Coorong National Park, VKFF-115

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On Sunday, 23rd November, 2014, with my wife Marija, I headed down to the Coorong National Park, VKFF-115.  It was a beautiful warm day, and we had just bought ourselves a new Toyota Hi Lux, so it was a a couple of great reasons to go for a drive.

Screenshot 2014-12-04 18.18.23

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I have activated the Coorong National Park a number of times previously.  This is a spectacular part of South Australia which stretched for more than 130 km and protects a string of salt water lagoons which are sheltered from the Southern Ocean by the sweeping sand dunes of the Younghusband Peninsula.  The Coorong is a wetland of international signficance. For more information on the Coorong National Park, please have a look at…..

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Limestone_Coast/Coorong_National_Park

Rather than travelling along the South Eastern Freeway and the Dukes Highway, we headed out along the Wellington Road from home, and down through the beautiful wine growing region of Langhorne Creek, and then on to the little town of Wellington on the River Murray.  There, we put the 4WD onto the ferry and travelled over the Murray and then on to Meningie on the banks of Lake Albert.  From Meningie we continued south east along the Princes Highway.

Initially, we drove along 400 Mile Road and down to the Coorong.  However, as it was a warm day and there was no immediate shade at that location, we decided to turn around and head for Parnka Point, where I have operated from a number of times before.  I knew that there were shelters at Parnka Point, where I could set up out of the sun.

Screenshot 2014-12-04 18.18.55

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

My first contact was with Rod VK5VRB at Meadows in the Adelaide Hills with a very strong 5/9 signal.  This was followed by SOTA guru (and recently converted parks hunter) Andrew VK1NAM, Hans VK5YX running 5 watts from his home brew MFJ transceiver, and Ian VK3AXH.  I went on to work a number of stations in VK3 & VK5.

After working a total of 15 stations on 40m, I ventured over to 20m, where I put out a number of CQ calls on the nominated World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) frequency of 14.244, but had no takers.  It was still only 3.00 p.m. and a little too early for the 20m band to be open long path to Europe.  A quick tune around the 20m band confirmed this, with very little activity heard.  I did hear Anatoly RZ3ZM calling CQ on 14.228 and gave him a call and received a 5/5 signal report from Russia with my 40 watts.

I then went up to 14.310 and asked if the frequency was in use, and was advised by  Adam VK2YK that Bob VK5FO was on the frequency on a SOTA summit.  I could not hear a peep out of Bob, despite the fact that he was just 150 km away.  So I went down to 14.305 and was soon called by Adam VK2YK with a very strong 5/9 signal.  This was followed by VK7EB/p.  I started calling CQ again, but sadly some stations came up on 14.303 speaking German, and that was the end of that.  I was forced to QSY due to the bleedover.  So I tuned across the band and found John EA7BA in QSO with some of my mates including Brian ZL2ASH.  I gave John a call in Almeria in Spain and he gave me a 5/9 signal report.  Brian ZL2ASH in Wellington gave me a 5/6 signal report and Tony F5VBY gave me a 5/8 signal report from France.

I then tuned across the band and found 14.252 clear so I called CQ and this was responded to my Allan VK6APP.  Allan was struggling with me and I was certainly struggling with Allan.  Sadly his modulation was very distorted, and it was a difficult QSO.  A number of subsequent CQ calls went unanswered.

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I then worked a special event call YO555BU.  I then went to 14.252 and called CQ again, and this time I had a steady flow of callers from Europe.  My first contact was with Max IK1GPG, followed by Zenek SP5INQ, and then UA9LT.  I went on to work a total of 15 stations from Europe, but the Yaesu FT-450 kept cutting out as the 44 amp hour power pack was getting low.  I am sorry to the European stations that were still calling when I went QRT.

After a total time of 2 hours in the park, I had 38 contacts in the log.  We packed up the gear and headed for us.  This time taking the Princes Highway to Tailem Bend and then back along the South Eastern Freeway.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

  1. Rod VK5VRB
  2. Andrew VK1NAM
  3. Hans VK5YX
  4. Ian VK3AXH
  5. David VK5NQP
  6. Tony VK3CAT
  7. Nigel VK5NIG
  8. Brian VK5FMID
  9. Peter  VK3ZPF
  10. Bill VK5MBD
  11. Ian VK5CZ
  12. David VK5KC
  13. Ian VK3VIN
  14. Tom VK5EE
  15. Keith VK5ND

The following stations were worked on 20m SSB:-

  1. Anatoly RZ3ZM
  2. Adam VK2YK
  3. K7EB/p
  4. John EA7BA
  5. Brian ZL2ASH
  6. Tony F5VBY
  7. Allan VK6APP
  8. YO5SBU
  9. Max IK1GPG
  10. SP5INQ
  11. UA9LT
  12. Luciano I5FLN
  13. Marnix OP7M
  14. DF1YQ
  15. I5JFG
  16. G0KIK
  17. RA3PCI
  18. HA6OB
  19. IZ2IHO
  20. DL1EKO
  21. UR7ET
  22. UT5PI

Little Desert National Park, VKFF-291

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My final activation for Monday 17th November, 2014, and my final activation for the four days away, was the Little Desert National Park, VKFF-291, which is located about 375 km north west of Melbourne, in western Victoria.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 17.53.34

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I activated the Little Desert National Park in September, 2013.  For more information on that activation, and details on the park, please have a look at my previous post…..

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/little-desert-national-park-victoria/

This is a vast park, covering an area of about.  The park has slowly evolved and grown in size over the years.  The Kiata Lowan Sanctuary, consisting of 217 hectares, was created in 1955 and was set aside for the preservation of the Malleefowl.  The Malleefowl is an endangered bird, and is also known as the Lowan.

