Our third park for the day (Friday 9th November 2018) was the Boinka Flora Reserve VKFF-2270.  The park is located about 39 km east of Murrayville on the Mallee Highway, and about 500 km north west of Melbourne.

This was to be another unique park for both Marija and I, and the very first time that the park had been activated for World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF).

Above:- Map showing the location of the Boinka Flora Reserve in north western Victoria.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Boinka Flora Reserve can be located on the northern and southern side of the Mallee Highway, at the little town of Boinka.  Don’t blink, as there is not much here.  The name Boinka means “flat black beetle” in the language of the aboriginal people of Lake Hindmarsh.

The town of Boinka was established in the early 1910’s, with the Post Office opening on 15th July 1912 when a regular mail service was provided by the opening of the railway from Ouyen to Murrayville a month earlier.  Town blocks became available for sale in 1912, with the average price at Boinka being £48.45.

Sadly, as is the case with many towns that Marija and I have visited, with the closing of the railway, came the death of Boinka as a town.  The town once boasted a grocers shop, blacksmith, boarding house and coffee palace.  The very first store was operated from tent where groceries were sold.

We stopped in briefly to take a look at the old Boinka State School which is listed by Heritage Victoria.  The school operated from 1913-1979.  Unfortunately we could not get inside the school, but were able to peer in through the windows.  The old school, which is now the community centre, contains the original school desks and a photo display.

The park itself is relatively small, being about 1.41 km2.  The Boinka Flora Reserve is listed within the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act of 1988 as being one of only two places in Victoria where Pale Myoporum, an erect shrub of up to 2 metres in height (widespread in South Australia), is known to grow indigenously outside of that location.

As we drove into the park I spoke with Tommy VK2IR who was operating portable on Windang Island, south of Wollongong.  Tommy was running just 5 watts, and had a beautiful 5/9 signal into the mobile.  Some photos of Tommy’s operation are below.

Marija and I found a clearing in the scrub and set up underneath the shade of some gum trees.  We ran the Yaesu FT-857d for this activation, set at 10 watts PEP for Marija, and 40 watts for me.  Our antenna was the 20/40/80m linked dipole, inverted vee, 7 metres at the apex.

Above:- Aerial view of the Boinka Flora Reserve showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

Prior to calling CQ I tuned across the 40m band and logged Ade VK4SOE/p who was in the Sundown National Park VKFF-0471.  Ade had an excellent 5/9 signal to north western Victoria from Queensland.

It was starting to get late in the afternoon, and the band was opening up to Europe, so it was quite hard finding a clear frequency.  I eventually proppped on 7.170 and called CQ.  First in the log there was Simon VK2JAZ, followed by Peter VK2UXO with his normal booming signal, and then John VK4TJ.

The 40m band was in good condition, although it was interesting to note that we worked very few Victorian stations and no South Australian stations.  I suspect we were a little too close for the propagation to be working for the closer in stations.  I logged a total of 17 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3 and VK4, before swapping the mic with Marija.

Marija was keen to get her 10 contacts to qualify the park for the VKFF program, and then hand back the mic.  And it didn’t take her long to do that.  Within 6 minutes, Marija had contact number 10 in the log, with a QSO with George VK4GSF.

We then lowered the squid pole and inserted the links for the 80m band.  I called CQ on 80m and this was answered by Peter VK3PF with an excellent 5/9 signal.  George VK4GSF followed, then Adrian VK5FANA, and finally David VK3FDZE.

To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band, where I logged George VK4GSF, for a third band, and then Mark VK4SMA.

It was now a little after 6.00 p.m. local time and Marija and I were getting hungry, so we packed up, with a total of 36 stations in the log between the 2 of us.  We will need to come back here to get our 44 contacts.  Hopefully we were able to give a few hunters a brand new park.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL4TY/VK4
4. VK4PDX
5. VK2NP
6. VK2HBO
7. VK2IO
8. VK3PF
9. VK2POP
10. VK4GSF
11. VK3FDZE

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4SOE/p (Sundown National Park VKFF-0471)
2. VK2JAZ
3. VK2UXO
4. VK4TJ
5. VK4/AC8WN
6. VK4/VE6XT
7. VK4NH
8. VK4DXA
9. ZL4TY/VK4
10. VK2IO
11. VK1DI
12. VK7AN
13. VK2HHA
14. VK4FARR
15. VK4GSF
16. VK4PDX
17. VK3PF

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK4GSF
3. VK5FANA
4. VK3FDZE

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4GSF
2. VK4SMA

As we drove back to Murrayville, we stopped briefly to have a look at the lone grave just off the Mallee Highway near Cowangie.  The grave is the resting place of a railway worker who died in 1913.

We headed back to the cabin to freshen up and then headed off to the Murrayville Hotel for a meal.

Thanks to everyone who called us on day one of our trip.

References.

Mallee Highway Touring Route, 2018, <http://www.malleehighway.com.au/html/boinka.html>, viewed 14th November 2018

Protected Planet, 2018, <https://www.protectedplanet.net/boinka-f-r-nature-conservation-reserve>, viewed 14th November 2018

Victorian Places, 2018, <https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/boinka>, viewed 14th November 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boinka,_Victoria>, viewed 14th November 2018

Our second park for the day (Friday 9th November 2018) was the Koonda Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2349, which is about 43 km (by road) from Murrayville in north western Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Koonda Nature Conservation Reserve in north western Victoria.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

After leaving the Manya Nature Conservation Reserve we drove back towards Murrayville.  We stopped off briefly to have a look at the site of the old Sunset State School at Panitya North, which operated between 1917 – 1943.

We then drove into Murrayville and went to the caravan park to pick up our cabin key.  We then headed out of Murrayville, on the Mallee Highway and soon reached the town of Cowangie.  The Post Office opened on 15 July 1912 when a regular mail service was provided by the opening of the railway from Ouyen to Murrayville a month earlier. Known as Kow Plains until 1913, the office closed in 1994.  The word ‘Kow is derived from an aboriginal word believed to mean ‘white clay or gypsum’.  The name Cowangie is thought to be derived from an aboriginal word meaning ‘fog or mist’.

Former Formula One and V8 Supercar driver Larry Perkins grew up in Cowangie.

I was unable to locate much information about the Koonda NCR.  Koonda is 5.06 km2 in size and is a typical mallee park.  It is recorded on the Parks Victoria website as a Flora Reserve.  Koonda appears to be an aboriginal word meaning ‘bandicoot’.  The park is not to be confused with the area of Koonda, which is located near Upotipotpon, about 536 km to the south east of the park.

Marija and I access the park via Sunset Road off the Mallee Highway, and then Morrison Plain Road.  We could not find any signs for the park, but were guided in by our GPS.  It was a hot day, so we parked the car just off the road, and set up underneath the shade of some trees.

