VK3IFR aeronautical mobile

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On Thursday 28th December 2023 I was the Net Control on the Australia New Zealand Africa (ANZA) DX Net. And I was very pleased to have Tim VK3IFR join us.

Tim was in the cockpit of a Qantas Boeing 737 aircraft.

Tim was flying from Perth to Melbourne and was flying across Kangaroo Island in South Australia at the time.

He was a 20/9 signal to me at Ashbourne and made a lot of people very happy who got Tim in the log.

Thanks for joining the Net Tim. You are always welcome.

Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4175

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After leaving Wyperfeld, Marija and I headed north to the Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4175. The reserve is located about 3km north of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve. Map c/p Google Maps.

The reserve is located on the northern side of Gnarr Road, near the junction with Harrison Road. THere is a small section on the southern side of Gnarr Road.

Above:- The Kangaroo Tank Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

The reserve is about 48 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. The park is surrounded by cleared farming land.

I used the special event call of VI10VKFF for this activation. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)
  4. VK3GQ/p (Innes National Park VKFF-0243)
  5. VK3TUN/p (Greater Bendigo National Park VKFF-0623)
  6. VK3GP/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  7. VK5BRU/p (Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895)
  8. VK2YK/p (Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park VKFF-0897)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK5HS
  4. VK5DW
  5. VK3YV
  6. VK3BEL
  7. VK5TN
  8. VK5BRU/p (Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3VIN
  4. VK2HHA
  5. VK5HS
  6. VK3MTT
  7. VK5CZ
  8. Vk2EXA
  9. VK3PF
  10. VK5IS
  11. VK5FANA
  12. VK3SQ
  13. VK2BD
  14. VK3OB
  15. VK2IO/p (Speed Bushland Reserve VKFF-4246)
  16. VK3YV
  17. VK3GQ/p (Innes National Park VKFF-0243)
  18. VK3BEL
  19. VK1AO
  20. VK2MET
  21. VK3DJC
  22. VK5ADP
  23. VK3TUN/p (Greater Bendigo National Park VKFF-0623)
  24. VK3ZSC
  25. VK2GQR
  26. VK3APJ
  27. VK3CEO
  28. VK5KLV
  29. VK3DWL
  30. VK3GP/p (Grampians National Park VKFF-0213)
  31. VK3UH
  32. VK3PI
  33. VK5MK
  34. VK5AAF
  35. VK5FB
  36. VK3ARM
  37. VK3ZMD
  38. VK5BRU/p
  39. VK2YK/p (Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park VKFF-0897)

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK5HS
  4. VK5DW
  5. VK3YV
  6. VK3BEL
  7. VK5TN
  8. VK5BRU/p (Springs Road Native Forest Reserve VKFF-2895)
  9. VK5CZ
  10. VK3OAK
  11. VK5IS

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. ZL1HIM
  2. VK1AO
  3. VK2MET
  4. VK4SMA
  5. VK4EMP
  6. VK4TI
  7. ZL4NVW
  8. VK4JT

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022.

Wyperfeld National Park VKFF-0549

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It was now time to activate the Wyperfeld National Park VKFF-0549 as part of the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA) Activation Weekend. The park is located about 450 km northwest of Melbourne.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Wyperfeld National Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Wyperfeld National Park was established in 1921. It is about 357,017 hectares in size and it is the third largest National Park in Victoria.

Above:- Boundary map of the Wyperfeld National Park. Image c/o Protected Planet.

The name Wyperfeld is of Germanic origin: Wyper meaning tributary of Rhine River, and feld meaning field.  It is believed to have been made by the Prussian settler who came to the Wimmera-Mallee region from South Australia. 

Before European settlement of the area, the land was occupied by the Wotjobaluk aboriginal people. They regularly travelled along Outlet Creek Tyakil‐ba‐Tyakil visiting the various lakes and swamps.  

Wypefeld was originally divided into pastoral leases during the 1860s. 

In 1898 naturalist Archibald James Campbell (b. 1853. d. 1929) and Charles McLennan (later appointed as the first ranger at Wilsons Promontory National Park) visited the area which was to become Wypefeld National Park. In the Victorian Naturalist he stated ‘for dinner we had scrambled Mallee Hen eggs; and they proved first-class diet.‘

Above:- Archibald James Campbell. Image c/o Wikipedia.

