Here are some more FT8 award certificates received in the past couple of days.

QSL card received from Radio Taiwan International for the reception of their station on 17th Dec 2022 on 12065 kHz.

I was a ‘late starter’ to the FT8 mode. I only made my first FT8 contact on the 13th day of January this year (2023).

Since then I have made a total of (as I type this blog) 2,064 QSOs into 108 different DXCC entities.

The map below shows my FT8 contacts around the world.

DXCC worked on FT8

Below is a list of the DXCC entities I have worked on FT8

1. Algeria
2. Andorra
3. Antarctica
4. Argentina
5. Asiatic Russia
6. Australia
7. Austria
8. Azores
9. Bahrain
10. Belarus
11. Belgium
12. Belize
13. Bolivia
14. Bosnia-Herzegovina
15. Brazil
16. Bulgaria
17. Canada
18. Canary Islands
19. Chile
20. China
21. Cocos Keeling Islands
22. Colombia
23. Corsica
24. Crete
25. Croatia
26. Crozet Island
27. Cuba
28. Czech Republic
29. Denmark
30. Dominica
31. Dominican Republic
32. East Malaysia
33. Ecuador
34. England
35. Estonia
36. European Russia
37. Federal Republic of Germany
38. Fiji
39. Finland
40. France
41. Gibraltar
42. Greece
43. Guadeloupe
44. Guam
45. Guernsey
46. Haiti
47. Hawaii
48. Honduras
49. Hong Kong
50. Hungary
51. India
52. Indonesia
53. Ireland
54. Israel
55. Italy
56. Japan
57. Jersey
58. Kaliningrad
59. Kazakhstan
60. Kenya
61. Kuwait
62. Latvia
63. Lebanon
64. Lithuania
65. Luxumbourg
66. Madeira Islands
67. Mexico
68. Moldova
69. Motenegro
70. Netherlands
71. New Caledonia
72. New Zealand
73. Northern Ireland
74. Norway
75. Oman
76. Pakistan
77. Panama
78. Peru
79. Philippines
80. Poland
81. Portugal
82. Puerto Rico
83. Republic of Korea
84. Reunion Island
85. Romania
86. Sardinia
87. Scotland
88. Serbia
89. Singapore
90. Slovak Republic
91. Slovenia
92. South Africa
93. Spain
94. Sri Lanka
95. Sweden
96. Switzerland
97. Taiwan
98. Thailand
99. Trinidad & Tobago
100. Turkey
101. Ukraine
102. United Arab Emirates
103. United States of America
104. Uruguay
105. Venezuela
106. Vietnam
107. Wales
108. West Malaysia

Bands worked on FT8.

The majority of my contacts have been on the 20m band (619), followed by 40m (495) and closely following in third position is 15m (485). The graph below shows the number of FT8 contacts I have made per band.

Top 10 DXCC worked.

As far as countries (DXCC) worked, the majority has been with Japan (562), followed by USA (460), and then Indonesia _130). The graph below shows the Top 10 countries worked and the number of QSOs made into that country

Thank you.

I am having a lot of fun on FT8.

I would like to thank the following people who have either help me set up FT8, or have provided assistance re Ultimate AAC (software) re FT8 awards:

1. John VK5BJE
2. Peter VK3ZPF
3. Ian VK1DI
4. Keith VK2PKT

Last week I was the successful bidder for the Clipsal CW key below in a local online auction.

The key was made in c. 1944 by Gerard & Goodman Ltd of Adelaide. Clipsal Morse Keys, as they were known. were manufactured during World War II for the Defence Forces. The manufacture of the keys continued after the war and they became popular with amateur radio operators.

Below is a great video about the key.

Alfred Edward Gerard was born in 1877 in Aberdeen, Burra, South Australia. After completing his education in Burra, he commenced employment with a local coach builder. Gerard then worked for Edwin Davey and Sons, who were flour millers. He was employed there as an engineer and manager of the company’s electric lighting plant.

In 1902 Gerard married Elsie Goodman.

Above:- Alfred Edward Gerard. Image c/o SA Museum.