Leipoa_ocellata_-Ongerup,_Western_Australia,_Australia-8

 

image courtesy of wikipedia.org

For more information on the Mallee Fowl, have a look at the following wikipedia article…..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malleefowl

The park was increased in size in 1968 to 945 hectares and was declared as the Little Desert National Park.  It was also at this time that the Government ammounced that about 80,000 hectares of desert in the area would be sub divided and cleared for agriculture.  Great debate commenced and it was argued that in the long term the land would be more valuable in its natural state.  As a result the sub division plan was abandoned, and in December 1969, the park was increased to 35,300 hectares.  And then in 1986, the Land Conservation Council which had been created by the Government to advise on the use of public land, recommended an increase in size of the park.  The Central and Western Blocks were created and added to the existing Eastern Block.  This increased the park in size to 132,000 hectares.  In May 1988, the park was declared as a National Park, and it now extends all the way from the Wimmera River in the east, to the South Australian border.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 19.47.51

map courtesy of parkweb.vic.gov.au

I headed out to the park from Dimboola via Wimmera Street and then Horse Shoe Bend Road.  I set up in the same vicinity as last year, which was near a spot in the Wimmera River called Horseshoe Bend.  There is a campground here with wooden benches and seats, and it is beautifully shaded with large River Red gum trees.  It is a very pretty spot close to the Wimmera River on the eastern boundary of the park.  It is a much prettier and cooler option than some of the more remote and baron parts of the park.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 19.50.07

 

map courtesy of parkweb.vic.gov.au

The Little Desert National Park contains more than 670 species of native plants.  Over 220 bird species have been recorded in the park.  A variety of native animals are also found in the park including Brush-tailed Possums, kangaroos, bats, and many different kinds of reptiles including Stumpy-tailed lizards and Bearded Dragons.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 17.53.07map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I was set up and ready to go by 4.07 p.m. Victorian time.  I started calling CQ on 7.095 on 40m.  My first contact was with Larry VK5LY who was running QRP, but still had a terrific 5/9 signal.  This was followed by Brian VK5FMID who was also 5/9 from Mount Gambier, and then Fred VK3DAC who was 5/9.  Mick VK3FAFK was next with a nice 5/9 signal from nearby Stawell.  Mick is recently licenced and was one of my regular callers over the 4 days of park and SOTA activations.  After working 8 stations from VK2, VK3, & VK5, on 7.095, I was forced to QSY up to 7.097 as the Kandos Net came up on 7.093 and I was getting a lot of ‘bleedover’.

After I QSYd to 7.097 I worked a further 15 stations in VK3 & VK5.  This included Marco VK2YES who was portable in the Olney State Forest near Lake Macquarie, and Norm VK5GI who was running QRP 5 watts on his home brew transceiver from Willunga south of Adelaide.

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After working a total of 23 stations on 40m, I headed over to 20m, where I worked a total of 9 stations in New Zealand, VK2, Russia, and VK6.  I started calling CQ on 14.244 and my CQ was responded to by Don ZL1AQ and then Noel ZL1DAI.  Mike VK2ABT then called in, and this was followed by Sergey RA3PCI, Jeff VK3HJA, Jason Vk6YTS, and Paul VK2DNL.  I put out a few more CQ calls but there were no takers, so I tuned around the 20m band and found T32TV working weak Europeans.  I also heard 4X6TT on 14.200 but he was just a little too weak to try to work.  I then worked Franc (ZL1SLO) operating as ZL1PPY, a special event call commemorating the centenary of the First World War 1914-1918.

So after about 1 hour 15 minutes in the park, I had a total of 32 QSOs in the log.  That combined with the 10 QSOs from my activation in September, 2013, saw me fall just 2 QSOs short of the required 44 QSO’s for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) global awards.  Oh well, I will have to revist the park at some stage.

The following stations were worked:-

  1. Larry VK5LY
  2. Brian VK5FMID
  3. Fred VK3DAC
  4. Mick VK3FAFK
  5. Tom VK5EE
  6. Nev VK5WG
  7. Kieran VK2QK
  8. Tim VK5AV
  9. Marco VK2YES/p
  10. Bernard VK3AV
  11. Greg VK5GJ
  12. Robin VK5TN
  13. John VK5FMJC
  14. Brett VK3FLCS
  15. Allen VK5FD
  16. Daniel VK5DF
  17. Ian VK5CZ
  18. Norm VK5GI/qrp
  19. Ewen VK3OW
  20. Colin VK3NGC/m
  21. Rob VK3FKL
  22. Ron VK3JP
  23. Allen VK3HRA
  24. Don ZL1AQ
  25. Noel ZL1DAI
  26. Mike VK2ABT
  27. Sergey RA3PCI
  28. Jeff VK3HJA
  29. Jason VK6YTS
  30. Paul VK2DNL
  31. Franc ZL1PPY
  32. Franc ZL1SLO

After getting mobile I worked Rick VK3EQ who was portable on SOTA peak, Mount Beenak, VK3/ VC-016 (5/5 sent and 5/8 received).

Below is a video of the activation…..

 

References.

Parks Victoria, June 2014, ‘Little Desert National Park Visitor Guide’.

Wikipedia.org, 2014, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Desert_National_Park&gt;, viewed 1st December 2014

Grampians National Park, VKFF-213

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My second to last activation for Monday 17th November, 2014 was the Grampians National Park, VKFF-213, which is located about 260 km north west of Melbourne.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 17.56.26

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I have really fond memories of the Grampians, as many of my Dad’s relatives live/d in the Wimmera region, particularly Horsham, not far from the park.  As a young boy we would often visit my Uncles and Aunties, and my Nana & Papa who lived at Horsham.  My Nana would regularly take us for a drive out to the Grampians, where my little sister and I would feed the kangaroos at Zumsteins.

The Grampians is a vast park, and is 167,219 hectares in size, and was proclaimed as a National Park on the 1st July 1984.  The park was listed on the Australian National Heritage List in 2006, for its outstanding natural beauty and being one of the richest indeigeneous rock art sites in south-eastern Australia.  The Grampians is referred to as Gariwerd in the local aboriginal language.  In 1991, after a 2 year consultation process, the park was renamed Grampians Gariwerd National Park.  However, this controversial formality was reversed after a change of State Government in 1992.

