Cox Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0824

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Our fourth and final park for the 2023 VKFF Team Championship on Saturday 21st October 2023, was the Cox Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0824.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Cox Scrub CP. Map c/o Google Maps.

Marija and I have activated Cox Scrub many times in the past. This time we decided to activate from a different position in the park. We drove along Ridge Road towards the northwestern corner of the park. There were some terrific views of the surrounding countryside from Ridge Road.

Cox Scrub Conservation Park is about 563 hectares in size and is one of the largest parks on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide. The park is bordered by Bull Creek Road to the east, and Rymill Road to the west. Cleared farming land can be found to the south and north.

The park was proclaimed on the 5th day of March 1970 as the Cox’s Scrub National Park. Prior to this, the park was owned by Mr V. Cox, an apiarist of Ashbourne> He preserved the park in is natural state for the bees which he bred. On the 27th day of April 1972, it was reconstituted as the Cox Scrub Conservation Park. Additional areas were added to the park in 1977, 1982, 1984, 1986, and 2018.

In 1983 the park was destroyed during the Ash Wednesday Bushfires.

Birds SA have recorded 152 different bird species in the park including  Superb Fairywren, Red-browed Finch, Galah, New Holland Honeyeater, White-browed Scrubwren, and Red Wattlebird.

We operated from just inside gate 5 near the intersection of Varanus Tack and Boronia Track. Our operating equipment was the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

We made a total of 43 QSOs. Unfortunately, we were running short of time and needed to be at our son’s house for dinner and to drop off some tickets for the Bay to Birdwood Car Rally.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5CZ/m
  2. VK3VIN
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK1CHW
  5. VK2IO/m
  6. VK5HS
  7. VK7AAE
  8. VK1AO
  9. VK2MET
  10. VK5LKJ
  11. VK3UAO
  12. VK3SMW
  13. VK3SO

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. IK4IDF
  2. DK4RM

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5CZ/m
  2. VK3VIN
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK1CHW
  5. VK2IO/m
  6. VK5HS
  7. VK7AAE
  8. VK1AO
  9. VK2MET
  10. VK5LKJ
  11. VK3UAO
  12. VK3SMW
  13. VK3SO
  14. VK4SMA

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK6AKT
  2. F1BLL
  3. ZL1TPE
  4. VK6JK
  5. VK1AO
  6. VK2MET
  7. VK6HDY/2
  8. ON4ON
  9. VK4JM
  10. KD1CT
  11. IK4IDF
  12. IW2BNA
  13. DK4RM
  14. OH1MM

References.

  1. Birds SA, 2023, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/cox-scrub-conservation-park/>, viewed 21st October 2023.
  2. National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2023, <https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cox-scrub-conservation-park>, viewed 21st October 2023.
  3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox_Scrub_Conservation_Park>, viewed 21st October 2023.

Finniss Conservation Park VKFF-1030

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Our third park for the 2023 VKFF Team Championship on Saturday 21st October 2023, was the Finniss Conservation Park VKFF-0916.

Above: Map showing the location of the Finnis CP. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Finniss Conservation Park is 123 hectares in size and was first proclaimed on 29th January 1976.  An additional 56 hectares were added between 1985 and 2005.  The park is undulating with Woodland consisting of Pink Gum and Golden Wattle, and Low Woodland consisting of Cup Gum and Pink Gum over Tate’s Grass-tree.

The park is located just 7 km (by road) to the northeast of the settlement of Nangkita. It is located about 20 km to the northwest of the settlement of Finniss which was originally known as Queen’s Own Town, after the Queen’s Own Regiment of Foot.  The name of the town was changed in 1940 to Finniss, in in honour of an early surveyor and the first Premier of South Australia, Colonel Boyle Travers Finniss.

Above:- Colonel Boyle Travers Finniss.  Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Over 62 species of native birds have been recorded in the park including Laughing Kookaburra, Galah, Adelaide Rosella, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Grey Fantail, Eastern Spinebill, and Australian Golden Whistler.