In September 1907, a prominent ornithologist Arthur Herbert Evelyn Mattingley (b. 1870. d. 1950) and two associates Jack Ross and Frank Howe, visited the Wyperfeld area. Mattingly insisted that it should be made a reserve for nature lovers. He described it as a ‘paradise for nature lovers.’ In 1909 he was successful in having about 9,000 acres of land temporarily set aside around the Wonga Basin. At the time Victoria had only three National Parks: Tower Hill, Wilsons Promontory, and Mount Buffalo.

Above:- Arthur Mattingley. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Mattingley continued to visit the Wyperfeld National Park, often leading parties of field naturalists.

Above:- Article from The Argus, Melbourne, Mon 14 Nov 1932. Image c/o Trove.

Sir James William Barrett (b. 1862. d. 1945) was the Chairman of the National Parks Association, and he was instrumental in having the Wyperfeld National Park declared in 1921.

Above:- Sir James WIlliam Barrett. Image c/o Wikipedia.

Wyperfeld was once a shallow sea, from about 25 million years ago until fairly recent times. Wyperfeld’s current landforms are a result of the sea gradually retreating, leaving a vast expanse of sandy sediment. These formed into sand dunes about 40,000 to 15,000 years ago.

Wyperfeld contains a series of ephemeral lakes. Ephemeral lakes remain flooded annually for short periods, but may not hold water for several years due to rainfall. Before European settlement of the area, the Wyperfeld ephemeral lakes filled and emptied, on average about every 20 years. Due to agricultural irrigation and drainage projects in the district, much of Wyperfeld’s water supply has been cut off.

During years of good rainfall, the Wimmera River fills Lake Hindmarsh, which then overflows along Outlet Creek and into Lake Albacutya.

The park is part of the Wyperfeld, Big Desert and Ngarkat Important Bird Area, identified by BirdLife International due to its importance for the conservation of the vulnerable Malleefowl and other Mallee birds.

About 450 species of native plants can be found in Wyperfeld. Various Australian mammals call the park home, including Western Grey Kangaroo, Red Kangaroo, Black Wallaby, Fat-tailed Dunnart, and Western pygmy possum.

We only had a short drive from Gunners Tank to be inside the Wyperfeld National Park. I used the special event call of VI10VKFF for this activation. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported on the 7-metre heavy- duty telescopic squid pole.

Marija worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK6LMK
  2. VK2IO/p (Bronzewing Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2280)
  3. VK4JJ
  4. VK2NP
  5. ZL2HIM
  6. VK4MUD
  7. VK1RF
  8. VK2MK
  9. VK4CEE
  10. VK4FOX
  11. VK4OWL

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3XCI/p (Terrick Terrick National Park VKFF-0630)
  2. VK5AV/p (Mornington Peninsula National Park VKFF-0333)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK6LMK
  2. VK2IO/p (Bronzewing Flora & Fauna Reserve VKFF-2280)
  3. VK4JJ
  4. VK2NP
  5. ZL2HIM
  6. VK4MUD
  7. VK1RF
  8. VK2MK
  9. VK4CEE
  10. VK4FOX
  11. VK4OWL
  12. VK1AO
  13. VK2MET
  14. VK2EME
  15. VK4JT
  16. Vk4ABF
  17. VK2BYO
  18. VK4EMP
  19. VK4TI
  20. VK7HCK
  21. VK4EW

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3XCI/p (Terrick Terrick National Park VKFF-0630)
  2. VK3UH
  3. VK2KYO
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3KAI
  6. VK3OAK
  7. VK3APJ
  8. VK3CEO
  9. VK5FANA
  10. VK1AD
  11. VK1NAM
  12. VK5LA
  13. VK5KAW
  14. VK5AV/p (Mornington Peninsula National Park VKFF-0333)
  15. VK3YV
  16. VK5TN
  17. VK3VIN
  18. VK3SG
  19. VK3DAC
  20. VK3AEK/m
  21. VK3EJ

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3KAI

References.

