Yesterday (Monday 10th June 2019) was quite a nice day with a little bit of sunshine.  And with the next 7 days being predicted to be very wet,  Marija VK5FMAZ and I decided to head out to do a park activation.  We chose the Cudlee Creek Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2889.  This would be a first-time activation of the park.

The park is located about 35 km northeast of the city of Adelaide and about 8km northwest of the town of Lobethal.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Cudlee Creek Native Forest Reserve.  Map courtesy of Google maps.

Marija and I drove out through the towns of Woodside and Lobethal and on to Post Office Road.  We then headed north on Staffords Road and then west on Croft Road.  We soon reached the Mount Crawford Forest Reserve and enjoyed some magnificent views.  However, this is not the reserve.

Above:- View of Mount Crawford Forest from Croft Road.

We travelled passed the Anderson Hill winery and then turned right into Prankerd Road.  This is a no through road and there is a locked gate (with about 10 padlocks) about 100 metres down the road.  The park is about a 300-400 metre walk down the track to reach the park boundary.  The track is part of the Mawson Trail which stretches for about 900 km, starting at Gorge Road in the Adelaide Hills and finishing at Blinman in the Flinders Ranges.

The gate at Prankard Road

The track leading down to the park

The Cudlee Creek Native Forest Reserve (NFR) is not to be confused with the Cudlee Creek Conservation Park which is located to the northeast of the reserve.  The Cudlee Creek NFR is about 352 hectares in size and along with the nearby Coralinga NFR forms part of the Mount Crawford Forest Reserve in the Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’.

The reserve consists of various native vegetation including Messmate stringybark, SA Blue gum, Rough-barked manna gum, River red gum, and Candlebark gum.  A number of plants considered to be rare and endangered can be found in the reserve.  Mount Misery is the highest point in the reserve, rising to about 560 metres above sea level near the northern boundary of the reserve.  The Cudlee Creek NFR is bounded to the west by the Montacute Conservation Park, and to the north, it adjoins the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir.  Other boundaries adjoin private property.

Numerous native birds can be found in the reserve including the vulnerable Yellow-tailed black cockatoo and the White-naped honeyeater

Native mammals found in the reserve include Western grey kangaroo, Koala, Short-beaked echidna, Common ringtail possum, Chocolate wattled bat, and Large Forest bat.

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After parking the 4WD at the gate on Prankerd Road we walked downhill to the reserve, making a few trips back to the vehicle for equipment.  We ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.  Marija’s output power was 10 watts, while I ran 40 watts.

Above:- Map of the Cudlee Creek Native Forest Reserve showing my operating spot.  Map courtesy of Foresty SA.

I kicked off the activation on 7.140 by asking if the frequency was in use.  The nominal WWFF frequency of 7.144 was not available due to other amateurs having a QSO on 7.146.  Peter VK3PF came back to advise the frequency was clear, and in turn, he became my first contact for the activation.  Deryck VK4FDJL then called in, followed by Geoff VK3SQ, and then Gerard VK2IO/5 who was activating the Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park VKFF-0927.  Marija also logged Gerard for a Park to Park contact.

Within 7 minutes I had contact number 10 in the log, with the park now qualified for VKFF.  Contact number 10 was with John VK4/VE6XT.  I continued to work a slow but steady flow of callers, but with 33 contacts in the log, callers dried up.

Marija had returned from a walk along the Mawson Trail, and it was her turn to jump into the operator’s chair whilst I went for a walk.  First to call Marija was Peter VK3PF, followed by Lee VK2LEE, and then Deryck VK4FDJL.  It didn’t take long and Marija had also qualified the park for VKFF with 10 QSOs.  Contact number 10 was with Ray VK4NH.

I went for a walk along the Mawson Trail and enjoyed some of the views in between the trees of the valley on the northern side of the reserve.  I also came across this old rusted frame below.  Not sure exactly what it is from, but it has clearly been there for a long time, as a small gum tree was growing in amongst the frame.

