Day: December 22, 2013

Terrick Terrick National Park, Victoria, 22nd December 2013, VKFF – 630

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Terrick Terrick National Park entrance

Terrick Terrick National Park entrance

After enjoying a number of contacts with activators in Terrick Terrick National Park over the past year or so, today it was my turn to become an activator. I drove into the day visitor area at the base of Mount Terrick Terrick, about one and a half kilometres into the Park from the Southern access point. It is a beautiful spot in a most interesting park. Terrick Terrick National Park was created by gazettal in 1998. Its first ten years was as a State Park. I am assuming that this means it had a lesser status then. This is the first National Park in Australia’s Riverina bioregion according to the Parks Victoria brochure. What is immediately obvious to visitors is the White Cypress Pine Forest.

White Cyprus Pines from the operating position

White Cyprus Pines from the operating position

It was a warm day with high humidity and not unpleasant. Every now and then during my activation there was a light sprinkling of rain, but not enough to be a nuisance. I set up my station on a Park picnic table and had the whole place to myself.

My first contact was with VK2TWR/p and QRP, Rod, on Mount Townsend, VK2/SM 002. Both our signals were 5 and 7 at 0330 UTC. I was delighted to have such an enjoyable contact and earn a few more points as a chaser. Then followed VK3SE, Steve; VK5PAS, Paul who kindly alerted all and sundry, thanks Paul; VK5FMID, Brian; VK5KC, David; VK5EE, Tom; VK3XPT/p and QRP, Perrin, near but not in the Wilson’s Promontory National Park. Watch out for Perrin over the next few days as he will be in the Park and activating two summits. I enjoyed quite a chat with Perrin before more contacts: VK5LY, Larry; VK5WG, Nev; VK3JP, Ron; VK5FMID, Brian again and finally VK3FAVE, Andrew from Nyah West, making 12 contacts for the day.

I have now activated four Victorian National Parks and am aiming for ten!

VK5BJE near canoe tree Terrick Terrick National Park

VK5BJE near canoe tree Terrick Terrick National Park

This tree has an identical scar on the opposite side from me indicating that it was perceived as valuable by the earlier inhabitants of this land and, perhaps, that such trees were not overly common in the area.

Peebinga Conservation Park, 21st December 2013

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After my reasonably successful activation of Karte CP, I moved onto Peebinga Conservation Park. While I thought the band sounded in reasonable shape, there were few signals. Perhaps people were visiting their local shopping centres or engaging in sporting activities or perhaps contemplating Christmas?

Any way after tuning up and down the band and doing a fair bit of listening and then calling CQ on 7.100 I decided, out of desperation, to call into a group on 7055. There was a group at work. I apologised for calling in – but isn’t amateur radio about doing just that? Thanks to VK3OL, Jim at Bendigo, whose 5 and 9 signal was very enticing I gained a successful contact. Jim gave me a 5 and 1. I copied other members of his group, VK3YG, Pete from Lake Glenmaggie, where I have been camping in an earlier life; VK7RP/p2 5 and 7; and VK2ATY, from Albury, 5 and 7.

What is the lesson for the day? Post one’s intentions in advance  if at all possible.

Karte Conservation Park, 21st December 2013

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On 21 December 2013 on my way to Sydney to see my son I thought I would activate Karte Conservation Park. This park is about 30k North West of Pinnaroo. I called CQ on 7100 for a while and there were no takers. There were quite good signals up and own the band. I apologise for not posting my intentions – but I wasn’t  sure what time I would get to Pinnaroo or whether I would be able to activate these Parks with Christmas looming! I was delighted to work VK5AV, Tim from Mount Gambier , at 04:29 UTC, who kindly posted on the parks and summits site that I was in Karte CP. He also gave a call over the South East Radio Group’s repeater system and I soon had contacts with VK5HCF, Col; VK5WG, Nev; VK3GFS, Frank; VK5EE, Tom and VK5BW, Barry. The 40m band seemed pretty good and my reports were encouraging, except from Col, who gave me a 3 by 3. I was able to congratulate Nev on his elevation to Sainthood, I mean Slothdom! I am envious with a long way to go!

Karte Conservation Park

Karte Conservation Park

Karte Conservation Park: at work JCD picture

Karte Conservation Park: at work JCD picture