Author: vk5bje

Murray River Award, 18th June 2017

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Murray River Award 20 version 1

Here is my log of contacts with operators in the 20 parks located along the Murray River. Four contacts were from portable locations,  all in Parks, the remainder were from my home station and only one contact was made using CW (morse code) from my home station using my second call (VK5PF) (thanks Warren, VK3BYD). I want to improve my number of cw contacts! The first contact, on 16th July 2013, was with Larry, VK5LY/3, now sadly deceased.

Count Reference DXCC Activator Chaser Date Band Mode
1 VKFF-0069 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK5LY/3 (VK5LY) VK5BJE/7 2014-02-21 40m SSB
2 VKFF-0115 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK5PAS (VK5PAS) VK5BJE 2013-06-02 40m SSB
3 VKFF-0231 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK5LY/3 (VK5LY) VK5BJE 2013-07-16 40m SSB
4 VKFF-0269 OC / VK (VK-NSW) VK1NAM/2 (VK1NAM) VK5BJE 2014-11-14 40m SSB
5 VKFF-0372 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK5PAS (VK5PAS) VK5BJE 2013-09-21 40m SSB
6 VKFF-0373 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK3VTH (VK3VTH) VK5BJE 2013-09-11 40m SSB
7 VKFF-0547 OC / VK (VK-NSW) VK2LAD (VK2LAD) VK5BJE 2016-09-11 40m SSB
8 VKFF-0554 OC / VK (VK-NSW) VK5PAS/2 (VK5PAS) VK5BJE 2015-10-22 40m SSB
9 VKFF-0739 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK4AAC/3 (VK4AAC) VK5BJE 2016-04-01 40m SSB
10 VKFF-0740 OC / VK (VK-VIC) AX3VTH/P (VK3VTH) VK5BJE 2015-04-24 40m SSB
11 VKFF-0741 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK4AAC/3 (VK4AAC) VK5BJE/P 2016-09-11 40m SSB
12 VKFF-0767 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK3BYD (VK3BYD) VK5PF 2016-06-25 40m CW
13 VKFF-0768 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK3VTH/P (VK3VTH) VK5BJE 2015-09-20 40m SSB
14 VKFF-0823 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK5PAS/P (VK5PAS) VK5BJE 2015-05-01 40m SSB
15 VKFF-0827 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK5PAS/P (VK5PAS) VK5BJE/3 2015-04-19 40m SSB
16 VKFF-0831 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK4AAC/5 (VK4AAC) VK5BJE 2016-02-25 40m SSB
17 VKFF-0911 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK4AAC/5 (VK4AAC) VK5BJE 2016-02-16 40m SSB
18 VKFF-0919 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK5ZGY/P (VK5ZGY) VK5BJE 2016-04-06 40m SSB
19 VKFF-0929 OC / VK (VK-SA) VK4AAC/5 (VK4AAC) VK5BJE 2016-02-18 40m SSB
20 VKFF-0961 OC / VK (VK-VIC) VK4AAC/3 (VK4AAC) VK5BJE/P 2016-04-02 40m SSB

I am pleased to gain the award and it represents many great memories. A special thanks to those who have activated the parks making the award possible.

WIA AGM Awards 2017

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As indicated in my previous post relating to VK5WOW and VI5WOW I applied for the General and Gold Awards. Three contacts were obtained while operating from Victorian National Parks and the remainder were from my home station and while at Hahndorf. Here are the certificates:

Untitled

GOLD award

Unfortunately I could not indicate my preferred name, which is John. Nevertheless I am pleased to add these to my collection of virtual wall-paper!

VK5WOW and VI5WOW, May 2017

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VI5WOW

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), the peak body for radio amateurs in this country, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Convention at Hahndorf in the the Adelaide Hills over the weekend of 19th to the 21st May 2017. The theme for the weekend was Inspiring Leadership – the Future of Amateur Radio.

