Thanks to all of those amateurs who made contact with me this morning while I operated in the Little Desert National Park at Horseshoe Bend picnic and camping ground. I had the place to myself. The sun was shining and it was warm. I had access to a park picnic table but I used my tripod to support the 10m squid pole. The dipole ends were up high in trees and I was happy with the antenna installation. The first two contacts were at 23:50 UTC. VK5MBD/p, Bill at Northfield and VK5ST, QRP, Steve (6th September) with really good signals both ways. I knew then, or at least I hoped, I was going to be in for a great morning! And it was: contacts were with VK3MRG, QRP, Marshall at home in Kew, 00:00; VK5LA, Andy; VK3CAT, Tony; VK3PF/p, QRP, Peter; VK3AFW, Ron; VK3DEE, Mark; VK5NJ, QRP, John; VK5NQP, David; VK3ZLD, Lou; VK5FTCT, John; VK3MCD\p, QRP, Brian in the Grampians on VK3 VW007; VK5PAS/p, Paul on VF046, Mt Napier; VK5LY, Larry; VK5IS, Ian; VK5LDM, Dennis, VK3AMB, Bernard; VK3TJC/m, Tim; VK3LP, John; VK3UBY, Col; VK3PI, Mark; VK2UH, Andrew; VK2EAR/p QRP, Michael in the Blue Mountains; VK3FMPB, John; VK5FWMA, Bill; VK5DJ, John and at 01:12, VK5AV, Tim at Mount Gambier, making 28 contacts in an hour and a quarter.

At the Little Desert National Park

A great spot!

On Sunday 8th September I thought I would try 20m. I had two contacts from the Sanctuary Picnic Ground (within the Park) as I only had about half an hour before going to the Little Desert Lodge to visit the Mallee Fowl aviary. I was pleased to work, Pat, VK6QL, 5 and 8 and 5 and 7 to me, at 00:01 and Nigel, ZL1BY, 5 and 7 and I received 5 and 2. I thought that was pretty good!