I had planned for two parks to be activated for day two of the 2015 VKFF Activation Weekend, Sunday 29th November, 2015.  My first activation was the Stipiturus Conservation Park, VKFF-0936, which is located about 6 km south west of the nearest town, Mount Compass, and about 50 km south of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the park on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Again, this was a South Australian Conservation Park that I had operated portable from previously, but only as part of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, prior to Stipiturus being added to the VKFF list for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. I had activated the park in October 2013 and October 2014.  For more information on the park and my previous two activations, please see my previous posts at…..

https://vk5pas.org/2013/10/13/stipiturus-conservation-park/

https://vk5pas.org/2014/10/27/stipiturus-conservation-park-2/

Stipiturus Conservation Park is around 68 hectares in size and protects a high conservation value wet heath and sedgeland peat bog system, known as Glenshera Swamp.  The park is home to one of the largest known swamp-based population of the nationally endangered Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus intermedius), after which the park was named.

Above:- Southern Emu Wren.  Image courtesy of wikipedia.

To access the park I travelled from home through the little town of Echunga, and along the Brookman Road from Meadows to Willunga.  Along the way I spoke with Peter VK3PF who was operating portable in the Yaringa Marine National Park, VKFF-0957.

I then drove south along the Victor Harbor Road before turning onto Pages Flat Road.  This is prime dairy country on the Fleurieu Peninsula.  I then turned right into Dodds Road until I reached the intersection of Dodds Road and Blockers Road.  I continued south for a very short distance until reaching Saffrons Road where I turned right.  There is no signage leading to the park.  There are some nice views of the park in the distance as you travel along Saffrons Road.

Above:- View of the park from Saffrons Road.

At the end of Saffrons Road I turned left into Beare Lane.  The park is just up on the left from here and is signposted.  Beare Lane is a dirt road but is in excellent condition and is easily passable in a conventional vehicle.

Above:- Beare Lane, looking east.

Beare Lane is the only access to this park.  It is located on the southern side of Stipiturus.  The western, northern and eastern sides of the park and landlocked by private property.

This is another one of those South Australian Conservation Parks that sadly the Department Environment Water Natural Resources (DEWNR) lock up like Fort Knox.  I understand their thinking that locking these parks up keeps the bad people out.  But when there is no way of getting into a park except for scrambling over a barbed wire fence, I think this is very poor.  Thats okay if you are young and nimble, but in my opinion it excludes elderly people or people with a disabilty.  I have notified DEWNR of this in the past, but unfortunately it has fallen on deaf ears.

Locked up like Fort Knox

My equipment loaded up at the gate

There is a little bit of scrub just off Beare Lane on the southern side of the park.  It contains gum trees and an understorey of ferns.  There is another patch of scrub a little further to the north, and if you follow the track from the gate, this will take you to the swamp area.

I collected all my equipment from the 4WD and lined it up at the gate.  I scrambled over the fence, trying not to get caught up in the barbed wire.  I then reached over and collected all my gear including the transceiver, power supply, antenna, fold up table, and deck chair.  I then walked a short distance up the track and set up.  It was already quite a warm morning, so I set up the table and chair in the shade of one of the gum trees.

I was ready to go by 2245 UTC (7.15 a.m. South Australian local time).  Prior to calling CQ I spoke with Tony VK1VIC who was activating the Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve VKFF-0865 (5/8 both ways).  I then headed to 7.110 and commenced calling CQ.  This was answered by Adam VK7VAZ in Tasmania, followed by Ron VK3MRH and then Matt VK1MA.  My fifth contact of the morning was with Peter VK3PF who was operating portable from the Yaringa Marine National Park, VKFF-0957.  Peter had an excellent 5/9 signal.

I worked a further 9 stations in VK2, VK3, and VK5, before being called by another park activator, Mick VK3PMG who was activating the Leaghur State Park, VKFF-0762.  Mick was romping in to Stipiturus with a beautiful 5/9 signal.  And then just 2 QSOs later I was called by Peter VK5KPR who was operating portable from the Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park, VKFF-0817, in the north of South Australia.  Another 2 QSOs passed and I was called by Adrian VK5FANA who was activating the Clinton Conservation Park, VKFF-0813, on the Yorke Peninsula.

A number of the regular park hunters then called in, and this was soon followed by another park to park QSO, with Ian VK1DI who was activating the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve, VKFF-0847.  Ian’s signal was quite weak but we had a successful contact (5/1 sent and 5/2 received).  Some of the regular hunters followed, but calls soon slowed down.  So it was off on my quest to find some more park activators on the 40m band.

I soon found Tony VK1VIC on 7.090 who was operating from the Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve, VKFF-0840.  Tony’s signal was also quite low down but we were able to hear each other perfectly due to the low noise floor in both our parks (5/3 both ways).  But Tony was the only new activator I heard on the band.  All of the others that were calling CQ, had already called me.  So I then moved up to 7.110 and called CQ.  Ivan VK5HS from Renmark in the Riverland responded with a very strong 5/9 signal, and this was followed by Mal VK5MH who was maritime mobile on the Murray River.  Next up was another park to park contact.  This time it was Jim VK1AT/3 who was operating portable from The Lakes National Park, VKFF-0484.  Jim’s signal was very low but we successfully exchanged park details and signal reports (5/1 both ways).

Things slowed down quite quickly again, so I again ventured across the 40m band and soon found Tony VK3VTH on 7.120 in the Shepparton Regional Park, VKFF-0976, with a good 5/7 signal.  But Tony was the only new park activator, so I decided to have a listen on 20m.  The 7 metre squid pole was lowered and the links removed in the dipole, and I commenced calling CQ on 14.310.  My first responder was Keith VK2PKT from Parkes.  A few QSOs later, the park to park action continued.  I spoke wth Gerard VK2IO portable in the Cattai National Park, VKFF-0092 running just 12 watts with a nice 5/5 signal.  And this was followed by a call from Greg (VK8GM) operating the Alice Springs Amateur Radio Club call of VK8AR, from the West McDonnell Ranges National Park, VKFF-0532.  And shortly afterwards my third park to park on 20m, this time with Ian VK1DI activating Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve, VKFF-0847.

Looking south back towards the gate and Beare Lane

Looking north up the track

My ‘shack’

Yaesu FT-857d and 40 watts

I worked a handful of other stations on 20m before callers slowed right down.  It was an ideal time to try out 15 metres.  So down came the squid pole and I laid the 20m/40m linked dipole on the ground, whilst erecting the 15m dipole.  Prior to calling CQ on 15m I had a tune around the band to gauge propagation.  I soon found Adam VK2YK on 21.275 calling CQ from SOTA summit Castle Hill, VK4/ NH-136, overlooking Townsville in Far North Queensland.  Adam’s signal was quite low down but we successfully completed our QSO (5/1 sent and 4/1 received).

I then started calling CQ on 21.244 and it wasn’t long before Cliff VK2NP called in from his mobile with a good 5/7 signal.  This was followed by Rick VK4RF/VK4HA who was 5/8, and then Michael VK4FBBA mobile.  I worked a further 12 stations on 15m from New Zealand, Japan, VK1, VK2, VK5, and VK6.