As part of the event two special call-signs were obtained and the two stations were operated, in the case of VK5WOW, from early April through the AGM weekend and for VI5WOW, for just two weeks over the convention weekend beginning May 14th. The suffix ‘WOW’ contains the common word used as an exclamation of surprise or wonder. This became the basis of the sub-theme (Radio is Magic) used on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday for showcasing some of the innovative developments in our hobby. VK and VI are unique Australian prefixes used in radio as is VH for aircraft (as you see every time you fly). Amateur call-signs have the prefix VK and VI is allocated for special events as in the case the AGM. The number 5 is allocated as the unique call area number for South Australia.

A special award named General Award can be achieved by obtaining five contacts with VK5WOW or VI5WOW. Within those contacts the chasing station had to work another station (either VK5WOW or VI5WOW for the Gold Award) in a National or Conservation Park or the chaser had to have at least one digital contact with either of the special stations. A digital contact could be either using a digital voice mode or a computer generated mode such as Radio Teletype (RTTY).

I enjoyed 12 contacts with both VK5WOW and VI5WOW and will apply for the special awards. Perhaps the highlight was working VI5WOW cross-band on the balloon. The up-link frequency was 145.775 FM with the CTSS frequency of 91.5 and the down-link frequency was 438.850 FM. I used my ICOM 80AD with the two frequencies programmed in adjoining channels and used the channel selector switch to move to the down-link frequency after transmitting and vice versa.

In addition I applied to use the VK5WOW call sign in the lead up to the weekend event. I also used the VI5WOW call sign briefly on the Sunday at the showcase event. I was able to make digital contacts on the 15 and 20 metre bands, including overseas contacts and a digital voice contact on the two (2) metre band as well as ssb contacts on the lower HF bands.

Here are my contacts from my home station as VK5WOW:

date 2017-05-15
JT65A
15m
0246 UA0AD -11 -18 Russia
0254 JA1KXQ -12 -21 Japan
20m
0311 VK2EBN -08 -14 NSW
0316 VA7QI -18 -14 Canada, BC
0333 VK6AS -13 -18 Western Australia
15m
0351 JH3OWW -13 -12 Japan
0405 JA8ECS -12 -11 Japan
0413 JN1VXT -12 -21 Japan
0442 BG8IXQ -13 -13 China

0453 JI1NSF -24 -20 Japan
0524 JE8VZK -11 -07 Japan
0515 HL1TKF -11 -21 Korea
20m
0543 WE5EE -14 -17 USA
40m ssb
0615 VK4AAT 59 57 Queensland
0621 VK5PAS 57 57
0624 VK5DPG 57 57
0627 VK4HNS/P 57 56
0636 VK5TW
0636 VK2GAZ 55 57
0640 VK6EA 58 58
0643 VK3OHM
0647 VK7GG Tasmania
0654 VK5KLV 58 59
0653 VK2NNN 58 57
0658 VK5ZK 57 53
80m ssb
0858 VK5FANA 57 59
0904 VK5PAS/M 57 59
0907 VK3PF
0910 VK5FMAZ/M
0912 VK7MPR
0915 VK5WAW 43 31
0915 VK2LAD
0920 VK3OHM
0930 VK2GAZ 53 32
0931 VK5NJ
0934 VK3AN 53 55
0935 VK3DN
0942 VK3VIN
0947 VK5KC
0949 VK5KBJ 57 59
0951 VK3TJS
0953 VK3ARH 54 59
0956 VK3NLK 57 59
0957 VK5BZ 57 57
2m FM
1004 VK5KBJ 59 59
1006 VK5KC 59 55
1009 VK5JDS
1028 VK5COM 52 52
1033 VK5FMWW 59 54

