Author: Maurice J Dawes

Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, VKFF-0782, 11th December 2015

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Dedication Plaque Mark Oliphant CP 2015Today, 11th December 2015, was set aside for a late afternoon, early evening, activation day for those interested in portable operation from South Australian national and conservation parks. I chose to return to Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, the closest protected area to our home. I set myself a goal of 25 contacts, which, when added to my score from 28th June 2015 would give me at least 44 contacts so as to successfully activate the Park for the WWFF award. It was not to be. The 40 and 20 metre bands were in poor shape! The bands were noisy (QRN or natural noise: today from stormy weather on the east coast of the country). I made just nine contacts. I was using my Ten Tec Argonaut VI, set for ten watts. There was no propagation close in around Adelaide and the only VK5 station I contacted was Neville (Nev) VK5WG at Crystal Brook in the mid-north of the State. I spotted myself on Parks and Peaks and Nev told me he was waiting for me: Mark Oliphant was a new Park for him!

Here is a link to my previous activation of this Park.

Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, VKFF-782, 28th June 2015

I commenced calling at 05:03 on 7.105 after checking to see whether the frequency was occupied.

05:03 VK5WG

05:07 VK3PF

05:10 VK3FQSO

05:15 VK3XDM/P Mitch was on SOTA summit VK3/VE-007, Mt McKay (10 points)

05:19 VK2VW

05:21 VK3PMG

05:24 VK3RW

05:28 VK3AV

05:31 VK3DBP

I then moved to 14.310 and once again put up a spot on Parks and Peaks.

05:35 I called CQ and VK2IO, Gerard, was 5 and 7. I called him back but he could not hear me. I called quite a few time and was not successful in gaining a contact.

I then moved back to 40 metres and after listening around the band decided I could not hear any of the VK5 park activators so I dismantled my station and drove home.

After arriving home I checked Parks and Peaks and saw that Paul, VK5PAS, was activating Mount George Conservation Park, VKFF-0784, just a few kilometres from my place and I thought I would have a listen for him. I had a great contact with Paul: he was 5 and 7 and I was 5 and 9.

Mark Oliphant CP Main Gate

Main Gate at Mark Oliphant CP with Park sign in background

Ten Tec Rebel (Model 506) : disassembling the case, 24th October 2015

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There have been a few questions asked about disassembling the case of the Ten Tec Rebel. Here is the essence of my post in the Yahoo Group.
1. with an appropriately sized screw driver (you need some torque to avoid damaging the screw heads and case) remove the four screws in the case. There are two at each end. Jewellers screw drivers are a no no!
2. Remove the nut from the BNC antenna connector. This is a plated nut which holds the antenna connector to the case. The antenna connector is mounted on the board as you will see when you disassemble the case.
When these two steps are completed the case should come apart. It will be easier the second time around.
You must remove the nut from the BNC connector. Some people are missing this and if you apply too much force you will damage the box or board.
You do not have to remove the cover over the usb port.

Ramco Point Conservation Park, VKFF-930, 15th September 2015

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I have previously activated this Park just over two years ago on the 28th July 2013. I succeeded in making 13 contacts and I thought I did really well. It is a tribute to the chasers that 44 + contacts are now achievable at a single sitting. Here is a link to that activation.

My National & Conservation Park activations

On this occasion I began my activation just after UTC rollover at 00:03 and finished at 04:39 (my last contact was with Rick, VK4RF, and we spent 26 minutes in our qso on 20 metres). Signals were 5 and 9 each way and I was using 10 watts.

