VK4KC Marty’s Ham Radio Adventures

Today driving home from Rockhampton I noticed that the Warro National Park just north of Gin Gin was not far off the Bruce Hwy so I turned off at John Clifford way and 7 minutes later arrived at the park. Another easy to access park via vehicle. I had to finish up only after about 30 minutes operation due to rain. 17 contacts in the log.

Two morning activations one day apart with 34 contacts in total. This is a very easy park to access as it borders QLD government department of agriculture offices in Rockhampton. Their car park is right next to the fence of the park and there is a break in the fence for pedestrian access. Great take off angle to the south west.

This was my 2nd activation from, Mt Archer. The 1st time late 2020 I got 13 contacts. This time I logged  32. There is a look out spot about 2/3 to the top that I chose to operate from. The is a very good take off angle to the south west. This activation was late afternoon and I operated into the evening.  Propagation was very good and got a lot over evening contacts on 40 metres.

This afternoon I activated Keppel Sands conservation park which is 5 minutes drive inland from the small coastal town of Keppel Sands (some photos of the beach below and also my activation location in the park). It took about 30 minutes to drive to the park from Rockhampton. Vehicle access into this park is very easy with a dirt access road located to the left of the park signage. While I was setting up the EFHW antenna on the squid pole it started raining so I operated from the car. 20 QSO’s. Thank you hunters.

Located about 20 minutes north of Rockhampton. I arrived at night and was able to use the car headlights to light up the activation area. I made 14 contacts before the rain came and had to pack up quickly.

I operated this park just off the road. The bush is very think but I was able to find a clearing between the road and the bush. I made 47 contacts. Operating through the UTC rollover assisted as I was able to work many contacts twice. Just before the park there was a sign warning of Crocodiles. I drive past the park to Coquette Point to check out the views and a came across the large bird in the photo below.

 Late afternoon today I activated Hasties Swamp National Park. I met up with Deryck VK4FDJL and his wife Shirleene. There was a bloke there who was releasing a goanna into the park (video below). Setup the EFHW antenna and Deryck setup table and chairs, and Shirleene supplies biscuits. Made 23 contacts. It was a very short walk to the two story bird hide. This park is a bird watchers paradise, although today there were not too many birds to be sighted. It is always nice to meet up with other ham radio operators!

This morning was a quick 45 minute activation at Dalrymple National Park, located about 45 minutes drive north of Charters Towers.  From the main road it was a 3 km easy drive on dirt road to the park and then 2km to the Burdekin River camping area.  As I was driving through the park there were many small wallabies around which could either be the rock or swamp wallaby, both of which are native to this park. I had the place to myself and i just wish I had more time to be able to setup camp there for a few days, a beautiful spot. A total of 15 contacts. Operating through UTC rollover assisted.

Between Rockhampton and Emerald the park to the west of Blackwater borders the main road. This is a easy park to access and you can park next to the park on the west side.  To access this park you do need to jump the fence. 17 contacts in the log.

Activated the Boyne Island conservation Park today and it was a great location to operate from.  Parked the car right at the entrance to the park and it was a 15 minute step walk to the top of the hill. It was close on dusk as I was setting up. Thanks to those who I made contact with.  33 QSO’s in the log.  Here are some photos including a friendly lizard who stayed on the fallen tree with me for most of the time.

This was a noisy environment due to the high voltage power lines close by.  There was also storm activity in the area. I managed to get 10 contacts.

This is the 3rd activation for this park which is 15 minute drive from Bundaberg. It was the first time I used my home made end fed half wave for 20 metres with a loading coil for 40 metres. It also tunes up well on 80 and 15 metres. I was pushed for time at Mon Repos as I was not aware the rangers shut down the beach for the general public at 6pm which is when I arrived. They let me stay for 40 minutes till around 6:40pm. Apparently at 7pm they bring tour groups down to the beach to watch the turtles. Mon Repos is home to the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region. 22 contacts in the log which when added to the other activations from the park is over 44. 

This is the 2nd time operating this park. The 1st activation was on the inland edge of this park near the river.  This time I operated on the beach side at around 4pm which was much better. The scenery was spectacular. I managed 20 contacts including a contact to JH1OLB on 15 metres to Japan.