Saturday 6 January 2024
After completing a task in Wodonga, I headed out to Mount Barandudah. The simplest approach is via Bantik Track, but it does require a 4WD. Apparently, a new track has been made around the outside of the boundary of private property on Ewarts Road, which gives access to the summit of Mount Baranduda. I must remember to check it out in the future.
Mount Baranduda VK3/VE-189 775 m 4 points
Baranduda Regional Park VKFF-0959
I parked at the track junction a little south of the summit and set up the station nearby, using a folding table and chair. I strung out the doublet, again supported by a line over a tree branch.
I was set up just after 2300Z (5 January). I checked the spots as was soon listening to Takeo JP3PPL/3 on JA/HG-086 on 10 m CW. I managed to be heard, so started the activation with a Summit to Summit (S2S) contact. I next spent about 15 minutes calling on 10 m SSB, working Darren A31DJ/p in Tonga, on OC-049.
Next, I jumped to 40 m SSB for a Park to Park (P2P) contact with Stef VK5HSX/3 in VKFF-0405, followed by a S2S and P2P with Mal VK3OAK on VK3/VC-018 in VKFF-3781. I moved to a clear frequency and spotted myself. I worked 30 contacts in 20 minutes – it was a little hectic at times. I then moved to 10 m CW for the 10 minutes prior to UTC midnight, working two JA stations.
On the new UTC Day, I returned to 40 m SSB. I worked 29 stations in under 20 minutes, including S2S with Mal VK3OAK on VK3/VC-018 and Peter VK3ZPF on VK3/VC-028. I then jumped to 10 m CW, working JE1LHW/1 on JA/YN-051 for another S2S. I next tried 40 m CW, working 11 stations over about 12 minutes. A brief session on 20 m CW yielded four contacts, followed by a single contact on 20 m SSB before I quickly organised myself with 2 m FM to work Joel VK3LE on The Horn VK3/VE-014 in VKFF-0339, followed by Erwin VK3ERW in Wodonga. I returned to 20 m SSB and made another contact. I tried 10 m CW again, working Jess W6LEN. I returned to 40 m SSB, working another 16 stations before I closed. I packed up and started the trip back to Wodonga.
Thanks to all who called.
Sunday 7 January 2024
The day was not really pre-planned. The only thing that was certain when I departed Wodonga was that I was heading for home. I packed the gear in the car and undertook some tasks for Mum before saying farewell and heading south. I considered my options as I drove. I had a smooth run south to Bright, with a few slow sections due to the holiday traffic. Then the usual steady climb up the Great Alpine Road to Mount Hotham. It was not until I reached Hotham that I decided upon a detour. The attractions were three as yet not activated WWFF Park references. I drove down through Omeo and towards Swifts Creek, turning off at Tongio and proceeding around to Nunniong Road and its winding gravel climb to near Mount Nugong. I then headed north on Nunniong Road until I reached Nunnett Road, then east and south until I was inside the boundary of the first target park.
Nunnett Plain Natural Features and Scenic Reserve VKFF-3822 Not previously activated
I encountered grazing cattle as I drove south into the Reserve. I continued south until near the end of the open plain area, where I stopped briefly and saw that that I had not mobile phone signal, which was not surprising. I turned around and head back towards the northern boundary, stopping and parking near the junction with Pig Plain Track. I had weak mobile reception and managed to post a spot that I was setting up. I set up with a line over a tree branch to haul up the centre of the doublet, with the radio gear on the tailgate.
Once set up, there was some bleed through from the NSW News Broadcast, so I spotted again slightly lower in frequency. First in the log was Steve VK2USH. In the next 22 minutes, I worked another 27 stations. I next tried 17 m CW, working Jess W6LEN. I then jumped to 20 m SSB to work ZL4NVW on ZL3/WC-549 in ZLFF-0103. I next tried 20 m CW, working two stations, followed by 20 m SSB for another two contacts. 30 m CW yielded a single contact. Next was 40 m CW, yielding 10 contacts. I then returned to 40 m SSB, working another nine stations, bringing the total for the activation to 54 contacts. I closed down and packed up.
I retraced my entry route back to Nunniong Road and headed south to close to Nunniong Plains Track and set up inside the open gate, in a spot with a suitable tree branch nearby to support the doublet. I was soon set up and on air.
Nunniong Plain Natural Features and Scenic Reserve VKFF-3823 Not previously activated
I had one problem here – no mobile coverage. I was lucky to find the 40 m SSB focus frequency clear, so started calling CQ. I soon had callers responding and Fred VK3DAC spotted me. I worked 35 contacts in under 25 minutes. I moved to 40 m CW after asking Ray VK3CEO to spot me. I worked 15 stations in under 20 minutes. I decided to close, with 50 stations in the log.
I packed up and returned to Nunniong Road and continued south to the junction with Bentley Plain Road, continuing southeast to reach Moscow Villa. I parked near the northeastern end of the hut and soon had a line over a tree branch. There had been showers during the drive, so I set up the station on the front passenger seat and operated from the driver’s seat.
Bentley Plain Natural Features and Scenic Reserve VKFF-3596 Not previously activated
Once again, I had no mobile phone coverage. Fortunately, the 40 m SSB focus frequency was again clear, so I started calling CQ. Garrick VK3GJG was the first to respond and he posted a spot for me. I had a steady stream of callers, working 45 stations in about 70 minutes. I announced that I was moving to 40 m CW and Geoff VK3SQ spotted me. I worked 13 stations on CW in about 15 minutes. The park was comfortably qualified for WWFF, so I decided to close down. It was after 1600 local and I still had a long way to drive to reach home.
I packed up and had a quick look inside the large Moscow Villa. I then continued south along Bentley Plain Road to reach Little River Road, which I followed south to reach Ensay and the Great Alpine Road.
I then continued south, stopping in Bairnsdale for a meal before the final 2-hour drive home.
Thanks to all who called during the afternoon.
This was the end of the trip for another year.
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