Above:- Aerial view of the park showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

I commenced the activation by calling CQ on 7.144.  As per our previous activation at Manya, we had no internet coverage, so we were unable to self spot on parksnpeaks.  First in the log was Alan VK3ALN/p, followed by Marc VK3OHM, Dennis VK2HHA, and Les VK5KLV.  All had good 5/8-9 signals.  I logged a total of 24 stations from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5.  This included Ade VK4SOE/p who was in the Sundown National Park VKFF-0471.  Marija and I then swapped the mic.

Marija had soon achieved her 10 contacts to qualify the park for the VKFF program, with a QSO with Geoff VK3SQ.  Marija logged one further station, Adam VK2YK, before we decided to try our luck on the 80m band.  Marija logged 5 stations on 80m, including a Park to Park with Brett VK3FLCS/p in the Macedon Regional Park VKFF-0972.  I logged 5 stations also, including  a Park to Park with Brett.

To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310, but did not get any takers.  Spotting is certainly a very important tool when activating parks.  I’m sure had we been spotted on parksnpeaks, I would have made contacts on 20m.  But sadly we had no internet coverage and were unable to throw up a self spot.

Marija and I had 45 contacts in the log between the 2 of us from the park, including 3 Park to Park contacts.  We will have to return here to get our 44 QSOs to qualify the park for the global WWFF program.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF/m
2. VK5FANA
3. VK7ZGK
4. VK4NH
5. VI4DXA
6. ZL4TY/VK4
7. VK2IO
8. VK2MOR
9. VK3ALN/p
10. VK3SQ
11. VK2YK

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5HS/m
3. VK3FLCS/p (Macedon Regional Park VKFF-0972)
4. VK5FANA
5. VK5FMWW

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ALN/p
2. VK3OHM
3. VK2HHA
4. VK5KLV’
5. VK3GZ
6. VK3FDZE
7. VK3SQ
8. VK4SMA
9. VK3NRG/p
10. VK4NH
11. VK4DXA
12. ZL4TY/VK4
13. VK2IO
14. VK3TKK/m
15. VK3CWF
16. VK4TJ
17. VK2NP
18. VK2MOR
19. VK4SOE/p (Sundown National Park VKFF-0471)
20. VK3PF
21. VK5FANA
22. VK2YK
23. VK1FMGG
24. VK4ANB

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK3SQ
2. VK5BJE
3. VK5FMWW
4. VK5FMLO
5. VK3FLCS/p (Macedon Regional Park VKFF-0972)

References.

Dear Grandpa Pencil, 2018, <http://www.grandpapencil.net/austral/abword/abk.htm>, viewed 12th November 2018

Victorian Places, 2018, <https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/cowangie>, viewed 12th November 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowangie>, viewed 12th November 2018

Marija and I made a fairly early start on Friday morning (9th November 2018), after a 14 hour shift for me at work the night before.  We were on the road by about 8.00 a.m. and had around a 255 km trip ahead of us to Murrayville in north western Victoria.  We had booked in to the Murrayville caravan park for 2 nights.

We travelled along the South Eastern Freeway and over the Murray River at Murray Bridge and on to Tailem Bend along the Dukes Highway.  We turned off at Tailem Bend on to the Mallee Highway.  This is the way to get to Sydney.

Our first stop for the day was the little town of Sherlock, about 32 km east of Tailem Bend.  The town was proclaimed on 8th August 1907, and is named after The Hundred of Sherlock, which was proclaimed in 1899 and named by Lieutenant-Governor Way after one of Governor Buxton’s friends..  The Sherlock School was opened in 1911 in the Baptist Church and closed in 1970.  This was the first stone building erected along the Pinnaroo railway line.  The Sherlock railway station was opened in January 1913.  It was a busy place, acting as a service point for the town of Karoonda and surrounds.

We travelled a short distance down the road and reached the town of Peake, which takes its name from the Hundred of Peake, named in honour of Archibald Henry Peake (1897-1920), three times Premier of South Australia.  Peake was proclaimed on 8th August 1907.  Its school opened in 1909 and closed in 1964.  The town was located along the railway line, and by 1909 the town was ‘the refreshment station and there was always a rush for the pie stall just along the line’.

There are a number of historic buildings in Peake, and there is a historic walk that can be undertaken.  A brochure entitled ‘Welcome to the historic settlement of Peake’ can be picked up in the town, and will guide you around the streets.

The old Peake Saddlery

The old bakehouse/Baptist church

An interesting site to see here in Peake is Polly’s Well.  It was sunk in 1877 by John Whyte, an early pioneer of the district.  It was an important watering point, as in the early years of the district, there were no bituminised roads and air conditioned motor vehicles.  It took an average of 8 long days to travel between Tailem Bend and Pinnaroo by bullock wagon.

We continued east along the Mallee Highway, passing the little towns of Jabuk and Geranium, and then reached the town of Lameroo, which is about 40 km west of the State border.  The town is primarily a service town for the surrounding rural areas, growing grain and sheep.

Above:- the Main Street of Lameroo.

In the late 1850’s land was taken up in the area on pastoral lease. The area was known as Wow Wow Plain back in those days.  A well was sunk in 1884.  The well measuring 7 feet by 4 feet in section, and 254 feet deep, served both locals and travellers with water for personal use and stock supplies.   The land was surveyed in 1894, and the initial survey of Wow Wow Plain gave each block some natural open land to start cultivating.  The town was named Lameroo in 1904 at the suggestion of J.M. Johnston who had worked on the Overland Telegraph Line and heard the word in Darwin, as the name of the Lameroo Beach.  He liked the sound of Lameroo, and the town was thus named.

We stopped off briefly to have a look at the site of the old Wow Wow Well.

We then drove out of town about 3 km to have a look at Byrne Homestead, an old pug and pine settlers hut built in 1898.

We continued on our journey along the Mallee Highway and soon reached the town of Pinnaroo.  The town’s name is derived from the Ngarkat aboriginal language wored ‘pinaru’, the tribal name for the district and many relate to Ngautngaut, an ancestral being who played a big role in the mythology of the Ngarkat people.

We took the time to have a look through the Pinnaroo Museum, which can be located at the Visitor Centre.  The museum contains an excellent display of printing presses, restored tractors and engines, and other memorabillia.  It is well worth a look.

Of course, I found a few radio related articles in the museum, including a morse key.

And a range of early radios.  Very interesting.

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Not long after leaving Pinnaroo, we reached the South Australia/Victoria State border.

Our first planned park activation was the Manya Nature Conservation Reserve, VKFF-2377.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Manya Nature Conservation Reserve in north western Victoria.  Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Manya Nature Conservation Reserve is about 4.62 km2 in size and is a typical mallee park.  It is in close proximity to the South Australian/Victoria State border, about 9 km north of the town of Panitya in Victoria.  The place name Manya is derived from the local Aboriginal word meaning “the hand”.  The park is referred to in the 2016 CAPAD data as a Flora Reserve and Nature Conservation Reserve.  It is not to be confused with the Manya Bushland Reserve which is located to the north west of the park.

