vk5pas

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Myponga Conservation Park 5CP-157 and VKFF-0921

Posted: 10 Jun 2019 05:43 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2019/06/10/mypong...d-vkff-0921-3/


My final park for the 2019 VK Shires Contest was the Myponga Conservation
Park 5CP-157 & VKFF-0921 which is located in the Yankalilla Council area
(YD5).

The park is located about 67 km south of Adelaide and about 8 km south of
the town of Myponga.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Myponga Conservation Park south of
Adelaide.Â* Map courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

After leaving Mount Billy I travelled along Hindmarsh Tiers Road and then
along Springmount Road and then on to James Track.Â* I soon reached the
park.Â* Since my last visit, there is now a gate which is unlocked.



The Myponga Conservation Park is 167 hectares in size and was proclaimed on
the 17th February 1997. Â*It is a hilly park and has several rocky outcrops
and waterfalls. Â*Several habitats exist in the park includingÂ*Open Forest
Over Wet Heaths in the gulliesÂ*–Â*messmate stringybark and cup
gumÂ*overÂ*prickly tea-treeÂ*and heath tea-tree. Â*Also found is Low Very Open
Woodland –Â*cup gumÂ*and pink gumÂ*over cranberry heath and common
fringe-myrtle.
Above:- Aerial view of the Myponga Conservation Park looking north back
towards Adelaide.Â* Image courtesy of Google maps.

More than 68 species of native bird have been recorded in the park
including Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Australian Golden
Whistler, Scarlet Robin, Grey Shrike-thrush, Red Wattlebird, Magpie-lark,
Jacky Winter, and Hooded Robin.

Myponga which is at the centre of rich grazing and dairy country. Â*The name
Myponga is derived from the Aboriginal word ‘maippunga‘ meaning locality of
high cliffs. Â*Myponga is a sleepy little town with a population of about
550 people. Â*Many years ago, large gum trees were felled here and prepared
for use in the Broken Hill mines. Â*A cheese factory was also established
and its produce was noted for its high quality, much of which was
exported. Â*This is now part of the Farmers Market. Â*Another worthwhile
place to visit is the Smiling Samoyd Brewery. Â*In the early 1950s uranium
was discovered and mining prospects investigated, however, no mines were
developed.

The nearby Myponga Reservoir is fed by the Myponga River and other rivers
in the Myponga catchment area. Â*The Reservoir provides about 5% of the
water supply for Adelaide. Â*Construction of the reservoir commenced in 1958
and was completed in 1962. Â*The total capacity of the reservoir is 26 800
ML.







I set up in my normal operating spot along the Heysen Trail which runs off
James Track.Â* This is beyond the gate and is a shared track for cars and
walkers, so take care.
Above:- An aerial view of the Myponga Conservation Park showing my
operating spot.Â* Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

The showers had started to set in.Â* I started off outside of the car, but
when the showers become a little heavy I retreated to the 4WD.Â* I had left
it a little late to get to Myponga, with the time now being 0510 UTC (2.40
p.m. local time).Â* I had just 50 minutes before the finish of the contest.

I first tuned across the band and logged Roy VK3GB.Â* I then moved down the
band and started calling CQ.Â* My first taker was Tony VK3XV, followed by
Cliff VK2NP, and then Mike VK3MKE.

I logged a total of 43 stations on 40m.Â* This included three Park to Park
contacts: Alan VK2MG/4 in the North Pine Dam Nature Refuge VKFF-2876; Peter
VK3TKK/p in the Yarck Nature Conservation ReserveÂ*VKFF-2241; and Greg
VK4VXX/2 in the Goobang National ParkÂ*VKFF-0204.

Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to try 20m or 80m.Â* It was the
end of the contest.Â* I had activated 6 different parks in 6 different
shires.Â* I had logged a total of 310 contacts.Â* THANKS to everyone who
called.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK3GB
VK3XV
VK2NP
VK3MKE
VK7JGD
VK4FARR
VK5FANA
VK2IO/5
VK3SQ
VK2VW
VK3ER
VK4FDJL
VK2MG/4 (North Pine Dam Nature Refuge VKFF-2876)
VK4NH
VK3PF
VK3TIN
VK3TKK/p (Yarck Nature Conservation ReserveÂ*VKFF-2241)
VK4TJ
VK3EV
ZL1TM
VK2LX
VK7KT
VK3FRAB
VK5FMAZ
VK3LTL
VK7ALH
VK2GR
VK3ATV
VK2PAW
ZL2AYZ
VK7GH
VK4PHD
VK7LH
VK3MAB
VK2HMV
VK4VXX/2 (Goobang National ParkÂ*VKFF-0204)
VK4DCM
VK2MT
VK2WTF
VK4VSM
VK2HHA
VK2VU
VK4SMA




References.

Australia’s Guide, 2017, http://www.australias.guide/sa/location/myponga/,
viewed 26th September 2017

Birds SA, 2017,
http://www.birdssa.asn.au/location/m...ervation-park/, viewed 25th
September 2017

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, ‘Parks of the
Fleurieu Peninsula’.

Wikipedia, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myponga,_South_Australia,
viewed 26th September 2017

Wikipedia, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myponga_Reservoir, viewed
26th September 2017


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Mount Billy Conservation Park 5CP-143 and VKFF-0912

Posted: 10 Jun 2019 05:09 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2019/06/10/mount-...d-vkff-0912-2/


My second park and Shire for the day was the Mount Billy Conservation Park
5CP-143 & VKFF-0912 which is located in the Victor Harbor Council area
(VH5).

The park is located about 75 km south of Adelaide and about 14 km north of
the town of Victor Harbor.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Mount Billy Conservation Park on
the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide.Â* Map courtesy of Location SA Map
Viewer.

To get to the park after leaving Scott CP, I travelled along Kokoda Road
and on to the Goolwa Road.Â* I then travelled south on the Victor Harbor
Road and then turned right onto Pambula Road.Â* This is beautiful
countryside with rolling hills and sea views.

On my way to the park, I experienced irregular showers and it was looking
as if I was going to get wet at Mount Billy.





Mount Billy Conservation Park is about 199 hectares in size and represents
some of the best preserved mallee and forest, not only on the Fleurieu
Peninsula, but also in the entire Mount Lofty Ranges. Â*Mount Billy summit
is located in the southern section of the park, along with the Hindmarsh
Valley Reservoir. Â*Sadly, Mount Billy does not qualify for the Summits on
the Air (SOTA) program.

The park is, as you would suspect, home to a large amount of native
wildlife and native birds. Â*This includes Western Grey kangaroos, the
Southern Brown Bandicoot and the endangered Bassian Thrush.

The scrub within the park is very thick and consists of Pink Gum, Blue Gum,
Cup Gum, Woodland Sheaok, Banksias, flowering orchids, and ferns.





I set up in the eastern section of the park off Hindmarsh Tiers Road.Â*
Again I ran the Yaesu FT-857d, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole
for this activation.Â* I waited a few minutes for some showers to clear and
then started calling CQ, with the bothy bag close at hand.
Above:- Aerial view of the Mount Billy Conservation Park showing my
operating spot.Â* Image courtesy of Location SA Map Viewer.

I found a quiet spot on the 40m band and started calling CQ.Â* First in the
log was Catherine VK7GH, followed by Andrew VK3LTL and then Megan VK3TIN.Â*
I logged a total of 44 contacts from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK6, VK7, and New
Zealand.Â* This included three Park to Park contacts: Alan VK2MG/4 in the
Kurwongbah Nature ReserveÂ* VKFF-2868; Greg VK4VXX/2 in the Goobang National
Park VKFF-0204; and Mark VK4SMA/p in the Mount Crosby Weir Nature Refuge
VKFF-2873.

I then moved to the 20m band where I logged a total of 4 stations, all from
Queensland, including a Park to Park with Mark VK4SMA/p in the Mount Crosby
Weir Nature Refuge VKFF-2873.

To conclude this activation I called CQ on 80m where I logged 6 stations
including a Park to Park with Peter VK3TKK/p who was in the Gobur Nature
Conservation Reserve VKFF-2096.