Once I returned from my walk, I jumped back in to the ‘drivers seat and called CQ again on 7.140.  To my surprise, I was called by Frederic F5USK in France.  This was followed by Rob VK4HAT, Ken VK3ALA, and then Stu VK3STU.  I logged a further 4 stations before heading to the 20m band.

I called CQ on 14.310 for a few minutes with no takers.  This was not looking good.  Ray VK4NH gave me a call, but his signal was very low and unfortunately Ray could not hear me.  I had a quick tune across the 20m band and could only hear one station, ZS3Y on 14.165.  I went back to 14.310 and called CQ again, this time resulting in me logging a total of 12 stations including Stuie VK8NSB in Darwin, and Bert VK6HDY/p activating the Karinji National Park VKFF-0257.  This was Bert’s first park activation and I was Bert’s first ever Park to Park contact.  Interestingly there was a little bit of close-in propagation on 20m with 5 South Australian stations featuring in the log.

It was time to try 80m.  I called CQ on 3.610 and this was answered by Hans VK5YX in the southern suburbs of Adelaide with a big signal.  This was followed by Phil VK5SRP and then John VK5BJE.  I logged a total of 12 stations on 80m from VK2, VK3, and VK5.

To finish off the activation I went back to 40m for one final round of CQ calls.  I logged a further 10 stations from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK8.  This included Stuie in Darwin for a second band, and Perrin VK3XPT using his Clansman military transceiver.

I now had 75 contacts in the log and the local time was just after 4.30 p.m.  It was starting to get a bit chilly, so Marija and I packed up and headed home.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/5 (Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park VKFF-0927)
2. VK3PF
3. VK2LEE
4. VK4FDJL
5. VK2PKT
6. VK4SMA
7. VK4FARR
8. VK3SQ
9. VK3MGM
10. VK4NH
11. VK4DXA
12. ZL4TY/VK4
13. VK4MHC
14. VK4ARN
15. VK4MGL
16. VK2VW
17. VK2KJJ
18. VK3FSPN
19. VK3NBL

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK4FDJL
3. VK3SQ
4. VK2IO/5 (Piccanninie Ponds Conservation Park VKFF-0927)
5. VK4NH
6. VK4DXA
7. ZL4TY/VK4
8. VK4TJ
9. VK4/AC8WN
10. VK4/VE6XT
11. VK4SMA
12. VK2UH
13. VK3ANL
14. VK3ZPF
15. VK3RU
16. VK5PL
17. VK3RW
18. VK4AAC/2
19. VK2VH
20. VK2FSAV
21. VK2VW
22. Vk5SRP
23. VK2QK
24. VK2UXO
25. ZL1TM
26. VK2FROD
27. VK4FARR
28. VK2NP
29. VK2CTB/m
30. VK2LX
31. VK2LEE
32. VK2VU
33. VK3ELH
34. F5USK
35. VK4HAT
36. VK3ALA
37. VK3STU
38. VK4FFAB
39. KJ7AVC/VK4
40. VK5BJE
41. VK5NBQ
42. VK2CZ
43. VK3FRAB
44. VK3HRA
45. VK3XPT/p
46. VK2PKT
47. VK3SIM
48. VK8NSB
49. VK5WU
50. VK1VIC
51. VK2KTG

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4/AC8QN
3. VK4/VE6XT
4. VK6HDY/p (Karinji National Park VKFF-0257)
5. VK8NSB
6. VK5BJE
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. ZL4TY/VK4
10. VK5YX
11. VK5NBQ
12. VK5SRP

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5YX
2. VK5SRP
3. VK5BJE
4. VK3SQ
5. VK5KLV
6. VK5LOL
7. VK4AAC/2
8. VK2VH
9. VK5KKT
10. VK3MCK
11. VK5WU
12. VK3ARH

It was a slow drive home with quite a few kangaroos out and about on the road.

THANKS to everyone who called and a BIG THANKS to those who took the time to spot us.

