Yesterday (Sunday 11th January 2015), my wife Marija and I decide we had enough of being indoors doing paperwork, including Marija’s mum’s tax.  So we headed out to the Charleston Conservation Park, which is located not far from our home.  To get to the park we travelled out via the little town of Nairne, and then just before reaching Woodside, we turned right onto Pfeiffer Road and headed north.  This took us passed the Country Fire Service Aircraft Operations Centre.  This is where a number of Fixed Wing Air Tractors are based, along with a number of helicopters.

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We continued along Pfeiffer Road and then turned into Lewis Road, and then right into Bell Springs Road and headed east.  This is a very beautiful part of the Adelaide Hills.  The park is a few km up Bell Springs Road on the southern side of the road.

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I have activated the park twice before.  Once back in 2013 and then again in 2014.  For information on the park and those activations, please have a look at my previous posts…..

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/charleston-conservation-park/

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/charleston-conservation-park-2/

Charleston Conservation Park preserves a pristine remnant representative of the transition between the wetter stringy bark forests on the western side of the Mount Lofty Ranges and the drier mallee woodlands to the east.  A large diversity of flora and fauna are represented in the Park including at least seventy-six bird species.

I set up in the same spot as previous activations, which was the south eastern corner of the park off Bell Springs Road.  There is a track here which allows enough space to set up the dipole.  It is very hard in other parts of the park, because the scrub is so thick.

With the help of Marija we set up the fold up table and deck chair, and the 40m/20m linked dipole, supported on the 7 metre telescopic squid pole.

image courtesy of http://au.geoview.info

I called CQ on 7.095 and this was answered by Greg VK5GJ who was running QRP again, with just 5 watts.  Greg was a good 5/8 signal, however he was not as strong as I have heard him previously.  I was then called by Roy VK5NRG with a nice strong 5/9 signal, and then Peter VK5KPR at Port Augusta with his normal strong 5/9 signal.

I had just 1 other QRP caller during this activation, and that was Norm VK5GI, who was running his little home brew transceiver and 5 watts.  I also spoke with parks stalwart Peter VK3TKK who was mobile.  I had one more mobile contact and that was with Bill VK5MBD who was mobile on the Port Wakefield Road, about 5 km north of Dublin.  Bill was on his way home to Red Hill in the Mid North, after shopping in Adelaide.  I was also called by Giles VK5FFAA who was trying out a new antenna.  I explained the VK5 Parks award to Giles, and don’t be surprised if you hear Giles calling CQ from a park soon.

After the callers slowed down on 30m I lowered the squid pole and removed the links in the antenna for 20m.  I went to 14.310 and put out about 6 CQ calls with no takers.

So after about 90 minutes in the park, it was time to pack up and head home for a roast and a nice red.  I had a total of 24 contacts in the log on 40m ssb from VK2, VK3, VK5, & VK7.

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The following stations were worked:-

1. Greg VK5GJ (qrp)
2. Roy VK5NRG
3. Peter VK5KPR
4. Arno VK5ZAR
5. Stuart VK5STU
6. Norm VK5GI (qrp)
7. Mick VK3FAFK
8. Giles VK5FFAA
9. Peter VK3TKK/m
10. Richard VK5ZRY
11. Tom VK5EE
12. Andrew VK2UH
13. Paul VK5FUZZ
14. Jeff VK5JK
15. Les VK5KLV
16. Bill VK5MBD/m
17. Peter VK5BWH
18. Jim VK5TR
19. Nev VK5WG
20. Peter VK7ALB
21. Peter VK5NAQ
22. Nigel VK5NIG
23. John VK3FPUP
24. Bruce VK5BMC

References.

Australian Heritage Places Register, <http://www.heritage.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahpi/record.pl?RNE7606&gt;, viewed 11th January 2015

Late yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 7th January 2015), I ventured out to the Ferries McDonald Conservation Park, near Monarto, about 70 km south east of Adelaide, and about 30 km south east from my home in the Adelaide Hills.  We have been experiencing some very hot weather here, but yesterday a stormfront moved through with some very heavy rain and thunderstorms.  So it was after the weather had settled a little, that I drove up to Monarto.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I headed along the South Eastern Freeway until I got to the Monarto turn off and took the exit. I then travelled south along Ferries McDonald Road, and then east along Chaunceys Line Road, until I reached the carpark at the south eastern corner of the park.

