Ewens Ponds Conservation Park VKFF-796

My first park for Sunday morning, 7th June 2015 was the Ewens Ponds Conservation Park which is situated about 36 km south east of Mount Gambier.  This was my only planned park activation for the day, but as it turned out, I also ventured over to Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park after this activation.  Ewen Ponds was another unique park for me for both the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award, and the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.Screenshot 2015-06-12 00.06.17

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Ewens Ponds Conservation Park was constituted in 1976 and covers a small area of about 24 hectares.  The park contains spring fed limestone ponds which are linked by shallow channels.  The channels actually connect three basin shaped ponds which are about 10 metres deep.  The clarity of the water enables water plants to grow underwater to a depth of about 6 metres.  Many of these plants are not found growing fully submerged underwater anywhere else in the world.

The ponds are very popular with scuba divers and snorkellers.  The minimum qualification for divers is ‘open water’.  In fact whilst I was set up, a couple arrived to go scuba diving in the ponds.  Due to the cold water and the potential for damage to the aquatic environment, swimming is not allowed.

The ponds have a large fish population including the endangered Gold Pygmy Perch.  In fact the ponds are one of only three recorded locations for the Gold Pygmy Perch.  The ponds are also home to populations of flatworms, freshwater crayfish, and mussels, and the larva of the carnivorous caddis fly.

The history behind the discovery of the ponds is extremely interesting.  The first European associated with the area was Thoms Ewens.  His dog chased a kangaroo into one of the ponds.  The land surrounding the ponds was gradually cleared for agricultural purposes and dairy farming.  A drainage system was constructed to draw water from the ponds for land sold for soldier settlement programs after the Second World War.  In 1978 a trout farm was established utilising the waters flowing through Ewens Ponds.

Screenshot 2015-06-12 00.07.32 (1)

Above:- My operating spot.  Image courtesy of mapcarta.com

After setting up, I decided to head up to the WWFF calling frequency of 7.144.  It was only 8.20 a.m. and there was still quite a bit of DX on the band.  It was quite difficult to find a clear frequency below 7.100.  I called CQ on 7.144 and this was answered by Andy VK5AKH who was mobile at Kingston on Murray with a very strong 5/9 signal.  This was followed by Tony VK5FTVR, and then Mark VK5QI who was also mobile up in the Riverland for the Canoe Marathon.

Conditions on 40m were exceptionally good and I had a nice little park pile up going for quite a while with callers from VK2, VK3, VK5, VK6 & ZL.  I was quite surprised when I head Ken ZL4KD amongst all the park hunters calling me.  Ken had a very good 5/7 signal coming into Ewens Ponds from Christchurch.

It was also nice to get a couple of the regular QRP hunters in the log.  They were Adrian VK5FANA running his typical 5 watts from the Yorke Peninsula (5/9 both ways), and Amanda VK3FQSO running 500 milliwatts (5/8 sent and 5/9 received).

At about 2335 UTC I took a break to have a chat to the diver and his wife who had arrived at Ewens Ponds.  It was interesting to hear their comments about how the water within the ponds had become cloudier over the years, possibly due to run off from the surrounding farms.

IMG_1421

By the time I had got back to the radio, the WIA broadcast had commenced on 7.140, so I headed back down the band and found Nigel VK5NIG calling CQ for the VK Shires Contest.  I gave Nigel a signal report and my Shire code which was GD5, and then headed for 7.100 and started calling CQ.  Most of the European DX had disappeared at this time.  My CQ call was answered by Brian VK5FMID at nearby Mount Gambier, and this was followed by Joe VK3YSP.  After the UTC rollover I was called by Mark VK1EM, Dave VK2BDR, John VK5FMJC and Julie VK3FOWL who was mobile.

I went on to work a further 25 stations on 7.100 in VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK6.  The band was working perfectly, with great signals coming in from across Australia.  I had a few interesting contacts including Rob VK4AAB/5 on Kangaroo Island OC-139, and Ian VK5CZ who was portable on SOTA peak, Hallett Hill VK5-SE-003.

I also tried 20m and called CQ on 14.310 and this was answered by Paul VK2KKT, Peter VK6RZ, and David VK4DPM, all of whom were 5/9 to the South East of South AUstralia.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After a little over 90 minutes operating, I had a total of 66 contacts in the log.  I had qualified another park for the WWFF program.  It was time to pack up and head off to Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park.  I wanted to sneak in that activation prior to getting back to Mount Gambier for the SERG Convention.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5AKH/m
  2. VK5FTVR
  3. VK5QI/m
  4. VK5FANA
  5. VK3FONZ
  6. VK3YE/p
  7. VK6DW
  8. VK3VH
  9. VK5KLV
  10. VK3OF
  11. VK3FAAJ/p
  12. VK3DBP
  13. VK3TKK/m
  14. VK5BJE
  15. VK3PMG
  16. VK5FTCT
  17. VK5ZAR
  18. VK2NP
  19. VK3MCX
  20. ZL4KD
  21. VK5LSB
  22. VK5FAJS/m
  23. VK3PF
  24. VK5KFB/m
  25. VK2DEK
  26. VK2YK
  27. VK3FQSO
  28. VK5NQP
  29. VK6FLAB
  30. VK5NJ
  31. VK3HK
  32. VK5HS/m
  33. VK5FLEX/m
  34. VK5ZRY
  35. VK5NIG
  36. VK5FMID
  37. VK3YSP/m
  38. VK1EM
  39. VK2BDR
  40. VK5FMJC
  41. VK3FOWL/m
  42. VK3TST/p
  43. VK5WG
  44. VK5IY
  45. VK4AAC/5
  46. VK2PAW
  47. VK5FTRG
  48. VK1DR
  49. VK2MT/p
  50. VK5IS
  51. VK7FGGT
  52. VK3VTH/m
  53. VK1AT/3
  54. VK2MCB
  55. VK5CZ/p
  56. VK5LY
  57. VK5BGN
  58. VK3FACI/p
  59. VK5ND
  60. VK5NRG
  61. VK5JK
  62. VK3AFW
  63. VK3WMM