I decided to head back to 40m for one last listen before going QRT and heading off to the Nixon Skinner Conservation Park.  After returning to 40m I worked Greg VK5ZGY in the Penola Conservation Park VKFF-0803, followed by Col VK5HCF & Tom VK5EE both in the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park VKFF-0927, Tony VK1VIC portable in Mount Taylor Nature Reserve VKFF-0854, and a handful of the regular park hunters.

After 3 hours in the park I had a total of 78 contacts in the log on 40m, 20m, and 15m, including an additional 16 x park to park contacts.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1VIC/p (Wanniassa Hills Nature Reserve VKFF-0865)
2. VK7VAZ
3. VK3MRH
4. VK1MA
5. VK3PF/p (Yaringa Marine National Park VKFF-0957)
6. VK2HHA
7. VK3TKK
8. VK3ZZS
9. VK7CW
10. VK3UH
11. VK5JK
12. VK5NJ
13. VK2SR
14. VK3AFW
15. VK3PMG/p (Leaghur State Park VKFF-0762)
16. VK3FIRM
17. VK5KPR/p (The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park VKFF-0817)
18. VK2VW
19. VK5FANA/p (Clinton Conservation Park VKFF-0813)
20. VK4RF
21. VK4HA
22. VK7NWT
23. VK3FQSO
24. VK3HRA
25. VK2YW
26. VK1DI/p (Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve VKFF-0847)
27. VK5FMID
28. VK5NFT
29. VK2AWJ
30. VK3OF
31. VK7WN
32. VK3VBI
33. VK1VIC/p (Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0840)
34. VK5HS
35. VK5MJ/mm
36. VK1AT/3 (The Lakes National Park VKFF-0484)
37. VK3NBL
38. VK5KBJ
39. VK5MBD
40. VK5WG
41. VK3VTH/p (Shepparton Regional Park VKFF-0976)
42. VK5ZGY/p (Penola Conservation Park VKFF-0803)
43. VK5HCF/p (Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park VKFF-0927
44. Tom VK5EE/p (Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park VKFF-0927)
45. VK5AV
46. VK1AT/3
47. VK5NIG
48. VK5PL
49. VK1VIC/p (Mount Taylor Nature Reserve VKFF-0854)
50. VK5FTVR
51. VK5GJ
52. VK5FPAC

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2PKT
2. VK4RF
3. VK4HA
4. VK2XXM
5. VK2IO/p (Cattai National Park VKFF-0092)
6. VK8AR/p (West McDonnell National Park VKFF-0535)
7. VK5YX
8. VK1DI/p (Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve VKFF-0847)
9. VK3SQ

The following stations were worked on 15m SSB:-

1. VK2YK/4 (SOTA VK4/ NH-136)
2. VK2NP/m
3. VK4RF
4. VK4HA
5. VK4FBBA/m
6. ZL3CHE
7. VK2MGA
8. JA8RJE
9. VK2LEE
10. VK6GLX
11. VK2FLRW
12. VK4GSW
13. VK1NS
14. VK2XXM
15. VK2FGOE
16. VK1MA
17. VK5GJ

My final activation for Saturday and day one of the inaugural VKFF Activation Weekend was the Bullock Hill Conservation Park, VKFF-0873, which is situated near Ashbourne on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Bullock Hill Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Bullock Hill was my third park of the day that I had activated previously as part of the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award, but not as part of the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  So this was going to be my third unique WWFF park for the day.

For more information on my previous activations at Bullock Hill, please see my previous posts at…..

https://vk5pas.org/2014/04/12/bullock-hill-conservation-park/

https://vk5pas.org/2015/01/20/bullock-hill-conservation-park-2/

Bullock Hill Conservation Park is quite a new park.  It was only proclaimed on the 20th January 2014.  It consists of 200 hectares of undulating countryside, mainly consisting of Pink and Cup gum, with a dense under storey of acacia and mixed heath.  Most of the scrub is located in the upper section of the park on the western side.

I accessed the park via Wattle Flat Road.  There is a small area where you can park your car.  Be careful not to block the gate for the farmer who property is on the eastern side of the park.  I unloaded the 4WD and then climbed through the fence to gain access to the park.  I set up my little fold up table and deck chair under the shade of a small tree.  Again, for this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 20m/40m linked dipole.  I secured the 7 m squid pole to the park sign, using some octopus straps.

Above:- Map showing my operating spot, in the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Prior to calling CQ I tuned to 7.135 and worked Greg VK5GJ in the nearby Cox Scrub Conservation Park, VKFF-0824 (5/7 both ways).  I then headed up to 7.144 and called CQ.  My first responder was another park to park contact.  It was Gerald VK2IO who was portable in the Botany Bay National Park, VKFF-0048.  This was followed by Allen VK3HRA who was activating the Creswick Regional Park VKFF-0964.  And then another park to park, this time with Marcus VK3TST/2 who was in the Murrumbidgee Valley National Park, VKFF-0554.  All signals were very good, but there were quite severe static crashes present on the band.

A few calls later I spoke with Peter VK3YE who was operating a kite antenna on the beach.  The antenna consisted of 30 metres of wire.  Peter was a good strong 5/8 signal.  Peter never ever ceases to amaze me with what he can do with QRP, and his home brew transceivers and antennas.  A few QSOs later I spoke with Tim VK3MTB who was activating the Morwell National Park VKFF-0626, and this was followed by Ian VK5CZ who was in the Spring Gully Conservation Park, VKFF-0816, near Clare in the Mid North of South Australia.

I had a good steady flow of callers and all signals were exceptionally good.  I also managed another two park to park contacts.  They were with Peter VK3ZPF who was activating the Mornington Peninsula National Park VKFF-033, and Gary VK5FGRY who was in the Morialta Conservation Park, VKFF-0783, in the Adelaide Hills.

I now had a total of 27 contacts in the log and then saw a spot on parksnpeaks for Greg VK8AR who was activating the West McDonnell National Park, VKFF-0532, near Alice Springs.  So I quickly lowered the squid pole and removed the links and headed off to 14.280 on 20m.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear Greg coming in with a nice signal.  He had quite a few callers, but I patiently waited and made contact with him in a short period of time.

I then went to 14.225 and started calling CQ and this was answered by Jess VK6JES in Geraldton in Western Australia with a strong 5/8 signal.  About four contacts later I was called by Alex VK2HAS who was operating portable in an Armoured Personnel Carrier, with a 1/2 wave vertical.  I have worked Alex from this situation before.  It is certainly a very unique contact.

My first DX contact on 20m was with Max IK1GPG who had a good 5/7 signal on the long path.  This was followed shortly afterwards by regular park hunters, Xaver DK4RM and Uwe DL2ND in Germany.  Not long after I saw a 4WD pull up in the carpark area behind my 4WD.  It had the obvious amateur antenna fitted to it, but I wasn’t entirely sure of who my unexpected visitor was.  It turned out to be Greg VK5GJ, who had completed his activation at the nearby Cox Scub Conservation Park, and had called in to say hello.  I took a break from the radio to say gday to Greg.

