My fourth, and last South Australian park activation on Sunday 14th November, 2014, was the Desert Camp Conservation Park, which is located about 65 km north west of Naracoorte, on the northern side of the Kingston-Keith Road, and about 267 km south east of Adelaide.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The park is about 49 hectares in size as was gazetted as Desert Camp National Park in 1967.  About 14 months after the park was declared as a National Park, new works on the Keith-Kingston Road severed the park.  On proclamation of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972, the park became the Desert Camp Conservation Park.

A word of warning before activating this park.  Desert Camp is a Conservation Reserve and a Conservation Park.  Make sure you are in the Conservation Park area and not the Reserve.

I started off on 40m on 7.095 and my first caller was the ever reliable Brian VK5FMID in nearby Mount Gambier.  This was followed by another South East park stalwart, Tom VK5FTRG, and then Peter VK3RV who had a very strong 5/9 plus signal.

I worked a few mobile stations from this park which was really pleasing.  The first contact was with Andrew VK1NAM who although a little weak, was perfectly readable from those noise free environment of the park.  My next mobile contact was with Peter VK3TKK with a nice 5/7 signal, and then Joe VK3YSP and Julie VK3FOWL who were a good strong 5/8.  And I also spoke with Allen VK3HRA who was mobile and had a nice strong 5/8 signal.

A few QRP callers also called in.  They included Damien VK5FDEC running 5 watts from his Yaesu FT-817.  Damien seems to have been bitten by the QRP bug.  And then Ron VK5ALR who was portable in Victoria and was running just 5 watts also.

After working a total of 20 stations I headed off to 20m where I put out numerous CQ calls but I had absolutely no takers.  I tuned around the 20m band but all I could hear were some weak signals coming in from Europe.  It was a little too early for long path into Europe.

So I decided to pack up and head off to Portland in south western Victoria.  I still had a few hours on the road before reaching my destination and I was starting to get a bit hungry and wanted to avoid the kangaroos on the road.

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So after 30 minutes in the park, I had a total of 20 contacts in the log from VK3 and VK5.

The following stations were worked:-

1. Brian VK5FMID
2. Tom VK5FTRG
3. Peter Vk3RV
4. Tom VK5EE
5. Andrew VK1NAM/m
6. Charles VK5FBAC
7. Peter VK3TKK/m
8. Nev VK5WG
9. Joe VK3YSP/m
10. Jenny VK3WQ
11. Arno VK5ZAR
12. Allen VK3HRA/m
13. Julie VK3FOWL/m
14. Tony VK3CAT
15. Mick VK3FAFK
16. David VK5NQP
17. Owen VK5HOS
18. Damien VK5FDEC/qrp
19. Hans VK5YX
20. Ron VK5ALR/p/qrp

References.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1992, ‘Small Parks of the Upper South East Management Plans’

My third Conservation park activation on the way to Victoria on Friday 14th November, 2014, was the Mount Monster Conservation Park (CP).  I had not originally intended to activate this park.  However I had access concerns re the Lower Glenelg Conservation Park, so I decided to cancel that activation and fit in Mount Monster instead.  This was to be a new unique park for me.  Mount Monster CP is located about 14 km south of the town of Keith, and about 238 km south east of Adelaide.

 Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Mount Monster CP is about 93 hectares in size and was dedicated as a Conservation Park in September 1976 as a gift from three surrounding land owners, including the Buddle and Ellis families in memory of pioneers Malcolm and Mercy Crooks of ‘Maroona’.  The park is dominated by steep rocky outcrops separated by narrow, deep gullies, producing a wide range of gradients and a number of sheer cliff faces.  These rocky outcrops are dominated by an unusual granite, found in only one other location in South Australia.  The park includes the Mount Monster summit, known as Joyce’s Plateau, named in honour of Joyce Buddle.  Although only having a low profile, the summit dominates the countryside for many kilometres.

I have not been able to find out why the park was named Mount Monster?  If anybody knows, I would be very keen to find out.  But what I did learn, was that the nearby town of Keith was originally known as Mount Monster.  It was not until 1889 when the town was officially proclaimed, that it was named Keith.

Prior to European settlement the area around Keith was part of the lands occupied by the Ngarranjeri aboriginal people.  Within the park is the old Gold Escort Route.  This is the famous route which brought gold into South Australia from the Victorian goldfields during the 1850’s.  In fact, between March 1852 and December 1853, a total of 528 509 ounces of gold were brought into South Australia from the Victorian gold fields.

