Red Banks Conservation Park was proclaimed a Park in 2002. Previously is was owned by the Council and used as a recreation area, often inappropriately for off-roading. It is a stunning area. There is a variety of vegetation from scrub to large trees, for example, river red gums, two creeks dissecting the Park with permanent water and massive red-cliffs. There is a camping area with ten camp-sites marked and a day use area separate from the camp-ground. We travelled to the day use area.

I set up my FT897 on five watts and engaged in 11 contacts with locals on 40 metres before moving to 20 metres. I increased the transmit power to 40 watts and easily worked  Paul, EA5/GM0OPK. I used my large LIfePO4 battery and linked dipole.

Red Banks Conservation Park. Using the Yaesu 897.
JCD photo

I enjoyed the following contacts on 40 metres: VK5GJ, Greg at 03:36; VK3VBI, Ron; VK3FKJC, Kevin; VK5NQP, David; VK5LY, Larry; VK5WG, Nev; VK5LI/M, Craig; VK5NFB, Don; VK5LY, Larry for a longer qso; VK5BAR, Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society, Inc., David, VK5KC operator and then I migrated to 20 and at 05:34, had a contact with Paul, EA5/GM0OPK, 30k North of Valencia. I gave Paul 5 and 7 and he gave me 5 and 4. I tried to have a qso with Enrico, I6EH, but the E in my call-sign proved too big a stumbling block. I gave him 5 and 8 and he gave me 5 and 4. I will not count the contact.

Red cliffs at Red Banks Conservation Park

The view from my operating position at Red Banks CP