References.

Forestry SA, Sept 2006, ‘Cudlee Creek & Coralinga Native Forest Reserves Management Plan’

My final park for the 2019 VK Shires Contest was the Myponga Conservation Park 5CP-157 & VKFF-0921 which is located in the Yankalilla Council area (YD5).

The park is located about 67 km south of Adelaide and about 8 km south of the town of Myponga.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Myponga Conservation Park south of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After leaving Mount Billy I travelled along Hindmarsh Tiers Road and then along Springmount Road and then on to James Track.  I soon reached the park.  Since my last visit, there is now a gate which is unlocked.

The Myponga Conservation Park is 167 hectares in size and was proclaimed on the 17th February 1997.  It is a hilly park and has several rocky outcrops and waterfalls.  Several habitats exist in the park including Open Forest Over Wet Heaths in the gullies – messmate stringybark and cup gum over prickly tea-tree and heath tea-tree.  Also found is Low Very Open Woodland – cup gum and pink gum over cranberry heath and common fringe-myrtle.

Above:- Aerial view of the Myponga Conservation Park looking north back towards Adelaide.  Image courtesy of Google maps.

More than 68 species of native bird have been recorded in the park including Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Australian Golden Whistler, Scarlet Robin, Grey Shrike-thrush, Red Wattlebird, Magpie-lark, Jacky Winter, and Hooded Robin.

Myponga which is at the centre of rich grazing and dairy country.  The name Myponga is derived from the Aboriginal word ‘maippunga‘ meaning locality of high cliffs.  Myponga is a sleepy little town with a population of about 550 people.  Many years ago, large gum trees were felled here and prepared for use in the Broken Hill mines.  A cheese factory was also established and its produce was noted for its high quality, much of which was exported.  This is now part of the Farmers Market.  Another worthwhile place to visit is the Smiling Samoyd Brewery.  In the early 1950s uranium was discovered and mining prospects investigated, however, no mines were developed.

The nearby Myponga Reservoir is fed by the Myponga River and other rivers in the Myponga catchment area.  The Reservoir provides about 5% of the water supply for Adelaide.  Construction of the reservoir commenced in 1958 and was completed in 1962.  The total capacity of the reservoir is 26 800 ML.

I set up in my normal operating spot along the Heysen Trail which runs off James Track.  This is beyond the gate and is a shared track for cars and walkers, so take care.

Above:- An aerial view of the Myponga Conservation Park showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The showers had started to set in.  I started off outside of the car, but when the showers become a little heavy I retreated to the 4WD.  I had left it a little late to get to Myponga, with the time now being 0510 UTC (2.40 p.m. local time).  I had just 50 minutes before the finish of the contest.

I first tuned across the band and logged Roy VK3GB.  I then moved down the band and started calling CQ.  My first taker was Tony VK3XV, followed by Cliff VK2NP, and then Mike VK3MKE.

I logged a total of 43 stations on 40m.  This included three Park to Park contacts: Alan VK2MG/4 in the North Pine Dam Nature Refuge VKFF-2876; Peter VK3TKK/p in the Yarck Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2241; and Greg VK4VXX/2 in the Goobang National Park VKFF-0204.

Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to try 20m or 80m.  It was the end of the contest.  I had activated 6 different parks in 6 different shires.  I had logged a total of 310 contacts.  THANKS to everyone who called.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3GB
2. VK3XV
3. VK2NP
4. VK3MKE
5. VK7JGD
6. VK4FARR
7. VK5FANA
8. VK2IO/5
9. VK3SQ
10. VK2VW
11. VK3ER
12. VK4FDJL
13. VK2MG/4 (North Pine Dam Nature Refuge VKFF-2876)
14. VK4NH
15. VK3PF
16. VK3TIN
17. VK3TKK/p (Yarck Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2241)
18. VK4TJ
19. VK3EV
20. ZL1TM
21. VK2LX
22. VK7KT
23. VK3FRAB
24. VK5FMAZ
25. VK3LTL
26. VK7ALH
27. VK2GR
28. VK3ATV
29. VK2PAW
30. ZL2AYZ
31. VK7GH
32. VK4PHD
33. VK7LH
34. VK3MAB
35. VK2HMV
36. VK4VXX/2 (Goobang National Park VKFF-0204)
37. VK4DCM
38. VK2MT
39. VK2WTF
40. VK4VSM
41. VK2HHA
42. VK2VU
43. VK4SMA

References.