After crossing the State border, we travelled east to the little town of Panitya and then travelled north on the Panitya North Road.  The northern boundary of the park is located at the corner of Panitya North Road and Wheeler Road.  We found a track prior to this junction, which travelled into the park.  After travelling a few hundred metres along the track we found a cleared area, with just enough room to stretch out the linked dipole, but only just.

Above:- Aerial shot of the park showing our operating spot.  Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

On our way into the park we worked Tony (VK3XV) VK3WI/p from our mobile, who was activating the Brisbane Ranges National Park VKFF-0055.

We had no internet coverage in the park, so we were unable to self spot on parksnpeaks and/or Facebook.  After setting up, I kicked off the activation, with a Park to Park with Tony VK3WI/p.  Marija also logged Tony.  We then tuned across the band and logged Ade VK4SOE/p & VK4COA/p on 7.140, who was activating the Sundown National Park VKFF-0471.  We then moved down to 7.135 and I started calling CQ.  First in the log there was Peter VK3PF, followed by Peter VK3TKK/p who was in the Dandenong Ranges National Park VKFF-0132.

I had planned on just getting my 10 contacts to qualify the park for the VKFF program, and not sticking around to get 44 QSOs.  We had hoped to activate 3 more parks, so we were a bit pressed for time.  It was quite slow going, but after about 20 minutes, I had contact number 10 in the log.  I logged 15 stations before swapping the mic with Marija.   My contacts were into VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK5, and included Tony VK5TT who was pedestrian mobile walking his dog and operating remote, and David VK5PL/p who was in the Wiljani Conservation Park VKFF-1159.

Marija was also keen to get her 10 and for us to move on.  Marija called CQ and this was answered by Peter VK3PF, followed by Allan VK3ALN/p and then Geoff VK3SQ.  Marija logged a total of 13 stations from VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7.

We then moved down to 80m and Marija called CQ on 3.610.  First in the log was John VK5BJE who was an excellent 5/9 signal, followed by David VK5PL in the WIljani Conservation Park, and then Tony VK3WI mobile.

To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310, but was competing with the Over the Horizon Radar which was very loud.  I logged Ray VK4NH and then Michael VK6TU.  But the radar had become too annoying, so I headed down to 14.260 and called CQ which was answered by Andrei ZL1TM, and then Neil VK4HNS.

Marija and I had 38 contacts in the log between us, along with

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3WI/p (Brisbane Ranges National Park VKFF-0055)
2. VK4SOE/p (Sundown National Park VKFF-0471)
3. VK4COA/p (Sundown National Park VKFF-0471)
4. VK3PF
5. VK3KAI
6. VK3ALN/p
7. VK3SQ
8. VK5KLV
9. VK3ANL
10. VK7EK
11. VK2VN
12. VK5TT/p
13. VK3AAT/p

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5PL/p (Wiljani Conservation Park VKFF-1159)
3. VK3WI/m

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3WI/p (Brisbane Ranges National Park VKFF-0055)
2. VK4SOE/p (Sundown National Park VKFF-0471)
3. VK4COA/p (Sundown National Park VKFF-0471)
4. VK3PF
5. VK3TKK/p (Dandenong Ranges National Park VKFF-0132)
6. VK5FANA
7. VK5TT/p
8. VK5PL/p (Wiljani Conservation Park VKFF-1159)
9. VK3SQ
10. VK4TJ
11. VK4/AC8WN
12. VK4/VE6XT
13. VK3ADX
14. VK2IO/m
15. VK5KLV

I worked the following station on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE

I worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4NH
2. VK4DXA
3. ZL4TY/VK4
4. VK6TU
5. ZL1TM
6. VK4HNS

References.

Discover Murray, 2018, <http://www.murrayriver.com.au/sherlock/>, viewed 12th November 2018

Discover Murray, 2018, <http://www.malleehighway.com.au/html/peake.html>, viewed 12th November 2018

Discover Murray, 2018, <http://www.malleehighway.com.au/html/lameroo.html>, viewed 12th November 2018

State Library South Australia, 2018, <http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/digitalpubs/placenamesofsouthaustralia/S.pdf>, viewed 12th November 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manya,_Victoria>, viewed 12th November 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock,_South_Australia>, viewed 12th November 2018

Wikpedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lameroo,_South_Australia>, viewed 12th November 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnaroo,_South_Australia>, viewed 12th November 2018

On Friday 9th November 2018, Marija VK5FMAZ and I headed over to Victoria to take part in the 2018 Activation Weekend for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA).  We stayed for 2 nights at the Murrayville caravan park in north western Victoria.

We activated a total of 11 parks, including 2 Victorian National Parks for the KRMNPA weekend.  Between us, Marija and I made a total of 548 QSOs.  This included 64 x Park to Park contacts.

Above:- A map, roughly showing our travels during the VK3 trip.  Map courtesy of Plotaroute.

Below is a breakdown of our activities.

FRIDAY 9th November 2018

Manya Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2377

• 17 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 22 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 9 x Park to Park

Koonda Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2349

• 16 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 29 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 3 x Park to Park

Boinka Flora Reserve VKFF-2270

• 11 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 23 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 1 x Park to Park

SATURDAY 10th November 2018

Torrita Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2460

• 19 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 46 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 4 x Park to Park

Walpeup Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2471

• 14 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 31 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 8 x Park to Park

Dering Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2307

• 12 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 54 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 14 x Park to Park

Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373

• 22 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 34 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 9 x Park to Park

Murrayville Flora Reserve VKFF-2407

• 45 QSOs (VI100PEACE)

SUNDAY 11th November 2018

Welshmans Plains Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2482

• 11 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 26 QSOs (VK5PAS)
• 34 QSOs (VI100PEACE)
• 5 x Park to Park

Bronzewing Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2280

• 11 QSOs (VK5PAS/3)
• 3 x Park to Park

Wyperfeld National Park VKFF-0549

• 15 QSOs (VK5FMAZ)
• 56 QSOs (VI100PEACE)
• 8 x Park to Park

Thanks to everyone who called us, and a big thanks to those who took the time to spot us on parksnpeaks and/or Facebook, as we did not have internet coverage in many of the parks.

More details on each of the activations to follow in separate posts.

I was privileged over the weekend just gone, to operate with the special callsign of VI5LWF……..LEST WE FORGET.  It is one of a number of commemorative callsigns in Australia and Europe, to commemorate the centennary of the signing of the armistice.

