I received another certificate via email today for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. This time around it was from Poland, and was the SPFF-Hunter Award for having worked 24 different SPFF references.
Many thanks to Sylwester SP2FAP, the SPFF Award Manager, and all of the Polish WWFF activators.
This morning I received via email, my latest Belgian Flora and Fauna (ONFF) award. it is for working 25 different Belgian ONFF reference areas. The next step is the Gold, which requires 50 different ONFF reference areas.
Many thanks to Gino ON4BB for the certificate.
And also thanks to all of the Belgian activators, particularly Danny OT4V, Swa ON5SWA and Yves ON8ON.
I was very pleased to receive this morning my new Hunter certificate in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. It is issued for having worked a total of 352 different WWFF reference areas.
Many thanks to all the WWFF activators and thanks to Pit YO3JW.
Recently I have worked numerous Belgium reference areas for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. This has mostly been due to the efforts of Danny OT4V and Swa ON5SWA.
Both Danny and Swa take the time to listen out for the Australian park hunters which is great. It is often very difficult to break through the European pile up with many of the European park activators. So it is very refreshing to hear Danny and Swa specifically listening for outside of Europe.
And Danny has been sending me some great QSL cards from his activations.
Yesterday I received via email two France Flora Fauna certificates for working 5 different, and10 different French Flora Fauna reference areas.
Many thanks to Marco F5SSN, the France Flora Fauna (FFF) co-ordinator.
For more information on the FFF program, please check out their website at……
http://www.france-flora-fauna.fr/diplomes-fff/diplomes-fff/
Following up on the recent Top VKFF Activator certificates that I recently released, I have now released the Top VKFF Hunter certificates.
These will be released annually for the Top VKFF Hunter. In other words, the amateur who has worked the most number of VKFF references in that year.
I have started off in 2013, as this is the year that VKFF kicked off in Australia.
The Top VKFF Hunters in 2013 were myself and Larry VK5LY (we both worked 39 different VKFF references).
In at second place (again shared) was Ron VK3AFW and Bernard VK3AMB (on 38 references), in 3rd was Nick VK3ANL with 35 references, Peter VK3PF at number 4 (34 references). And at number 5 was Allen VK3HRA (with 32 references).
The Top VKFF Hunter in 2014 was Peter VK3PF, with 85 VKFF references worked.
In second place was Paul VK5PAS with 83 references. In 3rd was Amanda VK3FQSO with 81 VKFF references. Fourth spot was shared by Nev VK5WG and Matt VK1MA with 62 references. And in 5th position was Ron VK3AFW with 59 references.
So far in 2015, the Top 5 VKFF Hunters are:-
1. Peter VK3PF (175 VKFF references)
2. Amanda VK3FQSO (149 VKFF references)
3. Adrian VK5FANA and VK5PAS (143 VKFF references)
4. Gerard VK2IO (138 VKFF references)
5. Peter VK3TKK (127 VKFF references)
Remember, this certificate is awarded for VKFF references worked only. It does not take into account references you worked outside of VK. Stand by, I am working on that, with a possible annual certificate to come.
I had to work today (Sunday 2nd August 2015) but at lunch time I did sneak outside to my vehicle to work Rob VK4AAC who was activating the Lashmar Conservation Park, VKFF-902. This is one of the newly added South Australian Conservation Parks to the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. It triggered my enthusiasm, to activate a park after work. But the weather was not looking good. There were quite heavy showers in the Adelaide CBD, broken up by period of bright sunshine.
So when work concluded, I headed back home to the Adelaide Hills. On the way I worked Brett VK4FTWO in the mobile. Brett was activating the WooWoonga National Park VKFF-712, west of Maryborough.
When I got home, my wife Marija had already kindly prepared all my radio gear for me, so it was just a matter of getting changed out of the suit, and loading the 4WD. I decided to head for the Ferries McDonald Conservation Park, VKFF-881, which is about 35 kms by road, east of my home. The park has also just recently been added to the WWFF program. So although I have activated the park previously as part of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, this was to be a new WWFF park for me.
Above:- Map showing the location of Ferries McDonald CP. Image courtesy of mapcarta.com
As I was driving along Chaunceys Line Road towards the park I worked Gerard VK2IO who was operating portable from Wollemei National Park, VKFF-544 (5/9 sent and 5/8 received).
