tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85029444072681951222024-03-05T09:15:34.281-05:00N0PCL Radio SiteAmateur (Ham) Radio Blog of Nate, N0PCL. I discuss ham radio, QRP, portable operation, Summits On The Air, and technical things.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-26393071341148302302020-02-28T12:51:00.000-05:002020-02-28T12:51:57.388-05:00N0PCL Radio Station PlansGreetings, all.<br />
<br />
So, the N0PCL radio station has been QRT for almost a year. A number of changes have occurred in my life which necessitated this, though not all of them are bad. The biggest influence is mainly that I was accepted into a very demanding educational program with the Marines, and consequently I made the choice to stop operating.<br />
<br />
When I complete this educational program is nearing completion next June, I've found that I'll be posted to a unit in eastern North Carolina. I anticipate that my station will be back on the air when I move there.<br />
<br />
This move will present an opportunity to put my station back on the air, and to also make some upgrades to it. Here are a few of my aspirations:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The first priority is to get my HF/6 meter station back on the air. It is still built around an Elecraft K3S, and I'll likely string some wire antennas around whatever property I decide to live at. I hope to be operational on 80-6 meters, all modes with this.</li>
<li>Though HF operation is more or less the core of what most non-beginner operators do in the hobby, my interests have been moving toward VHF and UHF. I'm not sure why--perhaps it's the low sunspot numbers that make HF less satisfying, or maybe the magic of doing non-line-of-sight communication on supposedly line-of-sight-only frequencies. So, I'm going to try to build a decent amount of VHF and UHF functionality into my home station. I think the centerpiece of this effort will be an Icom IC-9700, rigged to basically do weak signal work. That will cover 2 meters, 70cm, and 23cm. To cover 1.25 meters and 33cm, I'll need to get some transverters. I'll likely use the K3S as the IF for those transverters. I don't anticipate using high power with this setup. I'll just see what barefoot VHF and UHF gets me.</li>
<li>I also have a strange fascination with FM simplex work, so I've been accruing a stack of FM transceivers to cover various bands where there's FM activity. The overall intent is to build a small stack of FM radios to monitor the calling frequencies and scan the simplex frequencies of the various FM bands in the hopes of occasionally picking up local traffic, taking advantage of occasional E-Skip and tropo-related propagation that can happen in coastal areas. I intend on covering all bands from 10 meters through 23 cm, covering FM. So far I've acquired the following radios: Alinco DR-06 (for 6 meters), the Yaesu FT-2900 (for 2), the Alinco DR-235 (for 1.25 meters), and the Kenwood TK-981 (for 33cm). I'm on the lookout for an Alinco DR-03 (for 10), an Alinco DR-435 (for 70cm), and another radio for 23cm (parhaps an Icom ID-1?). For the right price I'll swap out the Yaesu FT-2900 for an Alinco DR-135, in order to make the stack as close to an Alinco stack as possible (to simplify operations). Sometimes making an FM contact is a lot of fun. I know that a lot of serious VHF and UHF operators may frown on such activity, but whatever. I really enjoyed making low power FM contacts with various HTs while doing SOTA activations. It will be fun to make similar contacts, however rare, from a home station.</li>
<li>I want to get my APRS Digipeater/iGate back on the air.</li>
<li>I do enjoy portable operations. My portable equipment still is built around a couple Yaesu FT-817NDs, the LDG-Z817 autotuner, a number of wire antennas, a paddle, and some HTs: The Yaesu VX-8DR, the Alinco DJ-G7T and the Alinco DJ-G29T. I also have an Elk Antenna for OSCAR work and weak signal 2m/70cm work, an Arrow 6 meter dipole, and a couple of whip antennas. Add in the RigBlaster Advantage and a laptop computer, and this station is capable of working 80 meters through 6 meters, all modes, 2 meters & 70cm all modes, plus 1.25 meters, 33cm, and 23cm FM. Who knows? I may take this to a mountain peak in NC and work a VHF contest with a QRP entry!</li>
</ul>
I will do write-ups on much of the above, particularly the rebuild of much of my station, plus emphasis on the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>The rebuild of the HF station </li>
<li>The APRS digipeater/iGate</li>
<li>Kenwood TK-981 (this is a land mobile service radio that can work in the 33cm band, and these radios are very inexpensive on the used market!) If one is interested on getting their feet wet on the 33cm band, this is a great, low-cost way to get started.</li>
<li>The "FM Stack." </li>
<li>The IC-9700 weak signal station</li>
<li>I'm also intending on installing a basic 2 meter FM radio into my 2011 Jeep Wrangler JK, because why not. So I'll do a write-up of that.</li>
</ul>
So, those are the goals. I really, really look forward to getting back on the air.<br /><br />73.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-5832424508887912202019-12-27T12:50:00.000-05:002019-12-27T12:50:14.467-05:002019 UpdateGreetings, all.<br />
<br />It's been a while.<br />
<br />
I've had some significant life changes in the last 18 months, and my amateur radio activity has really dropped off. I'm basically not on the air right now, and haven't been. I did make a few 6 meter contacts during the summer season, and that's about it.<br />
<br />
That's not to say I haven't been making some minor changes to my equipment setup. I have done that, actually.<br />
<br />
Here's some equipment I've purchased recently:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.alinco.com/Products/ham/ht/DJ-G7/">Alinco DJ-G7T</a>. I purchased this to get a portable 1296 MHz FM capability for my portable shack, though it's also capable of 2 meters and 70cm operations. I also like the fact that it has a full duplex capability, so there is an opportunity to use this radio for talking to FM OSCAR satellites.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/5529.html">Alinco DJ-G29T</a>. This radio has the same form factor as the DJ-G7T, but instead it covers 222 MHz and 902 MHz. I've had a few 222 MHz SOTA contacts using my Yaesu VX-8DR HT, which is capable of operations on 222 MHz with a reduced power output. I look forward to being able to make more contacts on 222 MHz and 902 MHz.</li>
<li>Another <a href="https://www.yaesu.com/indexvs.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=06014CD0AFA0702B25B12AB4DC9C0D27&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0">Yaesu FT-817ND</a>. I have one of these already, but I purchased another from <a href="https://kg6hqd.us/">KG6HQD</a> some time ago. This, plus a diplexer, and my Elk Antenna, will allow operation with more OSCAR satellites. I also purchased a Chinese knock-off TCXO for this 817 for about $10.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/52-1.html">Arrow Antenna 6 Meter Dipole</a>. I purchased this to have a better 6 meter antenna, mainly for portable operations.</li>
</ul>
As you can tell, I'm getting more and more in the VHF and UHF operations. Or, at least I intend to.<br />
<br />
We'll see what 2020 brings! I'll very likely be moving here in about 6 months, either to another location in the Virginia/DC/Maryland area, or possibly elsewhere. I look forward to more radio activity in the future!<br />
<br />
73<br />
Nate N0PCL Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-51150484784310874712017-12-10T19:58:00.000-05:002017-12-17T18:05:43.993-05:00The Road to Mountain Goat: A RetrospectiveI've been working on making Mountain Goat since 2013, having only accomplished that achievement last month. Many things occurred in that time, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan (N0PCL QRT during that time), re-learning CW, many antennas used and broken, many miles hiked, summits gained, and hours on the radio.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkx5grzQBiuAuFJ1aiOBs4J3VJnixVrmF_PdnHqvshVhBMWIki-hhCwHLlF5mqW9Z7ERwfQu_tNDQCXbGMRwsy-iEXs17G0AYuUdkgkcqLFt7C2Q1fmL1o-kViRiU4vC_VJedqQR7ciRDv/s1600/Trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="689" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkx5grzQBiuAuFJ1aiOBs4J3VJnixVrmF_PdnHqvshVhBMWIki-hhCwHLlF5mqW9Z7ERwfQu_tNDQCXbGMRwsy-iEXs17G0AYuUdkgkcqLFt7C2Q1fmL1o-kViRiU4vC_VJedqQR7ciRDv/s400/Trophy.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, this happened.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, having harvested the data on the SOTAData web site, my own logbook, and my own recollections, here's a bit of a look back.<br />
<br />
Total QSOs: 1396<br />
Total Points: 1005<br />
Total Unique Summits where a QSO was made: 99<br />
Total Summits (Includes summits visited more than once): 154 <br />
Total Failed Activations without a single QSO: 2 (White Mountain Peak, W6/CD-001. Great hike, though, and Half Dome, W6/SN-040. Half Dome was also an amazing hike.)<br />
Total Summits with 1-4 QSOs (enough to activate, but not enough for points): 4<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZIOHego7HopjHRZUHWZRtTB-iwrWVzDIUFSzW6sdA4IwgL8K9CfR5rribA7YW69i0g_klwNi9fGpfDkxXndIXqurkp1MAkJOBXRy2O7mYs_xDUOuCwy1et0P2uXTGNGeFct8Gqo8nxbB/s1600/Most+Summits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1136" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZIOHego7HopjHRZUHWZRtTB-iwrWVzDIUFSzW6sdA4IwgL8K9CfR5rribA7YW69i0g_klwNi9fGpfDkxXndIXqurkp1MAkJOBXRy2O7mYs_xDUOuCwy1et0P2uXTGNGeFct8Gqo8nxbB/s400/Most+Summits.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen-capture of my SOTA Goat App on my iPhone, showing most of the peaks I've activated. A couple of the peaks have been de-listed for various reasons, so it's not a complete list.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgQd1yOzvaweq1UFyOiIyaMXF7U81lhbcPrAVujdhodtIb2aE1FIhhAQJgl2OO2Jg8FOxDd52MfgIWQaEyV7b-8eqpGxggSD94FCLp4byKdcsoCzk-X5o3Ag3N7u2wsq-ojUndRMJYkDo/s1600/SoCal+Summits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1136" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgQd1yOzvaweq1UFyOiIyaMXF7U81lhbcPrAVujdhodtIb2aE1FIhhAQJgl2OO2Jg8FOxDd52MfgIWQaEyV7b-8eqpGxggSD94FCLp4byKdcsoCzk-X5o3Ag3N7u2wsq-ojUndRMJYkDo/s400/SoCal+Summits.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of most of the summits in the Southern California area, from SOTA Goat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyJaT0kyC4e09kiMHkXGwdVTbTIktyVY0IiziFuH-VXNiStcNvJfnQOX8i1hijdLBtHYhR1uOyyZNeSyv6sqyLEDnXXUvSSN5hyphenhyphen5AC4423MPcHlcEqsxpvrdmpmyKZN9Agq3D5HWnCHDv/s1600/East+Coast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="518" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyJaT0kyC4e09kiMHkXGwdVTbTIktyVY0IiziFuH-VXNiStcNvJfnQOX8i1hijdLBtHYhR1uOyyZNeSyv6sqyLEDnXXUvSSN5hyphenhyphen5AC4423MPcHlcEqsxpvrdmpmyKZN9Agq3D5HWnCHDv/s400/East+Coast.png" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the string of activated peaks along the Eastern Seaboard. From SOTA Goat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
QSOs By Mode:<br />
<br />
CW QSOs: 903 (65%)<br />
FM QSOs: 183 (13%)<br />
SSB QSOs: 310 (22%)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FkXsvLAXFy99Hl0mf02xcMRF4_6dWApTWPqLXH3r7WSzfvCZ2A-o7aiLcD7jOOXYb9rEkYMO1mlFzbXjIQd3HEc7pdXvpHbVGy0T7xlb_AW5f7EGUomKORS-Bg-Od8SpjCg8ctvMZRHj/s1600/QSOs+by+Mode.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="486" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FkXsvLAXFy99Hl0mf02xcMRF4_6dWApTWPqLXH3r7WSzfvCZ2A-o7aiLcD7jOOXYb9rEkYMO1mlFzbXjIQd3HEc7pdXvpHbVGy0T7xlb_AW5f7EGUomKORS-Bg-Od8SpjCg8ctvMZRHj/s400/QSOs+by+Mode.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Learning point: I started SOTA with SSB and CW, but my radio skill exponentially improved once I gave CW a go. After MG was achieved, it made up basically 2/3rd of my total QSOs. It also tends to be much more efficient at QRP power levels, and is generally much more unobtrusive on busy summits (you can sit there with a notepad, a key, and earbuds quietly hamming away without making noise or drawing attention to yourself). It's also lots of fun.<br />
<br />
Incidentally my longest-distance contact while activating a summit was from Middle Peak (W6/SC-024) in Southern California. I had a CW contact with OH9XX on 12 meters using CW. OH9XX was in Finland, 5583 miles away. My power output: 2.5 watts. Miles per milliwatt of power: 2.2.<br />
<br />
So, from Southern California, I made contact with a man in Finland, by burning long-wave photons off of a piece of metal, bouncing those photons off the a section of the atmosphere that was ionized by the sun's ultraviolet light. Those photons excited electrons on another piece of metal in Finland, where those electrons were amplified and converted to sound waves sufficient for two-way communications--using as much power as required to power a flashlight.<br />
<br />
Amazing.<br />
<br />
My shortest QSO was probably with WA6NVL, on Dictionary Hill (W6/SC-366). He heard me on his HT, climbed up the hill I was on, and met me. It was probably a contact that was less than a quarter mile. It was on 2 Meter FM.<br />
<br />
QSOs By Band:<br />
<br />
80 Meters: 2 (<1%)<br />
40 Meters: 177 (13%)<br />
30 Meters: 136 (10%)<br />
20 Meters: 621 (44%)<br />
17 Meters: 100 (7%)<br />
15 Meters: 44 (3%)<br />
12 Meters: 101 (7%)<br />
10 Meters: 30 (2%)<br />
6 Meters: 3 (<1%)<br />
2 Meters: 165 (12%)<br />
1.25 Meters (222 MHz): 5 (<1%)<br />
70 centimeters: 12 (<1%)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84AMznHkav-TznSGaJ5n5ik8A8K4lYklbK2ZE8YhHlvRL__YxDtUC0K7XjIRkmfQLAWu7x0Y3PLfAjkUAhphN6wWkd42GWwt0C3p-tq8cj84dgsTPnjeA7mw0J_tFo9DyOzL0Q34yQ0IE/s1600/QSOs+by+Band.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="483" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84AMznHkav-TznSGaJ5n5ik8A8K4lYklbK2ZE8YhHlvRL__YxDtUC0K7XjIRkmfQLAWu7x0Y3PLfAjkUAhphN6wWkd42GWwt0C3p-tq8cj84dgsTPnjeA7mw0J_tFo9DyOzL0Q34yQ0IE/s400/QSOs+by+Band.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
I've had the fortune of making activation contacts on every band from 80 Meters through 70 centimeters, except 60 meters. My SOTA transcievers, an FT-817ND and a VX-8DR, both from Yaesu, allow exceptional frequency agility, which I have found useful. The only reasons I haven't made contacts on other bands is because I don't have a radio that will support that (on frequencies above 450 MHz), or I don't have an antenna that allows it (on 60 and 160 meters). I'll see about rectifying that in the future.<br />
<br />
I was surprised at the amount of time I gave to WARC bands (30, 17, and 12 meters). I actually made more contacts on each of those bands than 80, 15, and 10 meters combined! This was, in part, likely due to the 12 Meter Challenge, which was popular some time ago in the SOTA world. I also really, really like 30 an 17 meters, too, since those bands have many similar characteristics to the neighboring 20 and 40 meter bands, but they're never plagued with contest activity. The WARCs seem a bit more gentlemanly.<br />
<br />
All of my SOTA activations on VHF and up were FM or SSB. All QSOs on 2 meters and up were via FM.<br />
<br />
I'm becoming more and more interested in VHF and UHF operation, particularly weak signal and satellite work. In the future, don't be surprised to see me try to activate some summits on those higher frequencies.<br />
<br />
QSOs by Countries/DXCC Entities:<br />
<br />
96.7% of all QSOs were with other stations in the continental United States. 1.93% were with Canadian stations. The remainder were countries spread out in 11 other DXCC entities.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-4zgI-1oDcS2iM3xfPoJBnxxvPqlK4tDo1guvanm-DHLuX0R3SZyXw7DevsIYnOTo2EeL9D-8oef4dHeZE9RB-H34GNUrjtkB8dnFqKs5HwHivQhLyDhu7_4YQUqTXg2YwDU60ytu5D6/s1600/DXCC.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="482" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-4zgI-1oDcS2iM3xfPoJBnxxvPqlK4tDo1guvanm-DHLuX0R3SZyXw7DevsIYnOTo2EeL9D-8oef4dHeZE9RB-H34GNUrjtkB8dnFqKs5HwHivQhLyDhu7_4YQUqTXg2YwDU60ytu5D6/s400/DXCC.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From Southern California, I managed to reach Canadian, German, and Finnish stations. The rest of the DXCC entities were contacted from mountains along East Coast of the US.<br />
<br />
Activators:<br />
<br />
Phil, NS7P, Gary, W0MNA, and his XYL, Martha, W0ERI, were my top chasers.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMkpSbOwqwVvTJejHB1W5qPol2iKb4Rx5OXZBCTPJDx6KhVy8JmyIXI7IUOyY5kRQMg0ZGxEuACMBz7RTmc2JH9oRSmAUXs0mDq2dIGivBsCeFHobab6qpc2tMvdXGl5aiVfmj4ePVIO-/s1600/Top+Chasers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="259" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMkpSbOwqwVvTJejHB1W5qPol2iKb4Rx5OXZBCTPJDx6KhVy8JmyIXI7IUOyY5kRQMg0ZGxEuACMBz7RTmc2JH9oRSmAUXs0mDq2dIGivBsCeFHobab6qpc2tMvdXGl5aiVfmj4ePVIO-/s400/Top+Chasers.PNG" width="201" /></a></div>
<br />
Associations:<br />
<br />
Here's a list of the associations and regions I've activated in:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeASAoG0LmkyFg-iwE2zzbhGBortald6txqFSUsC54fgpE8TBes22WSW9_Npqal6p8Imd3qkL-N05fOBsz4amFhxlW2zuWluy0iA62FYgF2q-rr9w_4abKMTApNkSgiOHjnOnGoBn81gjJ/s1600/Activated+Associations.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="508" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeASAoG0LmkyFg-iwE2zzbhGBortald6txqFSUsC54fgpE8TBes22WSW9_Npqal6p8Imd3qkL-N05fOBsz4amFhxlW2zuWluy0iA62FYgF2q-rr9w_4abKMTApNkSgiOHjnOnGoBn81gjJ/s320/Activated+Associations.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
890 QSOs (64%) were from the W6 association. 421 QSOs (30%) were from W4V. 6% were spread among K0M, W0C, W1, W3, W7A, W7W, and W9.<br />
<br />
543 (54%) of my points were from W6. 394 (39%) were from W4V. The rest, 68 points (7%) were from the other associations.<br />
<br />
Personal Notes:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Favorite QSO: Mentioned above, with OH9XX.</li>
<li>Favorite Hikes: There are many. My favorites are, in no particular order: Mt. Badon-Powell (W6/CT-004), Alabama Hills (W6/SS-442), Robertson Mountain (W4V/SH-011), Rocky Mount (W4V/HB-035), San Gorgonio (W6/CT-001 & W6/CT-243), San Antonio (W6/CT-003), Thomas Mountain (W6/CT-016), Cahuilla Mountain (W6/CT-103), Knob Mountain (W4V/SH-017), and Pilot Knob (W6/SD-435).</li>
<li>Least Favorite Hike: Pt. 6020 (W6/SD-017). This peak was a bushwhack through thorns and scrub. It was barely doable.</li>
<li>Easiest Hike: Probably La Cumbre Peak (W6/SC-086), but there are others that are incredibly easy.</li>
<li>Most Challenging Hike: Pallett Benchmark (W6/CT-058), or maybe San Gorgonio (mentioned above).</li>
<li>Most points earned in a weekend: 48. From 18-20 April 2014, I activated Onyx Peak (W6/CT-044), Keller Peak (W6/CT-013), Delamar Mountain (W6/CT-050), Bertha Peak (W6/CT-054), Mount Williamson (W6/CT-011), and Pallett Benchmark (W6/CT-058). </li>
