After going for a swim at Narawallee Beach in the morning, had lunch at Mollymook shops, then set off to try activating a new WWFF park, VKFF-1979 Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve. This has not been activated previously.
I initially tried to access the park via Narrawallee Creek Road off Lake Conjola Entrance Road, but came to a locked gate... So back tracked to Lake Conjola Entrance Road, drove to Lake Conjola village, took Thorne Street to the South, then turned off onto Conjola Beach Trail. This was a dirt track but okay for 2WDs. Passed Pattimores Lagoon and finally entered the park.
Got to Conjola Beach Carpark. Unfortunately very small with only a few picnic tables in the bush, really unsuitable for operating a radio from, and no room for antennas.
Wandered up the hill to the beach. There was a lookout platform above the beach which would have to do for an operating spot.
Set up the squid pole on the railing of the lookout platform
One dipole leg had just enough room to run down to a nearby fence. The other leg was challenging...
Ended up throwing the wire over some bushes, then bush bashing to the end and tying it to a branch.
Operating spot, map from Protected Planet website
Radio on the lookout platform deck, hiding from the sun behind a grass bush...
Set the power to 40 W and got on 40m on 7.144 Mhz. Found my phone battery had died so unable to spot myself, so got my first contact, Geoff VK3SQ to spot me.
Went on to work the following park hunters
VK4TJ John
VK5FMPW Michael
VK3PF Peter
VK3GGG/VK3PMG Mick
VK4SYD Rob
VK4GSF George
VK3MRG Marshall
VK4CPS Paul
VK3OHM Marc
I got another call from John VK4TJ, he also worked me with his US and Canadian calls to help my call count, thanks John.
Note mainly long distance contacts on 40 m, close by NVIS not working... Tried 20 m also but no luck. As had over 10 contacts for VKFF gave it away and headed back to Mollymook for dinner.
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