2017

During 2017 I conducted 65 park activations for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award, and a total of 123 for the World Wide Flora Fauna program.  This was a mixture of parks in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, with 18 of those activations counting towards the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award.  Marija and I continued to activate a number of parks together.

The Friday afternoon/evening activation event for the VK5 Parks Awards continued to be very popular.  I activated a number of unique parks in 2017 including the Blackwood Forest Recreation Park, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, the Lawari Conservation Park, and the Nurragi Conservation Reserve.

On the beach at the Moana Sands Conservation Park

At the Douglas Point Conservation Park

Marija on air at Sturt Gorge Recreation Park

I conducted 13 activations for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program during 2017.  Four of those summits were in South Australia, while the remaining nine were in Victoria.

The year 2017 kicked off for Marija and I with a SOTA activation of Mount Bryan VK5/ SE-001 on New Years Day.  This was as part of the regular VK New Years Day SOTA event.  Marija and I spent New Years Eve in Burra at one of the local pubs, and on NY Day we headed out to the summit.  After 2 hours on Mount Bryan I had a total of 76 QSOs in the log including 41 S2S contacts.  Marija had a total of 39 QSOs in the log including 37 S2S contacts.  It had been an amazing activation.

Marija and I then did the Dare Hill Drive.  This was a very enjoyable and scenic drive through spectacular countryside in the north of South Australia.  The drive took us to the homestead of Sir George Hubert Wilkins, and through the historic Collinsville Station property.  On the drive we stopped off to activate two rarely activated parks, the Caroona Creek Conservation Park and the Pandappa Conservation Park.

a creek crossing on the Dare Hill drive

Marija on air at the Caroona Creek Conservation Park

On air in the Pandappa Conservation Park

old Ketchowla Station shearing shed

Marija at the Wilkins homestead

In mid January I had a fun afternoon out with Chris VK5FR and David VK5KC, at the Encounter Marine Park VKFF-1707.  We drove down along Goolwa Beach to the mouth of the mighty Murray River and set up on the sand.  We had a number of interested onlookers, one lady being game enough to pick up the mic.  The video below is a little bit of footage of the activation.

In February Marija and our daughter Olivia headed to Victoria.  Our main reason for travelling there was to go to Sovereign Hill at Ballarat as Olivia has an interest in Australian history.  Whilst away on the trip I activated SOTA peak Mount Warrenheip VK3/ VC-019, the Creswick Regional Park VKFF-0964, and Mount Buninyong VK3/ VC-018.  Whilst at Mount Buninyong, Allen VK3ARH paid us a visit.

with Allen VK3ARH

On air at Mt Warrenheip

Marija on air at Mt Buninyong being watched on by Olivia

Enjoying a Mountain Goat beer at the hotel in Buninyong

Marija and Olivia at Sovereign Hill

March 4th to March 12th 2017 was Parks Week.  I had a little bit of free time from work and undertook 2 activations during the event.

On Friday 10th March I headed out to activate the Lowan Conservation Park 5CP-121 & VKFF-1052.  This was another successful activation, with a total of 87 contacts in the log including a number of Park to Park contacts, including Ken ZL4KD and his wife Margaret ZL4YS who were in ZLFF-0026.

And then on Saturday 11th March Marija and I activated Mount Lofty VK5/ SE-005 which is located within the Cleland Conservation Park 5CP-042 & VKFF-0778.  This was as part of an afternoon/morning of VK/Europe/UK SOTA activations, in which it was hoped that a number of Summit to Summit contacts would be obtained between VK & Europe/UK.  Band conditions on 20m had been quite ordinary in preceding weeks, so I didn’t expect to work much DX during this activation, yet alone any of the DX SOTA activators.  I ended up with 113 contacts in the log, included twenty (20) Summit to Summit contacts and six (6) Park to Park contacts.  This included numerous DX S2S contacts into Spain, Switzerland, England, Romania, Wales, and Germany.

Above:- racking up the QSOs at Mt Lofty/Cleland CP

Later in March I headed out to the Totness Recreation Park for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day.  I entered in the Six Hour Portable Operation category.  Specifically the Single Operator, Phone Only, HF Bands section.  Within my 6 hour block of operating I made a total of 241 contacts with a score of 482 points.  I came in 1st place in the 6 hour portable section, running the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts and the linked dipole.

In April the special activation weekend was held for the 4th year anniversary of the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.  Marija and I headed down the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.  We activated 4 different parks and made a total of 532 QSOs.

Operating from the homestead in the Deep Creek Conservation Park

Marija on air in the Eric Bonython Conservation Park

Marija in the Talisker Conservation Park

A total of 20 amateurs took part in the weekend, activating 29 different parks across Australia.  A total of 1,311 QSOs were made over the weekend, including 410 Park to Park contacts.  Each activator who took part in the weekend received a special participation certificate.

Above:- participation certificate for the 4th year anniversary of the VK5 Parks Award.

A few weeks later I headed to Victoria to Foster to attend Antennapalooza run by the Gippsland Gate Radio & Electronics Club.  The them for the 2017 event was operating portable, and I was asked to deliver a presentation on the parks awards.  Whilst away I activated a number of parks and SOTA summits.

with Tony VK3XV, Joee VK3YSP & Marshall VK3MRG

My display table

One of my activations whilst away was a joint activation with Chris VK3QB and Chris VK3PAT at the Shallow Inlet Marine Coastal Park VKFF-0749.  This was a really enjoyable morning on the beach under the shade of the awning of the Toyota Hi Lux.

On air with Chris VK3QB

Chris VK3PAT on air, with Chris Vk3QB

Our operating spot at Shallow Inlet

On Easter Sunday Marija and I activated the Scott Creek Conservation Park in the Adelaide Hills.  After Marija had qualified the park I jumped on the mic using the special call of VK5WOW, issued for the 2017 WIA AGM at Hahndorf.  I ended up with a total of 157 contacts as VK5WOW, on the 20, 40 and 80m bands, including 11 Park to Park contacts.  A small amount of DX was logged from New Zealand, Croatia, Finland, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, and Belgium.  Below is a short video of the activation.

Later in April Marija and I drove to the Riverland and attended the BRL Gathering.  Whilst away we activated a number of parks.  Once again I set up a small display at the event, showing various portable transceivers, antennas, power sources, and awards.  I also delivered a presentation on operating portable.

Marija on air at Ramco Point Conservation Park

Delivering a presentation at the BRL Gathering

My display table at the BRL Gathering

A highlight of this year’s BRL Gathering was a high altitude balloon launch by the Amateur Radio Experimenters Group.

Getting ready to launch

Ivan VK5HS making contacts via the balloon

One of my activations whilst in the Riverland was at the Cooltong Conservation Park.  Marija activated & qualified the park first and I then operated as VK5WOW, making a total of 161 contacts.  Whilst activating the park Shaun VK5FAKV came out to pay us a visit.

On Anzac Day Marija and I activated the Tolderol Game Reserve VKFF-1752, using the special AX prefix.  We made a total of 176 contacts between the two of us.

In late April I activated the Monarto Conservation Park using the special call of VK5WOW.  I made a total of 113 QSOs.

In early May I activated the Totness Recreation Park, again using the special call of VK5WOW.  I made a total of 130 contacts.

On 6th May I activated the Ferries McDonald Conservation Park for the Harry Angel Memorial 80m Sprint.  I worked a total of 63 stations during the Sprint from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, and VK8.

The weekend of 13th & 14th May was the Mills on the Air Weekend.  On Saturday I activated Nixon’s Mill at Hahndorf using the special VK5WOW call.  I made a total of 89 QSOs, including making contact with hams at the Dunn Mill at Mount Barker, and Andersons Mill at Smeaton in Victoria.  Later that day I also activated the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park as VK5WOW and made a total of 107 contacts.  On Sunday I activated the old Laucke Flour Mill at Strathalbyn and made a total of 87 QSOs.  I was joined briefly by Tony VK5MRT.

On 17th May I activated the Mount George Conservation Park with the special VI5WOW call.  I made a total of 84 contacts.

This was my 6th activation using VK5WOW or VI5WOW.  During April & May under these calls I made a total of 872 contacts.  Sadly, propagation was not great when it came to DX.

During May the Annual General Meeting & Convention of the Wireless Institute of Australia was held at Hahndorf, just down the road from my home.  Andrew VK6AS, and Heath VK3TWO & his wife Monique stayed with us.  The theme of the convention was ‘Radio is Magic’.

The event kicked off on the Friday evening with drinks and gourmet pizza at the Hahndorf Convention Centre.  Saturday saw the AGM and presentations.  I delivered a presentation on ‘Operating field portable in the great outdoors’.  The Saturday night formal dinner was at the convention centre.

On Sunday morning, myself and 4 other team leaders (John VK5BJE, Peter VK5PET, Les VK5KLV, & Chris VK5FR) took a number of amateurs out into the field to activate parks.  For many it was their first park activation.  One of my team was Gerard VK2JNG, who has taken to park activating like a duck to water.  Later that day there was a Come and Try event at the Hahndorf Oval.  Chris VK5FR and I set up a parks display table.