Here are my contacts: on 7.095, VK3XCO/P2, Peter at West Wyalong; VK3DQ, John; VK3FPBI, Allan; VK6ADF/P6, Allan on SOTA summit VK6/SG-011; VK3DBP, Paul; VK3PRF/M, Peter at Bairnsdale; VK2IO, Gerard; VK3XCO/M2, Peter informing me of his progress in travelling to Victoria; VK5FAJS/P2, Allan at Bournda National Park; VK3AW, Laurie; VK3PMG, Mick; VK2PDW, Wayne; VK2XXM, Robert; VK5ZGY/M, Greg; VK3PF, Peter; VK3HP, Grant; VK4AAC/P5, Rob; VK5GJ/QRP, Greg in the Adelaide Hills; VK5NFB, Don; VK3YFL, Brian; VK3DPG, Dennis; VK5GI, Norm; VK3RV, Peter; VK3DBP, Paul; VK5KBJ, Barry; VK5IS, Ian; VK5FANA, Adrian; VK2MTC, Greg; VK5YX, Hans; VK3BGE, Ian; VK5KKT, Ian; VK5FAJS, Allan at Bournda National Park; VK5ZRJ, Bob; VK5YX, Hans; VK2XXM, Rob at 02:31; VK2XXM, Rob at 02:42 on 14,305; 7.095 VK5PL, David; VK5WG, Nev; VK3MRO, Tibor at Shepparton; VK5NAQ, Peter; VK2HEW, ‘Hewie’; VK3ZPF, Peter; VK2YW, John; VK5KLV, Les; VK3ALB, Lou; VK3FBNG, Bruce; VK7FMPR, Mark; VK3XCO/M3, Peter now in VK3; VK5NM, Rick; VK3AMX, Alex at 03:46. I then moved again to 20 metres and on 14.300 worked VK4GFS, George at Toowoomba; on 14.310, VK4RF and VK4HA, Rick with sign off at 04:39. I succeeded in making 44+ contacts and as per usual, thank all of the operators who gave me a call. Such calls are always greatly appreciated.

We drove from Renmark to Waikerie on Monday 14th September. On the way we stopped at the Overland Corner Hotel for lunch. This historic hotel is owned by the National Trust and is under lease. I phoned from Renmark and booked and we were given a table outside with some shade. It was a great place for lunch and it was just as well we booked as the place was popular with a tourist coach and other visitors enjoying the beautiful weather.

The Overland Corner Hotel showing the 1956 flood level on the wall.

The Overland Corner Hotel showing the 1956 flood level on the wall.

Another view of the hotel. Live music was provided from the pavilion in the background

Another view of the hotel. Live music was provided from the pavilion in the background

Looking across the flood plain to Murray River from the hotel

Looking across the flood plain to Murray River from the hotel

After lunch we visited Lock 2 near Taylorville. Here are some photos from our visit. The first photo is of the weir. The second photo is a portion of the first showing Darters (also known as snake birds) fishing in the disturbed water just below the weir. The third photo shows a pelican just outside the really disturbed water waiting for his/her turn at fishing for the ones who get through the gauntlet of the Darters!

Lock 2

Lock 2

The fishers at work

The fishers at work

Pelican catching the leftovers

Pelican catching the leftovers

We stayed on a private property near Taylorville. Our accommodation was a log cottage built into the side of a hill above the flood plain. It was a great place for bird watching. The Noisy Myna is not our favourite bird. They are bullies and displace less aggressive species. However, we were impressed with these birds as parents: they were diligent and worked with apparently little time off collecting food for their young. Their nest was in a small tree just outside our accommodation. Here is a photo of one of the parents hanging up side down feeding hatchlings.

A noisy myna feeding young

A noisy myna feeding young: click to expand

Murray River National Park, VKFF-372, 12th & 13 September 2015

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Murray River National Park Lyrup Flats section

Murray River National Park Lyrup Flats section

I made a return visit to the Murray River National Park today. I have previously activated this Park for the South Australian National and Conservation Park Award and VKFF: here is a link to that activation

My National & Conservation Park activations

However, on this occasion I set out to achieve 44 contacts to qualify the Park for the WWFF award. I was not successful but I got very close, not withstanding the poor band conditions! I need another 12 contacts. So poor were the conditions on 40 metres that I only contacted two VK5s: both Riverland stations! Contacts over longer distances were more successful and I enjoyed qsos with VK4, VK3, VK2, VK1 and VK7 stations and Chris, VK4FR/P5 who was activating Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, VKFF-276 . This was a first activation of this park for SANPCPA and for WWFF. Well done Chris.

My wife Jenny is attending a Land Care conference in Waikerie on Tuesday and we decided to come a bit earlier for rest and relaxation. I have been struggling with a head cold and the warm days in the Riverland, 26 degrees today and 31 tomorrow are great for the body and soul!

My gear at MRNP. I used my I-Pad to access the internet & post my intentions etc. I am sure it helped me get 44+!

My gear at MRNP. I used my I-Pad to access the internet & post my intentions etc. I am sure it helped me get 44+!