I entered the park via a dirt track which ran off the eastern side of the Henty Highway, near Tea Tree Creek.  I drove down the track for about 500 metres and set up my gear just off the track.  I again used the Yaesu FT-450, 40 watts, and the 40m/20m linked dipole for this activation.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 17.56.18

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I had reached the and park and set up 6 minutes ahead of my scheduled time.  So I was on track to get home at a respectable hour.  I started calling CQ on my nominated frequency of 7.095.  My first contact was with Mr. Reliable John VK5BJE at 1.04 p.m. Victorian time.  John’s signal was down a little from normal.  He was just a 5/5 and I received a 5/1 signal report from John.  However, we both had very low, if not non-existant noise floors at our respective locations, so we were able to receive each other without any problems.  This was followed by John VK2AWJ/3 who was portable in the Burrowa Pine Mountain National Park.  John had been very active over the 4 days, operating portable from a number of Victorian parks.  Congratulations John.  My third contact was with Peter VK3RV and soon after his partner Jenny VK3WQ.  Peter and Jenny had been chasing me over the 4 days during my activations.  Thanks Peter and Jenny.

During this activation, I had a steady flow of callers from VK2, VK3 & VK5, with some very good signals.  Many were regular park hunters, but there were some new callers in there as well, which is always pleasing.  Daniel VK5DF had become a regular caller.  Daniel is from the South Coast Radio Club, where I recently gave a talk on the VK5 Parks Award.  So perhaps my encouragement had rubbed off on Daniel.

Unfortunately, I was pushed off the frequency by a couple of VK2 stations speaking Italian.  This was despite the fact that I had been on the frequency for one hour.  I was in the middle of a QSO with Tony VK5ZAI, when these 2 fellas came up and just took over the frequency without asking if it was in use.  I often hear these same two gentlemen, on or around this frequency, so obviously they believe they ‘own it’.  Perhaps they could not hear me, but surely they could hear the other stations working me.  Probably, but I think they just didn’t care.

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So after an abrupt end, I had a total of 32 contacts in the log.  This was enough to combine with my previous activation of The Grampians, to surpass the 44 required QSOs for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

The following stations were worked:-

  1. John VK5BJE
  2. John VK2AWJ/3
  3. Peter VK3RV
  4. Fred VK3DAC
  5. David VK5LSB
  6. Tim VK3TJC
  7. Jenny VK3WQ
  8. Tom VK5EE
  9. Daniel VK5DF
  10. John VK5DJ
  11. Tim VK5AV
  12. Stan VK3BNJ
  13. Andrew VK3FABE
  14. Larry VK5LY
  15. Colin VK5DK
  16. Tom VK2KF
  17. Nev VK5WG
  18. Lesley VK5LOL
  19. Tony VK3CAB
  20. Barry VK3MBW
  21. Hans VK5YX
  22. Brian VK5FMID
  23. Greg VK2MTC
  24. Ray VK3NBL
  25. Brett VK3FLCS
  26. Greg VK5GJ
  27. Ron VK3JP
  28. John VK5FMJC
  29. Frank VK3FARO
  30. Mick VK3FAFK
  31. Kevin VK3VEK
  32. Tony VK5ZAI

Below is a video of the activation…..

 

References.

Wikipedia, 2014, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grampians_National_Park&gt;, viewed 1st December 2014

Mount Dundas, VK3/ VS-045

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Mount Dundas, VK3/ VS-045 was my second activation for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program for Monday 17th November, 2014.  Mount Dundas is located about 309 km west of Melbourne, and about 16 km north west of the little town of Cavendish.

Screenshot 2014-10-10 10.14.04

Image courtesy of mapcarta.com

Mount Dundas is 459 metres above sea level, and is worth just 1 SOTA point.  It is an easy summit to access, with a dirt road, leading all the way to the top where there is a large array of telecommunications equipment, including a digital TV broadcast site.  According to SOTAWatch I am the only operator to have activated this summit, which I’m a little surprised by considering the easy access.

Screenshot 2014-10-10 10.14.13

Image courtesy of mapcarta.com

Access to the summit is via Dundas Gap Road, which runs off the Natimuk to Hamilton Road, just out of Cavendish.  There is a dirt road leading to the summit which is suitable for 2wd vehicles.  I parked the car a little down the dirt road, and walked a few hundred metres to the top of the summit, so that my final access into the activation zone was by non motorised means.  I set up on the eastern side of the telecommunication equipment, and was pleasantly surprised when I turned the radio on to find that there was not a lot of interference from the conglomerate of antennas at the site.  There really aren’t too many other options here, as the terrain drops away quite dramatically from the summit peak on all sides, and the surrounding scrub is very thick.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 18.21.59

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

As I left my car I heard Rob VK2QR operating from a summit, so I quickly set up my gear and gave Rob a call on 7.090.  Rob was a good 5/8 signal and was sitting on the top of VK3/ VE-023, a 10 pointer in north eastern Victoria.  I received a 5/8 signal report back from Rob.  It appeared that the 40m band had improved since my activation at Mount Rouse.  Amen to that!

Rob kindly gave me the frequency following our QSO, and it wasn’t long before I had a good flow of callers from VK2, VK3, & VK5.  My second contact was with Peter VK3PF, followed by Bernard VK2IO, and my fourth qualifying contact was with Bernard VK3AV.  It was certainly not as hard going as Mount Rouse, which was great.  Although there was still a bit of QSB on the signals.

A few contacts later, I was called by John VK2AWJ/3 who was portable in the Burrowa Pine Mountain National Park, VKFF-069.  John was a good 5/4 and I received a 5/5 signal report from John.  This was followed by a contact with Rick VK3EQ, who was on top of McCarthy Spur, VK3/ VT-039, a 6 pointer.  Although Rick’s signal was very weak (5/1), I was able to copy him without any difficulty.

