For World Amateur Radio Day, 18th April 2021 a special award was offered for activating/working a VKFF park on the day. I didn't get a chance to activate a park, however worked VK4KC/P Marty in VKFF-1643 Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park on 20m. Here is the award. Thanks to Award Manager Paul VK5PAS
A new award for me from the FT8 Digital Modes Club, FT8DMC, Worked 100 Islands Award.
Following a heap of VKFF park contacts managed to work 900 parks, and applied for the VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 900 award.
With a nice sunny afternoon decided to activate a local park for WWFF, Bullen Range Nature Reserve, VKFF-0984. I usually activate this park as part of a SOTA activation of VK1/AC-033 Bullen Range, however as its a large park of over 41,000 Ha thought I would try activating from the Northern end of the park for a change.
Drove out to the Cotter reserve and headed up Paddys River Rd, then turned off onto Bullen track, an unsealed road on the left. The track heads down to Paddys River crossing. Sign on entering Bullen Range Nature Reserve
Headed down to Paddys River Crossing. Found the river level high after a lot of recent rain, decided too risky to attempt crossing today.
Could have set up here but no phone coverage at the bottom, so headed back up to bfg road, then left onto Horse Paddock Rd. Followed this to a locked gate and the boundary of Bullen Range Nature Reserve, stopping at a locked gate.
Don't know why there is a locked gate here, the road of the other side was completely overgrown and undrivable... lots of trees and dirt mounds, no way it could be driven. Carried the table, chair and radio gear through the gate into the park and headed to the left to a bit of a clearing, set up the dipole.
SWR good on 40 m.
Operating spot on Google Maps. Note the road ahead to Cotter Caves and Paddys River crossing no longer exists, nor the 2 side roads...
Shack on the table. In the distance behind the table SOTA summit Mount McDonald, VK1/AC-048.
Got on 40m. Started with a park to park with VK2BHG/p Gerald in VKFF-1408 Jervis Bay Marine Park, a strong signal.
Spotted myself and worked hunters VK2IO, VK4KC, VK4MAD, VK4DOG, VK5MAZ/3 VK3PAS/3 Marija and Paul mobile on the way to a park
VK2VW, VK2HFI, VK3PF, VK3CWF, VK3HY, VK2FHSV, VK2CCP, VK3BBB, VK7LTD, VK4DFJL, VK3EJ
Another park to park with VK2UAO/p Stuart in VKFF-2330 High Camp Flora Reserve, also a strong signal.
VK2LEE, VK3SQ, Vk3YV, VK2XOR, VK7QP, VK3DAC, VK3KMF/mobile VK2, VK4HMI, VK2VH, VK4AAC/2, VK5CZ, VK2KMI
I briefly tried 20 m but no answers to my calls.
As had enough contacts and getting late in the afternoon packed up and headed back home.
After a contact with Belgium on 30m, managed to qualify for the FT8DMC Worked 10 Belgium stations award.
With the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award activation weekend on, the chance to grab a few park to park contacts was high, so headed out to activate a local WWFF park.
Chose to return to McQuoids Hill VKFF-0849, as still needed about a dozen contacts to reach the 44 and finish activating it for WWFF. Parked off Kambah Pool Rd in Kambah and carried the pack in, as there are no public roads into the park. After passing through a walkers gate entered the park.
Instead of climbing the hill took an easier route and followed the boundary road to the North West. This is WWFF not SOTA after all... no need to get high up. Found a log suitable for squid pole support, an as a seat and set up the station
Looking back the other way. End of the dipole tied to a tree branch.
Shack on the log. A bit low down but did the job as an operating seat
Used the FT857D set to 40w. Got on 40m, just in time to hear Paul VK5PAS/3 about to QSY to 80m, so grabbed him and Marija VK5MAZ/3 in VKFF-0373 Murray-Sunset National Park
Then worked VK3SRC/p Joe in VKFF-0628 Point Nepean National Park. Spotted myself on 7.165 and worked a heap of park hunters and some more park to parks.
VK4KC, VK4MAD, VK4DOG
VK2IO/P Gerard in VKFF-0056 Brisbane Water National Park
VK3UAO Stuart in VKFF-0627 Organ Pipes National Park
VK7QP, VK2LWK, VK2HBG/m, VK3OHM, VK2KYO, VK2FPAR, VK2FAPC,
VK3YV/p Tony in VKFF-0020 Baw Baw National Park
VK4NH, VK4DXA, ZL4TY/VK4, VK3BBB, VK2CCP, VK3SQ, VK2WB, VK6WF/2, VK4BXX, VK4/NN3Z, VK3ARH/m, VK2JNA/m,
VK2TER/p James in VKFF-0550 Wyrrabalong National Park
VK3XV/p Tony in VKFF-0623 Greater Bendigo National Park
As had more than enough contacts to qualify, and around lunch time, packed up and headed to nearby Kambah shops for lunch.
Latest award for me from the FT8DMC, Worked 400 European Stations on FT8. Thanks for contacts and award manager