The park is located in close proximity to a number of other conservation parks, including Cox Scrub, Mount Magnificent, Kyeema, and Bullock Hill.

As we drove along Mount Magnificent Road we enjoyed some magnificent views out to the east and southeast.

We crossed the Finniss River en route to Finniss.

We then travelled along Stones Ford Road and crossed the Finniss River again at a small ford.

We continued north along Stones Ford Road which is part of the Heysen Trail, and soon reached the southwestern corner of the Finniss Conservation Park.

Our operating equipment for this activation was the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported on the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole.

Marija and I logged a total of 73 QSOs. This included 6 Park to Park contacts. There was also a nice little opening on 20m on the long path into Europe.

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4MGL/p (Main Range National Park VKFF-0300)
  2. ZL3MR
  3. VK4EW
  4. S51ZZ
  5. VK1AO/p (Port Stephens/Great Lakes Marine Park VKFF-1410)
  6. VK2MET/p (Port Stephens/Great Lakes Marine Park VKFF-1410)
  7. IK4IDF

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SG
  2. VK3PF
  3. VK3UAO
  4. VK3GB
  5. VK5CZ/m
  6. VK3VIN
  7. VK5NM
  8. VK1CHW
  9. VK5BJE
  10. VK5FD
  11. VK2ZLM
  12. VK3UZI
  13. VK3GJG
  14. VK5HYZ
  15. VK5DAB
  16. VK1DI
  17. VK2LEE
  18. VK5FANA
  19. VK2USH
  20. VK3MIJ
  21. VK3EJ
  22. VK4SMA
  23. VK3SAK
  24. VK3ZS
  25. VK3ACZ
  26. VK1AO
  27. VK2MET
  28. VK5AAF

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4MGL/p (Main Range National Park VKFF-0300)
  2. IK3HMB
  3. IK4IDF
  4. ZL3MR
  5. UT5PI
  6. IW2BNA
  7. SQ9CWO
  8. VK4EW
  9. HA0ML
  10. 9A2KI
  11. IK1GPG
  12. I4RHP
  13. W1OW
  14. UA3BM
  15. S51ZZ
  16. VK1AO/p (Port Stephens/Great Lakes Marine Park VKFF-1410)
  17. VK2MET/p (Port Stephens/Great Lakes Marine Park VKFF-1410)
  18. OM5TX
  19. OM5DP
  20. OM3CND
  21. IZ5JMZ
  22. IZ2IHO
  23. S52BB
  24. OE3NRC
  25. OH1MM
  26. ON4VT
  27. IW2NXI
  28. IZ2BHQ
  29. VK6NTE
  30. IK4IDP
  31. F5PYI
  32. IU2JWF
  33. OH5TQ
  34. OH1CM
  35. F1BLL
  36. OH1XT
  37. SP1JQJ
  38. DK9HN

References.

  1. Birds SA, 2023, <http://www.birdssa.asn.au/location/finniss-conservation-park/&gt;, viewed 21st October 2023
  2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finniss,_South_Australia&gt;, viewed 21st October 2023

Mount Magnificent Conservation Park VKFF-0916

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Our second park for the 2023 VKFF Team Championship on Saturday 21st October 2023, was the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park VKFF-0916.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Mount Magnificent CP. Map c/o Google Maps.

Mount Magnificent Conservation Park is 90 hectares (220 acres) in size. The summit of Mount Magnificent which rises 380 metres above sea level can be found in the park. The park is bounded to the west by the Blackfellows Creek Road and to the east by Mount Magnificent Road. The Heysen trail passes through the park.

The park was previously known as the Mount Magnificent National Park when it was gazetted on the 10th day of August 1967. On the 27th day of April 1972, it was reconstituted as the Mount Magnificent Conservation Park.