The armistice was signed on the 11th day of November 1918.  It ended fighting on land, sea, and air in World War One.  It came into force at 11.00 a.m. Paris time….the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  It should be remembered, that a total of 66,000 Australians lost their lives during WW1.World War One was one of the deadliest conflicts in the history of the human race, in which over 16 million people died. The total number of both civilian and military casualties is estimated at around 37 million people.

The armistice was largely written by the Allied Supreme Commander, Marshal Ferdinand Foch.  The armistice was signed on board a private train booked by Foch.  It was driven to a secret location, a railway siding in the Forest of Compiègne, about 60 km north of Paris.

Above:- Photograph taken after reaching agreement for the armistice that ended World War I. This is Ferdinand Foch’s own railway carriage and the location is the Forest of Compiègne. Foch is second from the right. Left of Foch in the photo (on Foch’s own right) is the senior British representative, Sir Rosslyn Wemyss. On the right is Admiral George Hope.

I operated both from home and from the field, using the call.  I made a total of 419 QSOs on 10, 15, 20, 40, & 80m SSB.  I worked a total of 49 different DXCC entities.  The map below shows my contacts around the world using the special call.

On both Saturday and Sunday evenings, there were some nice openings on 15m into Europe on the short path.  And on Sunday evening, I also worked into Europe on 20m on the short path.  The map below shows my QSOs into Europe.

The majority of my contacts were on the 40m band, with 139 QSOs.  Closely followed bu the 15m band, with 133 QSOs.

Should you require a QSL card, please note that QSL is only via an online option.  You can confirm your contact and receive your printable QSL card by going to www.silvertrain.com.au

Thankyou to everyone who called me, and LEST WE FORGET.

References.

Wikipedia, 2018, <>, viewed 7th November 2018

On Sunday 4th November, 2018, I headed south with the intentions of activating the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park with the special call of VI5LWF.  Sadly, these plans went ‘pear shaped’ as when I arrived at the access point to the park I found 2 cars blocking the entrance.  One of those had become bogged and they were waiting for a tow truck.  Looking at the track, I am not sure how they ever thought a little car was going to make it along a 4WD track with very big potholes.  So it was time for plan B.  I headed to the Finniss Conservation Park 5CP-068 & VKFF-1030.

The Finniss Conservation Park is about 68 km (by road), on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula.

I travelled along Stones Ford Road, through beautiful countryside with rolling green hills.  This is part of the Heysen Trail, one of the world’s great walking trails and the longest dedicated walking trail in Australia, with a total length of 1,200 km.

To get to the park from this direction, you pass over a little creek, a tributary of the Finniss River, which runs through the park.

I soon reached the park.  There is a locked gate here, so vehicular access is not possible.  However there is pedestrian access to the park, and plenty of room to park your vehicle.

The Finniss Conservation Park has a total area of 123 hectares and was first proclaimed on 29th January 1976.  An additional 56 hectares were added between 1985 and 2005.  The park consists of Woodland with Pink Gum and Golden Wattle, and Low Woodland with Cup Gum & Pink Gum over Tate’s Grass-tree.  Birds Sa have recorded about 62 species of native bird in the park including Laughing Kookaburra, Galah, Adelaide Rosella, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Grey Fantail, Elegant Parrot, Eastern Spinebill, Brown Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, White-naped Honeyeater, and Australian Golden Whistler.

The park is named in honour of Boyle Travers Finniss (1807-1893), who came to South Australia as Assistant Surveyor to Colonel Light.  He was Commissioner of Police from 1843-1847 and held many administrative and parliamentary positions from 1847 to 1862.

Above:- .  Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I set up about 20 metres inside the gate, and under the shade of some gum trees.  Although it was overcast, it was a warm and humid day.

It is certainly a pretty spot here.  The park is surrounded by rolling green hills and the occasional pocket of scrub.

Again for this activation, I commenced on 80m.  First in the log was John VK5BJE, followed by Hans VK5YX, and then Adrian VK5FANA.  All had excellent signals.  I also spoke with Rick VK5VCR and his son VK5LEX who who were portable at Normanville, and Tony VK5MRT at Strathalbyn.  But despite excellent conditions on 80m, I only managed 6 contacts on that band.

I then headed to 7.144 on 40m and called CQ.  This was answered by Brett VK2VW, Andrew VK3LTL who has become a regular park hunter, and then John VK4TJ.  But band conditions on 40m were poor to say the least.  There was a huge amount of QSB (fading) on most signals, and signals strength was way down compared to usual.  But I battled on, and ended up with 32 contacts in the log on 40m.  This included a Park to Park with Ian VK1DI/2 in the Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve VKFF-1918, and then Mark VK4SMA/p in the Wararba Creek Conservation Park VKFF-1671.

I had a total of 38 contacts in the log, and wanted to get the 44 for VI5LWF.  So it was off to 20m.  I called CQ on 14.310 and this was answered by Aaron VK1LAJ, followed by Adam VK2YK, and then Hans VK6XN.  My 44th contact came with a QSO with Hayden ZL2WD in New Zealand.

It had been a ‘hard slog’ in the park and had taken me nearly 2 hours to get to 44 QSOs, even with the special call sign.  Band conditions were extremely challenging.

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5YX
3. VK5FANA
4. VK5VCR/p
5. VK5LEX/p
6. VK5MRT

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK3LTL
3. VK4TJ
4. VK7QP
5. VK3PF
6. VK2PKT
7. VK2MNR
8. VK2HHA
9. VK3FBOM
10. VK3ALN/p
11. VK3AED
12. VK3ANL
13. VK2GZ
14. VK2IO
15. VK3BNJ
16. VK2HMV
17. VK3BSP
18. VK2AAH
19. VK1DI/2 (Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve VKFF-1918)
20. VK2LX
21. VK3DP/2
22. VK3KIX
23. VK2EXA
24. VK7FRJG
25. VK3ZSG
26. VK2XXM
27. VK3WAR/m
28. VK3OHM
29. VK4SMA/p (Wararba Creek Conservation Park VKFF-1671)
30. VK7HCK
31. VK3CWF
32. VK2YK

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK1LAJ
2. VK2YK
3. VK6XN
4. VK2YX
5. VK5CM
6. ZL2WD

References.

Birds SA, 2018, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/finniss-conservation-park/>, viewed 7th November 2018

State Library SA, 2018, <http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/digitalpubs/placenamesofsouthaustralia/F.pdf>, viewed 7th November 2018

Over the weekend just gone, I was privileged to be able to use the special call of VI5LWF….LEST WE FORGET.  It is a special call to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, an agreement to stop the hostilities of World War One.