I set up in my normal spot, which is in the south eastern corner of the park, off Chaunceys Line Road. There is a carpark there and a nice cleared area where you can set up. I used my normal operating gear….the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 40m/20m linked dipole supported on the 7 metre squid pole. But as I was setting up the antenna, I noticed that I was missing one of the crocodile clips. So I had to improvise and use my teeth to strip back some of the insulation on the wire and join the wire together that way. The test was going to be the VSWR. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was very low when I turned on the tx.
Above:- Map showing my operating location. Map courtesy of mapcarta.com
After setting up I headed to 7.090 hoping to work Gerard VK2IO again. Sure enough, Gerard was still there, with a lovely 5/9 plus signal. He was stronger on the linked dipole than the Codan 9350.
I then moved up to 7.095 and asked if the frequency was in use, and in reply I heard Matt VK1MA telling me that it was all clear. So Matt was my second contact for the activation, with a beautiful 5/9 signal coming in from Canberra (5/7 received). A pile up followed, with numerous callers from all across Australia. The 40m band appeared to be in quite good condition. Although it was evident that the ‘close in’ stuff was not working. I only worked 4 VK5’s during this activation. The first was Greg VK5LG at Cudlee Creek, a distance of about 50 km from where I was. Greg was 5/8 and I received a 5/3. The next VK5 was Peter VK5KPR at Port Augusta, a distance of around 375 km (5/9 both ways). In fact Peter was very strong. Next up was Andrew VK5KET down at Mount Gambier, a distance of about 385 km (5/9 both ways). Again, Andrew was very strong. And finally, Adrian VK5FANA at Arthurton on the Yorke Peninsula, about 140 km across the water over the Gulf of St Vincent. Adrian was running QRP and was just 5/3 at best, and I received a 5/1. So it appeared that anything within 150km was not going to work.
I had some very nice QRP contacts during this activation. They included Brooke VK4RZ running just 2 watts from near Toowoomba in Queensland (5/9 both ways). Also Mike VK3XL running 2 watts from Melbourne (5/6 sent and 5/9 received). Next up was Adrian VK5FANA running his 5 watts (this was a little bit of a struggle). Alan VK2AJG who was running 4 watts from near Newcastle. There were no problems at all with Alan’s signal (5/8 sent and 5/7 received). And finally Mark VK4MON north of Brisbane, running 5 watts (5/7 both ways).
I was also very pleased to be able to work Ken ZL4KD in Christchurch in New Zealand (5/9 both ways) and Owen ZL2OPB in New Plymouth on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand (5/9 both ways). And Doug VK4FAID (I was his first ever VK5 contact).
VK3FILB was kind enough to send me this quick video clip of my signal as it sounded in Melbourne.
I worked a total of 57 stations from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7, and New Zealand.
The following stations were worked:-
This morning (Friday 31st July 2015) I headed out to the Cromer Conservation Park, which is located about 5 km north of Birdwood in the Mount Lofty Ranges. It is about a 30 minute drive from home, through the Adelaide Hills.
I had activated Cromer previously as part of the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award, but this was my first time in the park as part of the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program. Cromer had been allocated a VKFF number in March this year.
And today was also World Ranger Day. World Ranger Day, which is observed annually on the 31st of July, 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. For more information, please see…..
http://www.thingreenline.org.au/event/world-ranger-day/
It was a freezing morning, with the Adelaide Hills having had another very cold night and a morning frost. I was on a day off from work, and had slept in a bit, so it was just after 8.00 a.m. by the time I hit the road. I had to use a bucket of water to get the ice off the windscreen of the Toyota Hi Lux. Generally the temperature gauge is accurate, and it was showing 0 degrees C.
Above:- Map showing the location of Cromer CP. Image courtesy of mapcarta.com
I travelled out through Nairne, to Woodside and then on to the little town of Mount Torrens. I continued north to Birdwood which is the home of the National Motor Museum. From Birdwood I travelled north on the Cromer Road which starts off as bitumen, but soon changes to dirt. The park is located about 5 km out of Birdwood and is well signposted. The Mount Crawford Forest borders the park and this part of the northern Mount Lofty Ranges is very picturesque.
Cromer CP is 50 hectares in size and represents one of the largest contiguous native remnant vegetation parcels within the Upper Torrens catchment area in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The park was declared in 1976. It provides significant habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. There were quite a few Western Grey kangaroos on the road, braving the morning cold. And sadly I found a young female kangaroo (doe), dead on the side of the road, not far from the park entry on Cromer Road. And deceased alongside of her was her young joey which was probably only a few months old. Obviously she had been hit by a passing vehicle. Not the most pleasing start to the activation.