In 1907 Gerard obtained a £100 from his father-in-law William Goodman and he established a contracting business from his rented home at Prospect. His business soon employed five people and he moved the business from his home to the basement of Super Elliott’s bicycle shop at 200 Rundle Street East, Adelaide. On the 3rd day of August 1908 the company name ‘Gerard & Goodman’ was registered.

In 1909 Gerard founded the South Australian Electrical Importers & Suppliers Association, which was later known as the Electrical Wholesalers Association.

In 1910 the business moved to rented premises in Twin Street, Adelaide. Soon after the business moved to 100 Pirie Street, Adelaide, and then expanded to the shop next door at 102 Pirie Street.

Above:- Article from the Daily Herald, Adelaide, Tues 15 Sep 1914. Image c/o Trove.

In 1920 Gerard & Goodman commenced making a clip-on metal conduit fitting which was abbreviated to ‘Clipsal’ due to the product’s ability to ‘clip to all sizes’. The name Clipsal has now become a household South Australian name.

In 1921 Gerard purchased land in Synagogue Place, Adelaide which was the company’s first freehold property. Showrooms, offices and a factory were built on the site. It commenced as a two-storey building and was extended many times. The main entrance was in Synagogue Place, while access to the bulk store was at the rear entrance in Tavistock Street.

Above:- The Gerard and Goodman Ltd premises at Synagogue Place, c. 1928. Image c/o State Library SA.

I found the video below which is a walk-through of the old Synagogue Place premise.

The business continued to grow, and Gerard purchased a shop at 132 Rundle Street, Adelaide as an electrical and radio and retail business.

In 1932 the company Gerard Ltd was registered.

Above:- Article from The News, Adelaide, Sat 8 Oct 1932. Image c/o Trove.

In 1936, Gerard & Goodman moved its operations to Bowden.

Above:- Gerard Electric premises at Bowden. Image c/o Clipsal.com

In March 1938, CH Martin Ltd, Adelaide, was contracted to build a sop and offices for Gerard and Goodman at 192-196 Rundle Street, Adelaide. The building had an internal connection to the warehouse in Synagogue Place, which it abuts.

Television was first displayed in South Australia in the Gerard & Goodman shopfront window in Rundle Street between the 30th day of May 1949 to the 2nd day of June 1949. It is reported that this drew large crowds. It would not be until a further ten years that permanent TV broadcasting was brought to Adelaide.

Above:- the Gerard & Goodman store in Rundle Street, 1969. Image c/o State Library SA.

Other than his running of the electrical business, Gerard was also devoted to the welfare of aboriginal children. In 1929, he established the United Aborigines Mission (UAM). He was also a lay preacher and a member of the Prospect Masonic Lodge. He authored a book entitled Ears of Corn.

In 1945 Gerard financed the purchase of a 5,800-acre property at Winkie in the Riverland region of South Australia. It is now known as the Gerard Aboriginal Community in his honour.

Gerard died on the 13th day of October 1950, aged 73 years, at his home at Prospect. He is buried at the Payneham cemetery.

Gerard & Goodman continued to trade in Rundle Street until the 1970s.

In 2003 the Gerard family sold its interest in the Clipsal business to Schneider Electric.

In March 2017, the Gerard & Goodman building in Synagogue Place was demolished and replaced with new student accommodation.

Above:- An aerial view showing the old Gerard & Goodman building in Rundle St & the warehouse in Synagogue Place. Image c/o Google maps.

References.

1. Adelaide City Explorer, 2023, <https://adelaidecityexplorer.com.au/items/show/193>, viewed 24th February 2023.
2. Autopsy of Adelaide, 2023, <https://autopsyofadelaide.com/2017/03/30/urban-exploration-gerard-goodman-building-adelaide/>, viewed 24th February 2023.
3. City of Adelaide Heritage Survey, 2008
4. Radiomuseum, 2023, <https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/gerard_clipsal_morse_key_cat_no_610_2_terminal_key.html>, viewed 24th February 2023.
5. SA History Hub, 2023, <https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/people/alfred-edward-gerard>, viewed 24th February 2023.
6. SA Museum, 2023, <https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/collection/archives/provenances/aa841>, viewed 24th February 2023.
7. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._E._Gerard>, viewed 24th February 2023.