I have activated this park twice before.  Once in 2013, and once in 2014.  So, as this was a new calendar year, another VK5 Parks activator point was up for grabs.  Please have a look at my previous posts for more information on previous activations and information re the park.

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/ferries-mcdonald-conservation-park-2/

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/ferries-mcdonald-conservation-park/

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I ran the Yaesu FT-857d for this oepration, 40 watts, and the 40m/20m linked dipole supported on the 7m squid pole.  Because of the rain, I was able to drive the squid pole holder into the ground, which held the squid pole in place, with the assistance of an octopus strap.

When I first turned on the radio, I had grave concerns that I wouldn’t even get a contact.  The static crashes from all the storm activity were S9 +.  But after a single CQ call I was called by Mick VK3FAFK in Stawell in western Victoria.  Mick has become a regular park hunter, and had a beautiful 5/9 signal to Ferries McDonald.  This was followed by a QSO with Matt VK5ZX on the West Coast of South Australia, and then Peter VK3TKK in the mobile.  Peter’s signal was probably the best I have ever heard him.  So despite the static crashes, the band seemed to be in very good condition.

I sat back in the deck chair, avoiding the occasional sprinkle of rain, and went on to work a total of 34 stations in VK1, VK2, VK3. VK4, VK5, VK6, & VK7.  All had excellent signals.  I did experience some ‘bleed over’ from some VK6 stations who came up hald way through the activation on 7.093, and who were very strong.

I then went up to 7.130 and joined the 7130 DX Net where I worked a further 7 stations in VK2, VK3, French Polynesia, and New Zealand, before packing up and heading home.  The DX Net was affected again by one of the stations operating AM on 7.125.

Some of the highlights of this activation were the contacts to Western Australia.  It is often a challenge to make it all the way over there with a good signal report, but tonight there were no problems.  I spoke with Gavin VK3MLU who advised that I was his first contact in the past 15 years.  Gavin has been licenced for about 29 years, but had lost interest in the hobby, and had been absent from the bands for about 14 years.  So it was a pleasure to have a chat with Gavin and be his first contact in such a long period of time.

It was nice as always to get a few QRP contacts in the log.  That included Brenton VK3CM/p, Cameron VK4FAAJ/p, and Ian VK5IS, all running just 5 watts.

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The following stations were worked:-

1. Mick VK3FAFK
2. Matt VK5ZX
3. Peter VK3TKK/m
4. Darren VK2NNN
5. Tom VK5EE
6. John VK2AWJ
7. Brett VK3FLCS
8. Amanda VK3FQSO
9. Brian VK5FMID
10. Heath VK3TWO
11. Graeme VK3BXG
12. Nev VK5WG
13. Geoff VK3SQ
14. Rob VK4FFAB
15. Allen VK3HRA
16. Paul VK4CPS
17. Peter VK3PF
18. Cleeve VK2MOR
19. Adrian VK5FANA
20. Brenton VK3CM/p (qrp)
21. Scott VK7NWT
22. Arno VK3YAP
23. Paul VK7CC
24. Cameron VK4FAAJ/p (qrp)
25. Roscoe VK3KRH
26. Andy VK3VKT
27. Ian VK5CZ
28. Colin VK3NCC/p
29. Kevin VK7VEK
30. Al VK1RX mobile 2
31. Gavin VK3MLU
32. Ian VK5IS (qrp)
33. Rod VK1ACE
34. Trevor VK6ATB
35. Chris VK2UW
36. William FO5JV
37. Brian ZL2ASH
38. Ray ZL4WRC
39. Mal VK5MJ
40. Jason Zl3JAS
41. Rod VK3OB

Our first activation for Saturday, 27th December, 2014, was the Whyalla Conservation Park.  We had bid farewell to Marija’s mum, brother and family, and were enroute to Melrose in the southern Flinders Ranges, for a one night stay.  The Whyalla Conservation Park is located 10 km north of Whyalla off the Lincoln Highway, just passed the Port Bonython turn off.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The last time (July 2013) I activated this park, we set up just inside the eastern boundary off the Lincoln Highway.

