This afternoon (Monday 22nd April 2019) Marija and I decided to do another park activation and chose another one of the newly added South Australian parks to the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  This time we headed to the Knott Hill Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2892.

The reserve is located about 6 km west of the town of Meadows, and about 50 km south-east of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Knott Hill Forest Reserve VKFF-2892.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Knott Hill Native Forest Reserve is located in the Kuitpo Forest Reserve in the Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’.  It is 82.3 hectares in size and consists of native vegetation.  The primary management objective for the area is to conserve and enhance native flora and fauna and preserve biodiversity for the long-term benefit of the South Australian community.  The reserve conserves remnant native vegetation characteristic of the Mount Lofty Ranges.  It is estimated that less than 15% of the original vegetation remains.

Above:- An aerial view of the reserve, looking west, showing the adjacent pine plantations.  Image courtesy of google maps.

Over 400 native plant species can be found in the reserve, with 63 of those being of conservation significance.  The Reserve provides a unique habitat for over 50 species of native orchid, including the Dark-tipped sun-orchid which is rates Critically Endangered Nationally.

The reserve takes its name from the area dedicated to Dr John Knott, an early settler in the Kangarilla District.  Mr Knott is credited with pioneering the road over Mount Panorama to ‘the Meadows’.  This road is now known as Stagecoach Lane.

The reserve is integrated with an area of pine plantation which is managed by Forestry SA.  These pine plantations are located to the north, south and west of the reserve, with privately owned land adjoining the eastern section of the reserve.

I travelled along Peters Creek Road which runs off Brookman Road, until I reached Knotts Hill Road.  I turned right and parked in the carpark.  Although google maps show that Knotts Hill Road continues to the east, this is not the case.  There are locked gates at this location.

It would appear from what I saw, there is no vehicular access to the reserve via Kingfisher Road.  This is a narrow dirt track which takes you passed a number of farming properties and then a sign which states ‘authorised vehicles only’.  You could park there and walk up the track to access the reserve.

I collected up all of my gear and then took the 500-metre walk to reach the western boundary of the park.  It took me about 3 trips back to get all my gear, including the fold up table and deck chair.

I set up on the side of a fire access track which dissected the reserve.

First in the log was a Park to Park contact with Ian VK1DI/p who was activated the Macquarie Pass National Park VKFF-0298.  Ian had a beautiful bit 5/9 signal from New South Wales.  The 40m band had certainly been in very good shape over the Easter Break, and today appeared to be no different.

After logging Ian on 7.144 I moved down the band to 7.139 and asked if the frequency was in use, only to get 3 or 4 voices coming back to me to say it was clear.  I picked out Peter VK3PF who was very strong, and then logged Wayne VK2DWP and then Cliff VK2NP.

As this was a brand new park it did not take long for a mini pile up to ensue.  Within 4 minutes I had contact number 10 in the bag and had qualified the park for VKFF.  QSO number ten was with John VK4/VE6XT.

I logged a total of 68 contacts on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, New Zealand, and Italy.  This included a Park to Park with Peter VK3ZPF/p who was activating the Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465.  And a contact with Max IK1GPG who I have made contact with a few times now on 40m during my recent activations.

I then put out some calls on 14.310 on the 20m band and logged 8 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK6 and New Zealand.  This included Gerard VK2IO/p who was activating SOTA peak VK2/ MN-098 in the Ulidarra National Park VKFF-0504.

It was then off to 80m.  Our first contact there was with Peter VK3ZPF/p in the Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465.  We then moved up to 3.615 and started calling CQ.  Stuart VK5STU was first to call back.  It was a pleasure to log Stuey as he had posted on Facebook that he had been listening on 40m but could not hear us.  On 80m he was 5/9 and gave me a 5/5 signal report.

Next was Adrian VK5FANA who is a regular park hunter, followed by Charlie VK5VC.  As I had well and truly qualified the park, it was time for Marija to jump into the operator’s chair.  Marija logged 7 stations, all South Australian stations.

Marija now had 9 contacts in the log, and with no further callers on 80m, we headed back to 40m.  Marija started calling CQ on 7.130 whilst I placed a spot for her on parksnpeaks and on Facebook.  Perrin VK3XPT was first in the log on 40m for Marija, using his Clansman military transceiver.  Perrin had qualified the park for Marija.

Marija soon attracted her own little pile-up, with a steady flow of callers.  Within 35 minutes Marija had qualified the park for the global WWFF program, with 44 contacts in the log.  This included the following Park to Park contacts:-

• Mike VK6MB/3 – Wabba Wilderness Park VKFF-0944
• Mark VK3FAMP/p – Wabba Wilderness Park VKFF-0944
• Gerard VK2IO/p – SOTA VK2/ MN-098 & Ulidarra National Park VKFF-0504

I also logged Mike VK6MB/3 and Mark VK3FAMP in the Wabba Wilderness Park VKFF-0944, and also Gerard VK2IO on SOTA peak VK2/ MN-098 & Ulidarra National Park VKFF-0504.

I then tuned across the band and heard Samuel EA1DLU calling CQ on 7.155 with his normal big signal.  As he was not busy I gave him a call and had a successful QSO.  I had spoken with Samuel yesterday.  Today my signal report was 2 S points lower.

Marija and I had seen a post on Facebook from David VK5PL stating that he was only hearing the park hunters and not us, so we finished off the activation by putting out some CQ calls on 3.610 on the 80m band, hoping to log David.  Alas, it was not to be.  We did not hear from David, but I did log VK3PF, VK5AYL, VK5WU, and VK3FDZE.

It was now freezing cold and time for us to pack up and head back to the vehicle.  It had been another successful activation, with both Marija and I qualifying the park for both VKFF and WWFF.  We made a total of 134 QSOs including 12 Park to Park contacts.