</ul>
My wisdom learned from the whole thing:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Persevere. Don't Give Up. Mountain Goat is one of the most challenging amateur radio activities in existence. It's very physical, demands, high levels of operator skill, is technically challenging, and can be frustrating. Just keep improving.</li>
<li>Analyze your failures, and be objective about them. Need to improve your hiking shape, or learn CW, or find alternative methods of spotting? Do it.</li>
<li>Have fun. It's immensely satisfying.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAWmsm_MfY_v06LfrO-Lnkzyr6YzMG-Wyp4bq0Ym2JR0_BDquVvRoR-Pw2je1409vlEFedwyioQQSZftP4m6dMdrPXLgXCIdWBa04Xq4fKvVDRDQMrKJn1yHQarQUnwcAs1KMfJEJmZ76/s1600/1509169_10202986056040936_1997006781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAWmsm_MfY_v06LfrO-Lnkzyr6YzMG-Wyp4bq0Ym2JR0_BDquVvRoR-Pw2je1409vlEFedwyioQQSZftP4m6dMdrPXLgXCIdWBa04Xq4fKvVDRDQMrKJn1yHQarQUnwcAs1KMfJEJmZ76/s400/1509169_10202986056040936_1997006781_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL and the XYL, on the summit of Alabama Hills, with Mount Whitney, in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-77620144400416752192017-12-10T07:56:00.002-05:002017-12-10T07:56:20.168-05:00Look what arrived in the mail!Check this out...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGycmEKkMN0ys5Gv_3MzNk3IZyoEHK76IQDCzOYiUTce7vrJUMYiw2IgwVtEqsLuVTpJ_J3XmZS7f1NblDTE1X-DfYBFoOhYviH2CZsPDGsg8jQTQ-C-Ac10lqSqbsyCUhF9TzjXI549d/s1600/Certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="912" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGycmEKkMN0ys5Gv_3MzNk3IZyoEHK76IQDCzOYiUTce7vrJUMYiw2IgwVtEqsLuVTpJ_J3XmZS7f1NblDTE1X-DfYBFoOhYviH2CZsPDGsg8jQTQ-C-Ac10lqSqbsyCUhF9TzjXI549d/s400/Certificate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGM-J7gEuePczQLL9SV_zcNTCR2u8fK1TG8wySZV1GalxudQrrUn6oj1y4ti13K4WGypT6j_I2cOqffWEoYE42mdsWjYDMH6YCwK21R74AGCmT-MIRohXo5dkI8WTxo5DR3amJlw9Xe8B9/s1600/Trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="689" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGM-J7gEuePczQLL9SV_zcNTCR2u8fK1TG8wySZV1GalxudQrrUn6oj1y4ti13K4WGypT6j_I2cOqffWEoYE42mdsWjYDMH6YCwK21R74AGCmT-MIRohXo5dkI8WTxo5DR3amJlw9Xe8B9/s400/Trophy.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-64294089405871483102017-12-03T16:04:00.000-05:002017-12-03T16:16:01.404-05:00SOTA Trip Report: My Goat Activation of Blue Mounds (W9/WI-010)It's been quite a long journey to Goat, a quest I set out for back in the summer of 2013. Maybe the longest portion was these past few months. I had been sitting at 999 points, literally one single point away from reaching Mountain Goat status. I had plans to potentially reach Mountain Goat this past summer during an attempted thru-hike of the Superior Hiking Trail, a trail which has a handful of K0M SOTA peaks. (As some people can probably vouch for, it was an exceptionally wet year on the North Shore of Lake Superior, which made travel on the trail much more challenging. I didn't complete the trail, but I did hike well over 100 miles of it, as well as activate a few peaks along it, bringing me to 999 points).<br />
<br />
So I returned to Virginia, but, here, too, I had problems, as I had already activated basically every peak in Shenandoah National Park this past year. I suppose I could have gone out further afield in the state, but I didn't.<br />
<br />
I also wanted a way to conduct this activation with my intrepid hiking partner and XYL, Marit, and if available, her friend, Christine, both of whom have accompanied me on several activations. Marit and Christine are awesome hikers in their own rights, having completed several challenging hikes around the country:<br />
<ul>
<li>The Southern California Three Peak Challenge, where you summit San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, and San Antonio (aka "Baldy") in under 24 hours.</li>
<li>The Four State Challenge (48-ish miles), hiking from Pennsylvania, through Maryland, West Virginia, and into Virginia along the Appalachian Trail in under 24 hours.</li>
<li>The Connecticut Challenge, hiking between New York and Massachusetts along the AT in Connecticut (approximately 56 miles) in under 24 hours.</li>
<li>Many other day and thru-hiking adventures. </li>
</ul>
These ladies are serious hikers, and they have accompanied me on many hikes. No--neither of them has any interest in radio, but they put up with my antics nonetheless. It would be nice to have them around for the Goat activation.<br />
<br />
A few weeks back I found that Christine was visiting her family in Wisconsin over Thanksgiving, while my wife and I were visiting my family in the same state. I had also never activated any peaks in Wisconsin before, so this was my chance to get Goat, in a new association, with my XYL and Christine.<br />
<br />
I selected <a href="http://www.sota.org.uk/Summit/W9/WI-010">Blue Mounds (W9/WI-010)</a>, which is southwest of Madison, WI. It is located within <a href="http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/bluemound/">Blue Mound State Park</a> (not to be confused with <a href="http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/blue_mounds/index.html">Blue Mounds State Park in Minnesota</a>). Blue Mound was the name given to the large hill by the original French traders who inhabited the area in the early 18th century. The "peak" itself is a large, steep hill with an elevation of over 1700 feet. It's <a href="http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/bluemound/geology.html">geologically interesting</a> because it's made of dolomite, a limestone which used to cover the Great Lakes from Wisconsin to Niagara Falls. Indeed, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment">Niagara Escarpment</a> was caused by unequal erosion of various types of rocks, one of which was dolomite. In any case, much of the dolomite was removed by erosion over the eons, excepting Blue Mound and other similar formations, but more importantly, the area of southern Wisconsin was the only area that was not covered in glaciers during the last ice age. Glacial ice covered Minnesota, most of Wisconsin, and all of the Midwestern states as far south as Kansas, but this piece of Wisconsin, called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driftless_Area">Driftless Area</a>, escaped glaciation, allowing Blue Mound, as well as several other similar formations to continue to exist.<br />
<br />
Blue Mounds is fundamentally a drive-up peak, with a large parking area at the top of the peak, and two observation towers on the east and west sides of the peak. There is a small fee to access the park, payable to attendant or via envelop. To make this peak SOTA-legal, the three of us did a circuit of the park, beginning and terminating at the parking area.<br />
<br />
We agreed that the Friday post-Thanksgiving would be the best time to attempt this. The weather was chilly, in the upper 30s Fahrenheit, with very stiff winds. We climbed the Western Observation Tower. I began the activation at around 0800 local time (1400 UTC), first by attempting VHF and UHF FM contacts. I was able to self-spot with SMS and with the SOTAGoat iPhone app. APRS coverage is also abundant. But no joy on any of my calls, which was a bit surprising. While not a metropolis, Madison, wasn't too far away. I expected to maybe roust somebody on 146.52. I also attempted contacts on 223.5 and 446.0, all with negative results. While I was working on this, the ladies continued on their hike, and I climbed down to get set up on HF.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_TvhNpGc_5kisJ4_dhuFh3h_ZU4SvjrKsEFrk0e-cQ6xs-vaCv4fuIjOQzUJ6Er88AQAC6KpOj7SYqqahpuPbCIOX11BoT7WSEPhkXvz_YCq-iHMvBU-mWlwKDicfQAbPM8jehVv1Nka/s1600/Working+the+HT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_TvhNpGc_5kisJ4_dhuFh3h_ZU4SvjrKsEFrk0e-cQ6xs-vaCv4fuIjOQzUJ6Er88AQAC6KpOj7SYqqahpuPbCIOX11BoT7WSEPhkXvz_YCq-iHMvBU-mWlwKDicfQAbPM8jehVv1Nka/s400/Working+the+HT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL sitting at the top of the tower, trying to stay out of the wind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_LR5JFLsQvkS5-VkM26aTadpd0WULv1yD5y_lVmvL9jKtvY3fvXDDn0Vu2Wl7gxhb1uZrz0ioiDGXat1wLbRqr2BdXTsFuV4TQIM0tC-8V9PCH9X6wGo-GmpVnEAD5o_0DlJZ9kPbzJ4/s1600/N0PCL+working+the+HT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_LR5JFLsQvkS5-VkM26aTadpd0WULv1yD5y_lVmvL9jKtvY3fvXDDn0Vu2Wl7gxhb1uZrz0ioiDGXat1wLbRqr2BdXTsFuV4TQIM0tC-8V9PCH9X6wGo-GmpVnEAD5o_0DlJZ9kPbzJ4/s400/N0PCL+working+the+HT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL working the HT with a view to the west.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YoeC_mCGgELxP1L1VXcrMAGKHyDXQ2IaHgpMREjctq9k707OdwBEoLthXW_bPcOirfmF9v4d4x-faicOV_f2GYMRtGDGuIusRyym9KHubzv5oKDFgBL-P-Np_o10LApWOOn8ZlsuVudd/s1600/Down+through+center+of+lookout+touwer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YoeC_mCGgELxP1L1VXcrMAGKHyDXQ2IaHgpMREjctq9k707OdwBEoLthXW_bPcOirfmF9v4d4x-faicOV_f2GYMRtGDGuIusRyym9KHubzv5oKDFgBL-P-Np_o10LApWOOn8ZlsuVudd/s400/Down+through+center+of+lookout+touwer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo looking down the center of the tower, with the circling landings and staircases.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I found a picnic table not far from the western observation tower, with a few nearby trees to sling a wire antenna into. I bungeed my homemade EARCHI UNUN to a tree trunk, ran radials along the ground, and slung the radiating wire into a neighboring tree. A length of RG-174 coax fed the antenna. On the table, I set up my FT-817ND, my LDG autotuner, and my Palm Mini key. I cracked open the logbook, put the earbuds in the ear, and tried to think warm thoughts as I called CQ SOTA on 14.063 MHz.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7qFY_xD3LIeSa-MaaFsDUhAvuTcw1zO50AUIRLbnXhzBIBjESJsTpup9jdusIbnomsyPM5UNUnkNskfK9Zreli_BeDkPmVrTadEqE7GZDjgB-nKT46S4a1_gpIihNj0xtKE8NCIStUpB/s1600/HF+Setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7qFY_xD3LIeSa-MaaFsDUhAvuTcw1zO50AUIRLbnXhzBIBjESJsTpup9jdusIbnomsyPM5UNUnkNskfK9Zreli_BeDkPmVrTadEqE7GZDjgB-nKT46S4a1_gpIihNj0xtKE8NCIStUpB/s400/HF+Setup.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My HF station: Ft-817ND with numerous aftermarket modifications, LDG Z-817 autotuner, mic, and my Palm Mini key. Pen, earbuds, a small notepad, and my ARRL minilog round out the station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghy1_CoAol43vm25QvquvB7hh41KHmNAcH4ket2zRURD1VsaWE4fpvoW14G3HPhTpRJY277UsJyx-F6LdrHuaz_4pKnHSw09A4cSbIGU4Ykwth5cjK4RXIrjRBst0ndd9pfSeVOireAuTz/s1600/HF+Matchbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghy1_CoAol43vm25QvquvB7hh41KHmNAcH4ket2zRURD1VsaWE4fpvoW14G3HPhTpRJY277UsJyx-F6LdrHuaz_4pKnHSw09A4cSbIGU4Ykwth5cjK4RXIrjRBst0ndd9pfSeVOireAuTz/s400/HF+Matchbox.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base of my antenna: Homemade EARCHI matchbox bungeed to a tree, with radials and a radiating wire. RG-174 Coax can be barely seen. My operating position to the right of the photo, about 25 feet away.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6oZUHwGHNNPjnJD4kumIRmsQYVoABUO2kK7U9KsoOOKJnurJdRjwCNYFi2hjlhMq1lAK4IGAV2Fk6yoTKPJlCobF48x5pfofAzeKezjcKr76ydc6v8tUsvrmEgDu9BqozGp7VABo1T5o/s1600/Body+of+dead+snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6oZUHwGHNNPjnJD4kumIRmsQYVoABUO2kK7U9KsoOOKJnurJdRjwCNYFi2hjlhMq1lAK4IGAV2Fk6yoTKPJlCobF48x5pfofAzeKezjcKr76ydc6v8tUsvrmEgDu9BqozGp7VABo1T5o/s400/Body+of+dead+snowman.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Body of a deceased snowman near my operating position. Wisconsin had received some snowfall in the weeks before my activation, but it had mostly melted. The matchbox can be barely seen on the tree in the upper right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
N4EX, Rich, was the first to answer my call with a 569 report. I worked a total of six stations on 20, and then shifted to 7.043 MHz, where I worked twelve more stations. Total time activating was 27 minutes. By this time I was getting quite cold. I put away my station (mostly), and returned to the Jeep to where I awaited the return of the XYL and Christine.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNxtQ2w864-tyD0Bo7W1wk8L2eOmTVsojGoNOK2cX_-AgJYIFJ3wd3JAuEvomfyazYcS1Hns05DrudeW3396V48kg5IPkO1PtZwI7RAI_kSFKRvzKzaUwMxFyZVSZSXcB8P8coRl9VXu7/s1600/sotadata+log.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNxtQ2w864-tyD0Bo7W1wk8L2eOmTVsojGoNOK2cX_-AgJYIFJ3wd3JAuEvomfyazYcS1Hns05DrudeW3396V48kg5IPkO1PtZwI7RAI_kSFKRvzKzaUwMxFyZVSZSXcB8P8coRl9VXu7/s400/sotadata+log.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My logbook as it was updated to SOTAData.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Goat was Achieved.<br />
<br />
After completing this activation, I realized that I had forgotten something. I left my EARCHI matchbox bungeed to the tree. So, if you're hiking up on Blue Mounds, help yourself to an UNUN. And if it's not there any longer, I'll consider it poetic. The mountains gave me much pleasure. I may as well leave a piece of homebrew radio gear in return.<br />
<br />
This journey to Goat wasn't always easy. While I have been licensed for many decades, I wasn't an active ham for much of that time, and SOTA was my reintroduction to the hobby. I had to learn the ins and outs of QRP operation, relearn morse code, learn how to manage pileups, and learn how to build and optimize antennas. I also learned much about myself in the process, like how to hike, manage expectations for my hiking/SOTA success, and, probably most importantly, to make sure I persevere and just not give up.<br />
<br />
Many deserve thanks and recognition for this milestone. My XYL accompanied me on many of these SOTA activations. Christine also put up with a great deal of waiting around on peaks while I got my contacts. I also did some hikes with several hams in the Southern California SOTA community, including Gary, K6YOA, and Tim, K6TW. The SoCal SOTA group--you know who you are--also deserves some mention. And there are number of fellow Marines whom I have had the pleasure of making Summit to Summit contacts with (Dan, NA6MG and Mike NS1TA/ex-W6AH, and others.) And, of course, many thanks belong to the numerous chasers.<br />
<br />
Many thanks are due for helping me to this achievement!<br />
<br />
73.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-22130940154463198272017-11-04T13:42:00.002-04:002017-11-04T13:42:41.179-04:00November Shack UpdateGreetings, all.<br />
<br />
Things have been continuing in the N0PCL ham shack.<br />
<br />
First, on the award front...<br />
<br />
While I haven't submitted my official applications for the following awards, I have sufficient confirmations for the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Worked All States (mixed band and mode, CW, phone, digital, Triple Play, and 40 meters.) I'm three states away from WAS on 20, too, needing only Maryland, Delaware, and Connecticut.</li>
<li>DXCC (mixed band and mode, CW, and 20 Meters.) I've got 91 total countries on digital modes, and 86 on phone. And I've got 84 countries on 15 meters and 79 on 40 meters. So I'm getting there.</li>
</ul>
In addition to the above, I've got 96 Maidenhead locators on 6 meters, using only a dipole in the attic and 100 watts.<br />
<br />
And, perhaps my biggest near-achievement is SOTA Goat status. I'm currently sitting at 999 points out of a necessary 1000. My conundrum there is that I've basically activated all the peaks in my local area this year, so I need to go further afield. I should be visiting my parents over the upcomin holiday season, so I may attempt an activation of Holy Hill (W9/WI-031) or one of the other "mountains" in southern or western Wisconsin. Holy Hill will put me at 1,001 activator points.<br />
<br />
In other news, I've built an APRS fill-in digipeater and iGate at my home QTH. It doesn't get a huge amount of traffic--I'm mostly filling in APRS packets along a 25 mile stretch of I-95 between Fredericksburg and Woodbridge. I'll do a write-up on that in the near future. I used a rarely-touched FT-2900R, a TinyTrak4 from Byonics, and some free software. Pretty simple stuff.<br />
<br />
73 <br />
<br />Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-64605875670294483192017-02-25T16:28:00.000-05:002017-02-25T16:28:04.876-05:00February UpdateGreetings, all.<br />
<br />
It's been a while since I blogged here. I suppose I'll give a quick update on things.<br />
<br />
The march to SOTA Mountain Goat continues. For the most part, I haven't activated very many peaks that I haven't visited before. The Shenandoah Range is the closest range by a long shot. And given that I've activated most of the peaks near Skyline Drive several times, it doesn't make much sense to blog about new ones. Still, I've been quite active with SOTA in the last few weeks. I've been doing mostly CW work--it's just more effective. In the month of February alone, I've had CW QSOs on 40, 30, 20, 17,15, and 12 meters. I've attempted CW QSOs on 80 and 10 meters, but no luck. I've heard some stations on 80 (KG3W and a couple others), but evidently my QRP signal couldn't make it through the daytime noise levels, even in the "winter." (Truthfully, there hasn't been much of a winter here. Some rain, and a couple dustings of snow, but it's felt more like April or May here in Tidewater Virginia).<br /><br />Typically I start my activations using the Yaesu VX-8DR HT. I do this for a few reasons. I do it to get the APRS beacon out, so that any followers can see my location on the peak. And I also see if there are any locals about on 146.52, 223.5, and 446.0, the FM calling frequencies. Occasionally I can scrape together four contacts on those bands alone, which is great if I need to get off the peak quickly. More often, I just like to use those bands because, frankly, they're not used enough.<br /><br />Only then will I set up my HF station, typically working CW, but occasionally SSB.<br /><br />In any case, my activations have been effective. Since 2017 started, I've logged over 100 activation points. I currently sit at 938 total activation points. 1000 is the goal, so it's coming.<br /><br />I've also given some thought about which peak I'd like to earn Mountain Goat status on. I'm leaning toward Mount Badon-Powell (W6/CT-004) in Southern California. The only problem is that it's buried in a lot of snow, so I'll have to wait. That's probably OK.<br /><br />I've also been asked why I continue to linger in the W6 SOTA Association while I live in Virginia. There are several reasons, but chief among them is that I really like living and hiking in California. Virginia is OK, but it's just not my favorite place. I've also earned more activation points in California than anywhere else, so W6 is where I am, and it's where I intend to stay.<br />
<br />
