Conjola National Park VKFF-0108

On Saturday morning I drove down to Huskisson NSW to join the Mid South Coast Amateur Radio club for their Christmas meeting and BBQ at midday. Caught up with several members that I have chatted with several times on air but never met in person. President John VK2NJP, park activators Bob VK2BYF, Colin VK2VAR and SOTA activator Andrew VK2PEZ, several more. A most enjoyable time at the meeting and BBQ.

After the meeting drove to my accommodation in nearby Sussex Inlet and checked in. As midafternoon decided to activate a nearby WWFF park,  Conjola National Park VKFF-0108

I initially tried to access the park on the side of Swan Lake to the South of Sussex Inlet, tracks were closed due to flooding...

Tried another spot, the road to Cudmirrah Beach passed through the park. Found a spot off the road and set up the antenna and radio table. Squid pole attached to a star picket I carried down.

Close up of the shack. First time using my new Companion 40aH battery station. Able to run 50W, high power for me! It worked well powering the FT857D. 

The 40m band was noisy with storm static, and NVIS skip was long. Spotted on 7.160. 

First contact a park to park with VK2OKR Richard in VKFF-0595 Hunter Wetlands National Park. He also had Gavin VK2YAK/VK4YAK with him for a couple more contacts.

Then VK3VIN, VK2EG, ZL1BQD, VK2SPF, VK2RP.

A few more park to parks

VK3ARD Matt in VKFF-2219 Upper Beaconsfield Nature Conservation Reserve

VK3BEZ Peter in VKFF-0480 Tarra-Bulga National Park. It was the KRMNPA weekend in Victoria.

VK2FRBQ Rhian in VKFF-0274 Kwiambal National Park

As getting late in the day and getting eaten by mosquitoes despite repellent, packed up. Took a look at nearby Cudmirrah Beach. Not in the park but looked like a nice beach to visit in warmer weather.

Conjola National Park VKFF-0108

After activating Corramy Regional Park in the morning headed to nearby Conjola National Park in the afternoon. The park lies to the North of Ulladulla and West of Sussex Inlet. I decided to visit a picnic area, Monument Beach Picnic Area, but wen I got there found the picnic table there not really suitable for operating from. Instead set up in a corner of the car park, using a bollard for squid pole support. Being a week day the car park was fairly quiet.

Operating location in the park from Protected Planet.

Shack on the table.

Got on 40 m. After working VK3SQ Geoff made a park to park contact with VK2JNG/p Gerard in VKFF-1348 Maroota Ridge State Conservation Area. He was quite weak, a 41 signal and there was an annoying buzzing noise around 7.144 Mhz. I moved away from the noise and called CQ after spotting myself on ParksnPeaks. Usual hunters started calling

VK3PF
VK4TJ, VK4/AC8WN, VK4/VE6XT
VK5FANA
VK5KSW
VK4SRC
VK4NH, VK4DXA, ZL4TY/VK4

Another park to park with VK4DX/p Mike in VKFF-1653 Springwood Conservation Park. Also low and noisy.

VK3GGG/VK3PMG
VK4GSF.

Not many calling, conditions quite poor. 20 m was even worse. As had made over 10 contacts enough for a VKFF point packed up. As close to the Walter Hood monument headed along the track to visit it, having not been here before.

Sign at start of walk.

The monument. Fenced off to stop vandals I suspect.

List of the ships crew and passenger killed in the wreck on 26th April 1870.

The monument wasn't far from the beach

Back at the picnic area a sign explaining a bit more about the wreck. It got caught in a gale and pushed off onto rocks just NE of here

Sign with the explanation of what happened to the Walter Hood. A sad story and a reminder of how dangerous this coast can be in bad weather.