At long last: The Wireless Institute of Australia DX Century Club award for making contacts with amateurs in 100 countries! I have been an amateur since December 1976 but never had the time to become serious about DX. Radio filled the gaps left over after family, work, music and keeping fit took most of my time. Covid 19 has helped a bit by creating time as we have kept ourselves quarantined. I should also acknowledge Paul, VK5PAS, an avid DXer, who has encouraged me to keep going. The highlights include those made in my comments relating to the ARRL award, but as well I should say that chasing the DXpeditions has been fun.
ARRl DX Century Club with my preferred name
This award was obtained relying on Logbook of the World confirmations only.
Here is my certificate for making contacts (qsos) with radio operators in 825 Parks. I have been a bit slow as a hunter the last few months as I have been chasing DX (overseas stations) contacts. Thanks to all of the operators over the last few years (since 2013) when I commenced my portable operations in Parks and Peaks.
Here is another eqsl award. I have had hundreds of qsos with Japanese stations and enjoy giving them VK5. Three modes represented in my log: ssb, JT65 and FT8 (no CW as yet!).
I have been playing with FT8. I now have 357 unique prefixes. It is not my favourite mode amongst the HF digital stable. I preferred JT65, slow but more sensitivity. However, it is all good fun!
I was pleased to cross the 800 threshold late in August 2019. Thanks to all of the activators who made this award possible. In more recent times CW (VK5PF) contacts are making nearly a quarter of my qsos. That has slowed down a bit with Gerard, VK2IO, overseas at the moment.
”World Ranger Day both commemorates Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrates the critical work Rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural treasures.
World Ranger Day is observed annually on the 31st of July and is
celebrated by the International Ranger Federation’s (IRF’s) member
Associations, The Thin Green Line Foundation, and by organisations,
schools and individuals who support the work of Rangers and the IRF
worldwide.
The first World Ranger Day was observed in 2007 on the 15th anniversary of the founding of the IRF.
Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on the sacrifice that these Rangers make; to honour the fallen Rangers and their colleagues who still bravely undertake their role in the field.”
The Photo and article comes from the This Green Line Organisation.
I chose to spend some of a bleak and cold winter’s day in Adelaide in the Mylor Conservation Park. This park is close to home: about six kilometers and is one of a number of the Greater Mount Lofty Parks nearby. I have activated the park a number of times and here is a link to my most recent activation:
My operating position is on the extension of Whitehead Road after it enters the Park. I setup about 100 metres inside the park. My XYL helped carry my gear.
Contacts
I worked Peter, VK3PF/P, at 02:59 from The Tara Bulga National Park (VKFF-0480). I had just set up and the antenna was set for 40 metres. However, I knew I had locals waiting for me on 80 metres and the following stations were worked:
VK5ZK
VK5KKT
VK3TKK/p VKFF-2452 The SpitWildlife Reserve
VK5WG
VK2IO/5 Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs National Park VKFF-1114
VK6MB/3 Wychitella Nature Conservation Park VKFF-2236
VK4TJ
VK4/AC8WN
VK4/VE6XT
VK2IO/5 Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs National Park VKFF-1114
VK3PI/P Kinglake National Park VKFF-0264 and VK3/VU-009
VK3SQ
VK4HAT
VK4HNS/P Tamborine National Park VKFF-0475
VK4RF
VK4HA
VK3PF/P Traralgon South Nature Reserve VKFF-2465
I made 21 contacts which included 11 park to park qsos. Soon after 04:12 I indicated that I would go QRT. It was cold!
I thank all of the chasers who gave me a contact and was delighted with my 80 metre results of seven stations which included two from VK3 and Gerard, VK2IO/5 at the Mound Springs in outback South Australia. I was pleased to participate in World Ranger Day from Mylor Conservation Park. I enjoyed the time out in the park especially the friendly, familiar voices and the chasing of other park operators.
I sent off an application yesterday for this award for working 744 unique references. And the certificate was in my email this morning! I have had a bit of fun ever the last few weeks chasing VK2IO, VK6MB, VK3PF and VK1DI while they have been operating from parks in a variety of states. It has been really good to gain so many new parks. A big thank you to the activators.
Thanks to a very generous series of activations by Mike, VK6MB/3, in the north western part of Victoria, I notice that Paul, VK5PAS, has issued a number of Murray River Parks awards to a few hunters. Mike certainly helped me over the line!
It is great to get an award for activating parks, in this case, 75. I did briefly hold out the hope I could get another 25 unique activations completed in 2019 to bring the total to 100. I will rest my case and not make promises.
vk5bje 