QSL card received in the mail from Radio Prague International for the reception of their station on 10th October 2022, on 5010 kHz.

I’ve received a few more FT8 award certificates.

About 5 weeks ago I became set up for the digital mode FT8. Thanks to John VK5BJE for his assistance.

I joined the FT8 Digital Modes Club and I uploaded my log to Ultimate AAC, and I could not believe the number of award certificates that were sitting there waiting for me.

Thanks to Ian VK1DI and Keith VK2PKT for their guidance regarding UAAC.

After leaving the Minlacowie Conservation Park (Monday 6th February 2023), we drove down to the town of Yorketown. We need to purchase some bottles of red wine for our trip to Troubridge Island.

Prior to European settlement, the aboriginal people called the area around Yorketown, karinja – kari meaning ‘emu’ and nja – ‘place’. The original plan of the town shows Yorke Town, but it was advertised as ‘The Town of Yorke’, taking its name from Yorke Peninsula.

Whilst in Yorketown we visited the water tower mural which was painted by Jasmine Crisp in March 2021. The work took Crip a total of 37 days to complete. The mural includes the Royal Flying Doctor Service, canola crops, the pink lake and historic buildings. 

We then headed for Port Giles to activate the silo for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program.

Port Giles was named after Thomas Giles (b. 1820. d. 1899), a partner with George Anstey in the Penton Vale sheep station. Giles was the third of 15 sons and 6 daughters of William Giles, the Colonial Manager of the South Australian Company.

Above:- Thomas Giles. Image c/o Wikipedia.

In 1967, construction of a deep sea jetty commenced at Port Giles and on the 23rd day of May 1970 was opened by the South Australian Premier, Hon. Steele Hall. The opening of the jetty and the large grains storage facility led to the closure of many of the smaller ports on the Yorke Peninsula.

Above:- Former SA Premier Steele Hall. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Port Giles was specifically constructed to be able to handle bulk grain and load it onto larger modern ships. Port Giles can handle Panamax-size ships or larger. Panamax is a term for the size limit of ships travelling through the Panama Canal. Many of the other Yorke Peninsula ports were not deep enough for larger ships, and they could only be serviced by small sketches and coastal steamships and could only handle grain in bags and not in bulk.

We operated from the 4WD on Hickey Drive, a short distance from the silos. We ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan antenna for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1CHW/p (Black Mountain Nature Reserve VKFF-0834 & SOTA VK1/ AC-042)
2. VK5MOS
3. VK3PF
4. VK5FANA
5. VK5BJE

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK1CHW/p (Black Mountain Nature Reserve VKFF-0834 & SOTA VK1/ AC-042)
2. VK5MOS
3. VK3PF
4. VK5FANA
5. VK5BJE
6. VK5HS
7. VK5FR
8. VK2YK
9. VK5GA
10. VK5LA
11. VK3LVH
12. VK2RO
13. VK5CZ
14. VK2NP
15. VK5GY
16. VK3GJG
17. VK5TN
18. VK3SMW
19. VK2IO

It was time for us to head back to Stansbury, where that night we met up with Ivan VK5HS, Andy VK5LA, Adam VK2YK, and Chris VK5TR, our other team members of VK5TIL and the Troubridge Island trip. We had a great night out and a meal at the Stansbury Hotel.

References.

1. A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia, 2023, <https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/>, viewed 23rd February 2023.
2. Australian Silo Art Trail, 2023, <https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/yorketown>, viewed 23rd February 2023.
3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Giles_(pastoralist)>, viewed 23rd February 2023.
4. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Giles,_South_Australia>, viewed 23rd February 2023.
5. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panamax>, viewed 23rd February 2023.

We left the Ramsay Way Conservation Park and drove north to the little town of Curramulka, one of the oldest towns on the Yorke Peninsula. The name Curramulkaka is derived from the Aboriginal word ‘curre’ meaning emu and ‘mulka’ meaning deep water. Emus drank in the area and this resulted in the name.