As far as the home QTH goes, things are fine there too. The K3S is doing well. I've added a <a href="http://telepostinc.com/LP-PAN.html">Telepost LP-Pan 2</a> panadaptor, which is connected to the computer by a <a href="https://www.asus.com/us/Sound-Cards/Xonar_U7/">Xonar U7</a> external sound card. That allows me to use various software to "see" the band. I've been experimenting with several software packages to do that. So far, <a href="http://www.telepostinc.com/PSDR.html">PowerSDR IF Stage</a> and the <a href="http://va2fsq.com/">Win4K3Suite</a> seem to be the best. PowerSDR has the most attractive-looking interface, but Win4K3Suite offers much closer control of the transceiver.<br /><br />In terms of paper-chasing, I've made progress, too. For DXCC, I have 120 total entities confirmed. 96 via CW, 75 using Phone, and 42 on digital modes. I've confirmed with 294 band-entities for DXCC Challenge.<br /><br />I'm very close on the Triple Play award, too. I only need Alaska via CW and Wyoming via phone.<br />
<br />
So, what's next? I think I'm going to try to experiment more on 6 meters.<br />
<br />
It's all great fun.<br />
<br />
I have a few posts planned for the near future. I'll likely do a quick post on my home QTH antennas, and probably a post on my SOTA-related equipment I use.<br />
<br />
That's it for now! 73.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-73687177395813270412016-10-18T16:12:00.003-04:002016-10-18T16:13:24.534-04:00N0PCL Home QTH Shack Update: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the previous post, I neglected to post a picture of the operating position of my shack. I'm fixing that now.<br />
<br />
So, here you go.<br />
<br />
73!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLqEkteU292Imf6uMfqcNk6zZW5jAMp10Ppb9zDvKpbrRvfjI68RVHDH70ZaOK15QbWtd-3ZRryRh1xfOIVigU7O3NfC8lWiFbBfa11RyM9SgbaeR3yx6hELVyZtCQi_C0-OLGd81mjXG/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLqEkteU292Imf6uMfqcNk6zZW5jAMp10Ppb9zDvKpbrRvfjI68RVHDH70ZaOK15QbWtd-3ZRryRh1xfOIVigU7O3NfC8lWiFbBfa11RyM9SgbaeR3yx6hELVyZtCQi_C0-OLGd81mjXG/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-21471438372436593142016-10-17T15:45:00.001-04:002016-10-17T19:02:10.935-04:00N0PCL Home QTH Shack UpdateIt's been a while since I've posted here, and it's not for want of news. It's mainly because I haven't been doing a whole lot of SOTA activations of late. I'm just not built for the heat and humidity of the "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humid_subtropical_climate">humid subtropical</a>" climate I'm stuck in while I'm here in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidewater_region">tidewater, Virginia</a>.<br />
<br />
But...<br />
<br />
I have been doing lots of work on the Home QTH Radio shack.<br />
<br />
In no particular order, here's what I've done:<br />
<ul>
<li>Paint. I painted the room. My shack is in a spare second-floor bedroom which the previous homeowners had painted a bright pink with a Disney "Frozen" motif. It's now a calming <a href="http://m.valsparpaint.com/color-detail.php?id=2031&g=1014" target="_blank">"Lighthouse Shadows"</a> color.</li>
<li>Bought a new shack computer. I purchased a Dell Inspiron tower, with Radeon R6 Graphics. It's a fine AMD Quad-Core computer with an adequate, low end graphics card. All in price: less than $500.</li>
<li>Bought an <a href="http://telepostinc.com/LP-PAN.html" target="_blank">LP-Pan 2</a> from Telepost. It's an aftermarket IQ Panadaptor for use with my Elecraft K3S. The KS3 already has an IF Out port, so it's an easy connection to the LP-Pan. I run the LP-Pan with the <a href="https://www.asus.com/Sound-Cards/Xonar_U7/" target="_blank">ASUS Xonar U7</a> external sound card, which basically acts as a analog-to-digital converter for the shack computer to decode the I and Q channels and produce a beautiful, and very functional display of band activity across up to 192 kilohertz of spectrum. It's very nice.</li>
<li>I bought another monitor. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NM76PXY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Previously, I had been using a 28" Viewsonic monitor. I purchased a second one</a>, so now I'm able to run a combination of radio-related programs through one display, and I have a spare display for general purpose use. Typically I run <a href="http://ham-radio-deluxe.com/" target="_blank">Ham Radio Deluxe</a>, <a href="http://www.wu2x.com/downloads/PowerSDR-IF%20Stage%20v1.19.3.5.zip" target="_blank">PowerSDR/IF Stage</a>, and the Ham Radio Deluxe Logger, DM780, and <a href="http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html" target="_blank">WSJT-X</a> on one monitor. On the other display I usually have a web browsers open with tabs for <a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/index.php" target="_blank">SOTAWatch2</a>, <a href="http://www.sotadata.org.uk/default.aspx" target="_blank">SOTAData</a>, <a href="https://lotw.arrl.org/lotw/login" target="_blank">LOTW</a>, <a href="http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/">DXSummit.fi</a>, <a href="http://aprs.fi/">aprs.fi</a>, <a href="http://qrz.com/">QRZ.com</a>, <a href="http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html">WA7BNM Contest Calendar</a>, the <a href="http://aprs.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/">VHF Propagation Map</a>, and email.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngP9oy0UGJQlc9WfGdfgaEm-7ZiDfpjO0P1MimeBQmqNKA9MqxOzH58uScvWQ2Ql9ejCqUMRRYKTzJPgt-7H2W0_mg9uGLATPLBQ97hgtGQojI7UHHWtTkPqTRe3URdjvts4Ngb3hhjqp/s1600/SSB+CW+Configuration.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngP9oy0UGJQlc9WfGdfgaEm-7ZiDfpjO0P1MimeBQmqNKA9MqxOzH58uScvWQ2Ql9ejCqUMRRYKTzJPgt-7H2W0_mg9uGLATPLBQ97hgtGQojI7UHHWtTkPqTRe3URdjvts4Ngb3hhjqp/s400/SSB+CW+Configuration.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that I have two monitors side-by-side, my right monitor assists with running rig-control software, logging, and basically handling QSOs. Here's the configuration I use when I run SSB and CW on the Elecraft K3S. Ham Radio Deluxe handles the actual interfacing between the radio and the computer, with the HRD Logging and PowerSDR/IF Stage running on top of that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvqHgeZ67nnVFqM5u5cs6WaZl5BI8jWfCRxUEJI-BCAGvKypmKLuBkvVv_Eu5WhxDlb6FldOi4ZdriK6IWTDN0W4ky_okF0n3AJQcabF7T_gjh3GxV-1TuDBksa66OKd5FhilH-29gREb/s1600/JT+Modes.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvqHgeZ67nnVFqM5u5cs6WaZl5BI8jWfCRxUEJI-BCAGvKypmKLuBkvVv_Eu5WhxDlb6FldOi4ZdriK6IWTDN0W4ky_okF0n3AJQcabF7T_gjh3GxV-1TuDBksa66OKd5FhilH-29gREb/s400/JT+Modes.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my right monitor when it's running "Joe Taylor" digital modes, mainly JT65 or JT9 using WSJT-X.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCco5p26KZDzA81bHOC_wAZHXhT-pOR8o_QpFTCAuxBtx2zEFpqvfR2ukCkgfiTSc4uC_-nMPonnTSPz_-3XQE_VNPrOmGMKZ2fxxKEulvTkyOuVlD5Lf1BHEgrsAYT2iYCQArITg9VJKc/s1600/Non+JT+Digital+Modes.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCco5p26KZDzA81bHOC_wAZHXhT-pOR8o_QpFTCAuxBtx2zEFpqvfR2ukCkgfiTSc4uC_-nMPonnTSPz_-3XQE_VNPrOmGMKZ2fxxKEulvTkyOuVlD5Lf1BHEgrsAYT2iYCQArITg9VJKc/s400/Non+JT+Digital+Modes.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my right monitor when I use DM780 for the other digital modes I run. My favorite digital modes are probably Olivia, PSK-31, and occasionally RTTY.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDq4D767QAKAtxhnz8sjfl4nG9GQxwZg63fCdAULmCc-OTMdU1dZ50ICcGywsd1hVf-lX-mDbuvXFD-NIDvJ9Yq-ZWHLFdGRlZoTRMfuY8J06fwtL4pGH7iSjcp8_vHRxY8h9tubsBYFX/s1600/Left+Display.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDq4D767QAKAtxhnz8sjfl4nG9GQxwZg63fCdAULmCc-OTMdU1dZ50ICcGywsd1hVf-lX-mDbuvXFD-NIDvJ9Yq-ZWHLFdGRlZoTRMfuY8J06fwtL4pGH7iSjcp8_vHRxY8h9tubsBYFX/s400/Left+Display.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use the left-hand monitor for displaying other websites and running other programs. Here, I'm displaying web browsers that have tabs for SOTA, a DX Cluster, APRS, VHF Propagation Maps, Contest Calendar, and LOTW.</td></tr>
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</li>
<li>As mentioned earlier above, I'm using Ham Radio Deluxe (along with the Logger and DM780), WSJT-X, PowerSDR IF Stage (panadaptor software). I'm also using Dimension4 to keep my computer clock synched very closely to a time server (important for the JT65 and JT9 digital modes).</li>
<li>Some months ago I purchased a West Mountain Radio (which hails from my hometown of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waukesha,_Wisconsin">Waukesha</a>, Wisconsin) <a href="http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rb_adv&navcode=/mtadv">RigBlaster Advantage</a> digital mode interface for use with the Elecraft K3S. Yes--I'm aware that the Elecraft K3S has a built-in interface, but I really wanted to take advantage of the direct FSK keying feature that the RigBlaster Advantage has. I did, but I found that for the limited RTTY operating I do, I found that the AFSK variant of RTTY was perfectly adequate to my needs. For simplicity's sake, I removed the RigBlaster Advantage from the K3S setup, and it's currently with my QRP and Portable shack (the FT-817ND). No--I haven't configured it for operation with the 817 yet, but I will. I intend to use it when traveling, mainly.</li>
<li>The remainder of my shack is the same. I'm still using a <a href="http://w1jks.com/killer_ant.php">W1AB Killer Antenna</a> hidden on my property. Yes, it's a major compromise antenna, but it works good enough, and is very frequency-agile, able to function from 160-6 meters just fine. I also have a dipole in the attic cut for 20 meters.</li>
<li>I'm still using the <a href="http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3.htm">K3S/100</a>, pretty much all the options except the 2 Meter board and the subreceiver. I'll get those another time.</li>
<li>My key is still a <a href="http://www.kent-engineers.com/TWINinfo.htm">Kent iambic paddle</a>. I love it.</li>
<li>I use the Heil ProSet headset with the K3S.</li>
<li>An <a href="https://www.gigaparts.com/Astron-RS-35A.html/">Astron RS-35A</a> powers the whole thing through a West Mountain Radio <a href="http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rr_4008_c">RigRunner 4008</a> DC Power Strip. </li>
<li>I'm still using a <a href="http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&encProdID=ACC99ABCBC3E6900FF03ECF2B6382250">Yaesu FT-2900</a> 2 meter radio with a home-made J-Pole antenna in the attic. This is for local 2 meter FM communication.</li>
<li>My SOTA/Portable shack is still the same, too. I'll do another post on exactly what I bring for SOTA and portable operation another time.</li>
</ul>
Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-23805675087123231582016-05-24T21:43:00.000-04:002016-05-24T21:43:00.021-04:00SOTA Activation of Lamb's Knoll (W3/WE-007)Last April 10th I activated my first SOTA Peak in Maryland. This is a belated activation report from that day.<br />
<br />
Why Lamb's Knoll? Well, it wasn't too far from my home QTH (less than a few hours' drive), and it's outside of Shenandoah National Park. I don't mind Shenandoah National Park, but, frankly, my wife and I greatly miss the peaks in California. California had wide-open spaces, and numerous mountain ranges to choose from, and generally a different attitude in the inhabitants than is here in the D.C. area. On the eastern seaboard, things are a bit different. The peaks are much lower, and almost all of them are connected by the Appalachian Trail, which, when you hike in spring and summer, feels like a long, buggy, spider-webby green tube that you hike through. There aren't the same vistas, nor is there the elevation gain. The A.T. is well-traveled by humans, so you don't even get the solitude. It's a bit of a downer, but it's what we have until we're able to move back out west. I've already activated a good number of Shenandoah Peaks, but now I want to get out a bit further from home. That basically means I head northwest to the Appalachians in Maryland or Pennsylvania, or head southwest to other Appalachian peaks in Virginia or North Carolina.<br />
<br />
(Just so you know, I've gotten more than 50% of the way to Mountain Goat status by activating peaks in California, so I maintain my SOTA membership as part of the W6 association, not he W4V--the Virginia SOTA association.) <br />
<br />
We set out early that Sunday morning to activate this summit, which is really a bump of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Mountain_%28Maryland_and_Pennsylvania%29" target="_blank">South Mountain</a>, a long ridgeline which forms the northernmost terminus of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Mountains" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Mountains</a>. Our plan was to pick up the Appalachian Train at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gathland_State_Park" target="_blank">Gathland State Park</a>, and hike north a few miles to the peak. Overall, it was an easy hike, although the trail is fairly rocky in places so be careful not to roll and ankle! Only the first bit of the hike up the A.T. from Gathland State Park was particularly steep. <br />
<br />
We saw a few people out, but I think that many of the hikers stayed inside owing to the cool temperatures as measured by the Jeep, parked at Gathland State Park:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoytWu1wMUAEG72w-6eLaleLyI-v_cvimVkO6uLRzRjM1NlA1SmidwrPBqlayObXHRdq5JJvbqpj1O56UhRr30RhvOpQesW0iobgP6bh1JwfQQe_vhDnHAQcL7oKatd4vaoQiVczRAzKS/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoytWu1wMUAEG72w-6eLaleLyI-v_cvimVkO6uLRzRjM1NlA1SmidwrPBqlayObXHRdq5JJvbqpj1O56UhRr30RhvOpQesW0iobgP6bh1JwfQQe_vhDnHAQcL7oKatd4vaoQiVczRAzKS/s400/IMG_1323.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilly. 36 Degrees F. But it was sunny and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJY5wmOZOPhsMdH7Kdq7pwxgdRdkRUW_391dj1U5ISG8UTblc6jCe5rEXSWFvyjDguPCbKf-Ty2fxs_FHSTuiuIXmaPifs2LTTpTNpFs1v1hZLoAJqeidpot9umxugV2MImiwV0mJHf3c/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJY5wmOZOPhsMdH7Kdq7pwxgdRdkRUW_391dj1U5ISG8UTblc6jCe5rEXSWFvyjDguPCbKf-Ty2fxs_FHSTuiuIXmaPifs2LTTpTNpFs1v1hZLoAJqeidpot9umxugV2MImiwV0mJHf3c/s400/IMG_1327.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The A.T. was rocky on this hike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLLENFdm7OktkRB0oxi23EkE_-t4zKc7NJEBR2a6EJuOyjS-kWwN4RVK0DD8kbi9eLrBCKeJgmtmZODeCVFPP4D5lL417Cnb78EOazHUNQEXpcWpY9M0q1cCTozaLrhJyxFD7LNbcVTQn/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLLENFdm7OktkRB0oxi23EkE_-t4zKc7NJEBR2a6EJuOyjS-kWwN4RVK0DD8kbi9eLrBCKeJgmtmZODeCVFPP4D5lL417Cnb78EOazHUNQEXpcWpY9M0q1cCTozaLrhJyxFD7LNbcVTQn/s400/IMG_1336.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the use trail from the A.T. to the Lamb's Knoll summit, there is a single rock outropping with a halfway decent view. My lovely bride and I snapped a selfie. (Yes. I said it. Selfie.)</td></tr>
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The summit is not particularly scenic...there are many trees that obscure any possibility of a view, and the summit also has a few buildings on it that are surrounded by fences.<br />
<br />
Nearby the summit where I activated there was a very closely guarded government facility. The facility had literally dozens of security cameras covering virtually every possible angle, an oddly-large parking lot--far more expansive than necessary to provide parking for any of the visible buildings, and an absolutely massive log periodic array, likely used for HF. Of note, in my short time at the site I saw the antenna rotate, so clearly there is some sort of government-operated radio activity occurring there (collecting SIGINT or MASINT, perhaps?)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsVEDkvIyrgGx4uUB7s9K6rBbSZUmgW5OoFunWmnMRE-yMg-EaccdM9oHEAphKNNp4NTzJ92Z3fKDSvBMSubaE1e2ETgjQ0lT21xrxPCrvJ7oi83-FwH9xFtl1r-YA7jH6sR_xYVxA5HC/s1600/Lambs+Knoll+Govt+Facility.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsVEDkvIyrgGx4uUB7s9K6rBbSZUmgW5OoFunWmnMRE-yMg-EaccdM9oHEAphKNNp4NTzJ92Z3fKDSvBMSubaE1e2ETgjQ0lT21xrxPCrvJ7oi83-FwH9xFtl1r-YA7jH6sR_xYVxA5HC/s400/Lambs+Knoll+Govt+Facility.PNG" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a Google Earth view of the summit. My activation location is on the southern edge of the southern-most cluster of buildings. The other access-restricted government facility is north of my location. Notice the massive parking lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtqHkms59OQFjnmuMiha5PE9AkrHpcxuzy-mg7iVpXMkAjgR_u_Iy9ufQQBwGwwGJ2lAwBkKwMYnhTvBlA9BsO7AsXLcXeHo7H2slK15-V3xn2Sou2ObQqsSIZj5_7ocRt9WDPuMrLk2X/s1600/Log+Periodic+Dipole+Array.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtqHkms59OQFjnmuMiha5PE9AkrHpcxuzy-mg7iVpXMkAjgR_u_Iy9ufQQBwGwwGJ2lAwBkKwMYnhTvBlA9BsO7AsXLcXeHo7H2slK15-V3xn2Sou2ObQqsSIZj5_7ocRt9WDPuMrLk2X/s400/Log+Periodic+Dipole+Array.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a Google Earth image of the MASSIVE log periodic array. I saw it change azimuth, so somebody was doing something with it. The boom of the antenna was actually an aluminum truss--it was a very large antenna.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Back to the SOTA activation: I recall that conditions weren't particularly good. I was content to get the required four contacts and then move on. AT&T cell coverage was plentiful, so I self-spotted. Here's my log:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWJEzt2njs-g9e-DPKs8MQh52Y1WRtj3vE0o8l4Xwkaa2oXNq5XNJ4DppwSq59WPD618mR8FVsZIbRxYeYWUELE9UKdMaxhmHxlg09r3s5XWNJefvXYDsZ17pCCPL-XwfY6_dJX_5xSzj/s1600/Log.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWJEzt2njs-g9e-DPKs8MQh52Y1WRtj3vE0o8l4Xwkaa2oXNq5XNJ4DppwSq59WPD618mR8FVsZIbRxYeYWUELE9UKdMaxhmHxlg09r3s5XWNJefvXYDsZ17pCCPL-XwfY6_dJX_5xSzj/s400/Log.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the gap in time between talking to W0MNA (Gary) and W9MRH. Conditions weren't very good. I also attempted CW but didn't make any CW contacts. Got 'er dun, though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKMVL4Drfv_WB1kEit2SW1xKJDG05QeKfNRnYztt5kbWhLhplfj8YCe70nvZVDH0P_7TSTODoe343K1LJ9uECc0XuGhUL1-mi2GmzV-Cr9nqkbuC4kkdYZnQhH2WtR8wuy8V-PL0DrZLS/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKMVL4Drfv_WB1kEit2SW1xKJDG05QeKfNRnYztt5kbWhLhplfj8YCe70nvZVDH0P_7TSTODoe343K1LJ9uECc0XuGhUL1-mi2GmzV-Cr9nqkbuC4kkdYZnQhH2WtR8wuy8V-PL0DrZLS/s400/IMG_1329.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My QTH on Lamb's Knoll. By the way, I really like my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Therm-a-Rest-Z-Seat-Cushion-Coyote-Gray/dp/B00453UPQ2?ie=UTF8&keywords=thermarest%20pad&qid=1464139238&ref_=sr_1_8&sr=8-8" target="_blank">Thermarest Z-Seat</a>. I know it's just foam, but it's very comfortable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hiked back the same way we came. Here are view's of my APRS-laid breadcrumbs from APRS.fi:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Dz9EWt1n1dvoPkjLtprY9AOQOjO5nBWm8MdKJ1OYU8myri_lDZ8Ok5rpS1DzoPXxQu2wIpgo5XTFriiIQ9_MWj3mDQual-_4bIUzbyY-0v5w2_bFxFArcHSMTRQD3LTSJGY_Zu4IKkH/s1600/APRS+Crumbs+Satellite+View.