Last week whilst I was away I received via email the QSL card below from Radio Nacional da Amazonia in Brazil, for my reception of their station on 6180 kHz on 27th July 2024.
Radio Nacional da Amazonia QSL card
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Trip to the Riverland and Northwest Victoria
I am back from my Riverland SA & northwest Victoria trip. I was away for 7 days.
I had a very enjoyable Saturday evening dinner with Ivan VK5HS & Peter VK5PE.
And on Sunday I attended the Werrimul Hotel for lunch to catch up with members of the Sunraysia Radio Group and the Riverland Radio Club. It was a great afternoon.
Whilst away I undertook 9 silo activations for the Silos On The Air (SiOTA) program and 39 park activations for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.
I made a total of 2,521 QSOs. This included 69 Park to Park contacts.
Thank you to everyone who called.
I will place more information & photographs about each activation here over the coming weeks.
Manning Flora Reserve (Heritage Agreement No. HA109) VKFF-4044
On Wednesday 31st July 2024, I activated the Manning Flora Reserve VKFF-4044 for World Ranger Day.
Each year on the 31st of July, World Ranger Day is held to commemorate Rangers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate all of the hard work undertaken by Rangers. A total of 140 Rangers from 37 countries have lost their lives whilst on duty. (IRF 2024)
It was a short 30-minute drive to the park. This was to be the first time that I had activated this park.
It was a beautiful drive to the park into the McLaren Flat wine-growing region.
The park is located on the corner of Kays Road and Whitings Road.
Above:- An aerial view of the park showing its boundaries. Image c/o Google Earth.
The reserve is owned by The Field Naturalists Society of South Australia Incorporated and is about 45 hectares in size. The reserve was bequeathed to the Society by Sydney Britton Henry Manning upon his death in December 1955. He was a keen bird watcher and very interested in natural history and astronomy. Due to his love of birds, the reserve was known as the “Bird Sanctuary”. (Birds SA 2024)
Above:- An aerial view of the park looking north towards the city of Adelaide. Image c/o Google Maps.
Birds SA have recorded about 97 species of native birds in the park including Adelaide Rosella, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Thornbill, Australian Magpie, Black-winged Currawong, Grey Fantail, Little Raven, Red-browed Finch, Silvereye. (Birds SA 2024)
The park is also home to Western Grey Kangaroos, Echidnas, and various reptiles.
I set up along the walking trail off the Whitings Road entrance. I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.
I ended up with 125 QSOs in the log, including 7 Park to Park contacts.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK5MAZ
- VK5BJE/p (Belair National Park VKFF-0022)
- VK2VW
- VK2HFI
- VK2AKA
- VK2BUG
- VK3SQ
- VK2BD
- VK5AEC
- Vk3APJ
- VK5AAF
- Vk3FRC
- VK3ZSC
- VK3CEO
- VK3AMO
- VK3PF/p (Traralgon South Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2464)
- VK3HJW
- VK5LA
- VK5KAW
- VK5WU
- VK3CA
- VK3RM
- VK3YE/p
- VK3PWG
- VK5KVA
- VK2EXA
- VK3TKK/p (Organ Pipes National Park VKFF-0627)
- VK2VAR
- VK2GOM
- VK3KRL
- VK3KGW
- VK5FB
- VK1DI/p (Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve VKFF-0855)
- VK2MOE
- VK1MO
- VK3VIN
- VK5FANA
- VK7FEAT/m
- VK2SLB
- VK2BRN
- VK2KBT
- VK5VZ/m
- VK3VMM
- VK5TR
- VK2GRB
- VK2GDX
- VK2ALY
- VK2IO
- VK2GEZ
- VK5YL
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK2YW
- VK5LKJ
- VK3BAP
- VK4FDJL
- VK5PE/m
- VK7PJM
- VK3PAH
- VK5HS
- VK5HAA
- VK5MSA
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- VK3ACZ
- VK7IAN
- VK3CJN
- VK3WQHU
- VK5FBIC/p (Anstey Hill Recreation Park VKFF-1683)
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- F5PYI
- VK5MAZ
- Vk2IO
- VK2GEZ
- KG5CIK
- ZL1HIM
- ZL2EF/p (Tararua Forest Park ZLFF-0069)
- VK2ALX
- VK2VAR
- VK2GOM
- VK4EMP
- VK4TI
- VK4GKO
- VK3PF/p (Traralgon South Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2464)
- SQ9CWO
- VK2DML
- EC4AT
- VK2EG
- SP7MW
- I5JFG
- OH1CM
- K5OHY
- IU2IDU
- IW2BNA
- F1BLL
- Vk7XX
- IK4IDF
- VK2MOE
- VK1MO
- VK5HAA
- IK1GPG
- EA1GIB
- G0VWP
- VK4EW
- Vk4BT
- VK4KTX
- VK4IO
- OH1MM
- VK4NBP
- VK2SLB
- VK2BRN
- VK2KBT
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- VK2HAK
- KK7RHF
- OH6GAZ
- DK4RM
- ZL3MR
- VK2VH
- VK4AAC
- IW2NXI
- VK2XD
- F5NZO
References.
