Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mamengoroock I73 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4173

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After leaving the Gnarr I75 Bushland Reserve (on Sunday 12th November 2023), Marija and I headed to the Gnarr I237 Bushland Reserve. Unfortunately, we found a locked gate on the road leading to the park, so we could not activate that reserve.

Our next option was the Mamengoroock I73 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4173, just a short drive away. The reserve is located about 9km north of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

It is interesting to note that there is a nearby park with a slightly different spelling: Mamengorook.

Mamengorook is an aboriginal word regarding their belief in a good and superior being (Mamen: father, and gorook: our).

The Mamengorook area was opened up for farming in the early 1900s.

Above:- Article from the Pinaroo and Border Times, Fri 27th Oct 1911. Image c/o Trove.

Above:- Map of Mamengorook. Image c/o Libraries Victoria.

The reserve is located on the western side of Mamengorook Road, about 1km south of Aikman Road.

The reserve is about 23 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. It is a small piece of remnant mallee bushland, surrounded by cleared farming land.

We found a dirt track leading into the park and set up the 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported by the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole. We ran the Yaesu FT857 and 40 watts. I used the special call of VI10VKFF for this activation.

Whilst we were activating we were visited by two of the local farmers. They were curious as to what we were up to. We took the time out to have a long chat and explain the hobby.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3CEO
  2. VK3VIN
  3. VK3OAK
  4. VK3BBB
  5. VK2CCP
  6. VK2HHA
  7. VK3MTT
  8. VK3PF
  9. VK3KAI
  10. VK2IO/p (Wathe Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2480)
  11. VK3ZPF/p (Yarra Ranges National Park VKFF-0556)
  12. VK3JW/p (Yarra Ranges National Park VKFF-0556)
  13. VK2IO/p (Turriff Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2466)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3CEO
  2. VK3VIN
  3. VK3OAK
  4. VK3BBB
  5. VK2CCP
  6. VK2HHA
  7. VK3MTT
  8. VK3PF
  9. VK3KAI
  10. VK2IO/p (Wathe Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2480)
  11. VK2YK
  12. VK5GA
  13. VK3OF
  14. VK3ZPF/p (Yarra Ranges National Park VKFF-0556)
  15. VK5HS
  16. VK3APJ
  17. VK3PI
  18. VK2LEE
  19. VK2PBC
  20. VK5FANA
  21. VK3MIJ
  22. VK3HQZ/p
  23. VK2XB/m
  24. VK3BSB/m
  25. VK2EXA
  26. VK3SQ
  27. VK2BD
  28. VK3DAC
  29. VK4FE/3
  30. VK2NP
  31. VK2YAK
  32. VK4YAK
  33. VK1AO
  34. VK2MET
  35. VK3RU
  36. VK3SMW
  37. VK4MUD
  38. VK1CHW
  39. VK3EJ
  40. VK5LA
  41. VK5KLA
  42. VK4SMA
  43. VK3CWF
  44. VK3BWS
  45. VK3UH
  46. ZL3ASn
  47. VK3BSF
  48. VK5NK
  49. VK3VMM
  50. VK5FBIC
  51. VK3MLU
  52. VK3ZK
  53. VK4FOX
  54. VK3BEL
  55. VK7JDZ
  56. VK7KAM
  57. VK4KGY
  58. VK7IAN
  59. VK2IO/p (Turriff Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2466)

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK1AO
  6. VK2MET
  7. VK5LA
  8. VK5KAW
  9. VK3BEL
  10. VK3DAC
  11. VK4FE/3
  12. VK3APJ
  13. VK5GY
  14. VK2YAK
  15. VK4YAK
  16. VK3JGH/m
  17. VK7IAN
  18. VK3MTT
  19. VK3CEO
  20. VK1CHW

References.

  1. Blake, L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. Wikisource, 2024, <https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Aborigines_of_Victoria/Volume_1/Chapter_20>, viewed 13th January 2024.

Gnarr I75 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4181

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After leaving Mossop Bushland Reserve, Marija and I travelled north along Campbell Road and then east of Aikman Road, and we soon reached our next park activation, the Gnarr I75 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4181. This would be another first-time activation for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

The reserve is located about 13km north of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

The reserve is located on the southern side of Aikman Road, between Campbell Road and Gnarr Road.

