Mokota Conservation Park: notice rocky spine!
JCD photo

Mokota Conservation Park was proclaimed in 2002. The land, 455 hectares, was purchased by the State and Federal Governments to conserve native grassland. The park is treeless. On the highest section small rough hewn rocks emerge from the ground giving the appearance of a backbone running up the hill. Interpretative signs are placed strategically to assist visitors. See the photo below.

I set up my station near the entrance using the park fence to support my squid pole and linked dipole. The radio I used was the Ten Tec Argonaut, Model VI, with the power set at five watts. I was very pleased to work two SOTA stations, including VK1ATP/P7, Paul, in Tasmania and Ian, VK1DI/P1, on Black Mountain in Canberra.

The following contacts were had on 7.100: VK1DI/P1, Ian, on VK1/AC-042 at 00:27; then 7.090, VK1ATP/P7, Paul on VK7/EC-045; 7.100, VK5WG, Nev; VK5FPAC, Bob; VK5AKM, Keith; VK5LDM, Dennis; VK5AKM, Keith, then on 14.150, VK2AXM/M2, Max travelling to Newcastle. Eight contacts – and I called on 20 metres for a few minutes before Max called me and we enjoyed a 20 minute qso before conditions deteriorated.

Mokota CP: no trees just grassland

Five Wedge-tail Eagles
under siege! JCD photo

There are five wedge-tail eagles in the photo. The attacker (a magpie?) is above the eagle highest in the picture. Double-click on picture to expand.