I went on to work a further 14 stations on 40m.   I didn’t try 20m as promised, as the weather was less than ideal, and I still had two planned park activations, and a big trip ahead of me to get back home to the Adelaide Hills.  So I am sorry to any of the VK6’s.

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After 35 minutes on the summit, I had a total of 26 contacts in the log, including two Summit to Summit (S2S) contacts and one Victorian National Park contact.

The following stations were worked:-

Screenshot 2014-11-27 20.31.17

Below is a video of the activation…..

After getting mobile from the summit, I worked Rob VK2QR/2, who was portable on Mount Murray, VK3/ VE-025.  I was just about to enter the little town of Cavendish when I spoke with Rob, who was a good 5/7 into the mobile (5/7 received from Rob).

Mount Rouse, VK3/ VS-048

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My first activation for Monday 17th November, 2014, was Mount Rouse, VK3/ VS-048, which is located near the town of Penshurst, about 275 km west of Melbourne, and about 30 km south east of Hamilton, in western Victoria.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 16.59.53

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

There are some activations, when you just wished that you had stayed in bed.  This was one of those activations!  Other than the weather being less than ideal (it was wet and windy), the 40m band was in very poor condition.  I managed just 7 contacts from this summit.  But out of everything bad, comes something good.  To my surprise, I was called by a station in the Azores on 20m, who was 5/9 and gave me a 5/7 signal report.  And yet I wasn’t even able to make contact with a single VK3 on 40 metres.  I guess that is one of those interested aspects of this great hobby of amateur radio.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 16.59.04

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I had activated Mount Rouse once before.  That was back in September, 2013.  For more information on that activation and information on the summit, including its history, please have a look at my previous post……

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/mount-rouse-vk3-vs-048/

Screenshot 2014-12-01 16.59.22

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

This is a very easy summit to access, with a road leading all the way to the top of the summit through the Mount Rouse Reserve.  A set of steps takes you up to the trig point.  Although only a little one pointer, this is a great little summit, with a bench awaiting you once you reach the trig point, and fantastic views of the surrounding countryside, and the little town of Penshurst below the summit.

On the subject of Penshurst, please take the time to have a look around this little town.  It is full of history and as some very historic buildings.  There is also the Volcano Visitor Centre which is well worth a visit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penshurst,_Victoria

http://www.volcanoesdiscoverycentre.com.au/Volcanoes%20Discovery/home/index.html

As mentioned, the 40m band was in very poor shape.  There was absolutely no propagation locally around VK3.  I managed to squeeze 5 contacts into the log on 40m with Nev VK5WG who was my first taker, Larry VK5LY, Mark VK7MK, John VK5FMJC, and finally Allen VK5FD portable at Port Victoria.  I did hear Peter VK3FPSR trying to call, but Peter was so weak, that it was impossible to make the contact.

So after 10 very frustrating minutes on 40m, I lowered the squid pole and removed the links in the linked dipole, for operation on the 20m band.  My first contact there was with Mike VK6MB who was a good 5/7 (5/7 signal report received in exchange).  And I then received a call from Joan, CU3AA, in the Azores Islands, in the North Atlantic Ocean, to the west of Portugal and the west African coast.  Joan was an excellent 5/9 signal and he gave me a 5/7.  But that was the end of that.  I had no more callers on 20m.

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As the weather was lousy, and the band was lousy, I decided to head down and head off to my next summit, Mount Dundas near Cavendish.  I had the very low number of 7 contacts in the log.  One of my worst SOTA activations as far as callers is concerned.

The following stations were worked:-

Screenshot 2014-11-27 20.15.22

Mount Richmond National Park, VKFF-361

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Following my activation of Mount Eccles National Park, I headed off for my final activation for Sunday 16th November, 2014.  That being the Mount Richmond National Park, VKFF-361, which is located about 380 km west of Melbourne, and about 22 km north west of Portland, in western Victoria.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 16.08.10

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Mount Richmond is known to the local Gundidjmara aboriginal people as Benwerrin, meaning ‘Long Hill’.  Benwerrin provided a rich variety of foods for the aboriginal people, both in the bush and along the nearby coast.  The large trees with dark grey, hard and fissured bark with dense dar green foilage are Blackwood Wattles.  The tree’s strong wiid was good for making hunting boomerangs, and the sticky sap forms useful glue for hand tools.

Mount Richmond was named after Richard Henty, who was one of the first European children born in the Portland area.  The park itself was established in 1960, as a result of the dedication of local naturalists such as Noel Learmonth and Cliff Beauglehole.

About 450 species of plants have been recorded in the park, including 50 orchid species.  Other plants include Correas, heaths, wattles, and Bush Peas.

The park is home to a large variety of bird life including Emus, Crimson Rosellas, Gang-gang cockatoos, honeyeaters, thornbills, Silvereyes, robins, finches, tree-creepers, and Currawongs.  The park is also an important habitat fr the uncommon Long-nosed Potoroo, which is a small member of the kangaroo family.  The Potoroo is rarely seen and is generally only active during the night.  Other native animals that call the park home are Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Koalas, and Red-necked wallabies.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 16.07.58 map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I entered the northern portion of the park via Mount Richmond Road.  I found a nice picnic and camping area which had a wooden table and benches.  It looked a great place to operate from.  It isn’t very often that I get the table and chairs provided, so I decided to enjoy the luxuries whilst they were presented.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 16.36.09

Image courtesy of parkweb.vic.gov.au

I found 7.095 to be clear and I put out a CQ call and was immediately greeted by Kevin VK3KAB and Glenn VK3YY who were portable on Mount Terrible Spur, VK3/ VE-134.  Their signals were 5/7 with their QRP operation of 5 watts.  You can read about their activation on Glenn’s WordPress site at…..

https://vk3yy.wordpress.com/tag/ve-134/

This was followed by Terry VK3UP and then Mike VK3XL, who both had 5/9 plus signals.  A steady flow of callers followed from VK1, VK3, VK5, & VK7.  A few QRP operators called in, including Mark VK3ASC operating with 5 watts, Mark VK1EM, and Daniel VK5DF running 5 watts.  And I also spoke to a few mobile operators including Peter VK3PF on the highway approaching Rosedale, and Allen VK3HRA mobile in the Morwell National Park.

