Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831

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After packing up at the Murray River National Park on Friday 27th October 2023, I headed to the Hotel Renmark with Marija, where we caught up with Chris VK5FR. We had a few drinks and a bite to eat and looked at the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together venue – the Nanya Function Room at the hotel.

Chris and I decided to head out to the Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831 for a quick activation before the Friday evening dinner at the Renmark Club. I phoned Hans VK6XN and picked Hans up from the motel, and the three of us then headed out to Pike River. Marija VK5MAZ decided to stay back at the motel to finish off the Welcome packs for the VKFF National Get-Together.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Pike River Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Pike River Conservation Park is about 2.88 km2 in size and was established on the 1st day of February 1979. It is located in the locality of Mudic Creek about 215 km northeast of the city of Adelaide. It is named after the Pike River, a tributary of the Murray River which flows through the eastern end of the park. In 2009, additional land formerly known as the Mundic Forest Reserve was added to the park.

We entered the park via a track that runs off the Sturt Highway. There is a dilapidated sign at this location, but in such a state of disrepair that you would not notice it if you didn’t know it was there.

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation. I used the special event call of VI10VKFF to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program in Australia.

This was a fun activation with a lot of laughs.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2XSE/p (Tatlows Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2921)
  2. VK5PE/m
  3. VK5BJE
  4. VK2IO/p (Morkala Bushland Reserve VKFF-4119)
  5. VK5TN
  6. VK1DI/3 (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK3CJN
  9. VK3TKK/p (Rowleys Streamside Reserve VKFF-3848)
  10. VK4NH
  11. VK4DXA
  12. VK3MCA
  13. VK1CHW
  14. VK3DL
  15. VK2MOE/m
  16. VK7XX
  17. VK5HS
  18. VK7MAT
  19. VK5VST
  20. VK4EW
  21. VK7PSJ
  22. VK3BCM
  23. VK3BAP
  24. VK2NP
  25. VK4FDJL/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
  26. VK4WAB/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
  27. VK5FANA
  28. VK3ACZ
  29. VK5PL
  30. VK2HDT
  31. VK5AAF
  32. VK1RD
  33. VK3ACH
  34. VK4HMI
  35. VK3MLT
  36. VK3VIN
  37. VK3CAT
  38. VK1ACE

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2TER
  2. VK2BM
  3. VK4NH
  4. VK4DXA
  5. IK1GPG
  6. 9A2AJ
  7. VK4MUD
  8. ON3CND
  9. SQ9CWO
  10. IW2BNA
  11. KG5CIK
  12. SQ9FMC
  13. OM5TX
  14. IK3HMB
  15. UT5PI
  16. VK4EW
  17. OH5TQ
  18. IW2NXI

I worked the following station on 20m AM:-

  1. VK4EW

After packing up at Pike River, I headed back to the motel and had a quick shower and that evening we enjoyed stage one of the 2023 VKFF National Get Together – a dinner at the Renmark Club. Marija and I handed out everybody’s Welcome pack and the merchandise they had ordered. It was a great evening.

References.

  1. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_River_Conservation_Park>, viewed 15th December 2023.

Murray River National Park VKFF-0372

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Our next park for Friday 27th October 2023 was the Murray River National Park VKFF-0372. Marija VK5MAZ and I have activated and qualified this park a number of times previously, but this would be a first-time activation for Hans VK6XN, and a first-time activation for me in this park using the special event callsign of VI10VKFF.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Murray River National Park. Map c/p Google Maps.

The Murray River National Park comprises six distinct sections:-

  • Katarapko
  • Lyrup Flats
  • Bulyong
  • Paringa Paddock
  • Gurra Gurra
  • Kingston-on-Murray.

We chose to activate the Lyrup Flats section of the park, which is well-signposted on the Sturt Highway.

The Murray River National Park was proclaimed on the 20th day of June 1991 and comprises more than 14,879 hectares ( 36,770 acres) including a vast network of Murray River wetlands and floodplains. The park originally consisted of the Katarapko, Lyrup Flats, and Bulyong Island sections. In 2022 the Paringa Paddock, Gurra Gurra, and Kingston-on-Murray sections were added.