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2KTT
  2. VK6RZ
  3. VK4DPM

 

References

National Parks South Australia, 2015, <http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Limestone_Coast/Ewens_Ponds_Conservation_Park&gt;, viewed 12th June 2015

Natural Resources Group, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 1994, Small Inland Parks of the South East Management Plan.

Wikipedia, 2015, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ewens_Ponds&gt;, viewed 12th June 2015

Some mobile activity and the VK Shires Contest

Following the Convention wrapping up at about 5.00 p.m. on Saturday 6th June, 2015, I decided it was a bit too early to head back to the motel.  Plus I knew that the VK Shires Contest had commended at 0600 UTC.

So I travelled west out of Mount Gambier, hoping to get a few mobile contacts with my Icom IC7000 and Codan 930 self tuning antenna on the back of the Toyota Hi Lux.

My first contact was with Nigel VK5NIG who was calling CQ Contest on 7.098 with a very fine 5/9 signal.  I then spoke with VK6DW, followed by Rob VK4FFAB, and then Tony VK3VTH who was operating portable in VKFF-046.

I then pulled in to Stony Flat Road from the Riddoch Highway, and had a tune around the 40m band which was alive with contesters.  I found 7.075 clear and called CQ.  First taker was John VK4BZ portable at Lake Broadwater Conservation Park, followed by Cliff VK2NP.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I worked a total of 23 stations in VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK6 in the contest from the vehicle.  I then had a chat with my old mate Ted VK6NTE and Jess VK6JES.  During that QSO, Owen ZL2OPB called in from New Zealand with a lovely 5/7 signal (5/9 received).

And to finish off the night I spoke with Koh JI1ICF in Japan who had a very strong 5/9 signal (5/7 received).

South East Radio Group Convention

After my activation at Penambol Conservation Park I headed back into Mount Gambier and attended the South East Radio Group (SERG) Convention at the scout hall at Margaret Street.

I met up with a number of the SERG guys including Col VK5HCF, Tony VK5ZAI, Tim VK5AV, and John VK5DJ.

I set up a display relating to the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award and the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  On display I had a number of award certificates, my Yaesu FT-817nd, my Yaesu FT-857d, 44 amp hour power pack, LiFePo batteries, SLAB batteries, bothy bag, handheld GPS devices, solar panels, & antennas.  I also had a number of promotional handouts.

DSC_0147

There were a number of hams in attendance from VK5 and VK3.  This included a number of traders, including Ross from Strictly Ham.

This is the 51st year of the SERG Convention and the National Fox Hunting Championships.  For more information, have a look at…..

http://serg.mountgambier.org/

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Penambol Conservation Park VKFF-802

My one and only park activation for Saturday 6th June, 2015, was the Penambol Conservation Park, which is situated about 22 km south east of Mount Gambier, and 450 km south east of Adelaide.  This was another early start from the motel, and after a detour to the ‘Golden Arches’ McDonalds for a quick breakfast, I headed out of Mount Gambier along the Glenelg River Road, towards the Victorian border.

This was to be another unique park for me for both the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award and the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 22.44.51

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I continued south east along the Glenelg River Road, through the areas of Square Mile and Caveton.  I turned left into Carba Road, which is a narrow little dirt road.  I passed a number of farmhouses and then pine forest on both my right and left.  I located the park on the corner of Carba Road and Honeysuckle Road.  The park sign was quite visible amongst the scrub.

Penambol Conservation Park adjoins the Warrenga Native Forest Reserve and is 179 hectares in size.  The park was acquired for conservation purposes in 1984 and was constituted in December 1993.  It conserves an important area of remnant vegetation, formerly known as Herpst’s Scrub.  It contains several unique geological features, including Caroline SInkhole, which has archaeological significance.

The park has a Wombat Walk, which provides numerous opportunities to view wombats, with dozen of wombat burrows evident in the area.  I didn’t even know that wombats were found in this area.  I thought it was too cold.

The park also contains South Australia’s first butterfly monitoring sites, enabling visitors to the park to experience and learn about local butterflies, such as the Ochre Butterfly and Orange species Butterfly.

