Having stopped overnight at Batemans Bay on a bit of a weekend break with my partner decided to do a first time activation of a nearby WWFF park, Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve VKFF-1918.
The park is to the North of Batemans Bay and consists of two sections, one on the Western side of Cullendulla Creek, mainly mangroves, and another section on the Eastern side and to the South called Square Head. From Batemans Bay drove North on the Princes Highway, turning off onto Cullendulla Drive. Turned off this onto Blairs Road into Long Beach housing estate. Turned off and parked at the car park for the start of the walking tracks into Square Head.
Set up the WWFF station in the car park. Operating spot shown, map from protectedplanet.net
Used one of the bollards in the car park for the squid pole support, table and chairs set up nearby for the radio.
Looking up the hill at the shack
Close up of the shack. My FT-857D running off a LifePO4 battery. Set the power to 30 W.
Got on 40 m. Disappointingly a lot of local electrical QRM, probably from the nearby houses on the edge of the reserve. Many had solar panel systems which can be quite noisy electrically.
I first worked Peter, VK3TKK/p in VKFF-0231 Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. He was about to go clear, so quickly called him, even though I had not even looked up the VKFF number of my park yet.
Made the mistake of spotting myself on 7.144 Mhz. It sounded quiet to me but was only 2 Khz below the VK2 WIA broadcast on 7.146 Mhz from Sydney. There was no short hop propagation there but they were affecting chasers, so moved to 7.140 Mhz. Must remember this for Sunday morning activations...
Went on the work VK2XXM Robert, VK3OHM Mark, VK6ZRW/7 Ray, VK3MRG/p Marshall and VK2VW Brett.
Got called again by Peter, VK3TKK/p, this time in another park, VKFF-0373 Murray-Sunset National Park. So another park to park contact.
Got called by Gerard VK2IO in Sydney, who advised I had come out of the noise to a good strong signal. So NVIS short hop was working again. Went on to work VK5BJE John, VK3BBB Brian, VK3FLCS Brett.
Spoke to VK2HEY/p Ross, in Sydney but using a remote station in Cowra. He was quite strong. VK7MPR Mark, VK2YW John in Wagga very strong, and VK2PKT Keith in Parkes, also strong.
Hunters seemed to dry up, so packed up for lunch after 16 contacts. Don't mind returning to this park for the remainder of the 44 contacts, very attractive with lots of Burrawang Palms and Spotted Gum Trees.
A photo from a walk I did earlier here.
View across to Batemans Bay from the Southern end of Square Head
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