date 2017-05-16

YE6YE 20m JT65A 20170516 0152 -18 -20 Indonesia
YB5QZ 20m JT65A 20170516 0220 -11 -01 Indonesia
VK4SJ 20m JT65A 20170516 0220 -09 -01
ZL1BDW 20m JT65A 20170516 0230 -12 -09 New Zealand
VK2HFP 20m JT65A 20170516 0346 -09 -08
FK8CE 20m JT65A 20170516 0414 -13 -12 New Caledonia
VK2LGW 20m JT65A 20170516 0422 -16 -01
VK3OHM 20m JT65A 20170516 0434 -18 -22
VK5WU 20m JT65A 20170516 0444 -16 -16
VK4NJR 20m JT65A 20170516 0536 -09 -01
VK3OHM 40m JT65A 20170516 0558 -15 -01
VK5ZK 40m JT65A 20170516 0604 -08 -01
VK4RF 80m SSB 20170516 0926 54 55
VK4HA 80m SSB 20170516 0927 54 55
VK4RF 80m JT65A 20170516 0944 -12 -10
ZL1BV 80m JT65A 20170516 0956 -12 -21

2017-05-21 VI5WOW/P operator VK5BJE

VK3PF/5 2m DSTAR 59 59 Hahndorf

These tables have been derived from Fast Log Entry by DF3CB and my contribution to the overall score was an additional 67 qsos. I was pleased to be able to add JT65 and DSTAR to the mix of modes as well as SSB (voice).

For digital modes on HF I use an ICOM 7000 operating at 20 watts and a three-element tri-band Yagi antenna and an off-centre fed dipole on the lower bands. My HF voice and cw station is an ICOM 7600 operating at 100 watts PEP sharing the same antenna system as described above. I use a hand key for CW and my call-sign VK5PF.

As a member of the organising group my use of the special call-signs had to be squeezed in between my work for the weekend. All feedback received about the weekend has been very positive, but it was a lot of work over about 16 months to get everything ready. Was it worth it? The short answer is yes.

Lake Tyers State Park, VKFF-0761, 23rd & 24th April 2017

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Lake Tyers State Park is just a few kilometres from Lakes Entrance and after a visit with our son and his family to Lake Tyers Beach, a walk and lunch at the Take Tyers Beach Tavern, we thought we should visit for radio and bird-watching purposes. ‘Lake Tyers State Park extends from Lake Tyers Beach to Mount Nowa Nowa.  Tall eucalypt forests surround the northern shores of Lake Tyers, and a thin sand spit divides the lake from the ocean’ State Government Parks Brochure.

now I can relax

Now I can relax!

We actually spent time at the park on two subsequent days: 23rd and 24th April. On the 23rd April we drove to Lake Tyers House Road and followed the road towards the sea. The map shows four roads/tracks into the Park. We drove down a track closer to the Highway (the Parks Guide called it Devils Hole Track) and not quite as far in as Happy Valley Track. The four wheel-drive track was quite sandy and care is needed as it was soft. We came to a clearing and I set up there. The bush was magnificent although not like the rain forests of the mountain parks. This track does not provide access to the water.

Lake Tyers State Park

Before arriving at the Park with our family we visited the Stony Creek Trestle Bridge on the now closed Orbost line. The bridge is 276 metres long and 19 metres high and was built early in the 20th century. It is only about four kilometres from the highway at Nowa Nowa and is well worth a visit.

Trestle bridge

While there the Veterans’ Motor Cycle Club arrived to visit the bridge. These folk all had Indian motor-cycles, both new and vintage. It was a most impressive display of these wonderful machines. I was given a most informative tour of the motor-bikes and they invited me to take some photos.

Veterans' Motorcycle Club

Day One Contacts

04:58 VK5FMAZ/P Marija at Cooltong Conservation Park, VKFF-0823

VK5PAS/P also Cooltong Conservation Park

VK2KYO

VK3VLA

VK7DW

VK1AT/3

VK3FPSR

VK7JON

VK2NP

VK5KLV

VK3SQ

VK4FW/P Nour Nour National Park VKFF-0701

VK2LX

VK4GSF

VK3VIN

VK3TKK

VK5WG

VK4RF

VK4HA

VK4AB

VK7FOLK

VK5HYZ/P Scott Creek Conservation Park VKFF-0788

VK2EXA

VK3HSB

VK3YSP

VK3FOWL

VK2UCT

VK3PF/4 D’Augilar National Park VKFF-0129 & VK4/SE-043

VK3MNZ

VK3FSPG

VK3MPR

VK3ANL/P QRP VK3/VU-002

VK3CWF

05:48 VK4VXX

All contacts were on 40 metres, 15 Watts from Yaesu 857D and linked dipole. I tried 20 metres without success.