The strongest station worked from Mount Richmond, was Peter VK5NAQ who had a thumping 30/9 signal into Mount Richmond.  What a signal.

I remained on 7.095 and continued to work the callers.  I was working Johnno VK3FMPB when the heavens opened up, and it started to rain, quite heavy.  So I had to grab the radio and run.  Sorry Johnno.  I wasn’t going to get wet, and certainly didn’t want the radio getting wet.  So it was back to the car for a short time until the rain disappeared.

I then returned to the picnic table with my bothy bag and huddled under that, as the occasional shower still came through.  My first contact after returning was Richard VK5ZRY on the Yorke Peninsula.  I worked a further 10 stations after the rain, including Rob VK2QR/3 who was portable on SOTA summit, The Knocker, VK3/ VG-016, with a beautiful 5/9 signal.  And also some more QRP stations, including Craig VK3JK on 5 watts, Colin VK3NCC on 5 watts, and Daniel VK5DF on 5 watts (using a different antenna this time).  I was hearing a few European stations coming through on the frequency at this time.

After working 39 stations on 40m ssb, I lowered the squid pole and removed the links, and headed off to 20m, where I put out a number of CQ calls on 14.244, until I was answered by Albert S58AL.  Unfortunately it wasn’t long, until a European station came up right alongside of me, which made things incredibly difficult.  I managed to work a further 4 stations in Hawaii, Slovenia, Italy, and England, until I was forced to QSY as the bleed over was just unbearable.

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I found 14.253 free and put out a CQ call, which was answered by my good buddy, Marnix OP7M.  A steady flow of callers from Europe followed this.  I worked a further 18 stations from Italy, Germany, Poland, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, and France.  And thrown amongst the mix was John VK6NU in Western Australia.  Propagation to Europe seemed to be quite good, but the radio was struggling to get sufficient power supply from the 44 amp hour power pack, which was getting low down in voltage.  Each time I keyed the microphone, the radio would shut down.  This is a problem I’ve been experiencing a bit recently.

My 44 amp hour power pack just couldn’t provide enough voltage, and the radio kept cutting out which was extremely annoying.  Plus it was getting dark and the weather was miserable, so it was time to pack up and head back to the warmth of the motel room at Portland.  I had a total of 64 contacts in the log.  Again, I was very pleased, as I had qualified the park for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) global award.

The following stations were worked:-

  1. Kevin VK3KAP/p (SOTA)
  2. Glenn VK3YY/p (SOTA)
  3. Terry VK3UP
  4. Mike VK3XL
  5. Nev VK5WG
  6. Matt VK1MA
  7. Ian VK1DI
  8. Tim VK5AV
  9. Brian VK5FMID
  10. Bernard VK3AV
  11. Peter VK3RV
  12. Col VK5HCF
  13. Hans VK5YX
  14. Tony VK3CAB
  15. Mark VK7MK
  16. Mark VK3ASC
  17. Mark VK1EM
  18. Peter VK3PF/m
  19. Allen VK3HRA/m
  20. John VK5BJE
  21. Barry VK5BW
  22. VK2CCJ
  23. Bob VK5FPAC
  24. Peter VK5NAQ
  25. Jim VK5TR
  26. Daniel VK5DF
  27. Brett VK3FLCS
  28. John VK5TD
  29. Johnno VK3FMPB
  30. Richard VK5ZRY
  31. Dennis VK3BQZ/m
  32. Brian VK3BBB
  33. John VK5FTCT
  34. Peter VK3TKK
  35. John VK3FCAN
  36. Craig VK3JK
  37. VK3NCC/p
  38. Daniel VK5DF
  39. Rob VK2QR/p (SOTA)
  40. S58AL
  41. WH6DXW
  42. S52KM
  43. I5FLN
  44. M0HDX
  45. OP7M
  46. IK1GPG
  47. DL7UXG
  48. SP5BR
  49. RZ3DN
  50. SP5AUB
  51. JA1HOX
  52. IK2VFR
  53. ON4BB
  54. PA1AR
  55. M0WYZ
  56. RU3EG
  57. John VK6NU
  58. DL2ND
  59. DL1EKO
  60. DL1EBR
  61. F1BLL
  62. DJ7ZZ
  63. IZ5JMZ
  64. DL5EBG

Below is a video of the activation…..

 

References.

Parks Victoria, 2014, ‘Mount Richmond National Park Visitor Guide’.

Mount Napier, VK3/ VS-046

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My first activation for Sunday 16th November, 2014, was Mount Napier summit, VK3/ VS-046, which is located near Hamilton in western Victoria (13 km south of Hamilton).  This was my second activation for the 2014 Summits on Air (SOTA) Spring Activation Weekend.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 12.26.42

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Screenshot 2014-12-01 12.27.19

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I first activated this summit in September, 2013.  For more information on that activation, and some history of the summit and its surrounds, please have a look at my September 2013 post…..

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/mount-napier-vk3-vs-046/

I entered the Mount Napier State Park via Murroa-Buckley Swamp Road, which runs off the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road.  The dirt road traversing the park is in good condition and is easily negotiated with a 2wd vehicle.  I parked my car at the Mount Napier walking track, and commenced the 30 minute walk up to the top of the summit.  This is a nice easy walk to the top, with a well marked path and a few benches along the way.  The walk is spectacular taking you through the beautiful understorey of the Mount Napier State Park.