I set up my fold up table and deck chair just inside the park entry on Cromer Road. For this activation I used my normal portable equipment consisting of the Yaesu FT-857d, and my 40m/20m linked dipole, supported on the 7 metre telescopic squid pole. I tied off the ends of the dipole to some gum trees in the parks, so the ends of the legs were about 4 -5 feet off the ground.
Above:- Map showing my operating spot. Map courtesy of mapcarta.com
I headed to 7.144 which I had nominated as my operating frequency, and asked if the frequency was in use. This was immediately answered by Greg VK5GJ at Meadows, in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges. Greg was running just 4 watts, but still had a good 5/7 signal to Cromer. Greg kindly spotted me on parksnpeaks.
Next caller was John VK5BJE at Scott Creek with a nice 5/9 signal, who also spotted me on parksnpeaks. This was followed by Tony VK5FTVR at Strathalbyn who was very strong. I worked a total of 12 stations before the UTC rollover, in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK5, & VK6. This included a call from Julie VK3FOWL who was at a school at Ormond in Victoria. Julie conducts amateur radio classes at schools, and asked if she could call back a bit later with some of the students. Of course, I agree, as anything to promote the hobby is a great thing. And Julie and her hubby zJoe VK3YSP certainly do a lot to promote the hobby. After the UTC rollover I worked a further 5 stations in VK2, VK4, & VK5, before heading off to 20m.
On 20m I called CQ on 14.244 and this was answered by George VK4GSF at Toowoomba with a good strong 5/9 signal. This was followed by Greg VK5GJ, who although very weak, was very readable. Again, Greg spotted me on parksnpeaks. Spotting is very much appreciated, as it not only helps the activator, but also helps the park hunters.
Next up was another Queenslander. This time, Ron VK4QO with a nice strong 5/9 signal. My next taker was Brian VK5BC who was kind enough to place me on the DX cluster. This clearly resulted in my first DX contact for this activation, Dave YB0AJZ in Jakarta. My laster taker on 20m was Anthony VK6MAC who was portable in the South West of Western Australia.
After working a total of 11 stations on 20m in VK2, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7 and Indonesia, I headed back to 40m and called CQ again on 7.144. This was answered by Col VK5HCF at Mount Gambier. I worked a further 7 stations including Mick VK3PMG who spotted me on parksnpeaks. Shortly after I was called by Julie VK3FOWL.
When things slowed down a little, I tuned across the 40m band and found Rob VK2QR calling CQ from SOTA summit, Mount Ikes, VK2/ SW-030. Rob was a very nice 5/9 signal, and is always one of the strongest SOTA activators that I hear on the band. I headed back to 7.144 and called CQ again, where I spoke with Cleeve VK2MOR, who placed me on the DX cluster. This was followed by Rex VK3ARG. But despite a number of CQ calls I had no further callers, so I headed back to 20m for a final listen before going QRT.
I headed to 14.244, but found Colin VK4LAC calling CQ on 14.245. I gave Colin a call who had a good 5/9 signal. Colin advised that he was just newly licenced, so I was very pleased to get Colin in the log. Colin kindly left me the frequency and I was then called by Albert S58AL in Slovenia. I was a little surprised to hear Albert as it was very early, only midday local time. So long path to Europe was still opening up. My last taker was Brooke VK4RZ with a 5/9 plus signal.
I ended up with a total of 51 contacts in the log for this activation, which I was very pleased with, considering that this was a weekday.
I have a special QSL card for this activation for World Ranger Day, which I will send via email upon request. Send an email to vk5pas@wia.org.au
The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-
The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-
As a result of the proposed addition of some more South Australian parks for the World Wide Flora and Fauna (WWFF) program, I decided to review my list and compare it with official information. This is a follow up to an old post back in June 2014.
https://vk5pas.org/2014/06/27/parks-in-south-australia/
The State of South Australia (S.A.) has a total of 21 National Parks and 271 Conservation Parks. These parks are managed by the Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). SA is currently divided into 8 different Natural Resource Management regions (NRM). They are as follows:
This is a relatively new group of regions which commenced in about July, 2013. The seven old regions were as follows:
Above:- Map showing the eight DEWNR Regions. Courtesy of http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au
This region’s total area is approximately 11,200 square kilometres. Around 59% of that is land and 41% marine waters. It supports around 1.3 million people which equates to 80 % of South Australia’s population. The region includes metropolitanAdelaide and the western side of the Mount Lofty Ranges, extending from Mallala and the Barossa in the north, to the Fleurieu Peninsula in the south. The region also extends up to 30km into the marine environment. The region supports remnant busland, agriculture and horticulture, urban areas, beaches, spectacular coastal scenery and marine environments.