THANKYOU to everyone who called us, and a big thanks to those who took the time to spot us.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465)
2. VK3XPT/p (military tx)
3. VK3SQ
4. VK4AAC/3
5. VK2VH/3
6. VK4SMA
7. VK3OHM
8. VK3PI
9. VK6MB/3 (Wabba Wilderness Park VKFF-0944)
10. VK3FAMP/p (Wabba Wilderness Park VKFF-0944)
11. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-098 & Ulidarra National Park VKFF-0504)
12. VK4RF
13. VK4HA
14. VK2UH
15. VK7FJFD
16. VK2HHA
17. VK3ARH
18. VK3FORD
19. VK5PET
20. VK3MPR
21. VK3FRAB
22. VK4NH
23. VK4DXA
24. ZL4TY/VK4
25. VK5ZEA
26. VK3FSPN
27. VK2NP
28. VK4MWB
29. VK3VKT
30. VK3MAB
31. VK4TJ
32. VK4/AC8WN
33. VK4/VE6XT
34. VK3TKK/p
35. VK5FLEA
36. VK3PF
37. VK4FDJL

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465)
2. VK5VC
3. VK5FANA
4. VK5DW
5. VK5WU
6. VK5KDK
7. VK5BJE
8. VK5FLEA

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1DI/p (Macquarie Pass National Park VKFF-0298)
2. VK3PF
3. VK2DWP
4. VK2NP
5. VK3SQ
6. VK4RF
7. VK4HA
8. VK4TJ
9. VK4/AC8WN
10. VK4/VE6XT
11. VK3PI
12. VK3AHR
13. VK3MDH
14. VK2HHA
15. VK4SMA
16. VK2VW
17. VK3TKK/m
18. VK3MKE
19. VK2JAZ
20. VK4CZ
21. VK3BSG
22. VK3BYD
23. VK2PKT
24. VK2CEC/m
25. VK5KLV
26. VK4FARR
27. VK3ARH
28. VK4FDJL
29. VK2EXA
30. ZL1TM
31. VK4HNS
32. VK3OHM
33. VK2ADB
34. VK4NH
35. VK4DXA
36. ZL4TY/VK4
37. VK2HOT
38. VK3PAT
39. VK3XL
40. VK5VCR
41. VK4VXX/6
42. VK3DBP
43. VK3DOU
44. VK3FPSR
45. VK2MOP
46. VK3NLK
47. VK5FLEA
48. VK3CM
49. VK3BMT
50. VK7KT/m
51. VK3ZPF/p (Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465)
52. IK1GPG
53. VK3MLU
54. VK3FLES/2
55. VK2KEV/m
56. VK7ZGK
57. VK2BLP
58. VK3FRNS/p (military manpack)
59. VK6XC
60. VK5KBJ
61. VK7KR
62. VK7DW
63. VK2FPAR
64. VK3FN
65. VK3DJY
66. VK7HRS
67. VK3JMA/m
68. VK4HAT
69. VK6MB/3 (Wabba Wilderness Park VKFF-0944)
70. VK3FAMP/p (Wabba Wilderness Park VKFF-0944)
71. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-098 & Ulidarra National Park VKFF-0504)
72. VK3MCK
73. EA1DLU

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4HAT
2. ZL1BYZ
3. VK3XL
4. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-098 & Ulidarra National Park VKFF-0504)
5. VK6XC
6. VK4SMA
7. VK2ARL
8. VK6NDX

I worked the following stations on 80m SB:-

1.  VK3ZPF/p (Traralgon South Flora Reserve VKFF-2465)
2. VK5STU
3. VK5FANA
4. VK5VC
5. VK3PF
6. VK5AYL
7. VK5WU
8. VK3FDZE

References.

Forestry SA, 2016, Mount Panorama, Knott Hill & Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserves Management Plan.

Yesterday (Sunday 21st April 2019) Marija VK5FMAZ and I headed to the Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2893, one of the newly added parks in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Thirteen Native Forest Reserves located in the Adelaide Hills and on the Fleurieu Peninsula have been added to the program in the last 48 hours.  This is together with new parks added earlier in the year in VK6 and VK8, and also a number of parks in VK4.  Nearly 200 are to appear soon from VK3.

The Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserve is located in the Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’, and is about 8 km southwest of the town of Meadows and about 45 km south-east of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserve.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The park is just a short drive from our home.  We travelled to Meadows and then south-west on Brookman Road towards Willunga.  We travelled passed the historic woodcutters cottage on Brookman Road which now offers accommodation, and then passed the Kuitpo Hall built of stone in 1926.  The pickers were out in force in the nearby Kuitpo Forest strawberry farm.

Kuitpo Hall

STrawberry farm

Woodcutters cottage

We then turned in to Brookman-Connor Road which took us through the pine forest towards the park.  It was an overcast day but quite mild, following a 32 deg C day on Saturday.

Above:- Brookman-Connor Road

There are some great views to be had of the surrounding countryside along the way.

Above:- a view of the surrounding countryside

The Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserve is 309.9 hectares in size and is one of three Native Forest Reserves located in the Kuitpo Forest Reserve in the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’.  Nearby Native Forest Reserves are Mount Panorama and Knott Hill.  These reserves are of high conservation value and contain a rich variety of trees, shrubs and ground cover species which provide significant habitat for native birds, reptiles and mammals.

The Kuitpo Forest Reserve was established in 1989.  It was the first of a number of forest plantations in the Mount Lofty Ranges, established to ensure a sustainable timber resource for South Australia.  The reserve is managed by Forestry SA.

The Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserve is an IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources 2005) Category IV reserve. These category of park are habitat or species management areas, protected and managed mainly for conservation through management intervention to ensure the maintenance of habitats and/or to meet the requirements of species.

The name Christmas Hill is derived from the peak of the same name on the north-eastern boundary of the reserve.  The reserve contains 400 identified native plant species, including 63 with conservation significance.  The entire Christmas Hill area was devastated by the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires.

The Reserve is integrated with various pine plantations managed by Forestry SA.  The reserve’s southern boundary borders the Kyeema Conservation Park.

A large number of native bird species call the park home.  This includes Yellow-tailed black cockatoos, who were in abundance during our visit.

We set up just inside gate CH18 on Christmas Hill Road.

Above:- Map showing our operating spot in the park.  Map courtesy of Forestry SA

There was plenty of room here to stretch out the 20/40/80m linked dipole, and we were away from other users in the park.

