Wednesday, 15 June 2016
VKFF Diamond 50 Activations Award
Noticed on the WWFF Logsearch website that I've activated enough parks to apply for the VKFF Diamond Award for activating 50 parks. Applied for and promptly received from Paul, VK5PAS the VKFF Awards Manager. Thanks Paul. Here it is.
Sunday, 12 June 2016
Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve VKFF-0837
After a cold -2c night had a nice sunny Sunday, so decided to get out and do another local WWFF park activation, this time to VKFF-0837 Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve.
This is another Canberra Nature Park and easily accessible from the Western suburb of Chapman. Drove to the end of Kathner Street and parked. Usual Canberra Nature Park sign and a gate here.
There is a narrow gap on the side of the gate for walkers. Just past the gate a fairly old sign describing the walk through the park.
The road up the hill was fairly steep and a bit unsafe with loose rocks, so took a narrow foot pad to the right.
Got to the main track that runs around the Eastern edge of the reserve, called Cut-off Drain Fire Trail. Good views the the North of Canberra. Black Mountain with its tower visible.
Took a side track running up to the top of the ridge.
There is a trig a bit further along the ridge but decided this was a good enough spot to operate from anyway, this is a parks activation, not SOTA... Set up the squid pole on a small eucalyptus sapling. Strung up the 20/40 m dipole.
Set up the FT817 on a nearby rock and sat on the tarp.
Got on 40 m. A fair bit of activity with the weekend VK Shires contest. Made a park to park contact with Peter VK3PF/P in VKFF-0484 The Lakes National Park. Worked VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and VK7. Some signals quite strong, and getting me quite well despite the 5 w from the FT817.
Gave it away as it started to get cold, despite the sunshine only around 10c today.
Map of the park showing my operating spot. Map from Open Street Maps
This is another Canberra Nature Park and easily accessible from the Western suburb of Chapman. Drove to the end of Kathner Street and parked. Usual Canberra Nature Park sign and a gate here.
There is a narrow gap on the side of the gate for walkers. Just past the gate a fairly old sign describing the walk through the park.
The road up the hill was fairly steep and a bit unsafe with loose rocks, so took a narrow foot pad to the right.
Got to the main track that runs around the Eastern edge of the reserve, called Cut-off Drain Fire Trail. Good views the the North of Canberra. Black Mountain with its tower visible.
Took a side track running up to the top of the ridge.
There is a trig a bit further along the ridge but decided this was a good enough spot to operate from anyway, this is a parks activation, not SOTA... Set up the squid pole on a small eucalyptus sapling. Strung up the 20/40 m dipole.
Set up the FT817 on a nearby rock and sat on the tarp.
Got on 40 m. A fair bit of activity with the weekend VK Shires contest. Made a park to park contact with Peter VK3PF/P in VKFF-0484 The Lakes National Park. Worked VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and VK7. Some signals quite strong, and getting me quite well despite the 5 w from the FT817.
Gave it away as it started to get cold, despite the sunshine only around 10c today.
Map of the park showing my operating spot. Map from Open Street Maps
Sunday, 22 May 2016
SOTA Bobbara Mountain VK2/ST-044
After activating Mt Mundoonen VK2/ST-053, drove to Yass and had lunch. After lunch drove on the Hume Highway, turning off at Bowning, then drove along Red Hill Road to Burley Griffin Way. Followed this to the small town of Binalong. Just out of Binalong turned off onto Bobbara Rd and stopped near the access gate to the mountain.
Followed the access road for a while, then cut cross country to the top, joining up with the road again close to the summit. Air Services radar visible.
Walked around the Air Service complex to the trig. Took about a half hour to get to the top.
Set up the squid pole on the trig, running out the dipole legs to tie to large weedy plants...
Another view of the trig
Set up the radio shack at the base of the trig.
Got on 40 m. As per the morning lots of QSB on signals but most fairly strong on peaks. Worked chasers in VK1, VK2, VK3 and VK5. A Summit to Summit contact with Mal VK3MEL/P on VK3/VS-009.
Gave it away after a half hour and packed up as the wind had started to pick up. A total of 17 contacts.
View heading down looking towards Yass, Mt Bowning in the distance
Followed the access road for a while, then cut cross country to the top, joining up with the road again close to the summit. Air Services radar visible.
Walked around the Air Service complex to the trig. Took about a half hour to get to the top.
Set up the squid pole on the trig, running out the dipole legs to tie to large weedy plants...
Another view of the trig
Set up the radio shack at the base of the trig.
