For activating a VKFF park on 7th September 2025 I could apply for the National Threatened Species Day Award. The park I activated was the Pinnacle Nature Reserve VKFF-0862. Just down the road from home. Managed 35 contacts and 2 P2Ps. Thought might have been more activity, but with also being Father's Day not many were on air. Award from VK5PAS, Paul. Thanks.
WWFF Award for activating 99 different parks. For each park need at least 44 contacts to qualify.
Award for working 1,675 different VKFF areas. Thanks, activators, for contacts.
Latest award for making 844 P2P (Park to Park) contacts. Thanks other park activators for the contacts, and thanks ON5SWA award manager.
After staying overnight at Dubbo headed for a nearby park, Beni State Conservation Area VKFF-1277. Followed Beni Forest Road, turning off into the park. Sign
Along the track to the left of the sign, Pimilco Firetrail, could see some water crossings, with a couple of large 4WDs slowly crossing them. It didn't look good... Instead, I took the track on the right, Bullen Bullen Firetrail, turning off onto a track on the left, Quary Trail. Parked off this and set up in the scrub. No photos, here is a map of my operating spot from Openstreetmaps
Got on 40m. Worked
VK3GSV, VK3VIN, VK3SO/VK3SFG, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3CEO, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, VK2MOE/VK1MO
Park to park with VK3TDK in VKFF-2431 Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve
VK3CLD/VK5QA/VK2DBF, VK3SG/ VK3WSG, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3TBS
A new UTC day, worked
VK4HNS, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3APJ, VK1CHW, VK3ZSC, VK3SG, VK3CEO, VK7DD, VK2ETI/VK2AIT/VK2AIQ, VK4LKA, VK4WC, VK2LEE, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK2VAR/VK2GOM
VK3TDK after rollover still in VKFF-2431 Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve
VK3MGM.
I had rain start up mid-way through the activation, only a few spots at first but got heavier, so quickly packed up. Anyway 48 contacts so qualified the park for WWFF. Headed for another park nearby, Wongarbon Nature Reserve VKFF-2025.
Arrived in Tenterfield, and as had still had some time before sunset, decided to activate Currys Gap State Conservation Area. Only a few munutes drive out of town, parked at a gate off Mount McKenzie Road.
Quickly set up the station, using a fence to the left of the sign. Sorry no photos as was in a hurry to get on air before dark. Location in park, map from Openstreetmaps
Got on 40m. As close to sunset the band was wide open, generated a huge pileup...
VK4EMP/VK4TI/VK4GKO, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK5WU, VK4BWL, VK4FSC, VK1AO/VK2MET
A park to park with VK5DG/VK3TUN in VKFF-0873 Bullock Hill Conservation Park
VK5ANB, VK3BEL/VK3BEB, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3SG, VK5DW, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2ZRD, VK5YX, VK2HEY, VK7DD, VK3TDK, VK4QRZ, VK3TDX, VK3DEM, VK4FODM, VK3ACZ, VK5AYL, VK4HOX, VK2JRO, VK5FANA
Packed up as getting cold and dark, didn't worry about the other bands. With my last activation made 50 QSOs in this park, so qualified.
After lunch in Stanthorpe drove South to Giraween National Park VKFF-0198. Had activated this park before but been defeated by poor conditions, and a lack of mobile coverage. Headed into the picnic area, views of some of the peaks in the park visible.
Set up the squid pole near one of the picnic table shelters. I used a water tap for support.
