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.

Melrose Nature Reserve VKFF-3183

With a sunny Sunday decided to get out and activate another WWFF park. Went to a newly added park, Melrose Nature Reserve

The park is located on the Eastern side of the Monaro Highway opposite Chisholm, Calwell and Theodore. Looking on a map, the easiest access appeared to be from a car park at the start of Old Tuggeranong Rd, where there is a Paintball game area. There is a locked gate across Old Tuggeranong Rd here but easy to pass through for walkers.

The road runs South for a while then swings to the East. Saw a gate and sign for Melrose Nature Reserve

Headed into the reserve and up a small hill nearby. View at the top looking SouthWest towards Tuggeranong Hill.

Looking West. The Monaro Hwy and Johnson Dr Calwell roundabout below.

There was a survey marker on the top of the hill, TG218. TG for Tuggeranong. Looking on the net later found it was used for the original survey plans for Tuggeranong.

Looked like a good spot to set up, with a log nearby for a seat. Strapped the squid pole to the survey marker and set up the linked dipole. Quite a strong wind but it held up.

Operating spot. Map from Google Maps

Shack around the survey marker and log.

Radio on the nearby log

Got on 40m. I tried to catch VK3TUN on 7.165 in a park, but he had just gone clear. Then VK3PF, Peter called looking for him too, so worked Peter, also in a park VKFF-0976 Shepparton Regional Park

Worked VK3ZPF, then another P2P with VK4AAC/VK2VH Rob in VKFF-2498 Yarrara Flora and Fauna Reserve

Then VK3BEL, VK3APJ, VK2IO/m, VK3ZSC, VK3DL, VK2LP/VK2EMS, VK3UH, VK3PWG, VK4SMA, VK2NP, VK5PAS.

Chased VK1ACE Rod on a SOTA summit, VK2/SM-052 Bald Mountain which is also in VKFF-0212 Gourock National Park

VK3TUN in VKFF-2399 Mount Jeffcott Flora and Fauna Reserve

After 40m contacts dried up went to 20m. Worked

ZL4NVW, OM0R, VK6NU.

Returned to 40m for a few more contacts. Worked

VK3ANL, VK2PKT, VK4FW/VK8MM, VK3GB, VK5FANA, VK2YK/VK5GA, VK3LSR, VK4NH/VK4DXA, VK2MET/VK1AO, VK7JS, VK1TTY, VK3UAO, VK5FB.

During operating the strong wind cracked my squid pole at the base, lashed it up with electrical tape, held out okay but I will need to get another pole... I have gone through a few over the years.

With 39 contacts in the log was getting late and packed up, so will return to get the 44 some time.