To get away from the ever increasing noise floor at home, on Saturday 3rd November 2018, I headed to my local park, the Totness Recreation Park VKFF-1754, for some action using VI5LWF.  Totness is just a short 5 minute drive from my home in the Adelaide Hills.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Totness Recreation Park.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I have activated Totness many times in the past, and as such have recorded in other posts, a stack of information about the park.  But briefly, Totness is 41 hectares (101 acres) in size and is divided by the South Eastern Freeway.  The name of the area Totness, was given by William Hannaford when he cut up section 2963, Hundred of Macclesfield, in 1861, by issuing seventy year leases with right of purchase.  Hannaford was born in Totness, Devon, in 1825, and arrived in the Emma in 1845.  The surrounding area was known as Little Totness.

I set up in my normal spot, off  Haines Firetrack.  There is a gate here, which is locked and prevents vehicular access.  However, there is pedestrian access, and a small area to park your vehicle.

Above:- An aerial shot of the park, showing my operating spot.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I kicked off the activation by self spotting on parksnpeaks and calling CQ on 3.610 on the 80m band.  I normally start off activations on 40m, but this time around I decided to try 80.  John VK5BJE was first in the log with a thumping 5/9 plus signal, followed by Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula, who was equally as strong.  But that was it.  Sadly, despite posts on some of the local VK5 Facebook sites, no further callers.

So I headed off to 7.144 on the 40m band.  I asked if the frequency was in use, and this was answered by Peter VK3PF, who had been waiting for me.  Following Peter I logged Lee VK3FLJD, Brett VK2VW, and then Dennis VK2HHA.  All signals were strong and it appeared the 40m band was in good shape.  I logged a total of 25 before things started to slow down.

I took the opportunity of heading up to 20m, where I found Rob VK4HAT/p on 14.310, activating the Mapleton Falls National Park VKFF-1205.  After logging Rob for a Park to Park contact, I moved down to 14.305 and started calling CQ.  Scott VK4CZ was first in the log, followed by Gerard VK2IO, and then Ray VK4NH.  I was very pleased to be called a few QSOs later by Fred VK4FE operating with the special call of VI100PEACE.  I logged 11 stations before moving back to 40m.

I propped on 7.144 and called CQ, which was answered by Rob VK4HAT/p, for another Park to Park from VKFF-1205, on a second band.  But things were really slow, and I logged just 4 further stations, before heading back to 80m.  I put a call out on the local Crafers repeater to let the VK5’s know that I was in the park, but this resulted in only 1 caller, Hans VK5KHZ.  I also spoke with David VK5KC/p who was in Tailem Bend.

So it was back to 40m.  The band had just started to open up to Europe and was getting a little crowded, so I found 7.140 clear and started calling CQ.  To my great pleasure, I was called by Tex VK1TX operating with the special call of VI1PEACE.  I logged a further 11 stations including my wife Marija VK5FMAZ.

David VK5PL had posted on Facebook that he was keen for a contact, but could not hear me on 40m.  So it was down with the squid pole again, and in with the 80m links, and back to 3.610.  I logged David VK5PL and also Mike Vk5FMWW.  But they were my only callers, so it was again back to 40m where I logged a further 3 stations including Ian VK1DI/2 who was portable in the Broulee Island Nature Reserve VKFF-2546.

I then decided to try my luck again on 20m, and I am pleased I did, as I was called by Patrick FK4WCG in New Caledonia who was 5/9 plus.  Patrick gave me 5/9 plus 20.  Not bade considering I was running 40 watts and little piece of wire.  It was great to log Rick VK4RF/VK4HA who has been a bit quiet of late.

To complete the activation I headed back to 40m and called CQ on 7.150 where I logged a total of 16 stations.  This included Peter VK3YE/p and Tom VK3FTOM/p, both portable on Chelsea Beach in Melbourne, running QRP, for the QRP by the Bay event.

With 82 contacts in the log, it was time to head home and work some DX with the call, using my 5 element yagi.

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5FANA
3. VK5KHZ
4. VK5KC/p
5. VK5PL
6. VK5FMWW

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF
2. VK3FLJD
3. VK2VW
4. VK2HHA
5. VK3JP
6. VK3CA
7. VK3UH
8. VK2PKT
9. VK4NH
10. VK4DXA
11. ZL4TY/VK4
12. VK3HOT
13. VK3OHM
14. VK4SP
15. VK3NSC
16. VK3LTL
17. VK5KC/p
18. VK7ME
19. VK5BJE
20. VK2UXO
21. VK2PEX
22. VK2ZEP
23. VK4TJ
24. VK3FAJH
25. VK3CM
26. VK4HAT/p (Mapleton Falls National Park VKFF-1205)
27. VK2XXM
28. VK3FT
29. VK2KYO
30. VK3FDZE
31. VI1PEACE
32. VK2IO
33. VK5FMAZ
34. VK3ADX
35. VK2USH
36. VK3FLCS
37. VK5KLV
38. VK3ELH
39. VK2UH
40. VK3BBB/m
41. VK3ALN
42. VK2ZVG
43. VK4SMA
44. VK3ARH
45. VK1DI/2 (Broulee Island Nature Reserve VKFF-2546)
46. VK3ANL
47. VK4RF
48. VK4HA
49. VK2LX
50. VK2HMV
51. VK3PAT
52. VK3BAP
53. VK3NBL
54. VK3TJK
55. VK3PWG
56. VK2HBO
57. VK3YE/p
58. VK3FAJO
59. VK3FTOM/p
60. VK2QK
61. VK2NN

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4HAT/p (Mapleton Falls National Park VKFF-1205)
2. VK4CZ
3. VK2IO
4. VK4NH
5. VK4DXA
6. ZL4TY/VK4
7. VK4AAC/m
8. VK4FE
9. VI100PEACE
10. VK4SMA
11. VK4TE
12. VK7KJL
13. FK4WCG
14. VK4RF
15. VK4HA

References.

State Library South Australia , 2018, <http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/digitalpubs/placenamesofsouthaustralia/T.pdf>, viewed 7th November 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totness_Recreation_Park>, viewed 7th November 2018

Yesterday (Saturday 27th October 2018) was the annual VKFF Team Championship.  The idea of the event is to form a team of 2-4 people and head out to a qualifying VKFF park or parks, and log as many stations as you can in a 6 hour period.  A number of amateurs have kindly donated money towards trophies for the winners.  Future Systems and Pages of Cobram kindly sponsor the event, and offer prizes.  Thankyou very much for your support.

Marija and I took part in the Championship, and activated the Tolderol Game Reserve VKFF-1752, which is located about 77 km south east of Adelaide, and about 11 km south east of the town of Langhorne Creek in the Langhorne Creek wine region.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Todlerol Game Reserve, south east of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

Tolderol is about 428 hectares in size and is situated on the north-western side of Lake Alexandrina.  It was proclaimed in 1970 and consists of a series of man made open and shallow basins, with connecting channels and levee banks.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Tolderol Game Reserve.  Image courtesy of google maps

Tolderol is a highly regarded bird watching location,  The shallow basisns, reed beds, lake shore and grassy banks, attract a wide range of birds.  Tolderol is part of the internationally significant RAMSAR wetlands.  Tolderol is open for hunting during gazetted dates, however it remains a critical habitat for protected birds.  About 180 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve.