I commenced operating at 00:18 on 12th September on 7.095 and here are my contacts:

VK2GJC, Greg; VK7WH, Warren; VK2LX, Grant; VK2EJW, Jock; VK3ANL, Nick; VK2BGL, Steve; VK3PF, Peter; VK5AW, Adrian; VK6LCK, Daniel 400 k east of Perth; VK1NAM, Andrew; VK5FLEX, Peter; VK3HRA, Allan; VK2IO, Gerard; VK3RV, Peter; VK3AW, Laurie; VK2PKT, Keith at Parkes; VK3WQ, Jenny; VK3SQ, Geoff; VK3ZPF/SM, Peter helping out the Scouts; VK2JDS/SM, Dave; VK2GKA, Karl; VK3CAT/P3, Tony on 7.090, at VK3/VC-003; VK7CW, Steve on 7.095; VK3JK, Craig; VK3YFC/M5, Brian at Streaky Bay; VK4FFAB/P4, Rob on 7.090 at VKFF-391; VK3KLB, Albert at Bittern; VK3VTH/P3, Tony on 7.090 at VKFF-982; VK3TKK, Peter on 7.095; VK5FLEX, Peter at Renmark and finally VK4FR/P5, Chris at VKFF-276, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park the first activation for WWFF. At this point I invited Chris to take over 7.095 and posted an entry for him on Parksnpeaks. I was delighted to meet Peter, VK5FLEX, who while speaking with me said he would like to visit. I told him that I was in camp-ground 12 and sure enough he soon arrived. I was winding up at this stage and we had a good time together discussing portable operations, radio gear, up-grading his licence level and living in the Riverland.

I totalled 32 contacts with two duplicates. My photo shows my operating set up including phone and Ipad. I was able to check activity on 40 metres (and elsewhere: there wasn’t anything on the higher frequency bands!) and chase three desirable contacts. I decided that I would return in the morning and try and increase my score to 44 plus (if possible).  It was great to be in a Park with reasonable internet access! Propagation was generally poor and no VK5s made it into my log. However, signals into VK2 and VK3 were reasonable.

Sunday 13th September 2015

I made my way back to the same location in the Lyrup Flats section of the Murray River National Park and set up and was on the air at 23:13. My first contact was with Rob, on 7.148, VK4FFAB/P4 at VKFF-334. While Rob was in a different park to the earlier contacts it is probably still a duplicate. Rob kindly agreed to a further contact after UTC roll-over.

I checked 7.095 and the frequency appeared clear. I began calling CQ and at 23:16 was answered by Peter, VK3KAI; Mike, VK6MB 52s and 31r (still we made it!); John , VK3FCAN; Rick, VK4RF; VK4HA, Rick; VK3WE, Rhett who kindly postponed his lawn-cutting task to give me a contact; VK5FLEX, Peter; VK3MOD, Jim; and at 00:00 on 7.090, Rob, VK4FFAB/P4 in VKFF-334; Fred on 7.095, VK3DAC; VK7CW, Steve; Marshall, VK3MRG; Phil, VK2PHP/P at Baradine; VK5NM/M Rick at Loxton and finally, VK3YB, Brenton at Upper Beaconsfield. It was hard work. Propagation was the same as it has been for the last few days. The VK5’s in my log were just a few kilometers away and propagation would have been largely by ground-wave. However, I wish to express my thanks to all of the callers, amongst them some new call-signs for me, making it possible to successfully activate this park (adding a few contacts from an earlier activation).

We stayed at the Renmark Caravan Park on the River. It is a great spot.

A passing house boat at the Renmark Caravan Park

A passing house boat at the Renmark Caravan Park

A souvenier from Cromer Conservation Park VKFF-779, from VK5PAS

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VK5BJE Cromer CP QSL cardI was pleased to have a contact with Paul, VK5PAS, who was activating Cromer Conservation Park, VKFF-779, on the 31st July 2015. It was a real Winter’s Day activation and only one month of Winter remaining. Roll on Spring!  It was also World International Ranger Day.  The shooting of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe is a reminder that in some countries the work of Rangers has added dangers.