About 176 different plant species have been identified in the park, 30 of those are orchids.  Some of these, including the Cradle of Incense, and the Monarto Mint Bush, are considered endangered nationally.  Numerous mammals can be located in the park including kangaroos and echidnas.  The park is also home to a large variety of birdlife, including red rumped parrots (I saw numerous) and honeyeaters (again I saw numerous feeding on the flowering natives).

The agricultural land surrounding Mount Monster is recognised as one of the major Lucerne seed producing areas in Australia.  During the summer period, the fields are stocked with beehives for the pollination of the crops.

For more information on the park, have a look at the post by John VK5BJE on his blog…..

http://vk5bje.com/2013/09/10/

I entered the park off the Mount Monster Road, which runs off the Riddoch Highway, about 13 km south of the town of Keith.  There is a dirt road (in good condition) which passes through the park (it is a one way road), that after about 1 km leads to a nice camping and parking area.  This is where I set up.

map courtesy of mapcarta.com

My first contact was with Larry VK5LY in The Riverland with a nice 5/9 plus signal.  This was followed by Brian VK5FMID in Mount Gambier, and then Norm VK5GI operating QRP 5 watts with his home brew transceiver.  Despite using low power, Norm was still an excellent 5/9 signal all the way from Willunga.

Conditions on 40m seemed quite good, with a few contacts recorded with stations mobile in Victoria.  They being with John VK3IC/m and Tony VK3CAT/m (both 5/9).  I also had one more QRP contact and that was with Ian VK3FD, who although a little weak (5/1) was still very readable in the park with the non existent man made noise floor.

I was fortunate to work two Victorian National Parks whilst in Mount Monster.  The first contact was with Peter VK3TKK who was operating portable in the Organ Pipes National Park, and then John VK2AWJ/3 was was operating portable in the Lower Goulburn National Park.

After working a total of 23 stations on 40m ssb, I lowered the squid pole and removed the links in the dipole, for 20m.  I tuned to my nominated operating frequency of 14.310 and put out some CQ calls.  However my only taker on 20m was Eric VK2ES.  And there was a lot of QSB on Eric’s signal.  I tuned across the 20m band and only heard one other station, a VK2 operating sub on 14.230 (the STV frequency).

At the end of this activation, I was packing the gear away in the car and heard Rod VK2TWR working a ‘pile up’ from the top of a summit in New South Wales.  I called a number of times but just could not break the pile up.  So I decided to go for a walk to the top of the Mount Monster summit instead of persevering.  I’m glad I did.  There is a great walking trail to the top, which is not at all taxing.  And you are rewarded with great views of the surrounding countryside.  Sadly, it is not a qualifying summit for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program, as Mount Monster only rises 93 metres above sea level.  However, there are excellent 360 degree views to be had.  A microwave repeater tower can be seen on the northern horizon, and Sugar Loaf Hill, from which Murray River water is reticulated to the nearby Keith township.

I had a total of 24 contacts whilst in Mount Monster, into VK2, VK3, VK5, and VK7.

The following stations were worked on 40m SSB:-

1. Larry VK5LY
2. Brian VK5FMID
3. Norm VK5GI
4. John VK5BJE
5. John VK5FTCT
6. Les VK5KLV
7. Nev VK5WG
8. Arno VK5ZAR
9. Ron VK3JP
10. Tom VK5EE
11. VK3IC/m
12. Tony VK3CAT/m
13. VK3FAFK
14. Tom VK5FTRG
15. Mal VK3AZZ
16. Tim VK5AV
17. Ian VK3FD
18. Joe VK3YSP
19. Don VK5NFB
20. Peter VK3TKK/p (Organ Pipes NP)
21. Winston VK7WH/p
22. Basil VK5BK
23. John VK2AWJ/3 (Lower Goulburn NP)

The following station was worked on 20m SSB:-

1. Eric VK2ES

Below is a quick video of the activation…..

References.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, `997, ‘Aberdour and Mount Monster Conservation Parks, Desert Camp Conservation Reserve and Poocher Swamp Game Reserve Management Plans’.

Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park, 2014, <www.users.on.net.au> viewed 24th November 2014.

Friends of the Upper South East Parks Volunteers Working for Conservation, ‘The Gwen Ellis Walking Trail, Mount Monster Conservation Park’.

