It was now day two (Saturday 9th June 2018) of our trip to the south east of South Australia. Despite it being a very chilly morning, Marija and I were very pleased to see some blue sky outside. The weather forecasters had predicted some wet weather, but there appeared to be no sign of that at Mount Gambier.
We hit the road quite early and headed Subway in Mount Gambier for a coffee and an egg and bacon roll. We then headed out to the historic Glencoe Woolshed, about 25 km north west of Mount Gambier.
We picked up the key and paid a small fee at the local Glencoe General Store.
The Glencoe district was first settled in 1844, just 8 years after the colonisation of South Australia. Edward and Robert Leake established a sheep shearing station and had named the property after Glen Coe in Scotland. The Leake holdings comprised about 90,000 acres stretching from Mount Muirhead near Millicent encompassing the Mount Gambier region to the Penola Road.
The Leake brothers were originally from Rosedale in Tasmania and then moved to South Australia, bringing with them Saxon Merino sheep. In around 1857 they built a two storey home, calling it Frontier House. Sadly this building has now been demolished. However the two storied coach house, stables, and groom’s quarters are still standing.
One of the brothers, Robert, died in 1860. This left Edward to manage the property on his own. When his flock of sheep reached 50,000, he decided that a good shearing shed was required. In 1863 the Glencoe Woolshed was constructed.
The shearing shed has hand adzed, cathedral like arched blackwood beams with supporting posts of pit sawn blackwood. The roof timbers were laid on the ground and marked with Roman numerals to assist in their assembly. The roman numerals are still clearly visible today.
Glencoe is unique in that it was never converted to a mechanised shearing. At its peak there were about 38 shearers at Glencoe, as well as roust-a-bouts, wool classers and shed hands. The most sheep shorn in one year at Glencoe is 53,000. A total of 2,000 sheep were shorn in that year, with an extra 100 men employed.
We then left Glencoe and headed to the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park 5CP-225 & VKFF-0804. The park is situated about 36 km north west of Mount Gambier and about 434 km south east of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park. Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
The Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park is about 14 hectares in size and features the Tantanoola Cave, a dolomite cavern which contains spectacular stalactites and helictites. The park is one of South Australia’s oldest reserves. It was first dedicated in 1930 and was the first in Australia to provide wheelchair access to a show cave. The park also contains the Up-and-Down Rocks, a stranded marine cliff which towers over the Princes Highway which runs passed the park.
The park was discovered in 1930 by Boyce Lane, a 16 year old boy who was out rabbit hunting with his pet ferret in an area known as Hanging Rocks. Boyce’s ferret disappeared down a small hole in the cliffs whilst chasing a rabbit and would not come back out of the hole. Boyce returned to his nearby home to collect a torch and notify his brother. They returned and climbed through the small hole and then shined their torches around to discover the cave.
Above:- Boyce Lane, aged 21. Image courtesy of ABC
The two boys shared their discovery with their father George Lane, and later that day a group of men returned later that day to investigate. It did not take long for news of the discovery of the cabe to spread throughout the local community. The Lane family then opened up the cave to the public. The entrance to the cave was only. The Lane family later increased the size of the opening and hand rails and electric lighting were used to make the cave more accessible for visitors.
Above:- Article from The Mail, Adelaide, Sat 12 April 1930. Courtesy of Trove
Sadly, by the 1980’s, Occupational Health and Safety had taken hold and due to safety issues the cave was declared as unsafe and was closed. The cave was subsequently taken over by Parks Australia and was reopened in 1983.
Above:- Aerial view of the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park and the surrounding countryside. Image courtesy of google maps
The name Tantanoola is derived from the aboriginal word ‘tentunola’ which means boxwood/brushwood hill of camp. The town of Tantanoola is situated a few kms to the north west of the park. Tantanoola was originally named ‘Lucieton’ by Governor Jervois after his daughter Lucy Caroline, on 10th July 1879. It was changed by Governor Robinson to ‘Tantanoola’ on 4th October 1888.
Above:- Aerial view showing the location of the park to the east of the town of Tantanoola. Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
We had arrived at the caves just at the start of a tour, so we had a look through the small but very interesting visitor centre.
We then did the Clifftop Look walk which offers some terrific views of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Lake Bonney and Woakwine Range wind farms.
The original entrance to cave is visible above the current day entrance.
After our walk we joined the tour guide who explained the history of the park and then took us inside the cave which is truly quite spectacular. The cave measures 25 metres by 18 metres and is 8 metres in height. It is believed the age of the cave is more than 300,000 years.
Numerous fossil remains have been located in the park including bryozoa, brachopods, molluscs, shark teeth and extinct megafauna Zygomaturus trilobus and sthenurine kangaroos, and fossils of an unidentified seal.