Above:- An aerial view of the Gnarr I75 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

Gnarr I75 Bushland Reserve is only a small park. It is 7 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. I have been unable to find the origin of the name Gnarr. There is a Mount Gnarr located to the northwest of the park, and two other parks with the name Gnarr: Gnarr Flora & Fauna Reserve and Gnarr I237 Bushland Reserve.

I used the special call of VI10VKFF to celebrate 10 years of the VKFF program. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole. We operated from a narrow track in the park.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SG
  2. VK2IO/p (Turrif West School Bushland Reserve VKFF-4248)
  3. VK3SQ
  4. VK2BD
  5. VK3APJ
  6. VK3BBB
  7. VK2CCP
  8. VK5MK
  9. VK3VIN
  10. VK3PI
  11. VK7MAT/p (Punchbowl Conservation Area VKFF-3389)
  12. VK3ZPF/p (Yarra Ranges National Park VKFF-0556)
  13. VK3JW/p (Yarra Ranges National Park VKFF-0556)
  14. VK2FRBQ/p (Yanununbeyan National Park VKFF-0555)
  15. VK2IO/p (Wathe Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2480)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SG
  2. VK2IO/p (Turrif West School Bushland Reserve VKFF-4248)
  3. VK3SQ
  4. VK2BD
  5. VK3APJ
  6. VK3BBB
  7. VK2CCP
  8. VK5MK
  9. VK3VIN
  10. VK3PI
  11. VK5FANA
  12. VK3DAC
  13. VK3PF
  14. VK3KAI
  15. VK1AO
  16. VK2MET
  17. VK3GJG
  18. VK2PKT
  19. VK3MTT
  20. VK3EJ
  21. VK3SO
  22. VK3CEO
  23. VK3YV
  24. VK2NP
  25. VK3JK
  26. VK3UH
  27. VK7MAT/p (Punchbowl Conservation Area VKFF-3389)
  28. VK2EXA
  29. VK2HHA
  30. VK3CWF
  31. VK4SYD
  32. VK3AN
  33. VK3ZPF/p (Yarra Ranges National Park VKFF-0556)
  34. VK3JW/p (Yarra Ranges National Park VKFF-0556)
  35. VK7JFD
  36. VK5YX
  37. VK5LA
  38. VK5KAW
  39. VK2FRBQ/p (Yanununbeyan National Park VKFF-0555)
  40. VK3OAK
  41. VK7EE
  42. VK5KPR
  43. VK2RO
  44. VK7AAE
  45. VK5TR
  46. VK2IO/p (Wathe Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2480)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4MUD
  2. VK4EMP
  3. VK4TI
  4. IK1GPG
  5. ZL3ASN
  6. VK4SMA
  7. F1BLL
  8. IW2NXI
  9. ZL2STR
  10. OH6GAZ
  11. VK6JK
  12. VK6LMK
  13. VK4PDX
  14. ON4VT
  15. ZL2GLG
  16. ON2CB
  17. UT5PI
  18. SQ9CWO
  19. ZL4NVW

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022.

Mossop Bushland Reserve VKFF-4176

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Our seventh park activation for Sunday 12th November 2023 was the Mossop Bushland Reserve VKFF-4176. The reserve is located about 6km north of Underbool in northwestern Victoria. This was the first time the reserve had been activated for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Mossop Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

The reserve is located on the southwestern corner of Gnarr Road and Campbell Road.

Above:- An aerial view of the reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 12 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. It is a small piece of remnant mallee surrounded by cleared farming land. I have been unable to find the origin of the name Mossop.