With some of the crew on the Friday night

Delivering my presentation at the Convention on Saturday

Out in the field on Sunday morning

With Chris VK5FR and an interesting onlooker at our display table

I received a Certificate of Appreciation at the Convention for delivering my parks presentation.  I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Organising Committee for the 2017 WIA AGM & Convention: David VK5KC, John VK5BJE, Jim VK5TR, Shirley VK5YL, Stuart VK5STU, Roy VK5NRG, Grant VK5GR, Matt VK5ZM, David VK5KK, Ian VK5ZD, Joy Robbins, & Daniel VK5DF.

There was also a special 2017 WIA AGM & Convention award on offer, which both Marija and I qualified for.  The certificate was actually designed by myself.

On the Sunday afternoon of the Convention I headed out to the Mylor Conservation Park for one final run of the special call of VI5WOW.  I logged a total of 56 stations and hopefully gave a few more people a chance to get the special call in their log.  So all up I ended up with 928 QSOS whilst using VK5WOW and VI5WOW.

In June Marija and I headed down to the South East for the annual convention and National Fox Hunting Championships held by the South East Radio Group.  Whilst down that neck of the woods we activated 7 parks in South Australia and Victoria, and made a total of 567 contacts, with 44 of those being Park to Park contacts.

The SERG event coincided with the VK Shires Contest.  Marija and I activated three shires – GD5, MG5, & GL3.  I made 193 QSOs.  Marija made 78 QSOs in her very first contest.  Congratulations to Tony VK3XV who came in at number one in this category with 173 QSOs and 182 Shires and a score of 31,486 points.  I managed to get position number 2 with a total of 167 QSOs and 180 Shires and a score of 30,060 points.  And well done to Marija who came in at number 3, with 70 QSOs and and a score of 5,180 points.

We enjoyed a fantastic night at the SERG Convention dinner on the Sunday evening.  We shared a table with my good mate John VK5NJ and his wife Tanina, and Tony VK5ZAI and his wife Jill.  Marija even drew the first winning raffle ticket, winning a little BaoFeng hand held tx.  I can highly recommend the SERG Convention to anyone who has not been before.

with Tony VK5ZAI and John VK5NJ

Marija in the Lower Glenelg National Park

On air at Telford Scrub for the VK Shires Contest

Marija with the handheld won in the raffle

In July I activated the Totness Recreation Park for the Trans Tasman Low Band Contest.  The aim of the contest is to encourage Low Band activity Trans-Tasman, that is between VK and ZL.  The contest is divided into three 2 hour periods.  I remained out in the field until just after the commencement of the third period which was at 1200 UTC (9.30 p.m. local time).  The cold weather got the better of me (got down to 4 deg C) and I packed up and headed home with a total of 171 contacts in the log.

Above:- ‘the shack’ at Totness for the Trans Tasman.

In August for the 2017 International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend, Marija and I activated the Marino Rocks lighthouse AU-0018 located within the Marino Conservation Park 5CP-126 & VKFF-1056.  We made a a total of 210 contacts, including 22 different Australian lighthouses and one NZ lighthouse.  Amongst that were 10 Park to Park contacts.  Ian VK5MA visited us during the activation.

With Ian VK5MA

Below is a short video of our activation at Marino lighthouse.

On October 22nd the 2nd VKFF Team Championship was held.  Six teams took part in the event.  Marija and I entered the event as ‘The Walkie Talkies’ and activated the Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park.  The weather was less than ideal, and Marija and I huddled underneath the awning of the 4WD during the activation.  We made a total of 197 QSOs, which included 32 Park to Park (P2P) contacts under some very trying band conditions.  Marija and I took 1st place this year, pipping last years winners Team Kookaburra.

On air for the VKFF Team Championship

Our certificate for the 40m section

Our Overall Winner certificate

In late October between 23rd-29th October, National Bird Week was held.  I headed down to the Coorong National Park for an activation and some bird photography.

I managed to get some good photographs during my visit to the Coorong.  However, not everything went to plan.  I blew up my Yaesu FT-857d.  Fortunately it has been fixed.

My operating spot in the Coorong National Parka

In early November I activated the Scott Creek Conservation Park with my good mate John VK5BJE.  During the activation I tested my newly acquired Yaesu FT-897 which I had obtained through a deceased estate auction with my local radio club.  We had a great afternoon out in the park and ended up with 102 stations in the log between us, including some nice Pacific DX contacts on 20m, and five Park to Park contacts.

My newly acquired Yaesu FT-897

With John VK5BJE

In November Marija and I enjoyed 2 great weeks away in Victoria and New South Wales.  Whilst away from home we activated a total of six (6) summits for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program, and a total of twenty seven (27) parks for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program and the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award.  We made a total of 1,680 QSOs under some pretty trying band conditions at times.  This included x 2 Summit to Summit contacts, and 138 x Park to Park contacts.  We travelled a distance of 4,450 km.

‘the shack’ at the Ninety Mile Beach Marine Park

At Alfred National Park

At Nadgee Nature Reserve

On the beach at Point Hicks Marine National Park

Marija at VK3/ VG-048 in Errinundra National Pakr

Both Marija and I received an activator certificate for taking part in the KRMNPA Weekend.  Many thanks to Tony VK3XV, the KRMNPA Awards Manager.

Radio wasn’t the only thing on the agenda during the trip away.  We did a lot of sightseeing including a really enjoyable cruise in the Croajingolong National Park viewing the majestic White Bellied Sea Eagles.

A great food at Mallacoota

4WDing in the Nadgee Nature Reserve

White bellied sea eagle in the Croajingolong National Park

And whilst away we met up with a number of amateurs.  We called in to see Paul VK3SS at Stratford, and enjoyed a nice evening out with some of the local hams at Traralgon.  Whilst at Malacoota we bumped in to John VK2AWJ.  And on the way home we caught up with Kev VK3VEK and Peter VK3TKK.

Out for tea with Sergio VK3SFG, Brian VK3BBB, Peter VK3PF and Ken VK3UH

In the shack of Paul VK3SS

With John VK2AWJ

With Kev VK3VEK

With Peter VK3TKK

Later in November the 2017 VKFF Activation Weekend was held.  Marija and I stayed at Morgan for a few nights and activated 6 parks whilst we were away.  We made a total of 490 QSOs including 138 Park to Park QSOs.

Taking some time out at one of the local wineries

Marija on air at the Brookfield Conservation Park

On air at the Hogwash Bend Conservation Park

On air at the Morgan Conservation Park

Each activator who took place in the 2017 VKFF Activation Weekend received a special participation certificate.

During November the VKFF Annual Photographic Competition was held.  There were a total of 31 entries. Thankyou to everyone who submitted photos (VK3FLCS, VK3GGG, VK3PF, VK3ZPF, VK4HNS, VK4JAZ, VK4SMA, VK4SOE, VK5FMAZ, VK5PAS, VK7JON).  A total of 17 amateurs took the time to cast their vote/s.  First place was shared by myself and Neil VK4HNS.  Second place was shared by Grant VK4JAZ, Marija VK5FMAZ & Paul VK5PAS.  Third place was shared by Jonathan VK7JON, Peter VK3ZPF, Peter VK3PF, & Paul VK5PAS.

During 2017 I was issued with a number of awards including the following:-

• WWFF Park to Park 264
• WWFF Park to Park 308
• WWFF Park to Park 352
• WWFF Park to Park 396
• WWFF Park to Park 444
• WWFF Park to Park 544
• DXFF 40
• YOFF Diploma 10 x 200 QSOs
• WWFF Activator 154
• WWFF Activator 165
• WWFF Activator 176
• WWFF Activator 187
• WWFF Hunter 944
• WWFF Hunter 1044
• Murray River Parks Activator 20
• NSW National Parks 50 year
• VKFF Activator Honour Roll 175
• VKFF Activator 200
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 600
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 625
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 650
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 675
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 700
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 725
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 750
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 775
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 800
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 825

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Each year the VKFF program issues certificates to the Top VKFF Hunter and the Top VKFF Activator.  This year the Top VKFF Hunter with a total of 548 different VKFF references during 2017 was Peter VK3PF.  An amazing effort.  Coming in at 2nd place was Gerard VK2IO with 547 different VKFF references, just 1 behind Peter.

The Top VKFF Activator turned out to be myself with 102 different VKFF references activated during 2017.  This was very closely followed by Gerard VK2JNG with 99 different VKFF references activated.  Gerard has certainly taken to park activating.

And each year the global WWFF program issued Top 44 certificates.  The first Top 44 certificate is issued each year for the Top 44 activators in the world, and is based on activations where 44 QSOs are achieved.  I came 13th in the world with 90 activations.  The top activator in the world was SP5UUD with 505 activations. Now that is an achievement.

The other Top 44 certificate is issued to activators who have made it into the Top 44, with respect to the number of QSOs made during activations.  In 2017 I came in at position number 27 with a total of 7,037 QSOs from 102 different references.  That works out to around 69 contacts per activation.

Some of my best DX contacts whilst out portable in 2017 was with Grant E6AG on Nieue, A25BE in Botswana.

2016

During 2016 I undertook a total of 74 activations for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.  This included a number of parks for the ever popular Friday afternoon/evening activation event.  During one of those Friday activations, in the Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, I spoke with Joe W5JI, who was previously K5THB many many years ago.  I have very good memories of listening as an SWL, to Joe some 35 plus years ago when I was a teenager.  Joe was a regular on 40m talking with W4MIP and W2GO and other USA stations.