Day two contacts 

On day two, 24th April, we drove to the Westerly boundary of the park (visible from the highway) and at the first access point to the park after leaving Lakes Entrance. We drove down the road towards the sea and took Petersons Road to Toorloo Arm. Petersons Road is clearly marked on the Visitors’ Guide but not named in the map shown above. We could see private property from where I set up near the southern boundary of the Park. The Visitors’ Guide map is much better than the map I have reproduced. I did not have a copy of that map on the days we visited.

All contacts were on 40 metres and I was on the air  at 03:25.

VK2LAX/P Rod in VKFF-0417

VK2IO/P VKFF-0522

VK2VKB

VK5FANA

VK4TJ

VK4FW

VK2NP

VK2MZ

VK3TKK/P Port Campbell National Park VKFF-0420

VK3SFG

VK3GGG

VK3PMG

VK5FD/P

VK5ZAI

VK4VXX/2 Mutawintji National Park VKFF-0374

VK5ZK

VK5PAS/M

VK5FMAZ/M

VK2XAB/M

VK3MRE

VK3TKK/P Twelve Apostles Marine National Park VKFF-0420

VK3FNCE

VK4ARW

VK3ARH

VK2EME

VK5FMAZ/P Morgan Conservation Park VKFF-0911

04:49 VK5PAS/P Morgan Conservation Park VKFF-0911

I then moved to 21.076 to try JT65A. I was hoping to work some Asian DX. As I was setting up and using my 40 metre antenna, I heard loud signals but by the time I was ready to operate the band had gone dead.

Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance is a great spot for a holiday. We certainly enjoyed our stay and for the week we were there the weather was splendid.

While at Lakes Entrance we did some walking along the lakeside, on 90 Mile Beach, took a cruise on the Lakes and saw lots of wild-life including seals.

Lakes Entrance

The entrance to the Gippsland Lakes. Permanent dredging is required to keep the entrance open.

Eco Cruise

We took a three hour cruise on this very comfortable ship. The cruise was excellent.

Greater Egret

Great Egret

Gaff rigged sail boat

Gaff rigged ‘Couta’ yatch: one of many racing on the Lakes.

Heron

White faced Heron

Juvenile tern

Juvenile Tern

The cruise was excellent for anyone interested in wild life and photography. These are just a few of the photographs I took.

Summary

I was able to activate five Parks (three more towards the Keith Roget Memorial National Park Award) and two SOTA summits conjointly on this holiday trip. The visit to Kara Kara National Park was my second activation.

  1. Kara Kara National Park and West of England Fire Tower 45 qsos
  2. Kinglake National Park 32 qsos
  3. Yarra Ranges National Park and Mount Donna Buang 59 qsos
  4. Snowy River National Park 61 qsos
  5. Lake Tyers State Park 61 qsos making a total of 258 qsos

Once again thanks to all who gave me a call and a special thanks to those who spotted me in the various locations.

Jenny identified sixty species of birds (‘qsos’?) on the trip and her trusty Morcombe Field Guide is nearly falling apart!

Snowy River National Park, VKFF-0455, 20th & 23rd April 2017

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Our main objective as a family was to meet at Lakes Entrance. We had booked a cabin for the ‘oldies’ and a camping site for our Sydney family. We left Healesville early as we had arranged to meet Peter, VK3PF, at Traralgon for coffee and to see his new 4 x 4 vehicle. Peter had made some suggestions designed to give us the optimum route to Traralgon and at 10:00 am we were at our meeting place. Peter called on the repeater to indicate he was not far away (and after a three-way contact with Brian, VK3BBB) we were soon enjoying a coffee and chat which extended for an hour and a quarter. Peter was setting off to drive to NSW and we only had to get to Lakes Entrance. It was great to catch up and I really liked the way Peter has set up his vehicle. There will be lots of activations in the future! And there were lots for Peter while he was away on his trip to Queensland which commenced after he left us.

