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.