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

We made a total of 52 QSOs between us. This included 6 Park to Park contacts.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3ZSC
  5. VK3APJ
  6. VK3TKK/p (Wyberjong Streamside Reserve VKFF-3924)
  7. VK3GJG
  8. VK3PT/p (pedestrian mobile)
  9. VK3UAO
  10. VK5ADP

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4JM/p (Main Range National Park VKFF-0300)
  2. VK1RF
  3. VK2MK
  4. VK4CEE
  5. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ CT-002 & Kanangra-Boyd National Park VKFF-0256)
  6. VK2KEV
  7. VK5HAA
  8. VK5BJE
  9. VK6KMS/m

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3ZSC
  5. VK3APJ
  6. VK3TKK/p (Wyberjong Streamside Reserve VKFF-3924)
  7. VK3GJG
  8. VK3PT/p (pedestrian mobile)
  9. VK3UAO
  10. VK5ADP
  11. VK3MHZ
  12. VK5QD
  13. VK5ZLT
  14. VK3CJN
  15. VK3GB
  16. VK5FBIC/m
  17. VK3KGW
  18. VK5FL/p (Wirrabara silo)
  19. VK3SG
  20. VK5NHG
  21. VK5AAF
  22. VK5HAA

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4JM/p (Main Range National Park VKFF-0300)
  2. VK1RF
  3. VK2MK
  4. VK4CEE
  5. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ CT-002 & Kanangra-Boyd National Park VKFF-0256)
  6. VK2KEV
  7. VK5HAA
  8. VK5BJE
  9. OH1MM
  10. VK6KMS/m
  11. VK4CK

References.

  1. National Parks and Wildlife Service, 2023, <https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/mount-magnificent-conservation-park>, viewed 21st October 2023.
  2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Magnificent_Conservation_Park>, viewed 21st October 2023.

Trip to Renmark for the VKFF National Get-Together

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Marija VK5MAZ and I are home from our trip to the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together at Renmark.


Here are our park and silo activation stats whilst we were away:-

  • 17 x parks – VKFF
  • 15 x silos – SiOTA
  • 1,024 QSOs
  • 230 Park to Park

Thursday 26th October 2023.

Tailem Bend silo VK-WRN5

  • 6 QSOs

Karoonda silo VK-KRA5

  • 15 QSOs

Wanbi silo VK-WNI5

  • 8 QSOs

Alawoona silo VK-ALA5

  • 12 QSOs

Morkala Bushland Reserve VKFF-4119

  • 69 QSOs
  • 14 Park to Park

Karween Bushland Reserve VKFF-4120

  • 94 QSOs
  • 6 Park to Park

Bambil Bushland Reserve VKFF-4121

  • 36 QSOs
  • 6 Park to Park

Friday 27th October 2023.

Cooltong Conservation Park VKFF-0823

  • 48 QSOs
  • 14 Park to Park

Murray River National Park VKFF-0372

  • 66 QSOs
  • 27 Park to Park

Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831

  • 57 QSOs
  • 6 Park to Park

Sunday 29th October 2023.

Danggali Conservation Park VKFF-0825

  • 65 QSOs
  • 26 Park to Park

Chowilla Regional Reserve VKFF-1698

  • 66 QSOs
  • 30 Park to Park

Murray River National Park VKFF-0372 and Paringa silo VK-PRG5

  • 18 QSOs
  • 2 Park to Park

Monday 30th October 2023.

Morkalla-Redcliffs Railway Bushland Reserve VKFF-4127 and Yarrara silo VK-YRA3

  • 65 QSOs
  • 23 Park to Park

Morkalla-Redcliffs Railway Bushland Reserve VKFF-4127 and Meringur silo VK-MRR3

  • 10 QSOs
  • 10 Park to Park

Werrimul Bushland Reserve VKFF-4122 and Werrimul silo VK-WRU3

  • 66 QSOs
  • 21 Park to Park

Karawinna Bushland Reserve VKFF-4123 and Karawinna silo VK-KRA3

  • 81 QSOs
  • 25 Park to Park

Merrinee Bushland Reserve VKFF-4124 and Merinee silo VK-MRE3

  • 38 QSOs
  • 6 Park to Park

Pirlta Bushland Reserve VKFF-4125 and Pirlta silo VK-PRT3

  • 61 QSOs
  • 2 Park to Park

Tuesday 31st October 2023.