- Birdssa.asn.au. (2015). Manning Fauna & Flora Reserve, McLaren Flat – Birds SA. [online] Available at: https://birdssa.asn.au/location/manning-fauna-flora-reserve-mclaren-flat/ [Accessed 26 Aug. 2024].
- International Rangers Federation. (n.d.). 2023 World Ranger Day. [online] Available at: https://www.internationalrangers.org/world-ranger-day/. [Accessed 26 Aug. 2024]
Heritage Agreement VKFF-4056
I headed out into the field for National Tree Day on Sunday 28th July 2024 and activated Heritage Agreement (No. HA 1362) VKFF-4056. The Heritage Agreement is about 65 km (by road) south of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Heritage Agreement. Map c/o Google Maps.
The heritage agreement contains the Heysen Trail and that part of the park is accessible to the public. This beautiful piece of native scrub is located adjacent to the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park and is on the northwestern side of Blackfellows Road.
A Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement is a conservation area on private land, established between the landholder and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water on the recommendation of the Native Vegetation Council (NVC), which contributes to protecting and/or restoring indigenous biodiversity. (Environment SA 2024)
The Heysen Trail is about 1,200 km long and passes through some of South Australia’s most diverse and breathtaking landscapes, traversing coastal areas, native bushland, rugged gorges, pine forests and vineyards, as well as rich farmland and historic towns. (Heysen 2024)
Above:- Map showing the Heysen Trail. Image c/o heysentrail.asn.au
The Heysen Trail was first proposed in 1969 by Charles Warren Bonython (b. 1916. d. 2012) an Australian conservationist, explorer, author and chemical engineer. The proposal was stalled due to politics and issues with private landowners. In 1978 the first 50 km of the trail was laid through the Mount Lofty Ranges. The trail was completed in 1992 with the main designer being Tery Lavender. (Wikipedia 2024)
The trail is named in honour of Sir Wilhelm Ernst ‘Hans’ Franz Heysen (b. 1877. d. 1968) an Australian artist. (Wikipedia 2024)
Above:- Sir Hans Heysen. Image c/o Wikipedia.
Operating spots are limited here. I set up on the edge of the trail, with the 20/40/80m linked dipole not being able to be completely stretched out. I ran the Yaesu FT857 and 40 watts.