The 40m band was alive with activity and it was quite difficult to find a clear spot.  I found 7.134 clear and started calling CQ whilst Marija placed a spot on parksnpeaks for me.  First in the log was Peter VK3PF with an excellent 5/9 signal, followed by Lee VK3HOT, and then John VK4TJ.

As this was a new park it did not take long for a small pile up to develop.  Within an hour I worked a total of 65 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and VK7.  This included the following Park to Park contacts:-

• Mark VK4SMA/p – Spicers Gap Road Conservation Park VKFF-1651
• Jonathan VK7JON/p – Eugenana State Reserve VKFF-1800
• Helen VK7FOLK/p – Eugenana State Reserve VKFF-1800

I had qualified the park for both VKFF and WWFF, and now it was Marija’s turn to get onto the microphone.  Mike VK5FMWW was first in Marija’s log, followed by Danny VK5DW, Mike VK6MB/3, and then Ivan VK3OHM.  It took Marija just 8 minutes to get her 10 contacts.  QSO number ten was with Brian VK5TBC.

It took Marija just 45 minutes to qualify the park for WWFF.  The 40m band was in great shape.  Marija’s contacts were from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.  This included the following Park to Park contact:-

• Mark VK4SMA/p – Spicers Gap Road Conservation Park VKFF-1651

Marija was extremely happy to have qualified the park for the global WWFF program, and it was my turn now to ramp up the power and make a few more contacts.  David VK3UCD came back to my CQ call, followed by Greg VK4VXX/6, and then Rick VK4RF.  I worked a further 9 stations, taking my total contacts for the activation to 77 QSOs.

Marija and I then lowered the squid pole and we removed the links for the 20m band.  I called CQ on 14.310 and it wasn’t long before John VK4TJ came back to my call.  This was followed by another regular park hunter Ray VK4NH.  I logged a total of 17 stations on 20m SSB which included Greg VK4VXX/6 who suggested we also try AM which we did.  It was my first ever AM contact on 20m.

The real highlight of 20m was a Park to Park contact with Kent K7CAR/p in the Dixie National Forest KFF-4395 in the USA.  The photographs below are courtesy of Kent.

Marija and I then returned to 40m logging the following Park to Park contacts:-

• Adam VK2YK/p – Hat Head National Park VKFF-0230
• Andy VK5LA/p – Jallumba Marsh Flora Reserve VKFF-2338
• Ian VK1DI/2 – Barren Grounds Nature Reserve VKFF-1885

I then moved down to the 80m band and called CQ on 3.610.  Mike VK5FMWW was my first taker, followed by Danny VK5DW, and then Linda VK7QP.  Band conditions were excellent on 80m.   But sadly I only logged 6 stations.

I then moved back to 40m where I logged a further 24 stations on 7.158, including Max IK1GPG in Italy.  Unfortunately, DC5ZVU came up on the frequency and started calling CQ, which made it impossible to copy any callers, as he was a 5/8 signal.  So I moved down to 7.156 where I made a further 4 stations.

To complete the activation I had a tune across the band and found Manuel EA1DLU/p in Spain on 7.175 calling CQ with a strong 5/9 signal.  I was very lucky to have Manuel come back to my first call.  Manuel gave me a 5/7 signal report into Spain with my 40 watts and small wire antenna.

Below is a short video of part of my QSO with Manuel.

I then found Craig VK3CRG/p on 7.170.  Craig was portable at Little River and had a friend Debbie with him, who was a budding ham.  Marija had a chat with Debbie and explained to her where we were operating from, and a little bit about Marija’s history in the hobby.  Sadly the rain started tumbling down at Craig’s location which resulted in Craig having to go clear.

David VK5LSB then called me to say hi, followed by Perrin VK3XPT/p who was operating portable on the beach at Sandy Point using his military transceiver.  Marija was keen to pack up and head home, so I apologise to anybody else who may have wanted to call into this new park.  We will be back.

Above:- Perrin VK3XPT’s operating spot at Sandy Point.  Image courtesy of VK3XPT.

Below is a short video taken by Perrin of our contact.

Below is a video I took on the iphone showing some of Marija’s contacts during the activation.

This had been an amazing activation.  Marija had qualified the park for VKFF and WWFF, and had 49 contacts in the log.  I had also qualified the park for VKFF and WWFF, and had a total of 136 contacts in the log.  This included ten Park to Park contacts between the two of us, including the Park to Park into the USA.

Above:- Map showing my contacts during the activation.  Map courtesy of QSOmap.org

Above:- Map showing my QSOs in Australia and New Zealand, during my activation.  Map courtesy of QSOmap.org

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5FMWW
2. VK5DW
3. VK6MB/3
4. VK5HS
5. VK3OHM
6. VK3PF
7. VK7ALH
8. VK3SH
9. VK5KLV
10. VK5TBC
11. VK7QP
12. VK3SQ
13. VK2PKT
14. VK4CZ
15. VK5WU
16. VK3FDZE
17. VK3MPR
18. VK4SMA/p (Spicers Gap Road Conservation Park VKFF-1651)
19. VK4HNS
20. VK2KJJ
21. VK3BYD
22. VK3XPT
23. VK2HHA
24. VK5PE
25. VK3AB/p
26. VK2YMU
27. VK4FARR
28. VK3FAMPT
29. VK2UTL
30. VK3BNC
31. VK4VXX/6
32. VK2WQ
33. VK3NCR/p
34. VK3YBP
35. VK3BSG
36. VK3IL/p
37. VK4RF
38. VK4HA
39. VK4TJ
40. VK4/AC8WN
41. VK4/VE6XT
42. VK1MCW
43. VK5IS
44. VK3KAI
45. VK3GV
46. VK5MK/m
47. VK5LA/p (Jallumba Marsh Flora Reserve VKFF-2338)
48. VK1DI/2 (Barren Grounds Nature Reserve VKFF-1885)
49. VK3CRG/p

