Here are my latest certificates for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. They are EUCFF Hunter certificates for working European park activators in 7, 14, and 21 different DXCC entities in Europe.
It is a lot of fun hunting the European park activators, and quite a challenge breaking the pile up.
More info about the WWFF ‘global’ awards can be found at…..
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday 22nd August 2015) I headed out to activate the Scott Creek Conservation Park, VKFF-788, which is located in the Mount Lofty Ranges ‘Adelaide Hills’. I have activated Scott Creek previously, but that was part of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award. Scott Creek was added to the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program earlier this year, so this was the first time I was to activate the park as part of WWFF.
Above:- Map showing the location of Scott Creek CP. Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
For more information on the Scott Creek CP, please see my posts re previous activations…..
For this activation I headed west from home along the South Eastern Freeway and travelled into the little town of Stirling and then on to Heathfield along Longwood Road until I reached Mount Bold Road. I then travelled west on Mount Bold Road with the park on my right and the Mount Bold Reservoir on my left. Mount Bold Reservoir is the largest reservoir in South Australia with a maximum capacity of over 46 thousand megalitres. This is very pretty countryside through this part of the Mount Lofty Ranges.
I reached gate 8 of the park and this is where I parked the 4WD and made a short walk along the Cup Gum Track, where I set up the fold up table and deck chair. A few trips back to the vehicle for the rest of the gear and I was set to go.
Above:- Map showing the location of Scott Creek CP. Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
It was my regular equipment for this activation: the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 20m/40m linked dipole supported on the 7 metre telescopic squid pole. There was a nice clearing with some big gum trees, so I was able to get the legs of the dipole about 4-5 feet off the ground.
I headed for my nominated operating frequency of 7.144 and asked if the frequency was in use and this was immediately answered by the ever keen Mick VK3PMG in Stawell in western Victoria. Mick had a very nice 5/9 + signal as always. He was also kind enough to spot me on parksnpeaks, and also let me know that Gordon VK5GY was down the band, activating the Cox Scrub Conservation Park. So after finishing with Mick, thats where I headed.
I found Gordon on 7.105 wrapping up a QSO, at the end of which I gave Gordon a call. Gordon’s signal was very strong coming in from the Fleurieu Peninsula. This was a lucky find and many thanks to Mick. I wasn’t aware that Gordon was heading out, so I was very pleased to get a park to park contact in the log for the VK5 Parks Award.
I then moved back to 7.144 and called CQ and this was answered by some of the VK5 park regulars: Peter VK5PET at Strathalbyn, followed by David VK5PL at Williamstown, and then Arno VK5ZAR who spotted me on parksnpeaks. Next up was Amanda VK3FQSO running QRP again, with just 1 watt, and a very respectable 5/7 signal. It is amazing what can be done with QRP. And I think that portable programs such as the parks and SOTA have proven that to many QRP doubters.
A few QSOs later, amongst the pile up, I spoke with Ken ZL4KD from Christchurch with a good 5/5 signal. Ken reciprocated with a 5/3 for me. Not bad on 40m at 3.15 p.m. local time with a basic little wire antenna just 7 metres off the ground. Ken has become a regular park hunter and its always a pleasure to get him in the log.
Thanks to Rick VK4RF, a recent regular park hunter, who spotted me on the DX cluster.
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About half a dozen contacts later I was called by Peter VK3PF who was out portable in Crossover Regional Park, VKFF-965. I had only added this park to the WWFF program the day before. So Peter was very keen and was out there already. And I was very pleased to add it to my VKFF parks collection. A brand new one for me. He is a link to Peter’s WordPress site re his activation…..
And then 2 QSOs later I had one of the highlights of the activation. It was a QSO with Peter VK3YE who was using a home brew transceiver and running just 200 milliwatts. Peter had a great 5/6-7 signal coming into Scott Creek. It was also at this time that the first of many bushwalkers passed by my location. They were curious to know what I was doing, so I quickly explained to them all about the hobby of amateur radio. Below is a short video of how Peter sounded to me….
Soon after I was called by Tommy VK2IR who told me that the Europeans were querying on 20m if I was coming to that band. And it was also at this time, that I had another bushwalker come by, who was very keen to find out what this crazy guy was doing sitting at a fold up table in the middle of the bush. I took 10 minutes out of operating to explain to him, our interesting hobby, and the VK5 Parks Award and WWFF. He seemed very keen. We even spoke about propagation and the ionosphere. Thanks to those who took the time for me to return to the band. Thanks also to Tommy VK2IR for spotting me on the DX Cluster.
Prior to heading off to 20m I managed another new park for the WWFF program. This time it was Ian VK1DI who was activating Gungahlin Hill Nature Reserve VKFF-844.
After working a total of 30 stations on 40m I headed to 20m and my nominated operating frequency of 14.310. Unfortunately here in Australia, 14.244 is pretty much un-usable here in our afternoons due to a group of VK and USA fellas who have a daily get together on or around that frequency. So I headed further up the band. I called CQ on 14.310 and much to my surprise after just one call, I had a few Europeans coming back to my call. The first station in the log was Jacky F5OUD in France, followed by Gerard F1BLL, and then regular park hunter, Albert S58AL in Slovenia. But conditions were not easy, with the 20m band still not quite right. Signal strengths were down and I only managed 9 contacts into France, Slovenia, Germany, VK4, VK6, Slovak Republic, and Russia. This included Steve VK4OZI, and Mike VK6MB. Despite half a dozen CQ calls I had no more takers.
