Mcleods Creek Nature Reserve VKFF-2653

With a warm sunny Sunday afternoon in Canberra decided to make the most of the nice weather and activate another WWFF park, Mcleods Creek Nature Reserve VKFF-2653. Last activation there was in winter and was cold, so would be a good change. Only made 22 contacts so needed to return to make up the 44 contacts for WWFF.

From my home in Belconnen the easiest way to reach it is via Gungahlin, Mulligans Flat Rd then continue on Sutton Rd to Gundaroo. Turn left at the end of town into Rosemel St that becomes Marked Tree Road. Last time I operated on the Western side of the park, this time found a gate on the Eastern end of the park for access. Locked but able to access the park on foot okay. Sign for the park.

Set up the shack near the sign, using the park fence for support

Looking back the other way

Park operating spot location. Map from Google maps

Tested the 40m dipole, SWR okay, a little bit high I think due to nearby branches. Seems to be resonant at the top end of the band. Still quite good SWR across the band.

Shack on the table. using my new Galaxy Tab 8 inch tablet again for logging.

Got on 40m. The band was wide open with strong signals. Started with a Park to park with VK2IO/p Gerard in VKFF-1881 Agnes Banks Nature Reserve

Also VK3AWA/p Daryl in VKFF-0758 Holey Plains State Park

Spotted myself on 7.130, and got a pileup... heaps of stations calling

VK3FIMD,VK1AD,VK3PI,VK5FANA,VK2VW,VK2HFI,VK3BBB,VK2CCP,VK3SRC,VK2MET,

VK2YK/5,VK5GA,VK5PET,VK3NFS,VK4HMI,VK4SMA,VK5HAA,VK2GAZ,VK3SQ,

VK4KC,VK4MAD,VK4DOG,VK4HNS,VK3ZPF

Another park to park with VK3PF/p Peter and VK3NRB/p Ross in VKFF-2045 Bengworden Nature Conservation Reserve

Went on to work several more park hunters

ZL4NVW,VK3MPR,VK2VH,VK4AAC/2,VK3CU,VK4FDJL,VK4NH,VK4DXA,ZL4TY/VK4

VK2MZ,VK4WTN,VK4IDK,VK5IS

Another park to park with VK2IO/p Gerard in a new park VKFF-0558 Yellomundee Regional Park

Then more hunters

VK2HRX,VK2HH,VK3ANL,VK2PKT,VK2GMC,VK5LA,VK3MCK,VK7ME

Tried going to 20m, but no answers, despite hearing some strong US stations coming in. Suspect running amplifiers... Saw a spot for VK3PF/p Peter and VK3NRB/p Ross in another park on 40m, so returned to work them in VKFF-2425 Providence Ponds Flora and Fauna Reserve.

Sun starting to set, and still had a 45 minute drive home, so packed up. More than enough contacts to qualify. Did a brief walk along the road along the boundary of the park