Month: February 2014

Mount William National Park, 23rd February 2104, VKFF – 366

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All good things must come to an end! Today was the end of my VK7 National Parks activations. Our holiday is over. We set off from St Helens this morning over gravel roads, in good condition generally, for Mount William National Park. This park is in the north east of the State and includes Eddystone Lighthouse. The Parks brochure suggested that the Park has a great diversity of wildlife, including Tasmania’s only kangaroo species, the Forrester, although the other iconic species, the Tasmanian Devil is now not common due to the facial tumour disease which has been devastating. The Parks authorities suggest ‘that the large population of marsupials has combined with previous farming practices to maintain large areas of open lawn‘. We did not find any of those areas probably because they are away from roads.

We travelled to the day area and boat ramp, but too many people were present and I thought taking over a picnic table, together with my voice, might be too intrusive, so we back-tracked down the road for about four kilometres to a disused gravel pit.

Reflections at a water hole: a river crossing in the Park

Reflections at a water hole: a river crossing in the Park

This became my base. I set up my full QRP station with tripod and squid pole. I was fortunate to make over ten contacts on 40 metres: 23:15, VK5LY/P3, Larry in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park; VK2TWR/P2, Rod on VK2 SW 001; VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK3AFW, Ron; VK3PF, Peter; VK5ZLT/P3, Alan; VK2FALL, John; VK3HRA, Allan on VK3 VS 014; VK5PAS, Paul; VK5HCF, Col and VK3ZPF/P3, Peter in the Point Nepean National Park.

Mount William National Park: note the blue signs

Mount William National Park: note the blue signs

Douglas Apsley National Park, 22nd February 2014, VKFF – 145

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I was a bit sceptical about the likely success of an activation extending over the mid-day period with propagation as it is! But I managed 12 contacts and therefore gained sufficient points for the VKFF requirements. My first contact on 7.100 was with VK1RX/P1, Al, on SOTA summit VK1 AC 001; then VK2QR/P2, Rod on SOTA summit VK2 SM 006; VK3PF/P3, Peter on VK3 VT 017 also in the Alpine National Park; VK7FGGT, Greg; VK2IB/P3, Bernard, on SOTA summit VK3 VE 041; VK3ZFP, Peter in the Brisbane Ranges National Park; VK3FLAK, Bob; VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK3APC/P3, on VK3 VC 025; VK3ZPF, Peter; VK3AMB, Bernard and, finally, a great contact with VK2TPM, Peter running 20 watts on 14.210, with a FT897D and a balcony antenna. Taking out the duplicates I finished with 12 contacts and a successful activation for the VKFF award. The VKFF number is VKFF145.

Douglas-Apsley National Park is mid-way up the East Coast of Tasmania. I cannot find a description of how it obtained its name in any of the official literature on the park. But a good explanation is that the hyphenated name is created from the names of the two rivers which flow through the Park: the Douglas and the Apsley. The Park is described as a dry eucalypt forest. I activated from a corner of the car park at the Apsley water hole. When I finished my activation I enjoyed the walk to the water hole: perhaps about 15 minutes. It was occupied by a ‘loud’ family which ensured that any wild-life in the area would probably go somewhere else. The family had a radio, not wireless, with blaring pop music at a high level! I reflected on an experience at Maria Island where my activities attracted the attention of officialdom. A vehicle arrived at my operating position when I was trying a difficult contact. Up went the background noise! One of the staff members asked what I was doing. After providing an explanation of my activities and showing him my log book, and my information sheet, he relaxed a little. However, he suggested that I should have sought out the rangers and gained permission before undertaking my activities. In the mean-time half an hour had elapsed. I wonder if the family at Douglas-Apsley gained permission from the rangers to enable them to ‘take over the water-hole’? In fairness to the Tasmanian Parks staff at Maria Island, seeing me in action was a first! They knew nothing about amateur radio and the Parks programs in Victoria and South Australia. The field is wide open for the Tasmanian amateurs to consider developing a program.

Freycinet National Park, 21st February 2014, VKFF – 188

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I visited the Freycinet National Park this morning and set up just inside the Park boundary. We have previously visited this old and iconic Park in the 1970’s and decided we would avoid the crowds and we found a 4 x 4 track and made our way up that for about 300 metres. Despite working pretty hard and changing bands I could only manage seven contacts. However, I was able to snare two SOTA contacts which will take my score to over 500 (small beer you might say).

