SOTA Box Ridge VK2/SM-065 and Paupong Nature Reserve VKFF-2699

After staying overnight at Jindabyne headed South to do a SOTA activation of Box Ridge, VK2/SM-065. As well as a SOTA peak the summit is in Paupong Nature Reserve, which was recently added to the WWFF list of parks, VKFF-2699. This was to be a first activation of this park. Headed South on Barry Way, turning off to the left onto Gullies Rd. This is initially sealed but changes to a dirt road. Took a road off onto the left Thornybush Rd. This is a private road so make sure to shut the gate to stop cattle getting out. Drove along Thornybush Rd and entered Paupong Nature Reserve

Map showing the park location. From Protected Planet.

Came to the 4 way junction, Thornybrush Trail and Paupong Fire trail.

Continued along Paupong Trail , until reaching the SOTA "summit", actually just a high point in the terrain. The road runs right over the top of it. Map from SOTA maps, Google Map view

 Set up the squid pole on a roadside Telstra cable sign.

Shack on the table. Note the haze, there was a bush fire well to the South of me close to the Victorian border.

Got on 40 m . Plenty of keen chasers as a Saturday morning. Most fairly strong signals

VK2IO
VK3CAT
VK3ZPF
VK1MIC
VK4TJ
VK3PF
VK2VIC
VK1VIC/2
VK3FPSR
VK2HRX
VK3ANL
VK3SQ
VK3ARH
VK2GKA
VK3HN
VK2ZRD

Tried changing the links to 20 m. There was summer sporadic e about so lots of calls there too, including some ZLs

VK3SQ
ZL1BYZ
VK2IO
VK3PF
VK3ARH
ZL2AJ
VK3GTV
VK5KLV
VK5PL
VK4HNS
ZL1WA
VK5ATN

After 28 contacts had morning tea and packed up, heading for my next park, Ironmungy Nature Reserve VKFF-2624

SOTA Box Ridge VK2/SM-065

After my failed attempt on VK2/SM-021 Mt Hudson, drove to Jindabyne then on to VK2/SM-065 Box Ridge.

As per last activation parked at the junction of Paupong Trail and Thornybush Trail and walked into the activation zone.

My last activation I used a Telstra cable warning sign on the side of the road for squid pole support, okay, but not the most comfortable place to operate...This time wandered off the road and found a suitable log to sit on, with a stump nearby for squid pole support.

Looking the other direction

Radio on the log, made a nice seat...

Got on 40 m. Started with an S2S with VK2BJP Russ on VK3/VG-057, then VK2IB Bernard on VK2/SW-021. Then usual crowd of chasers...most good strong signals. After a while got called by Allen VK3HRA on VK3/VE-044. He had a few companions, a rare SSB contact with Wayne VK3WAM and Warren VK3BYD. They were doing a multiple summit camping trip in the Victorian high country.

Got an SMS from Andrew, VK1NAM/2, who was planning some EU SOTA chasing on VK2/SM-053 nearby, and invited me to join him. Packed up and headed for Jindabyne then on to this summit.

SOTA Box Ridge VK2/SM-065

This summit was suggested to me by Andrew VK3BQ as a nice easy one to activate close to Jindabyne. From Jindabyne drove South on Barry Way, turning off to the left into Gullies Road. Initially sealed, turns to dirt later. Note this road runs past another SOTA peak, VK2/SM-064 Jillamatong Hill. This looked like it was on private property. Came to a junction, took Thorneybush Road on the left. This is marked as a Private Road.

A short distance later reached an unlocked property gate. A warning about No responsibility from owner no insurance. Also a warning about a locked gate 3 Km ahead. Andrew had advised me this is not locked.

After passing a property and climbing up a ridge reached the gate, open.

Continued on the road. A sign indicating entering Paupong Nature Reserve. Here I encountered a couple of young trail bike riders, they seemed surprised to see me...Also a 4WD driving up. The road down the hill was rough, lots of large rocks, but not too bad to need 4WD. It improved at the bottom.

Passed the park ranger, who also looked surprised to see me. Think this road does not get much traffic...Reached a road junction, Thornybush Trail with Paupong Trail. and Ventnor Trail. Parked and walked down Thorneybush Trail and back up to leave and enter the activation zone, only a short walk from here to the summit.

Followed Paupong Trail to the top of the hill. Not that steep.

The activation zone was quite large with the road running over the highest point. Used a Telstra cable warning sign on the side of the road for squid pole and dipole support.

Forgot to actually photograph the antenna! Anyway this is where it was, dipole parallel to the road

Got on 40 m. The band was in good condition, signals from VK1, VK2 and VK3 very strong, with even VK5 and VK7 good copy. I had Justin VK7TW a good 58 from Hobart! No S2S contacts though, a bit late in the day.

Tried 20 m, only 1 contact, Andrew VK3BQ/2 at Thredbo Diggings nearby.

Packed up and headed back to Jindabyne for New Years Eve celebrations.