Wednesday, 31 July 2019

New England National Park VKFF-0385

After stopping the night at Armidale drove East along the WaterFall Way Hwy East for 80 Km, turning off onto Point Lookout Rd. This took me to my first park of the day, New England National Park, VKFF-0385. This is eligible for the Gondwana Parks Award.


The weather had changed from cloudy in Armidale to light rain, and cold, the temperature had dropped down to 5 c... Decided to operate in the car. Drove to a car park near the Point Lookout picnic area and set up the squid pole and antenna on the table just outside the car, with the coax going in through the passenger window.


Looking the other way


Radio on the passengers seat in the car.


Got on 40 m. As World Rangers Day a lot of parks also on air.

VK3PF/p Peter in VKFF-0480 Tarra-Bulga National Park
VK6MB/3 Mike in VKFF-2032 Wychitella Conservation Reserve

VK2FAVL
VK4RF VK4HA

Went to 20 m

VK6MB/3 Mike in VKFF-2032 Wychitella Conservation Reserve again, on 20 m
VK2IO/5 Gerard in VKFF-1114 Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park
VK3MCK
VK3SQ
ZL1TM
VK3PF/p Peter in VKFF-0480 Tarra-Bulga National Park again on 20 m

Went back to 40 m for a few more contacts

VK2NP
VK2KNV
VK4JAZ/p Grant in VKFF-2878 Pooh Corner Nature Refuge
VK2HRX
VK2VW
VK2VVD

Packed up and headed to Point Lookout. Did a short walk out to the lookout, despite the rain, as still nice to see the rain forest. Looks good in the mist. Mossy path. Lots of trees covered in moss.





The Point lookout hut at the start of the walk



Inside a couple of Park Rangers having lunch around a fire


Had a chat to the park rangers, I had briefly chatted to them from the car park while activating as they wondered what I was up to. We had a bit of a chat about using radio and the different bands. They find their UHF radios don't work too well in some parts of the park, even with repeaters. Interested in my range of contacts on HF. As World Rangers Day was nice to chat to a couple of Park Rangers.

After lunch packed up and headed for my next park, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

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