Moisture in the cave.
Once we completed the tour we returned back to the vehicle where Marija quickly activated the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. As we were activating from the car, the activation would not count for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.
I spotted Marija on parksnpeaks whilst she called CQ on 7.139. First in the log was Adrian VK5FANA on the Yorke Peninsula. Within 10 minutes Marija had contact number 10 in the log, with a QSO with Rod VK7FRJG in Tasmania. Marija had qualified the park for VKFF and it was time for us to hit the road for our next stop for the day.
After packing up at the Aberdour Conservation Park, Marija and I continued south on the Riddoch Highway. As it was only just after lunch, and the weather was holding up nicely, we decided to activate the Desert Camp Conservation Reserve VKFF-1705. The park is located about 235 km south east of Adelaide and about 17 km north west of the town of Padthaway.
This was to be a unique park for both Marija and I as activators in the WWFF program.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Desert Camp Conservation Reserve in the south east region of South Australia. Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
The Desert Camp Conservation Reserve is not to be confused the with Desert Camp Conservation Park. The reserve is the much larger piece of scrub located on the eastern side of the Riddoch Highway. The Desert Camp Conservation Park is a small section of Scrub to the east of the Riddoch Highway, on the Rowney Road West.
Desert Camp Conservation Reserve is 882 hectares in size and was proclaimed on the 11th November 1993. I have not been able to find out the origin of the park name, as there is certainly no desert here.
Above:- Aerial view of the Desert Camp Conservation Reserve. Image courtesy of google maps
About 248 species of native plants have been recorded in the park. Of these, 17 are considered rare or threatened in the south east, and 10 are either threatened or rare in South Australia. One species, the Metalic sun-orchid is considered endangered nationally.
The park comprises Brown stringybark Low Woodland; Pink gum Woodland over a Mixed Heath; Pink gum Low Woodland over a desert banksia, heath yacca and heath tree; Open South Australian Blue Gum; Dwarf hakea, dwarf sheoak, honey myrtle; Coastal white mallee; Broombush, silver broombush Open Heath; and Mixed Herbland.
The reserve is recorded as being “the largest block of remnant vegetation in the Hundred of Marcollat” and which “accounts for over half of the remaining native vegetation in blocks greater than 25 hectares in that Hundred.” It is surrounded by cleared farming land.
Above:- Cleared farming land to the east of the park.
Birds SA have recorded a total of 93 native birds in the park including Peaceful Dove, Galah, Australian Magpie, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Southern Emuwren, Grey Butcherbird, White-winged Triller, and Eastern Yellow Robin.
I snapped the photo below of a Whistling Kite, which was perched up high in a tree in the park. He/she kindly sat there allowing me to snap off some shots.
The park is easily located, just to the south of the intersection of the Riddoch Highway and Rowney Road. The park is well signposted.
We continued south on Riddoch Highway, passing Rowney Road and followed a 4WD track into the park, which followed a fenceline.
We drove a few hundred metres along the track and found a clearing which allowed us to set up the 20/40/80m linked dipole. As the weather was a little inclement, we rolled out the awning on the Toyota Hi Lux and sat underneath that in the deck chairs.
Above:- Aerial view showing the Desert Camp Conservaiton Reserve, showing our operating spot. The dark green area is the adjacent Desert Camp Conservation Park. Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
Marija started off the activation, calling CQ on 7.139 after I had placed a spot up on the WWFF Australia Facebook page and on parksnpeaks. Gerard VK2IO/p was first in the log, with a Park to Park contact into the Booti Booti National Park VKFF-0046. Next in the log was Brett VK2VW, followed by John VK4TJ. Within 10 minutes Marija had qualified the park for VKFF, with 10 contacts in the log. Contact number 10 was with Greg VK4VXX/5.
We then swapped the mic and I called CQ on 7.139. Peter VK3PF was first in the log, followed by Cliff VK2NP and then Andrew VK7DW. Six minutes later I had contact number 10 in the log, with a QSO with Glenn VK4FARR. After working Glenn, both Marija and I logged Neil VK4HNS/p who was activating the Conway National Park VKFF-0110. This was followed by another Park to Park contact, this time with David VK5HYZ/p in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-0176.
I kept calling CQ on 7.139 and had a steady flow of callers from all across Australia. This included another Park to Park, this time with Bill VK4FW/p in the Goat Island Conservation Park VKFF-1549. I ended up logging a total of 52 stations on 40m from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK7 and New Zealand. It was nice as always to log Andre ZL1TM who has become a regular VKFF Hunter. I was also pleased to work Geoff VK3MCM who had only been on air for around 2 weeks and I was his 4th contact. Welcome to the hobby Geoff.