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/whyalla-conservation-park/

So, this time, Marija and I decided to enter the park off Lincoln Highway, but travel along Wild Dog Hill Road for a distance of about 8 km, until we reached the impressive Wild Dog Hill.  It was here that we set up the gear, using the already provided concrete table and bench as the ‘shack’.

map courtesy of mapcarta

I had only just started working stations when Mark VK5QI arrived.  Mark and I had corresponded via email and on air, about catching up in the park.  The band conditions on 40m were very poor, with lots of QSB.  The normal hoards of park hunters were not there on this occasion.  My first contact was with Les VK5KLV in nearby Port Augusta with a very strong 5/9 signal.  This was followed by Larry VK5LY in The Riverland, and then Amanda VK3FQSO.

Mark and I alternated on the radio.  Whilst Mark was making contacts, I was admiring the view.  Although Wild Dog Hill does not qualify for SOTA, as it does not have the required prominence, it is still very impressive and offers spectacular views of the surrounding outback countryside.

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Mark and I were lucky enough to be called by Ben VK5TX, just as we were about to pack up.  Ben was on the top of Mount Gawler, VK5/ SE-013 (5/7 both ways).

Despite the conditions being rather average, we also managed to work a couple of mobile stations.  The first being Tim VK3AV who was mobile at Portland in western Victoria (5/8 sent and 5/6 received), and Matt Vk5ZM who was mobile at Tintinarra in south eastern South Australia (5/7 sent and 5/3 received).

So after one hour in the park, I had a total of about 20 QSO’s in the log from VK3 & VK5, whilst Mark had about the same number of QSOs.

The following stations were worked:-

1. Les VK5KLV
2. Larry VK5LY
3. Amanda VK3FQSO
4. Arnie VK5NEX
5. Peter VK3PF/m
6. Arno VK5ZAR
7. Peter Vk5NAQ
8. Ian VK5CZ
9. David VK5NQP
10. Andy VK5AKH
11. Nev VK5WG
12. John VK5FTCT
13. Col VK5HCF
14. Darrell VK5JDS/p
15. Tim VK5AV/3
16. Ian VK5IS
17. Greg VK5GJ
18. Matt VK5ZM/p
19. Ben VK5TX/p (SOTA-Mount Gawler)
20. Peter VK3TKK

On Christmas morning, my wife Marija and I travelled to Whyalla in the ‘Iron Triangle’ north of Adelaide, to spend Christmas with family and friends.  And on Friday afternoon, 26th December 2014, with the formal Christmas festivities over, and an additional 5 kg added to my waistline, Marija and I went for a drive south of Whyalla to the Munyaroo Conservation Park (CP).

Firstly, where is Whyalla?  Well, Whyalla is located about 385 km north of Adelaide, via Port Augusta.  It is located on the eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula, with its shores on the Spencer Gulf.  It was first founded in 1901 and was known as Hummock’s Hill.  Then in April 1920, it was proclaimed as Whyalla.  The town is known as the ‘Steel City’ due to its integrated steel works and ship building heritage.  The Munyaroo Conservation Park is situated about 45 km south of Whyalla, on the way to the seaside town of Cowell.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Munyaroo Conservation Park is 123 km2 and was proclaimed in 1977 with the purpose of conserving mallee and saltbush between agricultural and pastoral properties, and mangrove and samphire communities along the coastal fringe.  Being being gazetted as a park, the area was used for grazing, and a small coastal strip was cropped.  The ruins of farm dwellings and implements can be found in the park.

Now, don’t be put off.  It isn’t easy to find roads on many maps which show access to this park.  But, access is gained via Moonabie Station.  Again, don’t be put off by the ‘Private property’ signs.  You can access the park via Moonabie.  But, PLEASE, shut all the gates that you pass through.  The road takes you all the way down to the park and Muminnie Beach, where there are a number of shacks.