Day one 20th April 2017

On the 20th the family decided to visit the Buchan Caves. They had a great time and I drove the extra 15 kilometres to the Snowy River National Park to begin my quest for 44 contacts. I wanted to get to this Park in far East Gippsland. On a previous trip I managed to activate all of the National Parks in the East of Victoria with the exception on the Snowy River National Park. One of the Rangers at the Buchan Caves gave me a simple map and after leaving the bitumen road to Orbost from Buchan and taking Basin Road (gravel road in good condition) and then Old Basin Road, I was soon at the Five Ways junction. I took a left hand turn and 300 hundred metres up the road I was soon at an excellent location pointed out by Peter. There was plenty of room, even for the 80m dipole, and absolutely quiet, except for the birds.

The arrangement was that we would meet in Buchan for lunch at 13:00 hours, so I had a bit over an hour for my activation.

Snowy River NP

The Park Sign near Five Ways

The Park

The Snowy River National Park is 114,505 hectares and was reserved as a National Park in 1979. It is 390 kilometres from Melbourne. Once again we had the excellent Victorian Government Visitors Guide. I recommend these guides and you can down load them to your personal device.

Five ways near my operating position

Five Ways Junction

Contacts

I was soon set up, using a convenient stump as a base for my squid pole and at 00:58 had my first contact with:

7.100 VK7PRN s 59 r 57 I could not spot so I started on 7.100 but soon moved to 7.144 Mhz. I indicated on Sunday evening on ParksnPeaks that I would be activating the Snowy River National Park.

VK2QR

VK2SWL

VK3FOWL/P Julie at a school

VK3SRC

VK3GGG

VK3PMG

VK2YW

VK7PRN

VK2FNLR

VK3SQ

VK3FRAB

VK3FCMC

VK4TJ 52 51

VK2ZTP

VK2NP

VK5PAS

VK2KYO

VK3SFG

VK7DW

VK2VKB

VK5WA

VK3ZMD

VK7JON/M

VK5LDM

VK2IO

VK1AD

VK1NAM

Twenty-eight contacts in an hour with time for a few photographs and then pack-up time and back to Buchan for lunch. All contacts, with exception of that with VK4TJ, were 5 and 8 to 5 and 9 and my received signal an s point less than I gave. The 40m band was in great condition.

After lunch we returned to the Park to spend the afternoon together and try and take some memorable photos. We drove to the Bally Hooley day visitors area. We had the place to ourselves but there was a family camping nearby. I did not try to activate from there as I did not want to disturb campers or day visitors. The junction of the Snowy and Buchan Rivers is a beautiful location. We spent quite a few hours enjoying this iconic part of the Park.

Reflections Buchan River

This photo shows some reflections in the Buchan River which was still and there was no wind.

Reflections Buchan River 2

Another view of the reflections.

Picnic area rivers junction

Bally Hooley Day Visitors area which adjoins a camp ground. The track to the rivers begins at this location.

junction of Snowy and Buchan Rivers

This photo shows the junction of the Snowy (on left) with the Buchan River (on right).

children playing

Goanna

Meanwhile back at the camp I saw this goanna heading for a camper’s tent: when she/he saw me a change of direction was called for. I thought the goanna was used to people and probably lives nearby.

Day Two 23rd April 2017

Our family had to return to Sydney on Saturday as the children were due back as school on Monday morning. We decided to go back to the Park and I set up in the same area as I used on the 20th April 2017.

I was on the air at 00:23 on 40 metres and again conditions were good. I had alerted chasers to my activation the night before.

