Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve VKFF-0856

The weather on Anzac Day was fine and sunny, too good to be at home, so headed out to activate Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve, VKFF-0856.

The park is near the Canberra suburb of Franklin. It can be accessed from off Gungahlin Dr, however this is a noisy, busy road, so headed for the Eastern side of the park. Parked in Alec Hope Cres and entered the park via a gate. Sign for the park.

There was a fence and gate up the hill. Used the gate to support the squid pole and ran the dipole along the fence.

Checked the antenna on 40m, resonant high up in the band but good SWR across it.

Shack on the tarp. As only a short walk to the car power from my 40Ah Lithium battery pack. I could run higher power, around 40w.

Started by working some parks already on the band.

VK4EMP Mark in VKFF-0719 Lockyer National Park

VK3AWA Daryl in VKFF-0747 Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park

Spotted and called, got several park hunters.

VK1CHW, VK2YAK/VK4YAK, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK3ZPF/VK3JW, VK5BJE, VK4QP.

VK3PF Peter in POTA park VK-6906 Trafalgar Bushland Natural Features Reserve

VK3SG, VK3FTOM/VK9TOM/3, VK3GJG, VK3KR.

Packed up and headed home for afternoon tea.

WWFF Activation Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve VKFF-0856

As had the morning free, decided to activate a park close to home that I needed some more contacts to get the 44 needed for WWFF, Mulanggari Grassland Nature Reserve.

This is close to Gungahlin in NE Canberra, as per last activation parked at an entry point off Gungahlin Drive. Locked gate, need to enter the park on foot.

 Sign showing some of the endangered flora and fauna in the reserve.

Set up the squid pole on the reserve sign, dipole legs to a stake and the fence nearby.

Shack on the table near the reserve sign

Got on 40 m. Worked the following park hunters

VK2USH Steve

VK2NP Cliff

Vk3GGG/VK3PMG Mick

VK3ZPF Peter

VK2IO Gerard

VK2GAZ Garry

VK2PKT Keith

VK4TJ John

VK3NLK/p Nick

VK4RF/VK4HA Rick

VK5EE Tom

VK5PAS Paul

VK1FWBD Wade

VK3ARH Allen

VK2HMS/p Mick

VK4NH/2 VK4DXA/2 Ray

Tried 20 m. Worked the following hunters there

VK4RF/VK4HA Rick

VK5PAS Paul

VK4SYD Rob

VK6XN Hans

VK2PKT Keith

VK2PKT was a surprise as he is in Parkes, only 250 Km away... short hop for 20 m.

As getting warm in the sun, and had enough contacts, gave it away after 12:30 pm and headed home for lunch.

Mulanggari Grasslands Nature Reserve VKFF-0856

On Easter Sunday decided to test out my new 8400 mah battery with a local park activation for the World Wide Flora & Fauna award, VKFF-0856 Mulanggari Grasslands Nature Reserve.

This park is to the East of the Canberra suburb of Palmerston and not that far South of Gungahlin town centre, in the North East corner of the ACT. Looking on a map chose an entry point of a gate off Gungahlin Drive. Map screenshot taken from Open Street Maps

Arrived at the gate, a gap for walkers to enter.

Set up the squid pole using the sign for support. Looking North. Note the hill on the far left, this is SOTA peak One Tree Hill VK1/AC-035.

Looking to the South. The Mountain on the left is Mt Majura and the one on the right Mt Ainslie, both SOTA peaks and Canberra Nature Parks.

Shack on the table at the base of the sign. My TS480 radio running around 30w off the 8400mah LifePO4 battery

Got on 40 m. As usual chased any active SOTA and park activations first. Worked Compton VK2HRX/p on VK2/CT-087 with a good signal, also park to park with Rob VK4AAC/3 in VKFF-0623 Greater Bendigo Regional Park.

Found a clear spot and got the usual park hunters chasing me. Good signals from VK1, VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5 and VK7. John VK5BJE mentioned I was being called by Mike VK6MB, managed to work him with a bit of a struggle, about a 45 report, not bad for VK6 late in the day on 40m.

Another park to park contact with Peter VK3ZPF/p in VKFF-0950 French Island Marine National Park, a rare 1st time activation from the Eastern end of French Island.

Saw a SOTA alert for Tony VK1VIC/p on One Tree Hill, VK1/AC-035. As you can see from the photo to the North this was line of site for me, he was 59+20db...

Just before packing up called on 7.144 Mhz, got Adam VK2YK in another park, VKFF-0557 Yarriabini National Park

Tried 20m, didn't seem to be open. Managed 37 contacts before giving it away and heading home for lunch.