Meroo National Park VKFF-0312

While stopping on the NSW South Coast for a few days, decided to complete a park I still need 44 contacts from for WWFF, Meroo National Park, VKFF-0312.

Last activation I had operated from a camping area in March, however at this time of year all the camp grounds would be full, so picked another spot, Stokes Island lookout day use area.

This is on the coast to the South of Tabourie Lake township. The road in, Blackbutt Rd is a bit rough, dirt, probably 4WD only in the wet but okay when dry for my Nissan Xtrail. Note the picnic area is a 100 m or so from the car park so you need to pack light.

Looking out to Stokes Island

Just up from the lookout was a picnic table with a little bit of shade. Set up the radio on the table.

Attaching the squid pole to the table was not easy. Managed to strap it to the end of a seat, with a large rock at the bottom to stop it moving. Luckily not a lot of wind today.

Got on 40 m. Found no internet access on the mobile so unable to spot myself on ParksnPeaks. So just called on 7.144 Mhz, the parks call frequency for a while.

Eventually got a few contacts, VK2FADV, VK3UP. After working VK3UH and VK2VW got spotted and the contacts came a little quicker. Still slow as conditions were not the best.

VK5HS

VK4SYD

VK2IO/m

VK3ALN

VK2MG

And a park to park, also a SOTA summit contact with VK3PF/p Peter on VK3/VE-189 VKFF-0959.

While operating a large yellow brown snake slithered past the table and into the nearby bush. As not keen to hang around it packed up. Had 10 contacts which is all I needed to make up the 44 for the park. 

Meroo National Park VKFF-0312

After spending a long weekend down the NSW South Coast at Mollymook it was time to head back to Canberra. Was going to return the same way I came, via the Nowra-Nerriga Road, but found traffic almost at a stand still going through Milton, as the end of a long weekend. Decided to head back via inland, through Yadbora and the Western Distributor road, so headed out from Milton on Woodstock Road. On the way saw a sign for Milton National Park, so stopped to activate it at the next turnoff. Found a locked gate, so set up the radio on the other side of the gate within the park.

Operating location off Woodstock Road. Park map from Protected Planet website

Looking back the other way

Shack on the tarp. A little bit of shade.

Got on 40 m. Sounded fairly quiet. Worked the following park hunters

VK4GSF George
VK3SQ Geoff
VK2USH Steve
VK2HHA Dennis
VK3GGG/VK3PMG Mick
VK3MCD Brian.
Brian was on SOTA summit VK3/VC-002 Mt Donna Buang.

VK3FMHT Chris
VK3PF Peter
VK2ZRD Rod
Rod was just down the road from me, near Milton.

VK2IO Gerard
VK4TJ John

Packed up and headed to Pigeon House Mountain picnic area for lunch. The trip back via the Western Distributor Road was easy with hardly any cars, but got caught in the holiday traffic coming into Braidwood :(