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3HOT
3. VK4TJ
4. VK4/AC8WN
5. VK4/VE6XT
6. VK3SQ
7. VK3DAC
8. VK2MY/3
9. VK4AAC/3
10. VK2VH/3
11. VK5KLV
12. VK4HNS
13. VK4SMA/p (Spicers Gap Road Conservation Park VKFF-1651)
14. VK5FANA
15. VK3ANL
16. VK3FPSR
17. VK2YMU
18. VK4CZ
19. VK4NH
20. VK4DXA
21. ZL4TY/VK4
22. VK3DBP
23. VK7JON/p (Eugenia State Reserve VKFF-1800)
24. VK7FOLK/ (Eugenia State Reserve VKFF-1800)
25. VK3TKK/m
26. VK3MPR
27. VK2FAAA/3
28. VK7ALH
29. VK2VW
30. VK3ARH
31. VK3NDX
32. VK2IO/m
33. VK3WAR
34. VK3EAC
35. VK2AB
36. VK7EE
37. VK2JDS
38. VK3MCK
39. VK4NKL/p
40. VK4FARR
41. VK5FMWW
42. VK4FDJL
43. VK3VBC
44. VK2FHIT
45. VK7EK
46. VK1TX
47. VK5MK/m
48. VK5WU
49. VK5DW
50. VK3FDZE
51. VK5VGC
52. VK3TNL
53. VK3STU
54. VK3ZNK
55. VK5AUS
56. VK5TBC/m
57. VK5HS
58. VK7QP
59. VK6CP
60. VK5PE
61. VK6MB/3
62. VK2OD
63. VK5FBUD
64. VK5GP
65. VK2EMI
66. VK3UCD
67. VK4VXX/6
68. VK4RF
69. VK4HA
70. VK7LH
71. VK2GAZ
72. VK5FLKJ
73. VK3NBL
74. VK1MCW
75. VK5MAS
76. VK5PW
77. VK5WF
78. VK2YK/p (Hat Head National Park VKFF-0230)
79. VK5LA/p (Jallumba Marsh Flora Reserve VKFF-2338 )
80. VK1DI/2 (Barren Grounds Nature Reserve VKFF-1885)
81. VK3AHR
82. VK3CWF
83. ZL1TM
84. VK3KMH
85. VK2HHA
86. VK3SX
87. VK3IRM
88. VK3MLU
89. VK3MKE
90. VK2HBO
91. IK1GPG
92. VK3CGB
93. VK3IL/p
94. VK7KT
95. VK2PKT
96. VK2GJC
97. VK2CAF
98. VK7FRJG
99. VK2HRX/3
100. VK2PBC/p (QRP)
101. VK4RG
102. VK2XXM
103. VK6LG
104. VK1JP/2
105. VK7HAM
106. VK7PAK
107. VK6SKY
108. VK3VGB
109. EA1DLU
110. VK3CRG/p
111. VK5LSB
112. VK3XPT/p (military tx)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. ZL4TY/VK4
7. VK2GZ
8. VK6MAC
9. VK4CZ
10. VK4PDX
11. VK4VXX/6
12. VK2HDX
13. VK4TMZ
14. K7CAR/p (Dixie National Forest KFF-4395)
15. VK4AS
16. VK2JON
17. VK4HNS

I worked the following station on 20m AM:-

1. VK4VXX/6

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FMWW
2. VK5DW
3. VK7QP
4. VK5HS/m
5. VK5YX
6. VK3AHR

References.

Forestry SA, 2016, Mount Panorama, Knott Hill & Christmas Hill Native Forest Reserves Management Plan.

Yesterday (Saturday 20th April 2019) was a very blustery and hot day for this time of the year in South Australia.  The fire danger threat was quite high, so I waited until late in the afternoon once the wind had dropped, to head out into the field.

I headed to the Giles Conservation Park 5CP-076 & VKFF-0884, which is located about 16 km east of the city of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Giles Conservation Park in the Adelaide Hills.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

I have activated the Giles Conservation Park on five prior occasions.  My first activation was back in August 2013, and my latest activation at Giles was in September 2017.

The Giles Conservation Park is about 109 hectares (270 acres) in size and was established on the 30th day of September 2007.  Previously, the land was the eastern portion of the Horsnell Gully Conservation Park which is located to the west of Giles.

Above:- An aerial view of the Giles Conservation Park, looking west towards the city of Adelaide.  Image courtesy of google maps

The rugged slopes of this park are clothed with Brown Stringybark and Messmate Stringybark.  The lower slopes are dominated by South Australian Blue Gum, Pink Gum, Manna Gum and River Red Gum.  The understorey is made up of native cherry, golden wattle, native orchids, and dusty miller – a white flowering bush.

The park was named after the family of Charles Giles who is reported as being a pioneer in the fields of horticulture and floriculture in South Australia.  Giles arrived in the Colony of South Australia in 1838 on board the Recovery.  He had trained as a horticulturalist in Devon, England.  He purchased land in the Adelaide Hills while living at another property at Black Forest in the city, and walked to the Summit every Monday morning with his week’s provisions, returning home on Saturdays.  As there was no road leading to the valley back in the 1800s, Giles had to cross Third Creek a total of 21 times.

Above:- Charles GILES.  Courtesy of State Library SA

Giles established the Reedbeds Nursery in the valley on his Grove Hill property.  The focus of the nursery was flowers and trees, with an orchard nearby.  The men who worked at the nursery lived with their families in cottages built by Charles Giles along Third Creek.  The three attached cottages were called ‘Faith’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Charity’ and there was a free-standing cottage a little to the west.  Giles built Grove Hill house, a substantial two storey residence.

Over 60 species of native birds have been recorded in the park including Adelaide Rosella, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, Black-winged Currawong, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Black-capped Sittella, and Rufous Whistler.

Native animals found in the park include Western Grey kangaroo, koala, brush-tailed possums, yellow-footed antechinus, and short-beaked echidnas.

I set up in my normal operating spot, just inside the park gate on Woods Hill Road.

Above:- An aerial view of the Giles Conservation Park showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

After setting up I headed for 7.144 on the 40m band and found Simon VK3ELH/p calling CQ from the Greater Bendigo National Park VKFF-0623.  After logging Simon Park to Park I headed down the band to 7.139 and started calling CQ.  Ulrich VK2UTL was the first to give me a call, followed by Brett VK2FSAV mobile, and then Rod VK7FRJG.