The park contains a large amount of native wildlife including the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby, Ringtail Possum, Echidna, Wombat, Yellow Bellied gliders, and Bush Rat.  The threatened Gang Gang Cockatoo and Red Tailed Black Cockatoo have also been sighted in the park.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 22.54.12

Above:- Map showing my operating spot.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I was set up and ready to go by 2250 UTC (8.20 a.m.) and started calling CQ on 7.095.  David VK5NQP was my first caller with a great 5/9 signal.  This was followed by Mick VK3PMG in Stawell who was also 5/9, and then Barry VK5KBJ.

I worked a number of QRP stations including Adrian VK5FANA running 5 watts, Paul VK3DBP running 5 watts, Amanda running 500 milliwatts (5/8 sent and 5/9 received), Mark VK7MK running 2.5 watts (5/8 sent and 5/5 received), Ian VK5IS running 5 watts, Mike VK3XL also running 5 watts, and Trevor VK3FPY/5 running 5 watts with his home made vertical.

I also spoke with Mark VK5LO and and Paul VK1AT/3, both of whom were operating with home brew transceivers.

Tony VK3VTH also called in from the Cape Nelson State Park VKFF-754.  It was great to get another new VKFF reference in the log.

My final contact on 40m was with Peter VK3YE who was portable on the beach at Chelsea, running an FT817 on 5 watts and a home brew antenna (5/9 both ways).

I did call CQ numerous times on 14.310, but unfortunately there were no takers.  Sadly I couldn’t alert anyone that I was there via parksnpeaks, as there was no mobile coverage in the park.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After 90 minutes in the park, I had a total of 51 contacts in the log.  I was very pleased.  I needed 44 contacts to qualify the park for the WWFF program.  This was another unique VKFF activation to add to my list.

The following stations were worked:-

  1. VK5NQP
  2. VK3PMG
  3. VK5KBJ
  4. VK5JK
  5. VK3PF
  6. VK5FANA
  7. VK5ZAR
  8. VK3OF
  9. VK5PJ/m
  10. VK3DBP
  11. VK5KLV
  12. VK6RZ
  13. VK5LO
  14. VK5TW
  15. VK5FTVR
  16. VK3FQSO
  17. VK3NBL
  18. VK3TKK/m
  19. VK7MK
  20. VK5IS
  21. VK3HRA
  22. VK2BBQ/p
  23. VK3BFR
  24. VK2IO/m
  25. VK7NWT
  26. VK5FMID
  27. VK2YW
  28. VK5HEL
  29. VK3FSPG
  30. VK3FDES/m
  31. VK2NP
  32. VK3XL
  33. VK4AAC/5 (Kangaroo Island)
  34. VK3FPY/5
  35. VK5AKH/m
  36. VK1AT/3
  37. VK3AV
  38. VK5BJE (on either side of the UTC rollover)
  39. VK5ZGY/m
  40. VK3VTH/p (Cape Nelson State Park VKFF-754)
  41. VK4RZ
  42. VK5GM
  43. VK6FN
  44. VK2ATZ
  45. VK5KC
  46. VK3FPBI
  47. VK3KKP
  48. VK3HAK
  49. VK7LTD
  50. VK2SRT
  51. VK3YE/p (Chelsea Beach)

References.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 1994, Small Inland Parks of the South East Management Plan.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2010, Penambol Conservation Park.

Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park

My final activation for Friday 5th June, 2015 was the Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park, which is situated midway between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 22.12.40

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park adjoins the basin of the adjacent Bool Lagoon Game Reserve, which is one of the largest and most diverse freshwater lagoon systems in southern Australia.  The seasonal wetland areas of Bool Lagoon and Hacks Lagoon are home to a wide range of wildlife and provides essential drought refuge for numerous rare and endangered bird species.  In fact, over 150 species of birds visit the area.  A number of birds visit the park during Summer, including Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, who fly thousands of kms to be at Bool and Hacks Lagoons.  Brolgas are perhaps the most spectacular of all of the birds that can be found here.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 22.37.38

Above:- Map showing Bool and Hacks Lagoons.  Image courtesy of DEWNR

The area is recognised under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as a Wetland of International Importance.  It is protected under the Japan/Australia and China/Australia Migratory Bird Agreement due to the importance of the area as a summer refuge for migratory wading birds.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 22.13.20

Above:- Map showing my operating spot.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The 40m band was very busy below 7.100 so I found 7.115 clear and started calling CQ.  My first taker was John VK5BJE, followed by Col VK5HCF in Mount Gambier, and then Jim VK5TR.  The band started off very good, with great signals from eastern Australia.  But this didn’t last long.  The band dropped out very quickly to VK3.  However, the band remained open to southern Australia and the remainder of eastern Australia.

