VK4KC Marty’s Ham Radio Adventures

Activated during my work lunch break. Seven contacts to Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Activated this park over two days (26th and 27th June).  On the 26th made 6 contacts using the squid pole wire vertical. On the 27th I set up the 40/20/15 linked dipole inverted V.  I made 5 contacts is 45 minutes, one contact was the special event station VI250COOK being operated by Stu (VK4SDD) located in Malanda south of Cairns commemorating 250 of Captain Cook sailing up the Queensland coast from Sydney to Cooktown.  Freshwater nation park only 10 minutes from my home QTH.

Only 20 minutes from home. It took three seperate activations to get the 10 contacts required for the national awards scheme. A 1.8 metre long wood dowel is clamped to the tow bar and the squid pole slips over the top of it. So the driven element wire is above the car roof line and the 5 radial are pegged out sloping down.

About an hour from Kingaroy this was a pleasant stop to break the drive and enjoy the view to the south. Eleven QSO’s which is great for about an hour on the radio. 

Fine but windy afternoon, beautiful ocean outlook at the Woodgate Walkers Point section of the National Park.  Made 10 contacts:  VK3PF, Peter in Churchill Victoria  VK2IO, Jerard in Castle Hill NSW  VK3ANL/p, Nicholas in Euston Regional Park NSW  VK2LX, Grant in NSW  VK3BCM, Brian in Caulfield South Victoria  ZL2ODD, David in Taranaki New Zealand  ZL3GLB, Gil in Darfield New Zealand  VK3SQ, Geoff in Beachworth Victoria  ZL1TM, Andrei in Auckland New Zealand  VK3JG/p in Wyndham Vale Victoria. The trusty five metre squid pole holding up the quarter wave wire for 20 metres with 20 radials. It takes about 10 minutes to assemble.  The thong tree was an unexpected site. Close by were a few natives interested in my movements.

Wow I didn't realise that this WWFF activation area was only 5 minutes drive from my house. Made 7 contacts. 

This national park is right beside the road that runs between Charters Towers and Emerald. I made 7 contacts on 40 and 20 metres. 5 metre squid pole. Close up showing the 20 radials laid out forming the ground plain. Operating the G90 from within the vehicle.

Two contacts only from this location. True outback Queensland.  I had to dodge the bull ants.

With my Son Jordan at Wallaman Falls in the Girringun National Park west of Ingham. It was a 2 km walk to the base of the falls. Walking back up was very hard and I realised how unfit I am. After the hike I made 6 contacts on 20 metres. Marty and Jordan ready to commence our 4km return walk to the base of the falls. The falls over the other side of the valley. Marty and Jordan at the base of the falls. The sun caught the spray mist from the waterfall and gave a spectacular rainbow effect.