It was about 3.45 p.m. local time (0615) UTC and the band was open to Europe.  It didn’t take long for me to start experiencing some QRM from 7.138 from a German station.  It is very hard to find a clear spot on the 40m band at this time of the day.

Despite the interference, the band was in great shape, and it didn’t take long for a mini pile up to form.  Alan VK2MG/p was ninth in the log, with another Park to Park.  Alan was activating the Worimi National Park VKFF-0614.  Contact number ten, qualifying the park for me for VKFF, was with regular park hunter John VK4TJ.

I continued to work a steady flow of callers, and about 12 calls later I had my third Park to Park for the activation in the log.  Nik VK3ZNK/p was activating the North Western Port Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2166.  Eight QSOs later I was called by Peter VK3YE/p who was pedestrian mobile on Carrum Beach in Melbourne.  Peter always puts out a nice signal, and today was no different, with Peter having a good strong 5/8 signal.

About 7 contacts later I worked Perrin VK3XPT who was using his military manpack transceiver with a 2.4-metre whip antenna.  Perrin had a strong 5/8 signal.  A few QSOs later I was called by Max IK1GPG in Italy.  Max had a good 5/7 signal and gave me a 5/5 in Italy which I was very happy with.  Just 2 QSOs later, contact number 44 was in the log, with a QSO with William VK2NWB.

Five QSOs later I had another Park to Park contact in the log.  This time it was Ian VK1DI/2 who was activating the Budderoo National Park VKFF-0062.  Seven contacts later I was called by Hans VK6XN/p in the Beechina Nature Reserve VKFF-2789.  Hans had a good 5/7 signal from some 2,000 km to my west.

I logged a total of 57 contacts on 7.139 before callers slowed down.  I decided to tune across the band and I found Samuel EA1DLU in Spain calling CQ on 7.158.  Samuel was a strong 5/9 signal, and I was fortunate to get through to Samuel on my first call.  I then found Jeff F4GGQ in Spain, calling CQ on 7.153.  He also had a 5/9 signal and was not busy, and I got through on my first call.  Jeff gave me a 5/3 signal report.

I then lowered the squid pole and removed the links on the dipole for the 20m band.  I called CQ on 14.310 and was soon called by Hans VK6XN in the Beechina Nature Reserve VKFF-2789.

Hans and I decided to stay on the frequency together and call CQ.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t long and we started to experience some QRM from a European station calling CQ on the frequency.  I logged Warren ZL2JML in New Zealand who was running QRP.  Sadly Hans was unable to hear Warren.  Hans was called by a number of stations on the east coast of Australia in New South Wales and Queensland who I was unable to hear.  Hans and I decided that we should split up considering the propagation conditions.

I tuned across the band and found Luciano EA8AM calling CQ on 14.287.  Luciano was a strong 5/9 and gave me a 5/7 signal report from the Canary Islands.  He was amazed that I was running just 40 watts and a piece of wire.

It was starting to get dark with the local time around 5.40 p.m., so I lowered the squid pole and inserted the links for the 80m band.  I called CQ on 3.610 and this was answered by Clem VK3CYD, followed by Dennis VK2HHA, and then Geoff VK3SQ.  I ended up logging a total of 17 stations on 80m, including my good wife Marija VK5FMAZ.

I then moved back to the 40m band hoping to log some North American stations, although my antenna is less than an ideal performer for DX contacts.  I logged 12 stations, including Chuck KO4SB who was mobile.  Chuck was low down, just 5/3 and gave me a 3/3.  Nonetheless, it was a USA DX contact which I was very happy with.

I then decided to have one last listen on the 80m band.  I logged a further 13 stations from VK2, VK3, VK5, VK6 and VK8.  Conditions were terrific, with very strong signals.  Humming on the band was the Over the Horizon Radar.  I even heard two American gentlemen speaking on the same frequency I was operating on, but sadly they were unable to hear my signal.

It was time for me to pack and head home for a bite to eat.  It had been a great activation, with 105 contacts in the log.  The 40m proved to be a great performer, with the vast majority of my contacts on that band, including some nice SSB DX.

The map below shows my contacts around the globe during the activation.

Above:- My QSOs during the activation.  Map courtesy of QSOmap.org

The map below shows my contacts around Australia and into New Zealand during the activation.

Above:- My QSOs around Australia and into New Zealand during the activation.  Map courtesy of QSOmap.org

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ELH/p (Greater Bendigo National Park VKFF-0623)
2. VK2UTL
3. VK2FSAV/m
4. VK7FRJG
5. VK3LTL
6. VK2FPAR
7. VK3DBP
8. VK7DW/m
9. VK2MG/p (Worimi National Park VKFF-0614)
10. VK4TJ
11. VK3MWB
12. VK4SMA
13. ZL1TM
14. VK3FRAB
15. VK3ARH
16. VK3PF
17. VK4CZ
18. VK3NXT
19. VK3MDH
20. VK3MKE
21. VK2IO/m
22. VK3ZNK/p (North Western Port Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2166)
23. VK3OAK
24. VK3UCD
25. VK3ANL
26. VK4FDJL
27. VK3TNL
28. VK3MPR
29. VK2HHS
30. VK3YE/p (pedestrian mobile)
31. VK4NH
32. VK4DXA
33. ZL4TY/VK4
34. VK4HBT
35. VK4PDX
36. VK4HNS
37. VK3XPT (military manpack tx)
38. VK3FPSR
39. VK3ANP
40. VK3HY
41. VK3UH
42. IK1GPG
43. VK2WQ
44. VK2NWB
45. VK3YSA
46. VK2PBC/p (QRP)
47. VK2EXA
48. VK2HMV
49. VK1DI/2 (Budderoo National Park VKFF-0062)
50. VK3CGB
51. VK3DFZE
52. VK3FLCS
53. VK3MCK
54. VK3IH/m
55. VK2PKT
56. VK6XN/p (Beechina Nature Reserve VKFF-2789)
57. VK4WH
58. VK3ALB
59. EA1DLU
60. F4GGW
61. VK5WU
62. VK6MB/3
63. VK2APA
64. VK6FRDZ/m
65. KO4SB/m
66. VK4VXX/6
67. VK4FPZD/2
68. VK2FPAR
69. VK5FMAZ
70. VK4FNTH
71. VK4FARR
72. VK2AHZ

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK6XN/p (Beechina Nature Reserve VKFF-2789)
2. ZL2JML (QRP)
3. EA8AM

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3CYD
2. VK2HHA
3. VK3SQ
4. VK5KLV
5. VK5VCR
6. VK3AJA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291)
7. VK2YMU
8. VK5FANA
9. VK4HNS
10. VK5HS
11. VK5FMAZ
12. VK3MDH
13. VK3FBKS
14. VK3MAB
15. VK3FDAA
16. VK2SS/p
17. VK5AAR
18. VK5FPAC
19. VK3PF
20. VK3ALB
21. VK3ZD
22. VK3PKY
23. VK5DW
24. VK6MB/3
25. VK2OP
26. VK3ANL
27. VK2NN
28. VK6LD
29. VK6JES
30. VK8GM

References.