I worked a number of QRP stations including Gerard VK2JNG who was portable, Greg VK5GJ again running just 4 watts, Peter VK3PF running 5 watts, Mark VK7MK running 2.5 watts, Andrew VK1NAM running 5 watts, Alan VK2AJG running 5 watts, Nev VK5WG running 5 watts, and Adrian on the Yorke Peninsula running 5 watts.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I remained in the park until just before 0800 UTC (5.30 p.m.) and watched a magnificent sunset.  I managed a total of 32 contacts on 40m SSB into VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7,

The following stations were worked:-

  1. VK5BJE
  2. VK5HCF
  3. VK5TR
  4. VK3AXF
  5. VK3FEUG
  6. VK3AV
  7. VK4AAC/5 (Kangaroo Island)
  8. VK5JK
  9. VK5LSB
  10. VK2JNG/p
  11. VK5GJ
  12. VK3PF
  13. VK3DBP
  14. VK7MK
  15. VK1NAM
  16. VK2AJG
  17. VK3OHM
  18. VK5ZAR
  19. VK5NQP
  20. VK2NP
  21. VK3FBI
  22. VK5KLV
  23. VK3FQSO
  24. VK3OF
  25. VK5KPR
  26. VK5WG
  27. VK7LTD
  28. VK4FBMW
  29. VK4FAAS
  30. VK5FANA
  31. VK7VEK
  32. VK4RZ

 

References.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2010, Bool Lagoon Game Reserve and Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park brochure.

National Parks South Australia, 2015, <http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Limestone_Coast/Bool_Lagoon_Hacks_Lagoon&gt;, viewed 11th June 105.

Big Heath Conservation Park VKFF-792

After leaving Mary Seymour Conservation Park, I travelled a short distance to my next park activation location at the Big Heath Conservation Park, which is situated about 20 km south of Naracoorte.  This was another unique park for me for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award and a unique park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program, so I was hoping to get my 44 contacts.  Big Heath was only just recently added to the WWFF program.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 21.22.34

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Big Heath Conservation Park was constituted back in 1964 and covers an area of 2,351 hectares.  In an extra 100 hectares of land was added to the park.  When this land was added, Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) CEO stated:-

‘Big Heath Conservation Park is situated in an area of high national and state priority for conservation, and protects remnant wet heath land vegetation in a regionally threatened plant community’.

The park contains a diversity of vegetation types.  It is certainly a very attractive park.  In the higher areas of the north eastern corner of the park, there is a Eucalypt woodland with a sparse understorey.  In the north western end of the park you can find a low woodland of Brown Stringybark, Pink Gum, and Desert Banksia.  A number of limestone outcrops located throughout the park, support Manna Gum, South Australian Blue Gum and Pink Gum woodlands.  In the south eastern corner of the park, River Red Gums of varying age and densisty proudly stand.  A dense heath of Mallee Honey Myrtle, Yellow Hakea, and Prickly Tea Tree is also found.  As elevation increases in the park, there are corresponding changes to the heath vegetation associations, with Broombrush, Grass Tree and Dwarf Sheaok occurring.

A large amount of native wildlife can be found in the park including the threatened species, Little Pygmy Possum.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 21.26.39

Above: Map showing the borders of the park.  Map courtesy of google maps.

I set up in the south eastern corner of the park, after following Coles-Kilanoola Road into the park, passed the vineyards.  There was a nice cleared area at this location with plenty of room for me to run out the linked dipole.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 21.28.12

Above:- My operating spot.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Again, I started off calling CQ on 7.095 and first cab off the rank was Greg VK5GJ at Meadows, running his normal QRP 4 watts with a nice 5/7 signal.  This was followed by Jim VK1AT/3 who is being a regular park hunter.  Next up was Rob VK4AAC/5 portable on Kangaroo Island, and then two regular park hunters, Arno VK5ZAR and Mick VK3PMG.

Things were travelling along well, and I was on my way to 44 contacts.  I had a steady flow of callers from all over Australia.  As I normally do, I took a break from the hunters from home, to listen out for mobiles and portables.  This resulted in a large number of mobile stations calling in, including husband and wife team Joe VK3YSP and Julie VK3FOWL, Eugene VK5ZA mobile at Auburn in the Clare Valley, Greg VK5ZGY, Mark VK5QI mobile at Blanchetown in the Riverland, Simon VK3SMC mobile in the Toolangi State Forest (4WDing), Peter VK5KX mobile at Blanchetown, Matt VK5ZM, Peter VK3TBN mobile at Bundoora, Chris VK2SR mobile in the ACT, and Tom VK5FTRG.  I was also called by Kerry VK4FKDP portable near the Condamine River .

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

At 0550 UTC (3.20 p.m. SA local time) I QSYd from 7.095 up to 7.105, so that I did not cause any QRM to the Kandos Net which operates at 0600 UTC on 7.093.  I worked a further 9 stations in VK3, VK4, & VK5 on 7.105.

After an hour in the park, I had 45 contacts in the log, thus qualifying the park for WWFF.  I was tempted to have a go on 20m but it was getting a little late (4.40 p.m. SA local time) and I still wanted to get to Hacks Lagoon.  I was cognisant that if I called CQ on 20m from a VKFF park, and the Europeans found me, it would be very hard to get out of Big Heath.  So I packed up my gear and headed off for another unique park, Hacks Lagoon.