Got on 40 m. As per the morning lots of QSB on signals but most fairly strong on peaks. Worked chasers in VK1, VK2, VK3 and VK5. A Summit to Summit contact with Mal VK3MEL/P on VK3/VS-009.
Gave it away after a half hour and packed up as the wind had started to pick up. A total of 17 contacts.
View heading down looking towards Yass, Mt Bowning in the distance
SOTA Mt Mundoonen VK2/ST-053
With a nice sunny Sunday decided to revisit a couple of easy summits in the Yass region to the North of Canberra, Mt Mundoonen and Bobbara Mountain. First drove to Mt Mundoonen to the East of Yass, as per other activations parked near the start of the road up to the summit.
Walked up the road. After a few bends and about a 15 minute walk reached the top. Air Navigation VLF beacon for Yass here.
Set up the squid pole on the trig. Ran out the legs of the 20/40 m linked dipole.
View of the station from the road
Radio shack on the concrete base of the trig
Got on 40 m. Signals quite good from VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7, although quite a bit of QSB. Made a WWFF contact with Paul VK5PAS/2 activating Lane Cove National Park, VKFF-0281 in Sydney, nice signal from his portable setup.
Tried going to 20 m but no replies, despite spotting myself there. A tune around the band seemed to indicate it was just dead...so returned to 40m.
Managed to make a summit to summit contact with Mal VK3MEL/P on VK3/VS-018. Must have been heard by Gerard VK2IO as he put up a spot he was looking for me, so got on 7.085 and spotted myself, and worked him.
A few more contacts on 40 m, gave it away around noon and packed up, headed into Yass for lunch.
A total of 17 contacts.
Walked up the road. After a few bends and about a 15 minute walk reached the top. Air Navigation VLF beacon for Yass here.
Set up the squid pole on the trig. Ran out the legs of the 20/40 m linked dipole.
View of the station from the road
Radio shack on the concrete base of the trig
Got on 40 m. Signals quite good from VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK7, although quite a bit of QSB. Made a WWFF contact with Paul VK5PAS/2 activating Lane Cove National Park, VKFF-0281 in Sydney, nice signal from his portable setup.
Tried going to 20 m but no replies, despite spotting myself there. A tune around the band seemed to indicate it was just dead...so returned to 40m.
Managed to make a summit to summit contact with Mal VK3MEL/P on VK3/VS-018. Must have been heard by Gerard VK2IO as he put up a spot he was looking for me, so got on 7.085 and spotted myself, and worked him.
A few more contacts on 40 m, gave it away around noon and packed up, headed into Yass for lunch.
A total of 17 contacts.
Saturday, 7 May 2016
WWFF Callum Brae Nature Reserve VKFF-0823
With a nice sunny Saturday afternoon decided to activate another previously unactivated WWFF park, VKFF-0823 Callum Brae Nature Reserve.
A bit of a search on the net found this is a park created in 2004 resumed from grazing leasehold, named after the property it came from, which is nearby. It protects a variety of different gums and is a good spot for bird watching. There are access gates off Narrabundah Lane or Mugga Lane.
I entered via the gate off Narrabundah Lane. Note at the time I activated road works had closed off the entrance from Mugga Lane. Usual green Canberra Nature Park sign.
Parked near the gate.
There is a gap in the middle of the gate, but walkers can also enter via a gap on the side of the gate.
A short distance from the gate was a wooden track marker post. This provided an ideal support for the squid pole. Set up the operating table nearby in the shade of a large gum tree.
Radio shack on the table. For more power had taken my home radio, a TS-480SAT, running off my 8400 mAH LifePO4 battery. This allowed me to run a good 30 or more watts as required. Also used my tablet tethered to my phone. Good reception here. I also took a thermos for tea time :)
Got on 40 m. Found the WWFF calling frequency already occupied by Stef VK5HSX/3 in VKFF-0739 Barmah National Park, so promptly worked him for a park to park contact.
Found a clear spot and called CQ Parks. Got found by the usual chasers, a small pileup once I got spotted on ParksnPeaks website. Calls from VK1, VK2 and VK3. Most good 59+ signals. The usual contact with Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a good signal.
A couple more park to parks, with Rob VK4AAC/3 in VKFF-0619 Alpine NP and David VK5HDW/3 in VKFF-0213 Grampians NP.
After callers stopped on 40 m decided to give 20 m a try. Surprisingly could hear European stations coming through mid afternoon, so pushed the power up to 45 w and called after spotting myself.
Got a nice steady flow of EU callers. several of the regular WWFF hunters. HA6OB, 9A7Z, UT5PI, OM7OM, RV3ATS, RA3PCI. Also JA8RJE, and Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a 59+ signal.