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Dz9EWt1n1dvoPkjLtprY9AOQOjO5nBWm8MdKJ1OYU8myri_lDZ8Ok5rpS1DzoPXxQu2wIpgo5XTFriiIQ9_MWj3mDQual-_4bIUzbyY-0v5w2_bFxFArcHSMTRQD3LTSJGY_Zu4IKkH/s400/APRS+Crumbs+Satellite+View.PNG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The packets from the first portion of my hike apparently weren't picked up my an iGate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf1axlzlsxoCSLxCDspiCGBSIufTSjCQn2oWyBThMCR9ZGwoH7DWsO0Hk8oyh1i-d0nvktFSlMz8TmpnxCudR9y8lyEApsoBViYgQHJzTsmZD-cdbV88B-gxSmb72i_jUa9N-N64B6R_f/s1600/APRS+crumbs+terrain.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf1axlzlsxoCSLxCDspiCGBSIufTSjCQn2oWyBThMCR9ZGwoH7DWsO0Hk8oyh1i-d0nvktFSlMz8TmpnxCudR9y8lyEApsoBViYgQHJzTsmZD-cdbV88B-gxSmb72i_jUa9N-N64B6R_f/s400/APRS+crumbs+terrain.PNG" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the view of the contour lines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'll speak a bit now about what's in the area around South Mountain. During the Civil War the area was critical to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam" target="_blank">Battle of Antietam</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gathland_State_Park" target="_blank">Gathland State Park</a> was the location of a particularly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crampton's_Gap" target="_blank">bloody duel</a> between Confederate Artillery batteries and infantry companies, which held the pass, and infantry regiments from New Jersey. The New Jersey troops took the pass at great cost, earning a tactical victory, but the Confederates succeeded in their strategic aim of delaying the Union advance. The State Park itself is the former estate of an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Alfred_Townsend" target="_blank">American journalist</a>, and it is also the site of the War Correspondent's Memorial. If you're in the area, the park is worth visiting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAVNeu0kZrAFBp4ZlIHTcxzdKOD3TqGWVHt9NC6bm-fM1GspEQMHEFicmoMQuZiTcmauK_k_IRBWS_T4KwTkDlxLK4RVCcgWaN9g5OPcMD6n9J84D0OqknOSQSFwrxgR2jWJ4P-gou4q6/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAVNeu0kZrAFBp4ZlIHTcxzdKOD3TqGWVHt9NC6bm-fM1GspEQMHEFicmoMQuZiTcmauK_k_IRBWS_T4KwTkDlxLK4RVCcgWaN9g5OPcMD6n9J84D0OqknOSQSFwrxgR2jWJ4P-gou4q6/s400/IMG_1325.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the War Correspondent's Memorial.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkittsville%2C_Maryland" target="_blank">Burkittsville</a> is nearby, which has the dubious distinction of having the fictional <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blair_Witch_Project" target="_blank">Blair Witch</a> fictionally inhabit the area around the actual town in an fictional documentary which was an actual movie. The town is small but historic. If you approach Gathland State Park from the east, you will travel through the town.<br />
<br />
The area around South Mountain today is home to some cottage industries, including the production of apples, <a href="http://distillerylaneciderworks.com/" target="_blank">hard ciders</a>, and <a href="http://www.orchidcellar.com/" target="_blank">meads</a>. (We sampled both the cider and the mead after hiking. It was delicious!) There is a also an excellent <a href="http://www.vangilderpottery.com/" target="_blank">potter</a> who lives just down the west side from the pass where Gathland State Park is. After returning to the Jeep, my wife and I visited the potter and she bought a lovely coffee mug there.<br />
<br />
It was a good day. A nice brisk hike, some radio fun, pottery shopping, some mead and cider...it was all great.<br />
<br />
73!Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-79669657057634707812016-05-23T20:54:00.001-04:002016-05-23T20:54:58.332-04:00NPOTA Activation: Prince William Forest Park - DZ08Greetings, all.<br />
<br />
About a month ago the XYL and I headed up the I-95 corridor a few miles to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_William_Forest_Park" target="_blank">Prince William Forest Park</a> to do get away from the suburban life at my home QTH, to camp out a night in the woods, and to knock out a <a href="https://npota.arrl.org/index.php" target="_blank">National Parks On The Air</a> (NPOTA) activation.<br />
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Prince William Forest Park is a National Park Service-ran facility of 19,000 acres and the largest park in the DC metro area. It abuts Marine Corps Base Quantico, and lies right on the geologic border of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont_%28United_States%29" target="_blank">Piedmont </a>and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidewater_%28geographic_term%29" target="_blank">Tidewater </a>regions of Virginia. There is a marker in the park denoting one of the geographic boundaries--that marker location is not particularly scenic, but it is interesting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw_XhmCMYeh2Rg6D_J55OTZNPKk-tSbtcgyVE46N5yDFWsy5BPPJioh8x1KS3aNBUeFeNcgHhzKsjOS3OZsJefWLuQMiSugph9NLHqniqUaK-rNCle1zYgCEBsqfJr0tLC_NTjD-DiNNe/s1600/IMG_1360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw_XhmCMYeh2Rg6D_J55OTZNPKk-tSbtcgyVE46N5yDFWsy5BPPJioh8x1KS3aNBUeFeNcgHhzKsjOS3OZsJefWLuQMiSugph9NLHqniqUaK-rNCle1zYgCEBsqfJr0tLC_NTjD-DiNNe/s400/IMG_1360.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XYL hiking through Prince William Forest Park.</td></tr>
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<br />
My wife and I are immensely thankful for this piece of land because it's basically the only relatively unmolested natural land near us, and we spend a good amount of time hiking around there. She goes to the park several times per week, and I go there every week or two.<br />
<br />
The park has a unique history. It was originally homestead land for several farms. There are several family cemeteries on the park grounds, and there is also a military cemetery on the grounds containing graves from soldiers who served in the Civil War through more modern times. The Civilian Conservation Corps managed the lands during the Great Depression. In World War II, the park's lands were used by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was the forerunner of the modern CIA. The OSS used the park for training spies and radio operators from 1942-1945.<br />
<br />
Today the park has numerous trails and a few options for camping. It is full of trees, ferns, streams, and swamps, and is really representative of the mid-Atlantic states' eastern seaboard. It's not beautiful like Yosemite or Death Valley or other similar parks. But we're still very glad to have it so nearby.<br />
<br />
We went to the park on the afternoon of 16 April, a Saturday. We took a campsite, and then decided to do a hike for a few hours. After returning, we lit the camp fire and I started to operate a bit. I used by basic SOTA setup: The FT-817ND, the LDG Z-817 autotuner, my Palm Mini Paddles, a homemade version of the EARCHI wire antenna, and the mic. I also brought my Yaesu VX-8DR HT. I brought a 7 Amp-Hour gel cell battery pack to power everything. I also brought my MFJ QRP SWR meter for no reason whatsoever. My QTH was the picnic table, and the wire was slung into a tree.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFTa_mngMzCOpdHZKAl_dGe1B7SoXejYFODRq2iz7U5UEEbOD6er-2fkbl04V96-k842wElR1DlaBoF_qbIpn4t70klefH0a0HwoMN1E8tzLM5OgWqdDNFRD2KAhTRRH4A7OUtLCY5j8O/s1600/IMG_1361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFTa_mngMzCOpdHZKAl_dGe1B7SoXejYFODRq2iz7U5UEEbOD6er-2fkbl04V96-k842wElR1DlaBoF_qbIpn4t70klefH0a0HwoMN1E8tzLM5OgWqdDNFRD2KAhTRRH4A7OUtLCY5j8O/s400/IMG_1361.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL at the PWF QTH. The detritus of camping surrounds me. The HT is quiet, but the 817ND is doing fine work.</td></tr>
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<br />
The VX-8 was basically useless. I attempted to get some APRS packets out to the world so that I could be seen on APRS.fi, but no luck was to be had. It was just a remote area, and, frankly, APRS coverage is spotty in my area as it is. (I'm thinking about addressing that myself as a project, but that's for another day).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR6-MDQ25LH3DZSQeHrFu-e6Vo6MuEqraVIAtKYlwGVy9jj4Wgpt0wyB_TLDNhaUgjvA1ySQnoceFLECp1i_026WmmplXzgwwMSckMGV2nO_EjEFDAFTMiw9c3kIbg_Vd-LKe26NFmA_j/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR6-MDQ25LH3DZSQeHrFu-e6Vo6MuEqraVIAtKYlwGVy9jj4Wgpt0wyB_TLDNhaUgjvA1ySQnoceFLECp1i_026WmmplXzgwwMSckMGV2nO_EjEFDAFTMiw9c3kIbg_Vd-LKe26NFmA_j/s400/IMG_1362.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL copying CW.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdOj65FjKlx_HX9Rv_bupIX9YjMsfNmA2z_gLvYQB2IU40i8sRnH8FlW-A431fU3N1JpkSULbhjfnrqT3zFwQHK1gxSJy0ENq1-IVMh0tL9g1qcEael63qdNksOJ0j_o3cItborO1SDNX/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdOj65FjKlx_HX9Rv_bupIX9YjMsfNmA2z_gLvYQB2IU40i8sRnH8FlW-A431fU3N1JpkSULbhjfnrqT3zFwQHK1gxSJy0ENq1-IVMh0tL9g1qcEael63qdNksOJ0j_o3cItborO1SDNX/s400/IMG_1363.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL doing fun things with radios.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The 817 did fine. I did manage to self-spot using my iPhone to the spotting network, so that assisted with getting contacts. The first night I managed to get four contacts. But I was hungry, so I decided to pack up and make dinner with my lovely XYL. After dinner we enjoyed the campfire and retired to the tent for a good night's sleep.<br />
<br />
The next morning (but still the same "UTC day") I finished up the activation. I needed six more contacts. So I fired up the 817 again and got the necessary contacts.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG1_tzaX72It-Y5xp9sVaBSAfHLleslPYfOnxY_EdtDfqmrU-gWuCvYo19urdvqu3QLqF4MELuJ-W7PLBSXA71LU3uID9nHnJhtBeAXyf42kjAe4kuTQ1AOi4Tto2sxnea98jVaVDYj5k/s1600/Logbook+Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG1_tzaX72It-Y5xp9sVaBSAfHLleslPYfOnxY_EdtDfqmrU-gWuCvYo19urdvqu3QLqF4MELuJ-W7PLBSXA71LU3uID9nHnJhtBeAXyf42kjAe4kuTQ1AOi4Tto2sxnea98jVaVDYj5k/s400/Logbook+Capture.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen capture of my electronic logbook.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Overall it was a good activation. I'm continually surprised at how well portable & QRP ham radio can do. But sometimes it's really a challenge, too. It took a good bit of time to get the necessary 10 NPOTA Chasers to make this activation count. Meanwhile the XYL headed out to do a solo hike. I then gladly packed up the site and our adventure came to a close.<br />
<br />
Thanks, Chasers!<br />
73.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-88204769975478907912016-04-30T12:13:00.000-04:002016-04-30T12:14:28.335-04:00N0PCL using LOTWI have been away from the blog of late but I have a few posts in the hopper, so expect some more interesting things to read soon.<br />
<br />
I've been operating more or less daily, generally operating from 40-15 meters CW and SSB. I've actually had some pretty good DX contacts of late: Cyprus, Bahrain, American Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago, Sable Island, New Zealand. Unsurprisingly, most of these contacts have been on CW, which does better than phone most of the time.<br />
<br />
I also did a National Parks On The Air (NPOTA) activation in Prince William Forest Park, a forested piece of land north the Quantico Marine Base in northern Virginia. I have an upcoming post on that.<br />
<br />
I've also activated a couple of SOTA peaks, too.<br />
<br />
My latest amateur radio project has been making my station Logbook Of The World-capable, by basically moving the QSO records from my various logbooks (paper logs, and an Excel spreadsheet I've been using for my home QTH log) to a logging program on my computer, and then uploading to LOTW. I was going to delay this action until I could upgrade my computer so that it better complements my radio (a stunningly wonderful Elecraft K3S). My plan was to get a computer that was capable of operating on all digital modes, doing rig control, and also being the engine of a panadaptor for the K3S.<br />
<br />
I decided against waiting for the new computer, though. So I did a quick Google Search of a LOTW-capable freeware logging program. The top result was WinLog32. It's pretty good--and you can't beat the price--basically free. It is somewhat finicky in certain areas and isn't perfect, but once you figure out how the software acts, it does just fine.<br />
<br />
So I uploaded my home QTH QSOs to WinLog32, and then subsequently uploaded to LOTW. LOTW is pretty slick, too. You get nearly instantaneous conformations of contacts, provided the station you contacted is using LOTW as well. My LOTW results from home for Worked All States (WAS) and DX Century Club (DXCC) are below.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y62wCHHCFjP-vcc0uoG_bBag4wycZ5zWh9XsJUjFqLqqnXKC-Buyd-XGgEhw8p2-exHf_rFH_H68ILwXvYzrilapsUw70dEyFZmgBm3chGzxFP5bxErCb4pfca3waDEMFO0iI6x9QLRs/s1600/WAS+to+date.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y62wCHHCFjP-vcc0uoG_bBag4wycZ5zWh9XsJUjFqLqqnXKC-Buyd-XGgEhw8p2-exHf_rFH_H68ILwXvYzrilapsUw70dEyFZmgBm3chGzxFP5bxErCb4pfca3waDEMFO0iI6x9QLRs/s1600/WAS+to+date.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worked All States results via LOTW thus far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56za5cn5qFI9jmO37h519EtCe6ORCFmtdUPsNzeg6NUylKYDI_YXLk6hZE-_lJszpRLNB6PbQmUNBACtCK3_P77ELlWnqaIKu7woIA84hXMDQsdV1kSFdd23yWZxLEOO9QwgpAzQ0SVbA/s1600/DXCC+to+date.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56za5cn5qFI9jmO37h519EtCe6ORCFmtdUPsNzeg6NUylKYDI_YXLk6hZE-_lJszpRLNB6PbQmUNBACtCK3_P77ELlWnqaIKu7woIA84hXMDQsdV1kSFdd23yWZxLEOO9QwgpAzQ0SVbA/s1600/DXCC+to+date.PNG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DX Century Club results.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really like LOTW. I like that it's free, because postage can be expensive these days. I do have a nice stack of QSL cards from other stations, and I do like to collect them, but there is so much less hassle with LOTW confirmations than with other methods.<br />
<br />
I also started a small thread on Facebook asking why more people don't use LOTW. One response was that the many no-code licensees on the air these days don't like to use LOTW, basically because they're a bunch of good-for-nothings from 27 MHz. I'm not sure that I agree--I don't see how not having a CW requirement for licensing has anything to do with using LOTW or other computerized methods in amateur radio. Quite the opposite, actually--most the anti-LOTW Luddites are really old-timers that, like always, are reticent to get with the times. And why is everything in amateur radio seemingly related to dropping CW requirements for licensing? I just don't see the connection.<br />
<br />
Right now I'm uploading my paper SOTA logbooks to LOTW, which is somewhat tedious. I typically use the ARRL Minilogs for SOTA, and that's not about to change. They're sturdy, durable, and neat. But I still think it's the right thing to do to upload these QSOs--you never know if somebody wants needs a QSO for their WAS, DXCC, or VHF/UHF Century Club (VUCC) award. But uploading these paper logs is tedious...It's not the number of QSOs, since most of my SOTA activations have perhaps 10-15 QSOs per activation. Rather, the problem is establishing new operating QTHs on each summit registered in LOTW. It's a bit tedious, but I think it's the right thing to do. I'm slowly work through this.<br />
<br />
73 for now. Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-47816275334829082082016-02-11T16:01:00.000-05:002016-02-11T16:09:24.022-05:00SOTA Activations with FM Equipment<br />
For the SOTA Activator, working on FM presents its own challenges, equipment options, and techniques.<br />
<br />
Challenges affecting the FM operator are many. You are generally limited to radio line-of-sight communications. You are often limited to low power levels (5 watts or less, usually). There are some good antennas out there for portable FM operations, but most are not supplied with the handheld radio. There can also be battery limitations (affecting range, power, and life).<br />
<br />
There are basically two ways to deal with these challenges:<br />
<ul>
<li>Equipment</li>
<li>Operator skill</li>
</ul>
First we'll handle the equipment.<br />
<br />
For many, the entry into the ham radio hobby is the purchase of a 2 Meter FM radio. Given how the market is segmented between 160-6 Meter all-band all-mode radios, and the 2-Meter FM & Dual-Band FM radios, this is understandable. I'm not speaking to the wisdom of this, but it's a fact of life.<br />
<br />
This basically means that there's a lot of 2-Meter FM gear out there, and lots of hams with Technician tickets.<br />
<br />
Many newer hams will start out buying one of the very inexpensive Chinese radios (Baofeng, Wouxun, etc.), often for less than $40.00. All I can argue is that you get what you pay for. Some hams like these radios because they're so inexpensive. They're practically disposable--if you break one, lose it, or it fails, it's not a big financial hit to your pocketbook.<br />
<br />
However, these inexpensive radios also have documented spectral purity problems in the transmitter (meaning that they don't transmit clean signals), and often the receivers in them are prone to poor selectivity, which means they have an increased tendency to receive signals you don't want to hear. (This can be particularly annoying on SOTA peaks which have other radio transmission facilities on them.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAUQckPX7JeBarUH2R4tmR9rH1wleR0JxJbwppTJ2AExXcmyJfq-POf356vYrHmlKTG3q3uREc5T1l2rUT_X_YB7DoV1f4yQ4CCNYNXwPEHkk3BFWxsNeV1PvKDPT0BPzB7rVUN51Vw5m/s1600/Mt_Wilson_antenna_farm_winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAUQckPX7JeBarUH2R4tmR9rH1wleR0JxJbwppTJ2AExXcmyJfq-POf356vYrHmlKTG3q3uREc5T1l2rUT_X_YB7DoV1f4yQ4CCNYNXwPEHkk3BFWxsNeV1PvKDPT0BPzB7rVUN51Vw5m/s400/Mt_Wilson_antenna_farm_winter.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antennas can be common on many peaks and can make an unwelcome contribution of radio frequency interference. These antennas are atop Mount Wilson in the range north of Los Angeles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My recommendation? You are looking for a good "starter" 2-meter handheld radio, I recommend buying one of the radios from one of the "big 3" Japanese radio manufacturers: Icom, Kenwood, or Yaesu. Alinco is also a reasonable brand. Why? Because these manufacturers have been building handheld radios expressly for the amateur market for literally decades, and you can't replicate that experience. These radios are well supported with excellent documentation. They have solid transmitter and receiver characteristics, and, additionally, they are reasonably inexpensive. The <a href="http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-011466" target="_blank">Kenwood TH-K20A</a> is a full-featured 2 Meter handheld radio available for about $140. The <a href="http://www.aesham.com/2m-144-mhz/yaesu-ft-270r/" target="_blank">Yaesu FT-277R</a> is a radio in the same class as the TH-K20A, and it's available for about $130. These are incredibly reasonable prices given the quality of these radios, and the fact that they will likely give you years of reliable service. There are equivalent radios from Icom (for a little more money) and Alinco (for a little less).<br />