  1. Blake, L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. Durham, G, 2001, Wyperfeld Australia’s first Mallee park
  3. Nickolls, J, Angel, A, 2002, Mallee Tracks.
  4. Parks Victoria, 2024, <https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/wyperfeld-national-park>, viewed 8th January 2024.
  5. Parks Victoria, 2024, Wyperfeld National Park Visitor Guide
  6. Science Direct, 2024, <https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/ephemeral-lake>, viewed 8th January 2024.
  7. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyperfeld_National_Park>, viewed 8th January 2024.

Gunners Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4178

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Our next activation for Sunday 12th November 2023 was the Gunners Tank Bushland Reserve VKFF-4178. The reserve is about 14km south of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of Gunners Tank Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

We accessed the reserve Gunner Road which runs off the Underbool-Patchewollock Road, south of Underbool.

The reserve is located at the end of Gunner Road. It adjoins the Wyperfeld National Park.

Parks Victoria has a webpage regarding the park but it contains no information of value other than a boundary image of the reserve. 

The reserve is about 112 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979.

It was a warm afternoon, so we found the shade of a small tree and set up the station comprising the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts output, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

I used the special event call sign of VI10VKFF for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291)
  2. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK5KLV
  6. VK5LA
  7. VK5KAW
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5IS
  10. VK3ARM

Marija worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2EG/p (Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291)
  2. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK5KLV
  6. VK5LA
  7. VK5KAW
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5IS
  10. VK3ARM
  11. VK3GDM/m
  12. VK5NK
  13. VK5DW
  14. VK3BBB
  15. VK2CCP
  16. VK5FANA
  17. VK3SQ
  18. VK2BD
  19. VK3APJ
  20. VK3SG
  21. VK3NBL
  22. VK3GRX
  23. VK3WMD
  24. VK3AHR
  25. VK3UH
  26. VK3PKT
  27. VK5AAF
  28. VK3CEO
  29. VK5DU
  30. VK3EI
  31. VK2EXA
  32. VK3OAK
  33. VK3CLD
  34. VK2VAR
  35. VK2GOM
  36. VK3ACZ
  37. VK3BFX
  38. VK1AD
  39. VK1NAM
  40. VK5NM
  41. VK7AN

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VK2MET
  3. VK2EG/p (Macquarie Nature Reserve VKFF-1958)
  4. VK4JT
  5. VK4MUD
  6. VK6LMK
  7. ZL1HIM
  8. VK2NP

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022.

Daalko Bushland Reserve VKFF-4177

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Our next activation for Sunday 12th November 2023 was the Daalko Bushland Reserve VKFF-4177. The reserve is located about 10km south of Underbool in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Daalko Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Daalko is a parish in northwestern Victoria. Daalko is an aboriginal word meaning ‘good’.

Above:- The Parish of Daalko. Image c/o Mapshare Victoria.

Land in the Daalko area was opened up for farming in the early 1900s.

Above:- Article from The Argus, Melbourne, Tues 7 Nov 1911. Image c/o Trove.

The reserve is divided into three sections, as the Underbool-Patchewollock Road and the Welshmans Plain Road pass through the reserve.

Above:- An aerial view of the reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

There is a Parks Victoria page for the Daalko Bushland Reserve but it contains no information about the reserve.

The reserve is about 84 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979. 

I used the special event call sign of VI10VKFF for this activation. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK1DI/2 (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF-3237)
  6. VK5FANA
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET
  9. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291 VKFF-0291)
  2. VK1DI/p (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF-3237)
  3. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI
  5. VK1DI/2 (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF -3237)
  6. VK5FANA
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET
  9. VK3CLD
  10. VK3OAK
  11. VK3CEO
  12. VK1RF
  13. VK2MK
  14. VK4CEE
  15. VK5KLV
  16. VK2VAR
  17. VK2GOM
  18. VK1AD
  19. VK1NAM
  20. VK7EE
  21. VK2YK
  22. VK5GA
  23. VK3SQ
  24. VK2BD
  25. VK3MCK
  26. VK2EXA
  27. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)
  28. VK3YV
  29. VK3IDM

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

  1. VK2VAR
  2. VK2GOM
  3. VK3YV
  4. VK3MCA/p (Little Desert National Park VKFF-0291)
  5. VK2EXA
  6. VK3SQ
  7. VK2BD
  8. VK3OAK
  9. VK1AD
  10. VK1NAM
  11. VK3PF
  12. VK3KAI
  13. VK5TN
  14. VK3CEO
  15. VK5KLV
  16. VK5DU
  17. VK2ZL/p
  18. VK2OKR
  19. VK2AUS
  20. VK1DI/p (Murramarang Aboriginal Area VKFF-3237)
  21. VK2IO/p (Watseys Bushland Reserve VKFF-4250)

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK5LA
  2. VK5KAW
  3. VK3PF
  4. VK3KAI

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VK2MET
  3. VK4MUD
  4. ZL1HIM
  5. ZL1ALF
  6. VK1RF
  7. VK2MK
  8. VK4CEE
  9. VK2NP
  10. ZL1TM

References.