Sydney Morning Herald, 2014, <http://www.smh.com.au/news/South-Australia/Keith/2005/02/17/1108500204330.html&gt;, viewed 29th November 2014

My second South Australian Conservation Park for Friday 14th November, 2014 was the Kelvin Powrie Conservation Park, which is located about 217 km south east of Adelaide and about 8 km north west of the town of Keith.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

The park consists of an area of about 17.66 hectares and was gazetted in 1971.  It is a narrow strip of scrub located between the busy Dukes Highway (main Highway between Adelaide-Melbourne), and the Adelaide-Melbourne rail line. The park was named after James Kelvin Powrie (1926-1968), who was an agricultural scientist.  Powrie undertook research into what minerals were required to improve the soil quality of the infertile sands of the region.  This entire region was once classified by farmers as ‘unproductive scrub’.  Powrie was one of those who helped transform the district into valueable grazing and farming land.  Not doubting this individual’s achievements, but surprising that a piece of scrub was named in honour of someone who played a hand in clearing the land.  I have not been able to find a photograph on the internet of Powrie. I’m sure that many people that travel along the busy Dukes Highway, don’t even know that this park is here.  There are no signs indicating its presence.  Not until you get into the park itself.  That might not be such a bad thing I guess.  There is a carpark at the south eastern end of the park, and this is where I set up.

Map courtesy of mapcarta.com

Before you reach the park (if you are travelling east) you will reach the Ngarkat Rest Area on the Dukes Highway.  It is worthwhile stopping off here for a look.  There are some interpretive signs which tell you about the surrounding countryside and the ‘desert conquest’.

I already had the radio turned on to 40m and I quickly checked the VSWR and found it was a little high.  In fact 1.7:1.  A bit too high for my liking.  Normally the antenna is 1.1:1 or thereabouts.  I lowered the squid pole and checked the links, and then the coax, and everything appeared to be in order.  In hindsight, I believe it might have been due to the fact that my car was parked very close by and affected the VSWR, which has happened before.

I tuned to 7.095 and I asked if the frequency was in use and I was immediately greeted by Larry VK5LY and John VK5BJE, advising me that the frequency was clear.  Both had very strong 5/9 signals.  John has activated this park before and he gave me some information about the lookout on top of the sand dune and advised it was well worth the short walk for the views.

John’s post of his activation can be found at…..

http://vk5bje.com/2013/09/10/homeward-bound/

Greg VK5GY from Meadows in the Adelaide Hills, then called me, running QRP 5 watts from his home brew transceiver.  Other QRP callers followed, including Damien VK5FDEC running 5 watts, Norm VK5GI running 5 watts from his home brew transceiver, and Brenton VK3CBV also running 5 watts from a home brew transceiver.  I also worked a few mobiles.  Winston VK7WH called in with a nice 5/8 signal, and later Ian VK5SRV mobile at Fullarton in Adelaide with a 5/8 signal.

As I was operating in the park, the Overland train whizzed through on its way to Melbourne.  And the serenity of the park was often disturbed by the ever present traffic, including the trucks, on the Dukes Highway, to and from Adelaide and Melbourne.  Still, this is a great little park, and well worth the visit. I operated on 40m ssb for about 40 minutes and had 27 contacts in the log.  I then went up to 14.310 on 20m ssb and put out a number of calls, but had no takers.  I did not hear a solitary signal when I tuned across the 20m band.  It was dead quiet.

After concluding operations I went for a walk to lookout as suggested by John.  It is only a short walk to get there but gives you a very good overview of the park and its surroundings.  As I walked to and from the lookout, I noted that the park was absolutely alive with bird life: honeyeaters, lorikeets, wrens, & magpies, to mention a few.

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The following stations were worked:-

1. Larry VK5LY
2. John VK5BJE
3. Greg VK5GJ/qrp
4. Peter VK3TKK
5. Les VK5KLV
6. Tom VK5EE
7. Peter VK3YSP
8. Nev VK5WG
9. Bernard VK3AV
10. Damien VK5FDEC/qrp
11. Brian VK5FMID
12. Peter VK5NAQ
13. Arno VK5ZAR
14. Andrew VK2UH
15. Peter VK3RV
16. Gordon VK5KAA
17. Norm VK5GI/qrp
18. Jenny VK3WQ
19. John VK5DJ
20. Tom VK5FTRG
21. John VK5FTCT
22. Stan VK3BNJ
23. Darren VK5DT
24. Winston VK7WH/m
25. Benton VK3CBV/qrp
26. Mark VK7MK
27. Ian VK5SRV/m

Below is a short video of the activation…..

References.

National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1992, Small Parks of the Upper South East Management Plans. Reuter; D, 2007, Trace Element disorders in South Australian Agriculture.

The weekend (including the Friday) from Friday 14th November – Sunday16th November, 2014, was the 2014 Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA) activation weekend, and the 2014 Summits on the Air Spring activation weekend.  So it was off to Victoria on Friday morning for me.  On the way to Portland in western Victoria, I had planned to activate four South Australian Conservation Parks: Poonthie Ruwe, Kelvin Powrie, Desert Camp, and then Lower Glenelg.  However, I had a change of plans and activated Poonthie Ruwe, then Kelvin Powrie, then Mount Monster (a new one for me), and finally Desert Camp (another new one).

