Nimmo Nature Reserve VKFF-2685

 After stopping overnight at Jindabyne continued my way home, stopping to activate Nimmo Nature Reserve VKFF-2685 mid morning. I have done this park before. Its about 40 km North of Jindabyne. Drove along Eucumbene Rd and turned off onto Nimmo Rd. After crossing the Eucumbene river took a track off on the left to the park gate. Parked nearby and hopped over the fence into the park.

As the road is locked off figured could set up on the road. Carried the table, chair and radio gear in and set up on the road in some shade.

Looking back the other way

Checked the SWR on 40m, okay, maybe resonant a little high in the band but not bad. Probably some loading from nearby branches.

Shack on the table.

As per last activation here absolutely no mobile signal... In fact did not get back into range until well away from the park. It is at the bottom of the Eucumbene river valley and not good for mobiles.

So just called on 7.144 and hope for the best. Luckily first contact VK2IO Gerard able to spot me so able to get a few park hunters. Worked after Gerard prior to UTC rollover

VK5HAA, VK3ANL, VK3PF

After UTC rollover

VK2IO, VK4CZ, VK3PF, VK3ANL, VK4SMA, VK3FIMD, VK3ZPF, VK3BBB, VK2CCP

Most were low down with lots of QSB, band not that great.

A park to park with VK1CT Chris in VKFF-0836 Callum Brae Nature Reserve. Very weak but got him okay.

Packed up and continued on to Cooma for lunch. Some shots of the Eucumbene River bridge

Looking North from the bridge. This is not in the park.

Nimmo Nature Reserve VKFF-2685

After lunch at Cooma headed South West on Kosciuzko Rd, turning off right onto Rocky Plains Rd. Followed this along to the West until reaching the junction with Eucumbene Rd. Turned right and turned off onto a dirt road on the left, Nimmo Rd. After crossing the Eucumbene River turned off onto Harleys Trail. This took me to Nimmo Nature Reserve. No hope of driving into it, a padlocked gate stopping vehicle entry into the park.

I

I could have climbed over the fence and operated from inside the park on the side of the road, however being a warm day in the low 30c wanted a more shady spot. Headed down the park fence boundary towards the Eucumbene River. Found a nice shady grassy place. Operating spot, map from Protected Planet

Squid pole on the fence, radio on the table nearby. A bit of shade from the trees. Quite a pleasant spot with bird calls from the trees and the nearby river,

Close up of the shack.

Found no mobile coverage here as a fairly isolated area and down in a valley. So got on the parks calling frequency 7.144 Mhz and started calling. Worked VK3MKE, then VK3PF Peter who spotted me, helping me a lot.

A park to park with VK3ZPF/p Peter in VKFF-0971 Kurth Kiln Regional Park.

Then some of the usual park hunters.

VK3SQ

VK2IO

VK3AHR

VK4TJ

VK3WRL

VK3MRG/p

VK7JON

VK3KMH

VK3CD/p

As had 12 contacts qualified the park for VKFF. Was getting warm and still some drive to Jindabyne so packed up.

Headed back to Eucumbene Rd, followed this South until joining Kosciuszko Rd and headed to Jindabyne accommodation for the evening.