Ten Tec Rebel, Model 506

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I thought I would share a few comments about my new radio, a Ten Tec Rebel, Model 506. I have owned this radio for about three weeks, but for two of those weeks I have been out of action (illness). However, I have listened to some CW transmissions on 40 metres and I intend to keep the radio on that band. It is capable of transmitting on both 40 metres and 20 metres, CW only at about five watts at 13.8 volts, a little less using a 12 volt supply. The radio is an open source Arduino based device for tinkerers! But is it ready to transmit on either 40m or 20m depending on the band you select by changing five sets of jumpers. There is no frequency readout but the default 40 metre frequency is 7.030. Changing frequency is achieved by setting the frequency step, turning the dial and counting the led flashes. I listened to some SOTA activations on 7.032. I already own a Ten Tec Argonaut Model 539 and the controls are very similar to the controls on the Rebel. There is a Rebel Group on Yahoo and many US operators have added additional features to their Rebels, for example, frequency readouts, band changing circuitry, additional bands and a morse keyer to name just a few. I have armed myself with the ARRL publication ‘Ham Radio for Arduino and Picaxe’ edited by Leigh L Klotz, WA5ZNU. I would rank a frequency readout as a useful add-on. Anyway it is my intention to use the radio on portable operations and try my hand at some slow morse contacts.

Ten Tec Rebel Model 506

Ten Tec Rebel Model 506

The radio is packed in a cardboard box after being shrink-wrapped to a piece of cardboard which is fitted to the bottom of the box. There is no foam. Indeed no additional packing at all is used. I was impressed. The radio is very small and no accessories are included in the package. You therefore need to add a speaker and make up a power cable, connect to the power source and attach a hand key and it is ready to work.  The radio is very small: about the size of two cigarette packs side by side! For anyone seeking more information I thoroughly recommend the You Tube videos from NG9D. I will say more about this radio as I get to use it more.

Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, VKFF-782, 28th June 2015

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On Sunday afternoon the sun was shining and I thought I would begin my VKFF activation of Mark Oliphant Conservation Park. While I have activated this Park twice previously that was for the South Australian National and Conservation Parks Award: SANPCPA. Here is a link to those activations.

Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, 10th March 2014

My National & Conservation Park activations

The Mark Oliphant Conservation Park is the closest protected area nearest to my home. It is about two kilometres away as the Little Raven flies! I can see the Park from our house. It was named after Sir Mark Oliphant, nuclear physicist and Governor of South Australia.

Mark Oliphant Conservation Park on a Winter's day: from our place

Mark Oliphant Conservation Park on a Winter’s day: from our place

On this occasion I set up off Evans Drive rather than just inside the main entrance. Evans Drive dissects the Park but there was little vehicular traffic and a few people of foot, some of whom showed some interest in what I was doing.

Here is a list of my contacts.

I was on the air at 0411 on 40 metres and worked in order

VK4AAC/P5 Rob at Kelly Hill Conservation Park VKFF-810

VK2GAZ/P2, Garry at Scheyville National Park VKFF-444. I was delighted to get this contact having activated this Park last year. Here is a link to that activation.

Scheyville National Park, 27th December 2014, VKFF-444

See also Garry’s blog at

Scheyville National Park VKFF-444 Revisited

VK3TKK

VK3PMG

VK5ZRY

VK5HCF

VK3OHM

VK5PL ex VK5NQP Congratulations David on the new call and Advanced Licence

VK2IO/M Gerard

VK5ZAR

VK5ZGY

VK5FTRG

VK5FANA

VK1NAM/P1 Andrew at Oakey Hill Nature Reserve VKFF-858

VK3BNJ

VK5BGN

VK100ANZAC Operator Ken at Mt Evelyn

VK3OF

VK5ZRY/P5 Ramsay Conservation Park VKFF-815

VK5AAC/P5 Rob on 14.247  s 53 r 41 a short haul on 20 metres Kelly Hill CP VKFF-810

ZL3JAS  14.200 Jason at Christchurch s 58 r 44

VK4FTWO 7.090 Littabella National Park VKFF-290

VK5PAS

VK5TR

VK5BB

VK5KLV

and at 05:38

VK5NRG Roy

At this stage the sun moved behind the hill, the temperature dropped suddenly and I decided I would pack up and head home. I was happy to gain 27 contacts and I shall return and work a few others to gain the 44 needed for the VKFF program. Thanks to all who gave me a call.