Molonglo River Nature Reserve VKFF-3184

For National Tree Day decided to activate a park close to home, Molonglo River Nature Reserve VKFF-3184. After about a 10 minute drive from home parked off Stockdill Dr in Holt and entered the park through a gate. Sign for the park.

Walked a short distance into the reserve, set up the squid pole and dipole along an old fence.

Looking back the other way.

Looking West to the Brindbellas. A cold wind blowing, the air temperature was only around 8c but felt colder with wind chill. I was rugged up and partially out of the wind.

Map showing operating spot in the park. From Google Maps Satellite view.

Got on 40m, spotted on 7.139. Lots of callers.

P2P with VK4AAC Rob in VKFF-0729 Cordalba National Park

VK1RF/VK2MK/VK4CEE

VK2IO Gerard in VKFF-0307 Marramarra National Park, also VK2GEZ

VK3GJG, VK3ZPF/VK3JW, VK2TM, VK3APJ, VK3SG, VK2LQ/VK2PCT, VK2VAR/VK2GOM

VK3PF Peter in VKFF-2406 Mullungdung Flora and Fauna Reserve

VK2AB

VK7MAT Matt in VKFF-1154 Tamar Conservation Area

VK2VW/VK2HFI/VK2AKA/VK2BUG, VK1AO/VK2MET, VK2UMC, VK3AMO.

A surprising call from France on 40m, F5PYI Larry.

VK2SO/VK3SFG, VK3ZIP, VK4MPB/VK4GOD, VK7PJM, VK7AN, VK3ZK, VK2JKN

Another P2P with VK3YV Tony in VKFF-0745 Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

VK2KDA, VK3IFR

VK5LA/VK5KAW Andy in VKFF-0372 Murray River National Park

VK3SPG, VK3BEL, VK3CA, VK5TN, VK4JBX, VK3ZDK, VK2SLB/VK3KBT

VK4AAC Rob in a new park VKFF-0206 Good Night Scrub National Park

Went to 20m. found Paul VK5PAS buried under a large EU pileup, managed to get through and worked him in VKFF-4056 Unnamed (No.HA1362) Heritage Agreement

VK4AAC Rob in VKFF-0206 Good Night Scrub National Park again, strong on 20m.

Returned to 40m to get VK2OKR Richard in VKFF-1410 Port Stephens - Great Lakes Marine Park

Packed up as the sun had gone into the clouds and getting cold.  At least not far to go home.

Award from VK5PAS Paul for National Tree Day

Molonglo River Reserve VKFF-3184

With a nice sunny afternoon decided to do a park activation, as forecast of rain for the next few days. Returned to nearby Molonglo River Nature Reserve, VKFF-3184. Last activation made 30 contacts, so just needed another 14 contacts for the 44. For something different accessed the park at another point off Stockdill Dr in Holt. A new looking sign for the park.

Access point into the park, a gate for walkers and a management road running along the boundary of the reserve. 

Followed the road for a while, when I reached a bend set up the dipole on one of the fence posts. Note my replacement squid pole from Haverford, a 6m white pole. The 7m ones were sold out so this will have to do until they get more stock.

Looking back the other way. Dipole legs supported on a small gum tree and the fence.

Looking down the slope to the West and the Molonglo River below.

Operating spot. map from Openstreetmaps

Tested the 40m dipole, good SWR at 7.113 Mhz.

Shack on the tarp. FT857 set to 30W.

Got on 40m. Worked VK4FW/VK8MM, VK4TJ, VK2MET/VK1AO, VK2AX, VK3ZPF/VK3JW.

A park to park with VK3BEZ, Peter using a club call in VKFF-0626 Morwell National Park. Also another call of his, VK3KAI

VK3MCA, VK2NJR, VK2IO, VK1AD/VK1NAM, VK3FABS/P

Tried 20m, but no calls.

Returned to 40m, and worked a few more

VK2HDN/P, VK2HHA. Made 18 contacts so with the 30 before qualified for WWFF.

As time for afternoon tea, packed up and drove home, about 10 minutes away.

Molonglo River Reserve VKFF-3184

With a nice sunny Sunday decided to do a park activation. Went to one of the newly added parks in the ACT, Molonglo River Reserve VKFF-3184.

The park is large, covering the Molonglo river from downstream of Scrivener Dam down to the junction of the Murrumbidgee river, around 13 Km. I headed for a walk in the park close to home, the Woodland track. Drove to Southcott Vw in Coombes, parked and headed off on the walk. Sign about the park flora and fauna.

The track descends at first and crosses a small creek. Feet got a bit wet near here, have had a lot of rain lately...

After climbing the hill reached the Molonglo cottage ruins. Sign about the cottage. Not much left of it now. Coombes suburb can be seen behind.

Just to the East of the cottage was a lookout area with a fence. Set up the station here as the fence provided a good squid pole and antenna support.

Looking back the other way to the West

Looking across to the station. Shack on the tarp.

Operating spot. Map from Openstreetmaps

Looking down to the Molonglo River. Black Mountain tower can be seen in the distance on the right.

Tested the 40m dipole, good SWR on 7.129 Mhz.

Spotted myself on ParknPeaks and got called first by VK2EXA. Then another park activator, VK4SYD/2 in VKFF-1916 Cudgen Nature Reserve

Worked VK3SQ and VK2IO, both strong signals.

Called by another park activator, VK2OMK Richard and VK2YAK/VK4YAK Gavin in VKFF-0522 Watagans National Park

Then VK3NDG/m, VK3NFS, VK1AD, VK1NAM. VK1AD Andrew advised me VK1DA Andrew was on 7.090 on a SOTA summit, so QSYed to work him. Quite strong, on VK2/RI-016 Mount Burngoogee

Then VK3FAR, VK2PKT, VK3YV, VK3APJ, VK3KR, VK2YN/p, VK3GJG.

A contact with VK2ASD Phil maritime mobile on Sydney Harbour, very strong.

Worked VK3NDG/p now on a SOTA summit VK3/VT-030 Mt Lookout

After contacts dried up on 40m, changed the links to 20m. Worked

VK5HAA, VK4WTN, VK4MVL, ZL3MR.

My spot must have gotten onto the DX cluster, then got the EU stations calling...

IK4IDF, DL2ND, F1BLL, OH1XT

Most fairly low, except OH1XT who was peaking 58. I was not too strong, did up my power to 40w to help out.

Another park to park with VK4MUD John in VKFF-0199 Girringun National Park

After 20 seemed to close to EU gave it away and headed home after 30 contacts. Will need to return to get the 44, as close to home easy enough to revisit.