<br />
There are other handheld radios which offer APRS capabilities (which can be useful for SOTA spotting as well as allowing chasers to watch your ascent), as well as various digital voice modes. These radios can be a bit more expensive and are probably better for more experienced hams.<br />
<br />
Next, you'll likely find that the supplied "rubber duck" antenna is inadequate for lots of situations. The reason is the fundamental reality that all antennas are a compromise between performance, size, and cost--and you can really only maximize one or two of those variables at a time. Do you desire a small, high performance antenna? You'll probably have to pay a bit for it (either with time or money). But in any case, if you're activating a SOTA peak with only FM gear, I strongly consider purchasing or building a better antenna than the "free" antenna that's supplied with the radio.<br />
<br />
You have a few options that basically break down to homebrewed and purchased antennas, and omnidirectional and directional antennas.<br />
<ul>
<li>Homebrewed omnidirectional antenna: Build a <a href="http://www.essexham.co.uk/slim-jim" target="_blank">2-meter "slim jim" antenna</a>. You can hang this in a tree or from another non-conductive surface and get omnidirectional performance roughly equivalent to that of a vertical dipole or a j-pole, which is several orders of magnitude superior to the supplied antenna.</li>
<li>Purchased omnidirectional antenna: Buy a "slim jim" antenna. There are <a href="http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1730" target="_blank">numerous</a> <a href="http://kb3kai.com/j-pole" target="_blank">manufacturers </a>of these antennas. Alternatively, you can buy a telescoping 2 Meter 1/2 wave whip antenna. (I use <a href="http://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/14686.htm" target="_blank">one</a>, from <a href="http://www.smileyantenna.com/" target="_blank">Smiley Antenna Company</a>.) You can purchase a 1/4 wave or a 5/8 wave antenna, but 1/2 wave antennas usually outperform these.</li>
<li>Homebrewed directional antenna: Build a <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Tape-Measure-Antenna/" target="_blank">tape-measure antenna</a>. </li>
<li>Purchased directional antenna: There are really two portable options in this area: An <a href="http://www.arrowantennas.com/" target="_blank">Arrow Antenna</a> or an <a href="http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamants/4723.html" target="_blank">Elk Antenna</a>.</li>
</ul>
Get an appropriate length of cable, and possibly an SMA-to-BNC adapter (if needed), and you're in good shape. Consider purchasing an additional battery pack and you're well-equipped for 2-Meter FM work from a summit.<br />
<br />
Now, we'll tackle operating skill.<br />
<br />
You can have a successful summit activation using only FM. You chances will be greatly improved if you do the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Let other hams know that you're going to activate a particular peak. Tell them when, and where. You can let other hams in your local area know you're going to do an activation, and hopefully they will monitor the frequencies you'll be working on. Additionally, you can post an <a href="http://sotawatch.org/alerts.php" target="_blank">Alert </a>to SOTAWatch so that other hams in the area of the activation will be able to listen for you.</li>
<li>Self-spot. Hopefully the activation location will allow you to self-spot to SOTAWatch so that other hams will be able to know of your activation in real time. There are several techniques for this. You can use the APRS2SOTA or the SMS2SOTA gateways, use an app on your smart phone, or alternatively, you can ask a local ham that's SOTA-savvy to spot on your behalf.</li>
<li>If you're going to activate using only FM, it's best to activate a peak in an area with lots of FM activity. Peaks near major metropolitan areas (like Los Angeles, for example) lend themselves to this. Additionally, activating during a VHF contest can be helpful. (Just make sure you note your maidenhead locator that the peak is in!) Operating during an ARRL Field Day can also a be a great opportunity for this.</li>
<li>Pick a good band. If I'm doing an FM-only activation, odds are that I will be most successful making QSOs on 2 Meters. That band is just used more often than 6 meters, 1.25 meters, 70 centimeters, 33 centimeters, or 23 centimeters. I have made FM QSOs on 6, 1.25 meters, and 70 centimeters, but 2 meter FM QSOs outnumber these by many orders of magnitude. </li>
<li>Pick a good frequency. I almost always use national calling frequencies. For 2 meters, it's 146.52. (Other FM calling frequencies are: 52.525, 223.5, 446.0, and 1294.5 MHz. The 33 centimeter band doesn't have a <i>national</i> calling frequency, but there are local frequencies that are sometimes used on this rarely-used band). If 146.52 is busy, I sometimes use 146.55 or 146.58, but they have fewer stations monitoring them. Remember, if communicating for a SOTA activation, you can only count QSOs that are simplex. (Ok, technically you can also use satellites, but these are almost never used.) I also frequently monitor 146.52 at home while I'm having fun on HF, in case somebody would like to have a VHF FM QSO.</li>
<li>Pick a good time to activate. Generally, activating on a weekend or some federal holidays is better than activating during the work week. If you must activate during a work week, activating during commuting times often is good because numerous mobile stations are equipped with FM gear. Lunch time is also good. Activating at night usually doesn't work well.</li>
<li>If you're having trouble with getting the required 4 QSOs to earn points for a SOTA activation, you can attempt to make contact with a station on a local well-used repeater, and then QSY to a simplex frequency to make the required contacts. This, of course, requires that you know how to use your radio (including frequency entry, and possibly use of CTCSS or "PL" tones, or rarely, Digital Coded Squelch (DCS). You should also know the repeaters in the locale of your activation so you have some options. The ARRL repeater director is a great resource for this. There are also numerous smartphone apps that can assist with finding repeaters.</li>
<li>Your specific location on a peak can make a huge difference in how well your signal is communicated. If you're having trouble getting the necessary QSOs on one side of a summit activation zone, try moving to a different location. A small shift of a few dozen feet can sometimes greatly affect the radio line-of-sight and therefore enhance (or degrade) communications.</li>
<li>Most FM operators have their squelch adjusted so that you only hear stations that manage to break through the static. This is fine, but sometimes you can hear weaker stations if you decide to cope with the static by reducing the squelch. Some radios have a button which cancels the effect of the squelch temporarily. Consider these options. </li>
<li>Keep your contacts short, and be persistent. Normal FM operating procedures apply, but don't hesitate to let people know that you're activating a SOTA peak. When announcing your presence on a frequency, you could say something like this: "This is N0PCL, November Zero Papa Charlie Lima for a Summits On the Air Activation atop Mount Wilson. Is there anybody listening?" Calling "CQ" is generally frowned upon using FM. Bob, K0NR, has written an excellent <a href="http://www.k0nr.com/wordpress/my-articles/fmvhf-operating-guide/" target="_blank">FM operating guide</a> for the new ham.</li>
<li>Don't forget to write down the date, time callsign, frequency, and signal report for each contact, and then log those contacts on <a href="http://sotadata.org.uk/" target="_blank">SOTAData</a>.</li>
</ul>
That's basically it. If you have a portable FM rig, you <i>can</i> have a successful SOTA activation, but you need to make sure that you are properly equipped and make use of appropriate techniques.<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-2667255252501140072016-01-31T14:21:00.002-05:002016-01-31T14:23:31.199-05:002016 Ham Radio Goals and January RetrospectiveI've been doing some thinking about the kinds of goals I want for 2016, including my ham radio goals. I dislike using the term "resolution." "Goal" is a bit more apt for the situation.<br />
<br />
So, here they are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Get on the air with HF digital communications (especially PSK-31, WSJT, SSTV, Feld-Hell, etc.)</li>
<li>Earn my WAS award from my home QTH in northern Virginia</li>
<li>Integrate a rig control program and a panadaptor to my Elecraft K3S</li>
<li>Get to 850 SOTA activation points (I'm currently sitting at 690). So, earn 160 points.</li>
<li>Generally, on days when I'm at home (not traveling), have at least one QSO per day. I've been good with this thus far this year. </li>
</ul>
It has been a good January for ham radio. I've installed a CC&R friendly antenna (A W1AB Killer Antenna installed into a tree--it's basically a 40 meter ground plane fed with 450-ohm ladder line and a balun near the transceiver and antenna tuner.) I've had about 150 QSOs on both SSB and CW with 36 DXCC entities (to non-hams, read "countries") and 34 US states. It's been great fun and a good challenge. Getting those last 16 states should be pretty easy once I start doing digital modes. Incidentally, I've really enjoyed working in the DX window of 80 meters (3.79-3.8 MHz.) The W1AB Killer Antenna loads up just fine on that band and has given me some great results. (Loading it on 160 meters has been a bridge too far so far. I think I need to improve the counterpoise for that, and even if I did, it would be very inefficient, but still fun.)<br />
<br />
I love this hobby.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-34388323439817094622016-01-11T20:25:00.001-05:002016-01-11T20:25:20.944-05:00NAQP Contesting BlegThe CW portion of the <a href="http://ncjweb.com/naqp/">North American QSO Party</a> (NAQP) happened this past weekend. I'm not really a contester, but I will be happy to generally jump into the contesting fray so I can work a few new stations or try my hand at some different modes.<br />
<br />
The object of the NAQP, of course, is to work as many stations as possible using CW on a range of bands over a given time period. There are multipliers for the states and provinces, etc. Normal amateur radio contesting stuff. But what constitutes a contact? Well, two way communications between stations that manage to exchange some given information with each other. For North American stations in the NAQP, that basically meant I had to send my name and state. Easy enough.<br />
<br />
But I guess that people have a tough time understanding my name in CW.<br />
<br />
My name is Nate. Or, Dah-dit---di-dah---dah---dit.<br />
<br />
That sounds remarkably like "NAME" in CW. Dah-dit---di-dah---dah-DAH---dit.<br />
<br />
The extra DAH added for emphasis. One little CW sound is enough to confuse the living $%#@ out of about 80% of the other operators. It led to a lot of "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTcRRaXV-fg" target="_blank">Who's on First?</a>" moments.<br />
<br />
Ultimately I had to settle on sending, "name es nate," which was still enough to confuse people.<br />
<br />
Maybe I should just pick another name. Like Jebediah or something. Di-dah-dah-dah---dit---dah-di-di-dit---dit---dah-di-dit---di-dit---di-dah---di-di-di-dit.<br />
<br />
Ok. Bleg is over.<br />
<br />
The Phone portion should be easier. November-Alpha-Tango-Echo. Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-91163105814951566722016-01-09T17:42:00.001-05:002016-01-09T17:44:14.404-05:00New Elecraft K3SAs you can probably see from the <a href="http://n0pcl.blogspot.com/2015/12/look-at-new-book-ill-be-reading.html">previous post</a>, I am now the proud owner of an Elecraft K3S (Serial number: 10556). Construction was a snap, with only two small hiccups:<br />
<ul>
<li>The kit was short two #2 washers, which unfortunately are needed almost immediately upon starting construction. After emailing Elecraft, they rapidly sent me the necessary washers and construction proceeded.</li>
<li>Using a computer to calibrate the Transmitter Gain settings is the preferred method. I connected the computer using the USB cable (instead of the RS-232). I couldn't get the computer to recognize the K3S, though, until I found a K3S menu setting which sets the USB port as the default port for computer communication (vice the RS-232 serial port.) This was not mentioned in the calibration instructions in the Owner's Manual, nor was it mentioned in the Assembly Manual. Once that menu setting was adjusted, calibration was rapid and simple!</li>
</ul>
Construction was also lots of fun. I didn't keep track of how long it took, but I guess that it took maybe 12 hours. This time includes the installation of numerous additional options. In fact, the only additional options I didn't get were the subreceiver option and internal two-meter transverter option. I plan on adding those later.<br />
<br />
My next challenge will be to make an antenna system commensurate with the formidable K3S receiver. At the moment I have only a 20 meter dipole hung in the attic, and an end-fed wire with an EARCHI UnUn hanging from the window to a tree. The dipole favors stations in the Caribbean and the southern part of Africa. I haven't figured out the radiation pattern of the wire, since wire antennas can exhibit some intense lobes and nulls when you load them on non-resonant frequencies (the K3S internal tuner can load this antenna on 80-6 meters).<br />
<br />
I'm also learning that I have to find a way to cope with ambient noise levels in the suburban development, too. So that's a challenge, to say nothing of dealing with the local CC&Rs. The ambient noise levels tend to be S5ish.<br />
<br />
Right now I'm investigating whether I can install a "W1AB Killer Antenna", which is basically an elevated ground plane that is fed with balanced line through a balun (in order to keep feed line losses low).<br />
<br />
Even with the very compromised antennas, I've had decent DX. Aruba, Bonaire, Brazil, Haiti, Spain (on 75 meters phone!), Slovenia, Cayman Islands, and others. Not bad for a few days of casual radio fun.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02G73c5SET-lNh5hBs3X9cCf-6vfWffZZOvfkLxCilt3988mK-lbsj8N_tQbQ8RvzKdmnFn6tW5WInXnijs9K8na46JuIpPu5Yii_Yv3UPFCxQmCwys8WXRAvyj4rBzKY0Lz16SqrNa2W/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02G73c5SET-lNh5hBs3X9cCf-6vfWffZZOvfkLxCilt3988mK-lbsj8N_tQbQ8RvzKdmnFn6tW5WInXnijs9K8na46JuIpPu5Yii_Yv3UPFCxQmCwys8WXRAvyj4rBzKY0Lz16SqrNa2W/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The K3S beauty! The key is a Kent Twin Paddle (a gift from the XYL). The straight key is just a plastic Aamco key (which works fine, thanks.) For phone, I'm using the Heil Pro-3 matching headset, which I also really like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-62993505323373867252015-12-20T16:33:00.002-05:002015-12-20T16:34:53.386-05:00Look at the new book I'll be reading!Should be a real page-turner!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9fDAP6HOJ7M-xWBg5q1NcOvixoEsECjtfZ-ECqjws9yWjA-6MChA5sfsir_YciBNBq90D9cCMS51HzuPzCqcdDpG3jQK60lhUJUx7TgKZFsTdIPhXjMqRK7rXGtqqsnReu8nK-majt1B/s1600/image+k3+manual.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9fDAP6HOJ7M-xWBg5q1NcOvixoEsECjtfZ-ECqjws9yWjA-6MChA5sfsir_YciBNBq90D9cCMS51HzuPzCqcdDpG3jQK60lhUJUx7TgKZFsTdIPhXjMqRK7rXGtqqsnReu8nK-majt1B/s400/image+k3+manual.jpeg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-57815291257668633522015-11-15T18:29:00.000-05:002015-11-15T18:29:42.014-05:00Activation Report for Mt. Baden-Powell (W6/CT-004) and Table Mountain (W6/CT-067)With my work-related trip in California continuing, every weekend brings another opportunity to activate another SOTA peak or two. This weekend has been no exception. So, yesterday I activated <a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W6/CT-004" target="_blank">Mt. Baden-Powell</a> (W6/CT-004) and <a href="http://sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W6/CT-067" target="_blank">Table Mountain</a> (W6/CT-067), both located in the Angeles National Forest.<br />
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A side note: Hwy 2, the Angeles Crest Highway, has been closed for some time between Vincent Gap and Islip Saddle due to a rock slide. I had previously climbed Baden-Powell and Throop Peak from Dawson Saddle, a point which is no longer reachable by automobile. So this time I made the climb up Baden-Powell from Vincent Gap, an 8-mile round trip hike with about 2800' of elevation gain and loss. The peak reaches an elevation of about 9,400' above mean sea level. Wikipedia article is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Baden-Powell" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Additionally, both hikes require either a National Forest Adventure Pass or an Interagency Pass to park a vehicle. APRS coverage and AT&T 3G data coverage were plentiful at both summits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8dLSHf1PLyGzVPsiyx1149XofZa3rCQTrqhSRF43McYSYHDh4ii4VFQVDTt34ltRQFJvJtjpGiZ_rVlVCeJBWGFqanBlymGEWj3N19XXftaxpIVXSJg-7umQDUr9tDJPcMPRtZdSGVia/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8dLSHf1PLyGzVPsiyx1149XofZa3rCQTrqhSRF43McYSYHDh4ii4VFQVDTt34ltRQFJvJtjpGiZ_rVlVCeJBWGFqanBlymGEWj3N19XXftaxpIVXSJg-7umQDUr9tDJPcMPRtZdSGVia/s400/IMG_1198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign at Vincent Gap.</td></tr>
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The weather couldn't have been more beautiful: Mid-50s, very light winds, and sunny. The Vincent Gap hike is also a lovely approach, with a 41 switchbacks and a very steady 700' per mile gradient. The trail is actually the PCT for most of the hike, and it is very well-marked.<br />
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There were sections of the hike which contained small amounts of snow and a bit of ice, but as long as you're careful, there's no reason to slip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwOTZP4OcgyMoQZ6AziCcyYtBGpVqylo97q777v7y6QyblfPlRAjVB_RUXhumvqYAvTIA3BhSbG-s3AKd57XsmFpZChzeDmD-wPayh1bf8wnSDRXjRlcKFSuBDbVTMZZfo-RYmiA5RA0o/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwOTZP4OcgyMoQZ6AziCcyYtBGpVqylo97q777v7y6QyblfPlRAjVB_RUXhumvqYAvTIA3BhSbG-s3AKd57XsmFpZChzeDmD-wPayh1bf8wnSDRXjRlcKFSuBDbVTMZZfo-RYmiA5RA0o/s400/IMG_1201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snow started to appear at about switchback #13 of 41. I counted the switchbacks as I climbed. One of the things I really like about the Angeles National Forest is the lack of underbrush. I think this is due to the acidity of the soil.</td></tr>