I was now a bit pressed for time, and with 54 contacts in the log, I packed
up and headed to the Myponga Conservation Park.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK4HH
VK7GH
VK3LTL
VK3TIN
VK5FANA
VK3AHR
VK3MAB
VK6POP
ZL2AYZ
VK3XV
VK2NP
VK7FJFD
VK6YTS
VK3MHZ
VK3ER
VK3PF
VK3SQ
VK4FBOL
ZL1TM
VK2LX
VK7KEV
VK4TJ
VK2MG/4 (Kurwongbah Nature ReserveÂ* VKFF-2868)
VK3ATO
VK4VXX/2 (Goobang National Park VKFF-0204)
VK4FDJL
VK3ZNK
VK6XN
VK2VW
VK4RF
VK4HA
VK7JGD
VK3PDC
VK2JNA
VK7NET
VK4CZ
VK6TWJ/2
VK3NBL
VK2ADB
VK4CPS
VK5FMAZ
VK4SMA/p (Mount Crosby Weir Nature Refuge VKFF-2873)
VK2UXO
VK3GB


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

VK4TJ
VK4SMAÂ*(Mount Crosby Weir Nature Refuge VKFF-2873)
VK4PDX
VK4MGL


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK3SQ
VK5FMAZ
VK3TKK/p (Gobur Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2096)
VK5FANA
VK5PL
VK3PF







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Scott Conservation Park 5CP-206 and VKFF-0934

Posted: 10 Jun 2019 04:38 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2019/06/10/scott-...d-vkff-0934-2/


My first park and Shire activation for Sunday 9th June 2019 was the Scott
Conservation Park 5CP-206 & VKFF-0934 which is located in the Alexandrina
Council area (AX5).

The park is located about 76 km south of Adelaide and about 4 km north west
of Currency Creek.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Scott Conservation Park on the
Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide.Â* Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Scott Conservation Park is 210 hectares in size.Â* The park was first
proclaimed in 1969 and re-proclaimed as Scott Conservation Park on 27th
April 1972.Â* The park is relatively flat and is situated east of the Mount
Lofty Ranges.Â* The park consists of Blue and Pink gum woodlands.
Above:- An aerial view of the Scott Conservation Park looking towards
Victor Harbor.Â* Image courtesy of Google maps.

Birds SA have recorded a total ofÂ*148 native bird species at Scott.Â* This
includes Common Bronzewing, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairywren,
New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Grey Shrike-thrush,Â*Cockatiel,
Eastern Rosella, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Â*Restless Flycatcher, Hooded
Robin, and Eastern Shrike-tit.






Upon leaving home the weather was not looking good.Â* The Adelaide Hills
were experiencing occasional light showers and they continued as I reached
the Fleurieu Peninsula.

I accessed the park via Gould Road which runs off the Alexandrina Road
(Strathalbyn Goolwa Road).Â* I parked the car in the small car parking area
and walked a short distance down an access track.
Above:- An aerial shot of the Scott Conservation Park showing my operating
spot in the northern section of the park.Â* Image courtesy of Protected
Planet.

I was still getting the occasional very light shower after setting up, so I
had the bothy bag ready.Â* You can see the bright orange bothy bag in the
photograph below.

I found a clear spot on 40m and started calling CQ contest.Â* First in the
log was Brian VK4VAZ, followed by Angus VK2SB, and then Ken VK7DY.Â* My
sixth contact was with Andrew VK1DA/2 who was activating SOTA summit Mount
Marulan VK2/ ST-039.

It was pleasing to have a steady flow of callers and reasonably good band
conditions.Â* It was just a shame about the shower activity.

I logged a total of 36 stations on 40m including two Park to Park contacts:
Rob VK4SYD/p in the Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639, and Angela
VK7FAMP/p in the Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve



I then moved to the 20m band where I logged a total of 4 stations, three
from Queensland, and one from New South Wales.Â* But it was very slow going,
as I was unable to self spot on parksnpeaks.

I then moved down to the 80m band and logged just 2 stations, Marija
VK5FMAZ and Hans VK5YX.Â* Again it was very slow going on that band and
there is no doubt that the inability to spot reduced the number of regular
callers.

To conclude the activation I moved back to 40m where I logged 7 contacts
including two further Park to Park contacts: Linda VK7QP/2 in the Ulandra
Nature Reserve VKFF-2009, and Alan VK2MG/4 in the Kurwongbah Nature Reserve
VKFF-2868.