In 1829, explorer Captain Charles Sturt navigated down the Murrumbidgee River to where he encountered the Murray River. He named it after Sir George Murray, a British soldier from Scotland who became a South Australian politician.

Above:- Sir George Murray. Image c/o Wikipedia.

During our visit to the park, we saw a significant amount of birdlife. The very distinct whistle of the Whistling Kites was present during most of our activation.

We drove down to one of the campsites alongside of the Murray River and set up our station which comprised the Yaesu FT857, 40-watts output, and the 20/40/80m lined dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3UAO/p (Tarra Bulga National Park VKFF-0480)
  2. VK3PF/p (Yarrara Flora Reserve VKFF-2498 and VK-YRA3)
  3. VK3ZPF/p (Benetook Bushland Reserve VKFF-4126)
  4. VK3VIN
  5. VK5MH
  6. VK5CZ/m
  7. VK1CHW/p (SOTA VK1/ AC-037 and Mount Taylor Nature Reserve VKFF-0854)
  8. VK2GOM/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
  9. VK2VAR/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
  10. VK2BYF/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
  11. VK3ZSC
  12. VK5FANA
  13. VK1DI/p (Yanga National Park VKFF-2249)
  14. VK3MCA
  15. Vk3NDG
  16. VK2LAG
  17. VK2IO/p (Karween Bushland Reserve VKFF-4120)
  18. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
  19. VK5FR/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
  20. VK5BRU/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
  21. VK3DCQ/p (Kurkuric Creek Streamside Reserve VKFF-3742)

Marija worked the following station on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3UAO/p (Tarra Bulga National Park VKFF-0480)
  2. VK3PF/p (Yarrara Flora Reserve VKFF-2498 and VK-YRA3)
  3. VK3KBC/s
  4. VK5FANA
  5. VK3ZSC
  6. VK3ZPF/p (Benetook Bushland Reserve VKFF-4126)
  7. VK5MH
  8. VK3MCA
  9. VK5CZ/m
  10. VK3NDG
  11. VK1CHW/p (SOTA VK1/ AC-037 and Mount Taylor Nature Reserve VKFF-0854)
  12. VK2GOM/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
  13. VK2VAR/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
  14. VK2BYF/p (Bay of Fires Conservation Area VKFF-1133)
  15. VK1DI/p (Yanga National Park VKFF-2249)
  16. VK2IO/p (Karween Bushland Reserve VKFF-4120)
  17. VK3APJ
  18. VK5TN
  19. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
  20. VK5FR/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
  21. VK5BRU/p (Brookfield Conservation Park VKFF-0822)
  22. VK3TKK/m
  23. VK3DCQ/p (Kurkuric Creek Streamside Reserve VKFF-3742)
  24. VK3ANL
  25. VK3SQ
  26. VK2BD
  27. VK2KYO
  28. VK3SMW
  29. VK3MIJ
  30. VK5MAZ/m
  31. VK6XN/m
  32. VK5TCP

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3PF/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
  2. VK3KAI/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
  3. VK3GV/p (Meringur Flora Reserve VKFF-2383 and VK-MRR3)
  4. VK3APJ
  5. VK3ANL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2NP
  2. VK6LMK
  3. ZL3MR
  4. VK8DNT
  5. VK2TER
  6. VK2BM
  7. VK4NH
  8. VK4DXA

References.

  1. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_River_National_Park>, viewed 9th December 2023.

My latest VKFF Activator Honour Roll certificates

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Following my recent trips to the Riverland region of South Australia, and to Victoria, I have increased my VKFF activator tally and qualified for 4 more VKFF Activator Honour Roll certificates.

Thank you to all of the VKFF Hunters and thank you to Adam VK2YK the VK5 VKFF State Rep for the certificates.

VKFF Activator Honour Roll 425

VKFF Activator Honour Roll 450

VKFF Activator Honour Roll 475

VKFF Activator Honour Roll 500