Australia’s Guide, 2017, <http://www.australias.guide/sa/location/myponga/&gt;, viewed 26th September 2017

Birds SA, 2017, <http://www.birdssa.asn.au/location/myponga-conservation-park/&gt;, viewed 25th September 2017

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, ‘Parks of the Fleurieu Peninsula’.

Wikipedia, 2017, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myponga,_South_Australia&gt;, viewed 26th September 2017

Wikipedia, 2017, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myponga_Reservoir&gt;, viewed 26th September 2017

My second park and Shire for the day was the Mount Billy Conservation Park 5CP-143 & VKFF-0912 which is located in the Victor Harbor Council area (VH5).

The park is located about 75 km south of Adelaide and about 14 km north of the town of Victor Harbor.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Mount Billy Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

To get to the park after leaving Scott CP, I travelled along Kokoda Road and on to the Goolwa Road.  I then travelled south on the Victor Harbor Road and then turned right onto Pambula Road.  This is beautiful countryside with rolling hills and sea views.

On my way to the park, I experienced irregular showers and it was looking as if I was going to get wet at Mount Billy.

Mount Billy Conservation Park is about 199 hectares in size and represents some of the best preserved mallee and forest, not only on the Fleurieu Peninsula, but also in the entire Mount Lofty Ranges.  Mount Billy summit is located in the southern section of the park, along with the Hindmarsh Valley Reservoir.  Sadly, Mount Billy does not qualify for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.

The park is, as you would suspect, home to a large amount of native wildlife and native birds.  This includes Western Grey kangaroos, the Southern Brown Bandicoot and the endangered Bassian Thrush.

The scrub within the park is very thick and consists of Pink Gum, Blue Gum, Cup Gum, Woodland Sheaok, Banksias, flowering orchids, and ferns.

I set up in the eastern section of the park off Hindmarsh Tiers Road.  Again I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.  I waited a few minutes for some showers to clear and then started calling CQ, with the bothy bag close at hand.

Above:- Aerial view of the Mount Billy Conservation Park showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I found a quiet spot on the 40m band and started calling CQ.  First in the log was Catherine VK7GH, followed by Andrew VK3LTL and then Megan VK3TIN.  I logged a total of 44 contacts from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK6, VK7, and New Zealand.  This included three Park to Park contacts: Alan VK2MG/4 in the Kurwongbah Nature Reserve  VKFF-2868; Greg VK4VXX/2 in the Goobang National Park VKFF-0204; and Mark VK4SMA/p in the Mount Crosby Weir Nature Refuge VKFF-2873.

I then moved to the 20m band where I logged a total of 4 stations, all from Queensland, including a Park to Park with Mark VK4SMA/p in the Mount Crosby Weir Nature Refuge VKFF-2873.

To conclude this activation I called CQ on 80m where I logged 6 stations including a Park to Park with Peter VK3TKK/p who was in the Gobur Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2096.