I returned to the radio about 15 minutes later, but unfortunately somebody else had jumped on to 14.225.  So I headed to 14.210 and called CQ and this was answered by David ZL1UA in Auckland with a strong 5/8 signal.  This was followed by Luc ON4BB and then Steve VK4QQ.  But sadly, an Italian station, an IT9, came up on the frequency and started calling CQ.  He was just too strong to compete with, so I decided to QSY.

Greg decided to head home at this point, so I headed up to 14.310 and started calling CQ again.  This was responded to by Don VK3MCK and then my good friends Danny ON4VT and Swa ON5SWA in Belgium. Danny was 5/6 and Swa was a little weaker at 5/5.  They were both hearing me around the 4/2-4/4 mark.  I worked just 2 more European stations: Hinko S52KM in Slovenia, and Luciano I5FLN.  The long path propagation seemed to just fall away at that point.

So I headed back to 40m and called CQ on 7.135.  It was now around 5.15 p.m.  My first taker was Peter VK3YE, who was still on the beach with his kite antenna, running just 1/2 watt.  His signal had come up even stronger, as had mine at Peter’s end.  My second contact was with Jonathan who was activating the Blackwood River National Park VKFF-0633.   It was a little bit of a struggle with Jonathan due to the static crashes, but I missed very little of our QSO.  This was followed by Rob VK4FFAB who was portable in the Crows Nest National Park VKFF-0121.  Rob was an excellent 5/9 signal.  But Rob was struggling with even stronger static crashes than me, and gave me a 4/9 signal report.

I had a steady flow of callers from VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK6, when I was rather unexpectedly called by Mark AF6TC in California with a very strong 5/9 plus signal.  Mark reciprocated with a 5/9 for me.  Not long after I was called by John ZL2TUD in Wellington, and then Neil K6KWI in Santa Ana in California.  I was extremely pleased to work a second USA station on 40m.

I worked a further 27 stations on 40m, including VK3YSA running just 4 watts from Mount Disappointment, Mal VK5MJ who was maritime mobile on the Murray River, and Chris ZL2UKT in Auckland.

It was starting to get quite cool, and the local time was now just after 6.30 p.m.  I was also getting hammered by some local VK3’s talking to the USA on 7.136, so I thought it was a good time to pull the plug on what had been a great day.  I had a total of 102 contacts in the log from Bullock Hill, including a further 15 park to park contacts.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5GJ/p (Cox Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0824)
2. VK2IO/p (Botany Bay National Park VKFF-0048)
3. VK3HRA/p (Creswick Regional Park VKFF-0964)
4. VK3TST/2 (Murrumbidgee Valley National Park VKFF-0554)
5. VK5AV
6. VK3YE/p
7. VK5FMID
8. VK3MTB/p (Morwell National Park VKFF-0626)
9. VK5CZ/p (Spring Gully Conservation Park, VKFF-0816)
10. VK1AT/3
11. VK3PMG/m
12. VK5NFT
13. VK5FANA
14. VK3ZPF/p (Mornington Peninsula National Park VKFF-0333)
15. VK3AV
16. VK3OF
17. VK7FGGT
18. VK3ANL
19. VK3FQSO
20. VK5EE
21. VK1MTS
22. VK3PF
23. VK7VW
24. VK3FLCS
25. VK3DAC
26. VK5FGRY/p (Morialta Conservation Park, VKFF-0783)
27. VK1MA
28. VK5FO/p (Ramco Point Conservation Park VKFF-0930)
29. VK3ZPF/p (Arthurs Seat State Park VKFF-0750)
30. VK8AR/p (West Macdonnell National Park VKFF-0532)
31. VK3YE/p
32. VK6JON/p (Blackwood River National Park VKFF-0633)
33. VK4FFAB/p (Crows Nest National Park VKFF-0121)
34. VK4FBMW
35. VK3TKK
36. VK3HN
37. VK2PKT
38. VK6HRC
39. VK3ZZS/2
40. VK2OD
41. VK2NEO
42. AF6TC
43. VK3MLU
44. VK7LCW
45. VK3ALZ
46. VK3FJIM
47. VK3GMC
48. ZL2TUD
49. VK6XC
50. VK3RU
51. K6KWI
52. VK3HRA
53. VK3MCD
54. VK3YSA/p
55. VK5HYZ
56. VK4RF
57. VK4HA
58. VK5MJ/mm
59. VK3etC
60. VK7VEK
61. VK4AJT
62. VK6FBMW
63. VK2FWAY
64. VK6NU/p (Wandoo National Park VKFF-0656)
65. VK5FSPJ/p
66. VK5KLV
67. VK2VKB
68. VK5FVSV
69. VK3THX
70. VK3NBL
71. VK2STO
72. VK2FOUZ
73. ZL2UKT
74. VK5ZX
75. VK2ZMT
76. VK3FENV
77. VK1NS
78. VK2TG/m

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK8AR/p (West Macdonnell National Park, VKFF-0532)
2. VK6JES
3. VK3MRH
4. VK4RF
5. VK4HA
6. VK2HAS/p
7. IK1GPG
8. VK6SN
9. VK6MSC
10. VK2LEE
11. DK4RM
12. DL2ND
13. IZ4RCQ
14. VK6LOL
15. VK2FR
16. ZL1UA
17. ON4BB
18. VK4QQ
19. EA5CTE
20. VK3MCK
21. ON4VT
22. ON5SWA
23. S52KM
24. I5FLN

The weekend of Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November, 2015, saw the inaugural VKFF Activation Weekend.  I had planned on activating 5 Conservation Parks over the weekend: three on Saturday, and then two on Sunday.  My first activation for Saturday morning was the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park, VKFF-0916, which is about 66 km south of Adelaide, on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Mount Magnifient CP.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.  

I have activated Mount Magnificent twice before: back in July 2013, and December 2014.  But these activations were prior to the park being placed on the VKFF list for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  So this was to be a unique VKFF park activation for me, and I was hoping to pick up the required 44 contacts to qualify the park.

For details on my previous activations, and full information on the park, please see my previous posts at…..

https://vk5pas.org/2013/07/26/mount-magnificent-conservation-park/

https://vk5pas.org/2014/12/21/mount-magnificent-conservation-park-2/

After leaving home early in the morning I headed out through Echunga and Meadows, and then on to Prospect Hill.  I then travelled south on Blackfellows Creek Road, passing the eastern boundary of the Kyeema Conservation Park.    This is a nice high point and there are some very nice views out to the west of the surrounding countryside which comprises natural scrub, cleared farming land, and pine forest.

I soon reached the western boundary of the park.  I had not activated from this side of the park previously.  My last two activations had been from the eastern side, off Mount Magnificent Road.  So I thought it was worth a look at a different operating spot.

Sadly, most of this section of the park was burnt out.  I later learnt that a fire had impacted on the park earlier in November.  The fire had originally started at nearby Yundi and had burnt out about 70 hectares of land, and was finally brought under control by about 65 firefighters and 17 appliances, including water bombing aircraft.

I continued south on Blackfellows Creek Road until I reached the south western corner of the park.  There was a little access track following the southern boundary of the park, and this is where I drove along.