  1. Blake, L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. CAPAD 2022.

Harrisons Basin Bushland Reserve VKFF-4184

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Our second activation for Sunday 12th November 2024, was the Harrisons Basin Bushland Reserve VKFF-4184. The park is located about 46 km west of Ouyen in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of Harrisons Basin Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

It was only a short drive to the reserve from our previous activation. As we drove north along McVicar Road we could see the reserve to our east across the paddocks.

The reserve is located on the eastern side of Harrisons Road. There are a number of dirt tracks leading into the reserve.

The Parks Victoria website has a page regarding the reserve, but it contains no information other than a boundary image of the reserve.

The reserve is about 57 hectares in size and was established on the 1st day of May 1979.

I observed several Rainbow Bee Eaters in the park, but they were too far away and quick for my photographic skills. But I did capture some photos of several Pardolates, a small, brightly coloured little Australian native bird. Pardolate is a Greek word meaning ‘spotted’.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI
  6. VK2IO/p (Sparas Bushland Reserve VKFF-4245)
  7. VK5MK/p (Scott Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0788)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI
  6. VK3YV
  7. VK3SQ
  8. VK2BD
  9. VK5GY
  10. VK3GJG
  11. VK5FANA
  12. VK2NP
  13. VK2IO/m
  14. VK5KLV
  15. VK1AD
  16. VK1NAM
  17. VK3VIN
  18. VK2ZL/p
  19. VK2OKR
  20. VK2AUS
  21. VK2YAK
  22. VK4YAK
  23. VK2VRJ
  24. VK3CEO
  25. VK2IO/p (Sparas Bushland Reserve VKFF-4245)
  26. VK3GRX
  27. VK5MK/p (Scott Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0788)
  28. VK1CHW
  29. VK2PKT

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2VH
  2. VK4AAC
  3. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  4. VK3PF
  5. VK3PI
  6. VK3YV
  7. VK3SQ
  8. VK2BD
  9. VK5GY
  10. VK3GJG
  11. VK5KLV
  12. VK5FANA
  13. VK1AD
  14. VK1NAM

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3GJG
  4. VK5GY
  5. VK3PF
  6. VK3MCK

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4MUD
  2. ZL1TM
  3. VK4JT
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. ZL1HIM

References.

  1. CAPAD 2022
  2. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardalote>, viewed 8th January 2024.

Nyang I238 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4182

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Our first activation for Sunday 12th November 2023 was the Nyang I238 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4182. The park is located about 44 km west of Ouyen in northwestern Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Nyang I238 Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

Nyang is an area/Parish in northwestern Victoria. Nyang is an aboriginal word meaning request to sit down.

Above:- the parish of Nyang. Image c/o Mapshare Victoria.

Nyang was once a small town. It is not to be confused with Nyang Homestead and Station which is located near the town of Moulamein.

Above:- A plan of the township of Nyang. Image c/o State Library Victoria.

Nyang was once a thriving district and had its own railway station, a Farmers Association, and a Progress Association.

Above:- Article from The Ouyen Mail and Central Mallee Advertiser, Fri 15 Aug 1913. Image co Trove.

The Nyang State School (No. 3871) opened on the 31st day of September 1914 in the Torrita public hall. It was renamed the Torritata State School on the 20th day of October 1921. In 1969 the school closed and the building was moved to Walpeup to be used as an art room.

The Nyang I238 Bushland Reserve is about 2 hectares in size and was established on the 8th day of May 1990. It is located on the northern side of the Mallee Highway at the junction with McVicar Road.

Above:- Aerial shot of the Nyang I238 Bushland Reserve. Image c/o Google Earth.

Parks Victoria has a webpage for this park but it contains no information.