The Wiljani Conservation Park was gazetted and in April I headed out to the park to activate it for the very first time.  As this was a new park I had plenty of callers.  In fact I ended up with 101 contacts in the log.  And in August, a park very close to home was added to the VKFF program.  This being the Totness Recreation Park, which I activated for the very first time on 3rd August, making a total of 77 contacts.  And in December I activated the newly gazetted Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park.

During the year I activated a number of parks with other amateurs including my good wife Marija VK5FMAZ (who obtained her licence in 2016), Marcus VK5WTF at the Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park, and John VK5BJE at the Scott Creek Conservation Park.

The WWFF program increased dramatically in popularity during 2016.  I conducted a total of 100 park activations for WWFF/VKFF in 2016.

I activated a total of 11 SOTA summits in 2016.  Four of those were in South Australia, six in Victoria, and one on Norfolk Island.

Brown Hill Range VK5/ SE-004

Mount Bates VK9/ NO-001

The highlight of 2016 for SOTA for me was receiving my Super Sloth certificate, issued for having reached 10,000 points as a SOTA chaser.

The year 2016 kicked off for me with an activation of Mount Lofty summit VK5/ SE-005 in the Cleland Conservation Park 5CP-042 & VKFF-0778.  This was on New Years Day as part of the annual VK NY Day SOTA event.  I spent about 3 hours on the summit and made a total of 93 contacts, including 36 Summit to Summit contacts.

Above:- at Mount Lofty VK5/ SE-005 & the Cleland Conservation Park.

On Australia Day I activated Mount Gawler summit VK5/ SE-013 using the special AX prefix.  Stuart VK5STU & Nigel VK5NIG joined me for the activation.  I made a total of 82 contacts.  Later that day I activated The Knoll Conservation Park and made a total of 60 QSOs.

My AX5PAS Australia Day QSL card

With Stuart VK5STU and Nigel VK5NIG

In early 2016 I became a Director on the Board of the Wireless Institute of Australia.

I took part in the John Moyle Memorial Field Day during March, activating the Monarto Conservation Park.  I entered into the 6 hour portable section and made a total of 229 contacts.  I came in at First Place for this category with a total of 458 points.

My 1st place certificate

On air at Monarto, hiding from the sun under the umbrella

I was visited by Peter VK5PM during the activation

The VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award celebrated its 3rd birthday in 2016, and during April a special activation weekend was held.  A total of 26 amateurs took part in the weekend, activating a total of 62 different parks.  I activated a total of 6 parks on the Fleurieu Peninusla south of Adelaide, and made a total of 602 QSOs.

Operating at night from the Deep Creek Conservation Park

On air in the Waitpinga Conservation Park

Operating from the Yulte Conservation Park

In March 2016 my lovely wife Marija undertook the Foundation licence course held by the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society.  She was later issued with the call of VK5FMAZ.

On the 10th April 2016 Marija undertook her first park activation at the Kenneth Stirling Conservation Park in the Adelaide Hills.  Marija made a total of 69 QSOs including 4 Park to Park contacts.  Below is a short video showing some of her contacts during the activation.

Later that month in April, Marija I drove up to the Riverland and attended the BRL Gathering at the historic Overland Corner Hotel.  A boot sale was one of the features of the gathering, with a number of bargains on offer.  I was fortunate to come away with a few goodies, including an IC751 transceiver, a Mini Palm Paddle and two antenna tuners (all previously owned by Larry VK5LY-now silent key).  I gave a very short talk on the WIA and the recent proposal submitted to ACMA.

After the purchase of the mini palm paddle

The group photo

Marija with Larry’s Icom IC-751

The BRL Gathering is a great social event and each Saturday night a group of us normally head out for tea.  In 2016 Marija and I were joined by Ivan VK5HS and his wife Sheryl, Di (wife of Larry VK5LY), and Peter VK5PE.

with Peter VK5PE

Whilst away Marija and I activated a number of parks in the Riverland.  It was great having Marija doing the activating with me, with her brand new Foundation call.

Marija on air on the Pooginook Conservation Park

Activating the Cooltong Conservation Park

On the 25th April, Anzac Day, I activated the Ferries McDonald Conservation Park using the special AX prefix.  I made a total of 120 contacts including five Park to Park contacts, and numerous DX contacts on both 15m & 20m.

In May Marija and I flew to Norfolk Island to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Wireless Institute of Australia.  This was a very memorable trip and was well organised.  On Saturday, following the AGM, I delivered a presentation on operating portable.

At the Friday evening dinner

with the Norfolk Island Administrator Gary Hardgrave

At the AGM

Norfolk Island was a very social event, with the opportunity of catching up with many amateurs.  One of the highlights was a night out at the Jolly Roger, with Peter VK3PF, Heath VK3TWO and his wife Monique VK6FMON.

At the Jolly Roger with Peter VK3PF, Heath VK3TWO and Trent VK9

with Trent Christian, a former Norfolk Isl and Pitcairn Isl amateur

Whilst on Norfolk I managed to get on air as VK9PAS on 6 occasions activating from both VKFF-0392 and Mount Bates VK9/ NO-001.  Marija also operated from Mount Bates.  All up I made a total of 599 contacts, working 19 different DXCC entities.  I was pretty happy with this considering all of my activations were portable, using the Yaesu FT-857, about 40 watts and the linked dipole.  We powered the radio with a car battery which was kindly loaned to us by the hire car company.

Marija activating Mount Bates VK9/ NO-001

At Emily Bay

With Luke VK3HJ/9

On air at Puppies Point

Whilst on Norfolk I was also fortunate to be able to operate with the special call of VI9ANZAC.

Above:- On air from Norfolk Island as VI9ANZAC

We also paid a visit to the VK9NT DXpedition team: Chris VK3QB, Luke VK3HJ, Lee VK3GK, Brenton VK3YB, and Allan VK2CA.

Above:- at the VK9NT accomodation

For anyone that worked me during my visit to Norfolk, I have a special VK9PAS QSL card which is available through my QSL Manager, Charles M0OXO.

There was also a special Norfolk Island Award which was on offer.

In June I drove down to the South East to attend the South East Radio Club’s annual convention and the National Fox Hunting Championships.  I delivered a presentation on the WIA at the convention to around 75 people.

Delivering WIA presentation

The Sunday night SERG Convention Dinner

On air at Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park

The SERG Convention coincides with the VK Shires Contest.  So when I had some time I headed out for some VK Shire activity.   I operated during the contest from the Telford Scrub Conservation Park 5CP-226 & VKFF-0805, and the Carpenter Rocks Conservation Park 5CP-038 & VKFF-1018.  I came first in the Rover section with a total score of 16,704 points.

In late June the very first ‘Freeze your Butt Off’ contest was held in Australia.  I activated the Ettrick Conservation Park and made a total of 151 contacts in 8 deg C and rainy conditions.  I came first in the portable section with a total of 22,550 points.

In July I took part in the Trans Tasman Low Band Contest.  The contest has an aim to encourage Low Band activity trans Tasman, that is between VK and ZL, on the 160, 80 and 40m bands.  I activated the Mowantjie Willauwar Conservation Park on the way home from the Coorong, and made a total of 90 contacts in about 90 minutes.  I received a certificate of merit for taking part in the contest.

On air for the Trans Tasman Low Band Contest at the Mowantjie Willauwar Conservation Park

Trans Tasman certificate

In August the ACT Summits on the Air (SOTA) enthusiasts held their annual VK1 SOTA Winter QSO Party.  Marija and I headed down the Fleurieu Peninsula to the little one point summit of Black Bullock Hill VK5/ SE-016 to take part in the event.   At the end of the activation I had a total of 65 contacts in the log, including 35 Summit to Summit contacts (113 S2S points).  Marija had also qualified the summit with a total of 9 contacts and 8 Summit to Summit contacts (19 S2S points).

On at Black Bullock Hill

Some of the interested onlookers

The John Moyle Memorial Field Day took place on Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th August.  I decided to go portable this year and I activated the Totness Recreation Park just down the road from home.  I made a total of 426 contacts during the contest and came in 2nd place in VK5, and 14th overall in the Single Operator-Phone section.  I was really pleased with this considering I was operating portable.

On air for the RD Contest

My 2nd place certificate

A little later in August and it was time for the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW).  Together with a number of other amateurs from the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society, I headed over to Kangaroo Island to activate the Cape WIlloughby lighthouse, using the special call of VK5CWL.

Our final QSO count for the 2016 ILLW was 547 contacts on the 160, 80, 40, 30, 20 and 2 m bands, on PHONE, CW, PSK, and JT65.  We worked a total of 36 different countries.

Our 160m antenna

Chris Vk5FR and Andrew VK5CV

Our fan dipole

Hex beam which took a battering in the wind

On air with VK5FR

Other than a lot of contacts being made, this was a terrific social event, with plenty of great food and lots of red wine.

With Andrew VK5CV

Home made pizzas

Mike VK5FMWW, John VK5BJE and Andrew VK5CV

I remained on Kangaroo Island following the ILLW and activated 10 different Conservation Parks, making a total of 542 QSOs.  Many of these parks had only been activated once before, so they were in high demand by the WWFF hunters.

On Sunday 11th September, the Belair National Park celebrated its 125 year anniversary.  And as part of these celebrations, an Open Day was held at the park.  My good friend John VK5BJE was approached by the Senior Ranger for the Mount Lofty Parklands, asking if he would be interested in setting up an amateur radio station in the park as part of the Open Day.  John kindly invited myself and my wife Marija VK5FMAZ, to come along and participate.

