Day: January 2, 2014

Kara Kara National Park, 2nd January 2014, VKFF – 629

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In Kara Kara National Park

In Kara Kara National Park

Kara Kara National Park was accessed via the Sunraysia Highway, Boundary Road and then a track, probably originally a fire break along the side of the Park. We drove into the Park about 500 metres. A convenient tree provide a point for mounting the centre of the dipole and it wasn’t long before I was in business!

Eleven contacts were had from Kara Kara NP beginning at UTC 04:17: VK5LY, Larry; VK5GJ, Greg; VK3MCD/p, Brian in Mount Kosciuszko National Park on Granite Mountain, VK2 SW 015; VK5AS, Paul; VK3DET, Ernie; VK5JW, Jim; VK3AFW, Ron; VK5FDEC, Damien; VK3XPT/p, Perren portable in Devonport with his FT817; VK3MEG, Steve; VK5MBD, Bill from Red Hill.

SOTA Mt Moliagul, VK3/VN-024

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VK2YW, John's S9 signal

VK2YW, John’s S9 signal

Dead stumps come in handy: near the summit of Mount Moliagul

Dead stumps come in handy: near the summit of Mount Moliagul

I have driven past Mt Moliagul many times as we travel to and from Bendigo. I have also used the 70cm repeater located there. A good signal can be received around most places in Bendigo. But today was my first visit to the summit. The gravel road, while a bit rough in places and with a steep bend near the top, could easily accommodate two-wheel drive vehicles. I parked the car a little away from the summit and walked down to the artificial tree line below the activation zone (the summit has been cleared) to inspect a tree before collecting my gear and making use of a handy stump.

Eleven contacts were made on 7090 beginning at 02:01, VK5HCF, Col; VK3VT, Greg (I used to belong to the same radio club as Greg in the late 1970’s at Greensborough and it was great to catch up with him on the air); VK5WG, Nev; VK5AK, Bob; VK2YW, John at Wagga Wagga; VK5NIG, Nigel; VK5PAS, Paul; VK5LY, Larry; VK5EE, Tom; VK2UH, Andrew and VK1VAM/p.

Greater Bendigo National Park, 2nd January 2014

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Shadbolts Picnic Area Greater Bendigo NP

Shadbolts Picnic Area Greater Bendigo NP

Water Channel in GB NP

Water Channel in GB NP

Greater Bendigo National Park is comprised of a number of sections: two large ones, north and south of the city, with the southern portion divided into two smaller sections. I chose to activate a section of the park just north of Eaglehawk. Shadbolt Picnic Ground is an interesting place with a water channel winding its way through the park with plenty of spots for a picnic. I chose one of the park picnic tables to affix my squid pole and soon got down to business with my first contact at 22:34, VK3MRG, Marshall; VK3YSP, Joe on Mount Donna Buang, VK3 VC 002 in the Yarra Ranges National Park and VK3FOWL, Julie from the same spot. Then followed VK5LY, Larry; VK5KGP, Graham; VK5EE, Tom; VK3NCC/m, Colin; VK5BZ, Bob; VK5KC, David; VK3FQ, Ray; VK5LDM, Dennis; VK5NRG, Roy; and VK3ANP, David, a total of 13 contacts.

Heathcote-Graytown National Park, 1st January 2014, VKFF – 624

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Private Rubbish Dump in Heathcote-Graytown NP

Private Rubbish Dump in Heathcote-Graytown NP

I activated Heathcote-Graytown National Park on route from Wangaratta to Bendigo. We found a small track leading off the main road from Nagambie  to Heathcote, where the Park borders the road and decided to explore that. The GPS reading is S36 48 700 and E145 00 090. It was here that I found the rubbish dumped in a small clearing. If we had travelled on a further two kilometres we would have found a picnic ground. Six contacts were made beginning at 02:34: VK3YSP/p at Mount Sugarloaf in the Kinglake National Park, then VK3FOWL, Julie; VK2TWR/p3, Rod on SOTA summit VK3 SW 007; VK3ARM, Robert; VK2AFA, Sam on SOTA summit VK2 NT 004 and VK5TW, Trevor.

Lower Goulburn National Park, 1st January 2014

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Lower Goulburn National Park - Reedy Swamp

Lower Goulburn National Park – Reedy Swamp

To find an appropriate activation spot in the Park I relied upon the excellent Parks Victoria Visitor Guide for this park. We chose the southern end of the park right near Shepparton. We travelled Wanganui Road until we saw the park sign and then turned right along Reedy Swamp Road. This is the southern most end of the park which then follows the Goulburn River to where it joins the Murray. The Park is on both sides of the River. While the section I used is degraded, at least the land is reserved, protected and will be available for people into the future. This park makes it abundantly clear that the land belongs to the people of Victoria and the nation. My first contact at 23:13 was with VK1NAM/p, Andrew portable on SOTA summit VK1 AC 038; VK3YSP, Joe; VK3FOWL, Julie; VK3MRG/p, Marshall on SOTA summit VK3 VE 001; VK5LY, Larry; VK1MA, Matt; VK5EE, Tom; VK3MTB, Tim; VK5IS, Ian; VK3HRA/p, Allen, on SOTA summit VK3 VS 002; VK1RX/p, Al, on SOTA summit VK2 ST 034; VK3ARR/p, Andrew, on SOTA summit VK3 VC 030; VK3AFW, Ron, on SOTA summit VK3 VC 008; VK5KSW, Steve and VK5DJ, John. Fifteen contacts logged and then the band went quiet. It was time to find Heathcote-Graytown National Park.

Lower Goulburn National Park: near Shepparton

Lower Goulburn National Park: near Shepparton

Juvenile Whistling Kite and White Ibis JCD picture

Juvenile Whistling Kite and White Ibis JCD picture