Vegetation in the park includes low open woodland of western myall and false sandalwood, over a shrubland of bluebush and bladder saltbush.  Other vegetation includes an open scrubland of gilja, yorrell and red mallee over bluebush, dryland tea tree porcupine grass, candlebush and twin leaf on the dunes.  In the northern area of the park grow native peach trees, native cypress pines, weeping pittosporum and western myall.

The park is home to a large variety of birdlife including Emus, Malleefowl, Stubble Quail, Wedge Tailed eagles, Cormorants, Oystercatchers, and Rainbow Bee eaters.  A large variety of native animals are also found in the park including Red Kangaroos, and Sandhill Dunnarts.

After travelling south along the Lincoln Highway towards Cowell for about 45 km, we turned left onto a dirt track.  There is a sign here indicating ‘Moonabie Station’.  You will shortly thereafter come to an open gate at this location, with a cattle gird.  The fence has a sign on it stating ‘Moonabie Private Property’.  Follow this road to the east, towards the ocean.  You will travel through a couple of closed, but iunlocked gates.  You will then reach another gate which has a sign for ‘Mullaquana Station’.  A number of km down this dirt track you will reach Muminnie Beach.  On your way, you will clearly see the scrub of Munyaroo CP on your right.

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Marija and I found a nice quiet little spot, on a 4WD track amongst the scrub and set up the gear.  I ran my new Yaesu FT-857d at 40 watts for this activation.  Prior to calling CQ, I had a quick look around the 40m band and found Joe VK3YSP in conversation with Tim VK3MTB.  Joe was on his Christmas/New Year road trip, and was portable in the Warby Ovens National Park, north west of Wangaratta.  I waited until Joe had finished his QSO and gave him a call.  Joe had a beautiful 5/9 signal coming into Munyaroo.  I also spoke with Joe’s wife, Julie VK3FOWL.  Joe and Julie are regular park activators and hunters.  Joe was kind enough to allow me to have a chat with Tim VK3MTB, who although a little weaker, was still a good 5/7 signal all the way to the Eyre Peninsula.

I then QSY’d up to 7.105 and called CQ.  My first taker was Mark VK5QI who was portable in Whyalla, on holidays with family for Christmas.  As expected, Mark was making the radio jump off the table.  This was followed by park regulars, Greg VK5GJ at Meadows in the Adelaide Hills, and Nev VK5WG at Crystal Brook in the Mid North of South Australia.  This was followed by a call from Bob VK5FO who was portable in the Morgan Conservation Park in The Riverland.  Again, Bob was a terrific 5/9 to the west coast.  I know that Bob specifically stuck around so that we could get a park to park contact.  Thanks a lot Bob.

About half a dozen contacts later, I spoke with Peter VK3YE who was portable at Chelsae Beach, near the Pier.  Peter was running QRP, just 5 watts, but was a very nice strong 5/8 signal.  My only other QRP contacts were with Hans VK5YX in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, running QRP from his MFJ transceiver (5/9 both ways), and Wolf VK5WF running 4 watts from his home brew QRP transciver (5/9 both ways)

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I went on to work a further 11 VK5 stations, and then to my surprise, I received a call from Rob VK4FFAB, who was portable in the Glass House Mountains National Park, between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.  And wow, did Rob have a great signal, 5/6 to Munyaroo.  Rob is newly licenced and has really embraced the parks activities and the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.  He is a regular VKFF Activator and Hunter.

After a little over an hour in Munyaroo CP, I had a total of 29 contacts in the log from VK3, VK4, & VK5.

The following stations were worked:-

1. Joe VK3YSP/p (Warby Ovens NP)
2. Julie VK3FOWL/p (Warby Ovens NP)
3. Tim VK3MTB
4. Mark VK5QI/p
5. Greg VK5GJ
6. Nev VK5WG
7. Bob VK5FO/p (Morgan CP)
8. Amanda VK3FQSO
9. John VK5FTCT
10. Bernard VK3AV
11. David VK5NQP
12. Les VK5KLV
13. Peter VK3YE/p (qrp)
14. Allan VK5ZLT/p
15. Peter Vk5KPR
16. Hans VK5YX (qrp)
17. Tom VK5EE
18. Richard VK5ZRY
19. Arno VK5ZAR
20. Peter VK5NAQ
21. Michael VK5ZEA
22. Jeff VK5JK
23. Keith VK5ND
24. Wolf VK5WF
25. Roy VK5NRG
26. David VK5HYZ
27. Steve VK5SFA
28. Rob VK4FFAB/p (Glass House Mountains NP)
29. Mick VK3FAFK.

