK3SG
10. VK3CLD
11. VK2DBF
12. VK5Q
13. VK2PKT
14. VK2KFT
15. VK1AO
16. VK2MET
17. VK1AD
18. VK2AD

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5AYL
2. VK2IO/P (VKFF-0834)
3. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0834)
4. VK3SG
5. VK3CLD
6. VK5QA
7. VK2DBF
8. VK2PKT
9. VK2KFT
10. VK1AO
11. VK2MET
12. VK2DA
13. VK1DA

References.

1. ACT Government (2023). Callum Brae Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/callum-brae-nature-reserve [Accessed 21 Jan. 2026].‌
2. ACT Government (2025). Powder Magazines – Canberra Tracks. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.canberratracks.act.gov.au/heritage-trails/track-7-woden-heritage-track/powder-magazines [Accessed 21 Jan. 2026].‌

Worked Chinese Provinces Award (WCPA).

Worked Chinese Prefixes Award (WCP)

Here is a selection of FT8 Europe awards for VK5IPA.

Here are some more FT8 award certificates received for VK5IPA. These are for working stations in Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Qatar and other countries in the Middle East.

Worked All Continents.

One Hundred Countries Award.

Worked Prefix Award.

Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn Award.

Worked Region 1 Award & Worked Region 2 Award.

Worked Little Countries Award & Captain James Cook Award.

The 3rd day of the 2025 VKFF National Get Together was upon us, Sunday, 26th October 2025.

The day commenced with a BBQ at the Black Mountain Peninsula BBQ area. A total of 38 amateurs attended the BBQ breakfast.

Thanks to Peter VK3PWG and Malcolm VK3OAK, our BBQ chefs extroidanaires.

Paul VK1OZ had his QRP Labs homebrew transceiver on display.

On Sunday morning, following the BBQ, there was a linked dipole construction session.  It was an opportunity for many to construct their very first antenna.   

The wire winders and centre pieces were printed on the 3D printer of Paul VK5PAS.  All other sourcing of material and production was undertaken by Ivan VK5HS.  A big thank you to Ivan. 

A total of 22 amateurs took part in the linked dipole construction project.  For some it was the first time that they had used a crimping tool and constructed an antenna.

After the antenna construction project, Hide 7M4MON got on air using his antenna that he had just completed, and made several contacts.

Following the Sunday morning BBQ breakfast, several people headed out into the field to activate VKFF parks.

For those who were brand new to VKFF park activating, some experienced VKFF ops offered to take new activators out to a park to lend some valuable tips.

Hide 7M4MON and Dan VK4DNO, accompanied myself, Marija VK5MAZ, Hans Vk6XN, and Chris VK5FR, to the Callum Brae Nature Park VKFF-0836

Later that evening, a dinner was held at the Gunghalin Lakes Golf Club.

It had been another very successful day, with Marija and me receiving some very positive feedback.

For a more detailed report, please visit the WWFF Australia website at:

https://www.wwffaustralia.com/2025-national-get-together.html

It was now Saturday, 25th October 2025, and the presentation day for the 2025 VKFF National Get Together. The presentations were held at the Eastlake Football Club in Griffith.

A total of 45 amateurs and their wives attended the presentation sessions.

Attendees enjoyed several guest speakers and also enjoyed morning tea consisting of scones with jam and fresh cream, and afternoon tea consisting of assorted muffins. Our MC was Chris VK5FR.

Icom Australia had a display showcasing some of their portable-focused products. This included the new Icom IC-7300MK2 transceiver.  We were the first in Australia to see this new transceiver ‘in the flesh’. Thank you to Dan VK4DNO/VK3DNO & Hide 7M4MON for their attendance and support of the event.

Andy VK5LA had his fly wire vertical on display.

There was also a table with various handouts, VKFF certificates and various portable equipment c/o Paul VK5PAS & Andy VK5LA

Following the presentations a question and answer session was held with the attending VKFF Team members.

Each of the guest speakers and the MC were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Certificates of Appreciation were also awarded to Marija VK5MAZ in recognition of her invaluable effort in organising the 2025 VKFF National Get Together, and Chris VK5FR for his MC duties and assisting in the linked dipole project.

Ivan VK5HS was also presented with a certificate for his involvement in the linked dipole project.

Each of the attending VKFF Team members received a Certificate of Appreciation from Paul VK5PAS for their ongoing efforts in maintaining the VKFF program.

A raffle was held on Saturday.  There were over $2,200.00 worth of prizes.  Proceeds this year went to the VKFF Team.

Thankyou to the following sponsors:

• Icom Australia
• Haverfkord
• JMM Solutions
• Jaycar
• Watts Communications
• RivComm Radio Solutions
• VKFF Team

Following the Saturday procedures, we made our way downstairs to enjoy some cold beverages.

We then headed backupstairs for our Saturday evening meal.

Our Saturday evening guest speaker was Dan VK3DNO/VK4DNO, from Icom Australia.  He spoke about ICOM’s equipment suitable for mobile and portable operations. Dan was issued a Certificate of Appreciation.

It had been a very successful day. A HUGE thank you to Marija VK5MAZ. Without her assistance, this event would not have taken place.

A more detailed report can be found on the WWFF Australia website at:

https://www.wwffaustralia.com/2025-national-get-together.html