WWFF Activation Callum Brae Nature Reserve VKFF-0836

With a nice warm sunny Sunday afternoon decided to do another WWFF park activation. Returned to Callum Brae Nature Reserve VKFF-0836, to try and complete the 44 contacts needed for a WWFF point. Its a pleasant wooded Canberra Nature Park popular with bird watchers.

As per last time entered the park at the North East gate off Narrabundah Lane in Symonston. Sign for the park

Park gate. Gap next to the gate for walkers,

A map of the park on the gate

Set up the squid pole using a small gum tree sapling, and table and chairs nearby. Had my partner, Sarah along for a listen so 2 chairs set up.

FT857D radio on the table, plus afternoon tea stuff...

Started on 40 m, set the power output on the FT-857D to 30 W. Seems to be a good power output to use without draining the LifePO4 battery too much, and strong enough for chasers to copy easily.

Started with a park to park contact with VK3SMA/p, Mark in VKFF-0719 Lockyer National Park.
A bit low down but quite readable with the low noise floor in the park.

After working Mark got called by Brett VK2VW, who asked me to move down 5 to 7.130 Mhz.
Brett had a good 59 signal. After working Brett stayed on the same frequency and spotted myself on ParksnPeaks for more chasers.

Worked Mick VK3GGG/VK3PMG, VK3FMKE Keith and VK1FWBK Bill.

Got called for another park to park contact with Nick, VK3ANL/p in VKFF-2113 Ironbark Road Nature Conservation Reserve, near Melbourne. He had a good S8-S9 signal.

This was it for park to park contacts. Went on to work the following chasers

VK5FANA Adrian
VK2YK Adam
VK3FI Noel
VK4HNS Neil
VK3UH Ken
VK3YXC Ken
VK3BBB Brian
VK2IO Gerard
VK2FSAV Brett
VK2ZK Dave
VK3KYF Garry
VK5PAS Paul
VK2EMI Mark
VK5FMAZ Marija
VK5HS Ivan
VK2UH Andrew.

I briefly tried switching to 20 m and tried a few calls, but no answers. There was heavy Pacific, Asian and European QRM from a world wide contest on, probably being drowned out...

Gave it away after 25 contacts. With my earlier activation 62 contacts, well over the 44 needed for the park point for WWFF.

For bird life saw some Crimson Rosellas, Eastern Rosellas, Magpies and heard some Gang Gang Cockatoos, which have a distinctive creaking door type call. A pleasant spot for an afternoon activation.

NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service 50 Years Hunter Award

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service turns 50 this year

To celebrate, the VKFF awards manager created awards for hunting or activating 5 VKFF references in NSW parks during October.

http://www.wwffaustralia.com/special-awards.html

I made the following contacts:

Date Band Mode MyCall DXcall Operator Reference
22/10/2017 80m SSB VK1DI VK2IO/P VK2IO VKFF-2018
22/10/2017 40m SSB VK1DI/P VK4HNS/2 VK4HNS VKFF-1347
15/10/2017 80m SSB VK1DI VK2IO/P VK2IO VKFF-1905
7/10/2017 40m SSB VK1DI VK2JNG/P VK2JNG VKFF-0116
5/10/2017 40m SSB VK1DI VK2JNG/P VK2JNG VKFF-1958

References worked

VKFF-2018 - Wianamatta Nature Reserve
VKFF-1347 - Maroomba State Conservation Area
VKFF-1905 - Castlereagh Nature Reserve
VKFF-0116 - Cottan-Bimbang National Park
VKFF-1958 - Macquarie Nature Reserve

Here is the award

VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 475 Award

Noticed on the WWFF logsearch page I'd managed to get confirmed contacts with over 475 VKFF parks, so applied for the award.

Received promptly from the VKFF awards manager, Paul, VK5PAS.