References.

Scientific Expedition Group, Expedition Munyaroo Eyre Peninsula, Expedition Handbook, 2002.

This afternoon I travelled to the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park (CP), which is about 8km north east of the town of Mount Compass, on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula, about 58 km south of Adelaide.  This is a veery scenic drive from my home qth at Mount Barker, through the towns of Echunga, Meadows, and then on to Prospect Hill.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I last activated this park in July, 2013, so today’s activation was another 1 point for me for the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award.  Here is a link to a post re my previous activation…..

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

Mount Magnificent CP was established in 1972, and is about 90 hectares in size.  It protects a small area of remnant bushland.  The major feature of the park is the 380 metre high Mount Magnificent, which sadly does not qualify for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program), as it does not have the required ‘prominence’.  Despite this, there are excellent views from the top.  The famous Heysen trail passes through this park and links the nearby Finnis Conservation Park and the Kyeema Conservation Park to the north west.

The park is full of a variety of native wildlfie, including Western Grey kangaroos.  And there were plenty of these to be seen.

I set up on the  eastern side of the park, on the western side of Mount Magnificent Road.  I was not all that far from the south eastern corner of the park.  Part of the fenceline here had collapsed from the weight of falling branches from the gum trees, so access to the park was very easy.  I set up my fold up table and deck chair, about 5 metres in from the boundary fence.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Prior to calling CQ I had a quick tune around the 40m band and I found Paul VK1ATP portable on SOTA peak Mount Majura, VK1/ AC-034, calling CQ on his own on 7.090 (5/7 both ways).  That was a nice way to start the activation for me.

I then went up to 7.095 and starting calling CQ and this was immediately responded to by Arno VK5ZAR, and then Les VK5KLV in Port Augusta.  Les is becoming a real regular park hunter now, which is great to see.  I was then called by Stuart VK5STU who was portable in the Sandy Creek Conservation Park.  Stuart had a very strong 5/9 signal, and it was great to be able to get a ‘park to park’ contact.  Mick VK3FAFK from Stawell then called in and he was kind enough to place me on the parksnpeaks site.

A few QSOs later I was called by Andrew VK1NAM/3 who was portable on Arthurs Seat, VK3/ VC-031.  And then a little further down the log I was called by John VK5BJE who was portable in the Greater Bendigo National Park, which qualifies for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA) and also qualifies for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  Greater Bendigo NP is VKFF-623.

After working a total of 22 stations on 40m SSB, I lowered the squid pole and removed the links and headed up to 20m.  I called CQ on 14.205 and this was answered by Jeremy VK4EVE, with a strong 5/9 signal.  Sadly, a Japanese station moved in on 14.206 and that was the end of that.  I tuned across the band and found Juha EA8/OH1LEG who was calling CQ.  I gave Juha a call, and to my surprise, he responded.  I only received a 5/3 signal report from Juha, but I was very pleased that I was able to make it to the Canary Islands.  I kept tuning across the band and then worked Lauro IK4GRO (5/8 sent and 5/5 received).

I headed back to 40m and tuned across the band and found W1AW/KH6 calling CQ on 7.183.  He was not busy so I gave him a call.  After a number of attempts with my call sign, we made a valid contact.  The SOTA Goat app on my iphone bleated and I saw that there was a spot for Andrew VK3JBL/6.  SO I headed back up to 20m, and although it was a bit of a struggle, I was able to make contact with Andrew (3/4 sent due to the static crashed and 4/5 received).  I haven’t worked that many VK6 summits, so I was very pleased to make contact with Andrew.