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The trail is on the north-facing slope, and it's well-shaded providing a cool climbing environment. Though the switchbacks seemed tedious, they are helpful, as the pitch of the north slope is pretty steep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxMz2N4Jb6SowpP86zrplktLBin-A-m4ajoLwize_x2m-z-BasSzRy8c3KNwX7neQuQHdHoYvdE-naMvYv0E8ft7V1bncCM2NDr3a_TkZntKn07RSLVgfJw6uaXAXoDf2WN_3D8BVYvsb/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxMz2N4Jb6SowpP86zrplktLBin-A-m4ajoLwize_x2m-z-BasSzRy8c3KNwX7neQuQHdHoYvdE-naMvYv0E8ft7V1bncCM2NDr3a_TkZntKn07RSLVgfJw6uaXAXoDf2WN_3D8BVYvsb/s400/IMG_1203.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking west at switchback #25. It's steep.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTj_wE-tjgIBS4fxsG6n1wuy7JPjpPgR-ZbNqJ_musumXSe14Onoxu8j1Q2fQVo31VfaK6fAJOFwFvdqJi9rCVH4RId6eIzld8VNc0nncLSKY1iGJSlH51QLEsSL0w1A54ik4Nn3WjgDu/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTj_wE-tjgIBS4fxsG6n1wuy7JPjpPgR-ZbNqJ_musumXSe14Onoxu8j1Q2fQVo31VfaK6fAJOFwFvdqJi9rCVH4RId6eIzld8VNc0nncLSKY1iGJSlH51QLEsSL0w1A54ik4Nn3WjgDu/s400/IMG_1205.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After switchback #38 you reach a section that's pretty flat. The destination is the hill straight ahead. The PCT splits off just ahead and continues down to the right.</td></tr>
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There were few other hikers out. I saw perhaps a dozen other climbers.<br />
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Mt. Baden-Powell is, of course, named for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Baden-Powell,_1st_Baron_Baden-Powell" target="_blank">Lieutenant General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Merit" target="_blank">OM</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St_Michael_and_St_George" target="_blank">GCMG</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Victorian_Order" target="_blank">GCVO</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Bath" target="_blank">KCB</a>. Or you can just call him Lord Baden-Powell. He was a Lieutenant General in the British Army, a writer, and founder of the Scout Movement.<br />
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At the summit you will find an obelisk dedicated to Baden-Powell and a USGS survey marker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AIfJea7efwjWW8WxiraL7Uvj1KNPie0agedruUyGxbsRVKFq0-nFEOScslPYr6_QWFYmBWaXkDH-310EMJgjsvNBoNO7YrfGuVDiX_8xBJeGxdKJXQYm-5EenXBsGTJFD2DMJEQbwRbg/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AIfJea7efwjWW8WxiraL7Uvj1KNPie0agedruUyGxbsRVKFq0-nFEOScslPYr6_QWFYmBWaXkDH-310EMJgjsvNBoNO7YrfGuVDiX_8xBJeGxdKJXQYm-5EenXBsGTJFD2DMJEQbwRbg/s400/IMG_1207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking north. I would have hated to be the mule that carried all that concrete up the mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H9gC5uOUvlxrlPsWgCNXnX2WDLKphJgejBpXAQyKxhjPcveD7T4oY6RztvBqfR2zG1oPkHUwvVijR2cjxp7qcwSkYM-_NuZNC0FAbpRJJIUZdNnAzqhX_5trj1PgDH2pEF4QAfUJEiKL/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H9gC5uOUvlxrlPsWgCNXnX2WDLKphJgejBpXAQyKxhjPcveD7T4oY6RztvBqfR2zG1oPkHUwvVijR2cjxp7qcwSkYM-_NuZNC0FAbpRJJIUZdNnAzqhX_5trj1PgDH2pEF4QAfUJEiKL/s400/IMG_1215.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the plaques on the obelisk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XOeY7uNy-1_gUHRR0TBdmGmUzKWln2oguZAsoV8ou3x_Qw6hH8Is8QR1m0b0Q09e-1jlJM0LwwfV0zl962594gY0n3WeOrtpWbDg1AbFDSOkOc5VGshkUgm2lSa-wZsq4EZPDLhuLDAu/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XOeY7uNy-1_gUHRR0TBdmGmUzKWln2oguZAsoV8ou3x_Qw6hH8Is8QR1m0b0Q09e-1jlJM0LwwfV0zl962594gY0n3WeOrtpWbDg1AbFDSOkOc5VGshkUgm2lSa-wZsq4EZPDLhuLDAu/s400/IMG_1216.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another plaque.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxCJJOSxkmSkB7FxAWKGFeNWkIfOi16TBhSSVKhkrbWSeRZLE0V6DIqOezBWRZ9ubaJNSVJePV0vzEvXbuQ23oG1E_QJLCrLdDlcHe0gkWUbpx6o2N27Djm264CkKskJi9bxzrXUOH8Xw/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxCJJOSxkmSkB7FxAWKGFeNWkIfOi16TBhSSVKhkrbWSeRZLE0V6DIqOezBWRZ9ubaJNSVJePV0vzEvXbuQ23oG1E_QJLCrLdDlcHe0gkWUbpx6o2N27Djm264CkKskJi9bxzrXUOH8Xw/s400/IMG_1217.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another another plaque.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0VBjSoG-in2CuV5Y6wj_WVS9NQ-Q4UsXIsJ2UWFUtvp-CQVHMqqTaJInVH80hIxDBl293treFrNc4r3EV0-mW2lMXV8XzoB4J0fxWoyJQ7p44aaF5Z0VK9dIlB2WJ0f2S9DBWwIJM4_l/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0VBjSoG-in2CuV5Y6wj_WVS9NQ-Q4UsXIsJ2UWFUtvp-CQVHMqqTaJInVH80hIxDBl293treFrNc4r3EV0-mW2lMXV8XzoB4J0fxWoyJQ7p44aaF5Z0VK9dIlB2WJ0f2S9DBWwIJM4_l/s400/IMG_1218.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another another another plaque.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not another plaque. This is the survey marker. My XYL loves to find these.</td></tr>
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I signed the register and, in the register, I dedicated this SOTA activation to the victims of the recent violence perpetrated by Daesh in Paris. I know it won't help to aleviate the suffering, nor will it rid the world of Daesh, but hell, every one of the victims deserves a bit of a remembrance. And Daesh delenda est.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcCx2aMpZ8tyv_t1RAsxXVKE768FyC3-wf81WSVz9X652qnxDtEPR1g4NxiVq6mWZFdFNyTOiGWMtDUp8fVEUY1Xe3PEIgRjBADVQFA8Nbua2EWJQu3RodtEBAblJl3f5ly955delgN4u/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcCx2aMpZ8tyv_t1RAsxXVKE768FyC3-wf81WSVz9X652qnxDtEPR1g4NxiVq6mWZFdFNyTOiGWMtDUp8fVEUY1Xe3PEIgRjBADVQFA8Nbua2EWJQu3RodtEBAblJl3f5ly955delgN4u/s400/IMG_1219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I found an area with some trees on the summit and set up for SOTA work. The bands weren't in great shape, nor were they awful. They were just fine. The A index was a touch high at 14. K index was 2.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMVbFxRceM8D9lYqQCfr6UEC9AY9KDDOQRS1jPBECf5hK28n4tQNQ2g5XtHbioi9_7FX71MEODw2k6JgoDORhlaYLpwDovUhDwIqTQ6677SJBYcB_-5TDgcHjcmjUIXccLN1Z6qip5Dr9/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMVbFxRceM8D9lYqQCfr6UEC9AY9KDDOQRS1jPBECf5hK28n4tQNQ2g5XtHbioi9_7FX71MEODw2k6JgoDORhlaYLpwDovUhDwIqTQ6677SJBYcB_-5TDgcHjcmjUIXccLN1Z6qip5Dr9/s400/IMG_1213.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My setup just before deploying my antenna. My homemade UNUN is in the black box to the immediate left of the FT-817ND. PB sandwich at the ready, too.</td></tr>
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It was a good activation. I used several HF bands, using both SSB and CW. I then switched over to 50.2 MHz SSB and made a contact (almost two, actually. KK6QMS tried to make it work. I could hear him, but he couldn't hear me.) I then switched to 223.5 MHz and 446.0 MHz and made contacts on each of those bands too. It's fun to use some of the lesser-used real estate in our allocations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Juea7f1K7Cc1mdftxJFM8ZSyrwOgOGFTD70tWjJ2HRWV9V-_zwI92X1QlqELxGJBXXeWhhCRUAvxDCQmEUOZAgemVBYyGYgSCV5USSbRaRpr54D6S9LkLIPabBiNCuyURcwnitmlk6Hs/s1600/Baden-Powell+Log.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Juea7f1K7Cc1mdftxJFM8ZSyrwOgOGFTD70tWjJ2HRWV9V-_zwI92X1QlqELxGJBXXeWhhCRUAvxDCQmEUOZAgemVBYyGYgSCV5USSbRaRpr54D6S9LkLIPabBiNCuyURcwnitmlk6Hs/s400/Baden-Powell+Log.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My SOTA logbook from the Baden-Powell activation.</td></tr>
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After packing up I contemplated heading to Throop Peak (W6/CT-005), but given the amount of daylight left, I decided against that. Instead I headed back down to Vincent Gap.<br />
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After reaching Vincent Gap I headed back toward the town of Wrightwood, outside which is the Table Mountain camping and ski area. Table Mountain (W6/CT-067) is essentially a drive-up peak, but government installation precludes making the final approach by any means except by foot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3UFwLXzx4vxvS5-A13hX77ZZdhPoXIomTGmq0azwPlT7vmeZwPX45zYteEanazeCYZqlVAUn0dvDIARbkx2GoXqSIw379VyV2tpDSkCwrbvFQUvzenG83V1SXtKw1JQLljxXWY8D_L6o/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3UFwLXzx4vxvS5-A13hX77ZZdhPoXIomTGmq0azwPlT7vmeZwPX45zYteEanazeCYZqlVAUn0dvDIARbkx2GoXqSIw379VyV2tpDSkCwrbvFQUvzenG83V1SXtKw1JQLljxXWY8D_L6o/s400/IMG_1220.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign which keeps SOTA activators honest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkmWQ6jOlRJpgb7CYh-q1dZeLXGrKw2axm3vQwQB4VQHdU2dy1xlFWhX1eI748GpBgMxoTgSCrQxn8JGJiOU7mwfjyvwr6v7-ZWYlehFaC101QQMm3WZBIuDwmYlipARMudRdhmfQlV5_/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkmWQ6jOlRJpgb7CYh-q1dZeLXGrKw2axm3vQwQB4VQHdU2dy1xlFWhX1eI748GpBgMxoTgSCrQxn8JGJiOU7mwfjyvwr6v7-ZWYlehFaC101QQMm3WZBIuDwmYlipARMudRdhmfQlV5_/s400/IMG_1221.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road to the summit.</td></tr>
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It was about 1600 local time, which meant that it was actually 0000z, when I started operating. Indeed, a new day had dawned!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-Hv2fN2PMK7ydvZr_X_5m2ICfX3dqIn025R3qz1tukcg2tOcy_eYXhYyzHw2cRdjl0PqBUaEMxqjOPFnKKjfsENbUMt5mCORS6IAgz18mtQ1l1qjYihEYAau80n3ptN3F8zG9Hiw8dtA/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-Hv2fN2PMK7ydvZr_X_5m2ICfX3dqIn025R3qz1tukcg2tOcy_eYXhYyzHw2cRdjl0PqBUaEMxqjOPFnKKjfsENbUMt5mCORS6IAgz18mtQ1l1qjYihEYAau80n3ptN3F8zG9Hiw8dtA/s400/IMG_1222.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My operating position at Table Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This time I put out extra radials and slung my wire as vertically as possible into a tree. I was trying to make the antenna as good as possible to increase the likelihood that I would be able to get it to load up on 80 or 75 meters. <br />
<br />
The sun was setting and there was a definite chill in the air. I put on a fleece cap and started to operate.<br />
<br />
I managed to get the antenna to work on 75 meter SSB, but 80 meters proved to be too much for my little tuner to handle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKoE4ak0F0mYasowQAxxee83xPjAEkN9oj05itB0ayyayWGHPWsH6m1T3gr_dLjcl3SHzrE0nhBJmdIPKz7uN4EWqDtsrt-UFSSg6UH5XMeyyulWjvOfauWdCmSCdS-qU3N86UW5_t4Rg/s1600/Table+Mountain+Log.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKoE4ak0F0mYasowQAxxee83xPjAEkN9oj05itB0ayyayWGHPWsH6m1T3gr_dLjcl3SHzrE0nhBJmdIPKz7uN4EWqDtsrt-UFSSg6UH5XMeyyulWjvOfauWdCmSCdS-qU3N86UW5_t4Rg/s400/Table+Mountain+Log.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks, NG6R.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I then packed up and drove back to the hotel.<br />
<br />
Overall it was a great day. I earned another 16 activation points, experienced a great deal of beautiful California scenery, and put some miles under my feet. I also made some contacts on some unusual bands, which is always a bit of a joy.<br />
<br />
I appreciate all the help, chasers. 73. And Vive la France!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-3522905628137675082015-11-15T13:23:00.004-05:002015-11-15T13:25:37.730-05:00Activation of Thomas Mountain (W6/CT-016) and Failed Activation of Lookout Mountain (W6/CT-104)This past Veterans Day I took the occasion to try to activate some peaks. Of all the efforts, the only one that panned out was <a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W6/CT-016" target="_blank">Thomas Mountain (W6/CT-016)</a>.<br />
<br />
Here's the story.<br />
<br />
Left the hotel in Carlsbad in the morning and drove to <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/thomas-mountain/763695" target="_blank">Thomas Mountain</a>. This peak can be done as largely a drive-up, or it can be climbed via the Ramona Trail. I drove up due to time constraints.<br />
<br />
Getting there is easy. Get to the intersection of highway 74 and Forest Route 5S13. You'll see a nice sign directing you toward Thomas Mountain. Follow the signs to a dirt road, and follow it up. I've driven the road in my jeep in years past, and it was obviously just fine. This time I drove it with a rental car, and it did OK, but it required a some careful driving to ensure that the bottom of the vehicle didn't make contact with the ground in some rougher stretches of road.<br />
<br />
Once you get to Thomas Mountain Campground, you should notice a dirt road heading up and to the left. This road leads to additional camp sites and the summit. I recommend parking you car here and hiking up in order to make the activation legal (as the final approach to the summit must be on foot).<br />
<br />
It was a bit chilly at the top, perhaps 40 degrees Fahrenheit with a stiff wind from the north. After taking a quick survey of the summit for a location to set up and to sling my wire antenna, I got to operating. I found a large boulder near the summit which provided some shelter from the wind. I unpacked by backpack and started operating.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMV4lzr0SQdjG0jLdMjXJsF24vdXHxq7LFTEXvS-QGQMCe_tWANtuYg2llLuq7DATLZDq0U4Oib8NUBSXUC6jO-jkhSSgfysbeww2f5Ukg3SQrukABmSB4kwWedJsT9D4l5h9k486e4_B/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMV4lzr0SQdjG0jLdMjXJsF24vdXHxq7LFTEXvS-QGQMCe_tWANtuYg2llLuq7DATLZDq0U4Oib8NUBSXUC6jO-jkhSSgfysbeww2f5Ukg3SQrukABmSB4kwWedJsT9D4l5h9k486e4_B/s400/IMG_1184.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My operating position near the boulder in the midst of setting up. It was much colder than it looks here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnnDcH5t1EM9kwdWw_ADwG0A9T24h1rGQKCqYw1dqYQW5k6dkZgP3EJnl4E7oKpY8ogAzn-2k2TbASAikJkg-MBUJ6bphFfA2Znnhes3YoW71wVgh0Kq3ywwCM3s5PWd3mLoOUqi7g3K6/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnnDcH5t1EM9kwdWw_ADwG0A9T24h1rGQKCqYw1dqYQW5k6dkZgP3EJnl4E7oKpY8ogAzn-2k2TbASAikJkg-MBUJ6bphFfA2Znnhes3YoW71wVgh0Kq3ywwCM3s5PWd3mLoOUqi7g3K6/s400/IMG_1183.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice had formed on the pine trees on the summit, but it was warm enough and windy enough that these icicles would fall every so often. So watch your head. Also, one of the things I love about California peaks is how blue the sky can be.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a good day for SOTA, although was told over by other stations that propagation conditions were poor. They weren't poor to me! 10 Meters hasn't been good in a long time but I still managed to make a couple contacts there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfkinp-Cc6REry-hhmVxUmP6IA64aTyFOhDvhbmXy4Ms2IIpikwel-JOV06SMTtMSj_-X6bjfIIRv3dlh8EaJ5oHqRrTMHxQPBTAFFhf3byM2TfiZ0ZKOw4P0cKPVq0Gjy5NpX10UA3OH/s1600/Thomas+Mountain+Logbook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfkinp-Cc6REry-hhmVxUmP6IA64aTyFOhDvhbmXy4Ms2IIpikwel-JOV06SMTtMSj_-X6bjfIIRv3dlh8EaJ5oHqRrTMHxQPBTAFFhf3byM2TfiZ0ZKOw4P0cKPVq0Gjy5NpX10UA3OH/s400/Thomas+Mountain+Logbook.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Mountain Logbook. 21 QSOs in 70 minutes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As usual, I also attempted to make contacts on 6 meters, 1.25 meters, and 70 centimeters. And as usual, no takers there. It's always worth a shot, though, and I like to use some of the lesser-used real estate on the band plan.<br />
<br />
Thomas Mountain really is a beautiful area. The crisp smells, the trees, and the views all mix to make just a lovely spot on the earth. I think it could actually make a really interesting Field Day site, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXiPfULiZCoYUrr4qLooqYQdHK6_-H9OUiLpCEt30_GanjfkGFSdxtHLwPVs4aCzvt3h6Lrm3MuLSWTlmzIVnLyhG8ZcdhEBCshuMpIFlckDFL7O69iXHndJE_TkoROwCmPtG3l93Ij2l/s1600/IMG_1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXiPfULiZCoYUrr4qLooqYQdHK6_-H9OUiLpCEt30_GanjfkGFSdxtHLwPVs4aCzvt3h6Lrm3MuLSWTlmzIVnLyhG8ZcdhEBCshuMpIFlckDFL7O69iXHndJE_TkoROwCmPtG3l93Ij2l/s400/IMG_1185.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking North. The mountain range in the distance is the San Jacinto range. Mt. San Jacinto and Tahquitz Peak are two 8-pointers there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gl9CHwoYSdYwJ9X_o_SGUkKglBKfReFMSVdkVCLMWmaDooO_EgZIPp_07KkYYm6V_X_fWkse16tf-yXCkIRFa0JxHGztM2xJKC7dSrv7FfQg-UYyaKhimds4Vs4RmCiXWH1BvDo61ouT/s1600/IMG_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gl9CHwoYSdYwJ9X_o_SGUkKglBKfReFMSVdkVCLMWmaDooO_EgZIPp_07KkYYm6V_X_fWkse16tf-yXCkIRFa0JxHGztM2xJKC7dSrv7FfQg-UYyaKhimds4Vs4RmCiXWH1BvDo61ouT/s400/IMG_1187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking south. This was the view that I was looking at as I was operating. The peak in the foreground is Cahuilla Mountain. The Palomar range is behind it.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
More about Thomas Mountain: It's named for one of the 49ers. More <a href="http://www.hundredpeaks.org/signatures/29d.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. Also: APRS coverage is plentiful, as is AT&T 3G data services. A National Forest Adventure Pass or an Interagency Pass is required to park a vehicle on Thomas Mountain. The camp site at the summit is great too, with a fire pit, ample space for parking a vehicle, and plenty of room for tents.<br />
<br />
After operating I packed up and headed back to the car for the drive toward <a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W6/CT-104" target="_blank">Lookout Mountain</a> (W6/CT-104).<br />
<br />
I used the traditional Lookout Mountain approach, which is via the PCT. Simply park the car at the intersection of the PCT and highway 74, and start hiking south until you reach the first ridgeline. Turn east, and climb up. There is a well-defined trail, but it can be brushy at time. Anyways, following the trail, you now come across this sign:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRL9xCyF-sWqrVr_iXdLqEyP3S0IswOzJuPWcN8Hv5oexAuzE-a-g-v0023m543BF7i99w24rE8FJs2hmmm7bVvF7fnspoTygDXGV2G8yfJ5CV-rPc_FZdaIYvP0kj3vo_AGIrZQBEsbi0/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRL9xCyF-sWqrVr_iXdLqEyP3S0IswOzJuPWcN8Hv5oexAuzE-a-g-v0023m543BF7i99w24rE8FJs2hmmm7bVvF7fnspoTygDXGV2G8yfJ5CV-rPc_FZdaIYvP0kj3vo_AGIrZQBEsbi0/s400/IMG_1192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a German once said: Scheisse!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, it appears that Lookout Mountain is now off-limits per SOTA rules, unless you somehow get permission from the land owner. Needless to say, I didn't notice <a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/article.php?summit=W6/CT-104&id=15589" target="_blank">KD7WPJ's warning</a> on the SOTA page for Lookout Mountain.<br />