Above:- Map showing the Adelaide & Mt Lofty boundaries. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
The Region is divided into seven subregions as follows:
Above:- Map showing the subregions of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
There are a total of 46 parks in this region, comprising of 2 National Parks, and 44 Conservation Parks. Parks in this region comprise nearly 17% of all parks in the State. The parks in this Region are as follows:
Above:- Map showing the vegetation types in the Region. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
For more information please see…..
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/home
The Alinytjara Wilurara (AW) natural resource management (NRM) region covers the north west third of South Australia. In Pitjantjatjara, ‘alinytjara’ means ‘north’ and ‘wilurara’ means ‘west’. The AW NRM region covers more than 250,000 square kilometres, stretching from the Northern Territory and West Australian borders south to the Great Australian Bight. The regional boundary extends to the edge of the State Waters (three nautical miles off-shore) in the Great Australian Bight and includes the South Australian part of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. The land and its 340 kilometres of coastline are mostly dedicated to conservation and traditional Aboriginal use and occupation. The homelands and community townships are inhabited by approximately 4,000 people.
Above:- Map showing the Alinytjara Wilurara NRM Region. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
There are a total of 5 parks in this region, comprising of 1 National Park, and 4 Conservation Parks in this region. They are as follows:
For more information please see….
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/alinytjara-wilurara/home
The Eyre Peninsula region covers a significant area of South Australia (80,000 square km / 8 million ha) and includes part of the upper Spencer Gulf, the City of Whyalla, across the southern boundaries of the Gawler Ranges, past Ceduna to the edge of the Nullarbor Plain and south to the fishing hub of Port Lincoln. Native vegetation covers about 44% of the land mass. The coastline in this region stretches for about 2,475 km in length. The region supports a population of about 55,000 people.
Above:- Map showing the Eyre Peninsula NRM Region. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
There are a total of 75 parks in this region, which comprises about 27 % of all of the parks in South Australia. Here are the parks in the Eyre Peninsula Region:
Above:- Parks on the Eyre Peninsula. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
For more information please see….
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/eyrepeninsula/home
Kangaroo Island (KI) lies approximately 15 kilometres off the Fleurieu Peninsula in southern South Australia. The island covers an area of 4,370 square kilometres and is home to approximately 4,400 people who reside primarily in the four townships, the largest being Kingscote. The island welcomes more than 160,000 visitors each year, one third of whom are international guests.
KI contains the highest proportion of remnant vegetation of all South Australian agricultural regions. Around 40% of the island is covered by native vegetation, maintaining significant areas of relatively intact ecosystems.
The region is noted for its abundant wildlife, thanks to relatively few predators and extensive native habitats. Kangaroo Island and its marine waters are home to:
Above:- Map showing Kangaroo Island Rehion boundaries. Image courtesy of Kangaroo Island NRM Plan 2009
Kangaroo Island has a total of 22 parks, consisting of 1 National Park, and 21 Conservation Parks.
The Northern and Yorke (NY) natural resources management region extends for 34,500 square kilometres, or more than three million hectares. It is a varied and productive portion of South Australia and includes 1,350km of coastline and adjacent marine areas.
The region encompasses the Yorke Peninsula, the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, the southern Flinders Ranges and significant areas of Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.
The region supports a population of approximately 95,000 people who reside in agricultural, coastal and urban communities. It welcomes a large number of visitors each year to destinations that include Innes National Park, the Clare Valley and the Southern Flinders Ranges.
The region includes traditional Aboriginal lands of the Kaurna, Narrunga, Nukunu, Ngadjuri, Meru, Danggali, Barngala and Adnyamathanha people.
The major urban centres are the cities of Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Clare, Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo.
Natural resources underpin a range of industries. Approximately 80% of the region is under agricultural cropping and grazing production contributing a quarter of the South Australia’s agricultural earnings. The region embraces the major Clare Valley wine growing area, and supports significant mining and mineral processing activities, fishing, aquaculture, forestry, horticulture and tourism.
Northern and Yorke and its marine waters are home to:
Above:- Map of the Northern & Yorke NRM Region. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
This region is divided into three districts as follows:
There are a total of 24 parks in this region, comprising of 2 National Parks, and 22 Conservation Parks. They are as follows:
For more information please see…..