My first contact was with VK5WOW, operator Hans, VK5YX, 59 and 58.  ‘Wow’ was I happy to get a contact with the special event station for the Wireless Institute of Australia Annual General Meeting and Convention to be held in Hahndorf over the weekend beginning 19th May 2017!

‘Wow’ is an exclamation when you are impressed or surprised. It relates to the sub-theme of the convention that ‘Radio is Magic’! We are hoping to create some ‘Wow’ moments over that weekend.

Then followed:

VK3HBZ, John at Bairnsdale, a local. Signals were 5 and 9 both ways.

VK3YE/P Peter getting his feet wet!

VK5PAS/P

VK5PE/P

VK5FMAZ/P

VK5HS

VK3SQ

VK2EIR/M

VK2QK

VK2VW

VK2NP

VK2YW

VK2RH/P

VK5FANA

VK2JDR/P

VK5KLV

VK4ARW

VK1AT/3 Raymond Island, Gippsland Lakes

VK4FW/P VKFF-1552

VK3PF/4 VKFF-0129  and SOTA summit VK4/SE-045

VK3TUN/P David at Wyperfeld National Park, VKFF-0549

VK5QI/P Mark at Morgan Conservation Park VKFF-0911

14.310 Mhz

ZL1BYZ 5 and 1 John

40m ssb

VK1AD/P2 SOTA summit VK2/ST-093

VK2IO/P2 SOTA summit VK2/HU-093

VK4RF

VK4HA

VK5CZ/P SOTA summit VK5/SE-010

VK5MBD Bill at Overland Corner at the Riverland Radio Group meeting

VK5ZK, Garry at Goolwa

and finally,

VK1FWBD/2, Wade at VK2/IL-005.

Yarra Ranges National Park, VKFF-0556, Mount Donna Buang, VK3/VC-002, 17th April 2017

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We arrived at Healesville on Sunday afternoon and settled into our accommodation. The next morning the sun was shining and we set off on our expedition to the Yarra Ranges National Park. We had set aside a whole day for the Park and besides activating the Park from two locations, we also planned some bird-watching near the Maroondah Reservoir just out of Healesville. When we arrived at the Park gate to the reservoir there was a notice indicating the area was closed.

Park closed 1

So we decided to travel to activation location number two, Mount Donna Buang. We chose to take the longer route from Healesville. Our map showed that some of this route was unsealed. That is indeed what we found. The bitumen road surface stops and the road becomes narrower and gravel, although in good condition. It is certainly useable by a two-wheeled drive vehicle. Care should be taken on the corners, especially on the ascent, and keeping hard left is sensible. We were soon at the summit and I was surprised to see so many people and so many cars.

Lotus cars at the summit

A group of Lotus cars at the summit with their owners and admirers.

We went for a walk looking for an activation spot and I found an unclaimed picnic table which I claimed. It was sheltered from the main area by some trees and shrubs and proved to be a great location. The weather was great!

Mount Donna Buang Operating position

My operating position (JCD photo).

Mount Donna Buang Lookout

Mount Donna Buang Lookout (JCD photo).

Spot the squid pole

A view from the observation tower: spot the squid pole? (JCD photo).

I set up and was soon on the air. My log is reproduced below and I well and truly qualified the summit and the Park at WWFF level (44 contacts). My operating conditions were my Yaesu 857D set for ten watts, an 80 and 40 metre linked dipole and an IC80AD Dstar/FM hand held radio, potentially for some two metre contacts.

Mount Donna Buang 1

Mount Donna Buang 2

All my contacts are appreciated and thanks to all of the chasers. However the highlight contact was with Peter, VK3TKK on two metres. I used my ICOM HT, set for five watts with a quarter wave length antenna holding the radio lengthwise and parallel to the ground. That is the antenna was parallel to the ground as well. I was standing on the picnic table. What I had achieved was directing the donut-shaped pattern of radiation down the valley towards Melbourne. Peter’s signal was 5 and 9 (from his vehicle) and I received  a 4 and 3 report. I was happy with that. I wish to thank Peter for his patience in making this contact. It took a while as I was experimenting with the direction of the antenna. I did not take a compass bearing but I am confident the antenna was broadside to Melbourne. I should have climbed the lookout tower for two metre contacts. But Peter called before I could close down on 40 metres and there were still callers on the frequency.