I checked my i-phone for any possible park or SOTA activity and I saw a spot for Mike 2E0YYY who was on Walton Hill, G/ CE-002. I headed for 14.335 and there was Mike, calling CQ. Not strong, but with the non existant man made noise in the park, I thought we could probably make it. And we did, giving each other 5/3 signal reports.
I then tuned across the band and worked my old mate Wim ON7AB in Belgium (I met Wim and his wife, last year during my visit to Europe), who was calling CQ on 14.265. At the end of that QSO, I heard the familiar voice of Bruce VK2HOT calling out to me to say hello. So we QSYd to 14.271 where I had a quick chat to Bruce, followed by Steve VK4QQ, before heading back to 40m for some final CQ calls.
I returned to 7.144 where my first taker was Bruce VK2HOT, who had followed me down from 20m.
I worked another 21 stations on 40m, before the cold got the better of me, and I packed up and headed home. Amongst those callers was Rob VK4AAC/5 in the Parndana Conservation Park, VKFF-925, on Kangaroo Island, OC-139.
This was another new VKFF park for me, and a successful activation, with a total of 64 contacts in the log in a little over 2 hours. And some good interaction with the public and some very interesting contacts.
Today (Friday 21st August 2015) I had a day off work, but the morning did not give any good signs of it being an ideal day to head out for a portable activation. The weather was cold, cloudy, with showers. But by lunch time the weather had cleared and the sun had revealed itself. So I packed the 4WD and headed to the Mount George Conservation Park, VKFF-784. The park is just a short drive from my home, down the South Eastern Freeway towards Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of Mt George CP. Courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
Mount George CP was set aside as a reserve to protect stands of native vegetation, inspiring landscape and a diversity of habitat types. The 62 hectare park is divided into trwo sections, which are separated by Mount George Road, Cox Creek and the Mount George picnic ground. The famous Heysen Trail also passes through the park.
Prior to European settlement, the area of land belonged to the Peramangk Aboriginal people. After European settlement, the land was farmed and the surrounding stringybark forests were logged for timber and firewood until the 1940’s. Most of the park was left in its original condition. The fenced Eastern Section was developed as an Earthwatch Reserve in 1986 for nature conservation and environment education.
The park is covered with vegetation ranging from wetlands to open forest. Brown and messmate stringybark trees cover the higher slops. A mixture of candlebark and manna gum (considered rare in South Australia) covers the lower slopes. Rocky outcrops, some with superb views, are found in both sections of the park. The understorey offers spectactular spring glowers, including flowering pea flower, ground hugging correas and various native orchids. Native cherries are also pound in the park.
Many native bird species can be seen in the park including Superb blue wrens, red-brown finches, white-throated treecreepers, yellow tailed black cockatoos and wedge tailed eagles.
A variety of mammal species may be seen in the park, particularly at dawn and fusk. They include western grey kangaroos, possums and echidnas. Bearded dragons, sleepy and blue tongued lizard, and various skinks are just some of the reptiles to be found in the park.
Above:- Map showing my operating spot. Courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
I set up on one of the wooden benches and tables in the Mount George Picnic ground area. The afternoon was cool, but the sun was out and it was quite pleasant sitting under the large gum trees. The park was quite active, with lots of people enjoying the sunshine.
I used the normal equipment for this activation, consisting of the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and my 40m/20m linked dipole, supported on the 7 metre telescopic squid pole.
I had nominated 7.144 as a starting point, but there was a station from VK3 on 7.140, so I headed to 7.145 on 40m. I called CQ for a few minutes before being answered by park stalwart, Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula. Adrian had a good 5/9 signal. This was a good sign, as 40m has been a little ordinary the past week or so. Next up was Col VK5HCF at the other end of South Australia, down in Mount Gambier. Again, a great 5/9 signal. This was followed by a call from Rick VK4RF in Queensland with a nice strong 5/8 signal. Rick has become a regular park hunter.
Thanks to Adrian VK5FANA and Mick VK3PMG for spotting me on parksnpeaks. And also thanks to Rick VK4RF for spotting me on the VKFF/SOTA Facebook site and the WWFF Facebook site. I’m sure this contributed to the steady flow of callers that followed.
I worked a total of 42 stations on 40m including some very interesting contacts. That included a QSO with Amanda VK3FQSO who was QRP, running just 1 watt. Amanda was a genuine 5/9 signal from Victoria. I was also called by Andre V51B/VK2. I have spoken with Andre a number of times from Namibia on 10m short path. So it was a real surprise when I heard his voice on 40m. Also some excellent mobile signals. This included Andrew VK5FLCS mobile near Tiboburra in far north west New South Wales (5/9); Danny VK4SD/2 (5/9); John VK2YW mobile 180 km north west of Broken Hill (5/9); and John VK3FCAN mobile (5/8).