The following stations were worked:-

  1. VK5GJ
  2. VK1AT/3
  3. VK4AAC/5 (Kangaroo Island)
  4. VK5ZAR
  5. VK3PMG
  6. VK3OHM
  7. VK3NBV
  8. VK3NBL
  9. VK3DBP
  10. VK3FQSO
  11. VK5JK
  12. VK3BHR
  13. VK3PF
  14. VK5HCF
  15. VK4RZ
  16. VK2NP
  17. VK3YSP/m
  18. VK5FANA
  19. VK5NRG
  20. VK3FOWL/m
  21. VK5ZA/m
  22. VK5ZGY/m
  23. VK5QI/m
  24. VK3SMC/m
  25. VK5KX/m
  26. VK5ZMm
  27. VK4FKDB/p
  28. VK3TBN/m
  29. VK2SR/mobile1
  30. VK5AW
  31. VK5FMID
  32. VK5NIG
  33. VK3OF
  34. VK3MEK
  35. VK5FCHM
  36. VK5BJE
  37. VK3TJK
  38. VK5KLV
  39. VK4GSF
  40. VK3AIG
  41. VK5FTRG/m
  42. VK7CC
  43. VK3MCK
  44. VK3FEUG
  45. VK5NQP

References.

Natural Resources Group, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 1994, Small Inland Parks of the South East Management Plan.

Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources, 2015, <http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/Home/Full_newsevents_listing/News_Events_Listing/110113-Three_new_parks&gt;, viewed 11th June 2015

Mary Seymour Conservation Park

My next planned activation of the day was the Big Heath Conservation Park.  However after leaving Vivigani Ardune, the GPS took me on a merry drive around the South East and I was not able to access Big Heath.  So I headed for one of my other planned activations, the Mary Seymour Conservation Park.  Another unique park for me.

Mary Seymour Conservation Park is situated about 25 km south of Naracoorte in the South East of South Australia.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 20.18.34

Above: Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The park was constituted in 1980 and covers an area of around 264 hectares.  The western quarter of Mary Seymour consists of a limestone ridge which supports a low open forest of Brown Stringybark and Pink Gum.  The remainder of the park is a complex wetland system with limestone outcrops.

I accessed the park via Bool Lagoon West Road.  I found a clearing amongst the scrub, and I set up my equipment.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 20.18.48

Above:- Map showing my operating spot.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I started calling CQ on 7.093 as Adam VK2YK was operating on 7.098.  My first taker was Amanda VK3FQSO with a lovely 5/9 signal.  This was followed by Marc VK3OHM  and then Rob VK4AAC/5 on Kangaroo Island.  It was 1.30 p.m. SA local time and the 40m band was holding up very well, with nice signals.  I worked a total of 27 stations in the park from VK2, VK3, and VK5.

That included a handful of QRP operators, including Greg VK5GJ running 4 watts (5/7 sent and 5/9 received), and Paul VK3DBP running 5 watts (5/9 both ways).  I also worked a number of mobile stations including Greg VK5ZGY, Peter VK3TKK, Terry VK3BMX using a Famparc whip, Mark VK5QI mobile at Truro, and Peter VK3PF.

I was also fortunate that Adam VK2YK had tracked me down and gave me a call from Hunter Wetlands National Park, VKFF-595.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I only remained in the park for 30 minutes, as I still had 2 planned park activations for the day.  But I was very happy, I had 27 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3FQSO
  2. VK3OHM
  3. VK4AAC/5 (Kangaroo Island)
  4. VK3PMG
  5. VK5WG/p
  6. VK5HCF
  7. VK5ZAR
  8. VK5KLV
  9. VK5GJ
  10. VK5ZGY/m
  11. VK3TKK/m
  12. VK1AT/3
  13. VK3BMX/m
  14. VK2YK/p (Hunter Wetlands National Park VKFF-595)
  15. VK5QI/m
  16. VK3DBP
  17. VK3PF/m
  18. VK3OF
  19. VK2UH
  20. VK3BHR
  21. VK5JK
  22. VK5BJE
  23. VK5FMID
  24. VK3LPG
  25. VK3FTAD
  26. VK3FARO
  27. VK3FLSS

Vivigani Ardune Conservation Park

After leaving the Fairview Conservation Park, I headed to my next activation, the Vivigani Ardune Conservation Park, situated just north west of the little town of Lucindale.  This was another unique park for me for the VK5 National and Conservation Parks Award.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 19.29.58

After leaving Fairview I travelled back into Lucindale along Fairview Road.  Lucindale is a little town of about 400 people and is situated about 345 km south east of Adelaide.  It is best known for hosting the annual South East Field Days, which attracts over 25,000 visitors each March.

After leaving Lucindale I headed out along the Reedy Cfreek-Lucindale Road, and then turned right into Conricks Road.  The park is about 4 km up Conricks Road on the left hand side (on the western side of the road).  Keep a careful eye out for the park sign with can be located in a paddock which forms part of the park.

On the way to the park I spoke from my mobile, with Alan VK7BO who was on a SOTA peak, The Tump, VK7/ NC-018 (5/9 both ways).  I also spoke with Nigel VK5NIG who was portable on SOTA peak Mount Gawler VK5/ SE-013 in the Mount Lofty Ranges (5/9 both ways).