The park is well signposted off the Langhorne Creek-Wellington Road.  Travel south along Dog Lake Road, and after crossing Mosquito Creek Road, you will come to a set of gates.  These are sometimes shut, but unlocked.  On our visit they were open.  Continue along Dog Lake Road and you will come to a second gate, which is normally shut, but unlocked.  There is a park sign at this location.

Above:- Marija at the park entrance.

We soon came across out first lot of feathered friends, some Australian White Ibis.  Whilst taking these photos, I heard a slight rustle in the reeds on the side of the road.  It was a large red-bellied black snake.  It was  reminder that this was a warm day, and we were in snake territory.  In fact the information board at the start of the park reminds visitors that Tolderol is home to many snakes, including the deadly Tiger Snake.  So if you head down this way, be vigilant and do not walk through long grass.

Ponds 7, 6 & 5 soon came into view and they were alive with birds including Black Swans and hundreds of Whiskered Terns.

I also spotted a number of other birds including Purple Swamphens, Sandpipers, Caspian Terns, and Ibis.

Purple Swamhpen

Pectoral Sandpiper

Caspian Tern

Whiskered Tern

We continued on to the camp ground area in the reserve.  There are tables and chairs here, and importantly, a cleared grassed area, allowing the spotting of snakes more easy.  We had the campground all to ourselves.

It was a beautiful sunny day with a stiff and refreshing breeze coming off the lake.  We set up underneath the awning of the Toyota Hi Lux.  We ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.  Marija ran her allowed 10 watts PEP whilst on air, while I ran about 50 watts PEP.

Our operating spot was right on the banks of Lake Alexandrina, a large freshwater lake, which was named after Princess Alexandrina, niece and successor of King William IV of Great Britain and Ireland.  Lake Alexandrina adjoins the smaller Lake Albert, and together they are known as the Lower Lakes.

Marija and I had entered into the 40 & 80m/single transceiver/wire antenna/100 watts or less section of the Championship.  Our team name was ‘The Walky Talkies’.

Marija kicked off the activation first, with a Park to Park contact with Nick VK3ANL/p who was in the Gresswell Forest (part b) Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2103.  But it was a very slow start and in the early stages of the activation it did not look promising for the remainder of the day.  Fortunately propagation improved as the day went on.

Marija and I alternated operating on air, and tried our luck on both the 40m and 80m bands.  By around 4.00 p.m. local time, 40m was very difficult work due to the CQ World Wide DX Contest which also fell on this weekend.  But it did present some opportunities of working some DX on 40m.  However our ‘straight up and down’ antenna was not great for DX.  Despite hearing some excellent signals from Europe, the Carribean, and the USA, I was only able to log 5 USA stations and Chris YJ0CA in Vanuatu.

Despite operating conditions not being ideal, it was a magnificent location, with some sensational views.

Looking back towards Mount Barker

Whilst Marija operated on air, I went off for walks, trying to snap some of the local birdlife.  It was the weekend of the National Twitchathon and National Bird Week, so it was appropriate to be in Tolderol.

Australian Pelican

Golden-Headed Cisticola

Black shouldered kite

Black shouldered kite with a kill

Superb Fairy Wren

Between the 2 of us, Marija and I managed a total of 122 x QSOs, which included 31 x Park to Park contacts.  We were really pleased to log 4 of the 5 other participating teams:

• Mark VK4SMA and Murray VK4MWB, ‘The VK4WIPeouts’
• Les VK5KLV and Steve VK5MSD, ‘Voices of the Gulf’.
• Gerard VK2IO and Alan VK2MG, ‘Central Coast Lightning Bolts’
• Peter VK3PF and Allen VK3ARH, ‘The BallaRats’.

Unfortunately we missed Hans VK6XN and Phil VK6ADF, ‘The Gooseberry Hillbillies’.  We saw a spot come up on 40m for Hans and Phil but with all the contest activity, it was a challenge to hear them.

All in all, Marija and I had a very enjoyable day.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ANL/p (Gresswell Forest (part b) Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2013)
2. VK5KLV/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
3. VK5MSD/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
4. VK3NSC
5. VK3AHR
6. VK3SQ
7. VK3VAR
8. VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
9. VK2IO/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
10. VK3PF/p (SOTA VK3/ VC-019 &Warrenheip Flora Reserve VKFF-2402)
11. VK7AN
12. VK3FRC
13. VK2BV
14. VK3ALN/p
15. VK3HN
16. VK3NBL
17. VK3NLK
18. VK3LTL
19. VK4SMA/p (Ravensbourne National Park VKFF-0427)
20. VK4FDJL
21. VK7DW
22. VK3PF/p (Woowookarung Regional Park VKFF-1879)
23. VK3ARH/p (Woowookarung Regional Park VKFF-1879)
24. VK4MWB/p (Ravensbourne National Park VKFF-0427)
25. VK3ANL
26. VK2PEZ
27. VK2ZEP
28. VK4PDX
29. VK3APP
30. VK6IQ

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5AYL
2. VK5BJE
3. VK3PF/p (SOTA VK3/ VC-019 & Warrenheip Flora Reserve VKFF-2402)
4. VK3ARH/p (SOTA VK3/ VC-019 & Warrenheip Flora Reserve VKFF-2402)
5. VK5KC
6. VK5KLV/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
7. VK5MSD/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
8. VK5NRG
9. VK5FMWW
10. VK5WU
11. VK5VCR
12. VK5LEX
13. VK5YX
14. VK2WG
15. VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
16. VK3FLCS/p (Langley Flora Reserve VKFF-2366)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
2. VK2HHA
3. VK3AHR
4. VK5KLV/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
5. VK5MSD/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
6. VK3SQ
7. VK1DA/2 (SOTA VK2/ ST-005 & Brindabella National Park VKFF-0054)
8. VK1MIC/2 (SOTA VK2/ ST-005 & Brindabella National Park VKFF-0054)
9. VK3PAT
10. VK5WG
11. VK3LTL
12. VK2RP/m
13. VK2BDR/m
14. VK3ALN/p
15. VK3ANL/p (Gresswell Forest (part b) Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2103)
16. VK1BL/2 (SOTA VK2/ ST-005 & Brindabella National Park VKFF-0054)
17. VK3FLCS
18. VK5AYD
19. VK5AYL
20. VK2PKT
21. VK3VAR
22. VK3NLK
23. VK2UXO
24. VK2MG/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
25. VK3XPT/m
26. VK4SMA/p (Ravensbourne National Park VKFF-0427)
27. VK4FDJL
28. VK2WWV
29. VK3CRG
30. VK3TKK/m
31. VK7ZGK
32. VK3PF/p (Woowookarung Regional Park VKFF-1879)
33. VK3ARH/p (Woowookarung Regional Park VKFF-1879)
34. VK3MAB
35. VK3FSPG
36. VK3MPR
37. VK3ELH
38. VK4TJ
39. VK4/AC8WN
40. VK4/VE6XT
41. VK7DW
42. VK3HBG
43. VK3TP
44. VK4MWB/p (Ravensbourne National Park VKFF-0427)
45. VK7KR
46. VK5MR
47. VK2PEZ
48. VK2ZEP
49. ZL1TM
50. VK2FHQQ
51. ZL2AJ
52. VK2MOR
53. ZL1RQ
54. K7RL
55. N3AD
56. YJ0CA
57. K3LR
58. K1TTT
59. K9CT