I had 49 contacts in the log and it was time to move to my next park, the
Mount Billy Conservation Park.



I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK4VAZ
VK2SB
VK7DY
VK3EV
VK3ER
VK1DA/2 (SOTA Mount Marulan VK2/ ST-019)
VK7GH
VK3MKE
VK7FJFD
VK2LX
VK2PAW
VK3IH
VK3MRG
VK3MDH
VK2NP
VK2FMIA
VK3XV
VK3PF
VK2GR
VK4FDJL
VK3JP
VK4RF
VK4HA
VK4SYD/p (Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639)
VK5AYL
VK4HH
VK4RZ
VK3LTL
VK7ALH
VK3ZPF
VK3EIR
VK3SQ
VK7JGD
VK3KIX
VK4TJ
VK7FAMP/p (Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve VKFF-2930)
VK7QP/2 (Ulandra Nature Reserve VKFF-2009)
VK7LH
VK3ANL
VK2MG/4 (Kurwongbah Nature Reserve VKFF-2868)
VK2HMV
VK2MIX
VK2TTL


I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

VK4HH
VK4SYD/p (Samford Conservation Park VKFF-1639)
VK4TJ
VK2TTL


I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5FMAZ
VK5YX




References.

Birds SA, 2018, https://birdssa.asn.au/location/scott-conservation-park/,
viewed 25th June 2018

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, ‘Parks of the
Fleurieu Peninsula’.


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Totness Recreation Park VKFF-1754

Posted: 10 Jun 2019 03:34 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2019/06/10/totnes...k-vkff-1754-3/


My final park for Saturday 8th June 2019 was the Totness Recreation Park
VKFF-1754, which is situated in the Mount Barker District Council area
(MB5).Â* The park is located about 40 km east of Adelaide.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Totness Recreation Park in the
Adelaide Hills.Â* Map courtesy of Protected Planet.
The Totness Recreation Park is 41 hectares (101 acres) in size and was
established in 1970. Â*It is divided into two sections by the busy South
Eastern Freeway (the main highway between Adelaide and Melbourne). Â*The
northern section consists of 9 hectares (22 acres) of scrub and a dam. Â*The
southern section comprises 32 hectares (79 acres) of scrub. Â*The park is
surrounded by rural properties which are primarily used for grazing.
The park consists of Messmate Stringybark and Manna Gum woodlands, which at
one time prior to European colonisation were common throughout the Mount
Lofty Ranges. Â*More than 180 native plants species have been recorded
within the park. Â*Plant species of conservation significance recorded
within the park include the state rare Manna Gum and the regionally rare
Spider Orchid.
Above:- Aerial shot of the Totness Recreation Park on either side of the
South Eastern Freeway.Â* Image courtesy of Google maps.

I set up in my normal operating spot off Haines Fire Track.
Above:- An aerial view of the Totness Recreation Park showing my operating
spot.Â* Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

Once again for this activation, I commenced by calling CQ on the 80m band.Â*
First in the log was my ever reliable wife Marija VK5FMAZ.Â* This was
followed by VK6MIL, VK5PL and VK2GR.

The 80m band seemed to be in very good shape.Â* There was absolutely no
man-made noise on the band from within the park, and the static crashes on
the band were quite low.

I logged a total of 42 stations on 80m from VK2, VK3, VK4, VK5, VK6, VK7,
and New Zealand.Â* It was nice to log Andrei ZL1TM and Bill ZL2AYZ in New
Zealand.Â* I also spoke with Perrin VK3XPT using his military Clansman
transceiver.



I then moved to the 40m band and called CQ.Â* Sadly I logged just the one
station there, Steve VK4VCO.Â* As this was a contest I was unable to self
spot on parksnpeaks which normally results in a number of calls.

It was starting to get mighty cold in the park, with the temperature having
dropped to 6 deg C.Â* It was now just after 1200 UTC (9.30 p.m. local time).