I was now a bit pressed for time, and with 54 contacts in the log, I packed up and headed to the Myponga Conservation Park.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4HH
2. VK7GH
3. VK3LTL
4. VK3TIN
5. VK5FANA
6. VK3AHR
7. VK3MAB
8. VK6POP
9. ZL2AYZ
10. VK3XV
11. VK2NP
12. VK7FJFD
13. VK6YTS
14. VK3MHZ
15. VK3ER
16. VK3PF
17. VK3SQ
18. VK4FBOL
19. ZL1TM
20. VK2LX
21. VK7KEV
22. VK4TJ
23. VK2MG/4 (Kurwongbah Nature Reserve  VKFF-2868)
24. VK3ATO
25. VK4VXX/2 (Goobang National Park VKFF-0204)
26. VK4FDJL
27. VK3ZNK
28. VK6XN
29. VK2VW
30. VK4RF
31. VK4HA
32. VK7JGD
33. VK3PDC
34. VK2JNA
35. VK7NET
36. VK4CZ
37. VK6TWJ/2
38. VK3NBL
39. VK2ADB
40. VK4CPS
41. VK5FMAZ
42. VK4SMA/p (Mount Crosby Weir Nature Refuge VKFF-2873)
43. VK2UXO
44. VK3GB

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4SMA (Mount Crosby Weir Nature Refuge VKFF-2873)
3. VK4PDX
4. VK4MGL

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK5FMAZ
3. VK3TKK/p (Gobur Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2096)
4. VK5FANA
5. VK5PL
6. VK3PF

My first park and Shire activation for Sunday 9th June 2019 was the Scott Conservation Park 5CP-206 & VKFF-0934 which is located in the Alexandrina Council area (AX5).

The park is located about 76 km south of Adelaide and about 4 km north west of Currency Creek.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Scott Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Scott Conservation Park is 210 hectares in size.  The park was first proclaimed in 1969 and re-proclaimed as Scott Conservation Park on 27th April 1972.  The park is relatively flat and is situated east of the Mount Lofty Ranges.  The park consists of Blue and Pink gum woodlands.

Above:- An aerial view of the Scott Conservation Park looking towards Victor Harbor.  Image courtesy of Google maps.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 148 native bird species at Scott.  This includes Common Bronzewing, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Cockatiel, Eastern Rosella, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater,  Restless Flycatcher, Hooded Robin, and Eastern Shrike-tit.

Upon leaving home the weather was not looking good.  The Adelaide Hills were experiencing occasional light showers and they continued as I reached the Fleurieu Peninsula.

I accessed the park via Gould Road which runs off the Alexandrina Road (Strathalbyn – Goolwa Road).  I parked the car in the small car parking area and walked a short distance down an access track.

Above:- An aerial shot of the Scott Conservation Park showing my operating spot in the northern section of the park.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

I was still getting the occasional very light shower after setting up, so I had the bothy bag ready.  You can see the bright orange bothy bag in the photograph below.

I found a clear spot on 40m and started calling CQ contest.  First in the log was Brian VK4VAZ, followed by Angus VK2SB, and then Ken VK7DY.  My sixth contact was with Andrew VK1DA/2 who was activating SOTA summit Mount Marulan VK2/ ST-039.

It was pleasing to have a steady flow of callers and reasonably good band conditions.  It was just a shame about the shower activity.

I logged a total of 36 stations on 40m including two Park to Park contacts: Rob VK4SYD/p in the Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639, and Angela VK7FAMP/p in the Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve

I then moved to the 20m band where I logged a total of 4 stations, three from Queensland, and one from New South Wales.  But it was very slow going, as I was unable to self spot on parksnpeaks.

I then moved down to the 80m band and logged just 2 stations, Marija VK5FMAZ and Hans VK5YX.  Again it was very slow going on that band and there is no doubt that the inability to spot reduced the number of regular callers.

To conclude the activation I moved back to 40m where I logged 7 contacts including two further Park to Park contacts: Linda VK7QP/2 in the Ulandra Nature Reserve VKFF-2009, and Alan VK2MG/4 in the Kurwongbah Nature Reserve VKFF-2868.