I was also called by Gerard VK2IO who was portable on top of Livingstone Hill, VK2/ SM-093 as part of the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program. Gerard was a good 5/7 signal.
And I also spoke with regular park hunter, Ken ZL4KD in New Zealand, who called in with a good 5/7 signal from Christchurch.
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The weather was starting to come in from the west. The sun had gone, the wind had picked up and I was receiving the occasional drop of rain. So I headed to 20m where my first contact was Rick VK4RF with a very strong 5/9 signal. Rick was kind enough to spot me on the DX cluster, which resulted in a number of DX contacts into Slovenia, Italy, Ukraine, Slovak Republic, Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, England, Russia, Spain, Japan, and the Czech Republic.
There were also some VK’s in amongst the DX. That included Perrin VK3XPT, who I had also worked on 40m; Robert VK2XXM who has become a regular park hunter; Peter VK4PHD on Bribie Island; and John VK5BJE who was my last contact.
Thanks to Rick VK4RF, Luciano I5FLN, Gyula HA6OB, and Robert VK2XXM for spotting me on the DX cluster.
So after 2 hours in the park I had a total of 64 contacts in the log. Another successful activation, and another park under my belt.
On the weekend just gone (Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August 2015), myself and John VK5BJE operated as VI5ANZAC to commemorate the 10th Australian Infantry Battalion.
The 10th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War. The battalion was recruited in South Australia, and was raised within weeks of the declaration of war in August 1914. The Battalion embarked for overseas just two months later, and after a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving in early December.
The 3rd Brigade was the covering force for the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915 and so was the first ashore at around 4:30 am. Two soldiers of the 10th Battalion, Lance Corporal Philip Robin and Private Arthur Blackburn, are believed to have penetrated further inland than any other Australians at ANZAC. The 10th Battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC position, and served there until the evacuation in December.
After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the 10th Battalion returned to Egypt and, in March 1916, sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918, the battalion took part in bitter trench warfare. The battalion’s first major action in France was at Pozieres in the Somme valley in July. After Pozieres the battalion fought at Ypres in Flanders before returning to the Somme for winter. In 1917, the battalion returned to Belgium to take part in the major British offensive of that year – the Third Battle of Ypres. For his valorous actions at Polygon Wood east of Ypres in September 1917, Private Roy Inwood was awarded the Victoria Cross (we will be commemorating Inwood next month as VK100ANZAC). INWOOD’s brother Robert had been killed at Pozieres and another brother, Harold, had been badly wounded and invalided to Australia in November 1917.
In March and April 1918 the 10th Battalion helped stop the German spring offensive and was then involved in the operations leading up to the Allied counter-stroke. In June, during an attack near Merris in France, Corporal Phillip Davey became the third member of the battalion to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Davey had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery near Messines in January. His brothers Claude and Richard were also members of the battalion and both had been awarded Military Medals in 1917.
The battalion participated in the great allied offensive of 1918, fighting near Amiens on 8 August 1918. This advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as “the black day of the German Army in this war”.
The battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. In November 1918, members of the AIF began returning to Australia. At 8 am on 5 September 1919, the final detachment of the 10th Battalion arrived at Adelaide, aboard the transport Takada.
Above:- Lines of the 9th and 10th Battalions at Merna Camp, looking towards the pyramids. Image courtesy of Wikipedia. The kangaroo was the regimental mascot.
Saturday was quite challenging on the 40 m band with ‘close in’ propagation (within about 400 km) coming and going. Conditions on 20m, long path into Europe were quite good.
However, everything fell apart on Sunday. Solar conditions wreaked havoc on the bands. There was absolutely no close in propagation and long path into Europe on 20m was almost non existent. Very disappointing.
I did a bit of research tonight and found that I have activated a total of 126 unique South Australian National and Conservation Parks out of a total of 292. That’s about 43%. So I have a way to go yet.
Below is a map from Google Earth showing my VK5 park activations.
I received another certificate via email today for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. This time around it was from Poland, and was the SPFF-Hunter Award for having worked 24 different SPFF references.
Many thanks to Sylwester SP2FAP, the SPFF Award Manager, and all of the Polish WWFF activators.
This morning I received via email, my latest Belgian Flora and Fauna (ONFF) award. it is for working 25 different Belgian ONFF reference areas. The next step is the Gold, which requires 50 different ONFF reference areas.
Many thanks to Gino ON4BB for the certificate.
And also thanks to all of the Belgian activators, particularly Danny OT4V, Swa ON5SWA and Yves ON8ON.
I was very pleased to receive this morning my new Hunter certificate in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. It is issued for having worked a total of 352 different WWFF reference areas.
Many thanks to all the WWFF activators and thanks to Pit YO3JW.
Recently I have worked numerous Belgium reference areas for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. This has mostly been due to the efforts of Danny OT4V and Swa ON5SWA.
Both Danny and Swa take the time to listen out for the Australian park hunters which is great. It is often very difficult to break through the European pile up with many of the European park activators. So it is very refreshing to hear Danny and Swa specifically listening for outside of Europe.
And Danny has been sending me some great QSL cards from his activations.
VK5PAS 