Birds SA, 2017, <http://www.birdssa.asn.au/location/giles-conservation-park/&gt;, viewed 17th September 2017

Flinders University, 2017, <http://www.flinders.edu.au/ehl/fms/archaeology_files/research/HFZCHP/PDF/VoS%20Ch%2018%20Two%20Nurseries.pdf&gt;, viewed 17th September 2017

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giles_Conservation_Park>, viewed 21st April 2019

Tonight I qualified for my latest VKFF certificate, issued for having worked 1,225 different VKFF references.

Thank you to all of the VKFF activators.

Today (Tuesday 16th April 2019), me, Ivan VK5HS and Danny VK5DW, activated the Long Island Recreation Park VKFF-1724 on the mighty Murray River, at Murray Bridge.  This was the first time that the park had been activated for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  The park is located about 80 km east of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Long Island Recreation Park VKFF-1724.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Long Island Recreation Park is 8 hectares (20 acres) in size and encompasses the full extent of Long Island in the Murray River, immediately east of the city of Murray Bridge.  According to the Ngarrindjeri aboriginal people, the island represents a lentlin (spear) thrown by Ngurunderi at Ponde (the fish) as it made it’s way to Wellington creating the river.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Long Island Recreation Park, looking south east.  Image courtesy of google maps

The island first received protected area status on 9th October 1958 as a recreation reserve proclaimed under Crown Lands Act 1929 and to be managed by the Corporate Town of Murray Bridge.  On the 1st day of September 1966, it was proclaimed as a fauna sanctuary under the Fauna Conservation Act, 1964-1965.  On the 8th day of July 1976, the recreation reserve was resumed under Crown Lands Act 1929 and then proclaimed as the Long Island Recreation Park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Above:- The South Australian Government Gazette, September 1, 1966

After breakfast, I drove up to Murray Bridge and met up with Ivan VK5HS and Danny VK5DW who had driven down from the Riverland.  On the way, I chatted to John VK5BJE/p who was activating the Kinchina Conservation Park 5CP-277 & VKFF-1764 near Murray Bridge.  John had headed out hoping to get a Park to Park with us on 2m.  John was booming into the mobile.

We launched the boat at the end of Long Island Road and headed the short distance to the island.

Danny VK5DW enjoying the beautiful morning.

Captain Ivan VK5HS and myself

Unfortunately, we found it incredibly difficult to find any spots to moor on the island.  The vegetation was very thick and there were no obvious banks that we could land on.  We travelled the majority of the western side of the island and just couldn’t find a suitable spot.

We then travelled around to the eastern side of the island, and our situation did not improve.  There just didn’t appear to be any suitable spots to moor the boat and get onto Long Island.

We travelled around the northwestern tip of the island and then back down the Murray Bridge side of the island until we finally found a spot where we could pull in and jump ashore.

But we didn’t have much room to move.  We were confronted with very thick vegetation and reeds that were 6-7 feet tall.  As it was a hot 32-33 deg C day, we were less than keen walking through the dense vegetation, due to our fear of snakes.  It really was something like out of a Tarzan jungle movie.

Danny VK5DW trying to find a suitable spot to moor.

Ivan VK5HS checking out a possible operating spot.

Me, setting up the squid pole

Unfortunately, during this activation, we were unable to operate on the 80m band due to the vegetation.  As a result, we probably missed out on a lot of local VK5 contacts, but we just didn’t want to end up being the victim of a snake bite.

Also, a hindrance to our signal was our VSWR on 40m which was very high, which I suspect impacted on our signal strength.  I presume the VSWR was due to the amount of vegetation near the antenna and its close proximity to the ground.  We couldn’t even get the 7-metre squid pole up to its full height.

Above:- The 7m telescopic squid pole supporting the linked dipole, showing the very cramped conditions.

As I mentioned earlier, John VK5BJE had headed to nearby Kinchina Conservation Park hoping for a 2m Park to Park contact.  So we had a 2m antenna with us mounted on a tripod.

Above:- Our 2m antenna

I kicked off the activation on 7.144 on the 40m band, with first in the log being Peter VK3PF with a strong 5/9 signal.  This was followed by John VK5BJE/p at Kinchina Conservation Park who was 5/9 plus.  Next was Geoff VK3SQ, Dennis VK2HHA, and then Nick VK3ZNK/p who was in the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park VKFF-0745.

Sadly band conditions appeared to be quite poor, and our high VSWR didn’t help.  But I soon had 10 contacts in the log, qualifying the park for VKFF, the Australian arm of the WWFF program.

I logged 15 stations on 40m before swapping the mic with Danny VK5DW who also soon had his 10 required QSOs in the log.

Next up was Ivan VK5HS, who also qualified the park for VKFF on 40m.

Paul VK5PAS & Danny VK5DW

Paul VK5PAS on 2m

Ivan VK5HS on air on 40

Danny Vk5DW making contacts on 40m

Danny VK5DW through the vegetation

While Ivan was on air, Danny and I made contact with John VK5BJE/p on 20m.  It was great to get a Park to Park on that band.  But sadly that was our only contact on 2m.

The boys then fired up the BBQ, whilst I tried to get to my 44 contacts for the global WWFF program.  I logged a further 20 stations on 40m including Tony VK7LTD/p and Angela VK7FAMP/p on SOTA peak VK7/ EC-006.