I had 49 contacts in the log and it was time to move to my next park, the Mount Billy Conservation Park.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4VAZ
2. VK2SB
3. VK7DY
4. VK3EV
5. VK3ER
6. VK1DA/2 (SOTA Mount Marulan VK2/ ST-019)
7. VK7GH
8. VK3MKE
9. VK7FJFD
10. VK2LX
11. VK2PAW
12. VK3IH
13. VK3MRG
14. VK3MDH
15. VK2NP
16. VK2FMIA
17. VK3XV
18. VK3PF
19. VK2GR
20. VK4FDJL
21. VK3JP
22. VK4RF
23. VK4HA
24. VK4SYD/p (Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639)
25. VK5AYL
26. VK4HH
27. VK4RZ
28. VK3LTL
29. VK7ALH
30. VK3ZPF
31. VK3EIR
32. VK3SQ
33. VK7JGD
34. VK3KIX
35. VK4TJ
36. VK7FAMP/p (Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve VKFF-2930)
37. VK7QP/2 (Ulandra Nature Reserve VKFF-2009)
38. VK7LH
39. VK3ANL
40. VK2MG/4 (Kurwongbah Nature Reserve VKFF-2868)
41. VK2HMV
42. VK2MIX
43. VK2TTL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4HH
2. VK4SYD/p (Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639)
3. VK4TJ
4. VK2TTL

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FMAZ
2. VK5YX

References.

Birds SA, 2018, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/scott-conservation-park/>, viewed 25th June 2018

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, ‘Parks of the Fleurieu Peninsula’.

My final park for Saturday 8th June 2019 was the Totness Recreation Park VKFF-1754, which is situated in the Mount Barker District Council area (MB5).  The park is located about 40 km east of Adelaide.

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

The Totness Recreation Park is 41 hectares (101 acres) in size and was established in 1970.  It is divided into two sections by the busy South Eastern Freeway (the main highway between Adelaide and Melbourne).  The northern section consists of 9 hectares (22 acres) of scrub and a dam.  The southern section comprises 32 hectares (79 acres) of scrub.  The park is surrounded by rural properties which are primarily used for grazing.

The park consists of Messmate Stringybark and Manna Gum woodlands, which at one time prior to European colonisation were common throughout the Mount Lofty Ranges.  More than 180 native plants species have been recorded within the park.  Plant species of conservation significance recorded within the park include the state rare Manna Gum and the regionally rare Spider Orchid.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Totness Recreation Park on either side of the South Eastern Freeway.  Image courtesy of Google maps.

I set up in my normal operating spot off Haines Fire Track.

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

Once again for this activation, I commenced by calling CQ on the 80m band.  First in the log was my ever reliable wife Marija VK5FMAZ.  This was followed by VK6MIL, VK5PL and VK2GR.

The 80m band seemed to be in very good shape.  There was absolutely no man-made noise on the band from within the park, and the static crashes on the band were quite low.

I logged a total of 42 stations on 80m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, and New Zealand.  It was nice to log Andrei ZL1TM and Bill ZL2AYZ in New Zealand.  I also spoke with Perrin VK3XPT using his military Clansman transceiver.

I then moved to the 40m band and called CQ.  Sadly I logged just the one station there, Steve VK4VCO.  As this was a contest I was unable to self spot on parksnpeaks which normally results in a number of calls.

It was starting to get mighty cold in the park, with the temperature having dropped to 6 deg C.  It was now just after 1200 UTC (9.30 p.m. local time).

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FMAZ
2. VK6MIL
3. VK5PL
4. VK2GR
5. VK6OZ
6. VK3YE
7. VK6WB
8. VK3PF
9. VK3MKE
10. VK7GH
11. VK7JGD
12. VK5FANA
13. VK3ANL
14. VK4SMA
15. VK2NP
16. ZL1TM
17. VK3XPT
18. VK5LJ
19. VK2DEK
20. VK4ATH
21. VK3ARH
22. ZL2AYZ
23. VK3TIN
24. VK3LTL
25. VK6MB/3
26. VK6XN
27. VK2WGW
28. VK4XAC
29. VK6POP
30. VK5AYL
31. VK3XV
32. VK2YW
33. VK3TJS
34. VK5HEL
35. VK2LEE
36. VK3VEF
37. VK3CWM
38. VK2VU
39. VK2WY
40. VK5VGC
41. VK4FAAF
42. VK3GB

I worked the following station on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4VCO

References

Government of South Australia, 2007, ‘Totness Recreation Park Management Plan’

My second park for Saturday 9th June 2019 was the Charleston Conservation Park 5CP-041 & VKFF-0777.  The park is located in the Adelaide Hills Council area (AH5).

