Cox Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0824 and 2025 National Wattle Day

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Yesterday (Tuesday, 1st September 2025) was National Wattle Day. Each VKFF activator would be sent a special certificate for National Wattle Day, so I was keen to get out into the field. However, I had several other commitments, including grandpa duties and assisting in the running of the ANZA DX Net. It was also a terrible day, with continual drizzling rain.

Following the conclusion of the ANZA DX Net, I headed down the road to the Cox Scrub Conservation Park VKFF-0824. Fortunately, the weather had cleared. The park is located about 65 km south of Adelaide.

Above: Map showing the location of the Cox Scrub Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

I have previously activated the Cox Scrub Conservation Park several times. The last time was in 2024.

Access to the park is either via Bull Creek Road on the eastern side of the park or via Ridge Road on the western side of the park.

Above: An aerial view of the park showing its boundaries. Image c/o Google Earth.

Cox Scrub Conservation Park is about 563 hectares in size, making it one of the larger parks on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The park was established on the 5th day of March 1970, with further additions made in 1977 (30 hectares), 1982 (2 hectares), 1984 (8 hectares) and 2018 (19 hectares). (Birds SA 2016) (National Parks n.d.)

Above: Aerial view of the Cox Scrub CP. Image c/o Google Maps.

The majority of the park was previously owned by the late Mr. V. Cox of Ashbourne. He preserved the park in its natural state for the overwintering of his honey bees. In 1969, the land was purchased from Mr. Cox on the condition that he was still allowed to keep bees in the park. (National Parks n.d.)

The park was originally known as Cox’s Scrub National Park. On the 27th day of April 1972, it was reconstituted as Cox Scrub Conservation Park. (Wikipedia 2021)

Above: SA Govt Gazette, 5 March 1970.

The park’s principal vegetation is low Eucalyptus naxteri open forest over banksia scrub. Other native plants include Hakea, Casuarina, Grevillia, Acacia and Calytrix. (Wikipedia 2021)

The Southern Brown Bandicoot, Australian swamp rat, and Western Grey kangaroos are just a few of the native mammals that call the park home. (Wikipedia 2021)

Birds SA have recorded 152 native bird species in the park, including Superb Fairywren, Red-browed Finch, Galah, New Holland Honeyeater, White-browed Scrubwren, Red Wattlebird, and Diamond Firetail. (Birds SA 2016)

Most of the park was completely burnt out during the devastating Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983.

I ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation. I logged a total of 81 stations on 20m SSB & 40m SSB in about an hour & 20 minutes.

DXCC worked:

  • Australia
  • England
  • Finland
  • Japan
  • Lord Howe Island
  • New Zealand
  • Slovenia

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

  1. VK1AO
  2. VK2MET
  3. VK4FOX
  4. KG5CIK
  5. VK2IO/P (VKFF-2784)
  6. VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-2784)
  7. VK2XOR
  8. VK6XL
  9. VK2QO/M
  10. VK7AAE
  11. VK2MG
  12. ZL1PSH
  13. VK5AYL
  14. M7CBI
  15. JF7RJM
  16. VK4SMA
  17. OH1MM
  18. S58AL

I worked the following stations on 15m SSB:-

  1. VK5AYL
  2. ZL3MR

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

  1. VK3GJG
  2. VK1AO
  3. VK2MET
  4. VK2HAK
  5. ZL3MR
  6. VK3PF/M
  7. VK3KAI/M
  8. VK3SQ
  9. VK3JT
  10. VK2BD
  11. VK3APJ
  12. VK5WU
  13. VK3CEO
  14. VK4FOX
  15. VK3TDK/P (VKFF-3631)
  16. VK3NYC/P (VKFF-3631)
  17. VK5AYL
  18. VK2ZR
  19. ZL2GBX
  20. VK2MCH
  21. VK2PKT
  22. VK2KFT
  23. VK5EDY
  24. VK5OG
  25. VK2EXA
  26. VK5MAZ
  27. VK4PDX
  28. VK7EV
  29. VK3MAP
  30. VK4FODM
  31. VK3ZPF/P (VKFF-5033)
  32. VK3JW/P (VKFF-5033)
  33. VK3PJF/P (VKFF-5033)
  34. VK4EMP
  35. VK4TI
  36. VK4GKO
  37. VK5NFT
  38. VK7PJM
  39. VK5AC
  40. VK7MAT
  41. VK4FNQ
  42. VK5DOC
  43. VK4BEW
  44. VK3UZI
  45. ZL1YX
  46. VK5WY/6
  47. VK4YQS
  48. VK2IO
  49. VK2GEZ
  50. VK3WSG
  51. VK3DAU
  52. VK5DW
  53. VK5NJ
  54. VK4FAAF
  55. VK2XZ/M
  56. VK5DMO
  57. VK7AAE
  58. VK3JDO
  59. VK4SMA
  60. VK5OG
  61. VK4QRZ

References.

  1. Birdssa.au. (2016). Cox Scrub Conservation Park – Birds SA Resources. [online] Available at: https://resources.birdssa.au/location/cox-scrub-conservation-park/ [Accessed 1 Sep. 2025].
  2. ‌National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. (n.d.). Cox Scrub Conservation Park. [online] Available at: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cox-scrub-conservation-park [Accessed 2 Sep. 2025]‌
  3. Wikipedia Contributors (2021). Cox Scrub Conservation Park. Wikipedia.‌

Star Star Broadcasting Station, Taiwan – 20025 kHz

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At about 0640 UTC on Friday, the 29th day of August 2025, I tuned in to the Star Star Broadcasting Station, transmitting on 20025 kHz.