My first activation was the Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Park (CP), which is located about 100 km south east of Adelaide, and about 5 km south east of Tailem Bend on the Murray River.  Poonthie Ruwe means ‘Hopping Mouse Country’ in the local Ngarrindjeri aboriginal language.  Sadly, there is no Hopping Mouse population in the park anymore, courtesy of European settlement.

Map courtesy of mapcarta

map courtesy of mapcarta

I had activated the Poonthie Ruwe CP in June, 2013.  For more information on that activation, and the history of the park, please have a look at my previous post…..

https://vk5pas.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/poonthie-ruwe-conservation-park/

There is also an excellent publication, the ‘Mowantjie Willauwar and Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Parks Management Plan’, which can be found on the internet.

As I mentioned in my June, 2013 post, please make sure you know where you are going, if you intend to activate this park.  It is not easy to find and there are no apparent signs indicating its presence.

Poonthie Ruwe is a small park consisting of about 241 hectares, full of rabbits and hardly visited by humans I would suspect.  The Department for Environment and Heritage Management Plan for the park reports that reputedly the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat had at one time established burrows in Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Park, prior to the initial rabbit invasion.

Map courtesy of Dept Environment and Heritage

The ground is nice and sandy in the park, so I drove the Haverford squid pole holder into the ground, and secured the squid pole to it, with the use of an octopus strap.  I strung out the legs of the 40m/20m linked dipole and secured the links for the 40 m band.  I was running about 25 minutes behind schedule, by the time I had turned the radio on.  This was mostly due to my GPS taking me to a spot where the park was not.  It was 7.55 a.m. South Australian local time and a beautiful mild morning.  There were some other VK’s operating on 7.092 so I couldn’t operate on my promised frequency of 7.095.  So I moved just slightly up to 7.096 and put out a CQ call and was called back immediately by Charles VK5FBAC at Strathalbyn with a good strong 5/9 signal.  This was followed by David VK5NQP, John VK5BJE, and Amanda VK3FQSO.

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The band appeared to be in quite good shape, and I continued to get a good steady flow of callers from VK3, VK5, & VK7, with good signals in and good signals being reported back.  I was pleased to get Mick VK3FAFK, in the log.  Mick only obtained his Foundation call the week before, and had a lovely signal coming in from Stawell in western Victoria.  I would go on to work Mick many times over the next 4 days whilst I was either in a park or on a summit.  Welcome to the world of amateur radio Mick.

My second to last contact at Poonthie Ruwe was with John VK2AWJ who was operating portable in the Barmah National Park, north east of Echuca.  John was my first VK3 National Park contact for the 4 day period I was away.

After working a total of 26 stations on 40m ssb, I QSYd to 14.310 and put out numerous CQ calls with no takers.  So I tuned across the 20m band and could only hear one other station, that being a VK4 in QSO with a VK2 who I couldn’t even hear.  The VK4’s signal was well down, and sadly his signal was the only one I could hear on the entire 20m band.  So I slipped back up to 14.310 with the intention to call CQ again.  To my surprise when I got there, the frequency was occupied by a USA station, KZ8O, calling CQ.  I called him back, but sadly received no response.

So, as 20m band conditions did not seem to be good, and I was behind schedule, I packed up the gear, and continued on my journey east, and towards my next park, the Kelvin Powrie Conservation Park.  In about 45 minutes of operating in Poonthie Ruwe, I had a total of 26 contacts in the log.

As I left the park,I heard John VK2AWJ/3 calling CQ from the Barmah National Park, so I called John who was a good 5/9 into my mobile (5/9 received in return).

The following stations were worked:-

1. Charles VK5FBAC
2. David VK5NQP
3. John VK5BJE
4. Amanda VK3FQSO
5. Winston VK7WH
6. Peter VK5NAQ
7. Les VK5KLV
8. Greg VK5LG
9. Peter VK3TKK
10. Mick VK3FAFK
11. Dennis VK5LDM
12. Tim VK5AV
13. Ton VK3VBI/m
14. Tom VK5EE/qrp
15. Allen VK5FD
16. Ken VK3MKM
17. Larry VK5LY
18. Bob VK3XP
19. Mark VK7MK
20. Peter VK3RV
21. John VK5MG
22. Jenny VK3WQ
23. Col VK5HCF
24. Brian VK5FMID
25. John VK2AWJ/m
26. Nev VK5WG

References.

Department for Environment and Heritage, 2008, ‘Mowantjie Willauwar and Poonthie Ruwe Conservation Parks Management Plan’,