Above:- Map showing my operating spot in the Mount Magnifient CP.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.  

After a few hundred metres I reached a point where I could not go any further as the track came to an abrupt halt.  But this looked like an ideal place to set up and operate from.  It wasn’t until I had almost set up that I noticed some yellow tape around some trees at the top of an embankment.  I then put two and two together and realised that this was the site of the illegal dumping of some horses here in the conservation park which had come to light in May earlier in the year.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/dumped-dead-horses-at-mt-magnificent-conservation-park-adelaide-trainer-pleads-guilty/story-fni6uo1m-1227338855928

Although a little off putting I continued to set up.  I also had a view up to the Mount Magnificent summit.  The trig point of the summit is actually just outside of the conservation park boundary.  Sadly, the summit does not qualify for the Summits on the Air program as it does not have sufficient prominence.  However, there are superb views from up there of the surrounding countryside.

I used the boundary fence to secure my 7 metre telescopic squid pole and then secured the legs of the 20m/40m linked dipole to the fence.  I ran the Yaesu FT-857d and 40 watts for this activation.  I was all set up and ready to go by 2230 UTC (9.00 a.m. South Australian local time).

After turning on the radio, I found that 7.144 was already occupied, so I headed down to 7.139 and started calling CQ.  My CQ call was answered by Ian VK1DI who was operating portable from Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve, VKFF-0855.  Ian had a good strong 5/8 signal.  Next up was Ron VK3MRH, followed by Peter VK3PF and then Fred VK3DAC, all of whom had good strong signals coming out of Victoria.

I was then called by two more park activators.  First up was Rob VK4FFAB operating portable from Crows Nest National Park VKFF-0121, with a good 5/5 signal (5/6 received).  I was really pleased to be able to get Rob in the log on 40m.  Next up was Nick VK3ANL operating portable from Wandong Regional Park VKFF-0979, north of Melbourne.  A few calls later I was called by Mick VK3PMG who was operating portable from the Kerang Regional Park, VKFF-0970.  Mick had a good strong 5/8 signal to Mount Magnificent.  It was really pleasing to see so many park activators out and about.

I had quite a steady flow of callers from all across Australia (VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK6, and VK7).  But there was a lot of QSB on the band and many of the park hunters were mentioning that they were experiencing fading signals.  Also noticeable was the lack of VK5’s.  It was clear that close in propagation was not working, which was a real shame.

My next park to park contact was about 14 contacts later.  It was Rob VK4FFAB who had now moved in to the Hampton National Park VKFF-0683.  A few QSOs later I was called by Warren VK3BYD in the Jarvis Creek Plateau Regional Park VKFF-0969.

And then as though someone had turned on a switch, about 4 QSOs later, I was called by Col VK5HCF at Mount Gambier with a weak but readable 5/3 signal.  Col informed me that he could not hear me at all a little earlier.  It was great that I was finally hearing a VK5.  And then two QSOs later, Brian VK5FMID, also in Mount Gambier, gave me a shout.  Brian had a strong 5/8 signal.

A few QSOs’ later, David VK5AAH who was activating the Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, VKFF-0782, gave me a shout.  David was very weak (3/3), but at least I was hearing a VK5 park activator.  David was hearing me a little better, than me him, and gave me a 5/3 signal report.

A few QSOs later I had my second VK5 Park activator in the log.  It was Stef VK5HSX who was activating the Murray River National Park, VKFF-0372.  Stef was very weak (5/1) but was very workable.  It appeared as though the 40m band was improving a little for the close in propagation.  Next up was Greg VK5GJ who almost lifted the transceiver up off the table.  Greg was operating portable from the nearby Kyeema Conservation Park, VKFF-0826.  And the park to park activity wasn’t finished.  I was also called by Amanda VK3FQSO who was operating from the Kara Kara Conservation Park, VKFF-0629 (5/5 both ways).

When things slowed down a little, I took the opportunity of tuning across the band.  I was hoping to find a few more park activators.  And it wasn’t long before I had found my mate Gerald VK2HBG on 7.095, who was activating the Bimberamala Nationa Park, VKFF-0032 (5/5 both ways).  Next was Nigel VK5NIG and Stuart VK5STU who were on 7.110, operating portable from Sandy Creek Conservation Park, VKFF-0933.  Although they were very weak (5/1), they were very workable, as there was no man made noise in either of our parks.

I then found Rob VK4AAC/5 on 7.115.  Rob was in the Little Dip Conservation Park, VKFF-0904 (5/5 sent and 4/3 received).  I was so pleased that propagation had opened up a little around VK5.  Next, I worked Adrian VK5FANA on 7.125, who was in the Bird Islands Conservation Park VKFF-0871 on the Yorke Peninsula, followed by Tony VK3VTH on 7.144, who was activating the Tocumwal Regional Park VKFF-0978 (5/7 sent and 5/8 received).  I then found Ray VK3YAR on 7.090 who was operating from SOTA peak, Mount Moliagul, VK3/ VN-024, west of Bendigo.

After working Ray I headed to 7.100 and called CQ.  This was answered by John VK3FCAN, and then Peter VK3PF, followed by Alan VK3LSD, who I was struggling with a little.  Alan had a very severe hum on his transmission and it made reception quite difficult.  A few contacts later, I was called by Les VK5KLV operating from the Whyalla Conservation Park VKFF-0808.  Les had a very strong 5/9 signal coming in from the north of the State.  Unfortunately I started experiencing QRM from some VK6’s who were very closeby, so if I missed any low down callers, I apologise.

It wasn’t long before, I had another park to park contact.  This time it was Gerard VK2IO, who called in from the Sydney Harbour National Park, VKFF-0473.  Gerald’s signal was down a little (4/3) but we managed a successful contact (4/5 received).  Immediately after, Cliff VK2NP called me.  Cliff was activating the Sea Acres National Park, VKFF-0606, near Port Macquarie (5/3 both ways).  Two contacts later, I spoke with Greg VK5ZGY who was in the Nene Valley Conservation Park, VKFF-0801 in the South East of South Australia.  Greg had a strong 5/8 signal, so it was clear the band was improving.  And then finally, I was called by David VK5PL operating portable in the Warren Conservation Park, VKFF-0941 (5/3 sent and 5/5 received).

Time was getting on, so I headed to 20m and called CQ on 14.310.  This was answered by Fred VK3DAC (5/1 both ways), followed by John VK2FR, and then Robert VK2XXM.  But that was the end of the park hunters despite many CQ calls.  I tuned across the band and heard Gary VK8BN calling CQ from Darwin.  We had a good chat, as Gary was a good strong 5/9 and he was hearing me well (5/5).  At the end of my QSO with Gary, Geoff VK3SQ asked me to QSY down, which I did and placed Geoff in the log.

I then tried my luck on 15m.  I packed away the 20m/40m linked dipole and erected the 15m dipole.  I called CQ on 15m and this was answered by Geoff VK3SQ who had followed me up.  Geoff had a strong 5/8 signal on 15m.  This was followed by John VK2FR (5/9 both ways), who had also followed me up, and then Cleeve VK2MOR.  Rob VK4FFAB then called in from Hampton National Park, VKFF-0683.  Rob was not strong (4/1) but was very workable.  My final contact on 15m, and the final contact for the activation was with Kyoyu JA8RJE in Japan.