We had quite a bit of interaction with the public during the day, including a visit by a scout group.  We even convinced a number of people during the day to pick up the mic and say g’day.

John, Marija, and I made a total of 221 contacts over the duration of the day.

A few of the highlights of the day for me were:-

• convincing some of the children to pick up the microphone to say hello
• contact with newly licenced amateur, Helen VK7FOLK/p
• contact with Stephen VK2LAD, activating his very first park
• contact with Chris VK5CP, operating portable with just 200 milliwatts
• contact into St Lucia in the Carribean with J68HZ, a rare DXCC entity.
• contact on 40m with my mate Danny ON4VT in Belgium
• contact with Peter VK2PV using 300m of fencing wire as his antenna

Also in September Marija and I travelled to Whyalla in the ‘Iron Triangle’ region of South Australia.  This trip was to stay with, and visit family and friends, but whilst there I activated a number of parks.

Above:- Activating the Whyalla Conservation Park, with Wild Dog Hill in the background

In early October 2016 Andrew VK6AS and I travelled around South Australia to deliver a number of presentations to various clubs about the WIA.  We covered around 1,100 km in 3 days.  Whilst away we activated a handful of parks including Mount Monster Conservation Park, Peebinga Conservation Park, and Loch Luna Game Reserve.

On air at Mount Monster Conservation Park

Andrew operating in the Peebinga Conservation park

On the 16th October, Marija and I activated the Monarto Conservation Park as part of the inaugural VKFF Team Championship.  A total of 8 teams took part in the event.  Sadly band conditions and weather conditions were pretty average.  But we did make a total of 138 contacts.  This included 23 Park to Park contacts.  Marija made 70 contacts and I made 68 contacts and won the 2 ops/single tx/40m & 15m/100 watts or less section.  The overall winners were Team Kookaburra consisting of Tony VK3XV and Mick VK3GGG.

VK5FMAZ on air during the event

National Bird Week was held between 17th-23rd October 2016, and this aligned nicely with two newly gazetted Conservation Parks in South Australia.  So for Bird Week I activated one of those parks, the Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park.  I made a total of 60 contacts from the park.  I have a special QSL card for anyone who worked me.

In late October I headed over to Western Australia, where Andrew and I delivered another presentation on the WIA.  Andrew was kind enough to put me up at his house.  Whilst in VK6 I also snuck in a few park activations.  It was certainly very different operating over in VK6, with the number of callers during activations far less than over in VK5 and on the east coast.

In the shack of Andrew VK6AS

With Andrew VK6AS in the

At the Northern Corridor Radio Group’s shack

The Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society held their annual Buy and Sell on  Sunday 6th November 2016.  Myself and Ian VK5CZ, the SOTA VK5 Manager, set up a display at the Buy and Sell, promoting the various Parks programs (including World Wide Flora Fauna, & VK5 Parks Award), and the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.

Above:- Our SOTA & Parks display at the AHARS Buy and Sell

On Friday 11th November 2016 I headed to Victoria for the annual parks activation weekend for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award.  And whilst interstate I had arranged to team up with fellow Director of the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), Andrew VK6AS to deliver some presentations.  I returned home on Thursday 17th Nov 2016, after delivering 4 WIA presentations and activating a total of nine parks and five summits of the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program.

Above: delivering a presentation at the Eastern Mountain Districts Radio Club clubrooms

I made a total of 570 contacts whilst away.

Above:- a top spot alongside the Murray River in the Gunbower National Park.

Whilst in VK3 I caught up with my good mate Bob VK3SX at ‘the ranch’ at Gunbower.  We even did an activation together at the Gunbower National Park.  I also called in to see Peter VK3FPSR in Cobram.

with Peter VK3FPSR

Bob VK3SX in his shack

In late November the 2016 VKFF Activation Weekend was held.  This proved to be a very popular weekend, with a total of 43 activators taking part.  A total of 2,655 QSOs were made over the weekend.  Of those, a total of 1,373 QSOs were made on the Saturday, whilst a further 1,282 were made on the Sunday.  There were an amazing number of Park to Park (P2P) contacts over the weekend.  In fact, a total of 1,010 P2P QSOs (490 on the Saturday and 520 on Sunday).

Marija VK5FMAZ and I activated 2 parks on Saturday 26th: Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Park VKFF-1082, and Mowantjie Willauwar Conservation Park VKFF-0919. We made a total of 233 QSOs including 74 Park to Park contacts.  On Sunday 27th I activated 3 parks: Marne Valley Conservation Park VKFF-0906, Swan Reach Conservation Park VKFF-0832, and Ridley Conservation Park VKFF-0932. I made a total of 191 QSOs including 48 Park to Park contacts.

On air in the Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Park

Marija on air in the Mowantjie Willauwar Conservation Park

All activators who took part in the weekend received a participation certificate.

In 2016 I decided that my wife deserved a little token of my appreciation, so I made up a Certificate of Appreciation.  This became so popular that I was asked by a number of other amateurs to make up a certificate for their wives.

During 2016 I met a number of amateurs.  This included Brian VK3MCD who was visiting from Victoria.  We also had a handful of SOTA/Parks coffee mornings, where hams who are interested in portable activity had a chance for a chat and to exchange ideas.

with Brian VK3MCD

I delivered a number of presentations during 2016 to various clubs which included the South Coast Amateur Radio Club, the South East Radio Group, the Elizabeth Amateur Radio Club, and the Amateur Radio Experimenters Group.

Above:- delivering a presentation on operating portable, for the Amateur Radio Experimenters Group.

I received a number of awards during 2016 including the following:-

• SOTA Summit to Summit 500 points
• SOTA Super Sloth 10,000 chaser points
• SOTA Platinum Mountain Hunter
• SP500YFF
• 5BFF (Cyprus) 3 references worked
• Keith Roget Activated 10 parks
• Pine Cone Award 50 QSOs 10 locations
• Pine Cone Award 75 QSOs 15 locations
• Pine Cone Award 100 QSOs 20 locations
• Pine Cone Award 125 QSOs 25 locations
• DLFF (Germany) Silver Hunter
• Murray River Parks Hunter 10
• Murray River Parks Hunter 20
• Murray River Parks Hunter 30
• DXFF Activator 6
• WWFF Park to Park 10
• WWFF Park to Park 44
• WWFF Park to Park 88
• WWFF Park to Park 132
• WWFF Global Hunter 544
• WWFF Global Hunter 644
• WWFF Global Hunter 744
• OCCFF-H-14
• VKFF Activator Honour Roll 100
• VKFF Activator Honour Roll 125
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 350
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 375
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 400
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 425
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 450
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 475
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 500
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 525
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 550
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 575
• WWFF Activator 77
• WWFF Activator 88
• WWFF Activator 99
• WWFF Activator 110
• WWFF Activator 121
• WWFF Activator 132

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In 2016 I featured in the Top 44 list again.  I received a certificate for being number 12 in the world for activated references, and another certificate for being number 33 in the world for the number of QSOS whilst activating.

Propagation during 2016 continued to be quite good, with a number of DX SOTA & Parks activators appearing in my log including Andy G7SQW, Bernard PB7Z, Chris OU7M, Iratxe EA2DNQ, Antonio EX2AG, Dariusz SP9DPM, and Nadika 4S7RS.

Above:- Iratxe EA2DNQS sent me this photo of her during her SOTA activation.

Between 11th June 2018 – 17th June 2018 I will be active with the special call of VI50IARU3, to help celebrate the IARU Region 3’s 50th anniversary.

Weather & work permitting I will try to get out to activate some parks with this call. I will place some alerts on parksnpeaks and on Facebook as the dates draw closer and I have an idea on what the weather is going to do.

The IARU region 3 have an award. The award details can be found on the IARU Region 3 web site. A summary of the award is – radio amateurs who certify having contacted at least 5 (five) contacts (QSO)s on different modes or bands with Special Event Station for commemorating the 50th Anniversary of IARU Region 3 from eligible countries are those in Region III whose amateur societies are members of IARU Region 3.

Also a QSL confirming the contact is available as a downloadable item on the IARU web site.

Tonight I downloaded my certificate for the 2017 CQ World Wide DX Contest.  I came first in Australia and 3rd in Oceania, in the Single Operator Low Power All Bands section, with a total score of 198,850 points.

More information on my involvement and stats in the Contest can be found on my previous post at……

https://vk5pas.org/2017/10/30/cq-world-wide-dx-contest-2/

2015

• VK5 Parks Award – 97
• WWFF – 83
• KRMNPA – 8
• SOTA – 30

During 2015 I conducted 97 activations for the VK5 Parks Award.  This included one of my favourite parks, the Talisker Conservation Park which I activated on Australia Day, along with the Mount George Conservation Park.  I used the special AX prefix for Australia Day.  The Summer Friday afternoon/evening activation events for the VK5 Parks Award proved to be very popular with lots of South Australian amateurs taking part.

At Mt George Conservation Park as AX5PAS

My AX5PAS Australia Day QSL card

In 2015 I undertook a total of 30 SOTA activations.  The year commenced with an activation of Mount Bryan VK5/ SE-001 for what has become the regular VK New Years Day SOTA event.  In around 2 & 1/2 hours on the summit I made a total of 146 contacts including 23 unique summits across Australia.  On Australia Day I activated Black Bullock Hill VK5/ SE-016 using the special AX prefix making a total of 74 contacts.  Tom VK5FTRG accompanied me during one of my SOTA activations.  And in June I received my 250 points SOTA Activator certificate.