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/northernandyorke/home
The SA Arid Lands region cover over half of South Australia, taking up the state’s north-east corner to its borders with New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The region’s environmental processes are determined by irregular rainfall and other episodic weather events that rarely follow predictable annual cycles. The region includes some of the driest parts of South Australia and has the largest percentage of intact ecosystems and natural biodiversity in the state. These iconic terrestrial ecosystems – including sandy deserts, stony plains, and the Gawler, Flinders and Olary ranges – are home to a range of unique plants and animals, many of which are only found within the region.
The human population in this semi arid region is small (less than 2% of the state) and geographically dispersed. The largest towns, Coober Pedy and Roxby Downs, are both associated with mining and are home to less than 5000 people, while the remaining scattered towns all have less than 1000 occupants.
Pastoralism is the most dominant land use, with over 400,000 square kilometres taken up by sheep and cattle stations. Large mining and petroleum companies also operate in the arid lands. Aboriginal land holdings are diverse and include pastoral leases, community managed land, indigenous protected areas and co-managed parks.
The region contains some of the state’s most environmentally significant natural resources including conservation reserves and National Parks, as well as two great inland water systems: Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre and the Great Artesian Basin.
Above:- Map showing the SA Arid Lands NRM Region. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
This region is divided into the following 6 districts:
There are a total of 16 parks in this region, comprising of 7 National Parks, and 8 Conservation Parks in this region. They are as follows:
For more information please see…..
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/aridlands/home
The SA Murray-Darling Basin region extends from where the River Murray crosses the border from Victoria into South Australia, down to where it meets the sea at the Coorong. It covers 70,000 square kilometres and includes six distinct ecological areas:
The region’s natural resources support a wide range of human activities. The River Murray supplies the majority of the water needs for the capital city of Adelaide as well as other towns in the state. The natural resources also support tourism, recreation and manufacturing, as well as one of the most productive agricultural areas in South Australia. About 82% of the land in the region is used for primary production, including pastoral lands, dryland cropping, grazing, horticulture, irrigation and dairy farming.
Within the region, there are ecosystems that are of state, national and international significance, including the Ramsar-listed Chowilla Floodplain and the Coorong and Lower Lakes. As a result, there are large areas of National Parks dedicated to nature conservation.
The region is also home to a diverse range of native plants and animals, many of them under threat:
Above:- Map of the Region. Image courtesy of http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
The region is divided into the following 4 districts:
There are a total of 47 parks in this region, comprising 2 National Parks, and 44 Conservation Parks. This consists of nearly 17% of the parks located in South Australia. The region’s parks are as follows:
For more information please see…..
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/samurraydarlingbasin/home
The South East Natural Resources Management (SE NRM) region covers an area of approximately 28,000 square kilometres and is bounded by the Victorian border to the east, the Southern Ocean to the south and the Coorong to the west. This area of South Australia is commonly referred to as the Limestone Coast due to its proximity to the coast and the abundance of limestone located under the soil, which acts as a filter to produce high quality water.
The climate of the region is characterised by cool wet winters and mild to hot, dry summers. Average annual rainfall varies considerably within the region, from approximately 850mm in the south to 450mm in the north of the region. With a favourable climate, suitable soils and underground water, the South East has a strong history as a highly productive area that supports a diverse and profitable industry base. The region contributes about $5 billion per annum towards the South Australian GDP with more than 30% of the State’s GDP produced by the South East’s agricultural sector. The key economic activities in the region supported by natural resources include plantation forestry, wine/viticulture, agriculture, dairy, potatoes, fishing/aquaculture and their associated industries.
The region is distinguished by a series of stranded dunes that rise between 20-50 metres above interdunal plains. These plains can be inundated over winter and host a variety of internationally-recognised wetland systems, including the Ramsar-listed Bool and Hacks lagoons and part of the Coorong and Lower Lakes Wetlands. The region also hosts and extensive network of limestone sink holes and caves, which include the World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves.
Above:- Map showing the South East boundaries. Image courtesy of http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au
The South East Region is divided into three SENRM groups:
Above:- Map showing the South East NRM Groups; Northern, Central & Southern. Image courtesy of http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au
There are a total of 57 parks in the South East region, comprising 2 National Parks, and 55 Conservation Parks. This is about 21% of the total parks in South Australia. The parks are as follows:
For more information please see……
http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/southeast/home
Resources.
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Home Natural Resources,
I recently received an email from the SPFF Award Managers with my certificate for the next level of the SPFF Hunter Award. It was awarded to me for working 18 different SPFF reference areas.
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