Briefly changed back to 40 m to work Andrew VK1MBE/2 doing a SOTA activation on nearby Livingston Hill, SM-093.
Returned to 20 m. Went on to work F1BLL, IK1GPG, Max, a keen chaser, EA1DR and I5FLN.
As getting late in the day and clouding over gave it away. Sun setting behind nearby Mt Mugga Mugga.
A total of 37 contacts, so need to return to make up the 44 needed for WWFF.
A map of the park and my operating spot. Map courtesy of Open Street Maps www.osm.org
A bit of a search on the net found this is a park created in 2004 resumed from grazing leasehold, named after the property it came from, which is nearby. It protects a variety of different gums and is a good spot for bird watching. There are access gates off Narrabundah Lane or Mugga Lane.
I entered via the gate off Narrabundah Lane. Note at the time I activated road works had closed off the entrance from Mugga Lane. Usual green Canberra Nature Park sign.
Parked near the gate.
There is a gap in the middle of the gate, but walkers can also enter via a gap on the side of the gate.
A short distance from the gate was a wooden track marker post. This provided an ideal support for the squid pole. Set up the operating table nearby in the shade of a large gum tree.
Radio shack on the table. For more power had taken my home radio, a TS-480SAT, running off my 8400 mAH LifePO4 battery. This allowed me to run a good 30 or more watts as required. Also used my tablet tethered to my phone. Good reception here. I also took a thermos for tea time :)
Got on 40 m. Found the WWFF calling frequency already occupied by Stef VK5HSX/3 in VKFF-0739 Barmah National Park, so promptly worked him for a park to park contact.
Found a clear spot and called CQ Parks. Got found by the usual chasers, a small pileup once I got spotted on ParksnPeaks website. Calls from VK1, VK2 and VK3. Most good 59+ signals. The usual contact with Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a good signal.
A couple more park to parks, with Rob VK4AAC/3 in VKFF-0619 Alpine NP and David VK5HDW/3 in VKFF-0213 Grampians NP.
After callers stopped on 40 m decided to give 20 m a try. Surprisingly could hear European stations coming through mid afternoon, so pushed the power up to 45 w and called after spotting myself.
Got a nice steady flow of EU callers. several of the regular WWFF hunters. HA6OB, 9A7Z, UT5PI, OM7OM, RV3ATS, RA3PCI. Also JA8RJE, and Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a 59+ signal.
Briefly changed back to 40 m to work Andrew VK1MBE/2 doing a SOTA activation on nearby Livingston Hill, SM-093.
Returned to 20 m. Went on to work F1BLL, IK1GPG, Max, a keen chaser, EA1DR and I5FLN.
As getting late in the day and clouding over gave it away. Sun setting behind nearby Mt Mugga Mugga.
A total of 37 contacts, so need to return to make up the 44 needed for WWFF.
A map of the park and my operating spot. Map courtesy of Open Street Maps www.osm.org
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 275 Award
WWFF Logsearch showed I had hunted, or contacted 275 different VKFF parks, so time for another award :)
A breakdown of the number of parks worked in each VK Call area
A breakdown of the number of parks worked in each VK Call area
| VK1 | 14 |
| VK2 | 49 |
| VK3 | 97 |
| VK4 | 27 |
| VK5 | 79 |
| VK6 | 4 |
| VK7 | 4 |
| VK8 | 0 |
| VK9 | 1 |
Comparing these numbers with those at 250 parks shows the following extra 25 parks worked
| VK1 | 0 |
| VK2 | 5 |
| VK3 | 6 |
| VK4 | 2 |
| VK5 | 11 |
| VK6 | 0 |
| VK7 | 1 |
| VK8 | 0 |
| VK9 | 0 |
So most of the recently worked parks were in VK5, mainly due to the SANPCA weekend...
Here is the award. The photo is of Namadgi National Park here in the ACT.
Monday, 25 April 2016
Red Hill Nature Reserve VKFF-0860
With a day off work for ANZAC day and nice weather decided to activate another Canberra Nature Park for the WWFF award, VKFF-0860 Red Hill Nature Reserve. This park has not been activated before.
This is a very easy park to visit, there is a road going to the lookout on the top of Red Hill. It is just South of Parliament House at the end of Melbourne Avenue, take Gowrie Dr, where you enter the park.
Gowrie Dr continues at a turnoff to the right heading down to the Federal Golf Club, Red Hill Dr continues to the top. The road passes by a lookout over Parliament House. The trees are getting a bit high though to see it properly, here is a view through a gap in the trees.