We then lowered the squid pole and inserted the 80m links and headed to 3.610. I called CQ and this was answered by Rob VK3FKL who had followed me down from 40m. Conditions on 80m were brilliant, with absolutely no noise. I logged 11 stations on 80m from VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7.
To complete the activation I called CQ on 14.310 on the 20m band, but sadly only logged 1 station there, Cliff VK2NP.
It was time to pack up and head off to Mount Gambier. Desert Camp was another successful activation, with a total of 76 contacts between the 2 of us, including 7 Park to Park contacts.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2IO/p (Booti Booti National Park VKFF-0046)
VK2VW
VK4TJ
VK3SQ
VK3HOT
VK4CZ
VK3PF
VK7DW
VK2KYO
VK4VXX/5
VK4HNS/p (Conway National Park VKFF-0110)
VK5HYZ/p (VKFF-0176)
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2IO/p (Booti Booti National Park VKFF-0046)
VK3PF
VK2NP
VK7DW
VK4CZ
VK2KYO
VK4VXX/5
VK7ME
VK3SQ
VK4FARR
VK4HNS/p (Conway National Park VKFF-0110)
VK5HYZ/p (Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park VKFF-0176)
VK2FOUZ
VK3GGG/p
VK3PMG/p
VK3ANL
VK2HHA
VK2STO/p
VK2SMS/p
VK3OHM
VK2GKA
VK3FKAR
VK3FNQS
VK3VHF
VK3VFO
VK4FE
VK3MCM
VK3ZZS/7
VK2QK
VK4FW/p (Goat Island Conservation Park VKFF-1549)
VK4FDJL
VK2ARL
VK2VOO
VK5WG
VK2WE
VK3ANP
VK3ATO
VK5KLV
VK1AT
VK3ZIG/m
VK7FRJG
VK3FLJD
VK2LEE
VK3ZMD
VK5CZ
VK4TJ
VK2WR
VK2KDP/m
VK3FKL
VK7TZ
ZL1TM
I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-
VK3FKL
VK5MRE
VK5PL
VK4AAC/5
VK3SQ
VK3PF
VK5CZ
VK7TZ
VK3PAT
VK2HHA
VK5BJE
I worked the following station on 20m SSB:-
VK2NP
We had missed the predicted wet weather, but that did not last. We had timed our activations well, as not long after getting mobile, the heavens really opened up. We arrived at Mount Gambier at around 5.00 p.m. and booked into our accomodation, the Motel Mount Gambier. After freshening up we headed out for tea at the Mount Gambier Hotel.
Last Friday (8th June 2018) Marija VK5FMAZ and I had an early start from home, heading to the south east of South Australia. Our intended destination was Mount Gambier, to attend the South East Radio Group’s annual convention.
Marija and I had hoped to activate some parks over the weekend, but had not made any firm plans and had not added any alerts on parksnpeaks, as we were not sure what the weather was going to do.
We left home at around 8.30 a.m. and had a 400 km drive ahead of us, taking us through the Murray Mallee and on to the beautiful Coonawarra wine growing region.
Above:- Map showing our route to Mount Gambier. Map courtesy of Plot a route.
Our first stop was the little town of Cookes Plains. Don’t blink as you will miss it. There isn’t much here, but I had never detoured off the highway into Cookes Plains previously, so we decided to have a sneak peak. It was named after pastoralists James and Archie Cooke and was originally a private subdivision. Cooke Plains boundaries now also include the former government town of Bedford which was surveyed in August 1871 and declared ceased to exist on 28 April 1960.
There is a beautiful old hall in Cookes Plains, along with a monument to commemorate the construction of the first patented concrete filled railway wheel stone roller, used to break down rough limestone ground into arable cropping land.
We then stopped off at our usual coffee stop, the Coonalpyn Silo Cafe. I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and an egg and bacon roll. We were soon on the road again, travelling through Culburra, Tintinara and on to Keith. We then turned off the Dukes Highway, onto the Riddoch Highway. The highway is named after John Riddoch, the first white settler landholder and vigneron in Coonawarra.
As we drove south we decided to activate the Aberdour Conservation Park VKFF-0994 which is situated about 35 km south of Keith, on the corner of Cannawigara Road and Nankivell Road.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Aberdour Conservation Park. Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
I had activated the Aberdour Conservation Park back in June 2016 but had to cut the activation short because of poor weather, and had only got 28 contacts in the log. So although having qualified the park for VKFF, I was 16 QSOs short of the required 44 to qualify the park for the global WWFF program. So I was hoping to pick up those during this activation to qualify the park.
