Urambi Hills Nature Reserve VKFF-0864

As band conditions on Sunday didn't sound too bad decided to do a WWFF activation of a park I still needed to get 44 contacts, Urambi Hills Nature Reserve. As per last time parked off Meredith St in Kambah and walked a short distance into the park. Sign for the park.

On my last activation it was very windy so had set up at this sign, however today hardly any wind, so set off on the walk to the top of the highest hill. There are 4 hills in the reserve, passing the first one on the way to the second, the highest.

Mid way up the second hill. Good views to the West over the Brindabellas

On top of the hill the locals have constructed a few kids cubby houses out of logs and bricks.

Just behind this a seat. I didn't set up there as it seemed to be used by everyone who walks up here. So set up just below the seat, using a small bush for squid pole support.

Operating spot. Map from protected planet

Looking South East across to the next hill in the reserve. Lake Tuggeranong and Tuggeranong township to the left of the hill.

Shack on the tarp in the shade.

Got on 40 m on 7.144, the FT857D set to about 40 w. I did have some power problems with the rig powering off, luckily only a loose fuse box cover in the power cord, once snapped in properly no problems.

Worked VK5HS first, then a park to park with VK6MB/3 Mike in VKFF-0269 Kosciuszko National Park

Went on to work VK3YB, VK4FDJL, VK4TJ and his 2 other calls, VK2YK.

Another park to park, with VK2XSE/p Liz in VKFF-2724 South West Woodland Nature Reserve
This was followed by another park to park with VK3ZNK Nik in VKFF-0745 Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

Went on to work some more park hunters.
VK5KMWW
VK3PF
VK4SMA
VK2VW
VK3ANL
VK3DAC
VK2IO
VK3AMX
VK3SQ
VK5WU
VK3MKE
VK3FSPN
VK3AHR
VK5YX
VK5TR

Saw a spot for another park, this one on the locals, VK1FTRA Tait in VKFF-0848 Kama Nature Reserve so gave Tait a park to park contact.

After working VK2PKT headed for 80 m as had seen a spot there for VK3ZPF/p in a park.

By the time I got the 80 m extension leads hooked up and tied up he had gone. So called on 3.610 and got VK1LAJ and VK3PF. A park to park on another band with VK3ZNK/p Nik in VKFF-0745 Cape Liptrap Coastal Park.

VK3ZPF/p Peter must have seen my spot and returned to 80 m. Worked him in VKFF-0556 Yarra Ranges National Park. He was also on a SOTA summit VK3/VC-002 Mt Donna Buang.

I had 31 contacts, with the 33 contacts last time in the park making 64 contacts so easily over the 44 needed for WWFF. Packed up and headed home.

View looking down the hill.

Urambi Hills Nature Reserve VKFF-0864

Every year in Australia there is the VKFF Activation weekend, to promote WWFF park activating in Australia. This year activated the 2 remaining parks in the ACT that I have not visited before, Urambi Hills Nature Reserve on Saturday and Farrer Ridge Nature Reserve on Sunday.

For Urambi Hill Nature Reserve VKFF-0864 parked off Merideth Circuit in Kambah. There is an initial pedestrian gate, then after a short walk another gate and entry to the park. Sign for the park at the start of the track up to Urambi Hill trig.

I had planned to operate at the trig, which has great views, however today was really very windy so set up near the park sign, which was in a valley with some shelter from the wind. Some walks back to the car to get all the gear, table, chair, pack with radio, squid pole and battery. Used the park sign for squid pole support.

Operating spot in the park. Map from Protected Planet

Shack on the table.

Got on 40 m. As you would expect for a parks activation weekend plenty of parks on air. Spent a while just working park to parks with the ones on first, before finding a clear spot and calling myself.

VK5KLV/p Les and VK5MSD/p Steve in VKFF-0920 Munyaroo Conservation Park
VK2QR/3 Rob in VKFF-2132 Lonsdale Nature Conservation Reserve
VK3XV/p Tony in VKFF-2070 Corindhap Nature Conservation Reserve
VK4HNS/p Neil in VKFF-2590 Dthinna Dthinnawan Nature Reserve
VK4SOE/2 Ade and VK4FNOR/2 Steve in VKFF-0011 Bald Rock National Park
VK3PF/p Peter in VKFF-2253 Ada Tall Trees Reserve Conservation Reserve

After working all parks gave park hunters a bit of a go for a while...

VK2UXO/m Peter
VK4NH, VK4DXA, ZL4TY/VK4 Ray
VK7QP Linda
VK3SQ Geoff

A few more Parks to Parks

VK2IO/p Gerard in VKFF-0041 Blue Mountains National Park, also SOTA summit Mt Banks
VK5FLEA/p John in VKFF-0910 Montacute Conservation Park

VK4TJ John
VK5LA Andy
VK7NWT Scott
VK2PEZ Andrew
VK1VIC/2 Tony portable at Bungendore

Another park to park

VK3ALN/p Alan in VKFF-0628 Point Nepean National Park

VK1UU Murray

Park to park with VK4AAC/p Rob in VKFF-1493 Bunyaville Conservation Park

VK3TNL Tony
VK2LX Grant
VK2BY Brad
VK2NNN Darren

Worked parks to parks with VK5FMAZ/2 Maria and VK5PAS/3 Paul in VKFF-2135 Main Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve. They were getting rained on so were doing a quick activation. Both good signals.

A couple more park to parks

VK5LA Andy who had left home to activate VKFF-0372 Murray River National Park
VK2XSE/p Liz and VK2KNV/p Peter in VKFF-2651 Loughnan Nature Reserve

While operating the squid pole had detelescoped a few times in the wind. As the wind was picking up even more decided to pack up and head home after 33 contacts. A park to finish off another day.