I was unable to find out a lot about this park, which was proclaimed in 2008.  John VK5BJE and I spoke about the origins of the name on air.  John was my 2nd contact.  We believe it may have Latin ties and means something similar to ‘toil hard’.  But more research will need to go into that.  There is a property called Vivigani just to the south of the park.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 19.30.36

Unfortunately this is another park which required some fence jumping.  So many South Australian parks are locked up by padlocked gates.  This one didn’t have a padlock, but there was a gate which appeared to have not been opened since the medieval times.  On the gate was a sign which read ‘Sanctuary’ which appeared to have been there in time immeorial.  So I jumped the fence to gain access to park.  Be careful of the electric fence!

My first contact in the park was with Nigel VK5NIG who I tracked down after setting up.  Nigel was still on Mount Gawler and was calling CQ on 7.105.  Nigel was a good 5/9 and I’m pleased he was.  I was very saddened to find that I had an S9 noise floor on 40m when I turned on the radio.  I’m suspecting that this was a combination of the electric fence and the power lines which run through the paddock.

After speaking with Nigel I headed down to 7.095 and called CQ and this was answered by a number of the park regulars including John VK5BJE, followed by Les VK5KLV, Tony VK5FTVR and Mick VK3PMG.  Fortunately all of their signals were above the noise floor.  I went on to work a total of 34 stations on 40m in VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, and VK7.  That included a number of QRP stations including Greg VK5GJ running 5 watts (5/9 both ways), and Peter VK3PF also running just 5 watts (5/7 sent and 5/9 received).

I also worked a few mobile stations which included Rod VK5KFB mobile in the South East, Eugene VK5ZA mobile at Burra in the Mid North, and Dave VK2BDR.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

When things slowed down on 40m I headed up to 20m.  I called CQ on 14.310 and this was answered by Adam VK2YK who was operating portable in the Hunter Wetlands National Park, VKFF-595 (5/9 both ways).  A nice little bonus.

I would have stayed around a bit longer on 20m, but the rain had hit again, and once again it was a hasty retreat from this park.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5NIG/p (SOTA Mt Gawler VK5/ SE-013)
  2. VK5BJE
  3. VK5KLV
  4. VK5FTVR
  5. VK3PMG
  6. VK5ZGY
  7. VK5NQP
  8. VK3FQSO
  9. VK3OHM
  10. VK5ZAR
  11. VK5GJ
  12. VK3OF
  13. VK3BHR
  14. VK5KFB/m
  15. VK3UP
  16. VK1AT/3
  17. VK5IS
  18. VK2VEX
  19. VK5ZA/m
  20. VK3PF
  21. VK2BDR/m
  22. VK2NP
  23. VK7RM
  24. VK5VGC
  25. VK5BW
  26. VK3NBL
  27. VK3BWZ
  28. VK5FUZZ
  29. VK4CPS
  30. VK5FADS
  31. VK5FO/p
  32. VK3PRF
  33. VK3TKK
  34. VK7MK

The following station was worked on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2YK (Hunter Wetlands National Park VKFF-595)

 

References.

Wikipedia, 2015, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucindale,_South_Australia&gt; viewed 11th June 2015

 

Fairview Conservation Park

My first planned park activation for Friday morning (5th June 2015) was the Fairview Conservation Park (CP).  This was to be a unique VK5 Park for me for the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award.  Fairview was the first of 5 planned park activations for the day.  It was an early start from the motel.  I was on the road by 7.00 a.m.

Fairview CP is situated about 17 km north of Lucindale and about 345 km south east of Adelaide.  The park was constituted in 1960 and covers an area of around 1,398 hectares (3,440 acres) so it is quite a large park.  The park contains two semi permanent lagoons which I did not visit.  But I would like to get back to this park and explore it in my 4WD.  According to the park Management Plan there is a picnic area situated between the lagoons which can be reached by a track leading from the north west corner of the park.  But due to the date of this publication, I’m not sure if that still exists.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 18.32.55

Above:- Map showing the location of the park.  Image courtesy of mapcarta.com

The park also has extensive areas of seasonally inundated flats, sandy flats and ridges, and limestone ridges.  The park contains large gums, Stringy Barks, various native grasses, and Banksias.  Other than the native wildlife, deer can also be found in the park.  The rare Red Tailed Black Cockatoo can be found in the park.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 18.48.27

Above: Map from the Management Plan showing the track leading to the picnic area.  Map courtesy of Dept Env Natural Resources (now DEWNR)

I travelled north west out of Mount Gambier along the Riddoch Highway and passed through Naracoorte.  About 5 km out of Naracoorte is Lochaber Lane.  There is a sign here for the park.  I turned left here and continued west on Lochaber Lane for a number of kms, until I reached Woolumbool Road.  A few km up Woolumbool Road, you will see the park on your right on the eastern side of the road.

I found an open gate off Woolumbool Road and pulled into the park.  It was quite a bleak and cold morning, so I hurriedly set up my fold up table, deck chair, and antenna, in the hope to beat any rain.  For this activation I ran my normal portable set up which consists of a Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts and a 40m/20m linked dipole supported on a 7 metre squid pole.

Screenshot 2015-06-11 18.32.43

Above: Map showing my operating location in the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I found that there was a strong Asian station on 7.095 so I headed down a little lower to 7.090 and started calling CQ.  My first taker of the morning was Amanda VK3FQSO and this was followed by Peter VK3TKK who was mobile, then Mark VK7MK, and then Les VK5KLD.  Signals were excellent from all four stations.