Mount Bryan VK5/ SE-001

Tom VK5NFT (VK5FTRG) at Mt Gawler VK5/ SE-013

VK3/ VS-013 in the Pyrenees

During 2015 I undertook 83 WWFF activations.  A number of these were interstate in New South Wales and Victoria.

On the beach at Newland Head Conservation Park

Ramco Point Conservation Park

Little Desert National Park in Victoria

Each year the WWFF program issued the Top 44 certificates.  I received two this year.  The first is for placing number 40 in the Top 44 Activators in the world (based on the number of QSOs).  The second is for placing number 21 in the Top 44 Activators in the world.

During 2015 I conducted a handful of park activations with other amateurs.  This included Andy VK4TH who was down from Queensland.  Andy and I enjoyed a very enjoyable dinner together and then headed to the Mount George Conservation Park where we joined the 7130 DX Net whilst enjoying a few reds.  I also activated Clements Gap Conservation Park and was joined by Peter VK5KPR, Les VK5KLV, John VK5FMJC, and Nev VK5WG.  Les VK5KLV and I also activated the Winninowie Conservation Park together.

with John VK5BJE at the Scott Creek Conservation Park

John VK5FMJC & Nev VK5WG at the Clements Gap Conservation Park

Andy VK4TH at the Mount George Conservation Park

with Peter VK5KPR and Les VK5KLV at Clements Gap. Special guest G0JDP

On the weekend of Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March, a special activation weekend was held to celebrate the 2nd birthday of the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.  Marija and I headed over to the Yorke Peninsula where I activated 6 different parks making a total of 346 QSOs.  This was a really successful weekend, with 41 amateurs taking part as activators, with 111 activations, and over 3,000 QSOs made over the weekend.  It was a testament to the VK5 Parks program more and more popular.    Whilst on Yorke Peninsula I caught up with regular park hunter & activator Adrian VK5FANA.

Operating in the Carribie Conservation park

On air in the Innes National Park

With Adrian VK5FANA

During the weekend I also met up with Richard VK5ZRY who lives on the Yorke Peninsula and we did a couple of park activations together.

Above:- On air with Richard VK5ZRY in the Warrenben Conservation Park on the Yorke Peninsula

Each amateur who took part in the 2nd anniversary as an activator received a participation certificate.

In March I took part in the Jock White Memorial Field Day, a New Zealand contest which is aimed at portable operation, and is named in honour of Jock White, ZL2GX.  This was a later afternoon/evening activation of the Porter Scrub Conservation Park.  I made a total of 81 contacts, including 45 during the contest.

Also in March I took part in the John Moyle Memorial Field Day, activating the Coorong National Park.  I came first in the 6 hour portable section, making a total of 238 contacts.

In April 2015 Marija and I attended the inaugural BRL Gathering at historic Overland Corner Hotel.  This event is now held annually at the hotel by the Riverland Radio Club.  Whilst in the Riverland we activated a number of parks.

with Mick VK3GGG and Ron VK5MRE

During my visit to the Riverland I crossed over the border and activated the Murray Sunset National Park.  Amongst my contacts was Andrew VK1DA who was portable on SOTA summit Mount Majura, VK1/ AC-034.  As a result of Andrew working me, Andrew qualified for the Merit Award for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA), by working all 45 Victorian National Parks.  I sent out a special certificate to Andrew congratulating him on his achievement.

On ANZAC Day I activated the Monarto Conservation Park using the special call of AX5PAS.  I logged a total of 84 stations including 42 DX contacts

Above:- my special ANZAC Day QSL card

Also in late April I was asked by members of the Amateur Radio Experimenters Group to help them activate the Morialta Conservation Park using the special call of VI5ANZAC.  We made around 73 contacts in around 3 hours in the park.

Above:- On air with Andy VK5AKH at the Morialta Conservation Park as VI5ANZAC.

In May I travelled to the Riverland to get my Codan 9350 antenna fitted to my Toyota Hi Lux by Ivan VK5HS.  Whilst there I conducted a number of park activations, including an activation of the Murray River National Park with Ivan, Peter VK5FLEX, and Larry VK5LY.  This was Larry’s first park activation after a long stretch in hospital and rehab.

Later that month I travelled to Canberra for the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Wireless Institute of Australia.  I was one of the guest speakers on the Saturday and delivered a presentation on the World Wide Flora Fauna program.  It was great catching up with a number of hams, including many park & SOTA activators/chasers/hunters.

with David VK5KC, John VK5BJE and Peter VK3PF

With Andrew VK1AD & John VK5BJE

Gerard VK2IO, ANdrew VK1DA and Peter VK3PF

with Phil VK2MCB, Peter VK3PF and Heath VK3TWO

Much to my surprise I was awarded a Presidents Commendation for ‘outstanding achievement in the World Wide Flora & Fauna amateur radio program, nationally and internationally”.

Whilst in Canberra John VK5BJE, David VK5KC, Trevor Vk5ATQ, and I were taken out a number of times to activate SOTA peaks and parks by Andrew VK1DA, and Andrew VK1AD (formerly VK1NAM).

With the gang at Black Mountain VK1/ AC-042

Mount Ainslie VK1/ AC-040

On air at Mount Stromlo VK1/ AC-043

On air at Mount Coree VK1/ AC-023 and Namadgi National Park VKFF-0377

At the May meeting of the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society I delivered a presentation on the WWFF program and the VK5 Parks Award to around 50 interested hams.  The following weekend with the assistance of Chris VK5FR, I delivered a presentation at the AHARS shack on ‘portable operation tips’.

At the AHARS meeting

Presentation at the AHARS shack

At the May AHARS meeting I was issued with the inaugural WWFF Certificate of Excellence, which had been forwarded to the club through Pit YO3JW in Romania.  This came as a great surprise.

AHARS President Barry VK5BW presenting me with the certificate

In June I travelled to Mount Gambier in the South East of South Australia to attend the South East Radio Group’s Annual Convention.  I set up a display table at the convention which comprised transceivers, power sources, antennas, certificates, and various other equipment.

Above:- my display table at the SERG convention

This is a great social event which features a Sunday evening dinner.

With Greg VK5ZGY

John Vk5NJ and his wife Tanina

Whilst in the South East I activated a total of  17 parks, with 11 of those being unique VK5 parks for me, while 8 were unique WWFF parks for me.  I made a total of 751 contacts, with countries worked including VK, ZL, USA, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Israel, Hungary, England, Belarus, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Canada.  I travelled a total of 1700 km over the 6 days I was away.  I also took part in the VK Shires Contest over that weekend

A little later that month, John VK5BJE and his wife Jenny, David VK5KC and his wife Joy, Marija and I headed to the north of South Australia.  Marija and I travelled nearly 2,500 km in 11 days.  We activated 4 Conservation Parks, 3 SOTA summits, and 3 National Parks.  This included a number of rare summits and parks.  I made a total of 501 contacts.

At The Devils Peak VK5/ NE-080

Mount Arden VK5/ NE-034

Mount Scott VK5/ NE-111

At remote Lake Torrens

We also operated as VK100ANZAC at the historic ghost town of Farina in the Far North.  I made a total of 165 QSO’s with the special call.  Channel Seven were in attendance and took some vision of me operating.  It was a great opportunity to promote this great hobby.

During our visit to Farina a special commemorative service was held at the Farina War Memorial, with many people in attendance including members of the Royal Australian Air Force.  The service was to remember Flight Lieutenant John Bell (of Farina) who was killed in Action over France in June 1940.

The memorial service

RAAF in attendance

The famous underground bakery at Farina

We had a special VK100ANZAC card for our activation at Farina, which is still available if anyone is interested in that may have worked us.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip, with lots of laughs, war stories, activations, and great scenery in the South Australian outback.  Whilst at Quorn we caught up with nearby Port Augusta hams Les VK5KLV & Peter VK5KPR.  And on the way up Marija and I stopped off to saw g’day to Bill VK5MBD and John VK5FMJC at Red Hill.

Out for lunch at Quorn

At our accomodation at Argadells north of Quorn

With Bill Vk5MBD and John VK5FMJC

On 31st July 2015 I activated the Cromer Conservation Park as part of World Ranger Day, which is observed annually on the 31st of July.  It commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty, and celebrates the work rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural treasures.  I made a total of 51 contacts and had a special QSL card on offer.

During 2015 I operated a number of times as VI5ANZAC.  This included an activation of the Belair National Park at the start of the RSL Walk.

Operating as VI5ANZAC at Belair National Park

In October I travelled to Wagga Wagga in New South Wales for the 2015 SOTA & Parks Seminar held at the Wagga Wagga Amateur Radio Club clubrooms.  A number of presentations were delivered.  I presented a talk on ‘Portable DX for WWFF & SOTA’.  Whilst away I put about 2,500 km on the clock on the Toyota Hi Lux and activated 2 x Victorian National Parks, 4 x NSW National Parks, 2 x NSW SOTA peaks, and 1 x SA Conservation Park, with a total of 484 contacts.

In November Marija and I had a sensational 2 week trip along the Great Ocean Road.  Whilst away I activated 2 x South Australian Conservation Parks, 3 x Victorian Coastal Parks, 3 x Victorian Marine National Parks, 1 x Victorian State Park, 3 x Victorian National Parks, & 10 x Victorian SOTA summits.  I made a total of 899 contacts during those activations.  Marija and I covered a distance of around 3,084 km.