I packed up and headed off to my second activation of the day, the Scott Conservation Park.  I was very pleased, with a total of 75 contacts in the log, including 24 park to park contacts.  What an activation!  And what a great way to start the VKFF Activation Weekend.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1DI/p (Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve VKFF-0855)
2. VK3MRH
3. VK3PF
4. VK3DAC
5. VK4FFAB/p (Crows Nest National Park VKFF-0121)
6. VK3ANL/p (Wandong Regional Park VKFF-09979)
7. VK3SL
8. VK3PMG/p (Kerang Regional Park, VKFF-0970)
9. VK7MK
10. VK2MOR
11. VK3WHO
12. VK4CWL
13. VK3SIM
14. VK1MTS
15. VK7CW
16. VK3ZPF
17. VK6ZZZ
18. VK3AV
19. VK2FBEP
20. VK2XXM
21. VK3FABE
22. VK4FFAB/p (Hampton National Park VKFF-0683)
23. VK3MDB
24. VK1AT/3
25. VK3BYD/p (Jarvis Creek Plateau Regional Park VKFF-0969)
26. VK3OHM
27. VK1MA
28. VK7VKV
29. VK5HCF
30. VK3HRA
31. VK5FMID
32. VK2CPC
33. VK5AAH/p (Mark Oliphant Conservation Park VKFF-0782)
34. VK2FADV
35. VK5HSX/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
36. VK5GJ/p (Kyeema Conservation Park VKFF-0826)
37. VK2AWJ
38. VK3AJA/m
39. VK5EE
40. VK3FQSO/p (Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629)
41. VK2HBG/p (Bimberamala National Park VKFF-0032)
42. VK5NIG/p (Sandy Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0933)
43. VK5STU/p (Sandy Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0933)
44. VK4AAC/5 (Little Dip Conservation Park VKFF-0904)
45. VK5FANA/p (Bird Islands Conservation Park VKFF-0871)
46. VK3VTH/p (Tocumwal Regional Park VKFF-0978)
47. VK3YAR/p (SOTA VK3/ VN-024)
48. VK3FCAN/m
49. VK3PF
50. VK3LSD
51. VK2VW
52. VK5KLV/p (Whyalla Conservation Park VKFF-0808)
53. VK3UT
54. VK5FMID
55. VK5FUZZ
56. VK3JP
57. VK3PAT
58. VK5GJ/p (Kyeema Conservation Park VKFF-0826)
59.  VK2PKT
60. VK2IO/p (Sydney Harbour National Park VKFF-0473)
61. VK2NP/p (Sea Acres National Park VKFF-0606)
62. VK3TKK/m
63. VK5ZGY/p (Nene Valley Conservation Park VKFF-0801)
64. VK5PL/p (Warren Conservation Park VKFF-0941)

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK3DAC
2. VK2FR
3. VK2XXM
4. VK5GJ/p (Kyeema Conservation Park VKFF-0826)
5. VK8BN
6. VK3SQ

The following stations were worked on 15m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK2FR
3. VK2MOR
4. VK4FFAB/p (Hampton National Park, VKFF-0683)
5. JA8RJE

Whilst I was in Hattah Kulkyne National Park in Victoria, I had toyed with the idea of activating the Ngarkat Conservation Park, VKFF-0829, in South Australia, after I had crossed the border.  I still had a fair drive ahead of me to get home, but I had worked out that I had enough time for a quick stop at Ngarkat.  I had activated Ngarkat previously, but as part of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, and not the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  So this was to be another unique WWFF/VKFF activation for me.

Above:- Map showing the location of Ngarkat CP.  Courtesy of mapcarta.com

So after leaving Hattah Kulyne National Park I drove west along the Hattah Kulkyne-Robinvale road until I reached the Calder Highway and the little town of Hattah.  Don’t blink, because you will miss it.  There was once a post office here but it closed in 1974.  Today there is a General Store, and that is it.  I then travelled south to Ouyen where I stopped briefly for a bite to eat at the Mallee Deli, consisting of a very enjoyable steak sandwich with the lot.  I then drove west on the Mallee Highway, back through the towns of Walpeup, Torrita, Underbool. Linga, Boinka, Cowangie, Murrayville, and Carina, until I reached the Victorian/South Australian border.

Along the way I spoke with Rob VK4AAC/5 who was operating portable from the Padthaway Conservation Park, VKFF-0924.  Rob had a nice signal coming into the mobile from the South East of South Australia.

I continued west on the Mallee Highway, towards the town of Pinnaroo, until I reached the Rosy Pine Road.  There is a sign here which shows Ngarkat Conservation Park and another sign for Roseleigh Homestead.  Interestingly, the sign also refers to Scorpion Springs Conservation Park which no longer exists.  It was absorbed into the Ngarkat Conservation Park back in 2004.  Clearly the sign has never been replaced.

I stopped off briefly to have a look at the site of the old Rosy Pine school.  The school, along with a number of other outlying schools from the town of Pinnaroo, closed in 1943.  Students from these outlying areas were then required to travel to Pinnaroo by bus.  Today there is nothing left of the school.  But a memorial plaque signifies its previous existence.

The old Rosy Pine school site

Above:- The Rosy Pine school, c. 1916.  Image courtesy of State Library SA.

I continued on towards the park along Rosy Pine Road, which then becomes Centre Track, and on the way I spoke with Peter VK3PF who was portable on SOTA peak, Jarvis Creek Plateau VK3/ VE-208, which is contained within the Jarvis Creek Plateau Region Park VKFF-0969 (5/6 sent and 5/7 received).  I continued south until I reached the Scorpion Boundary Track where there is an unlocked gate.  I entered the northern side of the park, and paid my $10.00 entry fee, before proceeding into the Scorpion Springs camping area.

Heading south towards the park on Centre Track

The gate at the Scorpion Springs boundary fence

Shingleback lizard

A sand dune in the park

The northern boundary

Ngarkat Conservation Park is a very large park and is located about 200 km south east of Adelaide.  It covers an area of around 270,000 hectares of vegetated sand dunes, mallee and heath.  Ngarkat was proclaimed in September 1979 to conserve the mallee heath habitat of the 90 Mile Desert.  The park was previously four separate sections: Ngarkat Conservation Park, Mount Rescue Conservation Park, Mount Shaugh Conservation Park, and Scorpion Springs Conservation Park, but these were all absorbed into the one park in May 2004.  On many maps, including Google maps, it incorrectly shows the former conservation parks.  Unfortunately, many of the tourism sites also refer to the former three Conservation Parks.

The park is adjacent to the Big Desert Wildnerness Park and Wyperfeld National Park in Victoria.  This is a vast area of remote mallee wilderness in South Australia and western Victoria.  The name Ngarkat (pronounced Narr-kat) takes its name from the Ngarkat aboriginal people who were the original inhabitants of the area.