I used the special call of VI10VKFF for this activation. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2YK/p (Kaiserstuhl Conservation ParkVKFF-0897)
  2. VK3GP/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  3. VK1DI/p (Majors Creek State Conservation Area VKFF-1346)
  4. VK2VH
  5. VK4AAC
  6. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK5DG/3 (Kaweka Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2124)
  9. VK5HYZ/p (Deep Creek National Park VKFF-3186)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2YK/p (Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park VKFF-0897)
  2. VK3GP/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  3. VK1DI/p (Majors Creek State Conservation Area VKFF-1346)
  4. VK2VH
  5. VK4AAC
  6. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)
  7. VK5TN
  8. VK3APJ
  9. VK5TR
  10. VK3VIN
  11. VK3PF
  12. VK3KAI
  13. VK5FANA
  14. VK5DW
  15. VK3GJG
  16. VK3SQ
  17. VK2BD
  18. VK1AD
  19. VK1NAM
  20. VK3CEO
  21. VK2EXA
  22. VK3PWG
  23. VK3ZSC
  24. VK2OKR/p (Hunter Wetlands National Park VKFF-0595)
  25. VK2AUS/p (Hunter Wetlands National Park VKFF-0595)
  26. VK3BBB
  27. VK2CCP
  28. VK3MIJ
  29. VK3DW
  30. VK1CHW
  31. VK3TDX
  32. VK3ZMD
  33. VK3ATC
  34. VK5KLV
  35. VK3MTT
  36. VK5VST
  37. VK5WF
  38. VK3PI
  39. VK3CLD
  40. VK1KAZ
  41. VK5MK
  42. VK3DCQ
  43. VK3CAT/m
  44. VK1RF
  45. VK2MK
  46. VK4CEE
  47. VK3DAC
  48. VK5GY
  49. VK3UH
  50. VK5DG/3 (Kaweka Nature Conservation ReserveVKFF-2124)
  51. VK5HYZ/p (Deep Creek National Park VKFF-3186)

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4JT
  2. ZL2BAQ
  3. VK4SWE
  4. ZL2GLG
  5. VK4TM
  6. VK6NTE
  7. VK4PDX
  8. VK6UG
  9. VK2HDT
  10. VK4LMB
  11. VK8TM
  12. VK6LMK
  13. VK4FOX
  14. ZL1HIM
  15. VK4MUD
  16. F1BLL
  17. VK6XN
  18. VK1AO
  19. VK2MET

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022

VK3IFR aeronautical mobile

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On Thursday 28th December 2023 I was the Net Control on the Australia New Zealand Africa (ANZA) DX Net. And I was very pleased to have Tim VK3IFR join us.

Tim was in the cockpit of a Qantas Boeing 737 aircraft.

Tim was flying from Perth to Melbourne and was flying across Kangaroo Island in South Australia at the time.

He was a 20/9 signal to me at Ashbourne and made a lot of people very happy who got Tim in the log.

Thanks for joining the Net Tim. You are always welcome.

Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4175

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After leaving Wyperfeld, Marija and I headed north to the Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4175. The reserve is located about 3km north of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve. Map c/p Google Maps.

The reserve is located on the northern side of Gnarr Road, near the junction with Harrison Road. THere is a small section on the southern side of Gnarr Road.

Above:- The Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 48 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. The park is surrounded by cleared farming land.

I used the special event call of VI10VKFF for this activation. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)
  4. VK3GQ/p (Innes National Park VKFF-0243)
  5. VK3TUN/p (Greater Bendigo National Park VKFF-0623)
  6. VK3GP/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  7. VK5BRU/p (Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895)
  8. VK2YK/p (Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park VKFF-0897)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK5HS
  4. VK5DW
  5. VK3YV
  6. VK3BEL
  7. VK5TN
  8. VK5BRU/p (Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3VIN
  4. VK2HHA
  5. VK5HS
  6. VK3MTT
  7. VK5CZ
  8. Vk2EXA
  9. VK3PF
  10. VK5IS
  11. VK5FANA
  12. VK3SQ
  13. VK2BD
  14. VK3OB
  15. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)
  16. VK3YV
  17. VK3GQ/p (Innes National Park VKFF-0243)
  18. VK3BEL
  19. VK1AO
  20. VK2MET
  21. VK3DJC
  22. VK5ADP
  23. VK3TUN/p (Greater Bendigo National Park VKFF-0623)
  24. VK3ZSC
  25. VK2GQR
  26. VK3APJ
  27. VK3CEO
  28. VK5KLV
  29. VK3DWL
  30. VK3GP/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  31. VK3UH
  32. VK3PI
  33. VK5MK
  34. VK5AAF
  35. VK5FB
  36. VK3ARM
  37. VK3ZMD
  38. VK5BRU/p
  39. VK2YK/p (Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park VKFF-0897)

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK5HS
  4. VK5DW
  5. VK3YV
  6. VK3BEL
  7. VK5TN
  8. VK5BRU/p (Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895)
  9. VK5CZ
  10. VK3OAK
  11. VK5IS

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. ZL1HIM
  2. VK1AO
  3. VK2MET
  4. VK4SMA
  5. VK4EMP
  6. VK4TI
  7. ZL4NVW
  8. VK4JT

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022.