I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK5FMAZ
VK6MIL
VK5PL
VK2GR
VK6OZ
VK3YE
VK6WB
VK3PF
VK3MKE
VK7GH
VK7JGD
VK5FANA
VK3ANL
VK4SMA
VK2NP
ZL1TM
VK3XPT
VK5LJ
VK2DEK
VK4ATH
VK3ARH
ZL2AYZ
VK3TIN
VK3LTL
VK6MB/3
VK6XN
VK2WGW
VK4XAC
VK6POP
VK5AYL
VK3XV
VK2YW
VK3TJS
VK5HEL
VK2LEE
VK3VEF
VK3CWM
VK2VU
VK2WY
VK5VGC
VK4FAAF
VK3GB


I worked the following station on 40m SSB:-

VK4VCO




References

Government of South Australia, 2007, ‘Totness Recreation Park Management
Plan’


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Charleston Conservation Park 5CP-041 and VKFF-0777

Posted: 10 Jun 2019 03:14 AM PDT
https://vk5pas.org/2019/06/10/charle...d-vkff-0777-3/


My second park for Saturday 9th June 2019 was the Charleston Conservation
Park 5CP-041 & VKFF-0777.Â* The park is located in the Adelaide Hills
Council area (AH5).

After leaving Wiljani I headed back into Mount Pleasant and on to Birdwood
and then Mount Pleasant.Â* I soon reached the park which is located about 45
km east of Adelaide and about 5 km east of the town of Charleston.
Above:- Map showing the location of the Charleston Conservation Park in the
Adelaide Hills.Â* Map courtesy of Protected Planet.

The Charleston Conservation Park was proclaimed on the 8th April 1976 and
comprises 54 hectares (130 acres) of pristine remnant scrub.Â* The park
consists of Woodland with Manna Gum, Rough-barked Manna Gum and Golden
Wattle.

The park takes its name from the little township of Charleston. Â*The town
was named after Charles Newman, who left Somersetshire in England in July
1837 under engagement to the South Australian Company as a shepherd. Â*In
1843 he took up land in the vicinity of Mount Charles and built a home
there. Â*To this day, the Newman homestead remains on Newman Road at
Charleston.
Above:- An aerial shot of the Charleston Conservation Park, looking west
towards Adelaide.Â* Image courtesy of Google maps.

I set up in my normal operating spot, off Bellspring Road in the northern
section of the park.Â* I again ran the Yaesu FT-857d and the 20/40/80m
linked dipole for this activation.
Above:- An aerial shot of the Charleston Conservation Park showing our
operating spot.Â* Image courtesy of Protected Planet.

As it was now about 0840 UTC (6.20 p.m. local time) and it was dark, I
decided to quick off the activation on the 80m band.Â* I found a clear spot
and started calling CQ contest.Â* First in the log was Mike VK6MB/3,
followed by Catherine VK7GH, and then Wayne VK3EV.



I logged a total of 41 contacts on 80m before callers dried up.Â* I decided
to head to the 40m band, hoping that I might get a little bit of North
American DX in the log.Â* My antenna is a bit of a sky warmer and isnt ideal
for DX, but I have often worked the USA & Canada on 40m during the evenings.

Unfortunately, this was not to be on this occasion.Â* I worked just 4
stations, with three of those being from Queensland, and one in New South
Wales.

I had 45 contacts in the log and it was time to head off to my final park
for the day, the Totness Recreation Park.



I worked the following stations on 80m SSB:-

VK6MB/3
VK7GH
VK3EV
VK5PL
VK5FMAZ
VK3XV
VK2MWK
ZL1TM
VK5FANA
VK3LTL
VK2HRX
VK2HMV
VK2NP
VK2LEE
ZL2AYZ
VK5LJ
VK4SMA
VK4TJ
VK5IS
VK5LTD
VK3ANL
VK3PF
VK3NXT
VK7JGD
VK3ER
VK6XN
VK4FDJL
VK6AHR
VK4KY
VK3GH
VK2IO/5
VK2MT
VK4HH
VK4SN
VK2DEK
VK4CWG/2
VK4PHD
VK2MOP
VK2TTL
VK4PDX
VK2GLJ


I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

VK4PDX
VK4FDJL
VK4HKK
VK2TTL




References.

Birds SA, 2019,
https://birdssa.asn.au/location/charleston-conservation-park/, viewed
10th June 2019

Wikipedia, 2019,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston_Conservation_Park, viewed 10th
June 2019