The Ngarkat Conservation Park is alive with wildlife including Western Grey kangaroos, Little Pygmy Possum, Short-beaked echidnas, Mitchell’s Hopping mouse, and Common dunnarts.  More than 120 species of birds can be found in the park including the rare Malleefowl and the Western Whipbird.

Above:- The rare Malleefowl.  Image courtesy of wikipedia. 

It was a very warm afternoon, so the first thing I did was to seek out some shade.  I set up my gear, the Yaesu FT-857d and the 40m/20m linked dipole in the campground.  There was a wooden table and benches under the shade of a gum tree so I took advantage of that.  I attached the 7 metre squid pole to a post on a fenceline, with the assistance of an octopus strap.

Unfortunately there was absolutely no mobile phone coverage out here so I couldn’t send out an SMS message or spot myself on parksnpeaks.

Prior to calling CQ, I hunted around for Peter VK3PF and found him calling CQ on 7.090.  After securing Peter in the log, I headed to 7.085 and started calling CQ.  This was answered by John VK2YW in Wagga Wagga with a strong 5/9 signal.  Half way through my QSO with John the radio cut out.  Bugger!  I have been having an intermittent problem with the connection between the power supply and the transceiver.  But fortunately that was sorted out quickly and I was back on air.  This was followed by calls from Mike VK3ZMD in Melbourne, Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula, and then Mick VK3PMG in western Victoria, all with 5/9 signals.  My 16th contact in the park was with Rob VK4AAC/5 in the Padthaway Conservation Park, VKFF-0924.  Rob called me, so it saved me having to hunt him down.

I worked a total of 34 contacts on 40m in VK2, VK3, and VK5, before trying 20m.  Conditions on 40m were quite good, however with all the storms across Australia, the band was very noisy with strong static crashes.  I called CQ on 14.315 and this was answered by Rick VK4RF with a powerful 5/9 signal.  Rick had tried calling me earlier on 40m but we just couldn’t make it.  My first DX station was Xaver DK4RM in Germany.  This was followed by Gerard F1BLL in France, and then Mauro IZ7EIU in Italy.  Conditions into Europe on the long path were less than favourable, and after 20 minutes, I had worked a total of 12 stations on 20m in VK2, VK4, VK8, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Australia, and Greece.

My operating spot at Scorpion Springs

Yaesu FT-857d

The campground at Scorpion Springs

After 90 minutes in Ngarkat I had a total of 46 contacts in the log and it was time to hit the road.  As I exited the park it was slow going as there were sheep on the road, and many kangaroos.  Once mobile back on the Mallee Highway I booked in to the Kandos Net on 40m which was being run by Tom VK2KF.  I then spoke with Doug VK7DK who had a very nice signal coming in to the mobile.

Sheep on the road

Kangaroos bounding alongside the 4WD

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB from Ngarkat:-

1. VK3PF/p (SOTA VK3/ VE-208 & VKFF-0969)
2. VK2YW
3. VK3ZMD
4. VK5FANA
5. VK3PMG
6. VK5FMID
7. VK3AFW
8. VK3VIN
9. VK3YAR
10. VK5JK
11. VK3GP/m
12. VK5GJ
13. VK3FPBI
14. VK5MBD
15. VK5FDEC
16. VK4AAC/5 (Padthaway Conservation Park VKFF-0924)
17. VK5MAS
18. VK5PL
19. VK3DPG
20. VK3FJJAE
21. VK3FLMJ
22. VK2PKT
23. VK1AMG/m
24. VK3FGMO
25. VK5EE
26. VK5PZ
27. VK3JM
28. VK5HCF
29. VK7VEK
30. VK4RF
31. VK4HA
32. VK2IO
33. VK3PRF
34. VK5NRG

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4RF
2. VK4HA
3. DK4RM
4. F1BLL
5. IZ7EIU
6. VK2XXM
7. RN3QN
8. VK8GM
9. I5FLN
10. OE6MBG
11. VK4PHD
12. SV3AQR

References.

Department for Environment and Heritage, 2004, ‘Ngarkat Complex of Conservation Parks Management Plan’.

I had to work today (Sunday 2nd August 2015) but at lunch time I did sneak outside to my vehicle to work Rob VK4AAC who was activating the Lashmar Conservation Park, VKFF-902.  This is one of the newly added South Australian Conservation Parks to the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  It triggered my enthusiasm, to activate a park after work.  But the weather was not looking good.  There were quite heavy showers in the Adelaide CBD, broken up by period of bright sunshine.

So when work concluded, I headed back home to the Adelaide Hills.  On the way I worked Brett VK4FTWO in the mobile.  Brett was activating the WooWoonga National Park VKFF-712, west of Maryborough.

When I got home, my wife Marija had already kindly prepared all my radio gear for me, so it was just a matter of getting changed out of the suit, and loading the 4WD.  I decided to head for the Ferries McDonald Conservation Park, VKFF-881, which is about 35 kms by road, east of my home.  The park has also just recently been added to the WWFF program.  So although I have activated the park previously as part of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, this was to be a new WWFF park for me.

Above:- Map showing the location of Ferries McDonald CP.  Image courtesy of mapcarta.com

As I was driving along Chaunceys Line Road towards the park I worked Gerard VK2IO who was operating portable from Wollemei National Park, VKFF-544 (5/9 sent and 5/8 received).

I set up in my normal spot, which is in the south eastern corner of the park, off Chaunceys Line Road.  There is a carpark there and a nice cleared area where you can set up.  I used my normal operating gear….the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 40m/20m linked dipole supported on the 7 metre squid pole.  But as I was setting up the antenna, I noticed that I was missing one of the crocodile clips.  So I had to improvise and use my teeth to strip back some of the insulation on the wire and join the wire together that way.  The test was going to be the VSWR.  But I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was very low when I turned on the tx.

Above:- Map showing my operating location.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

After setting up I headed to 7.090 hoping to work Gerard VK2IO again.  Sure enough, Gerard was still there, with a lovely 5/9 plus signal.  He was stronger on the linked dipole than the Codan 9350.

I then moved up to 7.095 and asked if the frequency was in use, and in reply I heard Matt VK1MA telling me that it was all clear.  So Matt was my second contact for the activation, with a beautiful 5/9 signal coming in from Canberra (5/7 received).  A pile up followed, with numerous callers from all across Australia.  The 40m band appeared to be in quite good condition.  Although it was evident that the ‘close in’ stuff was not working.  I only worked 4 VK5’s during this activation.  The first was Greg VK5LG at Cudlee Creek, a distance of about 50 km from where I was.  Greg was 5/8 and I received a 5/3.  The next VK5 was Peter VK5KPR at Port Augusta, a distance of around 375 km (5/9 both ways).  In fact Peter was very strong.  Next up was Andrew VK5KET down at Mount Gambier, a distance of about 385 km (5/9 both ways).  Again, Andrew was very strong.  And finally, Adrian VK5FANA at Arthurton on the Yorke Peninsula, about 140 km across the water over the Gulf of St Vincent.  Adrian was running QRP and was just 5/3 at best, and I received a 5/1.  So it appeared that anything within 150km was not going to work.