Wyperfeld National Park VKFF-0549

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It was now time to activate the Wyperfeld National Park VKFF-0549 as part of the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA) Activation Weekend. The park is located about 450 km northwest of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Wyperfeld National Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Wyperfeld National Park was established in 1921. It is about 357,017 hectares in size and it is the third largest National Park in Victoria.

Above:- Boundary map of the Wyperfeld National Park. Image c/o Protected Planet.

The name Wyperfeld is of Germanic origin: Wyper meaning tributary of Rhine River, and feld meaning field.  It is believed to have been made by the Prussian settler who came to the Wimmera-Mallee region from South Australia. 

Before European settlement of the area, the land was occupied by the Wotjobaluk aboriginal people. They regularly travelled along Outlet Creek Tyakil‐ba‐Tyakil visiting the various lakes and swamps.  

Wypefeld was originally divided into pastoral leases during the 1860s. 

In 1898 naturalist Archibald James Campbell (b. 1853. d. 1929) and Charles McLennan (later appointed as the first ranger at Wilsons Promontory National Park) visited the area which was to become Wypefeld National Park. In the Victorian Naturalist he stated ‘for dinner we had scrambled Mallee Hen eggs; and they proved first-class diet.‘

Above:- Archibald James Campbell. Image c/o Wikipedia.

In September 1907, a prominent ornithologist Arthur Herbert Evelyn Mattingley (b. 1870. d. 1950) and two associates Jack Ross and Frank Howe, visited the Wyperfeld area. Mattingly insisted that it should be made a reserve for nature lovers. He described it as a ‘paradise for nature lovers.’ In 1909 he was successful in having about 9,000 acres of land temporarily set aside around the Wonga Basin. At the time Victoria had only three National Parks: Tower Hill, Wilsons Promontory, and Mount Buffalo.

Above:- Arthur Mattingley. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Mattingley continued to visit the Wyperfeld National Park, often leading parties of field naturalists.

Above:- Article from The Argus, Melbourne, Mon 14 Nov 1932. Image c/o Trove.

Sir James William Barrett (b. 1862. d. 1945) was the Chairman of the National Parks Association, and he was instrumental in having the Wyperfeld National Park declared in 1921.

Above:- Sir James WIlliam Barrett. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Wyperfeld was once a shallow sea, from about 25 million years ago until fairly recent times. Wyperfeld’s current landforms are a result of the sea gradually retreating, leaving a vast expanse of sandy sediment. These formed into sand dunes about 40,000 to 15,000 years ago.

Wyperfeld contains a series of ephemeral lakes. Ephemeral lakes remain flooded annually for short periods, but may not hold water for several years due to rainfall. Before European settlement of the area, the Wyperfeld ephemeral lakes filled and emptied, on average about every 20 years. Due to agricultural irrigation and drainage projects in the district, much of Wyperfeld’s water supply has been cut off.

During years of good rainfall, the Wimmera River fills Lake Hindmarsh, which then overflows along Outlet Creek and into Lake Albacutya.

The park is part of the Wyperfeld, Big Desert and Ngarkat Important Bird Area, identified by BirdLife International due to its importance for the conservation of the vulnerable Malleefowl and other Mallee birds.

About 450 species of native plants can be found in Wyperfeld. Various Australian mammals call the park home, including Western Grey Kangaroo, Red Kangaroo, Black Wallaby, Fat-tailed Dunnart, and Western pygmy possum.

We only had a short drive from Gunners Tank to be inside the Wyperfeld National Park. I used the special event call of VI10VKFF for this activation. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported on the 7-metre heavy- duty telescopic squid pole.