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I went on to work Orlando, EA8CCQ, in the Canary Islands.  orlando was using a rotary dipole, and we were able to have a comfortable QSO (5/9 sent and 5/5 received).

It was starting to get a bit cool and the local time was just after 7.00 p.m. so I decided to pack up and head home.  As it was, it was a very slow drive, as the roads were covered in kangaroos.

After 2 hours in the park I had a total of 28 QSO’s in the log.

The following stations were worked:-

1. Paul VK1ATP/p (SOTA)
2. Arno VK5ZAR
3. Les VK5KLV
4. Stuart VK5STU/p (park to park)
5. Mick VK3FAFK
6. Nev VK5WG
7. Peter VK3TKK
8. Andrew VK1NAM/3 (SOTA)
9. Matt VK1MA
10. Hans VK5YX
11. Tom VK5EE
12. Nick VK3ANL
13. Andrew VK3ARR
14. Grant VK2LX
15. Brian VK5FMID
16. John VK5DJ
17. John VK5BKE/3 (KRMNPA & WWFF)
18. Robin VK5TN
19. John VK5FTCT
20. Peter VK5NAQ
21. Richard VK5ZRY
22. David VK5HYZ
23. W1AW/KH6

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. Jeremy VK4EVE
2. Juha EA8/OH1LEG
3. Lauro IK4GRO
4. VK3JBL/6 (SOTA)
5. Orlando EA8CCQ

References.

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

Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Magnificent_Conservation_Park>viewed 21st Dec 2014

Following my activation at the Swan Reach Conservation Park, I headed towards Swan Reach township, and then travelled down to the Ridley Conservation Park (CP), which is located about 124 km north east of Adelaide, and about 13 km south of the town of Swan Reach on the River Murray.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The Ridley CP is located on the western side of the Mannum-Swan Reach Road (Murraylands Road).  It is a long narrow park, 10 km x 0.4 km, and covers an area of about 414.3 hectares.  The southern boundary of the park is on the edge of the valley of the River Marne.  This is the location of Hayward’s Hill, which is the highest point in the park.  About 35 % of the park comprises an open scrub of Red Mallee and Yorrell.  There are also some stands of Murray Pine and associated areas of shrubland dominated by Hop Bush and Cassias.  The remaining 65 % of the park comprises low open woodland of Native Apricot and False Sandalwood.  The understorey consists of Spear-grass and ephemeral herbs.

The park was originally set aside to conserve native vegetation and bird habitats.  Also, the open areas of the park include a number of warrens of the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat.  Other native animals found in the park include echidnas, and Western Grey kangaroos.

Southern Hairy-nosed wombat.   Image courtesy of wikipedia.

I last activated this park in May, 2013.  For more information on that activation, please have a look at my previous post at…..

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/ridley-conservation-park/

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I set up just off the eastern side of Murraylands Road.  I had arrived at the park a little later than planned.  I was meant to be on air at 0700 UTC (5.30 p.m.), but it wasn’t until 0750 UTC that I was set up and ready to go.  It was still warm (I was in a t-shirt), but it was very dark and very windy.

As often happens, I asked if the frequency was in (I was on 7.095) and I was answered by the ever reliable John VK5BJE who advised the frequency was all mine.  This was followed by a call from John VK5FTCT in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, with a beautiful 5/9 signal.

Again, for this activation, I worked a handful of QRP operators.  The first of those was Nev VK5WG, at Crustal Brook running 5 watts from his X1M, and then Greg VK5GJ at Meadows, also running 5 watts.  And then Peter VK5NAQ at Balaklava in the Mid North, who was also running just 5 watts.

The strongest station worked was Paul VK7CC on the north coast of Tasmania, who had a great 5/9 plus signal (nearly 30/9).  Paul’s signal report for me was 10/9.

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I had been on 7.095 for 35 minutes, chatting to stations in VK2, VK3, and VK5, when a couple of VK2 fellas decided they would come up on 7.093.  So that was pretty much the end of that.  They were causing just too much splatter and I was forced to wrap up my activity on 7.095.  I think it was a planned ‘sked’ frequency and they were not going to move for anyone, despite me hearing a station I had worked, asking them to QSY.  I lowered the squid pole and removed the links in the 40m/20m linked dipole, and had a listen on 20m.  I worked just 2 stations there.  They being JD1BOX on Ogaswara, and then Rich G0OWU at Wrens Nest in England.

