Rocky Cape National Park is half-way between Burnie and Stanley. We found a day visit area on the Western side and could clearly see the Nut at Stanley.

Operating from Rocky Cape National Park. The Nut at Stanley is visible as a blue dot on the horizon!

The official name given to the municipality is Circular Head.  I set up before UTC rollover and gave a call or two on 14.140. There were no takers. The new UTC day dawned and at 00:09 I called and was immediately answered by VK5EE, Tom, from Mount Gambier. He gave me 5 and 9 and I reciprocated. Then followed John, VK5DJ, from Millicent, also 5 and 9 and l received a 5 and 9 report. The South East Radio Group members in SA are great supporters of wandering amateurs and using their linked repeater system with a few messages (wake up calls!) their members soon know there is someone about.

Then came Mike, VK6MB: he was 5 and 1 and he gave me 4 and 1. I was truly delighted to get his call in my log. The I had a qso with VK4TE, Alex, south of Brisbane. Signals were 5 and 9 from me and my signal received a 5 and 7 from him. We had a great 11 minute contact. Then 20 metres dried up. I called a US station at 5 and 9 but was beaten by another US amateur. After a few more calls I re-joined the links in the dipole and checked 7095. Peter, VK3PF, answered and said he was at home waiting for me. We were getting along well until the wind decided to test its strength, when down came my squid pole. Peter said I went into a deep fade. We re-established the qso and I confirmed 5 and 9 (50) watts and 5 and 8 for QRP. It was a great contact but Peter had to go back to work. I was glad to give Peter a new park.

I then worked VK4OP, Dick, VK4FUQ, Felix on 14.158 and last of all was Bruce from Mackay, 5 and 1 both ways on 14.140.

VK4OP, Dick’s 5 and 9 signal.

I finally packed up at 0149. Eight contacts in nearly two hours, not a great mornings work, but I did have lunch while monitoring the bands. Thanks to all who gave me a call. It was time to move on to the Arthur River on the West Coast of Tasmania.

The driftwood tripod: one end of the linked dipole was attached: constructed by JCD

The Edge of the World:
on the West Coast of Tasmania

Picnic area Arthur River

Spotted-tail Quoll – Arthur River

Spotted-tail Quoll – What a cute face!