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK6LMK
  2. VK2IO/p (Bronzewing Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2280)
  3. VK4JJ
  4. VK2NP
  5. ZL2HIM
  6. VK4MUD
  7. VK1RF
  8. VK2MK
  9. VK4CEE
  10. VK4FOX
  11. VK4OWL

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3XCI/p (Terrick Terrick National Park VKFF-0630)
  2. VK5AV/p (Mornington Peninsula National Park VKFF-0333)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK6LMK
  2. VK2IO/p (Bronzewing Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2280)
  3. VK4JJ
  4. VK2NP
  5. ZL2HIM
  6. VK4MUD
  7. VK1RF
  8. VK2MK
  9. VK4CEE
  10. VK4FOX
  11. VK4OWL
  12. VK1AO
  13. VK2MET
  14. VK2EME
  15. VK4JT
  16. Vk4ABF
  17. VK2BYO
  18. VK4EMP
  19. VK4TI
  20. VK7HCK
  21. VK4EW

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3XCI/p (Terrick Terrick National Park VKFF-0630)
  2. VK3UH
  3. VK2KYO
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3KAI
  6. VK3OAK
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK3CEO
  9. VK5FANA
  10. VK1AD
  11. VK1NAM
  12. VK5LA
  13. VK5KAW
  14. VK5AV/p (Mornington Peninsula National Park VKFF-0333)
  15. VK3YV
  16. VK5TN
  17. VK3VIN
  18. VK3SG
  19. VK3DAC
  20. VK3AEK/m
  21. VK3EJ

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3KAI

References.

  1. Blake, L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. Durham, G, 2001, Wyperfeld Australia’s first Mallee park
  3. Nickolls, J, Angel, A, 2002, Mallee Tracks.
  4. Parks Victoria, 2024, <https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/wyperfeld-national-park>, viewed 8th January 2024.
  5. Parks Victoria, 2024, Wyperfeld National Park Visitor Guide
  6. Science Direct, 2024, <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/ephemeral-lake>, viewed 8th January 2024.
  7. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyperfeld_National_Park>, viewed 8th January 2024.

Gunners Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4178

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Our next activation for Sunday 12th November 2023 was the Gunners Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4178. The reserve is about 14km south of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of Gunners Tank Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

We accessed the reserve Gunner Road which runs off the Underbool-Patchewollock Road, south of Underbool.

The reserve is located at the end of Gunner Road. It adjoins the Wyperfeld National Park.

Parks Victoria has a webpage regarding the park but it contains no information of value other than a boundary image of the reserve. 

The reserve is about 112 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979.

It was a warm afternoon, so we found the shade of a small tree and set up the station comprising the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts output, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I used the special event call sign of VI10VKFF for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291)
  2. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK5KLV
  6. VK5LA
  7. VK5KAW
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5IS
  10. VK3ARM

Marija worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2EG/p (Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291)
  2. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK5KLV
  6. VK5LA
  7. VK5KAW
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5IS
  10. VK3ARM
  11. VK3GDM/m
  12. VK5NK
  13. VK5DW
  14. VK3BBB
  15. VK2CCP
  16. VK5FANA
  17. VK3SQ
  18. VK2BD
  19. VK3APJ
  20. VK3SG
  21. VK3NBL
  22. VK3GRX
  23. VK3WMD
  24. VK3AHR
  25. VK3UH
  26. VK3PKT
  27. VK5AAF
  28. VK3CEO
  29. VK5DU
  30. VK3EI
  31. VK2EXA
  32. VK3OAK
  33. VK3CLD
  34. VK2VAR
  35. VK2GOM
  36. VK3ACZ
  37. VK3BFX
  38. VK1AD
  39. VK1NAM
  40. VK5NM
  41. VK7AN

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VK2MET
  3. VK2EG/p (Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958)
  4. VK4JT
  5. VK4MUD
  6. VK6LMK
  7. ZL1HIM
  8. VK2NP

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022.

Daalko Bushland Reserve VKFF-4177

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Our next activation for Sunday 12th November 2023 was the Daalko Bushland Reserve VKFF-4177. The reserve is located about 10km south of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Daalko Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Daalko is a parish in northwestern Victoria. Daalko is an aboriginal word meaning ‘good’.

Above:- The Parish of Daalko. Image c/o Mapshare Victoria.

