We drove from Narrandera to Moama on the 4th January, not a long drive and with plenty of time to activate the Murray Valley National Park in NSW just out of Moama. This was a new park for me.
The Murray Valley National Park is opposite the Barmah National Park in Victoria. The two parks, on either side of the Murray River, create a magnificent wet land and both parks appear to be popular. There were campers in the NSW park and we had time to look at a few areas but in the end decided to return to the spot pictured above in the two photos. There is plenty of parking and for most of our time there we had the place to ourselves. Jenny took the path to the bird watching area and I set up my station to the right of the sign above.
I checked 7.144 at 05:35 and was answered by Trevor, VK5TW. I was encouraged and signals were pretty good for the activation. Then followed:
05:38 VK3PF
05:41 VK2IO
05:44 VK2FENG/QRP
06:46 VK1MA
05:48 VK4RF/VK4HA
05:49 VK2QR
05:52 VK5FANA
05:51 VK2SWL
05:53 VK5PAS
05:56 VK7FAMP
05:58 VK1DI
06:01 VK5PAS
06:04 VK5KLV
06:05 VK5YX
06:10 VK5KDK
06:13 VK3UH
06:14 VK2GKA/M
06:19 VK3GGG/VK3PMG
06:21 VK2HOT
06:23 VK4HNS
06:26 VK5FMLO
06:27 VK2UH
06:28 VK5FMLO
06:29 VK3SQ
06:31 VK3ARH
06:32 VK7LTD
06:34 VK3TKK
06:37 VK4FFAB
06:39 VK1MTF
06:44 VK5KC
06:45 VK7JON
06:48 ZL4KD
14.310
06:59 VK5PAS
07:08 VK1HW
7.115 ssb
07:27 VK5FMAZ
07:31 VK5FMWW
07:32 VK5FVSV
3.610 ssb
07:59 VK2YK
08:04 VK3PF/VK3KAI
08:07 VK1MA/VK8GA/1
08:23 VK1DI
08:73 VK5TW
08:23 VK3ANL
08:23 VK3OHM
08:28 VK5FANA
08:28 VK3ZBX
08:29 VK3SQ
08:32 VK2FENG
08:35 VK3ZPF
08:34 VK3NL
08:38 VK2IG
Thank you to the hunters and I now have sufficient qsos to qualify the park.
Hi John,
Another park I was pleased to get you in. I entered this park via a track just over the bridge after crossing into NSW from Barmah. Looks like you guys were in a better spot than me with some nice information boards.
Great signal John on both 40m and 20m.
73,
Paul VK5PAS.
Hi Paul
We went to Moama, booked into our motel, and then backtracked to Mathoura taking the road to the Park from there. I wanted to find a good birding spot as well! I was pleased to qualify the Park in one sitting.
Cheers
John D VK5BJE/5PF