It was starting to get a bit cool, and the wind was certainly not abating.  This combined with the fact that the sun was starting to set, meant that the wombats and kangaroos would now be getting active.  So I packed up the gear and headed home.  I had a total of 20 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked:-

1. John VK5BJE
2. John VK5FTCT
3. Nev VK5WG
4. Greg VK5GJ
5. Terry VK3UP
6. Brian VK5FMID
7. Arno VK5ZAR
8. Ian VK5CZ
9. John VK2AWJ
10. Jeff VK5HEL
11. Greg VK2QE
12. Tom VK5FTRG
13. Bruce VK2FBJM
14. Ron VK2NZL
15. Rob VK2DRB/m
16. Damien VK5FDEC
17. Paul VK7CC
18. Peter VK5NAQ

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

1. JD1BOX
2. Rich G0OWU

References.

National Pakrs and Wildlife Service, 1984, ‘Conservation Parks of the Murraylands (Western Plains) Management Plans’

Yesterday (Saturday 6th December, 2014) I headed to the Swan Reach Conservation Park (CP), which is located about 167 km north east of Adelaide, and about 10 km west of the town of Swan Reach.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The park covers an area of about 2,017 hectares and encompasses an area of gently undulating country.  It consists of typical mallee vegetation.  The park is home to a large variety of birdlife including Wedge tailed Eagle, Purple-crowned Lorikett, Mallee Ringneck, Australian Owlet-nightjar, and Singing Honeyeater.  A large number of native mammals can also be found including the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat, Western Grey Kangaroos, and Red Kangaroos.  A large number of native reptiles are also found here including Central Bearded Dragons and Gould’s Goannas.  I did not see any wombats but certainly saw quite a few kangaroos.

I last activated the Swan Reach CP on the 11th May 2013.  Please have a look at my previous post for information on that activation…..

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/swan-reach-conservation-park/

I turned right onto a dirt road, off the Sedan-Swan Reach Road, and travelled south.  After travelling south for a km or so, I then found a small track running off to the east, and drove down the track until I found a small clearing, where I set up my gear.  Again for this activation, I used my Yaesu FT-450, 40 watts, and a 40m/20m linked dipole, supported on a 7m squid pole.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

My CQ call was responded to by Stuart VK5STU with a strong 5/9 signal from the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide.  This was followed by Arno VK5ZAR and then Steve VK3SRB mobile at Mitcham in Melbourne.  Steve had a terrific 5/9 signal from his mobile.

I had a few good QRP contacts whilst in the park.  The first was with Ian VK3VIN who was running his little Argonaut transceiver on just 3 watts.  Ian was a good 5/7 signal.  We tried out ‘how low can we go?’.  Ian dropped his power down to just 1 watt and I was able to receive his signal 5/5, without any problems.  I lowered my power down from 40 watts where I was 5/9, to 10 watts and received a 5/8 signal report.  I then lowered the power output down to 5 watts and received a 5/6-7 signal report from Ian.

I then worked Greg VK5GJ in Meadows, in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges.  Greg was running just 5 watts and was 5/5.  And my last QRP contact was with Peter VK5NAQ, who despite running just 5 watts, was 5/9 plus to Swan Reach.  Peter always has a terrific signal.

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After an hour in the park, I had a total of 17 contacts in the log from VK2, VK3, & VK5.

The following stations were worked:-

1. Stuart VK5STU
2. Arno VK5ZAR
3. Steve VK3SRB/m
4. Ian VK5KKT
5. Ian VK3VIN
6. Peter VK3PF
7. Steve VK3FSWB
8. Col VK5FCDL
9. Mike VK3ZMD
10. Andy VK2FBAC
11. Nev VK5WG
12. Barry VK3MBW
13. Ron VK5VH
14. Greg VK5GJ
15. John VK5FTCT
16. Peter VK5NAQ
17. Bruce VK2FBJM

References.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1983, ‘Conservation Parks of the Murraylands (western Plains) Management Plans

On Tuesday night (2nd December 2014) I arrived home from work to find no internet coverage from my ISP and then no power.  So I packed up the radio gear and headed for the Monarto Conservation Park, which is about 65 km east of Adelaide.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I have activated the Monarto Conservation Park previously (on 2 occasions).  Please have a look at my previous posts for more information on those activations, and also for information on the park itself.

