5 French Overseas Territories Award

For working 5 different French Territories got this award

Stations worked

FG8OJ               Guadeloupe

FK8DD              New Caledonia

FM4LV              Martinique

TX5EG              French Polynesia

FY4BC              French Guiana

2 contacts with Maldives Award

Award for contacting 2 stations in the Maldives. This is a group of islands just South of India. Worked on 20m and 30m.

4 Contacts with Saudi Arabia Award

An award from the YB6DXC Awards group, 4 contacts into Saudi Arabia. All made on 20m.

DXCC on 20m Digital Modes

After working some new countries on 20m recently managed to get DXCC on 20m Digital Modes. Award from the European Ros Club. Now to get them confirmed lol.

 

150 New Zealand Stations Award

Award for working 150 New Zealand stations. From the European Ros Club.

10 Countries in South America Award

Following a contact with French Guiana on 20m, had worked 10 South American countries. Does not seem to be an easy path from my QTH. Thanks for QSOs, award manager.

 

4 Vanuatu Stations Award

Award for working 4 stations from Vanuatu

National Bird Week 2025 Award

For activating a park during National Bird Week can claim an award. On 26th October activated 2 parks, Black Mountain NR and Gossan Hill NR. Award from Paul VK5PAS, thanks Paul.

25 Romanian Stations Award

Award for working 25 stations from Romania. From the FT8 Digital Mode Club.

1500 Asian Stations Award

Award for working 1500 Asian stations. Not too hard from Australia. Thanks for QSOs.

1000 Japanese Stations Award

Award for working 1000 Japanese stations.

Just for interest I counted Japanese contacts per band and worked out percentage.

6m - 7%

10m - 51%

12m - 3%

15m - 1%

17m - 25%

20m - 3%

30m - 8%

40m - 1%

80m - 1%

10m accounts for over half of my contacts with Japan. 17m is pretty easy to work Japan on.

Huge 6m opening

Yesterday there was a massive geomagnetic solar storm, knocking out the lower bands like 40m. However, the higher bands were enhanced, with 6m opening up in a big way. In the morning worked several US stations, including some new states such as Arizona and New Mexico. In the afternoon it opened up to Asia. As well as the usual hordes of Japanese stations managed to work some new ones, a couple of Chinese stations, a couple of South Korean stations and a surprise contact with Kazakhstan. PSK reporter map of stations that received me, although may not have been worked.

Stations received by me. Note I received Hawaii, but they didn't hear me. Also heard a US station on the East Coast, but unable to be heard there. I was only using a tuned 40m dipole on 6m and 100w.

Picked up an award for working 2 stations in Korea on 6m.

Madagascar Award

Award for working 1 station in Madagascar. The station I worked was 5R8IC on 30m.

1725 VKFF Hunter Honour Roll Award

Award for working 1725 different VKFF areas. Thanks activators.

WWFF VK1 Parks Worked

Having worked a lot of VK1 WWFF parks lately, thought I would check which of the 50 ACT parks I have worked. I created an award in Log4OM, here is a screenshot of part of the result

VKFF-1774 Kinleyside Nature Reserve is a privately owned nature reserve with no public access, so unable to work it. 

VKFF-0983 Bimberi Wilderness Area is a remote park in the far Southwest of the ACT. My only contacts were on 2m FM with SOTA stations on Bimberi Peak and Mt Gingera.

So have worked all 49 of the VK1 accessible parks.

Indonesia YB9 ERC Award

Award for working 50 YB9 call area stations on digital mode. The YB9 call area of Indonesia are islands just North of Australia, including West Papua. Fairly easy to work from here.

WWFF 1744 Hunter Award

Award for working 1744 different WWFF areas. This includes several overseas parks as well as VKFF parks. Thanks, award manager Hugo CT7AOV

Vanuatu ERC Awards

A couple of new awards added by the European Ros Club for contacting stations in Vanuatu, YJ

For one station

For 2 stations

I have worked 3 stations, YJ0AG, YJ8RN and YJ0CA on FT8.

WWFF August Activity Month 2025

From the WWFF team some awards for activating and hunting parks in August 2025. For Activating parks over 220 QSOs basic award. 

The next level of the Activator award was for 1000 QSOs in August, I only made 495 so not even halfway there.

For hunting parks in August, for 22 parks the basic award

For hunting 44 parks a 1-star award

For the 2-star award needed 88 parks. I got to 63 parks in August so some way to go for the next level.

1700 VKFF Hunter Honour Roll Award

Award for hunting 1,700 different VKFF areas. Thanks, activators for QSOs

2025 National Threatened Species Day Award

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 Activator 99 Award

WWFF Award for activating 99 different parks. For each park need at least 44 contacts to qualify.

 

1675 VKFF Hunter Honour Roll Award

Award for working 1,675 different VKFF areas. Thanks, activators, for contacts.

WWFF 844 Park to Park Award

Latest award for making 844 P2P (Park to Park) contacts. Thanks other park activators for the contacts, and thanks ON5SWA award manager.

 

Wongarbon Nature Reserve VKFF-2025

After activating Beni Nature Reseve near Dubbo it was only a short drive to my next park, Wongarbon Nature Reserve VKFF-2025. Sign for the park.