I will say more about the Park later but at 21:59 I managed  to contact VK2FGTW, Greg, who was activating VK2 HU 093; then VK3MRG, Marshall; VK1RX/P1, Al, SOTA summit VK1 AC 031; VK5PAS, Paul, on 14.140 and then back to 40m: VK5LY/P2, Larry activating a Park in NSW (VKFF 069); VK5PAS, Paul a second time; VK5HCF, Col and finally VK3YSP, Joe making seven contacts.  It was all good fun and great to re-visit this Park.

Maria Island National Park, 21st February 2014, VKFF – 305

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We lined up to catch the Maria Island Ferry at 10:00 local on a very windy day. The wind speed was 33 knots and we dreaded the thought of a half hour boat ride. However, facing the front and watching the horizon we survived! Maria Island is a National Park. The Island has had a varied, colourful and, in my view, tragic history, especially as a penal colony.

The Penitentiary

The Penitentiary

I spent quite a bit of time chasing ten contacts on 20 metres and later on 40 metres.

Another stump operating table

Another stump operating table

I called on 14.140 at 00:56 and VK5ZK, Garry, answered. His signal was 5 and 9 and he gave me 5 and 4. Then followed, VK5HS, Ivan; VK5TW, Trevor; VK5EE, Tom; VK5DJ, John; VK5PAS, Paul (thanks Paul for the alerts); VK5HCF, Col and VK5DK, Col. I promised to move to 40 metres and I called quite a few times before VK3FQSO, Amanda, whose signal was 5 and 8 gave me a call and my signal was 3 and 3. Then followed VK3FLAK, Bob; VK2JDS, Dave from near Orange and finally VK1MA, Matt from Canberra. Signals were not so good on 40 metres, but it was early in the afternoon! I saved a little time to take a few photos at Darlington and the penal colony.

Two Cape Barren Geese enjoying the sun

Two Cape Barren Geese enjoying the sun

A Wombat; s/he would not turn around for a photo!

A Wombat: s/he would not turn around for a photo!

Maria Island Ferry at Darlington Jetty JCD photo

Maria Island Ferry at Darlington Jetty JCD photo

Tasman National Park, 19th February 2014, VKFF – 481

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On the 19th of February we caught the 0930 ferry from Bruny Island to Kettering and then drove to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art on the northern outskirts of Hobart. We spent more than two hours at the Museum giving us a rushed opportunity to experience the place. It is a stylish building carved into the sandstone banks of the Derwent River and after walking through the building and looking at some of the exhibits and trying to make sense of them I thought of Dante Alighieri’s, The Divine Comedy. Dante describes his descent into hell with the ghost or ‘shade’ of Virgil, then the ascent to Purgatory and finally Heaven. This structure, with Hell, Purgatory and Heaven, with Hell at the bottom could have inspired the architect/s or owners! It is sufficient to say here that the Museum was busy as were the restaurants, car parks and associated attractions: apparently a great winner for Hobart!

Our next destination was the Tasman Peninsula, the Tasman National Park and another visit to the Port Arthur penal settlement. I have been to the Port Arthur Penal settlement previously and it was an interesting tourist experience. This time I took a more critical perspective. I wondered about the making of money from the misery of the convicts with the souvenirs on sale, some of which I consider were in poor taste. I thought of the families separated by the transportation of some of their members to a place on the other side of the world. The long and dangerous sea voyages required, the loss of life, the tenuous hold and fragility of the new settlements and the differing opinions about transportation in Great Britain at the time. I thought of Jeremy Bentham who argued strongly against transportation, the loss, in 1776, of the 13 original colonies in the US, the British foreign policy objectives and the empire and of growing up in Tasmania and the sanitised history taught in schools. I thought of the barbarity of transportation and the expression of concern for the Aboriginal peoples of Australia by the British, but the failure of British and Colonial administrations to adequately govern at the frontiers. We were fortunate to be able to wander around the settlement minus the crowds and I learned some new things. For example, I noticed that there was a facility for aged and infirm prisoners with special reference to senility. This is now a contemporary issue in modern Australian criminal justice. Enough of this as in the morning an activation of Tasman National Park is planned and then we move to Triabunna.

This morning as we looked around the Tasman Peninsula there was a chance for a brief activation from Fortescue Bay. A fairly rough gravel road from the highway travels through about 16 kilometres of thick forest before entering into a small clearing for day use only. For the first six kilometres it is shared with very large trucks carrying gravel.