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/monarto-conservation-park/

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/monarto-conservation-park-2/

I set up in the same spot as the last 2 occasions, which was the carpark on the eastern side of the park.  There is plenty of room here to string out a dipole, and stay out of the bush and of course all of the associated nasties that like living in the bush and come out on hot evenings (which this was).  I set up my fold up table and deck chair, and the Yaesu FT450, 40 watts and the 40m/20m linked dipole.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

It was a warm evening, but there were showers coming in from the west and there was lots of storm activity.  So the static crashes on 40m were S9 plus at times.  I placed a CQ call on 7.095 and was immediately greeted by Andrew VK2UH who had a great 5/9 signal coming in from New South Wales.  Andrew was defeating the static crashes without any problems.  After a bit of a chinwag with Andrew I was called by regular park hunter, Tom VK5EE in Mount Gambier, and then Damien VK5FDEC running 10 watts from his new Yaesu FT857.  My fourth contact was Rob VK4FFAB.  It was a struggle to get Rob’s call but we got there in the end.  Rob was a 3/4, simply because of the static crashes.  If they were not there, I would have received Rob perfectly, as there was certainly no man made noise in the park.  Thanks for your perseverance Rob.

I had a steady flow of callers during the 90 minutes that I was set up in the park.  The band was in very good condition and it was a real shame about the static crashes.  I had callers from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, and VK7.  Almost all of the States and Territories were represented.

And here is where all the noise was coming from…..

Image courtesy of http://www.weatherzone.com.au

Image courtesy of http://www.weatherzone.com.au

Fortunately the rain stayed away.  I had a few light sprinkles, but it remained a very warm evening.  By the time I packed up at about 8.15 p.m. the sun was setting and I was rewarded with a spectacular sunset.  And I was still in a t-shirt.

The signals coming in from VK5 during this activation were outstanding.  Peter VK5NAQ, Charlie VK5KDK, Hans VK5YX, Nev VK5WG, John VK5FMJC, Ian VK5IS, Arno VK5ZAR, and Roger VK5NWE were all 20/9 to 30/9 in signal strength.

A few QRP callers gave me a shout.  They were Kevin VK7HKN running 5 watts from his Yaesu FT-817, and Eric VK3FMSC also running 5 watts.  And Ken VK3TKQ who was mobile at Mount Evelyn, had a beautiful 5/9 signal into Monarto.

But the strongest signal of the activation was reserved for Roger VK4YB near Caboolture in Queensland.  Roger was 40/9 to me, and his 2 element beam was working an absolute treat. What a signal!

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This was a very enjoyable activation despite the QRN.  It is very evident from this activation and other evening activations that I have done, that the 40m band opens up beautifully to all parts of Australia at this time.  So why not try an evening park activation and work all of Australia.

I had a total of 28 contacts during this activation.

The following stations were worked:-

1. Andrew VK2UH
2. Tom VK5EE
3. Damien VK5FDEC
4. Rob VK4FFAB
5. Ken VK3TKQ/m
6. Peter VK5NAQ
7. Lee VK2LEE
8. Kevin VK7HKN
9. Charlie VK5KDK
10. Greg VK7FGGT
11. Hans VK5YX
12. Ian VK3AXF
13. Nick VK2DX
14. Nev VK5WG
15. Andrew VK1NAM
16. Mark VK7MK
17. Ian VK3FIAN
18. John VK5FMJC
19. Ian VK5IS
20. Roger VK4YB
21. Col VK5FCDL
22. Arno VK5ZAR
23. Phil VK3BHR
24. Ian VK5CZ
25. Eric VK3FMSC
26. Jess VK6JES
27. Roger VK5NWE
28. Nick VK3FCCK