Following this activation I received an e-mail from Nick VK3ANL who stated:

“Mt Napier gets my vote for being “Essence of SOTA”  – it’s a genuine walk to the top, but not too hard or long, and through some great Aussie bush, and then it opens out to a summit with real character, and with $million dollar views.”

I think Nick is spot on with his comments.  Although only a one pointer, the walk up to the summit is very pretty and the views from the top of Mount Napier are really impressive.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 12.26.07

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The weather was not fantastic when I arrived at Mount Napier.  It had been drizzling with showers from the time I got up.  But there was the occasional break in the weather.  So I ‘donned’ the jacket and my backpack, and headed off from the car, hoping to miss the worst of the weather.  As mentioned, this is a really pretty walk.  And I encountered a few wallabies on the way to the top/

On my way up, I received just a sprinkle of rain, but by the time I had reached the trig point, the weather had taken a turn for the worst.  The summit itself is very exposed, with no trees, so it was incredibly windy, with light misty showers.  I secured the squid pole to the concrete base of the Major Thomas Mitchell memorial which is located on the summit.  It was so windy, it was quite difficult trying to keep the squid pole in place.

After setting up I put a CQ call out on 7.090 and this was answered by Rob, VK3EK, and then Peter VK3FPSR, followed by Peter VK3PF portable in the Coopracambra National Park.  More information on Peter’s activation can be found on hsi WordPress site at…..

http://vk3pf.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/krmnpa-weekend-2014/

I then spoke with Darrin VK3FDAP operating portable and QRP at Moorabin.  Thankfully I had my 4 qualifying contacts.  I pressed on and worked a further 12 stations in VK1, VK2, VK3, & VK5 before the UTC rollover.  There was very severe QSB on many of the signals.  One of these contacts was with Julie VK3FOWL who was operating portable with her husband Joe VK3YSP, in the Wilsons Promontory National Park.

After the UTC rollover I worked a further 7 stations in VK1, VK3, & VK5.  It was quite a struggle, with the band not in great shape.  There was lots of QSB on the incoming signals, and the same was being reported back on my QRP signal.  Gary VK2GAZ called me a number of times and although I was able to hear Gary, clearly he could not pull me out of the noise.  Sorry Gary.

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The weather had not improved, so I had a quick tune around the 40m band and found Nigel VK5NIG who was operating portable from the top of Mount Gawler summit, VK5/ SE-013.  Nigel had a good 5/5 signal (5/5 received back from Nigel).   I then found John VK2AWJ/3 operating portable from the Chiltern Mount Pilot National Park, with a good 5/7 signal coming in to Mount Napier.  With a little bit more tuning around the band, I was rewarded with a contact with Joe VK3YSP, portable in the Wilsons Promontory National Park, and then Tony VK3CAT who was portable on SOTA summit, Sugarloaf Peak, VK3/ VN-011.

It was time to dash back to the car.  I had a total of 28 contacts in the log.

The following stations were worked:-

Screenshot 2014-12-01 12.23.05

Whilst still on my way out of the Mount Napier State Park, on my way to Mount Eccles National Park, I spoke with a few stations from my mobile set up, which is a Icom IC-7000 and a base loaded whip antenna on the boot of the car.

My first mobile contact was with Peter VK3ZPF who was portable in the Yarra Ranges National Park, then Peter VK3PF in the Alfred National Park, followed by Allen VK3HRA portable on SOTA peak VK3/ VG-029 which is located in the Alpine National Park.

Below is a video of the activation of Mount Napier…..

Mount Eccles National Park, VKFF-345

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After my activation of Mount Napier summit, I headed off to the Mount Eccles National Park (NP), which is located in western Victoria, about 270 km west of Melbourne, and about 15 km south west of the little town of MacArthur.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 14.55.20

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Mount Eccles NP is about 5,470 hectares in size, and was established in June, 1960.  Not surprising, located within the park is Mount Eccles, also named Budj Bim by the Gunditjmara aboriginal people.  It is the site of the most recent active volcano in Australia.  The most recent eruption of Mount Eccles was about 8,000 years ago.  I am very pleased to report that it remained quite during my activation of the park.  Mount Eccles is a relatively small hill surrounded by lush vegetation with a small hidden deep volcanic crater lake which is named Lake Surprise.

There is a good article and a short audio item with photographs on the ABC South West Victoria website at…..

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2011/09/01/3307642.htm

Screenshot 2014-12-01 14.55.03 map courtesy of mapcarta.com

I entered the park via Mount Eccles Road.  There were quite a few people in the main campground, so I continued up to Lake Surprise lookout area, and set up in a cleared area near the carpark.  This was certainly not as green and shady as the campground, but it was a lot quieter.

Screenshot 2014-12-01 15.39.05

Image courtesy of parksweb.vic.gov.au

My first contact was with Col VK5HCF who was portable in the Canunda National Park in the South East of South Australia.  Col was out and about with Tom VK5EE, and was activating the park as part of the VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award and the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.  They had a good strong 5/8 signal to Mount Eccles.

I then found a clear frequency on 7.110 and put out a few CQ calls and it wasn’t long before I was called by John VK5BJE, followed by Terry VK3UP, Frank VK2HFS, and then Nigel VK5NIG.  After working a further 3 stations, I went hunting around the band again, and found Peter VK3PF operating portable from the Lind National Park, VKFF-287.  More information on Peter’s activation can be found on his WordPress site at…..

http://vk3pf.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/krmnpa-weekend-2014/

After working Peter I called CQ on 7.095 and again it wasn’t long before I had a steady flow of callers calling in again, from VK3, VK5, & VK7.  They included Joe VK3YSP and his wife Julie VK3YSP, operating portable from the Wilsons Promontory National Park.  Nick VK3ANL also called in, whilst portable on SOTA peak, Mount Dandenong, VK3/ VC-025 which is located in the Dandenong Ranges National Park VKFF-132.  And a few contacts later, I was called by Peter VK3ZPF who was portable in the Churchill National Park, VKFF-621.  Peter had a good 5/7 signal.