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5MRT
2. VK5KLV/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
3. VK5MSD/p (Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park VKFF-1757)
4. VK5BJE
5. VK5PL
6. VK3SQ
7. VK5FMWW
8. VK5YX
9. VK3FLCS/p (Langley Flora Reserve VKFF-2366)
10. VK3DHW
11. VK2WG
12. VK2YW
13. VK2KJJ
14. VK2TH
15. VK2FBKT
16. VK2HMV
17. ZL2AJ

At the end of the activation, Marija and I did some exploring of the park down its many tracks.  Access to the main section of the park can be made in a conventional vehicle, but if you are going to explore the less driven tracks, a 4WD is required.

We drove down to some of the other ponds and spotted more birds including Red-kneed Dotterel, & Black tailed native hens.

Red kneed Dotterel

Black tailed native hen

As we left the park we enjoyed a magnificent sunset. 

References.

National Parks South Australia, 2018, <https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park/Browse_by_region/Limestone_Coast/tolderol-game-reserve>, viewed 28th October 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Alexandrina_(South_Australia)>, viewed 28th October 2018

Yesterday (Monday 22nd October 2018) was the commencement of National Bird Week in Australia.  This coincides with the Aussie Backyard Bird Count.  So being on 2 days off, after working 7 straight, I packed the radio gear and headed down to the Coorong National Park 5NP-005 & VKFF-0115.

The VKFF program had a special National Bird Week certificate on offer for any park activation in Australia during the week.  As a result I qualified for the special activator certificate.  I had activated and qualified the Coorong previously for WWFF/VKFF/VK5 Parks Award, so my main reason for heading down there was for some bird photography.

Above:- the special activator certificate for National Bird Week, on offer by the VKFF program.

The Coorong National Park covers a lagoon ecosystem officially known as the Coorong and the Younghusband Peninsula on the Coorong’s southern side.  The western end of the Coorong lagoon is at the Murray Mouth near Hindmarsh Island and the Sir Richard Peninsula, and it extends about 130 kilometres (81 mi) southeast. The national park area includes the Coorong itself, and Younghusband Peninsula which separates the Coorong from Encounter Bay in the Southern Ocean.  The park was made famous in Colin Thiele’s book ‘Storm Boy’.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Coorong National Park.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

To get to the park I travelled down the South Eastern Freeway, passing the town of Murray Bridge, and over the mighty Murray River, and on to Tailem Bend.  I then turned off at the Princes Highway and travelled south.  Rather than continuing on to the town of Meningie, I decided to turn off and head to Narung, and follow the Coorong Birdwatchers Trail, hoping to get some good bird photographs along the way.

Above:- The Coorong Birdwatchers Trail.  This is the route I took during the day.  Image courtesy of Coorong Country

The Potalloch Road which runs off Princes Highway follows the south eastern boundary of Lake Alexandrina, and there are a number of wetland areas between the roadway and lake.  Unfortunately these are contained on private property.  As a result I was unable to get close to the birds, and had to rely on the zoom lens.

Masked Lapwing

Australian Pelican

Yellow billed Spoonbill

I wasn’t keen on venturing too far off road, as it was a warm day, with an expected temperature of 30 deg C.  As a result, there were plenty of snakes about.

Above:- one of a number of snakes I observed on the roads

I continued along Potalloch Road and soon the Point Malcom lighthouse came into view.  The Point Malcolm lighthouse, also known as Mundoo Light, is Australia’s only inland light station.  It is also Australia’s smallest lighthouse.  It operated between 1878 to 1931 to mark the narrow passage between Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina.

Above:- the Point Malcolm lighthouse

The Narrows is a small channel which links Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert.  In its day, this was a very busy location.  By the early 1900’s numerous paddle steamers, including the Judith, the Milang, and the Murray, were carrying passengers, goods, and mail up to 3 times a week between Milang, Narrung, and Meningie.  This was also a point for the Royal Mail which travelled by stage coach from Adelaide.

Above:- The Narrows

I boarded the ferry and took the short ride from one side of The Narrows to the other.  This is a free service which operates 24/7.

Above:- Crossing the ferry at The Narrows

Once off the ferry I stopped briefly at the Narrung Jetty Reserve, where there were a number of caravaners enjoying the spectacular scenery.  It was an opportunity for me to take a few more bird shots.

Purple Swamphen

Australian Pelican

Crested Tern

I then continued on to the small town of Narrung.  In the local aborignal language Narrung means ‘place of large sheoaks’.

I then drove along Alexandrina Drive and into the little town of Raukkan, which is a small aboriginal community situated on the south eastern shore of Lake Alexandrina.   Raukkan in the Ngarrindjeri language means ‘meeting place’ and is considered to be the home and heartland of the aboriginal Ngarringjeri aboriginal people.

In 1860 the Aborigines’ Friends’ Association was granted 107 hectares in the area and established a mission at Raukkan, which had been named “Point McLeay” by T. B. Strangways in 1837.  George Taplin had selected the site, and with others such as the Rev. F. W. Cox helped build the school, church and mission station to care for the local Aboriginals.  It was intended by the Aborigines’ Friends’ Association to help the Ngarrindjeri people, but could never be self-sufficient farming due to the poor quality of the soil in the area.  Land clearing by farmers nearby also limited the ability for hunting, and other crafts and industries also met with difficulties due to changing environment and competition from nearby towns.  In 1916, responsibility for Raukkan moved to South Australia’s Chief Protector of Aborigines, and since 1974 it has been administered by the Ngarrindjeri people themselves and renamed Raukkan in 1982.

There are some nice views here to be enjoyed of Lake Alexandrina, which was was named after Princess Alexandrina, niece and successor of King William IV of Great Britain and Ireland.  It adjoins the smaller Lake Albert, named after Prince Albert, the Consort of Queen Victoria, by George Gawler, the Governor of South Australia.

Raukkan was home to James Unaipon and his son David.  James Unaipon was the first Australian Aboriginal deacon and co-authored writings on the Ngarrindjeri language.  His son David was a writer and inventor, who along with the Raukkan Church, is featured on the Australian fifty-dollar note.