Aberdour Conservation Park is about 145 hectares in size and comprised Hundred of Willalooka, Sections 7 and 80. Section 7 comprises 131 hectares of native bush. While the southern section of the park, Section 80 comprises 14 hectares of native bush.
The park name is derived from Aberdour Homestead which is located to the west of the conservation park on the east side of the Riddoch Highway.
The park is dominated by three main landforms: Coastal Mallee; Yellow Mallee; and Pink Gum. The endangered Jumping Jack Wattle can be found in the park.
The Nankivell family made a gift of 131 hectares and this was proclaimed as a park on the 28th February 1991. The remaining 14 hectares was added on 16th February 2006. This smaller section was previously a Stone Reserve under the control of the Tatiara District Council.
There has been extensive clearing of the land surrounding the park for farming purposes. The park preserves an area of remnant vegetation typical of undulating dune and limestone country.
Above:- Cleared farming land on the western side of the park.
Birds SA have recorded a total of 7 native species of bird in the park including Galah, Red-rumped Parrot, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Cockatiel, Purple-backed Fairywren, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Striated Thornbill, and Black-faced Cuckooshrike.
Above:- Aerial shot showing the Aberdour Conservation Park. The red star indicates our operating spot. Image courtesy of google maps
Marija and I drove down Cannawigara Road from the Riddoch Highway and we soon reached the south western corner of the park. There is a park sign at this location and a 4WD track which travels south-north, following the western boundary of the park.
Above:- at the south western corner of the park.
We continued along Cannawigara Road and then turned left onto Nankivell Road following the eastern boundary of the park. We then turned left onto the 4WD track which follows the northern boundary of the park, and found a clearing and set up there. We ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation.
Above:- Aerial shot of the park showing our operating spot in the northern section of the park. Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
I kicked off the activation by calling CQ on 7.144 which was answered by Brett VK2VW who kindly spotted me on parksnpeaks. Within 13 minutes I had 10 contacts in the log, with contact number 10 being Peter VK3PF.
I logged a total of 28 contacts on 40m before Marija and I decided to try 80m. Band conditions on 40m had been quite good, with contacts logged from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, and VK7. Clearly there was no close in propagation, with no South Australian stations logged.
I logged 4 stations on 3.610 on 80m, from VK2 and VK3. This included a Park to Park contact with Gerard VK2IO/p on SOTA peak VK2/ MN-216 in the Booti Booti National Park VKFF-0046.
Marija then jumped into the operators seat and logged 5 stations on 80m including a Park to Park with Gerard VK2IO/p. Despite conditions being quite good on 80m and some self spots on parksnpeaks we had no further callers on 80m.
We then headed back to 40m where Marija called CQ on 7.144, logging 5 stations from VK2, VK3, VK5 & VK7. Marija had now qualified the park for the VKFF program, with contact number 10 being with Jonathan VK7JON.
I then put out some calls on 14.310 on the 20m band, which was answered by Scott VK4CZ, and then Gerard VK2IO/p for another Park to Park. But they were my only 2 callers.
It was now approaching 12.15 p.m. and we still had a way to go to get to Mount Gambier, so we packed up and hit the road once again.
We had a little surprise during the activation, with a visit from Alan VK5ZLT, who it turns out owns the land on the northern side of the park. Alan had said he had heard someone calling CQ and had followed our voices from his property to our operating spot.
Above:- with Alan VK5ZLT
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK3UH
VK2VW
VK5FANA
VK2HHA
VK7JON
Marija worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-
VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-216 & Booti Booti National Park VKFF-0046)
VK3GGG/p
VK3PMG/p
VK5GJ
VK3SQ
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
VK2VW
VK4CZ
VK2XSE/m
VK2KNV/m
VK7JON
VK2LEE
VK2HHA
VK7OT
VK1AT
VK3PF
VK2PKT
VK3ANL
VK1FTRK
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK3ARH
VK7FGRA
VK4FE
Vk2VK
VK2ZVG
VK4KX
VK4UMS
VK3SQ
VK2MTC
VK3CM
VK2RP/m
VK2BDR/m
I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-
VK3GGG/p
VK3PMG/p
VK3SQ
VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-216 & Booti Booti National Park VKFF-0046)
I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-
VK4CZ
VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ MN-216 & Booti Booti National Park VKFF-0046)
Saturday just gone (2nd June 2018) was another lovely day for this time of the year. So I packed the 4WD and headed down to the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide, hoping to activate the Gum Tree Gully Conservation Park. I have never activated this park previously and have tried to access it previously without success. And I was to be disappointed again this time around. I drove down Hammond Road and spoke with one of the land owners and I found that access gates to the park from this road was now locked. I obtained the actual farmers name and tried to make contact them without success. So there is more work to be done before I can get into this park.