I worked a total of 11 stations, until a VK5 planted himself on 7.088 and started calling CQ.  My last contact there was with Gerard VK2IO who was mobile.  So due to the QRM I QSYd up to 7.095 and was followed up by Scott VK7NWT.  I worked a total of 13 stations here before the UTC rollover at 9.30 a.m.  This included a contact with Al VK7AN who was on Flinders Island OC-195 in the Strzelecki National Park, VKFF-469.  A new park for me.  And man, was Al’s signal strong.

I also spoke with Ori who was kind enough to send me some photos via email (see below).

In turn I sent off Ori one of my unique QSL cards for this activation at Fairview (see below).

VK3NRG Fairview Conservation Park

My first taker after the UTC rollover was Mr. Reliable, John VK5BJE in the Adelaide Hills with a very nice 5/9 signal.  And this was followed by another park devotee, Les VK5KLV in Port Augusta.  Les always has a 5/9 plus signal.  My next contact was with Bryce VK3NBI.  I was his first ever contact on 40m (5/9 both ways).

Just one QSO later I spoke with Rod VK5KFB who was mobile at nearby Willalooka, on his way down to Mount Gambier for the South East Radio Group Convention.  I also worked Dave VK2BDR (Dodgey Bodgey Radio) who was also mobile (5/8 sent and 5/7 received).  My last contact on 40m was with Cliff VK2NP.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

So after working a total of 35 stations on 40m, I lowered the squid pole and removed the links in the antenna and headed off to 20m.  I went to my normal calling frequency of 14.310 and asked if the frequency was in use, and this was answered by Dave VK4DD who told me that he had just started calling CQ from SOTA summit Springbrook Mountain VK4/ SE-011 in the Springbrook National Park VKFF-463.  Now that was very fortuitous to stumble across Dave.

After working Dave I headed down to 14.305 and put out half a dozen CQ calls but had no takers.  Unfortunately I had no mobile phone coverage in the park so I was not able to spot myself on parksnpeaks.  And anyway, it had started to drizzle with rain.  So I hastily packed up the gear and hit the road for my next park, Vivigani Ardune Conservation Park.

I would like to thank Greg VK5ZGY mobile who I worked during this activation, and gave me some good directions on how to get to Vivigani Ardune.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3FQSO
  2. VK3TKK/m
  3. VK7MK
  4. VK5KLD
  5. VK5FMID
  6. VK3PF
  7. VK3FMLMR/m
  8. VK5FTVR
  9. VK3JW
  10. VK3TJK
  11. VK2IO/m
  12. VK7NWT
  13. VK5FAJH
  14. VK1AT/3
  15. VK3PRF/m
  16. VK5NIG
  17. VK5HEL
  18. VK5JK
  19. VK3NRG
  20. VK7FLI
  21. VK7AN
  22. VK3DBP
  23. VK5ZGY/m
  24. VK1MCK
  25. VK5BJE
  26. VK5KLV
  27. VK3NBI
  28. VK3FACE
  29. VK5KFB/m
  30. VK2SK
  31. VK3OF
  32. VK5FANG
  33. VK2BDR/m
  34. VK2HHA
  35. VK2NP

The following station was worked on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4DD/p (SOTA VK4/ SE-011 and VKFF-463)

 

References.

Natural Resources Group, Deaprtment of Environment and Natural Resources, 1994, Small Inland Parks of the South East Management Plan

Naracoorte Caves National Park, VKFF-380

After leaving Christmas Rocks I was hoping to activate Talapar Conservation Park.  However, the GPS led me on a wild goose chase and despite my best efforts I could not get into the park.  This included following an 8km section of very sandy and boggy track which showed on the GPS leading straight into the park.  But by the time I got to the end there was a locked gate and I was still 2 km short.

I was starting to get very frustrated and tired, so I took an easy option and headed back into nearby Naracoorte and activated the Naracoorte Caves National Park, VKFF-380.  This was not a new park for me (I had been there before in June, 2014 – see below), but I knew that it was an easy park to access and there was shelter there from the never ending rain.

https://vk5pas.org/2014/06/12/narracoorte-caves-national-park/

The Naracoorte Caves National Park is about 351 km by road, south east of Adelaide.

Screenshot 2015-06-10 14.46.54

Above: Map showing the location of the park.  Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Naracoorte Caves National Park is Australia’s only World Heritage site, officially recognise in 1994 due to its importance to the fossils located there.  There are 28 known caves in the park.  Four are open to the public.  The park preserves Australia’s most complete fossil record for the past 500,000 years.  For more detailed information, please see my previous post on this park, or have a look at the following site…..

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/naracoorte/Home

I set up in a BBQ shelter shed on the edge of the oval, which is adjacent to the main carpark.  It afforded me plenty of shelter from the rain which constantly came down.  You know it is wet and cold when the kangaroos are sheltering underneath trees on the oval, which they were.  For this activation I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts and my 40m/20m linked dipole supported on a 7 metre squid pole.