Close to Curramulka is an extensive chain of limestone caves that were first explored in 1850. A significant number of major extensions were discovered in 1984.

We then drove south on the Yorke Highway and into the town of Minlaton. The name is derived from the first syllable of Minlacowie and the Middle English word ton, meaning ‘town’. Land in the Minlaton area was first taken up by Thomas Giles in 1847 at ‘Gum Flat’, sometimes referred to as ‘Mount Rat’.

On the 3rd day of December 1874, J.W. Jones, surveyor, reported to the Surveyor-General:

‘Knowing the ground to be high enough and the almost certainty of finding fresh water on every allotment, I think the site suggested by Mr Cadet Surveyor Elder is as good, if not the best that could be found…’

The site was approved, and was surveyed by Giles Edward Strangways (b. 1819. d. 1906), and was proclaimed on the 15th day of June 1876.

Above:- Giles E. Strangways. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The old Gum Flat Station and a historic horse dip can be found on the outskirts of Minlaton.

We stopped to get something to eat and a cup of coffee at Minlaton.

Minlaton is famous for Captain Harry Butler and his ‘Red Devil’ aircraft.

Henry John ‘Harry’ Butler (b. 1889. d. 1924) was a pioneer Australian aviator, and Captain and Chief Fight Instructor in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I. On the 6th day of August 1919, he flew an air mail run from Adelaide across Gulf St Vincent to Minlaton. This was the first over-water flight in the Southern Hemisphere carrying air mail and the first flight over a major body of water in the southern hemisphere.

On the 11th day of January 1922, Harry Butler was seriously injured following the crash of his Avro biplane near Minlaton. Sadly, Butler died on the 30th day of July 1924 of an unexpected cerebral abscess which was believed to be related to the 1922 crash. On the outskirts of Minlaton, there is a memorial at the crash site.

We left Minlaton and drove to our final park activation, the Minlacowie Conservation Park VKFF-0909. The park is about 20 km (by road) to the west of the town of Stansbury.

We took Cutline Road off Harry Butler Road and headed towards the park. This is wheat growing country and there were a number of farmers active in their paddocks.

Minlacowie is aboriginal for ‘two waters’. It is derived from either minala meaning ‘two’ and kawi meaning ‘water’ or minla-kawi meaning ‘freshwater well’.

On the 26th day of March 1874 the Hundred of Minlacowie, County of Fergusson, was proclaimed. On the 23rd day of November 1874, E.J. Elder, whilst surveying the area, reported to the Surveyor-General that he had selected ‘the best site and the nearest to good fresh water for the proposed new town of Gum Flat.’

In 1875 the Minlacowie Post office opened. The Minlacowie School opened in 1877 and in 1922 it was renamed ‘Rocky Beach’. The Minlacowie South School was built by local farmers and was opened in 1901 and closed in 1941.

Above:- Article from the Observer, Sat 15 Feb 1913. Article c/o Trove.

The ruins of the Minlacowie South School can be found at the crossroads of Harry Butler Road, Jacka Road, Rogers Road, and Bublacowie Road is the old Minlacowie school. Sadly it is neglected and in a state of disrepair.

The Minlacowie Conservation Park is about 28 hectares in size and is located on the southwestern corner of Rogers Road and Savage Hut Road. It was gazetted on the 14 the day of February 2008.

The park consists of a small piece of remnant mallee/broombush vegetation and conserves a number of significant plant species including the nationally and state-vulnerable Winter Spider orchid. 