Tasman National Park - Fortescue Bay

Tasman National Park – Fortescue Bay

I set up my QRP station and tuned to 7.073 hoping to catch the end of the net. I could hear VK5ZK, Garry (21:49) at about 5 and 8, but he could only give me a 4 and 1. I could also hear VK5KGP, Graham, but he could not hear me. At 21.54 I tuned to 20 metres on 14.140. I called and did not get a response. I checked the band at 14.130 and to my surprise I heard VK5ZK, Garry, who was engaged in a regular net with a Canadian amateur. His signal was 5 and 9 and I called in an received 5 and 3 from Garry. I was pleased to work Garry on two bands.

I then called on 14.140 at 22:22 and was answered by VK4ABJ, Jeff from Rockhampton. He was 5 and 9 and he gave me 5 and 7.  We had a great contact to 22:31. It was then time to go.

Bruny Island – South Bruny National Park, 16th February 2014, VKFF – 456

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After advising VK5PAS, Paul early last night, by text, that the weather was warm, humid and dry, it rained heavily later in the evening. It started raining as we arrived at our accommodation and it became heavier and heavier and the wind increased. I had told VK6MB, Mike, that I would activate South Bruny National Park on 20 metres in the morning. I sent him an email saying I would renege and I told him the reason why. But I did say that I would activate the Park in the afternoon. You can read more to find out what happened.

My last visit to Bruny Island was in 1960. A mate and I spent a weekend in August at the Island. My memories are not strong, but I do remember the isolation and gravel roads, the lack of places to buy food and the wait for the ferry.

Bruny Island is desirable for IOTA chasers and is registered as OC-233 and the VKFF number is VK456. There is just one National Park and it is in three sections: a small section at Adventure Bay and two sections at the southern end of the Island. I activated the section which also is the location of the Lighthouse at Cape Bruny. I chose Jetty Beach at the day visiting centre and campground looking out over Great Taylors Bay. This area is called Labillardiere Peninsula.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

HF transceiver from Swan Island

HF transceiver from Swan Island

The transceiver is in the museum next to the lighthouse keepers’ residences (which are now available for hire). The call sign was VL7DO and the transceiver is on loan to the museum. It looks in pretty poor condition. The transceiver was last used on Swan Island, a small island just off the North East corner of Tasmania. The Cape Bruny lighthouse is also redundant. It was replaced by a  solar powered light located about 400 metres away. The following notes are from the Parks and Wildlife Service. ‘Following a series of mishaps and shipwrecks south of Bruny Island, including the catastrophic wreck of the convict ship, George 111, in 1835 the (Colonial) Governor George Arthur agreed to erect a lighthouse to guide ships past Bruny Island. When first lit in March 1838, Cape Bruny was Tasmania’s third lighthouse and Australia’s fourth. …Technological advances in the 1980’s and 1990’s permanently altered the operation of Australia’s lighthouses. When Cape Bruny was lit for the last time on 6 August 1996 and replaced by a solar powered light nearby one of Australia’s last remaining staffed light towers was decommissioned. Along with most other Tasmanian light stations Cape Bruny was transferred from the Commonwealth Government to the State Government (on) 1 May 1998. In December 2000 it was added to the South Bruny National Park.’ The map copies we used did not show the transfer of land back to the State.

Looking South - Bruny Island Isthmus JCD photo

Looking South – Bruny Island Isthmus JCD photo

And now back to amateur radio. I tried 20 metres at 04:44. The band was quiet. I called on 14.140 MHz. I decided I would try 40 metres and at 04:56, after checking the frequency, called on 7.100. I was immediately answered by VK3MNZ, Don; then followed: VK3MRG, Marshall; VK3AFW, Ron; VK3PF, Peter; VK5CZ, Ian trying out a new antenna: VK5PAS, Paul; VK3FQSO, Amanda; VK5PAS, Paul advising me that the Mount Gambier crew would call me; VK3XD, John; VK5FCDL, Col; VK3MCX, Max; VK3HJ, Luke; VK3VCE, Dave; VK5HCF, Col; VK5KC, David;  VK5CZ, Ian, now slightly stronger and VK5EE, Tom. VK5PAS, Paul advised me the VK6MB, Mike was waiting for me to move to 20 metres.