After working Peter I had a further 12 contacts, before lowering the squid pole and trying my luck on 20m.  I called CQ on a number of occasions on 14.310 but had absolutely no takers.  I tuned around the 20m band, but the only station I could hear was Brian ZL2ASH, who was testing on 14.156.  I called Brian, but unfortunately he could not hear me.

So I again lowered the squid pole, and reconnected the crocodile clips for 40m and again went band searching on 40m.  I found young Reuben VK7FREU calling CQ from SOTA peak, Mount Wellington, VK7/ SC-001.

Prior to leaving the park I also spoke with Rob VK2QR/3 who was portable on SOTA peak, Sam Hill VK3/ VG-049.  As normal, Rob had a good strong signal.  And then I worked Amanda VK3FQSO who was operating portable in the Terrick Terrick National Park, VKFF-630.

I was also called by Glenn VK3YY and Kevin VK3KAB who were on top of Mount Terrible, VK3/ VE-067.  You can read a bit about Glenn and Kevin’s activation on Glenn’s WordPress site at…..

http://vk3yy.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/mt-duffy-to-mt-terrible-five-summits/

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After 2 hours in the park, I had a total of 49 contacts in the log.  Again, I was very pleased, as I had reached the required 44 contacts for the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) global award program.

The following stations were worked:-

  1. Col VK5HCF/p (Canunda NP)
  2. John VK5BJE
  3. Terry VK3UP
  4. Frank VK2HFS
  5. Nigel VK5NIG
  6. Lesley VK5LOL
  7. Nev VK5WG
  8. Matt VK1MA
  9. Peter VK3PF/p (Ling NP)
  10. Christopher VK5LTD
  11. Barry VK5BW
  12. Wolf VK5WF
  13. Jim VK5KOB
  14. Mark VK7MK
  15. Joe VK3YSP/p (Wilsons Promontory NP)
  16. Julie VK3FOWL/p (Wilsons Promontory NP)
  17. Tim VK5AV
  18. Daniel VK5DF
  19. Richard VK5ZRY
  20. Nick VK3ANL/p (SOTA & Dandenong Ranges NP)
  21. Ron VK3HAK
  22. Dale VK5DC
  23. Hans VK5YX
  24. Peter VK3ZPF/p (Churchill NP)
  25. Peter VK2NEO
  26. Jim VK5TR
  27. John VK1CJ/3
  28. Greg VK5ZGY/m
  29. John VK5FMJC
  30. Ross VK7ALH
  31. Brenton VK3CBV
  32. Trent VK7FTRS
  33. Joe VK3YSP/m
  34. Mike VK3XL/m
  35. Matt VK5ZX
  36. Hans VK5KHZ
  37. Reuben VK7FREU/p (SOTA)
  38. Andrew VK1NAM
  39. Colin VK3ZZS/p
  40. Brett VK3FLCS
  41. Rob VK2QR/p (SOTA)
  42. Amanda VK3FQSO/p (Terrick Terrick NP)
  43. Ewen VK3OW
  44. Glenn VK3YY/p (SOTA)
  45. Kevin VK3KAB/p (SOTA)
  46. Brian VK5FMID
  47. Bernard VK3AV
  48. David VK3UCD
  49. Peter VK3TKK

Below is a video of this activation…..

 

References.

Wikipedia.org, 2014, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Eccles_National_Park&gt;, viewed 1st December 2014

Operating Practice

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A few days ago I saw a few posts on the Summits on the Air (SOTA) Australian Yahoo group about “SOTA activators pile up process“.  I assume these comments were a spin off to last weekend’s SOTA Spring activation weekend.  Personally, I did note a few SOTA activators not listening for QRP and mobile portable, etc, and just working the big guns.  However the majority of activators are very good.

What was more noticeable over the weekend was that there was at times some poor operating practice by SOTA chasers and park hunters.  The good operators were fortunately by far in the main, but netherless the occasional poor operating practice by some was annoying.

Here are some of my thoughts.  I am not professing to be the world’s best operator.  Far from it.

A few stations have got into the habit of calling between overs.  In other words I am in contact with VK5AA and putting it back to them for their final over, and a cheeky station calls in between overs with their call sign.  Not wanting to wait for the QSO to finish and join the other paitently waiting chasers and hunters.  I have now decided to ignore those stations.  They are simply queue jumpers.  I was questioned by a senior ham over the weekend as to why I had not acknowledged him when he did exactly this.  So please, if you are reading this and are guilty of queue jumping, please cease this practice.  Please WAIT until the QSO is completely finished.

And there are still those out there, that come up on frequency, without asking if the frequency is in use, and take over a frequency.  This happened to me a few times over the weekend.  Clearly they couldn’t hear me.  I understand that.  But to come up on frequency without asking if the frequency is in use, is just rude.  And those operators were quickly told by the chasers and hunters that I was working.

bombardment-clipart-angry_man

As for activating, this is what I TRY to do:-

  • call for any SOTA/park activators first
  • THEN…..QRP stations
  • THEN…..portable or mobile stations
  • THEN…..DX
  • THEN…..stations who can hear me, but with difficulty
  • THEN…..anybody/everybody else (now the fun starts)

Now that doesn’t always work out in practice.  Because I often find that when I ask if a frequency is in use, there is already a large crowd waiting for me, and I invariably hear, ‘no the frequency is all yours Paul‘, and then it is ‘swing into action’ time.  However, I always break from the crowd, every 10 minutes or so and call for the S2S and park to park contacts, then QRP, then portable and mobile.  If you do, it is amazing who you get in the log.