I now had 36 stations in the log and decided to try 20m before we stopped for lunch.  I logged 4 stations on 20m and was now just 4 short of my 44.  We took a lunch break, enjoying some snags, patties, tomatoes, potatoes and onions in bread.

Ivan and Danny enjoying the BBQ

After lunch I put out a few more calls on 40m and soon had 44 contacts in the log, qualifying the park for WWFF.  Contact number 44 was with Ray VK3ECK.

As this was a rare park, Danny and Ivan decided to jump in the boat and head downstream for a contact with me on 2m.  After doing so, I jumped into the boat and made contact with Danny.

Above:- ‘the shack’ on Long Island.

It was time for us to pack up and head back across the river to Murray Bridge.  All three of us had qualified the park for VKFF, and I was very lucky to qualify the park for WWFF.

Above:- The Captain Proud paddleboat on the Murray River.

As I mentioned a little earlier in the post, we were unable to try 80m during this activation.  The dense scrub on the island prevented us from stretching out the 80m legs of the linked dipole.  We apologise to anyone who was looking for an 80m contact, but the risk of a snake bite outweighed our chance to operate on that band.  The two photographs below show just how dense the scrub and reeds were at our operating spot.

It is interesting to note that the park is designated as a recreation park.  After our visit, the three of us wondered if it should be a conservation park, as there are certainly no recreational facilities on the island, and it is very difficult to access.

THANKYOU to Ivan VK5HS for the use of his boat.  And thanks to both Ivan and Danny for making the 2-hour drive down from the Riverland.  It was a great day.  We will go back to the park after doing a bit more homework on a possible better operating site.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK5BJE/p (Kinchina Conservation Park VKFF-1764)
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2HHA
5. VK3ZNK/p (Cape Liptrap Coastal Park VKFF-0745)
6. VK5KLV
7. VK1POP/2
8. VK4TJ
9. VK7JON
10. VK2KNV/m
11. VK2SLB
12. VK3AHR
13. VK2MOR
14. VK3TKK/m
15. VK5FANA
16. VK2KYO
17. VK3UH
18. VK7LTD/p (SOTA VK7/ EC-006)
19. VK5LA
20. VK5BMC
21. VK2XSE/m
22. VK2IO
23. VK7FAMP/p (SOTA VK7/ EC-006)
24. VK3WAR
25. VK4AAC/3
26. VK2VH/3
27. VK2VK
28. VK4/AC8WN
29. VK4/VE6XT
30. VK1XP
31. VK2ADB
32. VK3KAI
33. VK3GV
34. VK2APA
35. VK2VW
36. VK3VCR
37. VK3HP
38. VK2YK
39. VK3ECK
40. VK2PBC/p
41. VK4FDJL

I worked the following stations on 2m:-

1. VK5BJE/p (Kinchina Conservation Park VKFF-1764)
2. VK5DW/mm
3. VK5HS/mm

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8WN
3. VK4/VE6XT
4. ZL1TM

References.

The Rural City of Murray Bridge, 2019, <https://www.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=860>, viewed 16th April 2019

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_Recreation_Park>, viewed 16th April 2019

On Saturday afternoon (13th April 2019) I headed out to activate the Cromer Conservation Park 5CP-049 & VKFF-0779.  I have activated and qualified Cromer previously, so this activation was for a bit of fun, and to go towards the Boomerang Award.

The park is located about 38 km northeast of about 5km north of the town of Birdwood in the Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Cromer Conservation Park in the Adelaide Hills.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The Cromer Conservation Park is 44 hectares (110 acres) in size and was proclaimed on the 22nd day of January 1976.  The park contains one of a few areas of natural vegetation in the Mount Lofty Ranges, with the main vegetation in this park is woodland comprised of Long-leafed Box (Eucalyptus goniocalyx) with Pink Gum (E. fasciculosa).  The park is in pristine condition, having never been grazed by stock.

The park takes its name from the area of Cromer, which is named after Cromer in Kent in England.   Cromer in South Australia was the site of an alluvial gold rush at ‘Bonney’s Flat’ in 1870.  A school was opened at Cromer in 1898 and was known as ‘Para Wirra’, and closed in 1950.  The Cromer Post Office was opened in 1910 and closed in 1944.

The park is one of only three sites in South Australia, where the critically endangered blue star sun-orchid can be located.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 110 bird species in the park including Adelaide Rosella, Superb Fairywren, Crescent Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Striated Thornbill, Grey Fantail, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, White-browed Babbler, Hooded Robin, and Diamond Firetail.

Above:- An aerial view of the Cromer Conservation Park, looking north towards the Barossa Valley.  Image courtesy of google maps

I travelled to Birdwood and then headed north on the Cromer Road.  Not long after passing Lucky Hit Road, I reached the park which is well signposted.  Do not confuse the scrub to the south of Cromer, as it is not part of the park.

I parked alongside gate number one, and walked a short distance into the park and set up my station.

Above:- Gate one at the Cromer Conservation Park

For this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-897, 30 watts output and a 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported on a 7-metre heavy duty telescopic squid pole.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Cromer Conservation Park, showing my operating spot in the park.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

Prior to calling CQ I tuned across the band and found John VK5EMI/p on 7.120, activating his very first park, the Mungo National Park VKFF-0370.  John was an excellent 5/9 signal, and it was a pleasure to get him in the log.

I then worked Mike VK6MB/3 who was activating the Alpine National Park VKFF-0619.  Mike was a strong 5/8 signal.  Next, was another Park to Park, this time with Rob VK2XIC/p who was in the Seven Mile Beach National Park VKFF-0447.  Rob was quite low down, but as there was no man-made noise in the park, he was easily worked.

It was nearly 3.00 p.m. local time, and the 40m band was very busy, and as a result, it was very difficult to find a clear frequency.  I eventually propped on 7.130 and started calling CQ.  First in the log on 7.130 was Peter VK7ALB, followed by Don VK3MCK, and then Linda VK7QP.  I soon had a little pileup, which was made a little more difficult as an FK8 station from New Caledonia had moved in on 7.128 and was bleeding over onto the frequency.

