{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "Mark VK2DI", "icon": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/fe291f8d1d13fb750edc6009939f66fe?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2Fimages%2Fblank_avatar.png", "home_page_url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/", "feed_url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/au-vkff-dalrymplehay-nature-reserve.html", "title": "AU-1994, VKFF-1921 Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve", "content_html": "

Lovely old remnant bush in the middle of surbubia (St Ives, just north of the city). Plenty of places to get some lunch nearby or have a pitstop. The reserve faces onto busy Mona Vale Road but parking is easy in the side streets on the other side of the park. There’s a circuit you can walk - it’s not very long and will only take half an hour even if you dawdle. There is actually another section of parkland connected to DH that’s outside the activation zone so be careful about where you set up. There’s a lot of canopy tree cover but I got out ok with the doublet and had no trouble making my quota of contacts.

\n\"\"\n", "summary": "A charming bush reserve in St Ives offers a quick walking circuit and easy parking, making it a convenient spot for lunch and casual exploration.", "date_published": "2026-04-18T22:05:20+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/au-vkff-dalrymplehay-nature-reserve.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/auau-vkff-bradleys-head-historic.html", "title": "AU-10399/AU-1716, VKFF-0473 Bradleys Head Historic Site, Sydney Harbour NP", "content_html": "

This is one of the five 2fers around the eastern part of Sydney Harbour NP. Most people know Bradleys Head as the bit that’s down the hill from here where you get a beautiful view of the city and the harbour. This location is the site of the old gun emplacements originally built in the mid 1800s. There is a small grassy area surrounded by trees with a few benches. It’s almost always deserted and I’ve activated here a few times interrupted only by passing magpies and brush turkeys.

\n\"\"\n", "summary": "Bradleys Head, known for its scenic views of Sydney Harbour and city, features old gun emplacements from the 1800s and a quiet grassy area often deserted except for local wildlife.", "date_published": "2026-04-18T21:56:46+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/auau-vkff-bradleys-head-historic.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/au-vkff-kuringgai-chase-national.html", "title": "AU-1877, VKFF-0272 Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (Bairne Lookout)", "content_html": "

There have been plenty of activations of this park but I thought it would be great to do it from the Bairne Lookout which is on the top of the hill above the beaches I did a week or so ago. It’s reached by walking about 3.5Km in from the West Head Road on the Bairne Track. The track is mostly fire trail grade so it’s a very easy walk with just a few hills both ways. The view from the lookout is outstanding and provides a great take-off point for radio. I saw a few other people walking and riding bikes but it was fairly quiet otherwise on a mid-week afternoon.

\n\"\"\n", "summary": "The Bairne Lookout offers an easy hike and outstanding views, making it an ideal spot for radio activations in a mostly quiet setting.", "date_published": "2026-04-18T21:46:48+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/au-vkff-kuringgai-chase-national.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/auau-vkff-bents-basin-and.html", "title": "AU-2119/AU-10762, VKFF1278 Bents Basin and Nepean Wild River", "content_html": "

I was gobsmacked by just how pretty this location is and how well kept the nature reserve was. Bents Basin is a large pool nestled in a between some large hills and the Nepean River flows through it. I found a nice spot on a slope by the basin to set up so that I was well within the 100ft activation area for the river. I didn’t have a lot of time so only operated for an hour - if you make the trek, it’s probably worthwhile ticking off Gulguer Nature Reserve which is just next door.

\n\"\"\n", "summary": "Bents Basin is a stunningly beautiful and well-maintained nature reserve that offers a great spot for a quiet 2fer.", "date_published": "2026-04-18T21:39:33+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/auau-vkff-bents-basin-and.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/au-great-mackerel-beach-au.html", "title": "AU-11035 Great Mackerel Beach, AU-11036 Currawong Beach, AU-11037 The Basin", "content_html": "

These three beaches are located on the western side of Pittwater just north of Sydney. They can be reached by a regular ferry service that operates almost hourly during the day. If you time the ferry carefully, you can efficiently activate all three in a day quite easily. I was there during easter school holidays and there were still plenty of quiet spots to set up.

\n\"\"\n", "summary": "Three beaches on Pittwater\u0026rsquo;s western side, accessible by frequent ferries, offer quiet POTA activation spots even during holiday times.", "date_published": "2026-04-18T21:30:39+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2026/04/18/au-great-mackerel-beach-au.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/12/08/au-bicentennial-park-historic-site.html", "title": "AU-10907 Bicentennial Park Historic Site", "content_html": "

New park for me and it’s been a while since I’ve been here. I walked up to the river and then around the Brickpit loop which is quite spectacular and recommended.

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There are plenty of quiet places to set up a POTA station but I chose just off Bicentennial drive opposite the Village Green playground and overlooking a fairly big lawn area which gave the EFW a good look at the sky. Used the KX-2 and made 16 contacts in a little over an hour. The bands were in good shape but not too many people about, it seems.

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The advantage of this location is that it’s quite close to amenities and the cafe where you can buy coffee and somethig to eat.

\n\"\"\n", "date_published": "2025-12-08T20:31:54+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/12/08/au-bicentennial-park-historic-site.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/12/04/au-callan-park-conservation-area.html", "title": "AU-10905 Callan Park Conservation Area Historic Site", "content_html": "

First activation for this newly added location today. It’s a huge site that you can drive in and around. You do need to keep the speed down as there are many pedestrians wandering around, as well as dogs. Much of the space is an “off leash” dog area.

