Stony Creek Nature Reserve VKFF-0986

With a nice warm sunny day decided to activate a WWFF park. Chose to return to Stony Creek Nature Reserve, VKFF-0986, a couple of years since last activated so should be popular with hunters.

As per other activations drove parked off the Brindabella Rd, near the start of the walk up to Mt McDonald. Gate and sign for the park.

Found a bit of shade and strapped the squid pole to a small gum tree. Table and radio nearby.

Checked the SWR, good, low across the 40m band.

Radio on the table. As on my 40aH power pack ran the FT857D at 40w.

Spotted and called on 7.138. A steady stream of callers, being a weekday not that busy.

VK1RF, VK3NDG/VK3FACD, VK2MES, VK4TJ, VK2YPU, VK3TKK, VK7QP.

A park to park with VK3PF Peter in POTA park VK-5424 Omeo Bushland Natural Features Reserve

VK1AO, VK2LEE, VK1ADW, VK1XP.

After 40m went quiet moved up to 20m.

On 14.244 found VK3AWA Daryl in VKFF-0747 Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. Worked him, not strong but good enough to copy okay. Only around 300Km away and normally in my skip zone on 20m.

Spotted and called, another Park contact with VK2IO Gerard in VKFF-0619 Alpine National Park. Like Daryl weak but usually in my skip zone, about 200 Km away.

A weak contact with KG5CIK Steve in Texas, a regular caller for VKFF activations.

Another weak contact with IK4IDF, Raf in Banacavalo Italy.

No more callers, packed up and had afternoon tea at the nearby Cotter river picnic ground.