The park has two sections, on either side of McVicar Road. It is a very small piece of remnant mallee scrub and is surrounded by cleared farming land.

We set up the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation and ran the Yaesu FT857 and 40 watts output.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3KAI
  3. VK2DG
  4. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2DG
  2. VK2PF
  3. VK3KAI
  4. VK3GJG
  5. VK3MAP
  6. VK2EX
  7. VK3MCK

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3PF
  2. VK3KAI
  3. VK2DG
  4. VK2HHA
  5. VK2EX
  6. VK3MCK
  7. VK2NP
  8. VK3DAC
  9. VK3ZK
  10. VK3GJG/m
  11. VK3UP/m
  12. VK7PSJ
  13. VK3AWA
  14. VK3SO
  15. VK7ZGK
  16. VK2EXA
  17. VK3VIN
  18. VK1CHW
  19. VK2IO/p (Dering I254 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4226)
  20. VK1AD
  21. VK1NAM
  22. VK5AAF
  23. VK3SQ
  24. VK2BD
  25. VK1RF
  26. VK2MK
  27. VK4CEE
  28. VK2ZL
  29. VK5KLV
  30. VK2LWK
  31. VK2YAK
  32. VK4YAK
  33. VK2VH
  34. VK4AAC
  35. VK7LTD
  36. VK3BBB
  37. VK2CCP

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

  1. VK2DG
  2. VK2PF
  3. VK3KAI
  4. VK3GJG
  5. VK3MAP
  6. VK2EX
  7. VK3MCK
  8. VK3AWA
  9. VK3SQ
  10. VK2BD

I worked the following stations on 40m FM:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3MAP

I worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK2GRA

References.

  1. Blake, L, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
  2. Wikipedia, 2024, <>, viewed 7th January 2024.

Pinnaroo silo VK-PNO5

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After packing up at the Karte Conservation Park, Marija and I headed to Pinnaroo for a quick activation of the Pinnaroo silo VK-PNO5, and then a bite to eat at one of the local hotels, before heading back over the border to Murrayville, Victoria.

Above:- Map showing the location of Pinnaroo. Map c/o Google Maps.

For a detailed history of Pinnaroo, please see my previous post at….

Pinnaroo silos VK-PNO5, Silos On The Air

The Pinnaroo silos are located on Silo Road and are operated by Viterra.

We parked alongside the railway line off Chandos Road.

Above:- the activation zone at the Pinnaroo silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZK/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  2. VK5TN
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3ZK/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  2. VK5TN
  3. VK3APJ
  4. VK1AO
  5. VK2MET
  6. VK3PF
  7. VK5FANA
  8. Vk4SYD
  9. Vk3SPX
  10. VK5IS
  11. Vk3GJG
  12. VK5GY
  13. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  14. VK6HDY/2
  15. VK3DAC

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK4EW
  2. VK4EMP
  3. VK4TI
  4. VK4MUD
  5. VK4SMA
  6. VK4SYD
  7. VK1AO
  8. VK2MET

We still had a little bit of time up our sleeve so we visited the Pinnaroo Wildlife Park. We do these each time we visit Pinnaroo and make a small donation. They have a nice collection of Australian birds and animals. 

We then had a very nice meal at the Golden Grain Hotel. The hotel was built in 1906 and is Pinnaroo’s oldest hotel. It was originally called the Land of Promise. In 1913 the hotel’s name was changed to the Commercial Hotel. In 1958 it was renamed the Golden Grain Hotel.

Following our meal we drove back to our accommodation at Murrayville.

References.

  1. issuu, 2024, <https://issuu.com/boylen/docs/hsa_may_21_f/s/12257037>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  2. Kloeden, P & A, 1998, Heritage of the Murray Mallee.
  3. Publocation, 2024, <https://publocation.com.au/pubs/sa/pinnaroo/golden-grain-hotel>, viewed 6th January 2024.

Karte Conservation Park VKFF-0898

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After leaving Peebinga, Marija and I headed to our final park activation for the day, the Karte Conservation Park VKFF-0898. Karte is about 239 km east of Adelaide.

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

Karte is a former town and a locality close to the South Australia/Victoria State border. The town of Karte was proclaimed on the 8th day of June 1916. The town was located to the immediate northwest of the Karte Railway Station. The town was named after the railway station which was located on the Peebinga railway line. Karte is an aboriginal word meaning ‘low thick scrub’.

