| The Coorong has in recent times become the Mecca of Mediumwave Dxing
in this country. Situated 150 km south east of Adelaide, it is a body of
water that runs parallel to the coast 3 km wide and 150 km in length. DXers
are lucky enough to have the use of two well equipped huts owned by the
Strathalbyn Fishing Club. It has become the most popular DX location for
signals from Europe, Africa, Middle East and most of Asia. It is also prime
location for Indonesia, Philippines and India. |
| Unfortunately with the fishing hut being situated right on the waters
edge, it is difficult to erect antennas in the direction of Africa, unless
you string a temporary wire out on poles across the shallow part of the
lagoon. The closest direction towards Africa, when you run the wire along
the coastline, takes you through the Middle East and Europe. |
A view of the fishing huts, with Craig's
dog 'Padula'
I was up there with Dave Onley and Craig Edwards about 5 years ago
and I clearly recall gingerly treading through the knee-high grass looking
for any suspicious looking reptiles, while putting out around 500 metres
of wire! Snakes abound in this part of the state, due to the hot dry conditions.
Dave Onley keeps reminding me of the time I came back to my car after adding
some water to the earth stake at the far end, and as I bent down to change
my boots I met face to face with a rather large brown snake. I'm not sure
who got the biggest fright, but the snake made a beeline for under the
car, and I went in the opposite direction at much the same speed! |
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