Bay of Islands Coastal Park

Mount Elephant VK3/ VS-047

Mt Vowley VK3/ VC-022 and the Great Otway National Park

Great Otway National Park

Our trip conincided with the annual activation weekend for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award.  I received the certificate below for taking part as an activator.  Many thanks to Tony VK3XV, the KRMNPA Awards Manager.

During our trip away I caught up with my good mate Ivan VK5HS in Renmark.  We also bumped into, unexpectedly two amateurs during two of our park activations in Victoria.  The first being Bill VK3LY, and then Nick VK3ANL.

With Ivan VK5HS

With Bill VK3LY

With Nick VK3ANL

In late November the inaugural VKFF Activation Weekend was held.  I activated the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park, Scott Conservation Park, & Bullock Hill Conservation Park on Saturday, and then Stipiturus Conservation Park & Nixon Skinner Conservation Park on Sunday.

with Greg VK5GJ at Bullock Hill Conservation Park

Each activator in the VKFF Activation Weekend received a special participation certificate.  This was a very successful weekend, with 51 different amateurs taking part as activators.  It was a testament to the ever growing popularity of the WWFF program in Australia.

One of the low points of 2015 was that I learnt of the illness of Larry VK5LY.  Larry had been diagnosed with cancer.  During the year myself and other VK5 hams headed out to the Hampstead Rehab Centre and took along some radio gear, allowing Larry to get on air.  As was mentioned a little earlier Ivan VK5HS, Peter VK5FLEX & I also took Larry out to activate the Murray River National Park.  Sadly Larry passed away on 30th November 2015.  Larry was not only a big loss to his family and friends, but he was also a big loss to amateur radio.

Larry on air at Hampstead Rehab Centre, being watched on by his wife Di

With Larry not long before his death

In April 2015 much to my surprise I featured on QRZ.com.

During 2015 I delivered a number of presentations on portable operation to various clubs including the North East Radio Club, .  In February I travelled to the Mid North and met up with 8 of the guys from the area and delivered a presentation on the various parks awards.  Attendees were John VK5FMJC, Les VK5KLV, Peter VK5KPR, Nev VK5WG, Ian VK5CZ, Roger VK5NWE, Bill VK5MBD, and Ian VK5IS.

Presentation at the North East Radio Club

The Mid North gang

During 2015 Marija and I hosted Ted VK6NTE and his wife Jen for a few days at our house.  I was also visited by Steve VK4KUS.  And during my trip to NSW I met up with Peter VK2NEO.

Out for tea with Ted VK6NTE and his wife Jen, and David VK5KC and his wife Joy

Steve VK4KUS

Peter VK2NEO

In 2015 I designed and had printed up my VK5PAS portable QSL cards.  As I have done with previous QSL cards, I used UX5UO Print.

I was awarded with a number of awards during 2015.  They included:-

• SOTA 250 Activator
• PineCone Award 5 locations
• Belgium ONFF Activator
• Belgium ONFF Bronze Hunter
• Belgium ONFF Silver Hunter
• Belgium ONFF Gold Hunter
• Poland SPFF worked 12
• Poland SPFF worked 18
• Poland SPFF worked 24
• France FFF worked 5
• France FFF Fauna worked 10
• OZFF 5 area worked
• EUCFF 7
• EUCFF14
• EUCFF
• DXFF 30
• OCCFF-H-7
• WWFF Global Hunter 176
• WWFF Global Hunter 220
• WWFF Global Hunter 264
• WWFF Global Hunter 308
• WWFF Global Hunter 352
• WWFF Global Hunter 396
• WWFF Global Hunter 444
• WWFF Global Activator 22
• WWFF Global Activator 44
• WWFF Global Activator 55
• WWFF Global Activator 66
• Sapphire VKFF Hunter
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 100
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 125
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 150
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 175
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 200
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 225
• VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 250

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Keith VK2PKT kindly sent me the certificate below.

The year 2015 saw some quite good band conditions which resulted in me chasing a number of overseas SOTA & Parks activators including Pablo EA1QL, Franck F4DTO/p, Mike 2E0YYY/p, Herbert HB0/OE9HRV/p, SP9YFF, Antonio EC2AG/p, Zvone S57PZ/p, Henryk SP30OPZ/p, Enrico IZ3GOS/p, Jarek SP9MA/p, Phil, OK/ G4OBK/p, & Ingo DH0KAA/p.

My most exotic DX contact whilst I was out portable was with Bruce ZD7VC on St Helena Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, between Africa and South America.  This is very rare DX and I was really pleased to get through running just 40 watts and my linked dipole.

And the most interesting QSO whilst portable was with Jerry PH9HB who was aeronautical mobile in a Boeing 737 over Portugal.

Also in 2015, the audible tones of the kookaburra and goat, that we are now accustomed to, were integrated into the parksnpeaks website.

2014

• VK5 Parks Award – 65
• WWFF – 20
• KRMNPA – 6
• SOTA – 18

During 2014 I conducted a total of 18 SOTA activations.  These were all in South Australia, except for 2 special activations in Germany and Belgium during our trip to Europe.

Some of the highlights on 2013 for SOTA were receiving the following certificates:-

• Silver Mountain Hunter
• 250 Unique summits as a Chaser
• 500 Unique summits as a Chaser
• 2,500 points Chaser
• 5,000 points Chaser
• Summit to Summit 250 points

During 2014 I conducted a total of 65 park activations for the VK5 Parks Award and a total of 18 park activations for the WWFF program.  I undertook a number park activations with other amateurs during 2014 including Larry VK5LY, David VK5PL, Greg VK5LG, John VK5BJE, Mark VK5QI and Gary VK5FGRY.

Above:- with Larry VK5LY (now SK) in the Belair National Park.

In March 2013 I ran the VK5 SOTA & Parks symposium which was held at the Guides Hall at Blackwood adjacent to the AHARS Shack.  A total of 32 amateurs attended and listened in to some interesting presentations including the following:-

• An overview of SOTA’s progress in VK5 & VK overall – Ian VK5CZ
• Tips for activators/hunters of the VK5 Parks Award – Larry VK5LY
• Overview of World Wide Flora & Fauna (WWFF) – Paul VK5PAS
• Using lithium phosphate chemistry batteries: a beginners perspective – John VK5BJE
• The failed attempts at an end fed wire antenna – Ian VK5CZ
• SOTA for the beginner – Stu VK5STU
• Spotting & alert programs – Nigel VK5NIG
• What is prominence – Paul, VK5PAS
• SOTA & Parks transceivers – John VK5BJE
• Question and answer session.

In March I took part in the John Moyle Memorial Field Day, from the top of Mount Barker summit.  I made a total of 155 contacts in the 6 hour portable section and came in 1st place.

Early April 2014 saw the 1st year anniversary activation weekend for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.  A total of 29 hams participated in a total of 98 park activations.  Of those, 84 were unique parks.  Over 2,300 QSO’s were made, and this included over 750 park to park contacts.  I headed to the Fleurieu Peninsula and activated the following parks:-

• Bullock Hill Conservation Park
• Cox Scrub Conservation Park
• Deep Creek Conservation Park
• Talisker Conservation Park
• Eric Bonython Conservation Park
• Newland Head Conservation Park

Above:- On the beach at Waitpinga in the Newland Head Conservation Park.

Also in April was the PR4Amateur radio event.  Myself and a number of amateurs from the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society set up a display at the Belair National Park.

During 2014 I received a number of global WWFF certificates which included the following:-

• Hunter 88 references
• Hunter 132 references
• Activator 11 references
• DXFF Activator

In June 2014 John VK5BJE and I held an introduction day to SOTA & the Parks awards, with a planned SOTA activation at Mount Lofty, followed by a parks activation at Belair National Park.  A total of 13 amateurs took part.  For many, it was their first portable outing.

A few weeks later I travelled down to Mount Gambier for the South East Radio Group’s annual convention.  Whilst there I activated a number of parks, 14 in fact, and also Mount Burr summit, making a total of 472 QSOs.  On the Sunday evening I delivered a presentation on the VK5 Parks Award to around 80 people at the convention, and then enjoyed the annual Sunday night dinner.  A great event.

In July Marija and I flew to Paris and spend around 2 months in Europe.  This included some time in Belgium where my very good mate Marnix OP7M and his lovely wife Martine and son Goan, were kind enough to allow us to stay and thoroughly looked after us.  I have also become good mates with Marnix’ good buddy, Eddy ON6ZV.  Whilst staying with Marnix we did a SOTA/Parks activation in Belgium, and a SOTA/Parks activation in Germany, using the special call sign of ON4IPA (International Police Association).  Because of reciprocal licensing issues, I was not able to operate under my own call sign.

In November I organised the ‘Welcome to amateur Radio’ symposium which was held at Blackwood.  A total of 80 amateurs attended the symposium which featured 16 presentations.