Land in the Daalko area was opened up for farming in the early 1900s.

Above:- Article from The Argus, Melbourne, Tues 7 Nov 1911. Image c/o Trove.

The reserve is divided into three sections, as the Underbool-Patchewollock Road and the Welshmans Plain Road pass through the reserve.

Above:- An aerial view of the reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

There is a Parks Victoria page for the Daalko Bushland Reserve but it contains no information about the reserve.

The reserve is about 84 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. 

I used the special event call sign of VI10VKFF for this activation. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK1DI/2 (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF-3237)
  6. VK5FANA
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET
  9. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291 VKFF-0291)
  2. VK1DI/p (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF-3237)
  3. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK1DI/2 (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF -3237)
  6. VK5FANA
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET
  9. VK3CLD
  10. VK3OAK
  11. VK3CEO
  12. VK1RF
  13. VK2MK
  14. VK4CEE
  15. VK5KLV
  16. VK2VAR
  17. VK2GOM
  18. VK1AD
  19. VK1NAM
  20. VK7EE
  21. VK2YK
  22. VK5GA
  23. VK3SQ
  24. VK2BD
  25. VK3MCK
  26. VK2EXA
  27. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)
  28. VK3YV
  29. VK3IDM

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK2VAR
  2. VK2GOM
  3. VK3YV
  4. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291)
  5. VK2EXA
  6. VK3SQ
  7. VK2BD
  8. VK3OAK
  9. VK1AD
  10. VK1NAM
  11. VK3PF
  12. VK3KAI
  13. VK5TN
  14. VK3CEO
  15. VK5KLV
  16. VK5DU
  17. VK2ZL/p
  18. VK2OKR
  19. VK2AUS
  20. VK1DI/p (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF-3237)
  21. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VK2MET
  3. VK4MUD
  4. ZL1HIM
  5. ZL1ALF
  6. VK1RF
  7. VK2MK
  8. VK4CEE
  9. VK2NP
  10. ZL1TM

References.

  1. Blake, L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. CAPAD 2022.

Harrisons Basin Bushland Reserve VKFF-4184

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Our second activation for Sunday 12th November 2024, was the Harrisons Basin Bushland Reserve VKFF-4184. The park is located about 46 km west of Ouyen in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of Harrisons Basin Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

It was only a short drive to the reserve from our previous activation. As we drove north along McVicar Road we could see the reserve to our east across the paddocks.

The reserve is located on the eastern side of Harrisons Road. There are a number of dirt tracks leading into the reserve.

The Parks Victoria website has a page regarding the reserve, but it contains no information other than a boundary image of the reserve.

The reserve is about 57 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979.

I observed several Rainbow Bee Eaters in the park, but they were too far away and quick for my photographic skills. But I did capture some photos of several Pardolates, a small, brightly coloured little Australian native bird. Pardolate is a Greek word meaning ‘spotted’.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI
  6. VK2IO/p (Sparas Bushland Reserve VKFF-4245)
  7. VK5MK/p (Scott Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0788)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI
  6. VK3YV
  7. VK3SQ
  8. VK2BD
  9. VK5GY
  10. VK3GJG
  11. VK5FANA
  12. VK2NP
  13. VK2IO/m
  14. VK5KLV
  15. VK1AD
  16. VK1NAM
  17. VK3VIN
  18. VK2ZL/p
  19. VK2OKR
  20. VK2AUS
  21. VK2YAK
  22. VK4YAK
  23. VK2VRJ
  24. VK3CEO
  25. VK2IO/p (Sparas Bushland Reserve VKFF-4245)
  26. VK3GRX
  27. VK5MK/p (Scott Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0788)
  28. VK1CHW
  29. VK2PKT

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI
  6. VK3YV
  7. VK3SQ
  8. VK2BD
  9. VK5GY
  10. VK3GJG
  11. VK5KLV
  12. VK5FANA
  13. VK1AD
  14. VK1NAM

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3GJG
  4. VK5GY
  5. VK3PF
  6. VK3MCK

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4MUD
  2. ZL1TM
  3. VK4JT
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. ZL1HIM

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022
  2. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardalote>, viewed 8th January 2024.