After leaving Raukkan, I returned back to Narrung and then travelled south on the Loveday Bay Road.  The sand dunes of the Younghusband Peninsula at the Coorong soon came into view.

I headed to Mark Point which is located in the National Park.  There is a nice campground here, with plenty of room to stretch out the dipole.  And I had the entire campground all to myself.

Above:- Map of the Coorong.  The red arrow indicates ny operating spot at Mark Point.  Image courtesy of DEWNR,

Prior to getting on air I took a few photos of the local birds, including dozens of Sandpipers who were busy looking for food in the shallows.

To kick off the activation I made a Park to Park contact with Rob VK4AAC/2 who was activating the Warrumbungle National Park VKFF-0520.  I then moved down the band to 7.139 and started calling CQ after spotting myself on parksnpeaks.  Rod VK7FRJG was the first to call me, followed by another Park to Park, with Geoff VK3SQ/p who was doing his first ever park activation in the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park VKFF-0620.

Despite it being a week day, there was a steady flow of callers at the start of the activation, but this tapered off quite quickly.  I logged a total of 21 stations on 40m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.

I then moved to the 20m band and called CQ on 14.310 for around 5 minutes with no takers.  I was competing with the Over the Horizon Radar which was at strength 8, making it veery difficult.  So with no takers, I headed down to the ANZA DX Net and checked in.  I worked 3 stations on the net, Mike VK4LMB, Greg VK8KMD in Alice Springs, and Ted VK6NTE over in Western Australia.

I saw a comment on Facebook from Andrew VK6AS that he was listening on 14.310 so I headed back there, and comfortably logged Andrew wi was a 5/5 signal.  I then lowered the squid pole and inserted the 80m links and moved to 3.610.  I asked if the frequency was in use, and John VK5BJE came back to advise me that the frequency was all mine.  John was an excellent 5/9 plus signal.  I also logged Trevor VK5TW and Ivan VK5HS in the Riverland, both being 5/9 plus signals.  But despite a call out on the Crafers repeater (I was surprised to be able to key the repeater from where I was), and a spot on parksnpeaks, I had no further callers.

With 29 stations in the log, it was time to pack up and start the journey home.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK4AAC/2 (Warrumbungle National Park VKFF-0520)
2. VK7FRJG
3. VK3SQ/p (Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park VKFF-0620)
4. VK2HHA
5. VK7QP
6. VK4FDJL
7. VK3PF
8. VK3ANL
9. VK3CM
10. VK4HNS
11. VK3WAR
12. VK3FBKS
13. VK4TJ
14. VK4/AC8WN
15. VK4/VE6XT
16. VK2IO
17. VK2EXA
18. VK4CPS
19. VK2KYO
20. VK5MR
21. VK3PAT
22. FK4QX

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4LMB
2. VK8KMD
3. VK6NTE
4. VK6AS

I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5BJE
2. VK5YW
3. VK5HS

At the conclusion of the activation I made a small detour down to the Mark Point Well which is located in the park.  This is one of four wind operated pumps originally built on the Yalkuri property around 1880.  Stock to and from Victoria, and the south-east of South Australia travelled along the Coorong which contained many freshwater springs.  Crossings were made at the Murray Mouth and at Pelican Point, a few km north west from Mark Point Well.

Here, cattle and horses were driven from the mainland to the Younghusband Peninsula and back again.  Tanks and troughs were made from local limestone with mortar from locally burnt lime.  The length of the Mark Point trough was originally 28 metres, but shortened in 1959 to 15 metres.

I then drove out along Pelican Point Road until I reached the end of the Narrung Peninsula.  This is as far as you can go by road, and the start of the Tauwitchere Barrages, near the Mouth of the Murray River.  The main purpose of the barrages at the Murray mouth is to maintain the freshness of the River Murray as far downstream as the town of Wellington.  There was plenty of birdlife here with lots of photo opportunities.

Black Swan

Sharp Tailed Sandpiper

Black winged Stilt

A Royal Spoonbill in flight

Above:- Red necked Avocets and Black winged Stilts.

Above:- Corellas.

I then drove back along Mark Point Road, to Loveday Bay Road and the Narrung Road, and into the town of Meningie.  Just as you enter Meningie there is an area where there is always a lot of Pelican activity, so I stopped off briefly to take some photos.

I then hit the road again, travelling home via Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge.

References.

Coorong Country, 2018, <https://coorongcountry.com.au/point-malcolm-lighthouse/>, viewed 23rd October 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raukkan,_South_Australia>, viewed 23rd October 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coorong_National_Park>, viewed 23rd October 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Alexandrina_(South_Australia)>, viewed 23rd October 2018

The Oceania DX Contest is an annual competition with the aim of radio amateurs making contacts on the HF bands, specifically DX contacts with stations in Oceania.  It is one of the contests on the amateur radio calendar which I enter into each year.

There were a few things against me this year.  Firstly work!  Secondly a very high noise floor at home, particularly on 40m.  Thirdly, no dedicated 80m antenna at home.  And finally, poor band conditions.  Despite this, I had a lot of fun.

I ended up with a total of 281 contacts and a claimed score of 108,046 points.  I worked a total of 49 different DXCC entities on 10, 15, 20, 40 & 80m SSB.  This was down quite a bit compared to my 506 QSOs during the 2017 Oceania DX Contest.

• 80m- 3 different DXCC entities worked
• 40m – 11 different DXCC entities worked
• 20m – 47 different DXCC entities worked
• 15m – 3 different DXCC entities worked
• 10m – 1 DXCC entity worked worked

Above:- Map showing my contacts during the 2018 Oceania DX Contest.  Map courtesy of QSOmap.org

My first contact during the contest was with VK6NE on 40m.  My final contact was with OA4/XQ3SA in Peru in South America.

The majority of my contacts were on the 20m band, followed by 40m.  I found 15m to be very poor.  I heard very little from South East Asia, and virtually no Japanese stations.

Above:- Bar graph showing my QSOs per band during the contest.

On Saturday night there was an excellent opening on the long path to Europe on the 20m band.  I started to hear some Scandanavian stations on 20m at about 8.30 p..m local time, so I thought the band might behave.  And it did.

Above:- Map showing my contacts into Europe on the short path on Saturday night.

As I had no dedicated 80m antenna at home, I had to tune up the 40m dipole to make a handful of contacts on that band.  In recent months my noise floor at home on 40m has gone from strength 5 to strength 8.  This meant I did not call CQ contest on that band.  I just worked those that I could hear.

Although not up there with the ‘big guns’, I was really pleased with the outcome of the weekend.

References.

Oceania DX Contest, 2018, <http://www.oceaniadxcontest.com/index.html>, viewed 8th October 2018