<br />
It was still a very good activation day, and a great way to spend a Veterans day. As a veteran myself, it's great to be able to experience such a beautiful country--a country that's worth fighting for.<br />
<br />
73.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-36093247250164638352015-11-12T21:56:00.001-05:002015-11-12T21:58:18.139-05:00Double Activation Report: Pt 5764 (W6/SD-026) and Middle Peak (W6/SC-024)I'll be spending a large amount of November and December in Southern California doing work-related things. I'd be a fool if I didn't use these work trips as an opportunity to activate a few mountains in SoCal! So, on 7 November (last Saturday), I activated a couple peaks.<br />
<br />
First on the list: Point 5764 (W6/SD-026), an unnamed hill along Sunrise Highway in the Cleveland National Forest on the way to the Laguna Meadows.<br />
<br />
I had never activated this peak before, but a few others have. A Google Map study revealed that there was a nearby parking area (the Pioneer Mail parking area) which would be ideal. Oleh, KD7WPJ's, <a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/article.php?summit=W6/SD-026&id=14055">report </a>said that there was no trail to the summit, though. Gary, ex-KK6GXD (now K6YOA)'s <a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/article.php?summit=W6/SD-026&id=10515">report </a>indicated likewise. But a very close look at the highest-resolution imagery seemed to indicate a slight trail along the spine of the ridge which forms 5764.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkQ6BfPVc6uc39tWAYKD-cg-8mw3ALWLjmCfY_1jxUmdt956Ffv2aUTopCZRB3ALui3U1lRl9wISsFkwLE5UZHK2XRSyJW6FGC5UbZQoTCH-Mk4Fa2-4TKvSYVIOvEdsIUa9CuS3gHMUB/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkQ6BfPVc6uc39tWAYKD-cg-8mw3ALWLjmCfY_1jxUmdt956Ffv2aUTopCZRB3ALui3U1lRl9wISsFkwLE5UZHK2XRSyJW6FGC5UbZQoTCH-Mk4Fa2-4TKvSYVIOvEdsIUa9CuS3gHMUB/s400/IMG_1159.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign by the parking area.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd81KlSc03CHDvpbk8_aYeMqQBDe9HnWa0apP99d5dFJ6HPXvvPNoO4jBy32vYuGF3EJqCQTWqVZGM8mmvTzSiuiKs7rqxf8j3yYwg2CB6eX_8cBW-VfDYwOQvOeMkxXQ_txMzRqTjOMXO/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd81KlSc03CHDvpbk8_aYeMqQBDe9HnWa0apP99d5dFJ6HPXvvPNoO4jBy32vYuGF3EJqCQTWqVZGM8mmvTzSiuiKs7rqxf8j3yYwg2CB6eX_8cBW-VfDYwOQvOeMkxXQ_txMzRqTjOMXO/s400/IMG_1158.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross the Sunrise Highway from the parking area to the Pine Mountain Trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXGSQ1Oo0iVOdBNjVWfQXf63fPtr3TDlQEnTM6owwYn_LCuHWXjcgv-WUObP5NrvZkKKDDstXcKN_gOZ_xOJRAncTlc3i85mvidhk29IRVSN0jwD6Mv6m6ernomGFmzxSLaH0paLvtyQk/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXGSQ1Oo0iVOdBNjVWfQXf63fPtr3TDlQEnTM6owwYn_LCuHWXjcgv-WUObP5NrvZkKKDDstXcKN_gOZ_xOJRAncTlc3i85mvidhk29IRVSN0jwD6Mv6m6ernomGFmzxSLaH0paLvtyQk/s400/IMG_1157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign marking the Pine Mountain trail. Watch out for mountain bikers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My strategy to hike 5764 would therefore be to basically follow KD7WPJ's instructions, but instead of hiking directly to the top, I would hike to the spine of the ridge and then follow the crest of the ridge up. That's precisely what I did.<br />
<br />
Once I hit the spine of the ridge, I noticed a well-worn path leading to the summit, making access much easier. Later, I would follow this path down.<br />
<br />
The summit is marked by an engineer stake pounded into the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqR7_vl_rjTa2sZiHlR4OELzBMdvD_YjO6OaieataZLz2aHGXooGfqNgE0A-vDf2KXiFRINyCxHe6j3kDKy1RhRztyLeXfZ0B0OEzDTtYmlBO1jABSOJ0bt99kwjPxJjeMFTI7auCwZ77/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqR7_vl_rjTa2sZiHlR4OELzBMdvD_YjO6OaieataZLz2aHGXooGfqNgE0A-vDf2KXiFRINyCxHe6j3kDKy1RhRztyLeXfZ0B0OEzDTtYmlBO1jABSOJ0bt99kwjPxJjeMFTI7auCwZ77/s400/IMG_1145.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit. This view is looking generally East. You can see Sunrise Highway snaking along in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The views from the summit were actually much grander than I expected. To the north you could easily make out Santa Rosa, the San Gabriel, the San Jacinto, and San Bernardino mountain ranges. To the northwest you could see the Palomar Range with its astronomical optical telescopes. To the immediate west you could see the Cuyamaca Range (North Peak, Middle Peak, Cuyamaca Peak, and Stonewall Peak). You could also see the environs of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. To the south lies several lower peaks (Viejas among them). And to the east you could see mountains of the Lagunas (Laguna Mountain, Sheephead, etc.) To the northeast lies the Salton Sea, Whale Peak, and Granite Peak, and the town of Borrego Springs within radio line-of-sight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aDa8Z6d5m_-iwRqQbQxpJUUd8qT7DFLvcckZ2OPkafOos3E41HP_y4O2o-YZ9zPqKEoZsMrFQH6dZcvgnuRrZT04MY37j3cB7FS70pKOtAul5_spTwaBVr0OpROso9M4rtPaleO4oZ-o/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aDa8Z6d5m_-iwRqQbQxpJUUd8qT7DFLvcckZ2OPkafOos3E41HP_y4O2o-YZ9zPqKEoZsMrFQH6dZcvgnuRrZT04MY37j3cB7FS70pKOtAul5_spTwaBVr0OpROso9M4rtPaleO4oZ-o/s400/IMG_1148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking West. The highest peak in the distance is Cuyamaca Peak (W6/CC-014). The two summits to the right of Cuyamaca are Stonewall Peak (W6/SC-029) and Middle Peak (W6/SC-024).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FiVwD-s-RzCR4b-dTExJ4gBvIPU_AfCSwuUyH005ip-pDI4zhVQ7EN-x-w-rVyLJHyM9rOaYnhjuDjclIgVLyshIG2Qsbvdh6NQs7U8BGcBGwL1QvfJOEaTr5w9nXCbBSxghAJeXW1hO/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FiVwD-s-RzCR4b-dTExJ4gBvIPU_AfCSwuUyH005ip-pDI4zhVQ7EN-x-w-rVyLJHyM9rOaYnhjuDjclIgVLyshIG2Qsbvdh6NQs7U8BGcBGwL1QvfJOEaTr5w9nXCbBSxghAJeXW1hO/s400/IMG_1149.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking generally North. Numerous mountains can be seen, especially the Santa Rosa range.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tQ6KnABm7BAJMYxL7tYcWYDf4DP54pblNSODAK26wXgxIzM7mf1eBuspyTXykAXNsBM3jfTku10e7y1hCI96pnPQR9cqxPAc14Ua7yzbJgsDwyHUyo0yUzO45iBALM7Ve0cD8CuQuXwJ/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tQ6KnABm7BAJMYxL7tYcWYDf4DP54pblNSODAK26wXgxIzM7mf1eBuspyTXykAXNsBM3jfTku10e7y1hCI96pnPQR9cqxPAc14Ua7yzbJgsDwyHUyo0yUzO45iBALM7Ve0cD8CuQuXwJ/s400/IMG_1150.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking South.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFNQJkaUP3fxWRysbZdV1mKVxTl1mjOnCoKI2L0XBrnTrUJA5yyJVES-lDs9ss6DQdV9pb8HmFqtTpNz7At6TviigBR3FBkp4g70L4cxi5c4CZ7M46RZBX1Zsa19Squu3GWYQCXv5PkN9/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFNQJkaUP3fxWRysbZdV1mKVxTl1mjOnCoKI2L0XBrnTrUJA5yyJVES-lDs9ss6DQdV9pb8HmFqtTpNz7At6TviigBR3FBkp4g70L4cxi5c4CZ7M46RZBX1Zsa19Squu3GWYQCXv5PkN9/s400/IMG_1153.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking East. Notice Sunrise Highway and the Pioneer Mail parking area. The Pacific Crest Trail can also be seen leading from the parking area to the left (north).</td></tr>
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<br />
It was a bit windy on the summit, with temperatures in the 40s, so I hunkered down an an area a bit south of the actual summit that was sheltered from the wind. I bungee-corded my crappie pole to the engineer stake and slung my EARCHI wire antenna as a sloping wire toward my operating position, and I proceeded to make contacts starting on 20 meters SSB, and then shifting to CW on 20 and 40 meters. Later, I broke out my HT and made contacts on 2 meters FM. I also tried to make contacts on 223.5 MHz and 446.0 FM, but not takes, as is usual in this area. I had one summit-to-summit contact with Peter, WA7JTM, who was activating another unnamed peak in Arizona.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UuUfovzKNjsUaQXwSP46DOwoW947uAMGtTesxDoEfkgnWO2E3GDsKx-8s7g96ZNySXWCthJHplQIuoAAm0YXJkDomecbYirGGGQ8HS_L2tYD3OWQgE-3hIzam-oXVKQs2TNpW16HGkhZ/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UuUfovzKNjsUaQXwSP46DOwoW947uAMGtTesxDoEfkgnWO2E3GDsKx-8s7g96ZNySXWCthJHplQIuoAAm0YXJkDomecbYirGGGQ8HS_L2tYD3OWQgE-3hIzam-oXVKQs2TNpW16HGkhZ/s400/IMG_1151.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bungee-corded fishing pole atop the engineer stake. Antenna is an end-fed wire leading from the pole to my operating position.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2MzkPIKbP3RW6IGMYPhiK6soccS5pJrWUhQfTBYBDo9GS3cp_NCBB27wfWg4sZhf2YP2crNXOOOpCTg5q9hX6SV21T0O6yFBm2hgCd69I7imNrZEy_Gtnj50HnDNnqlgBydwxYBGgJIS/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2MzkPIKbP3RW6IGMYPhiK6soccS5pJrWUhQfTBYBDo9GS3cp_NCBB27wfWg4sZhf2YP2crNXOOOpCTg5q9hX6SV21T0O6yFBm2hgCd69I7imNrZEy_Gtnj50HnDNnqlgBydwxYBGgJIS/s400/IMG_1147.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The radio. Somehow when I'm using it, there doesn't seem to be so many wires.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Overall, it was a good activation. 27 total QSOs in under an hour, pretty good for a SOTA activation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMUopls4X5Uqex-DsG9LKBls2FoW7zD9BiZurzer097jV6SWS-sbnfshNlOS-4qDihDh8PZGxN5zgUgf_mpAKijxIaMkV_Mmy5pF0aFiT2j6SfBVA_HkA88pbVStazF5QTxYzulUeDegC/s1600/5764+Activation+Log+from+SOTA+Website.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMUopls4X5Uqex-DsG9LKBls2FoW7zD9BiZurzer097jV6SWS-sbnfshNlOS-4qDihDh8PZGxN5zgUgf_mpAKijxIaMkV_Mmy5pF0aFiT2j6SfBVA_HkA88pbVStazF5QTxYzulUeDegC/s400/5764+Activation+Log+from+SOTA+Website.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My SOTA log from Pt. 5764 (W6/SD-026).</td></tr>
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<br />
Ok...for the hike down: I simply followed the trail along the spine of the ridge south. This trail intersected the Pine Mountain trail, which is a charted, maintained, and groomed trail. I built a cairn at the intersection to mark the intersection for follow-on SOTA activators. I turned left at the intersection and followed the Pine Mountain trail back to Sunrise Highway and the parking area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji2LxGThhwQe_JkAD8kLtZj2xnwOKc97anaSy6D5TFvfTJmOhtY-duDmCL9YGUhHwPbToYwbRceUXPqgrDSpx61uodUbKcA6wCr3eJzi2Z8GNKSQUHD-FtVj4Ve1pIP_d1Bp4ABKUSR6A/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji2LxGThhwQe_JkAD8kLtZj2xnwOKc97anaSy6D5TFvfTJmOhtY-duDmCL9YGUhHwPbToYwbRceUXPqgrDSpx61uodUbKcA6wCr3eJzi2Z8GNKSQUHD-FtVj4Ve1pIP_d1Bp4ABKUSR6A/s400/IMG_1155.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use trail leading from the groomed Pine Mountain Trail up to Pt. 5764. Notice the small cairn I built to mark the trail.</td></tr>
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<br />
I highly recommend taking the route described here. It's much less brushy and navigation is much easier. The extra distance covered is negligible, too.<br />
<br />
Beware of mountain bikers on the Pine Mountain trail. Two of them came upon me at high speed from behind. I was lucky to have stepped out of the way in time. They apologized and continued on their way. One things about people in California: Everyone is always in a great mood and very friendly!<br />
<br />
<br />
After having completed the hike, I did some additional research on Peak 5764. A previous hiker had evidently summitted the peak while carrying a Garmin using the route I described. The route is shown <a href="http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=3065858" target="_blank">here</a>. Peakbagger.com profile for the peak is <a href="http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=60304" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Additional notes: Peak 5764 has plentiful AT&T 3G access, SMS access, and APRS digipeater coverage. Parking at Pioneer Mail parking area requires a National Forest Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass. This peak has a summer seasonal bonus for being a desert peak, but given its elevation, I think it would be an easy bonus to get if you were to hike it in the summer.<br />
<br />
After activating 5764 I decided to head to Middle Peak (W6/SC-024), the peak to the immediate north of Cuyamaca Peak. It was perhaps a 15 minute drive to the Middle Peak trail head. I won't belabor writing a description of Middle Peak or explain its navigation since it's basically a hike up a dirt fire road and is well-described <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/middle-peak/613454" target="_blank">here</a>. I will say that the peak's vegetation was destroyed in a fire back in 2003, and consequently it's dominated by burned-out timbers and very thick thorny bushes. These bushes have grown a good deal in the last couple of years. The final 200 vertical feet of the ascent requires bushwhacking through this nasty stuff.<br />
<br />
Well, I bushwhacked. And bushwhacked some more. While there is a reforestation effort on Middle Peak, and some efforts to try to hold back the brush, the thorn bushes at the summit proved too thick to climb through. I got to withing 45 vertical feet of the summit though, and that's in the activation cone. Satisfied with my effort, and also satisfied that I had activated this peak from the summit in years past, I decided to set up my station on a rock on the western side of the mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjumhs1hgGMdlrC29jegfJ-3Jcvf_W-1qRjOBeMdFU4Pyc5ul70G55jlfyqkz3b4HdhaLpkadhPCjrFVcIMfNRkNkbWUwIdUW7G6ZmPLtozaKSWV3xi6VSQoz-utkim4nxNijlmVerxOh/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjumhs1hgGMdlrC29jegfJ-3Jcvf_W-1qRjOBeMdFU4Pyc5ul70G55jlfyqkz3b4HdhaLpkadhPCjrFVcIMfNRkNkbWUwIdUW7G6ZmPLtozaKSWV3xi6VSQoz-utkim4nxNijlmVerxOh/s400/IMG_1164.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road near the summit of Middle Peak. That wall next to the road is thick thorny bushes, easily 7' tall. Nasty stuff.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvksdBnhkDGy82ZnK5aA1g47il8LLYtkoQDNH97iU3T8NByt0jZg_WEK6jFU6G9jVpkT1OwT3dKYcgDjaT0Oo00abOYIKGkG3ARdPYQRdQuZ6zHx9lCO1wAl4m-vxMtxw1NxkEG8Gm9XD1/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvksdBnhkDGy82ZnK5aA1g47il8LLYtkoQDNH97iU3T8NByt0jZg_WEK6jFU6G9jVpkT1OwT3dKYcgDjaT0Oo00abOYIKGkG3ARdPYQRdQuZ6zHx9lCO1wAl4m-vxMtxw1NxkEG8Gm9XD1/s400/IMG_1165.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the trees planted as part of the reforestation effort.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2F5irnox-jh3-y0lvNch22qjgj2F5GNcUcUy9hNrPeGUrOK67uT-Y15rymQqAhMCd4VlgCmaOZlcOeCiEM_2dq-ZrBqFAqo_9l0fMJncINgkYa8RtHe5kh-K9liL3M6v3hAoUXxfiZJe/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2F5irnox-jh3-y0lvNch22qjgj2F5GNcUcUy9hNrPeGUrOK67uT-Y15rymQqAhMCd4VlgCmaOZlcOeCiEM_2dq-ZrBqFAqo_9l0fMJncINgkYa8RtHe5kh-K9liL3M6v3hAoUXxfiZJe/s400/IMG_1163.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My operating position. What a mess. But it worked!</td></tr>
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This activation also went well. I activated on 30, 20, 12, 10, and 2 meters, mostly CW. I completed about 29 QSOs, with one summit-to-summit QSO. I also attempted to make contacts on 223.5 and 446.0 FM, with no takers. (You might think it's futile to make contacts on these bands, but believe it or not, I have made SOTA contacts on them. This only happens very rarely.) K6HPX chased me on 30 meter CW while mobile, which is notable too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC9jwLn3DF1CcCAO1vXkXwAV8CYUCoEhxIexeuh5cgTNZWFtp20SigD6kcpXCXqThRHDKmWya7WAgPoKTKlw4Pl_QNVN4xK7tRrScR794LfKdQcvq4kZeh3FXURNPAMZGZjmoe0t4VsrS/s1600/Middle+Peak+Activation+Log+from+SOTA+Website.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC9jwLn3DF1CcCAO1vXkXwAV8CYUCoEhxIexeuh5cgTNZWFtp20SigD6kcpXCXqThRHDKmWya7WAgPoKTKlw4Pl_QNVN4xK7tRrScR794LfKdQcvq4kZeh3FXURNPAMZGZjmoe0t4VsrS/s400/Middle+Peak+Activation+Log+from+SOTA+Website.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Peak activation log.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After about 1.5 hours on the summit I came down. The hike back was unremarkable save for the fact that I saw a small herd of deer on the way down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzW9GK9M-d9AGDtd39gqyJVm9LP-QvEL381wJ1TiiVg0siDfy8ReuDEDVZj4eR7zKh9A3UERYOG5Ls1evjkm4Py1ZfvyFCibyVNwuGqDDhyphenhyphenecbYdmGLN4EcXFyX_WBqw0ry4wwZBvUZaV/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzW9GK9M-d9AGDtd39gqyJVm9LP-QvEL381wJ1TiiVg0siDfy8ReuDEDVZj4eR7zKh9A3UERYOG5Ls1evjkm4Py1ZfvyFCibyVNwuGqDDhyphenhyphenecbYdmGLN4EcXFyX_WBqw0ry4wwZBvUZaV/s400/IMG_1173.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two deer, with Stonewall Peak in the background.</td></tr>
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Additional notes: AT&T 3G data, SMS, cell phone, and APRS coverage are all reliable.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was a good activation day. Two six-point peaks activated, with two summit-to-summit QSOs. I was happy to work so many stations. As always, thanks chasers! 73.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-69402931277333520552015-10-28T18:24:00.002-04:002015-10-28T18:56:59.980-04:00Activation Reports: Pass Mountain (W4V/SH-013) and Knob Mountain (W4V/SH-017)This past Sunday the XYL and I decided to bag a couple peaks in Shenandoah National Park. We selected Pass Mountain (<a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W4V/SH-013">W4V/SH-013</a>) and Knob Mountain (<a href="http://www.sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W4V/SH-017">W4V/SH-017</a>), as they can both be accessed along Skyline Drive, making navigation to the two trailheads simple.<br />
<br />
We departed the home QTH at around 0700 local, reaching the Behms Gap parking area (just north of the Thornton Gap park entrance) a bit after 0900. Pass Mountain is a tree-covered bump between Thornton Gap and Behms Gap, with the Appalachian Trail snaking up and over the summit. Trail navigation is very easy, as the AT is a wide, well-used, and groomed trail. From Behms Gap the summit is under two miles away. Weather conditions were pleasant: Generally cloudy skies, temps in the 50s, and the occasional raindrop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g1OpdgQlVyS9mgBeguIepjxSdmkng7Cdc0mdxebaXVk0aRXGP9HgSEzG8BBQzmehWE7aFxfmi69Q7lPK8aXRRJbAbj81flCalTD_QTOY-CCnaw_rzf1LuQVA9squezt9GdcohTa24p06/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5g1OpdgQlVyS9mgBeguIepjxSdmkng7Cdc0mdxebaXVk0aRXGP9HgSEzG8BBQzmehWE7aFxfmi69Q7lPK8aXRRJbAbj81flCalTD_QTOY-CCnaw_rzf1LuQVA9squezt9GdcohTa24p06/s400/IMG_1141.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass Mountain as seen from the jeep. View from just north of the Behms Gap parking area, looking south.</td></tr>
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<br />
The summit was rounded, with lots of trees, fall colors, and a few large rock outcroppings sticking out of the soil.<br />
