WHEN DID THE AWARD COMMENCE?
The VK5 National & Conservation Parks Award commenced in April, 2013.
Prior to this, there was no known formal amateur radio program for operating from South Australian Parks.
The VK5 Parks Award was created, and is managed by Paul VK5PAS, with the financial support of the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society (AHARS).
This award follows in the tradition of other successful parks awards in Australia such as the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA) in Victoria.
Prior to this, there was no known formal amateur radio program for operating from South Australian Parks.
The VK5 Parks Award was created, and is managed by Paul VK5PAS, with the financial support of the Adelaide Hills Amateur Radio Society (AHARS).
This award follows in the tradition of other successful parks awards in Australia such as the Keith Roget Memorial National Parks Award (KRMNPA) in Victoria.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE VK5 PARKS AWARD ?
The Award promotes portable activity from South Australia's National & Conservation Parks. It is a great way to see some of South Australia's spectacular National & Conservation Parks, and at the same time, enjoy the hobby of amateur radio.
WHO CAN PARTIPATE ?
The Award is available to…..
The Award is not limited to VK5 Operators. Interstate and overseas amateurs and SWL's are encouraged to apply for the Award. In fact, many VK5 Parks Award certificates have been issued all across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
- 'Activators'
- 'Hunters'
- Listener (SWL)
The Award is not limited to VK5 Operators. Interstate and overseas amateurs and SWL's are encouraged to apply for the Award. In fact, many VK5 Parks Award certificates have been issued all across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
HOW DOES THE AWARD WORK ?
Download the full rules here
| vk5_parks_rules_version_0.6.pdf |
Download the application form / spreadsheet for HUNTERS
| vk5_parks_hunter_application.xlsx |
Download the application form / spreadsheet for ACTIVATORS (including park to park contacts)
| vk5_parks_activator_and_park_to_park_application.xlsx |
Different sections of the award
The Award has a number of different Sections. It is hoped that this will prolong the life of the Award and add additional interest for participants.
The sections include…..
The sections include…..
- Activator certificates
- Hunter certificates
- Park to Park certificates
- Unique Park certificates
- Worked All VK5 Park Areas
- Activated All VK5 Park Areas
Points system
The Award for Activators and Hunters basically works with the accrual of points.
Each South Australian National Park shall qualify with 2 points.
Each South Australian Conservation Park shall qualify with 1 point
Each South Australian National Park shall qualify with 2 points.
Each South Australian Conservation Park shall qualify with 1 point
Activators & Hunters
To qualify for the Award a radio amateur operator / short wave listener must:
1. Accrue a specified number of points by operating portable from South Australia’s National Parks and / or Conservation Parks;
or
2. Accrue a specified number of points by making contact with an amateur/s operating portable from South Australia’s National Parks and / or Conservation Parks;
or
3. Accrue a specified number of points as a short wave listener (SWL), by logging portable activations from South Australia’s National Parks and / or Conservation Parks.
1. Accrue a specified number of points by operating portable from South Australia’s National Parks and / or Conservation Parks;
or
2. Accrue a specified number of points by making contact with an amateur/s operating portable from South Australia’s National Parks and / or Conservation Parks;
or
3. Accrue a specified number of points as a short wave listener (SWL), by logging portable activations from South Australia’s National Parks and / or Conservation Parks.
AUSTRALIAN OPERATORS
- Bronze (10 points)
- Silver (20 points)
- Gold (35 points)
- Platinum (50 points)
- Diamond (70 points) (and MUST include all 21 x SA National Parks worked)
OVERSEAS OPERATORS
- Bronze (5 points)
- Silver (10 points)
- Gold (15 points)
- Platinum (20 points)
- Diamond (50 points) (and MUST include all 21 x SA National Parks worked)
Endorsements
Special endorsements will be issued for the following…..
Other endorsements will be considered by the Awards Manager.
- QRP operation
- CW only
- Single band operation
- VHF/UHF only (NO repeaters)
Other endorsements will be considered by the Awards Manager.
Certificates & Plaques
Separate individual certificates will be issued for Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum & Diamond levels.
Achieving Diamond level requires a significant amount of dedication and effort. Because of this, an optional glass etched trophy will be awarded for Diamond level, along with the Diamond level certificate.
These glass etched trophies measure about 9 cm (W) & 12 cm (H), and weighs about 670 grams, and will be individually engraved with the recipient’s call sign and name
Once you have achieved the basic “Bronze” level of the Award, you can continue to build up your total points. Additional certificates will be awarded once additional points have been attained and specific Award levels reached.
Please note, that a different design appears on each certificate level, so you won't end up with the same repetitive certificate.
Achieving Diamond level requires a significant amount of dedication and effort. Because of this, an optional glass etched trophy will be awarded for Diamond level, along with the Diamond level certificate.
These glass etched trophies measure about 9 cm (W) & 12 cm (H), and weighs about 670 grams, and will be individually engraved with the recipient’s call sign and name
Once you have achieved the basic “Bronze” level of the Award, you can continue to build up your total points. Additional certificates will be awarded once additional points have been attained and specific Award levels reached.
Please note, that a different design appears on each certificate level, so you won't end up with the same repetitive certificate.
Park to Park certificates
Certificates are issue to those Activators operating portable in a VK5 qualifying park who make contact with another Activator operating in a VK5 qualifying park.
Points from your activation are combined with the points from the other activation.
e.g.
you operate from a National Park (worth 2 points), and make contact with someone in a Conservation Park (worth 1 point). Add your 2 points for the National Park with the 1 point for the Conservation Park. A total of 3 points.
There are 5 levels for the Park to Park certificates…..
Points from your activation are combined with the points from the other activation.
e.g.
you operate from a National Park (worth 2 points), and make contact with someone in a Conservation Park (worth 1 point). Add your 2 points for the National Park with the 1 point for the Conservation Park. A total of 3 points.
There are 5 levels for the Park to Park certificates…..
- Bronze (10 points)
- Silver (15 points)
- Gold (20 points)
- Platinum (40 points)
- Diamond (50 points)
Unique parks certificates
Certificates are issued for operating from / making contact with / logging UNIQUE (or different) parks.
There are 5 levels for National Parks…..
There are 5 levels for National Parks…..
- Bronze (5 unique/different National Parks)
- Silver (7 unique/different National Parks)
- Gold (10 unique/different National Parks)
- Platinum (15 unique/different National Parks)
- Diamond (21 unique/different National Parks)
There are 5 levels for Conservation Parks…..
- Bronze (25 unique/different Conservation Parks)
- Silver (50 unique/different Conservation Parks)
- Gold (100 unique/different Conservation Parks)
- Platinum (150 unique/different Conservation Parks)
- Diamond (All 266 Conservation Parks)
Worked all & activated all VK5 park areas
These certificates are awarded for either Working or Activating a certain number of parks in all 8 park regions in South Australia.
What can't i do?
- Contacts via Repeaters, IRLP, or Echolink are NOT permitted
- Mobile operation (defined as in or on a vehicle) from within a South Australian National Park and/or Conservation Park is NOT permitted
- Only contacts after 14th April, 2013 are valid for the Award.