I indicated I would QSY to 14.140 MHz + / – I called on 14.145 MHz and was answered by VK5PAS, Paul. His signal was 5 and 9 and so was mine. Then followed VK6MB, Mike.  Signals were 5 and 8 each way. Once again I was delighted to get Mike in the log. More followed: VK5WG, Nev; VK5CZ, Ian; Bruce, ZL1BWG with whom I had a 12 minute qso; VK5NIG, Nigel and finally, VK5KC, David. A total of 24 contacts in just under an hour and three quarters made for a fun afternoon. Thanks to all of those who gave me a call and now have Bruny Island and the National Park in their logs.

On 17th February I activated the Park for a second time. We drove to Cloudy Bay Beach and I found a spot away from the car park and joined the 7073 morning net from South Australia. Only four contacts were had, but at 21:29, the band appeared in good condition. Brian, VK5BC/P5 at Corney Point answered my CQ. He was 5 and 7 and he gave me a 5 and 5. Then followed VK5ZK, Garry and then VK5ADL, David. It was a pity there were only four of us on the net with such good conditions. My final contact was with VK5IS, Ian, at 22:03 on 7.110.

Cloudy Bay Beach is a magnificent, wide and sandy beach and we went for a one hour walk bird spotting. There were the usual assortment of sea birds: Silver Gulls, Pacific Gulls, with possibly juveniles present, Forest Ravens and plenty of Masked Lapwings. Of course Forest Ravens are not sea birds, but they were on rocks in the sea. We tried to work out what attracted them: possibly small birds or scaring sea birds into giving up their catch! There were a few Sooty Albatrosses, but the highlight for Jenny was seeing some Hooded Plovers. These small birds nest and camp in bits of sea weed on the sand: but they are hard to see when they are still. We have been involved in counting them, as a measure of conservation, on beaches south of Corney Point on the Yorke Peninsula in SA. At Cloudy Bay Beach a section of the beach was roped off to keep vehicles out of the area frequented by the Hooded Plover. If that roped area wasn’t present, they would simply be run over!

Cloudy Bay Beach - South Bruny National Park

Cloudy Bay Beach – South Bruny National Park

Hooded Plovers on Cloudy Bay Beach; photo JCD

Hooded Plovers on Cloudy Bay Beach; photo JCD

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Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, 14th February 2014, VKFF – 185

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My second activation of the Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers National Park took place as a morning session at the site of the Gordon Dam before leaving the area to travel to Bruny Island. Eight contacts were enjoyed. My first contact was with VK5HS, Ivan; VK5ZBD, Greg; VK5KGP, Graham;  VK7OB/P7 at Penstock Lagoon in Central Tasmania; VK5KC, David; VK5TW, Trevor; VK3LY, Bill and VK5NJ, John.

Gordon Dam in Gordon-Franklin Wild Rivers NP

Gordon Dam in Gordon-Franklin Wild Rivers NP, JCD photo

South West National Park, 14th February 2014, VKFF – 461

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The tourist road to Strathgordon, at Lake Pedder, where we arranged to stay on the evening of the 14th February, passes by the Mount Field National Park. We spent about three hours in this park, an early dedication of land for recreation and conservation purposes, dating from 1917. We had an enjoyable discussion with two Rangers. They were very helpful. Although I lived in Hobart for three years (1960 – 1963) I had not visited this Park so it was new for me. We drove to the ski fields and enjoyed a walk and collected a heap of rubbish to return to the base.

Unfortunately, despite calling on both 20 metres and 40 metres I was unable to get get a qso. Propagation was poor and the bands apparently dead.

Further along the road, driving towards Strathgordon, it is possible to access the South West National Park. On 40 metres I enjoyed contacts with VK3JNS, Charles at 05:37; a long contact with VK3AXH, Ian and a great contact with VK3PF, Peter, who kindly alerted potential chasers by an entry on Peaksnparks. Then followed contacts with VK3AMB, Bernard and at 06:20, VK2QR/P2, Rob on SOTA peak VK2 SM 012. Then all was quiet. We had to move on to Strathgordon.

Here is a reflection on my visit to Lake Pedder in 1962. This is the original Lake Pedder, or at least the Lake Pedder that the first European explorers found when they made their way into the South West of Tasmania. There is a view that the new Lake Pedder is more beautiful than the original Lake Pedder but others have argued that the ‘new’ Lake should be drained and the original Lake Pedder returned to its former glory.

Lake Pedder from the Lake Pedder Chalet

Lake Pedder from the Lake Pedder Chalet: JCD photo

We spent quite a time looking at the new Lake Pedder from our accommodation at Strathgordon and it is quite magnificent. Is it better? Well I am going to sit on the fence, or perhaps a log or even a rock! The original Lake Pedder was certainly beautiful as can be seen in my less than perfect images below. But Tasmanians enjoy their electric power and, as well, it is sent to the mainland as demand requires. There is a cable under Bass Strait for this purpose.