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK3PF/p (Mullungdung Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2406)
- VK5MAZ
- VK5FANA
- VK3APJ
- VK5LA/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
- VK3SQ
- VK2BD
- VK3HJW
- VK7MAD
- VK3AMO
- VK5KVA
- VK2EXA
- VK3GJG
- VK3VIN
- VK3PWG
- VK3CEO
- VK3ACZ
- VK3CWF
- VK3ZSC
- VK3ZPF
- VK3JW
- VK2VW
- VK2HFI
- VK2AKA
- VK2BUG
- VK7MAT/p (Tamar Conservation Area VKFF-1154)
- VK5TN
- VK5PCM
- VK5JW
- VK3BEL
- VK2VAR
- VK2GOM
- VK5WU
- VK3SO
- VK3SFG
- VK5IS
- VK3ZDK
- VK2YW/m
- VK3SPG
- VK2HAK
- VK2JKN
- VK3YV/p (Cape Liptrap Coastal Park VKFF-0745)
- VK3TNL/p (Cape Liptrap Coastal Park VKFF-0745)
- VK3FCC/p
- VK2TER/p (Brisbane Water National Park VKFF-0056)
- VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ SY-001 & Marramarra National Park VKFF-0307)
- VK2GEZ/p (SOTA VK2/ SY-001 & Marramarra National Park VKFF-0307)
- VK3IFT
- VK3EST
- VK3BSJ
- VK2PKT
- VK5MSA
- VK3ZK
- VK3KEV
- VK7PJM
- VK2SLB
- VK2BRN
- VK2KBT
- VK2OKR/p (Port Stephens/Great Lakes Marine Park VKFF-1410)
- VK5AAY
- VK2MOR
- Vk3CA
- VK3ABI
- VK3GB
- VK3NBL
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK4HMI
- VK3GCM/p (Silo VK-CLW3)
- VK3SMW
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- VK4DNO/p
- VK5PE/m
- VK2MFW
- VK4EW
- VK2QEW
- ZL3MR
- VK3SX
- VK3PF/p (Bruthen Flora Reserve VKFF-2282)
- VK3SKS
- VK3JFR
- VK3DSR
- VK2IO/p (Maroota Ridge State Conservation Area VKFF-1348)
- VK2GEZ/p (Maroota Ridge State Conservation Area VKFF-1348)
- VK5JOB
- VK3UAO
- VK5GY
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
- VK5KLG
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK4CZ
- VK7AAE
- F5PYI
- OH1MM
- IK1GPG
- IK4IDF
- VK6JK
- OH1XT
- ZL1HIM
- VK2VAR
- VK2GOM
- VK1DI/p (Molonglo River Nature Reserve VKFF-3184)
- KG5CIK
- VK4NH
- VK4DXA
- M0TTQ/p (GFF-0123)
- PA3HLE
- IW2BNA
- KO4GAR
- DL2ND
- VK4SMA
- OP7M
- EA3MP
- F5RAB
- LZ5R
- ON5VR
- EA3HFS
- G5XV
- M0CHK
- VK2SLB
- VK2BRN
- VK2KBT
- UT5PI
- UT5EL
- IU0SPU
- DM3KP
- F4HZR
- I5JFG
- DH4PSG
- EA5JMN
- DK4RM
- M7GWJ/m
- SQ9CWO
- EA3IM
- DL1SF
- DL4BBH
- HA7ML
- EA1GIB
- VK6EK
- VK7EK
- VK2MOR
- DK7LV
- F4GYG
- SP1C
- DK9HN
- G5O
- G0VWP
- S52KM
- VK3PF/p (Welshmans Plain Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2482)
- SP9RX/p
- VK2TER/p (Brisbane Water National Park VKFF-0056)
- DJ1SD
- PD4US
- VK4JT
- KH6KW
- VK2HAK
- KA4KOE
- VK2IO/p (Maroota Ridge State Conservation Area VKFF-1348)
- VK2GEZ/p (Maroota Ridge State Conservation Area VKFF-1348)
- VK6LK
- VK3TKK/p (Organ Pipes National Park VKFF-0627)
- EA7JXZ
- PA8RVD
- IZ5JMZ
- VK4EW
- G1IZQ
- AI6AQ
- EA2ERT
- EA4M
- EA4GJP
- SQ9FMC
References.
- Dcceew.gov.au. (2023). Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2022 – DCCEEW. [online] Available at: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/land/nrs/science/capad/2022.
- The Friends of the Heysen Trail. (n.d.). The Heysen Trail | South Australia’s Long Distance Walking Trail. [online] Available at: https://heysentrail.asn.au/heysen-trail/. [Accessed 25 Aug. 2024]
- Wikipedia. (2021). Hans Heysen. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Heysen. [Accessed 25 Aug. 2024]
- Wikipedia Contributors (2024). Warren Bonython. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Bonython [Accessed 25 Aug. 2024].
- www.environment.sa.gov.au. (n.d.). Heritage Agreements. [online] Available at: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/native-vegetation/protecting-enhancing/heritage-agreements. [Accessed 25 Aug. 2024]
Radio Ergo – 21595 kHz
At about 1220 UTC on Thursday the 15th day of August 2024, I tuned in to Radio Ergo, broadcasting on 21595 kHz in the Somali language.