Topics included:

• Welcome – Tony VK5KAT
• Introduction – Paul VK5PAS
• History of ham radio – Trevor VK5ATQ
• Operating legally & the ‘model’ QSO – John VK5BJE
• DX Code of Conduct – David VK5LSB
• ham jargon – Nigel VK5NIG
• QRZ.com – Stuart VK5STU
• APRS – Larry VK5LY
• DX cluster – Brian VK5BC
• Contesting & Chasing Awards – Andy VK5AKH
• QSL cards – John VK5EMI
• Electronic logging programs – Stuart VK5STU
• Antenna basics – John VK5BJE
• Blogs/Wordpress/You Tube – Paul VK5PAS
• Demystifying the learning of Morse Code – Doc VK5BUG
• Summits on the Air (SOTA) – Ian VK5CZ
• Operating QRP – David VK5KC
• VK5 Nat & Cons Parks Award & WWFF program – Larry VK5LY
• General questions to the group & Closure – Paul VK5PAS

Also in November, was the annual KRMNPA Activation Weekend.  This year the KRMNPA weekend also conincided with the 2014 Summits on the Air (SOTA) Spring Activation weekend.  I again travelled over the border and activated 6 Victorian National Parks, and 4 SOTA peaks.  I made a total of 473 contacts.

Later in the year I received the KRMNPA Merit Award and plaque, which is issued for having worked all 45 Victorian National Parks.

During 2014 I continued to deliver presentations on operating portable.  Some of the venues where I presented these were the Whyalla Amateur Radio Club, the South Coast Amateur Radio Club, the Elizabeth Amateur Radio Club.  Ian VK5CZ, Hugh VK5NHG and I set up a display table again at the AHARS Buy and Sell, promoting the Parks programs and SOTA.

Above:- at the display table, with a visitor Rob VK5RG

The year 2014 continued to be a great year chasing overseas SOTA & Parks activators, with some terrific openings on 20m on both the long and short paths.

Other awards chased during the year included the German Mountain Activity Award, UK & Ireland WWFF, & Poland (SPFF) and many more.

I also received a special certificate in the mail from Andrew VK1AD (formerly VK1NAM).

In November 2014 I commenced the Out and About in VK5 newsletter, which focussed on portable activities in VK5.  Sadly due to a lack of VK5 contributors, the newsletter ceased in early 2018, despite having many interstate and overseas readers.

2013

• VK5 Parks Award – 78
• WWFF – 14
• KRMNPA – 4
• SOTA – 53 activations

My first ever SOTA activation took place in 2013.  I activated Black Bullock Hill VK5/ SE-016 south of Adelaide in March 2013 and logged 7 stations running QRP 5 watts from the Yaesu FT-817nd.  My antenna was a Chinese version of the Buddistick, which didn’t last long.  It was soon discarded for a linked dipole.

Above:- my first ever SOTA activation at VK5/ SE-016 on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.

I was bitten by the SOTA bug and went on to activate 53 summits in 2013.  Most of these were in the Mid North and West Coast regions of South Australia, but I also activated 13 summits in Victoria.  A number of these summits were joint activations with Ian VK5CZ.

Bronw Hill Range VK5/ SE-004

The Dutchmans Stern VK5/ NE-028

Hogshead Hill VK5/ NE-051

Mt Ngadjuri VK5/ NE-058

Stokes Hill VK5/ NE-050

Mount Bryan VK5/ SE-001

In April 2013 I undertook my first ever park activation, at the Belair National Park, for the World Wide Flora Fauna program.  I had kicked off the VKFF program in Australia the month before in March.  I had also initiated the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.  These were early days of the parks award, and knowledge and popularity of the programs was far less than it is today.  My first every park, Belair, resulted in 11 contacts in the log after some time in the park.  Nowadays I am normally reaching at least 44 contacts, even in the middle of the week, and in a very short period of time.

In June 2013 I became a Shack Sloth in the SOTA program, reaching 1,000 points as a SOTA chaser.  My Shack Sloth certificate and glass plaque feature on the wall of my shack.

Later that year in August I received my SOTA activator certificate, having reached 100 activator points.  And all of those contacts were made QRP 5 watts with the Yaesu FT-817nd.   My 100 points came during an activation of Hogshead Hill VK5/ NE-051, and a QSO with Ron VK3AFW.

A little later in the year I reached 250 Summit to Summit points.  I was operating from Mount Rouse VK3/ VS-048 and made contact with Glenn VK3YY/p who was activating Federation Range VK3/ VN-003.

In October of 2013, the SOTA program in VK5 celebrated its 1st birthday.  I headed down to Black Bullock Hill VK5/ SE-016 where I made 49 contacts.

A few weeks later I attended the SOA VK5 First year anniversary lunch, which I had arranged at a hotel at Gawler.  There were 8 attendees: Ian VK5CZ, John Vk5BJE, Larry VK5LY, Andy VK5LA, Andy VK5AKH, Keith VK5OQ, Mike VK5MCB, and myself.

The group at the gathering

John VK5BJE, Mike VK5MCB & Ian VK5CZ

Andy VK5LA with his Elecraft tuner

In December 2013 I reached 2,500 points as a SOTA chaser.  Thanks to Peter VK3PF/p who was activating VK3/ VE-159.

During 2013 I conducted 78 activations for the VK5 Parks Award and 14 for WWFF.  One of the highlights of the year was to activate Bulyong Island in the Murray River National Park with my 2 good mates Larry VK5LY (now silent key) and Ivan VK5HS.  To get there we had to travel via boat.  In 2013 I also activated my first park for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award, that being the Grampians National Park in western Victoria.

Above:- Activation of the Murray River National Park with Larry VK5LY (SK) and Ivan VK5HS in September 2013.

For the 6 month anniversary of the VK5 Parks Award, Marija and I travelled to the Yorke Peninsula where a number of parks were activated.

In November 2013 the KRMNPA Activation Weekend took place.  I travelled to Victoria with Marija where we activated the Murray Sunset National Park and the Wyperfeld National Park.  I made a total of 63 contacts and worked a total of 16 different Victorian National Parks over the duration of the weekend.  Marija and I also caught up with Larry VK5LY (now a silent key) and his wife Di, as they were activating nearby parks.

During 2013 I also activated Granite Island for the Islands on the Air (IOTA) program.  Unlike the serious IOTA activators, this was a very laid back and simple activation, running just 5 watts from the Yaesu FT-817nd.

Above:- My activating spot on Granite Island OC-228

In August 2013 I travelled to Kangaroo Island with a group of amateurs from the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society.  We activated the Cape Willoughby lighthouse which is located within the Cape Willoughby Conservation Park.

During 2013 I delivered a number of presentations on operating portable including at the Adelaide Tech meet, the North East Radio Club, the Riverland Radio Club, the South Coast Amateur Radio Society, the South East Radio Group and Adelaide Bushwalkers.

Above:- Socialising with hams in the Riverland, where I had delivered a presentation in September on the parks awards.

As well as the presentations I also set up a number of amateur radio displays during the year.  This included a SOTA & Parks display at the AHARS Buy and Sell, and amateur radio displays at the Port Elliot show and the Strathalbyn Show.

At the AHARS Buy & Sell

At the Port Elliott Agricultural Show

I was fortunate in 2013 to make numerous contacts with SOTA & Parks activators from overseas.  Band conditions were much better than they are today.  I also chased a few other portable awards including the Summitsbase awards.

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Somebody asked me the other day “how many parks have you activated?”  I really didn’t know the answer, so over the past few week I have sat down and tallied up my stats for my park activations for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award, World Wide Flora & Fauna (WWFF), and the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA). And also the number of summits I have activated for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program. 

Below are the number of activations I have undertaken (since March 2013)…..

• VK5 Parks Award – 398
• WWFF- 364
• KRMNPA – 47
• SOTA – 127

Many parks and summits I have activated 5 or 6 times over.

In the following posts I will record some statistics and highlights for each year since I started operating portable in March 2013.

Today (Sunday 20th May 2018) Marija and I headed out north to visit my dad and stepmum.  Sadly Dad has not been in good health of late, so it was nice to catch up for lunch and a chat.  Dad and I enjoyed sitting back watching a DVD of the Avalon airshow.  Dad has always been keen on aviation.

We left at around 2.30 p.m. and decided to do a quick activation on the way home at the Cobbler Creek Recreation Park VKFF-1699.  This is just a short drive from my dad’s home.  The park is around 25 km north east of the city of Adelaide.

This was to be a unique park for both Marija and I as activators in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, north east of Adelaide.  Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is 266-hectare (657-acre) in size and was declared a recreation park in 1989.  The park provides an open space barrier between the suburb of Golden Grove and the suburb of Salisbury.  The park is bounded by a number of main roads and is bisected by the four laned The Grove Way.   It is surrounded by housing.  There is a pedestrian underpass under The Grove Way which connects the two sections of the park.  The park was named after the watercouse ‘Cobbler Creek’ which crossed the northern part of the park.  The creek was named after the occupation of one of the early settlers of the area.  You can read about this a little later in this post.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, looking south back towards the city of Adelaide.  Image courtesy of google maps

In a 1962 State Government report, the park’s area was identified for use as future open space.  It was proposed that a golf course would be established along with other sporting facilities.  In 1970 the land was purchased by the South Australian State Government was part of the metropolitan open space (MOSS) network.  The park’s location was chosen to provide a development-free buffer between the existing suburbs of Salisbury and the proposed Golden Grove development.

Much of the land was a farming property known as Kelway Park, the western, cleared portion of which had been cropped.  The park was owned and managed by the State Planning Authority until 1982 when control passed to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.   Cobbler Creek was declared a recreation park on the 26th October 1989.