On Regatta Day, 12th February 1962, I arranged to go to Lake Pedder in the South West of Tasmania. This was my first visit to this part of Tasmania not long after it became a National Park (1955)  and before it became a World Heritage Area.  Lake Pedder was still in its natural state. It had not been flooded for Hydro Electric power stations and, for most people, was only approachable from the air. A friend of mine arranged for the hire of a Piper Tri Pacer from the Tasmanian Aero Club and four of us set out for the day from Cambridge Aerodrome. The procedure for landing at Lake Pedder was to come in slow and low and drop a piece of sharpened wood, which if it stood vertical, indicated the sand was hard enough to support a light aircraft. And so all went as per the plan and we were able to land on the beach. My pictures have the typical blue cast of Kodachrome and try as hard as I could I could not reduce it significantly with my scanning software (Silverfast SE using the Kodachrome setting). This is brilliant software and in the photo of the approach to Lake Pedder I introduced some additional Cyan which I think helped to diminish the blue cast. Of course the original slides are 52 years old! These pictures were taken with a Kodak Retinette 1A entry level 35mm camera and I did not have a UV filter at the time.

It was a hot day in Hobart and our flight home over Mount Wellington was something to remember!

Feb 12th 1962, Lake Pedder as it was.

Feb. 12th 1962, Lake Pedder as it was!

Lake Pedder in the distance: VK5BJE archives

Lake Pedder in the distance: VK5BJE archives

Lake Pedder approach: VK5BJE archives

Lake Pedder approach: VK5BJE archives

Queens Domain Hobart

Queens Domain Hobart: VK5BJE archives

Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, 13th February 2014, VKFF – 185

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I was able to activate this park from a spot east of the Navarre River. We returned to the park after leaving the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park. It involved backtracking about 15 kilometres and driving down a private road, owned by the Hydro power authority, which allows private useage.  The Lyell Highway actually winds through the Park for 56 kilometres after leaving Queenstown and heading for Hobart. I enjoyed ten contacts with mostly VK5 amateurs, a VK2 amateur on a SOTA peak and a VK3 to finish. I called on 7.073 at 0830 Tasmanian time and was answered by VK5TW, Trevor; VK3LY, Bill; VK5ZK, Garry, VK5ADL, David; VK5BC, Brian; VK5KC, David; VK5HS, Ivan; VK5PAS, Paul; VK2TWR/P2, Rod on VK2 SM 007 and on 7.065, VK3TJC, Tim.

Franklin - Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

Franklin – Gordon Wild Rivers National Park

Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, 13th February 2014, VKFF – 117

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After visiting the Arthur River region and enjoying a cruise on the Arthur River on the 11th February we travelled on the 12th back to the North West Coast and to Wynyard before taking the Murchison Highway to Queenstown. The next day, the 13th,  we enjoyed a wonderful trip on the West Coast Wilderness Railway, the ABT Railway from Queenstown to Dubbil Barrill and return.

Front view of the beautifully restored loco: a 4 2 wheel base

Front view of the beautifully restored loco: a 4 2 wheel base

Another view: Dubbs & Co loco

Another view: Dubbs & Co loco

Leaving Queenstown on the narrow gauge: 3' 6''

Leaving Queenstown on the narrow gauge: 3′ 6”

Note the narrow cutting, men and wheel barrows, no heavy machinery

The third rail in place

The third rail in place

The Heritage Car: note the balcony

The Heritage Car: note the balcony

I have looked forward to travelling on this train since its re-birth as part of the Federation commemoration. It last worked as a commercial railway in 1963, the year I moved to Melbourne for work. After arriving at the station on the return we set off for the Lake St Clair resort in the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park.

While I posted my intention of activating this park, propagation was not good. I finished up joining the Sewing Circle Net, apparently Tasmania’s oldest amateur radio net. It gave me a chance to announce my presence to the locals! Eight contacts were enjoyed, although there were many more on the net. I had contacts with the following stations: VK7FKEV, Kevin; VK7CL, Cedric; VK7FLAX; VK7GW, Geoff; VK7BDX, Gavin; VK7FWAZ, Warren; VK7MBP, Max; VK7BI, Steve; VK7NDQ, Alvin and VK7FAZZ, Adam.