There are no walking trails and no 4WD tracks in this park. The scrub is also very thick. So we had no option but to pull into a small clearing in the scrub on Savage Hut Road and operate from the 4WD. We ran the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan antenna mounted on the rear of the 4WD

Above:- An aerial view of the park showing our operating spot.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2YK/p (Clinton Conservation Park VKFF-0813)
2. VK3MDC/m
3. VK3BBB
4. VK2CCP
5. VK3MTT
6. VK5HS/m
7. VK5LA/m
8. VK5CZ
9. VK3PF
10. VK2YAK/p (Warra National Park VKFF-0517)
11. VK4YAK/p (Warra National Park VKFF-0517)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2YK/p (Clinton Conservation Park VKFF-0813)
2. VK3MDC/m
3. VK3BBB
4. VK2CCP
5. VK3MTT
6. VK5HS/m
7. VK5LA/m
8. VK5CZ
9. VK3PF
10. Vk2YAK/p (Warray National Park VKFF-0517)
11. VK4YAK/p (Warra National Park VKFF-0517)
12. VK5FANA
13. VK3VIN
14. VK1AO
15. VK2MET
16. VK3MCK
17. VK2EXA
18. VK3ZSC
19. VK5BJF
20. VK3MCA
21. VK3UAO
22. VK5FR/m
23. VK5NM
24. VK5YP
25. VK5BJE
26. VK3QH

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4FW
2. VK8MM
3. VK6NET
4. Vk2NP
5. VK4EW
6. VK4TJ
7. VK4RT
8. VK1AO
9. VK2MET
10. VK2IO
11. VK4ABF

I made the following contact on 15m SSB:-

1. VK6NTE

References.

1. A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia, 2023, <https://published.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/placenamesofsouthaustralia/>, viewed 23rd February 2023.
2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curramulka>, viewed 23rd February 2023.
3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minlacowie_Conservation_Park>, viewed 23rd February 2023.
4. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Butler_(aviator)>, viewed 23rd February 2023.

After leaving Port Vincent, Marija and I headed to the Ramsay Way Conservation Park VKFF-0815. I have previously activated this park.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Ramsay Way CP. Map c/o Google maps.

The Ramsay Way Conservation Park (often just referred to as Ramsay Conservation Park) is about 147 hectares in size. It is located on the western side of Power Line Road, about 7 km west of the town of Port Vincent.

Above:- An aerial view of the Ramsay Way CP looking west towards Port Vincent. Image c/o google maps.

The park was proclaimed on the 14th day of February 2008 and is located in the Minlaton Curramulka Threatened Habitat Area. The primary vegetation in the park is sheoak and mallee, with very low woodlands and a grassy understorey. The nationally and State endangered Jumping-Jack Wattle can be found in the park. This plant is not located in any other park on the Yorke Peninsula.

eBird has recorded a total of 60 species of bird in the park including Common Bronzewing, Yellow-plumed honeyeater, Striated Pardalote, and Wedge-tailed eagle.

Marija and I found an unlocked gate on Power Line Road and we drove a short distance into the park as there were no defined tracks. We operated from the vehicle running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna mounted on the rear of the 4WD. Despite the power lines running along the aptly named Power Line Road, we had no noise.

Unfortunately, I fell 4 contacts short of the 44 required to qualify the park for the global World Wide Flora Fauna Program.

Marija worked the following stations on 4m SSB:-

1. VK5TRM
2. VK5IS
3. VK5FANA
4. VK5BJE
5. VK5GY
6. VK3PF
7. VK5WRJ
8. VK2YK
9. VK5GA
10. VK5FR/m

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5TRM
2. VK5IS
3. VK5FANA
4. VK5BJE
5. VK5GY
6. VK3PF
7. VK5WRJ
8. VK2YK
9. VK5GA
10. VK5FR/m
11. Vk3TBR

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK4HAT
3. VK1AO
4. VK2MET
5. VK2IO
6. VK3SQ

I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-

1. VK1AO
2. VK2MET
3. VK4TJ
4. VK8DNT
5. VK2NP
6. VK3PF
7. VKL2LEE
8. VK3UH
9. VK2VW
10. Vk2HFI
11. VK2IO

I worked the following stations on 10m SSB:-

1. VK4TJ
2. VK2IO
3. VK1AO
4. VK2MET
5. VK2FADV
6. VK2LEE
7. VK2NP
8. VK5KHZ
9. VK5LA/m
10. VK5HS/m
11. VK5ZSA
12. VK5KVA

References.

1. Department for Environment and Heritage, 2009, Mainland Conservation Parks of Yorke Peninsula
2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsay_Conservation_Park>, viewed 22nd February 2023.