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park is administered and maintained jointly by the City of Salisbury, and the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.  A volunteer group, Friends of Cobbler Creek, was formed in 1990 and works with rangers to improve and maintain the park.

Cobbler Creek Recreation Park sits in the traditional lands of the Kaurna aboriginal people.  One of the first European settlers in the area was William Pedler III (b. 1804.  d. 1874) who emigrated to Australia in 1838 aboard the Royal Admiral from Cornwall in England with his wife Elizabeth Pedler nee Nicholls.  The couple and their children initially lived in Carrington Street in the city of Adelaide.

In 1850 Pedler purchased 135 acres of land in the Hundred of Yatala in the vicinity of the Old Spot Hotel on the Little Para River.  He later sold the majority of this land an purchased adjoining land comprising around 269 acres east of Bridge Road near Cobblers Creek.  He established his farm ‘Trevolsa‘ of around 279 acres.  Pedler was a shoe maker (cobbler) by profession.  He made and sold shoes to teamsters passing through the Salisbury area who were carting ore to Burra in the Mid North of South Australia.  It is his profession that gave both the creek that passes through the northern part of the park, and the park their names.

Above:- Memorial plaque in the park at the site of the old Trevalsa homestead.

Pedler subsequently passed the land on to his oldest son, William IV Pedler (b. 1829.  d. 1909), who farmed the land for many years with his wife Martha and their family.  In 1852 he travelled to the Victorian goldfields and returned home after some success.  But he soon headed back to the goldfields where after working the Eaglehawk area, he returned home at the end of 1852 to work on the family farm Trevolsa.

Also located in the park are Teakle Ruins which sit on the top of Cobbler Hill.  The property is named after its former occupants who vacated the farmhouse around 1900.

Above:- Teakle Ruins.  Courtesy of wikipedia.

In the 19th century, Salisbury residents used this area for Sunday school picnics. Swings were temporarily built, water and food brought to the site and games and bands provided for entertainment.

Many sections of Cobbler Creek have been cleared of native vegetation due to previous land use.  However other sections of the park feature grassland, river red gum, and mallee box.  The park contains some of the last remaining mallee box grassy woodland in Adelaide.  Amongst the woodlands, plants like the blue-flowering flax lily are common.

Native fauna species found in the park include Western Grey Kangaroos and Brush tailed possums.  Reptile inhabitants of the park include Eastern bearded dragons, White’s skink, eastern brown snake, and sleepy lizard.  The park is home to a small population of the worm-like and vulnerable Flinders Ranges worm-lizard.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 105 native bird in the park including Crested Pigeon, Australian Magpie, Little Raven, Noisy Miner, White-plumed Honeyeater, Tawny Frogmouth, Peaceful Dove, Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo, and White-winged Triller.

There are several walking trails through the park, along with dedicated mountain bike areas, BBQ areas and playground.

The Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, showing the parks boundaries and the various walking trails.

Marija and I entered the park via Smith Road off Bridge Road.  There is a large amount of carparking here.  We parked the vehicle and walked a short distance and set up.  We ran the Yaesu FT-897 for this activation, along with the 20/40/80m linked dipole, inverted vee, supported on the 7m telescopic squid pole.

Above:- Aerial shot of the park showing our operating spot in the western section of the park.  Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After setting up I turned on the Yaesu FT-897 which was already sitting on 14.310 on the 20m band.  And our worse fears were realised, with strength 8 noise due to all of the surrounding houses.  Mark VK4SMA/p was calling CQ on 14.310 from the Venman Bushland National Park VKFF-0507.  Fortunately Mark was above the noise floor, and was my first contact from Cobbler Creek.

Marija and I then lowered the squid pole and inserted the links on the 20/40/80m linked dipole so we could operated on the 40m band.  We found 7.144 and I started calling CQ while Marija spotted me on parksnpeaks and Facebook.  First in the log following my CQ call was Brett VK2VW, followed by Geoff VK3SQ, and then Cliff VK2NP.  Sadly we were experiencing strength 8 noise on 40m as well.

Within 10 minutes I had contact number ten in the log, thus qualifying the park for the VKFF program.  Contact number 10 was Andrew VK5MR at Roxby Downs in the north of South Australia.

Above:- the shack for the afternoon

I perservered under some pretty trying and frustrating conditions.  It was extremely difficult to pull out anybody below strength 7-8.  And we knew there were a lot of stations calling us that fell into that category.  We were also right under the flight path of the light aircraft using the nearby Parafield Airport, and we had the occasional loud V8 car on the nearby Main North Road.  Sadly I missed out on a contact with Ron VK3AFW/p who was on Lord Howe Island.  People told me Ron was calling, but I just wasn’t able to hear Ron well enough to exchange signal reports with him.

Much to my surprise I reached 44 contacts within 45 minutes, qualifying the park for the global WWFF program.  Contacts were made into VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK7 and New Zealand.  This including a Park to Park with Neil VK4HNS/p who was activating the Homevale National Park VKFF-0237.  It was also nice to log Andre ZL1TM who has become a regular park hunter.

Whilst on air I had a number of interested onlookers, and Marija took the time to explain to them the hobby of amateur radio and what we were doing.

Above:- light aircraft flying above us from the nearby Parafield Airport.

I now had 47 contacts in the log on 40m.  So we lowered the squid pole and inserted the links for the 80m section of the antenna and headed to 3.610 where I called CQ.  This was answered by Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula with a booming signal.  As I had qualified the park, it was now Marija’s turn to jump into the operators chair.  Marija logged Adrian after we had lowered the power down from 40 watts to 10 watts PEP for Marija’s Foundation class licence.

Following her contact with Adrian, Marija logged a further 8 stations on 80m from VK3 and VK5.  Sadly our noise floor on 80m was also strength 8.  Marija then headed back to 40m and worked Gerard VK2IO for her 10th contact, qualifying the park for VKFF.  Gerard had tried calling us on 80m but he was below our noise floor.

Marija had a steady flow of callers and ended up with a total of 22 QSOs on 40m from VK2, VK3, and VK4.  This included Park to Park contacts with Mark VK4SMA/p in the Venman Bushland National Park VKFF-0507, and Neil VK4HNS/p in the Homevale National Park VKFF-0237.

Above:- Marija VK5FMAZ on air, battling the strength 8 noise floor.

So after about 90 minutes in the park, Marija and I had a total of 80 contacts in the log between us, including 5 Park to Park contacts.  Unfortunately we had missed out on the contact with Ron on Lord Howe Island, and a number of other stations that were below our noise floor.  I think the next activation of this park will be a hike in by a few km to get away from the nearby houses.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2IO
2. VK4AAC/2
3. VK3PF
4. VK3KAI
5. VK2HHA
6. VK4SMA/p (Venman Bushland National Park VKFF-0507)
7. VK3SQ
8. VK6PCT/3
9. VK4HNS/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
10. VK2NP
11. VK4NH
12. VK4DXA
13. ZL4TY/VK4
14. VK3TKK/m
15. VK3FIAN
16. VK2ETA/4
17. VK3UCD
18. VK3SX
19. VK4FDJL
20. VK3CWF
21. VK3AMP/m
22. VK3VGB

Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA
2. VK5HS
3. VK3DET
4. VK3GGG/p
5. VK3PMG/p
6. VK5MRT
7. VK3ARH
8. VK3PF
9. VK3KAI

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2VW
2. VK3SQ
3. VK2NP
4. VK3ANL
5. VK3MAB
6. VK3ZMD
7. VK7JON
8. VK3FT
9. VK5MR
10. VK2PKT
11. VK2HHA
12. VK5LA
13. VK3AHR
14. VK3PF
15. VK2AR
16. VK4NH
17. VK4DXA
18. ZL4TY/VK4
19. VK7FKLW
20. VK5KLV
21. VK2OQ
22. VK4FDJL
23. VK3CWF
24. VK4HNS/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
25. VK2UH
26. VK2YK
27. VK2YW
28. VK3KMF/2
29. VK3GGG/p
30. VK3PMG/p
31. VK3MIJ
32. ZL1TM
33. VK2FF
34. VK3FMKE
35. VK2MZZ
36. VK3GH
37. VK3FSPG
38. VK3MPR
39. VK7QP
40. VK3ZM
41. VK4TJ
42. VK4/AC8WN
43. VK4/VE6XT
44. VK2SVN
45. VK3BY
46. VK3EY
47. VK4SMA/p (Venman Bushland National Park VKFF-0507)

I worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4SMA/p (Venman Bushland National Park VKFF-0507)

I worked the following station on 80m SSB:-

1. VK5FANA

References.

Birds SA, 2018, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/cobbler-creek-recreation-park/>, viewed 20th May 2018

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2010, ‘Cobbler Creek Recreation Park’ brouchure

Department of Environment and Heritage, 2003, Cobbler Creek Recreation Park Management Plan.

Friends of Parks, 2018, <http://www.friendsofparkssa.org.au/members-directory/friends-of-cobbler-creek>, viewed 20th May 2018

Salisbury and District Historical Society, 2018, <http://www.salisburyhistory.com.au/history/the-pedlars>, viewed 20th May 2018

Wikipedia, 2018, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobbler_Creek_Recreation_Park>, viewed 20th May 2018

In the mail in the past few days was my activator certificate for the 2017 Activation Weekend for the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA).

Thanks to Tony VK3XV the KRMNPA Awards Manager.