Waikerie silo VK-WKE5

  • 9 QSOs

DB Mack Reserve VKFF-4032

  • 26 QSOs
  • 7 Park to Park

Fort Glanville Conservation Park VKFF-1031

  • 24 QSOs
  • 2 Park to Park

Outer Harbour silo VK-OTR5

  • 11 QSOs

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary VKFF-1880

  • 41 QSOs
  • 2 Park to Park

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary VKFF-1880 and Osborne silo VK-OSE5

  • 20 QSOs
  • 1 Park to Park

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary VKFF-1880 and Port Adelaide silo VK-PRA5

  • 12 QSOs

I will slowly add details and photos about each activation to my WordPress site over the coming weeks.


Thank you to everyone who called.


I will also post some info about the Get-Together in a separate post.

Kyeema Conservation Park VKFF-0826

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On Saturday 21st October 2023, Marija VK5MAZ and I activated the Kyeema Conservation Park VKFF-0826 for the 2023 VKFF Team Championship.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kyeema CP. Map c/o Google maps.

We have activated Kyeema a number of times previously, but it was close to home and suited us as we had a big day planned for Sunday with the Bay to Birdwood Classic Car Rally.

For more information on the Kyeema Conservation Park, please have a look at my previous post……

Kyeema Conservation Park VKFF-0826

We set up in our normal spot off Woodgate Hill Road. There is a nice clearing here with plenty of room to string out the dipole antenna.

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

We made a total of 72 QSOs between us. This included 12 Park to Park contacts.

The highlight of the activation was to work the special event station ZL6WG, promoting the 2024 NZART Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5GY/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)
  2. VK5HS
  3. VK5MRE
  4. VK5FB
  5. VK5AAF
  6. VK3FDA
  7. VK5AYL
  8. VK3PF
  9. VK2VH
  10. VK4AAC
  11. VK3BBB
  12. VK2CP
  13. VK2VAR
  14. VK2GOM
  15. VK5KLD
  16. VK5CZ/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4MGL/p (Main Range National Park VKFF-0300)
  2. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ CT-004 and Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve VKFF-2505)
  3. ZL3RIK
  4. ZL6WG
  5. VK2VAR
  6. VK2GOM
  7. VK1RF
  8. VK2MK
  9. VK4CEE
  10. ZL1HIM
  11. ZL3MR
  12. VK2TER/p (Howe Aboriginal ArRea VKFF-3232)
  13. VK5GY/p Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5GY/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)
  2. VK5FB
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK3SQ
  5. VK2BD
  6. VK2VH
  7. VK4AAC
  8. VK3PF
  9. VK3GJG
  10. VK5AAF
  11. VK5MRE
  12. VK5HS
  13. VK5KLD
  14. VK3CAS
  15. VK5FL/p (Wirrabara silo VK-WRA5)
  16. VK3DCQ
  17. VK2MOP
  18. VK5NBL
  19. VK3IH
  20. VK5CZ/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4MGL/p (Main Range National Park VKFF-0300)
  2. VK2IO/p (SOTA VK2/ CT-004 and Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve VKFF-2505)
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET
  5. ZL1TM
  6. ZL1HIM
  7. VK2VAR
  8. VK2GOM
  9. ZL3RIK/p (ZLL/ 0616)
  10. ZL6WG
  11. VK4SMA
  12. VK4EHI
  13. VK1RF
  14. VK2MK
  15. VK4CEE
  16. VK2TER/p (Howe Aboriginal Area VKFF-3232)
  17. VK7AAE
  18. VK2USH
  19. VK2KEV
  20. VK7ID
  21. VK2SOL
  22. ZL3MR
  23. VK5GY/p (Caroona Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0875)

References.

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