Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve VKFF-0991

For the VKFF Activation Weekend I decided to do a couple of parks next to each other, Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve VKFF-0991, and nearby Kowen Escarpment Nature Reserve VKFF-3182. Molonglo Gorge was good for a car based activation as one of the few Canberra parks you can drive into. Accessed via Kowen Rd, off Sutton Rd. A sign indicating access for the parks.

Kowen Rd comes to a locked gate up ahead, but a side road continues into Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve. Sign for the park.

The main picnic area was crowded. I headed to another picnic area on a side road. Luckily managed to grab a free picnic table. Set up the shack on the table. For the squid pole used a star picket for support near the table.

Checked the antenna with the Stick analyser, good SWR across the 40m band, resonant at 7.170 Mhz.

Another photo of the shack

FT857 powered off the Companion 40aH battery pack. I set the power to 50w output.

There were several park activators active already before UTC rollover. Worked a few before spotting.

VK2YAK/VK4YAK Gavin in VKFF-1308 Copeland Tops State Conservation Area

VK3TUN David in VKFF-2198 Stuart Mill Nature Conservation Reserve

VK5PAS/VK4MAZ Paul and Maria in VKFF-0923 Nixon - Skinner Conservation Park

VK4FDJL Deryck in VKFF-1637 Roundstone Conservation Park

Spotted myself on 7.185. Worked 

VK2MET/VK1AO Alan in VKFF-2740 Tilligery Nature Reserve

Some hunters. VK2VW/VK2HFI, VK5FANA, A few more park to parks

VK3ANL Nick in VKFF-2104 Gresswell Hill Nature Conservation Reserve

VK2YK Adam in VKFF-0889 Hale Conservation Park

VK2LEE, VK3AMO

VK3BEZ Peter in VKFF-2465 Traralgon South Flora Reserve

VK4TJ, both before and after UTC rollover. VK3VIN

VK4FW Bill in VKFF-1659 Tinana Island Conservation Park

VK2LEE

VK5AV Jim in VKFF-2343 Johnstones Creek Flora Reserve

VK3BEZ Peter in VKFF-2465 Traralgon South Flora Reserve post rollover

VK2YAK/VK4YAK Gavin in VKFF-1308 Copeland Tops State Conservation Area again

VK3OAK Malcolm in VKFF-0742 Warby Ovens National Park

VK3BHR

VK5PAS/VK5MAZ Paul and Maria in a new park, VKFF-0923 Nixon - Skinner Conservation Park

VK3MCA Brett in VKFF-0982 You Yangs Regional Park

VK2MET/VK1AO Alan still in VKFF-2740 Tilligerry Nature Reserve

VK1XP Mobile

VK3ANL Nick still in VKFF-2104 Gresswell Hill Nature Conservation Reserve

VK7LTD Tony in VKFF-1797 Eaglehawk Bay State Reserve

VK3ZPF, VK2VW, VK2HFI

A very weak VK2IO Gerard in VKFF-0041 Blue Mountains National Park. NVIS short hop not good today. I missed working some of the close by activators eg down the NSW South Coast.

VK5BJE, VK4EMP, VK3NCR, VK3FRC, VK2EG

VK7FAMP Angela in VKFF-1797 Eaglehawk Bay State Reserve

VK5PAS, VK5FMAZ Paul and Maria in another park, VKFF-0921 Myponga Conservation Park.

Had lunch at the picnic table, packed up and headed for the next park, Kowen Escarpment Nature Reserve.