When I activated Newland Head Conservation Park earlier in the year as part of the VK5 Parks anniversary weekend, I was operating right on the beachfront, with the Southern Ocean spray on my face.  When I returned home a day or two later, and was checking my emails, I read with interest that some of my mates in Europe had written that they could hear me on 40m ssb in Europe, but couldn’t get through the VK pile up.  What I learnt from this, is that you never know who is listening.  So call for DX, you might be surprised.  Certainly if you get onto 20m from a WWFF park, there won’t be any shortage of DX callers.

And when I mention above, ‘stations who can hear me, but with difficulty’, I am sure you have heard SOTA & park activators who drift in and out with the QSB.  It is incredibly frustrating as a chaser/hunter, when the signals of these stations come up out of the noise, but they are only listening for the big guns.  So if you are an activator, please try calling for these stations as well.  I am sure those chasers and hunters will be pleased if you do.

I also tell the callers to spread out their calls, rather than calling all at once, over the top of each other.  I jot down the calls I hear and acknowledge that I have received them, and then bring them in and work them in, in the order I hear them.  It seems to work well.

Suggestions for DX Pile-ups………… by Uncle DX

1. The DX station operators are in charge of any pile-up.

2. The DX station should make and adhere to their operating rules quietly and respectfully.

3. The DX station should use, when appropriate, call areas and areas of the world for better accuracy, rate and order.

4. The DX station should use split operation and spread stations out, keeping in mind others not in the pile-ups. A must.

5. The DX station should give their call sign at least every 10 minutes and maintain a pattern especially when ending a QSO.

6. The DX station should create a rhythm or timing which maintains a good rate and allows the pile-up to call at the right time.

7. The operators in the pile-up, if not sure of a QSO, should dupe and the DX operator continue not wasting time commenting.

8. The DX station should work those who will create the fastest rate, at least at first, then make an effort to work the weaker stations.

9. No one should lecture on the air.

10. Everyone should always require and give full calls.

11. Know and practice the gray line.

12. Know the equipment being operated such as the split button, audio levels, keying wave form, etc.

13. NEVER be a “KC Cop”….never.

14. Operators giving spots on a DX Cluster should insure their accuracy!

15. Keep away from personal, political, and religious comment any time on the air and/or the DX Cluster. Keep all comments in the true spirit of ham radio whereby ALL ARE EQUAL.

16. Don’t rush when giving your call when the DX station is standing by, especially on CW. Time will be lost trying to obtain ALL of the call sign.

17. Don’t call the DX station constantly. Get in the rhythm.

18. Let the last station complete his QSO.

19. Use only the power it takes and figure out what that is!

20. Figure out the DX operator’s operating practice for greater success.

logo_dx_code_of_conduct1

Please refer to the DX Code of Conduct for some very good information…..

http://www.dx-code.org/

And finally, for a bit of a laugh…..

 

 

 

2014 ‘Welcome to Amateur radio’ symposium

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Yesterday (Sunday 24th November, 2014), a ‘Welcome to amateur radio’ symposium was held at the Blackwood Community Centre.  The event was sponsored by the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society (AHARS).  Eighty (80) people attended the event which commenced at 8.45 a.m. and concluded in the afternoon at around 4.00 p.m.

Those attending ranged from 9 Foundation calls all the way through to some very senior amateurs.  It was great to see a good blend of experience.

The cost of attendance on the day was just $5.00.  I chaired the day, which commenced with a welcome by Tony VK5KAT, the AHARS President, and then a short introduction by yours truly.  There were 16 presentations during the day on a variety of topics.  Below is the program…..

0830 – 0845                      Doors open

0845 – 0850                       Welcome – Tony VK5KAT

0850 – 0855                      Introduction – Paul VK5PAS

0855 – 0915                      History of ham radio – Trevor VK5ATQ

0915 – 0935                      Operating legally & the ‘model’ QSO – John VK5BJE

0935 – 0955                      DX Code of Conduct – David VK5LSB

0955 – 1015                      ham jargon – Nigel VK5NIG 

1015 – 1035                      QRZ.com – Stuart VK5STU

1035 – 1050                     Morning tea

1050 – 1110                     APRS – Larry VK5LY

1110 – 1130                     DX cluster – Brian VK5BC

 1130-1150                       Contesting & Chasing Awards – Andy VK5AKH

 1150-1210                       QSL cards – John VK5EMI

 1210 – 1300                    Lunch

 1300 – 1320                    Electronic logging programs – Stuart VK5STU

1320- 1340                       Antenna basics – John VK5BJE 

1340 – 1400                     Blogs/Wordpress/You Tube – Paul VK5PAS 

1400 – 1420                     Demystifying the learning of Morse Code – Doc VK5BUG

 1420 – 1440                    Afternoon tea

 1440 – 1500                    Summits on the Air (SOTA) – Ian VK5CZ

 1500 – 1520                    Operating QRP – David VK5KC

 1520- 1540                      VK5 Nat & Cons Parks Award & WWFF program – Larry VK5LY

 1540 – 1600                     General questions to the group

 1600 – 1605                     Closure – Paul VK5PAS

Morning and afternoon tea consisted of tea, coffee, biscuits, and various cakes.

Lunch consisted of sandwich platters provided by Subway at Blackwood, and pizzas from the Little Caesars pizza shop at Eden Hills.

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Thanks to the following people (not in any particular order):

  • all the guest speakers (particularly Larry VK5LY who travelled from The Riverland, and Ian VK5CZ who travelled from the Clare Valley)
  • David VK5KC (for helping to set up on the morning & organising the pizza)
  • Barry VK5BW (for helping set up on the morning)
  • Roy VK5NRG (for taking the $$$ at the door)
  • Kim VK5FJ (for helping set up)
  • John VK5BJE (for helping set up)
  • my wife Marija (for organsing the morning & afternoon tea)
  • and all the attendees

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I plan to run another day in mid 2015, covering different topics including home brew, EMR, satellites, fox hunting, digital modes, Dxpeditions,etc.