After leaving Wiljani I headed back into Mount Pleasant and on to Birdwood and then Mount Pleasant.  I soon reached the park which is located about 45 km east of Adelaide and about 5 km east of the town of Charleston.

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

The Charleston Conservation Park was proclaimed on the 8th April 1976 and comprises 54 hectares (130 acres) of pristine remnant scrub.  The park consists of Woodland with Manna Gum, Rough-barked Manna Gum and Golden Wattle.

The park takes its name from the little township of Charleston.  The town was named after Charles Newman, who left Somersetshire in England in July 1837 under engagement to the South Australian Company as a shepherd.  In 1843 he took up land in the vicinity of Mount Charles and built a home there.  To this day, the Newman homestead remains on Newman Road at Charleston.

Above:- An aerial shot of the Charleston Conservation Park, looking west towards Adelaide.  Image courtesy of Google maps.

I set up in my normal operating spot, off Bellspring Road in the northern section of the park.  I again ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.

Above:- An aerial shot of the Charleston Conservation Park showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

As it was now about 0840 UTC (6.20 p.m. local time) and it was dark, I decided to quick off the activation on the 80m band.  I found a clear spot and started calling CQ contest.  First in the log was Mike VK6MB/3, followed by Catherine VK7GH, and then Wayne VK3EV.

I logged a total of 41 contacts on 80m before callers dried up.  I decided to head to the 40m band, hoping that I might get a little bit of North American DX in the log.  My antenna is a bit of a sky warmer and isn’t ideal for DX, but I have often worked the USA & Canada on 40m during the evenings.

Unfortunately, this was not to be on this occasion.  I worked just 4 stations, with three of those being from Queensland, and one in New South Wales.

I had 45 contacts in the log and it was time to head off to my final park for the day, the Totness Recreation Park.

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK6MB/3
2. VK7GH
3. VK3EV
4. VK5PL
5. VK5FMAZ
6. VK3XV
7. VK2MWK
8. ZL1TM
9. VK5FANA
10. VK3LTL
11. VK2HRX
12. VK2HMV
13. VK2NP
14. VK2LEE
15. ZL2AYZ
16. VK5LJ
17. VK4SMA
18. VK4TJ
19. VK5IS
20. VK5LTD
21. VK3ANL
22. VK3PF
23. VK3NXT
24. VK7JGD
25. VK3ER
26. VK6XN
27. VK4FDJL
28. VK6AHR
29. VK4KY
30. VK3GH
31. VK2IO/5
32. VK2MT
33. VK4HH
34. VK4SN
35. VK2DEK
36. VK4CWG/2
37. VK4PHD
38. VK2MOP
39. VK2TTL
40. VK4PDX
41. VK2GLJ

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4PDX
2. VK4FDJL
3. VK4HKK
4. VK2TTL

References.

Birds SA, 2019, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/charleston-conservation-park/>, viewed 10th June 2019

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston_Conservation_Park>, viewed 10th June 2019

My first park for the 2019 VK Shires Contest was the Wiljani Conservation Park 5CP-274 & VKFF-1159, which is located in the Barossa Council area (BA5).  The park is located about 55 km north east of Adelaide.

I headed out from home at Mount Barker through the towns of Nairne, Charleston, Mount Torrens and then Birdwood.  I then travelled northeast on the Torrens Valley Road and soon entered into the southern part of the Barossa Valley.