Above:- The gazettal of the town of Karte, SA Govt Gazette, June 8 1916.

Karte was once a flourishing community and had a school. a post office, a hall, a railway gangers barracks, and a eucalyptus distillery.

Karte had its own tennis netball, cricket and football clubs.

Above:- Article from the Pinnaroo and Border Times, Fri 17 Jun 1927. Image c/o Trove.

The park is well-signposted at the junction of Karte Road and Settlers Road.

Karte Conservation Park was formerly the Karte National Park, proclaimed on the 4th day of September 1969. On the 27th day of April 1972, it was reconstituted as the Karte Conservation Park.

Above:- The proclamation of the park, SA Govt Gazette, 4th September 1969.

The park is about 3,564 hectares in size with the entire area being considered undesirable for agricultural purposes. It is believed that no grazing has ever taken place in the park and that none of the park has ever been cleared. The park consists of mallee heath and shrubland.

Above:- The Karte Conservation Park. Image c/o Google Earth.

Birds SA have recorded a total of 88 species of bird in the park including Common Bronzewing, Grey Butcherbird, Black-backed Fairywren, Malleefowl, Inland Thornbill, and Southern Scrub Robin.

We parked in the Karte campground and set up the 20/40/80m linked dipole, supported on the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole. We ran the Yaesu FT857 and 40 watts.

We ended up with 84 QSOs including 20 Park to Park contacts.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3UCD
  4. VK3PI
  5. VK2VH
  6. VK4AAC
  7. VK3SG
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5DW
  10. VK3TUN/p (Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629)
  11. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  12. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  13. VK2IO/p (Yarto Bushland Reserve VKFF-4256)
  14. VK3ZK/m (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  15. VK2OKR/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  16. VK2AUS/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  17. VK3ARD/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  18. VK5HYZ/p (Coorong National Park VKFF-0115)
  19. VK2TER/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3SQ
  2. VK2BD
  3. VK3UCD
  4. VK3PI
  5. VK2VH
  6. VK4AAC
  7. VK3SG
  8. VK3MTT
  9. VK5DW
  10. VK3TUN/p (Kara Kara National Park VKFF-0629)
  11. VK3PWG/p (Budj Bim National Park VKFF-0345)
  12. VK3XCI/p (Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
  13. Vk2EXA
  14. VK5FANA
  15. VK3CEO
  16. VK5MK
  17. VK3PF
  18. VK3KAI
  19. VK2IO/p (Yarto Bushland Reserve VKFF-4256)
  20. VK5FB/m
  21. VK5KLV
  22. VK3VIN
  23. VK3UP
  24. VK3ACU/m
  25. VK3LOC/m
  26. VK2MOP
  27. VK3HX
  28. VK5DU
  29. VK3ZK/m (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  30. VK2VAR
  31. VK2GOM
  32. VK3BAP
  33. VK2OKR/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  34. VK2AUS/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
  35. VK3ARD/p (Churchill National Park VKFF-0621)
  36. VK5NM/m
  37. VK6TQ/m
  38. VK5AAF
  39. VK5HYZ/p (Coorong National Park VKFF-0115)
  40. VK6HDY/2
  41. VK5TN
  42. VK5GY
  43. VK3AG
  44. VK3JK
  45. VK3APJ
  46. VK5IU
  47. VK3MIJ
  48. VK1RF
  49. VK2MK
  50. VK4CEE
  51. VK2TER/p (Wyrrabalong National Park VKFF-0550)
  52. VK1AO
  53. VK2MET
  54. VK2NP
  55. VK3CWF

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. ZL3PIE/p
  2. VK4SYD
  3. VK1AO
  4. VK2MET
  5. VK4EW
  6. VK4JT
  7. VK4XCS
  8. VK4PDX
  9. ZL2GLG
  10. VK4CC

I worked the following station on 20m AM:-

  1. VK4EW

References.

  1. Birds SA, 2024, <https://birdssa.asn.au/location/karte-conservation-park/>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  2. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karte_Conservation_Park>, viewed 6th January 2024.
  3. Wikipedia, 2024, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karte,_South_Australia>, viewed 6th January 2024.