The road ends in a loop around a round building, Red Hill Cafe and Restaurant. Parked in front of the building. Summit marker out the front of the restaurant. The restaurant on the top floor is called On Red. Very expensive, have not dined there before. The cafe below used to be good but has also become too expensive lately to visit, a pity as it has nice views.
Summit marker. Interestingly the map shows the Red Hill Summit to the North as 720 m, must have 2 peaks about the same height. Note there is not enough prominence for the summit to qualify for SOTA. There is also another hill just South of here, Davidson Hill, at 749 m. Also does not qualify for SOTA. Anyway both are within Red Hill Nature Reserve so good for a WWFF activation.
Walked around the back of the restaurant to a track along the ridge, The Red Track. A sign about it.
Another view looking down to the suburb of Red Hill. The commercial area of Fyshwick beyond, Canberra airport on the left, Queanbeyan in the distance. The oval just below is in Canberra Grammar School Red Hill.
A bit further on a sign about the Red Hill geology.
Off track behind this sign spotted a good area to set up the radio on the Western side of the hill. Used a small gum tree sapling to support the squid pole.
Shack in the shade of the trees.
Got on 40 m. Managed to get a park to park contact with Tony AX3VTH/p in VKFF-0264 Kinglake NP, just before he went clear on 7.144 Mhz. Then worked Paul AX5PAS/p with a good strong signal in VKFF-0881 Ferries - McDonald CP.
Moved down to 7.135 Mhz and got spotted, then the pileup began... Lots of good strong signals from chasers in VK2, VK3 and VK5. Another Park to park contact with AX4FR/5 Chris in VKFF-0832 Swan Reach CP.
Worked my usual VK4 contact with Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a good S8 signal. Stopped calling to chase Brian VK3MCD/p on SOTA peak VK3/VE-014.
Finished up with a local contact with Matt VK1MA, a huge signal on Red Hill. Headed back home. A total of 31 contacts, so need to return to complete the 44 contacts needed for a WWFF point.
A view to the West towards Woden and the Brindabellas from Red Hill
Map showing my operating spot
This is a very easy park to visit, there is a road going to the lookout on the top of Red Hill. It is just South of Parliament House at the end of Melbourne Avenue, take Gowrie Dr, where you enter the park.
Gowrie Dr continues at a turnoff to the right heading down to the Federal Golf Club, Red Hill Dr continues to the top. The road passes by a lookout over Parliament House. The trees are getting a bit high though to see it properly, here is a view through a gap in the trees.
The road ends in a loop around a round building, Red Hill Cafe and Restaurant. Parked in front of the building. Summit marker out the front of the restaurant. The restaurant on the top floor is called On Red. Very expensive, have not dined there before. The cafe below used to be good but has also become too expensive lately to visit, a pity as it has nice views.
Summit marker. Interestingly the map shows the Red Hill Summit to the North as 720 m, must have 2 peaks about the same height. Note there is not enough prominence for the summit to qualify for SOTA. There is also another hill just South of here, Davidson Hill, at 749 m. Also does not qualify for SOTA. Anyway both are within Red Hill Nature Reserve so good for a WWFF activation.
Walked around the back of the restaurant to a track along the ridge, The Red Track. A sign about it.
Another view looking down to the suburb of Red Hill. The commercial area of Fyshwick beyond, Canberra airport on the left, Queanbeyan in the distance. The oval just below is in Canberra Grammar School Red Hill.
A bit further on a sign about the Red Hill geology.
Off track behind this sign spotted a good area to set up the radio on the Western side of the hill. Used a small gum tree sapling to support the squid pole.
Shack in the shade of the trees.
Got on 40 m. Managed to get a park to park contact with Tony AX3VTH/p in VKFF-0264 Kinglake NP, just before he went clear on 7.144 Mhz. Then worked Paul AX5PAS/p with a good strong signal in VKFF-0881 Ferries - McDonald CP.
Moved down to 7.135 Mhz and got spotted, then the pileup began... Lots of good strong signals from chasers in VK2, VK3 and VK5. Another Park to park contact with AX4FR/5 Chris in VKFF-0832 Swan Reach CP.
Worked my usual VK4 contact with Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a good S8 signal. Stopped calling to chase Brian VK3MCD/p on SOTA peak VK3/VE-014.
Finished up with a local contact with Matt VK1MA, a huge signal on Red Hill. Headed back home. A total of 31 contacts, so need to return to complete the 44 contacts needed for a WWFF point.
A view to the West towards Woden and the Brindabellas from Red Hill
Map showing my operating spot
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