The Barossa Valley is notable as a major wine-producing region and tourist destination.  The Barossa Valley derives its name from the Barossa Range, which was named by Colonel William Light in 1837. Light chose the name in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa, in which he fought in 1811.  The name “Barossa” was registered in error, due to a clerical error in transcribing the name “Barrosa”.

This part of the southern Barossa consists of rolling green hills with pockets of native scrub and vineyards.

The Wiljani Conservation Park was gazetted on the 25th February 2016.  Wiljani was a family group of the Peramangk Aboriginal people whose traditional lands are primarily located in the Adelaide Hills.  The lands of the Tarrawatta and Yira-Ruka (Wiljani) extended to the east down as far as Mount Torrens and Mannum.

I have activated the Wiljani Conservation Park on two prior occasions.  Details of those activations can be found at…….

https://vk5pas.org/2016/05/01/wiljani-conservation-park-5cp-274-and-vkff-1159/

https://vk5pas.org/2017/03/18/wiljani-conservation-park-5cp-274-and-vkff-1159-2/

Above:- An aerial view of the Wiljani Conservation Park.  Image courtesy of Google maps.

I accessed the park via Elliotts Boundary Road which runs off Cricks Mill Road which runs north-west out of the town of Mount Pleasant.

Above:- An aerial view of the Wiljani Conservation Park showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.  The linked dipole was supported by a 7 metre heavy duty telescopic squid pole.  My power output was 40 watts.

I called CQ contest on 40m.  First in the log was Laurie VK5LJ.  I logged a total of 53 stations on 40m.  This included three New Zealand stations: Bill ZL2AYZ, Andrei ZL1TM, and Gary ZL1WL.  But the big surprise was a call from Frederic F5USK in France who had a big 5/9 signal.  I also logged Peter VK3PF/p who was activating the Won Wron Flora Reserve VKFF-2488.

I then tried 20m, calling CQ on 14.310, but had no callers.  As this was a contest I was unable to self spot on parksnpeaks.

Prior to packing up I headed to the 80m band where I logged a total of 21 stations including Bill ZL2AYZ and Paul ZL1AJY.

It was time for me to head to my next park.  I had a total of 74 stations in the log.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5LJ
2. VK2FHQQ
3. VK3EV
4. VK2VU
5. VK3XV
6. VK6QM
7. VK3TIN
8. VK4PDX
9. VK3MKE
10. VK2UXO
11. VK3TKK/m
12. VK4VXX/2
13. VK2ND
14. VK7ALH
15. VK2VIN
16. VK3ZE
17. VK3ZMD
18. VK2MTM
19. VK3MAB
20. VK6POP
21. VK3ERT
22. VK3WAR
23. VK6MB/3
24. VK3MPR
25. VK4FFKZ
26. VK3BAP
27. ZL2AYZ
28. VK7GH
29. ZL1TM
30. VK4CZ
31. VK3FGDN
32. VK2YW
33. VK2NP
34. VK4SMA
35. VK2NN
36. F5USK
37. VK4FARR
38. VK4FDJL
39. VK2PKT
40. VK4TJ
41. VK7LH
42. VK2QK
43. VK2FAAA
44. VK3PI
45. VK3VRO
46. VK2GLJ
47. VK3PF (Won Wron Flora Reserve VKFF-2488)
48. VK3RU
49. VK4QH
50. VK3FAIP
51. VK3CDR
52. VK4SN
53. VL2LX
54. ZL1WL

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FMAZ
2. VK4PDX
3. VK3XV
4. VK3BSA
5. VK5FANA
6. VK3TIN
7. VK6MB/3
8. VK3ANL
9. VK3MKE
10. VK2YW
11. VK2IO/5
12. VK2PAW
13. VK3ARH
14. VK3VBC
15. VK2XJA
16. VK5NM
17. VK7JGD
18. VK2FMEM
19. VK3EV
20. ZL2AYZ
21. ZL1AJY

References.

Wikipedia, 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barossa_Valley>, viewed 10th June 2019