The Star Star Broadcasting Station is a shortwave numbers station broadcasting from Taiwan, and is believed to be operated by Taiwan’s Military Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of Defence for Taiwanese Intelligence agents operating in China. Star Star is xīng xīng guǎngbò diàntái in Chinese, and is also known as Xing Xing. (Wikipedia 2025)

The station commences transmission with a pipe flute, however, I have not heard that as of this time.  The transmission features an automated female voice in Mandarin.  (Number Stations 2016)

Below is a video of my reception.

References.

  1. Number Stations Research – Numbers Stations Research and Information Center. (2016). V13 – New Star Broadcasting Taiwan Number Station. [online] Available at: https://www.numbers-stations.com/various/v13-new-star-broadcasting/ [Accessed 31 Aug. 2025].
  2. Wikipedia Contributors (2025). Star Star Broadcasting Station. Wikipedia.‌

Guangzhou VOLMET, China – 5673 kHz

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At about 1142 UTC on Sun day, the 24th day of August 2025, I tuned in to Guangzhou VOLMET, China, transmitting on 5673 kHz.

VOLMET is derived from the French words ‘vol’, meaning flight and ‘météo’, meaning weather. The purpose of a VOLMET transmission is to provide weather information to aircraft in flight. (skylbrary.aero 20250)

Guangzhou VOLMET is in the SEA2 South East Asia region. (Dxinfocentre.com 2025)

Below is a video of my reception.

References.

  1. Dxinfocentre.com. (2025). VOLMET. [online] Available at: https://dxinfocentre.com/volmet-wx.htm [Accessed 31 Aug. 2025].‌
  2. skybrary.aero. (n.d.). VOLMET | SKYbrary Aviation Safety. [online] Available at: https://skybrary.aero/articles/volmet [Accessed 31 Aug. 2025]‌

Madagascar World Voice (MWV) Madagascar – 13760 kHz

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At about 0249 UTC on Sunday, the 24th day of August 2025, I tuned in to Madgascar World Voice (MWV) Madagascar, broadcasting on 13760 kHz in the English language.

Madagascar World Voice (MWV) is located in Mahajanga, Madagascar, and is a sister station of KNLS in Alaska, USA.  It is operated by World Christian Broadcasting.  (Wikipedia 2021)

MWV commenced transmissions in 2016 as KNLS sought a second transmission site in the southern hemisphere.  (Wikipedia 2021)

The broadcast was coming from the 100 kW transmitter in Mahajanga, Madagascar. The target audience was India.

Above:- Map showing the location of Mahajanga. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The overall reception of MWV was poor.

SINPO
35322

My equipment:-

  • Yaesu FTdx101MP
  • dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of MWV.

References.

  1. World Radio TV Handbook 2025
  2. Shortwaveschedule.com. (2024). ShortwaveSchedule.com. [online] Available at: https://shortwaveschedule.com/‌ [Accessed 24 Aug. 2025].‌
  3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 24 Aug. 2025].
  4. Wikipedia Contributors (2021). Madagascar World Voice. Wikipedia.

Some DX action on CB

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On 24th August 2025, I decided to fire up the Pearce Simpson Super Bengal and have a listen. There was quite a bit of action with the USA and New Zealand coming in, along with the Northern Territory.

My CB antenna is a Horizons Australia 5.2 metre long vertical on the top of one of my towers.

Below is a video of some of what I heard.

Voice of Mongolia – 12085 kHZ

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At about 0906 UTC on Saturday, the 23rd day of August 2025, I tuned in to the Voice of Mongolia, broadcasting on 12085 kHz in the English language.

Above:- World globe showing the location of Mongolia. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The broadcast was coming from the 250 kW transmitter in Ulaanbaatar. The target audience was the Far East.

The overall reception of the Voice of Mongolia was fair.

SINPO
34333

My equipment:-

  • Yaesu FTdx101MP
  • dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of the Voice of Mongolia.

References.

  1. World Radio TV Handbook 2025
  2. Shortwaveschedule.com. (2024). ShortwaveSchedule.com. [online] Available at: https://shortwaveschedule.com/‌ [Accessed 23 Aug. 2025].‌
  3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 23 Aug. 2025].

Austravel Safety Net – 5127 kHz

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At about 0855 UTC on Saturday 23rd day of August 2025, I tuned in to the Austravel Safety Net, transmitting on 5127 kHz, from Western Australia.

Austravel Safety Net Inc. is a not-for-profit HF radio club that is run by volunteers and was established to provide an affordable recreational HF radio communications network for its members. (Austravel 2023)

Below is a link to the Austravel Safety Net website:

https://www.austravelsafetynet.org.au/node/2

Below is a short video of my reception.

References.

  1. Austravelsafetynet.org.au. (2023). Austravel Safety Net Inc. | The HF Radio Network For Those Who Trip, Trek, Track and Tour. [online] Available at: https://www.austravelsafetynet.org.au/ [Accessed 31 Aug. 2025].‌

Unknown – 12085 kHz

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At about 0805 UTC on Saturday, the 23rd day of August 2025, I tuned in to an unknown station, broadcasting on 12085 kHz.

The broadcast consisted of music including The Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, and Harry Styles.

I have been unable to identify what station this is. I initially thought it may have been Radio Delta International, but the music did not match what was being played on their livestream on their website.

The overall reception was fair. By 0825 UTC, the station had severely faded into the static crashes.

SINPO
34333

My equipment:-

  • Yaesu FTdx101MP
  • dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception.

References.

  1. World Radio TV Handbook 2025
  2. Shortwaveschedule.com. (2024). ShortwaveSchedule.com. [online] Available at: https://shortwaveschedule.com/‌ [Accessed 23 Aug. 2025].‌
  3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed 23 Aug. 2025].