I had some very nice QRP contacts during this activation.  They included Brooke VK4RZ running just 2 watts from near Toowoomba in Queensland (5/9 both ways).  Also Mike VK3XL running 2 watts from Melbourne (5/6 sent and 5/9 received).  Next up was Adrian VK5FANA running his 5 watts (this was a little bit of a struggle).  Alan VK2AJG who was running 4 watts from near Newcastle.   There were no problems at all with Alan’s signal (5/8 sent and 5/7 received).  And finally Mark VK4MON north of Brisbane, running 5 watts (5/7 both ways).

I was also very pleased to be able to work Ken ZL4KD in Christchurch in New Zealand (5/9 both ways) and Owen ZL2OPB in New Plymouth on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand (5/9 both ways).  And Doug VK4FAID (I was his first ever VK5 contact).

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VK3FILB was kind enough to send me this quick video clip of my signal as it sounded in Melbourne.

I worked a total of 57 stations from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, and New Zealand.

The following stations were worked:-

1. VK2IO/p (VKFF-544)
2. VK1MA
3. VK3BBB
4. VK3PI
5. VK3ANL
6. VK3MEG
7. VK5LG
8. VK3ZPF
9. VK3PF
10. VK4QQ
11. VK4FFAB
12. VK2PKT
13. VK3CM/m
14. VK4RF
15. VK4HA
16. VK3AY
17. VK3ANP
18. VK3HRA
19. VK4RZ
20. VK4FBMW
21. VK5KPR
22. VK3TKK
23. VK3CC
24. VK3NBV
25. VK7DX
26. VK3FQSO
27. VK3KKP
28. VK2ST
29. VK2NP
30. VK3JK
31. ZL4KD
32. VK4HNS
33. VK4FSCC
34. VK2YK
35. VK5KET
36. VK3XL
37. VK5FANA
38. VK3AWG
39. VK3TJK
40. VK2FA/m
41. VK2AJG
42. VK1HW
43. VK3FILB
44. VK2XRC/p
45. VK3ZZS/4
46. VK3YSP
47. ZL2OPB
48. VK3GYH
49. VK4MON
50. VK4FAID
51. VK7NXX
52. VK2WDD
53. VK6NU
54. VK3UH
55. VK2RM
56. VK2MZZ
57. VK4ICE/m

After packing up at Mount Brown, John VK5BJE decided that it was a bit cold to continue activating, and he and Jenny headed back to Argadells with David VK5KC and his wife Joy.  And they were right, it was getting very chilly.  But I was very keen to qualify The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park, VKFF-817, which was recently added to the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

The Dutchmans Stern Conservation Park, which is about 3,532 hectares in size, is situated about 10 km north east of Quorn and about 340 km north of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I have activated the park once before.  That was back in May 2013, when my wife Marija and I climbed The Dutchmans Stern summit, located in the park.  For more information on that activation and detailed information on the park, please see my previous post at…..

https://vk5pas.org/2013/05/04/the-dutchmans-stern/

The park is accessed off Arden Vale Road and is well signposted.  The summit itself cannot be missed as it has a very striking shape.  The park gets its name from the bluff’s similarity to Dutch sailing ships of the 18th century.  The rocky outcrops and slopes appear to resemble the reverse stern of these ships.  The bluff was named by Captain Matthew Flinders who chartered the nearby Spencer Gulf in 1802.

As we entered the park, we were struck by the number of kangaroos, both Red Kangaroos and Western Greys.

We set up just on the southern side of the carpark.  Fortunately, there was a wooden table and benches there waiting for me, which made a perfect shack.  For this activation I ran the Yaesu Ft-857d, 40 watts and the 40m/20m linked dipole supported on a 7 metre squid pole.

Above:- Map showing our operating spot in the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I started off on 20m as it was getting a little late.  It was 4.20 p.m. South Australian local time and it was starting to get dark, which meant that my window into Europe via the long path was quite limited.  I called CQ on 14.244 and this was answered by Erol VK2YB with a strong 5/9 signal, and then Marco VK2YES also 5/9.  My third contact was another station from New South Wales, Dave VK2DML who was also 5/9.

I worked a further 6 stations from Australia, in VK1, VK2, VK3, and VK4, before my first DX contact, IZ5JMZ in Italy.  This was followed by JA8RJE in Japan, and Ken ZL4KD in Christchurch in New Zealand.  The European attention had been generated as Erol VK2YB and Adam VK2YK had spotted me on the DX Cluster.  This really does help.

I went on to work 23 stations on 20m in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Sloevnia, Belgium, Germany, and Russia.  But I had left my run a bit late…the 20m band was almost shut on the long path.

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So with a further 21 contacts required I headed down to 40m and called CQ on 7.098.  My first taker there was John VK4JWT on Bribie Island who had followed me down from 20m.  This was followed by David VK5HYZ in Adelaide, and Nev VK5WG in Cyrstal Brook.  It was quite slow going, but I finally managed my 44th contact, with thanks to Ian VK5ZGG.  I worked 3 more stations, making my total 47 for the activation.  But with no further takers and an ever lowering temperature (now 5 degrees C), it was time to pack up and head back to Argadells.

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2YB
2. VK2YES
3. VK2DML
4. VK4MON
5. VK2YK
6. VK3BY
7. VK1XP
8. VK3PMG
9. VK3EY
10. IZ5JMZ
11. JA8RJE
12. ZL4KD
13. VK6HSB/p
14. VK3FD/6
15. VK6JON/p
16. S58AL
17. ON4BB
18. DL2ND
19. DK0EE
20. RA3PCI
21. DK4RM
22. VK4JWT

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4JWT
2. VK5HYZ
3. VK5WG
4. VK2PH
5. VK5PZ
6. VK5FANA
7. VK3FPBI
8. VK5FMID
9. VK2FALL
10. VK3PF
11. VK2IO
12. VK5HEL
13. VK5FD
14. VK2SOL
15. VK2BJK
16. VK5KAF
17. VK3FONZ
18. VK6NU
19. VK3DBP
20. VK1AT
21. VK5ZGG
22. VK4AJR
23. VK4MAD
24. VK5KKT

After reaching Argadells, I lit the open fire at the back of our accomodation, the Overseer’s cottage, and we were soon joined by David and Joy, & John and Jenny for a BBQ dinner.  And the obligatory few bottles of red.  It was a great end to a great day.

After leaving the Clinton Conservation Park, Marija and I continued north on the Augusta Highway up into the Mid North of South Australia.  Our next park activation was the Winninowie Conservation Park, VKFF-820.

But prior to activating the park, we took a short detour into the little town on RedHill.  I had arranged to call in and say ‘g’day’ to Bill VK5MBD and his partner Hayley.  When we arrived at Bill’s place, which is the old school house, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was an unexpected visitor there, John VK5FMJC from Crystal Brook.  Bill, John, and I enjoyed a beer, while going on a tour of Bill’s antenna farm.  He certainly has a collection.

Bill VK5MBD

Bill’s ‘bird cage’ antenna

Bill, myself, and John VK5FMJC

Bill in his shack

After leaving Bill’s place we continued north on the Augusta Highway towards Winninowie Conservation Park, which is about 20 km south of Port Augusta, and about 300 km north of Adelaide.