I started off on 40m and called CQ on 7.095.  First taker again was Tony VK5FTVR, followed by Larry VK5LY, Les VK5KLD and Col VK5HCF.  All with great signals from all around South Australia.  Getting wet and cold was made up for by the large number of callers who gave me a shout.  Adrian VK5FANA called in again, running his 5 watts as per usual, with a very nice signal.  I was also called by Lou VK5EEE who was formerly G4OJW in the UK.  I was just Lou’s third QSO with his new VK call.  Welcome to Australia Lou.

A number of other hams running QRP also called in, including Norm VK5GI and Greg VK5GJ, both running just 4 watts (5/7 sent and 5/9 received).  And also Adrian VK5AW running 5 watts from the Riverland (5/9 both ways).  Quite a few mobiles also called in, including Ian VK3TCX mobile north of Bairnsdale, Gerard VK2IO, Peter VK3TKK, Wayne VK2PDW, and Peter VK3PF.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Sadly, at about 0540 UTC (3.10 p.m. local time), two stations from VK5 & a VK2 (I know their call signs, but will not mention them here) came up on adjacent 7.093.  They are regular participants in the Kandos Net which commences at 0600 UTC on 7.093.  I was aware that the net was to start at the time and had indicated that I was going to go QRT prior to the net commencing.  However, that did not stop those individuals from firing up on 7.093, just 2 kc below me, where I had been for about one hour.  Clearly they knew I was there, and others were calling/working me.  It was impossible to continue to 7.095 due to the bleed over.

I normally bite my tongue.  But one of these individuals had previously communicated to me that park & SOTA activators should stay away from 7.093 as it was ‘their net frequency’.  On that occasion, after informing this individual that no-one ‘owned’ a frequency, it appears that it has fallen on deaf ears.  So I came up on 7.093 to calmly voice my disapproval of their poor behaviour.  One of the VK5’s sheepishly apologised, but the VK2 station accused me of getting ‘a bit upset over nothing’.  

But out of everything bad, comes something good.  There are some excellent and professional operators around.  And here are two of those.  On the record I would like to thank both Tom VK2KF and Tom VK4ATH (net controllers for the Kandos Group), who had personally heard what had occurred and were very quick to apologise, both via e-mail and on air for the behaviour of a small few.  Not that they should have to apologise for others.  But they did.  Thanks to both Toms.  The Kandos Net is a terrific net which has been running for a very long period of time and should in no way be tarnished by the behaviour of a very select few.

And also thankyou to the two hams who followed me down to 7.093 and also supported me and voice their disaproval.

I then headed up to 14.2498 and started calling CQ.  This was answered immediately by Ray KB6LQV in California in the USA with a nice 5/9 signal.  John VK5BJE was kind enough to spot me on the DX Cluster and this resulted in the European park hunters finding me.  It wasn’t long before the regulars were giving me a shout.  On 20m I worked into the USA, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Israel and VK.  I went on to work 24 stations on 14.248 until things slowed down.

So I tuned across the band and found Tony G7OEM who was pedestrian mobile, calling CQ on 14.197.  Tony had quite a pile up, but I eventually made it (5/5 both ways).

After 2 hours in the park I had a total of 63 contacts in the log.  It was time to head off to Mount Gambier.  It was now 4.10 p.m. and I still had a 100 km drive ahead of me.

Thankyou to those that spotted me on parksnpeaks and thanks to I5FLN, F4HMR, VK2SOL, and IZ1JLG for spotting me on the DX Cluster.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

  1. Tony VK5FTVR
  2. Larry VK5LY
  3. Les VK5KLD
  4. Col VK5HCF
  5. Les VK5KLV
  6. John VK5BJE
  7. Jeff VK5JK
  8. Adrian VK5FANA
  9. Terry VK3UP
  10. Tim VK3TJK
  11. David Vk5KC
  12. Jim VK1AT/3
  13. Erik VK7EK
  14. Lou VK5EEE
  15. Rob VK4AAC/5
  16. Micj VK3PMG
  17. Cliff VK2NP
  18. Grant Vk5VGC
  19. Ian VK5IS
  20. Ian VK3TCX/m
  21. Mark Vk7MK
  22. Allen VK5FD
  23. Paul VK3DBP
  24. Bruce VK2FBJM
  25. Gerard VK2IO/m
  26. Norm VK5GI
  27. Greg VK5GJ
  28. Peter VK5PET
  29. Brian VK5FMID
  30. Ivan VK5HS
  31. Adrian VK5AW
  32. Phil VK3BHR
  33. Peter VK3TKK/m
  34. Wayne VK2PDW/m
  35. David VK3FDAV
  36. Peter VK3PF/m
  37. Robin VK5TN
  38. Tony VK7LTD

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

  1. KB6LQV
  2. ON4BB
  3. I5FLN
  4. DL2ND
  5. F1BLL
  6. HA6OB
  7. DK9HN
  8. SP6KEP
  9. EA4DTV
  10. WB4JSB
  11. F4HMR
  12. EA1LQ
  13. VK4NAI
  14. DL4PT
  15. IW2NXI
  16. 4X4JU
  17. IK1GPG
  18. DK8PY
  19. VK2SOL
  20. VK2NRB
  21. ON4STA
  22. HA0LG
  23. IZ1JLG
  24. ON5SWA
  25. G7OEM pedestrian mobile