The twenty metre band was selected to try and work some VK6 stations. I posted an alert but there were no takers. I suspect propagation was not working. I did, however, snare a series of VK4s. Thanks to the VK4s who took time out to give me a call.

Road to Warbarton trees

This photo, taken after we left the summit on the Road to Warburton, gives some idea of the magnificent eucalypts in the rain forest. I am standing near the speed sign on the right hand side of the road (JCD photo).

After departing from the summit we took the alternative descent to Warburton and then drove to Healesville making a round trip for the day. The road from the summit is excellent (see picture above) and we were soon at Warburton where we stopped for some refreshments and a break and walked up and down the main street enjoying the sights. Warburton was crowded and the traffic was heavy. There was almost a carnival atmosphere in Warburton and it appeared that this was one of a number of locations that Melbournites retreat to for a weekend drive.

Donkey & Jockey

lorikeet

The man on the seat had two donkeys, a dog and a lorikeet employed entertaining the crowds and the animals appeared beautifully cared for and there was not a hat or container in sight.

There was also a controlled burn underway on a nearby mountain and the responsible department had two staff members in Warburton, with a stand on the footpath, ready to answer people’s questions about the fire. I was impressed!

controlled burn

All in all a magnificent Autumn day to remember!

Kinglake National Park, VKFF-0264, 16th April 2017

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On the 17th April we travelled from St Arnaud via Bendigo with our final destination being Healesville, where we had booked accommodation for two nights to enable the Yarra Ranges National Park and Mount Donna Buang to be activated. Even though it was Easter the roads were not too busy and we found ourselves with some spare time, still allowing arrival at Healesville in daylight. I could feel Kinglake National Park calling! Kinglake National Park is in a number of blocks and we did not think we had enough time to get to Mount Disappointment. We chose the Womelano Block taking Eucalyptus Road off the Melba Highway. We drove back from the Gums Camping Area and soon found another track into the Park which we took. The track is pictured below and the barrier was locked to prevent further access (by vehicles) into the Park. We had the place to ourselves. It was a magnificent location, although as you can see, the trees had been scarred by fire.

Kinglake NP 3

The walking/fire management track (JCD photo).

Kinglake National Park

Burnt trees and re-growth (JCD photo).

Kinglake National Park 2

My operating position, about 300 metres inside the Park, near the boot-cleaning facility for Phytophthera which is a ‘fungus-like’ organism that destroys healthy plants in the Park (JCD photo).

My Contacts

I was on the air at 05:29 on 40 metres and chased a few stations before settling down on 7.110 Mhz. I made 32 contacts and conditions were generally good. Another park activated for the Keith Roget Memorial National Park Award and more than ten contacts for VKFF! Here are the stations contacted:

VK5FMAZ

VK5PAS/P Both stations were in Scott Creek Conservation Park, VKFF-0264. I was pleased to get Marija and Paul in the log.

VK6ADF/P, 52 and 51. A pretty good contact with Phil on 40 metres across the continent.

05:39 VK5WOW, Scott Creek Conservation Park, operator VK5PAS.

VK5VRD

VK3GGG

VK3PMG

VK7NWT

VK1DI/P,  Ian,  VKFF-0988

05:47 VK5AFZ/P, Bob activating Lawari Conservation Park, VKFF-1767, for the first time. See my post on the ‘stolen park’ for more information.