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

We drove down Miranda Road into the Yatala Harbour section of the park and found a bit of a clearing in the scrub and set up the fold up table and deck chair.  Again for this activation, I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 40m/200m linked dipole, supported on the 7 metre squid pole.

Above:- Map showing my operating spot in the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Much to my pleasant surprise, my first contact in the log was with Larry VK5LY at Renmark in the Riverland region of South Australia.  Larry was meant to have accompanied us on the trip with his wife Di, but due to illness, could not come along.  So it was great to get Larry in the log.  Next up was John VK5BJE, another one of our travelling colleagues, who was already at Argadells near Quorn (our accomodation for the next 3 nights).

A few QSOs later I was called by Amanda VK3FQSO running her 500 milliwatts again.  Amanda had  a nice 5/7 signal coming in to the Winninowie.  It is truly amazing what you can do on real QRP when the conditions are favourable.

And then a few contacts later I spoke with Johnno VK3FMPB who was operating portable from the Kinglake National Park, VKFF-264.  Soon after I had a few more park contacts in the log.  This time it was Col VK5HCF and Alan VK5FAJS who were portable in the Telford Scrub Conservation Park, VKFF-805 near Mount Gambier in the South East.  For more information on their activation, please have a look at Col’s WordPress site at…..

https://vk5hcf.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/telford-scrub-conservation-park-vkff-805-13th-june-2015/

After speaking with Col and Alan, Tony VK3CAT gave me a shout from his backyard, running a small magnetic loop and just 4 watts.

And my park contacts continued about 12 contacts later, with Ian VK1DI calling in from the Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve, VKFF-835 with a good 5/7 signal.  For more information on Ian’s activation, have a look at Ian’s WordPress site at…..

http://vk1di.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/bruce-ridge-vkff-835.html

I moved through the constant stream of callers from all around Australia….VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.  I was then called by Rob VK4AAC/5 in the Flinders Chase National Park VKFF-173 on Kangaroo Island OC-139.  Another park contact…I was very pleased.

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And then a few QSO’s later I was called by Ken ZL4KD in Christchurch with a good 5/7 signal.  Ken reciprocated with a 5/6 signal report for me.  Steve VK5SFA then called in from the Morialta Conservation Park, VKFF-783, in the Adelaide Hills.  Steve was running just 5 watts and had a very strong 5/9 signal.

After working a total of 51 stations on 40m I headed over to 20m, hoping to get some Europeans in the log.  And I wasn’t to be disappointed.  Band conditions on 20m, long path into Europe were excellent.  My first contact after calling CQ on 20m was with Fred VK4FE.  Next up was Danny ON4VT in Belgium who is a regular park activator and hunter, Luc ON4BB in Belgium, Xaver DK4RM in Germany, and then Swa ON5SWA in Belgium.

During the pile up I heard ‘portable’ in amongst the callers.  It was Ian VK1DI in Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-835, calling in.  Ian was a nice strong 5/9.

I went on to work a total of 79 stations on 20m in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary, France, Austria, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Romania, Sweden, Slovak Republic, Poland, England, Wales, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Netherlands, Croatia, and Japan.

Thankyou to I5FLN, IZ1JLG, OO2T and ON3EA for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

This was a very successful activation with a total of 128 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5LY
2. VK5BJE/p (Argadells)
3. VK5FD
4. VK2FALL
5. VK3FQSO
6. VK4FFAB
7. VK5FTRG
8. VK3FMPB/p (Kinglake National Park VKFF-264)
9. VK5IS
10. VK5HCF/p (Telford Scrub CP VKFF-805)
11. VK5FAJS/p (Telford Scrub CP VKFF-805)
12. VK3CAT/p
13. VK7LTD/p
14. VK3TKK/p
15. VK4QC/2
16. VK5QI/m
17. VK5HS/m
18. VK3OF
19. VK5HYZ
20. VK5GJ
21. VK3PF
22. VK3BHR
23. VK1DI/p
24. VK5BW
25. VK3NBV
26. VK3DBP
27. VK3NBL
28. VK5JW
29. VK5FMID
30. VK3ANL
31. VK7EK
32. VK2NP
33. VK5FMJC
34. VK3ZZS/4
35. VK4HNS
36. VK3YAR
37. VK2SR/m
38. VK3VIN
39. VK4AAC/5 (Flinders Chase National Park VKFF-173)
40. VK5MBD
41. VK5RR
42. VK3KYF
43. VK3FLAK
44. ZL4KD
45. VK2SL/p
46. VK5FANA
47. VK5SFA/p (Morialta CP VKFF)
48. VK3HRA
49. VK5FAJH
50. VK5KFB
51. VK2HPN/m

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4FE
2. ON4VT
3. ON4BB
4. DK4RM
5. ON5SWA
6. DL1EBR
7. VK2IO
8. I5FLN
9. VK4FR
10. VK2GKA/m
11. VK2NP
12. EA4DTV
13. HA5LV
14. VK1DI
15. HA6NF
16. F4HJO
17. IK1GPG
18. HA6OB
19. OH6IU
20. RA3PCI
21. S58AL
22. HB9ELE
23. DM5EE
24. F1BLL
25. YO3JW
26. DL5WW
27. IZ0PAD
28. S52KM
29. SA5ACR
30. OM7OM
31. DL2ND
32. SP5INQ
33. HA0LG
34. IK8FIQ
35. DL3APO
36. OK7WA
37. Dl2NOM
38. IK8NSR
39. DL1MDU
40. IZ1CJZ
41. DL1EKO
42. ON1JU
43. IZ1JLG
44. IN3RTB
45. EA3MP
46. M6KVT/p
47. ON7AB
48. HB9LCZ
49. MW0RLJ
50. OE3QGA
51. I3QDK
52. IZ0OTV
53. DF1YQ
54. OK2BUT
55. HA5HY
56. HB9/DK2WC
57. DL1ASA
58. SP1MVG
59. SP6KEP
60. IW2NXI
61. UX1AA
62. PB1TT
63. VK7VDL
64. 9A2AA
65. SP8GEY
66. IZ1GRH
67. S51ZZ
68. ON4ATK
69. IK2LQT
70. OP7M
71. JA8RJE
72. F2YT
73. IZ1JMN
74. ON3EA
75. YO6KNE
76. VK6MAC
77. VK6NU

After packing up at Winninowie, we continued north on the Augusta Highway and then took the turn off to Quorn.  We then travelled out along Arden Vale Road to ‘Argadells’.  What an amazing place.  Marija and I highly recommend Argadells to anyone who would like a beautiful stay in the north.  Argadells is a historic working sheep property set amongst 32 square kilometres of spectacular scenery, just 28 kilometres north of Quorn.  It is nestled between Warren Gorge and Buckaringa Gorge.  For more information on Argadells, please have a look at their website at…..

http://www.argadells.com.au/

After dinner, which was prepared in the amazing camp kitchen, and a few bottles of red, John, David and I fired up the Yaesu FT-857d and made a few contacts on 40m, before retiring for the night.  We even managed a contact into Panama on 40m (5/9 sent and 4/8 received).