I logged a total of 23 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK7.  This included Peter VK3PF and Peter VK3ZPF both of whom were QRP running just 5 watts.

Ray VK4NH informed me that VI9NI on Norfolk Island was on 14.244, so I took the opportunity of heading up to the 20m band, hoping that I could hear the team on Norfolk Island.  The VI9NI team had messaged me earlier to advise that they would be activating VKFF-0392 and SOTA Mount Bates VK9/ NO-001.  It was with great pleasure that I heard VI9NI calling CQ on 14.244 with just 2 watts, and they were 5/5.

After logging VI9NI I moved up the band to 14.310 and started calling CQ.  I logged 18 stations from VK2, VK4, VK7, New Zealand, Italy, Slovenia, Czech Republic, European Russia.  It was a real treat to be able to log a handful of European stations on the long path on 20m.

When callers slowed down I tuned across the 20m band and logged another 2 stations, one from VK7 and one from VK6.  I did hear some other European stations, but their signals were quite low down, and the opening to Europe appeared to have closed.

I then headed to 80m and called CQ on 3.610, but I didn’t seem to be getting any power out of the transceiver (more on this later).

I then headed back to the 40m band and called CQ on 7.160.  Ian VK1DI came back to my call with a 5/9 signal, followed by John VK5NJ, and then Charlie VK5VC.  For a short time, HC5VC from Ecuador came up on the frequency and started calling CQ.  Sadly he could not hear my signal.

I worked a total of 43 stations on 7.160 from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, Italy, and France.  It was terrific that there was an opening around South Australia, with a number of VK5 stations logged, including my lovely wife Marija VK5FMAZ.

Above:- Map showing the local VK5 contacts.  Image courtesy of qsomaps.org

Even more surprising was a call from Max IK1GPG in Italy, and then Sam F4GYG/p in France Flora Fauna FF-0041.  It was a real surprise to be called by Sam, who wad a good 5/7 signal, and gave me 5/5 into his park in France.

The audio below is courtesy of Charlie VK5VC.

Also logged was Hans VK6XN/p who was activating the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park VKFF-0283 in Western Australia.  Hans had a nice 5/7 signal.

I now had 90 contacts in the log.  It had been a brilliant activation.  I decided to have a look at 80m again, and this time I worked out what the problem was.  I had the transceiver in a different mode to LSB.  I called CQ on 3.610 and logged a total of 12 stations.  Contact number 100 was with Peter VK3GV.

I then messaged Hans VK6XN to see if he wanted a Park to Park contact on 20m.  I logged Hans on 14.310 and then had a final tune across the band before calling it a day.  My final contact was with DX1CC in the Philippines.

It had been a most enjoyable activation with a total of 104 contacts into VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Italy, France, Slovenia, Czech Republic, European Russia, & Philippines.  This included seven Park to Park contacts.

Above:- Map showing my QSOs during the activation.  Image courtesy of qsomap.org

The highlight of the activation was to work F4GYG Park to Park on 40m.  Closely followed by the Park to Park contact with VI9NI on Norfolk Island.

Above:- Map showing my local VK and Pacific contacts during the activation.  Image courtesy of qsomaps.org

Thank you to everyone who called, and a BIG THANK YOU to those who took the time to spot me.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5EMI/p (Mungo National Park VKFF-0370)
2. VK6MB/3 (Alpine National Park VKFF-0619)
3. VK2XIC/p (Seven Mile Beach National Park VKFF-0447)
4. VK7ALB
5. VK3MCK
6. VK7QP
7. VK4FDJL
8. VK2IO
9. VK3PT
10. VK2YK
11. VK7FLAR
12. VK3SQ
13. VK3WAC/m
14. VK2PKT
15. VK3ZPF
16. VK3PF
17. VK3AHR
18. VK7JON
19. VK3ANL
20. VK4TJ
21. VK3CRG
22. VK3MLU
23. VK4NH
24. VK4DXA
25. ZL4TY/VK4
26. VK7KEV
27. VK1DI
28. VK5NJ
29. VK5VC
30. VK2LX
31. VK3FDZE
32. VK5FANA
33. VK2QK
34. VK5FMAZ
35. VK3MPR
36. VK4SMA
37. VK3IC
38. IK1GPG
39. VK3FPSR
40. F4GYG/p (FF-0041)
41. VK5PL
42. VK2MG
43. VK3ARH
44. VK5IS
45. VK3FORD
46. VK5KLV
47. VK3SIM
48. VK3EIR
49. VK3MDH/m
50. VK5HT
51. VK3DAC
52. VK5LA
53. VK2VOO
54. VK6XN/p (Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park VKFF-0283)
55. VK3AMX
56. VK2MKE
57. VK3FRAB
58. VK3FLES
59. VK3FLJD
60. VK5WG
61. VK3ZNK
62. VK5MCB
63. VK3RD
64. VK2BZW
65. VK7FOTR
66. VK3FPEM
67. VK2FALE
68. VK2BHO
69. VK3GB

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VI9NI (VKFF-0392 & VK/ NO-001)
2. VK4NH
3. VK4DXA
4. ZL4TY/Vk4
5. VK4MWB
6. VK7QP
7. ZL1TM
8. VK4AS
9. IK4GRO
10. VK4SMA
11. S58N
12. OK7WA
13. S52ZZ
14. UA3EDQ
15. IK4LZH
16. IZ2IHO
17. VK2IO
18. VK4PDX
19. VK4PHD
20. VK7VZ
21. VK6NAD
22. VK6XN/p (Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park VKFF-0283)
23. DX1CC

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK5FLEA
3. VK5FMAZ
4. VK5BMC
5. VK5VC
6. VK5KDK
7. VK2HRX
8. VK3PF
9. VK3KAI
10. VK3GV
11. VK3CWF
12. VK2SR

References.

A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia, 2019, <2019>, viewed 15th April 2019

Birds SA, 2019, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/cromer-conservation-park/>, viewed 15th April 2019

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromer_Conservation_Park>, viewed 15th April 2019

Today I started forwarding out the participation certificates to the activators who took part in the 6 year anniversary of the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.

The photograph on the certificate was taken during my activation in the Belt Hill Conservation Park.