Radio Ergo produces and broadcasts humanitarian news and information across Somalia and the Somali-speaking region.
The signal was coming from the Al-Dhabbiya 250 kW transmitter in the United Arab Emirates. (Short Wave Schedule 2024)
Above:- Map showing the location of Al-Dhabbiya. Map c/o Google Maps.
The overall reception of Radio Ergo was good. The signal strength was good and there was no interference from other stations. There was only slight fading of the signal.
| S | I | N | P | O |
| 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
My equipment used:-
- Yaesu FTdx101MP
- Dipole antenna
Below is a short video showing my reception of Radio Ergo.
References.
- Radio Ergo, 2023, <radioergo.org/en/about-radio-ergo/>, [Accessed 15 Aug. 2024].
- Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: https://shortwaveschedule.com[Accessed 15 Aug. 2024].
Radio Cairo, Egypt – 9410 kHz
At about 1520 UTC on Wednesday the 14th day of August 2024, I tuned in to Radio Cairo, broadcasting on 9410 kHz in the Albanian language.
The signal was coming from the Abis 125 kW transmitter in Egypt. (Short Wave Info 2023)
Above:- Map showing the location of Abis. Map c/o Google Maps.
The overall reception of Radio Cairo was fair. The signal strength was fair and there was moderate fading of the signal. There were moderate static crashes on the band.
| S | I | N | P | O |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
My equipment:-
- Yaesu FTdx101MP
- Dipole antenna
Below is a short video showing my reception of Radio Cairo.
References.
- Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].
Voice of Wilderness – 9330 kHz
At about 1445 UTC on Wednesday the 14th day of August 2024, I tuned in to Voice of Wilderness, broadcasting on 9330 kHz in the Korean language.
The signal was coming from the Tashkent 100 kW transmitter in Uzbekistan. (Short Wave Info 2023)
Above:- Map showing the location of Tashkent. Map c/o Google Maps.
The overall reception of Voice of Wilderness was fair. The signal strength was fair. There was no interference from other stations. There were static crashes on the band.
| S | I | N | P | O |
| 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
My equipment used:-
- Yaesu FTdx101MP
- Dipole antenna
Below is a short video showing my reception of Voice of Wilderness.
References.
- Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].
WRNO – 7505 kHz
At about 1243 UTC on Wednesday the 14th day of August 2024, I tuned in to WRNO, broadcasting on 7505 kHz in the English language.
The signal was coming from the New Orleans 50 kW transmitter in the USA. (Short Wave Info 2023)
Above:- Map showing the location of New Orleans. Map c/o Google Maps.
The overall reception of WRNO was poor. The signal strength was poor. There was some interference from USB signals possibly from South East Asia.
| S | I | N | P | O |
| 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
My equipment:-
- Yaesu FTdx101MP
- Dipole antenna
Below is a short video showing my reception of WRNO.
References.
- Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].
WWCR-7490 kHz
At about 1215 UTC on Wednesday the 14th day of August 2024, I tuned in to WWCR, broadcasting on 7490 kHz in the English language.
The signal was coming from the Nashville 100 kW transmitter in the USA. (Short Wave Info 2023)
Above:- Map showing the location of Nashville. Map c/o Google Maps.
The overall reception of WWCR was excellent. The signal strength was very strong and there was no fading of the signal. There was no interference from other stations.
| S | I | N | P | O |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
My equipment used:-
- Yaesu FTdx101MP
- Dipole antenna
Below is a short video showing my reception of WWCR.
References.
- Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].
Radio France International – 21580 kHz
At about 0732 UTC on Wednesday the 14th day of August 2024, I tuned in to Radio France International, broadcasting on 21580 kHz in the French language.
The signal was coming from the Issoudun 500 kW transmitter in France. (Short Wave Info 2023)
Above:- Map showing the location of Issoudun. Map c/o Google Maps.
The overall reception of Radio France International was excellent. The signal strength was very strong and there was no interference from other stations.
| S | I | N | P | O |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
My equipment used:-
- Yaesu FTdx101MP
- dipole antenna
Below is a short video showing my reception of Radio France International.
References.
- Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].
VK5PAS 