There was a locked gate on the nearby road into the reserve, however a gap for walkers was there. Carried my gear in and set up using the sign for squid pole support

Radio on the table. The rain I had at the last park had stopped for the moment.

Got on 40m. Able to spot easily. Worked

VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3WSG, VK3SMW, VK3CEO, VK3SG, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK5IS, VK2ETI/VK2AIT/VK2AIQ, VK3BEL/VK3BEB, VK3CA, VK2AGU, VK5WU, VK2AHP, VK2BYO, VK2KEV

Went to 30m. Started with a P2P with

VK5DG in VKFF-1128 Yulte Conservation Park

VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK5WU, VK5IS.

It had started raining again so quickly packed up, headed to Wellington for lunch, then drove home to Canberra. Rained on and off for the rest of the day.

Beni State Conservation Area VKFF-1277

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. 

 

Currys Gap State Conservation Area VKFF-1312

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.

Girraween National Park VKFF-0198

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.

Shack on the picnic table

Location, map from Openstreetmaps

I first thought I would have no mobile coverage again, however walking around the picnic ground was able to get ParksnPeaks to load, and spotted.

On 40m worked

VK2GCR/VK4HFR, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK2ETI/VK2AIT/VK2AIQ, VK2HRX, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3DAE/VK3LAL, VK2XWB

Tried 30m. Worked

VK3ACZ, VK5BJE, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK1AD/VK1NAM

Tried 20m. Worked

VK3PF/VK3KAI, F5PYI, VK3DCQ, VK3CEO, VK3MGM, VK3ZSC, KG5CIK, VK5BJE, VK6HDY

Total QSOs including other visits was 47, packed up and headed South to Tenterfield for the evening.

Morgan Park Conservation Park VKFF-1597

After stopping overnight at Toowoomba drove South to Warwick to activate Morgan Park Conservation Park VKFF-1597. The park is located just South of Warwick, near the Morgan Park raceway. After driving along Old Stanthorpe Road eventually spotted an access point, a sign for the park behind a gate.

Note the gate was locked, however there was a gap between the gates, was able to squeeze through this and passed through the gear. Set up the squid pole on the park sign inside.

Shack on the table near the sign

Location, map from Openstreetmaps

Got on 40m. Worked

VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3BEL/VK3BEB, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK5WU, VK4EMP/VK4TI/VK4GKO, VK2EXA, VK3SG, VK4PWP, VK2GSV, VK4HNS, VK4PX, VK4WC, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK4BRW, VK4LUC, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK4ABF, VK4AAT, VK2KEV, VK2EST

Tried 30m. Worked

VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK3UP, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK5BJE

Went to 20m, first a SOTA contact with VK5CZ on VK5/NE-098 Peaked Hill

VK5BJE, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3EV

Had 47 contacts so packed up and headed to Stanthorpe for lunch.

Mount Coolum National Park VKFF-0344

After poor band conditions on Mount Coolum summit, with QRM, decided to return to another part of Mount Coolum National Park and finish off 44 contacts.

There was a section of the park, Marcoola section just South of the town of Mount Coolum, accessed off David Low Way. Parked and walked into the park. Sign for the park.

Location in the park. Map from Openstreetmaps

Attached the squid pole to a small tree and set up the shack on the table nearby.

Went to 20m first, for a P2P with VK2USH in VKFF-0407 Palmerston Rocks National Park.

Spotted on 20. Worked

VK2IO/VK2GEZ

VK3PF/VK3KAI in VKFF-5080 Grantville Bushland Reserve

VK2MG, VK3SQ/VK3JT/VK2BD, VK3TDK, VK3CEO, VK3KLI

Went to 30m. Worked

VK4DRK, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4EW, VK4WTN, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK1AO/VK2MET

Went to 40m. Worked

VK4SMA

VK4GJW in VKFF-1529 Denmark Hill Conservation Park

VK4MGL, VK4MRH, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK7ZM, VK2ETI/VK2AIT

Had qualified the park. Packed up and had lunch at nearby Mount Coolum shops.

 

Tewantin National Park VKFF-1218

Stopping for a few days at Noosaville, activated a local park, Tewantin National Park VKFF-1218. Wooroi Day Use Area near Tewantin.

This had a large picnic area with several tables. Unfortunately, as a weekend was busy with mountain bike groups. I picked a table away from most of them, still had a few young riders come over to see what I was up to.

Location in the park, from Openstreetmaps

Shack on the table

On 40m worked VK4MRH, VK4SRC, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK4EW, VK4MWL, VK4ELJ, VK4PHD, VK3BEL/VK3BEB, VK2DHN, VK4BWL, VK4JN, VK5PAS, VK4CEG/P, VK4HNS, F5PYI

On 20m worked VK3SO/VK3SPG. I had forgotten to spot here, so not many calls lol.

On 30m worked VK3ACZ, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK2IO/VK2GEZ, VK4WTN, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK5HS, VK2EXA

On 20m spotted and worked

VK3KLI, VK5HS, VK2USH, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3ARM, VK1MA, KG5CIK, VK3PF/VK3KAI, VK3SG, ZL1TM, VK5PAS

With 50 contacts in the log packed up and headed back to Noosaville for the evening.