Kowen Escarpment Nature Reserve VKFF-3182

After activating and having lunch at the Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve picnic area. set off to activate Kowen Escarpment Nature Reserve VKFF-3182 nearby. This was a newly added park, so had studied the park maps before for an access point. I decided to enter via an access track off Sutton Rd a few Km North of Kowen Rd. There was a closed off track on the right near a pine forest, parked close by and walked in with my pack and squid pole.

No signs for the park, however there was a sticker on the gate by ACT Parks.

Walked down the road and set up the station in the shade under a tree.

This was to be a mistake. Turning on 40m found S8 of noise all over the band, so unable to hear any stations apart from very strong ones. There were high voltage power lines close by that must be the source of the noise. As would have been a real struggle to operate here packed up and headed further into the park.

Climbed the escarpment along a road, until heading off into the bush to a log and setting up the station again. Not the best spot due to trees but keen to get on air after losing time moving the shack.

Squid pole mounted on a star picket at the end of the log

Shack on the log. A bit of a mess but at least had a seat. The dipole was only about 6m high due to trees but seemed to receive ok. Thankfully no radio noise here.

Map showing operating spot. From Google Maps

Got on 40m, running 20w on the FT857D as on a 4.2aH battery. Worked

VK3BEZ/VK3KAI Peter in VKFF-2465 Traralgon South Flora Reserve

VK1RF Tim in VKFF-1979 Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve

VK2MET/VK1AO Alan in VKFF-0490 Tomaree National Park

VK3PI Mark in VKFF-2113 Ironbark Road Nature Conservation Reserve

VK2IO Gerard in VKFF-0041 Blue Mountains National Park

VK2HMC, VK2EXA

VK3OAK Malcolm in VKFF-2048 Black Swamp Nature Conservation Reserve

VK3MCA Brett in VKFF-0055 Brisbane Ranges National Park

VK4NH, VK4DXA

VK4FW Bill in VKFF-1659 Tinana Island Conservation Park

VK4EMP Mark in VKFF-0427 Ravensbourne National Park

VK3ANL Nick in VKFF-2104 Gresswell Hill Nature Conservation Reserve

VK2VW, VK2HFI

VK3DL Dean in VKFF-2069 Coradjil Nature Conservation Reserve

VK5PAS/VK5MAZ Paul and Maria in VKFF-0789 Spring Mount Conservation Park

VK7IAN Ian in VKFF-2932 Wellington Park Other Conservation Area

VK4TJ

VK2YK Adam in VKFF-0933 Sandy Creek Conservation Park

VK3TUN David in VKFF-2099 Gowar Nature Conservation Reserve

As getting late packed up and headed back to the car. 25 contacts in the log. I will return for the remainder for 44 and walk a bit further into the park next time.