05:49 VK4RF and VK4HA 59 59 Rick, great signals from VK4

VK4FW

VK2HHA

VK4HNS/P, Neil in VKFF-0274  Kwiambal National Park

VK5HS

VK5KC

VK2VIN

VK5KLV

VK7VEK

VK3BQ/M

VK3FQSO

VK5FRHB

VK5RM/M

VK4FFAB

VK2NP

VK5PL/P

VK5YX

VK4SMA

VK2HJW/QRP

ZL4KD 57 57 Ken

ZL3YF 57 57 Margaret

At 06:20 I thought I should close down, pack up and head for Healesville. Thanks to all who gave me a call at Kinglake National Park. All callers are greatly appreciated. I have fond memories of Kinglake National Park and I suspect it was the first National Park I ever activated.

This photo shows VK3BJE activating Kinglake National Park and Mt Disappointment, circa 1978, pre-SOTA and the wwff program. The radio is an early ICOM, an IC 215, a 15 channel two-metre FM radio, putting out three watts. I really enjoyed this radio and providing one kept within a reasonable distance of Melbourne with some elevation contacts were pretty well assured on 146.500 FM and via the repeaters which were really widely used then. My son, Julian, is in the foreground on the left. My rather battered ARRL Minilog shows at least three trips to Mount Disappointment and that I had operated portable on many occasions and locations in VK3 as well as in VK1, VK2, VK4 and VK7. The radio even came with me on interstate work trips in my luggage.

I hope you enjoy my reflection on the past!

Kara Kara National Park, VKFF-0629, West of England Fire-tower, SOTA, VK3/VW-016, 15th April 2017

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On Good Friday we set off on our road trip to Lakes Entrance in Victoria. For the last six years we have gone to various locations in Victoria and New South Wales to spend some time with our son and his family. Our two Grand-children have birthdays late April and we take advantage of the New South Wales school holidays (Victorian school children return to school after Easter) for a relatively quiet break together. Our first stop was at Naracoorte and the next day travelled to St Arnaud where we had booked accommodation.  We planned a bird-watching and radio day with sufficient time to explore the Park and activate the West of England Fire Tower summit for the SOTA program. This summit is worth two points to the activator and two points for the hunter.

I previously activated Kara Kara National Park on the second of January 2014 for the WWFF program and the Keith Roget National Park Award. Here is a link to that activation:

https://vk5bje.com/2014/01/02/kara-kara-national-park-2nd-january-2014/

On that occasion I took a track off Boundary Road and then a fire track into the Park for about 500 metres. This time we stayed at St Arnaud, about ten kilometres from the Park and we had much more time to explore the Park. We took Centre Road from the end of the Park nearest St Arnaud and drove the track to the turn-off to the West of England Fire Tower track. The final drive to the summit is not a great distance but quite steep for the last few metres and with loose rocks and gravel on the track and some ‘wash-aways’. I think the track would be driveable in a two-wheel drive vehicle with reasonable clearance and careful navigation. I engaged high 4 wheel drive in the Patrol because of the loose stones and some wheel slip.

The Park

Kara Kara National Park, previously known as St Arnaud Range National Park, ‘contains one of the most intact large areas of Box-ironbark vegetation and landscapes in Victoria’ (Victorian Parks Visitors Guide). These Victorian Government publications are excellent and can be down-loaded and printed before you visit or obtained from local visitors centres. The Guide recommends the Centre Road Nature Drive which is approximately 50 kilometres long and takes in adjoining areas such as the State Forest. We took the shorter drive on Centre Road just before entering the National Park (taking Shed Road and the Border Track to join Centre Road).

VK5BJE West of England Fire Tower

This photo shows my operating position on the summit with a convenient picnic table in place (JCD photo).

West of England Lookout

Another view of the summit and Park sign (JCD photo).

Wof England summit

The summit has been cleared of trees to enable views of the surrounding country side for fire spotting purposes and the view are great (JCD photo).

Here is my log of stations for the activation. I managed 45 contacts including two park to park qsos.

Kara Kara 1

KK 2

I really enjoyed the activation. Thanks for all who gave me a call and special thanks for those who posted my activation on Parks and Peaks and on Facebook.