Melrose Nature Reserve VKFF-3183

With a nice sunny day decided to take advantage of it and do a park activation. Returned to Melrose Nature Reserve, VKFF-3183, as was 5 contacts short of the 44 needed for WWFF.

Instead of activating near the ACT Paintball Park like last time, drove on South past the Johnson Drive roundabout on the Monaro Hwy, until reaching a sign for the park on the left. Parked near the sign. Able to park well off the road.

An older version of the park sign was nearby, and a locked gate into the reserve. I found it easier to just hop over the fence near the sign. Passed my gear over the fence.

Wandered down hill into the reserve, to get away from the traffic noise on the Monaro Hwy. Nothing suitable for squid pole support, so just strapped it to my table. Dipole legs out to nearby tree branches.

Looking back the other way.

Checked the SWR, okay, if a little high resonant spot. Still low across the 40m band.

Radio and battery pack on the table. Able to run a bit of power, 40w from the FT-857.

Got on 40m. 7.144 was busy so moved up to 7.154 and spotted, got a stream of callers.

VK4TJ, VK2EG, VK3APJ, VK2IO, VK1CT, VK3CWF, VK2EXA, VK3NDG, VK3PF, VK3AWA, VK2HHA, VK3VIN, VK3AMO

Park to park contacts with VK2VAR Colin and VK2BYF Bob in VKFF-0043 Booderee National Park.

VK3SQ

Another Park to park with VK3ZK Nik in VKFF-0978 Tocumwal Regional Park

VK1ARQ, VK3LF.

Tried 20m, worked NE3KO, using an SDR in Portland Oregon. Running 500w I could hear him well but a struggle with him hearing my 40w.

VK3APJ, VK7JGD.

A couple of EU contacts, DL2ND Uwe and OH1XT Jari. Both regular hunters for me. 

Returned to 40m to get another park contact with VK1AO Alan in VKFF-1410 Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park.

Packed up to avoid peak hour traffic around 3pm, headed home.