So option number two was the Spring Mount Conservation Park 5CP-219 & VKFF-0789. I have activated this park previously, but it is such a beautiful park I decided to head back there.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Spring Mount Conservation Park. Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
The Spring Mount Conservation Park is 279 hectares in size and is located about 15 km south east of the town of Myponga. Sections 633 and 715 of the park were first proclaimed on the 3rd February 1966 as Spring Mount Wild-Life Reserve. The reserve was re-proclaimed on 27th April 1972 as Spring Mount Conservation Park. Additions were made to the park on 13th September 1973 and 17th October 2013.
The park is mostly Open Forest of Brown Stringybark and Messmate Stringybark with understorey plants including Myrtle Wattle, Beaked Hakea, and Yacca.
Above:- Aerial view of the Spring Mount Conservation Park, looking west. Image courtesy of google maps.
Birds SA have recorded a total of 90 species of native bird in the park including Adelaide Rosella, White-throated Treecreeper, Yellow-tailed Black cockatoo, Superb Fairywren, Crescent Honeyeater, Grey Shrikethrush, Grey Fantail, Scarlet Robin, Brush Bronzewing, Sacred Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Bassian Thrush, and Beautiful Firetail.
Each time I visit the park I always see a lot of Western Grey kangaroos. And I wasn’t disappointed on this visit. They were in abundance.
I drove along Mount Alma Road and enjoyed some great views of the surrounding countryside.
Above:- Typical Fleurieu Peninsula countryside.
I then along Strangways Road and set up along a walking track at gate 10. I ran the Yaesu FT-897, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole and the 1/2 wave 15m dipole for this activation.
Above:- Aerial view of the park showing my operating spot. Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.
My first contact was a Park to Park contact, with a QSO with Rob VK4AAC/3 in the Buckley Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2054. Rob was calling CQ on 7.144. I then moved down the band to 7130 and started calling CQ. Phil VK3MB came back to my CQ call, followed by Shaun VK3VLY/p and then Gerard VK2IO. The 40m band was in quite good condition and I had a steady flow of callers. Contact number 12 was Peter VK3PF/p who was activating SOTA summit VK3/ VE-168. Contact number 32 was with Mike VK4DX/p activating IOTA OC-137.
I logged a total of 36 stations before I headed to the 80m band, hoping to get some of the local South Australian amateurs in the log. My wife Marija VK5FMAZ had sent me an SMS message telling me she was listening on 40m but was unable to hear me.
First in the log on 80m was Adrian VK5FANA who was 5/9 plus. Adrian gave me a 5/9 plus 30 signal report. Next up was Marija VK5FMAZ and then Greg VK5GJ who was running QRP. Rob VK4AAC/3 then called in for another Park to Park from the Buckley Nature Conservation Reserve. My fifth and final caller on 80m was Peter VK3ZPF.
Above:- my shack for the afternoon
I then headed to the 20m band and found John VK6NU/p calling CQ from SOTA peak VK6/ SW-042. John was a strong 5/8 signal and he reciprocated with a 5/8 for me. I headed up to 14.315 and called CQ, and called CQ, and called CQ. But sadly no takers. This was a little disappointing as the band was definitely open to Western Australia.
I then lowered down the squid pole and put up the 1/2 wave 15m dipole and started calling CQ on 21.245, but sadly I had no takers. So I tuned across the band and found Ken JA2GPR calling CQ. Ken was 5/8 and gave me a 5/6 signal report.
I then headed back to 40m and logged a further 10 stations from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK7 and New Zealand. Regular park hunter Andrei ZL1TM made it into my log once again. I was also called by Gar ZL3SV who was a super strong signal. Gary advised I was peaking 20/9 to Nelson on the top of the South Island of New Zealand. But, that was all due to Gary’s antenna, a 2,000 foot long (640 metre) centre feed sloper.
Above:- View of my operating position on the edge of the walking track
To finish off the activation I headed back to 80m as I had seen a spot pop up for Peter VK3PF/p who was on 3.615 activating SOTA peak VK3/ VE-163. After logging Peter I moved down to 3.610 and logged a further 6 stations from VK2, VK3, and VK5.
It was time to pack up and make the 1 hour journey back home. I had a total of 60 contacts in the log. It was slow going on the way home as the sun was just starting to set and as a result the roos were out in great numbers.
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.
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 ofBlack Bullock Hill VK5/ SE-016to take part in the event.At the end of the activationI 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……
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.
VK5PAS 