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There are plenty of places you can set up operation. I chose a spot with a bench seat and some shade along Military Road, which is just up from the oval adjoining Iron Cove. I used the KX2 with my 6m lightweight squid pole supporting the 15m doublet. It was a bit close to a tree and I think this affected the tuning but I managed to get a decent match and the reports were ok.

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There are amenities onsite (I found some next to the oval) as well as water. This is also an easy POTA site to activate if you want to operate from your vehicle.

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-12-04T17:36:45+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/12/04/au-callan-park-conservation-area.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/12/02/au-berry-island-historic-site.html", "title": "AU-10906 Berry Island Historic Site ", "content_html": "

Another new park activated today. Berry Island is not an island any more but it was when Australia was first colonised and it has great significance to First Nations peoples.

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The tide was out so I walked down to the rocky shelf on the eastern side and set up my doublet. Using the KX2 I made 19 contacts in exactly an hour.

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It’s a really nice spot quite close to the city and there are local amenities and easy street parking. Wollstonecraft station is only a short walk away if coming by public transport.

\n\"\"\n", "date_published": "2025-12-02T19:20:23+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/12/02/au-berry-island-historic-site.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/29/au-governors-domain-and-civic.html", "title": "AU-10908 Governor's Domain and Civic Precinct Historic Site", "content_html": "

Another brand new site that I activated today. I only had a little time so just got to the 10 contacts and then left. The boundaries of this mid-city Sydney (https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/env/pages/a591988f-c06f-4436-a2f4-81ce82cd4179/files/governors-domain-civic-precinct-location-boundary-map.pdf) site are quite large but there are only really a few locations you can set up without getting in the way of the general public. The red shaded areas on the map are where I consider the best spots are. Only downside of this location is occasional EMI from the Naval ships close by.

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\n", "date_published": "2025-11-29T18:38:57+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/29/au-governors-domain-and-civic.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/28/au-vaucluse-house-historic-site.html", "title": "AU-10904 Vaucluse House Historic Site", "content_html": "

This is a brand new site that I activated for the first time today although I’ve visited this place many times before. You can google the history behind the site but suffice to say the grounds are expansive with several quiet corners where you can erect a modest antenna arrangement and operate. There is also a free carpark and toilets onsite. I set up toward the back of the estate where it is encircled by Olola Avenue and overlooking a paddocky area. There were two nice bench seats there. Initially I used an EFW but condx weren’t good so I put up the doublet and that helped.

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\n", "date_published": "2025-11-28T19:18:01+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/28/au-vaucluse-house-historic-site.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/27/au-centennial-parklands-historic-site.html", "title": "AU-10422 Centennial Parklands Historic Site", "content_html": "

Only 2nd time activating here. I walk through this park a lot and although it’s always busy, there are many quiet spots on the fringes that you could choose to operate from. Today I chose the large grassy area next to Musgrave Pond. I only had an hour and only just managed to get 10 contacts. I used my HF-009 vertical on a tripod. It blew over several times due to wind gusts!

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-11-27T15:07:59+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/27/au-centennial-parklands-historic-site.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/21/auvkff-parramatta-regional-park.html", "title": "AU-2593/VKFF-2783 Parramatta Regional Park", "content_html": "

I’ve been to this park a couple of times and never had a huge amount of success. Today was no different!

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16 contacts over 90 minutes or so. This time I chose an operating position overlooking the big oval just under a tree which, I calculated, was just within the borders of the park. Shade was good and the surrounding ground was nice and soft for the squid pole ground spike. Operated with the KX2 + 12.5m EFW

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-11-21T21:15:12+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/21/auvkff-parramatta-regional-park.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/19/au-queens-state-beach.html", "title": "AU-9875 Queens State Beach", "content_html": "

Great little spot located on the Hermitage Foreshore Track on Sydney Harbour. Best when the tide is running out to get the most operating time without worrying about getting stuff wet. It’s not a large beach so pick a quieter period ie. mid-week, winter, when you have it to yourself. Using KH-1 and 12.5m EFW today.

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-11-19T06:59:25+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/19/au-queens-state-beach.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/12/au-green-point-historic-reserve.html", "title": "AU-10598/AU-1716/VKFF-0473 Green Point Historic Reserve \u0026 Sydney Harbour National Park", "content_html": "

This is an easy and pleasant spot to operate from. Parking can be a challenge in Watsons Bay so bear that in mind. Best place to work from is just behind the NP cottage - there’s a little beaten path on the right hand side. This site is also in Sydney Harbour NP AU1716 - a 2fer! Used the KX-2 with 12.5m EFW.

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-11-12T06:03:50+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/12/au-green-point-historic-reserve.html" }, { "id": "http://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/10/operated-from-malabar-headland-np.html", "title": "AU-1854/VKFF-1176 Malabar Headland NP ", "content_html": "

Activated this one again over the weekend. The headland path is closed on weekends due to rifle range shooting so I headed to the western part of the park overlooking the range and found a great rock ledge with some shade. Used the 12.5m EFW with a squid pole.

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I entered from Pioneer Park where there is plenty of parking. It’s a walk of about 500m or so to the rock ledge which is just off the main track as you start to go down the other side of the hill.

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\n", "date_published": "2025-11-10T18:44:45+10:00", "url": "https://vk2di.micro.blog/2025/11/10/operated-from-malabar-headland-np.html" } ] }