<br />
As always, I started on 146.52, followed by 223.5 and 446.0 MHz FM. No takers. I then set up my portable HF station and slung my wire antenna. The HF bands were reasonably cooperative, but with the CQ World Wide Phone
contest going on, the SSB segments of the non-WARC bands were very
crowded. I heard Croatian, Polish, English, and German stations booming
in on 20 meters. I moved to 17 meters phone to see who I could get, and then moved to 30 meters CW.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjPfg5JfELEsy97Qu75qS9w4sRUIt7fwCGEi-gJODEMW35Z8XpmrLGWYBaiwiw1iMM3o_ovWh7eKLxwcrq6fpAQbTtL5eUlhy6lVcnx4j2jqQA0jhKxwBvu-U-8njRJtvK2uK_krRASNZ/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjPfg5JfELEsy97Qu75qS9w4sRUIt7fwCGEi-gJODEMW35Z8XpmrLGWYBaiwiw1iMM3o_ovWh7eKLxwcrq6fpAQbTtL5eUlhy6lVcnx4j2jqQA0jhKxwBvu-U-8njRJtvK2uK_krRASNZ/s400/IMG_1121.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy picture of my Pass Mountain operating position. I set up on a log. The leaf-covered AT crosses between the log and the rock outcroppings in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxpOlIHBNyMmbhqg-E4MAPGMHIDZCYo88UYW6WQES7BC_6S1cULsxPRoYxoHCCfKblHAPQWA4CgutJ5rYyOtaag4dR7bxH3bhXyqZj5dHxamDrnD1NlwJojCx-_9Q86eBfNoY2GZ6NrmA/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxpOlIHBNyMmbhqg-E4MAPGMHIDZCYo88UYW6WQES7BC_6S1cULsxPRoYxoHCCfKblHAPQWA4CgutJ5rYyOtaag4dR7bxH3bhXyqZj5dHxamDrnD1NlwJojCx-_9Q86eBfNoY2GZ6NrmA/s400/IMG_1120.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up view of my operating position on Pass Mountain. FT-817ND. Autotuner. Key. Mic. Logbook. Notebook.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While I activated the XYL continued hiking over the peak toward Thornton gap, allowing me about an hour to activate.<br />
<br />
I worked the following stations:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0je96sp3ExxStcKnbun2vlgUIXVGs59kYtHmch1s6Ik3ziiVBk9osMXe0QtDTG-wCJI_UjmYVDMoNTr37C5Sxrx5E3fCsngiVihqmx9f3GfOu6RNcsrVQJIEqONmlF15Ommv6j6LP8Gos/s1600/Pass+Mountain+SOTA+Logbook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0je96sp3ExxStcKnbun2vlgUIXVGs59kYtHmch1s6Ik3ziiVBk9osMXe0QtDTG-wCJI_UjmYVDMoNTr37C5Sxrx5E3fCsngiVihqmx9f3GfOu6RNcsrVQJIEqONmlF15Ommv6j6LP8Gos/s400/Pass+Mountain+SOTA+Logbook.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not great, but also not bad. 9 stations worked over 27 minutes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The new batteries continued to hold up well. On previous batteries I would typically have the radio set for 2.5 watts of output power, but today I operated entirely at 5 watts. Again, I'll note that, like my <a href="http://n0pcl.blogspot.com/2015/10/pilot-knob-w6sd-435-activation-report.html">last activation</a>, the battery voltage barely dropped even when transmitting the 5 dahs of the "0" in my callsign. Solid.<br />
<br />
AT&T cell service was good for both SMS and 3G data services. APRS connectivity was also good. <br />
<br />
After I worked the small crowd of stations and the XYL returned, we returned to Behms Gap via the same route as the ascent.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
We next moved north along Skyline Drive to Elkwallow Gap, where the trailhead for Knob Mountain (W4V/SH-017) is. Knob Mountain is a bump along a northeast-to-southwest running ridge which is an offshoot of the Shenandoah range. The specific route we took basically went from Elkwallow Gap northwest and downhill to reach the Appalachian Trail, and then Jeremy's Run. Crossing Jeremy's Run you climb a steep ridge to reach the Knob Mountain Trail, which heads southwest along the ridgeline that Knob Mountain is on. The trail is well-groomed and marked. Printable map <a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/JeremysRun/images/Map.pdf">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Overall, the hike is under 6 miles round-trip for the hike described. Of course you could easily lengthen the hike to about 13-14 miles if you do the entire Jeremy's Run Loop hike.<br />
<br />
Oh--and we saw three black bears near the trail. Sorry, I don't have good pictures, but they were there. It was a bear day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0LChB2304uZ-jlqultdBJOMY9NUehc-v7bhRjC2zKz3_2y6PmkXucA6qUNUSOhbfdacBiY0bSzWht4GHPRUnO0PbLBHEL4De5W5y2CUy6Kw7zGJbsMS4aRC1AHkO6ScYkppBvuBjASMa/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0LChB2304uZ-jlqultdBJOMY9NUehc-v7bhRjC2zKz3_2y6PmkXucA6qUNUSOhbfdacBiY0bSzWht4GHPRUnO0PbLBHEL4De5W5y2CUy6Kw7zGJbsMS4aRC1AHkO6ScYkppBvuBjASMa/s400/IMG_1140.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knob Mountain is the highest bump on the right. The Shenandoah Valley can be seen to the left. The peak is a high point on a ridge protruding southwest into the Shenandoah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Elkwallow Gap has services available--bathrooms and a small overcrowded gift shop.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41zVFltTGcQAu3DI6MrhkMHvmn28y-k8Cdd-2Z5N_qq5SsOTEsLVEaOAEzd1A5gEwgc5g3vQZp4eoIN6JnPStTX99YuMlrvXd2TnpKxLFNRl_28jjbO1mDCIViMxOWhhiHZxCSQZ0kKa7/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41zVFltTGcQAu3DI6MrhkMHvmn28y-k8Cdd-2Z5N_qq5SsOTEsLVEaOAEzd1A5gEwgc5g3vQZp4eoIN6JnPStTX99YuMlrvXd2TnpKxLFNRl_28jjbO1mDCIViMxOWhhiHZxCSQZ0kKa7/s400/IMG_1127.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were humans at Elkwallow. Most of these people don't venture too far into the woods, which is just fine by me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Weather conditions stayed pleasant. Cloudy skies, slight breeze, temperature in the upper 50s. There was the occasional rain drop. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReoXUw3nyhL5UNMqeZk9s0D1EplxhVaip0frRD9pViXUviVL1vrTee1Remr6H0uq9Hc7G3i5ofvW6fBbuPH7pAT-_2kMEbjKiSp7rQ2zmY8L4cfVkv2qZbglLNrwsVX2FYFiDkgU8vNEx/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReoXUw3nyhL5UNMqeZk9s0D1EplxhVaip0frRD9pViXUviVL1vrTee1Remr6H0uq9Hc7G3i5ofvW6fBbuPH7pAT-_2kMEbjKiSp7rQ2zmY8L4cfVkv2qZbglLNrwsVX2FYFiDkgU8vNEx/s400/IMG_1130.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice fall colors, particularly the red leaves. This is not an altered photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF-vi1QNx_b2pS1yyf_1IHcRR2NoVshVmJYJqaKJM0drGx-to0bhpfGwk_dcgLkOwq_4ZciEErKy6SG956z4UayCLml-60qmuNhfFm_71FQQmhGIWN6_adUSbr2CxplD-QZXjC7NmHFn4/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF-vi1QNx_b2pS1yyf_1IHcRR2NoVshVmJYJqaKJM0drGx-to0bhpfGwk_dcgLkOwq_4ZciEErKy6SG956z4UayCLml-60qmuNhfFm_71FQQmhGIWN6_adUSbr2CxplD-QZXjC7NmHFn4/s400/IMG_1133.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XYL crossing Jeremy's Run. There were fish hopping in the run, and the run was a good bit wider than it looks, but the surface was covered with leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3bo8ufUsc0AD6Exk96o3Kf8-X3hjQu-lk9Sb9aRx_YrxllURTP1pLzCG5eFuEw0NHPkJq8pweEYJgEDIfQRRCoaKCEEOpkSiUGIZG_qd6vef7ahnDlPyXcomCtUAeZrMDNxDvIidftNP/s1600/IMG_7183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3bo8ufUsc0AD6Exk96o3Kf8-X3hjQu-lk9Sb9aRx_YrxllURTP1pLzCG5eFuEw0NHPkJq8pweEYJgEDIfQRRCoaKCEEOpkSiUGIZG_qd6vef7ahnDlPyXcomCtUAeZrMDNxDvIidftNP/s400/IMG_7183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL crossing Jeremy's Run. Yes. That's a Lodenhut. A Lodenhut is to Germany as a cowboy hat is to Texas. It's the hat of my ancestors. Considering its Alpine origin, it's ideal for SOTA expeditions. It's made of Loden (a type of wool), so it's actually quite warm, and is just fine in the rain. Word.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTcR9x6mL_CfiCKNzipTaAyGa5iwwosNMQ3RaaoO6J7FVdsTa89_9okMCisGVBtWU2kIKqrCKJd9-KmvpraWP9AjUPEIRu35itbbsvpPIqSLBSxVm-1umrSjAVI4iwLFojMOXVS-lrLr3/s1600/IMG_7182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTcR9x6mL_CfiCKNzipTaAyGa5iwwosNMQ3RaaoO6J7FVdsTa89_9okMCisGVBtWU2kIKqrCKJd9-KmvpraWP9AjUPEIRu35itbbsvpPIqSLBSxVm-1umrSjAVI4iwLFojMOXVS-lrLr3/s400/IMG_7182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N0PCL making the final steps up to the ridgeline from Jeremy's Run. It's about 500' of gain over about 1/2 mile. Decently steep. I was working up a sweat so I'm climbing hat-in-hand. XYL photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQzodsZgFjl6bumpqEJuENa89HhCpUblMyk5tloTnvqzIBCkqIKVPFhbIc7G4aagGE672Bq54KPGK6LlW2F4Q3iQfS4IcjhUW62tUDF3XUUsnA8rDDcZrCHc1fVO_-itz_EY84Csph3JJ/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQzodsZgFjl6bumpqEJuENa89HhCpUblMyk5tloTnvqzIBCkqIKVPFhbIc7G4aagGE672Bq54KPGK6LlW2F4Q3iQfS4IcjhUW62tUDF3XUUsnA8rDDcZrCHc1fVO_-itz_EY84Csph3JJ/s400/IMG_1134.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More nice fall colors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxY1CbMmA8a5Epv_mLYEUqJKwuv4920einVrwkY6lBAgVHUPanTIVOPJ2KkGToEbwniHHyD18IG0C5M-EWE1hyphenhyphenXXa7OLvu7ehs2l9Pp7gCy2Fx3CgDuQ8fX-eaXeKjcev7qsPegFLnq-9/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxY1CbMmA8a5Epv_mLYEUqJKwuv4920einVrwkY6lBAgVHUPanTIVOPJ2KkGToEbwniHHyD18IG0C5M-EWE1hyphenhyphenXXa7OLvu7ehs2l9Pp7gCy2Fx3CgDuQ8fX-eaXeKjcev7qsPegFLnq-9/s400/IMG_1135.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there! Knob mountain summit only 250 feet away. The trail system in Shenandoah NP is very simple to follow. These posts are at most of the trail junctions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfurKOonE4QKpJ6wpRQFGBty1dzpOrItJP3YwoCDdi7itk5Yw9ofyjizLIbdbmVeUIfBOC2g0UVRLSECztc_U3yBucGAvsDdkK2V46R3x_IJqAckKEC33SxqYQ3wsZeG5RBMhQ_gUN19R/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfurKOonE4QKpJ6wpRQFGBty1dzpOrItJP3YwoCDdi7itk5Yw9ofyjizLIbdbmVeUIfBOC2g0UVRLSECztc_U3yBucGAvsDdkK2V46R3x_IJqAckKEC33SxqYQ3wsZeG5RBMhQ_gUN19R/s400/IMG_1136.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XYL hiking up the final couple hundred feet to Knob Mountain summit.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The QSOs on Knob Mountain came quick once I set up on HF. But before
that happened I had a pleasant chat with Brian, KE8AZF, in the panhandle
of West Virginia, about 40 miles away on 146.52. I made unsuccessful calls on
223.5 MHz FM and 446.0 MHz FM with no joy. I then slung my wire
antenna, laid out radials, and set up my shack on a nearby log. I sent a
quick spot out on my iPhone--and the calls came fast. The pileup
continued for a solid 20 minutes on 30 meters before picking up a couple
QSOs on 10 meters to stations out west. A few of the stations went
into straight "contest mode", sending my "5NN" reports to expedite the
process.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomopU0niYIIa5B39pZZ8wrR6iSx2ShBaLF3rnGGlynDpeLbFHgwpCAmFV0dbMwkofdCJ5eER9i5KZvohb7niXpr1RWaKhNNRjsmFjIfLDLxZk9IOrc6YWWnugVm6YTeWXWyOZNk2Icfrn/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomopU0niYIIa5B39pZZ8wrR6iSx2ShBaLF3rnGGlynDpeLbFHgwpCAmFV0dbMwkofdCJ5eER9i5KZvohb7niXpr1RWaKhNNRjsmFjIfLDLxZk9IOrc6YWWnugVm6YTeWXWyOZNk2Icfrn/s400/IMG_1137.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overexposed iPhone pic of my homebrewed EARCHI matchbox. Used with a tuner and some decent radials, it can put out a good signal on 40-6 meters with a tuner. With a superb radial system and a perfectly vertical radiator, I've occasionally gotten it to load up (albeit inefficiently) on 75 and 80 meters, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0sCX2WKZ7jdQjC5JawtW0yEOMYw7lGh8iB9gz5HDMHTNBYiePd0UMOO47oUzoam7ol63GeMhHDtQa3t3p8oK-knZ52MX9bvU4V7KDz_1s4YZR2VD0wjBYNHPbrlDNXAvTu9S5z1qZR3E/s1600/IMG_7177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0sCX2WKZ7jdQjC5JawtW0yEOMYw7lGh8iB9gz5HDMHTNBYiePd0UMOO47oUzoam7ol63GeMhHDtQa3t3p8oK-knZ52MX9bvU4V7KDz_1s4YZR2VD0wjBYNHPbrlDNXAvTu9S5z1qZR3E/s400/IMG_7177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up view of the matchbox. It's contained in a Hammond enclosure, and I use simple alligator clips to make the electrical connections. The radiating element is the black wire. The radials are just some #22 speaker wire. Works great.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1amZ9jVmRPybpQhpCxRqcRqqthVeviuL7Zvi724HyDH6btxMzaoZrqrOpS4wXWV7tKnpVeuUJqP3o9x8sjLJ-taJFwjGOq7xJYQBhLy1ktCFrwnyznXqXrbrgGDAr-QAEdKnzY3YsHd1/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1amZ9jVmRPybpQhpCxRqcRqqthVeviuL7Zvi724HyDH6btxMzaoZrqrOpS4wXWV7tKnpVeuUJqP3o9x8sjLJ-taJFwjGOq7xJYQBhLy1ktCFrwnyznXqXrbrgGDAr-QAEdKnzY3YsHd1/s400/IMG_1138.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Knob Mountain operating position. Logs make good places to sit and have some QSOs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here's my logbook as it appears on the SOTAData website:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74V3bzcqkQczYv4vPE08mPu63jk8TOcpCOLsTu1QGvpL92DIwA9euGHCxiwRgAQGTZHqkU9uG72Nwsmvgv-yZ82W3fvbg4XN9YDt-DyIha2NvnqIXrag7caraGe_mxAPg3VKHBFNx-gpo/s1600/Knob+Mountain+SOTA+Logbook.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74V3bzcqkQczYv4vPE08mPu63jk8TOcpCOLsTu1QGvpL92DIwA9euGHCxiwRgAQGTZHqkU9uG72Nwsmvgv-yZ82W3fvbg4XN9YDt-DyIha2NvnqIXrag7caraGe_mxAPg3VKHBFNx-gpo/s400/Knob+Mountain+SOTA+Logbook.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After working KE8AZF I worked 18 CW stations in 30 minutes. While not stellar at all by contesting standards, this is pretty good work. Lots of fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
AT&T cell service was good for both SMS and 3G data services. APRS connectivity was also good. <br />
<br />
No after-action items for this hike. It was a very pleasant activation, a great way to spend a fall weekend, and a fun 12 SOTA activation points to earn!<br />
<br />
As always, thanks chasers! No activation is successful without you. 73! Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-78000339347896717492015-10-16T19:04:00.000-04:002015-10-16T19:05:18.244-04:00Pilot Knob (W6/SD-435) Activation Report and WLB-817 Battery Pack ReviewI activated Pilot Knob (W6/SD-435) back on 11 October.. It's a lowly one-point peak near where the California, Arizona, and Mexican borders meet. I described a bit about the mountain <a href="http://n0pcl.blogspot.com/2015/10/upcoming-activation-pilot-knob-w6sd-435.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Some great information on accessing the peak is in this <a href="http://virgil.azwestern.edu/~sd1/2YC3%20199th%20Conference%20Website_files/YumaTrails.pdf">PDF document</a>.<br />
<br />
Getting there: As described on pages 66-68 of the above PDF document.<br />
<br />
On a previous activation attempt, I tried to climb using the more direct route along edge of the quarry on the north side of the mountain, but I lost the trail and I ran out of time due to other commitments later in the day. I decided to instead make an attempt climbing the western slope of the mountain, attempting to use the loop trail described in the book, except I would do an out-and-back hike instead of a loop in order to shorten the hike. I entered the location of the trail head into my Garmin and went there.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptqWwuXWXjApxb8iOe7H6yTNUyMNfySQm1pYdW8_rhy2ODx1mTTsD81GarntHOw-OJGiSCzv6aQkdeuyIaoAiYZF6MoQ_2blfCEIe-ZjYoKJDFY8fWBVfQj3CXOTRSuXVLqRVxC9G-PAI/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptqWwuXWXjApxb8iOe7H6yTNUyMNfySQm1pYdW8_rhy2ODx1mTTsD81GarntHOw-OJGiSCzv6aQkdeuyIaoAiYZF6MoQ_2blfCEIe-ZjYoKJDFY8fWBVfQj3CXOTRSuXVLqRVxC9G-PAI/s400/IMG_1097.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overexposed pic of trailhead. Lat/Long: N32 44.065" W114 45.450, looking east. Sun was rising, hence the overexposure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At that location I noticed two trails: One of the left/north, and one of the right/south. Given that I was going to do the out-and-back route, I selected the left trail and started climbing. The climb was steep but the well-defined trail made the route simpler, until I reached the crest of the first ridgeline. Here the trail disappeared. I ended up shifting to the left (north) a bit, and ultimately found a draw which led to a false summit. This false summit was at the far end of the east-west ridge which makes up crest of the mountain. From this spot the going was a bit easier, with numerous trails visible and with the summit in view.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjr7R5ib2z3TInycfZU90pkOcJTYMY22BubCViYchbqad29F1s9kD1mpVpxbJlmdAAcjycP-qp4rlHk1YlajFlp0YHQq3K_daHM_zxwHNpYXh1lzVKbTEvcL8AeOBeME5kP5koTEP9-rn/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjr7R5ib2z3TInycfZU90pkOcJTYMY22BubCViYchbqad29F1s9kD1mpVpxbJlmdAAcjycP-qp4rlHk1YlajFlp0YHQq3K_daHM_zxwHNpYXh1lzVKbTEvcL8AeOBeME5kP5koTEP9-rn/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountain was made of a mixture of sharp granite and a softer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conglomerate_%28geology%29">conglomerate</a> (I think). The softer rock eroded away in places, leaving holes and small caves. Bats, which I had noticed on my first attempted climb, probably live in many of these small caves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCod8Ha6V5WCQ1EPa4InRWddSXTWJ6a9-eff4zwViMqxDuxP7QkYGGc_EF3NgXjKcga4M5Z0tv-A6jpcT1R39AA_2NN2Z225Ja-aOSe8W43ugdu9wPKAA-nUxHWbwz1m0LNY3WPhj-UcPa/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCod8Ha6V5WCQ1EPa4InRWddSXTWJ6a9-eff4zwViMqxDuxP7QkYGGc_EF3NgXjKcga4M5Z0tv-A6jpcT1R39AA_2NN2Z225Ja-aOSe8W43ugdu9wPKAA-nUxHWbwz1m0LNY3WPhj-UcPa/s400/IMG_1103.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cairn was located at the false summit. My APRS capable handheld's packets were first picked up at this point.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGRawj60O8bTZyBAUwZXRUEcq2gh0xBMlryp7owIqFiBG0cj8LaFbJoan7GvyEK73bee6JkU0MlPw_I6Xwq0zFsd6x7L4-Cy4ioAYU-PG6G-Hnqlhp1FWkkNX2yZe7dlpt0rS9Y9PnB2s/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGRawj60O8bTZyBAUwZXRUEcq2gh0xBMlryp7owIqFiBG0cj8LaFbJoan7GvyEK73bee6JkU0MlPw_I6Xwq0zFsd6x7L4-Cy4ioAYU-PG6G-Hnqlhp1FWkkNX2yZe7dlpt0rS9Y9PnB2s/s400/IMG_1105.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ridge from the location of the false summit, leading to the peak. Yuma, Arizona can be seen beyond the mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The hike on the ridge was a good bit easier. Less steep, and the ground was a firmer granite than the softer rock leading to the false summit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M0aAQlcmpOoq9ShiEYG7vwuyW5MUlt6BZASzVhtiNcF5MZvZYsd07SjL4TrhirsRQhQtAbQnx8odFGzbFNOXPYDT1i0j46g4seKBTX0gE0wAVkGjdXCVF_8p836COXyKMYNF8L6rgcVo/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-M0aAQlcmpOoq9ShiEYG7vwuyW5MUlt6BZASzVhtiNcF5MZvZYsd07SjL4TrhirsRQhQtAbQnx8odFGzbFNOXPYDT1i0j46g4seKBTX0gE0wAVkGjdXCVF_8p836COXyKMYNF8L6rgcVo/s400/IMG_1106.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting closer to the summit. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_cross">Gipfelkreuz</a>!--although not as ornate as those in the Old World.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rikMtomE75wF6ImwKPh7gwJWmvyj1d7-gzrw2lHrvn5e3YicFzC7eITkJcctNNV6dxYai97RoL-BuHvbtDm-6X-fktjnVGjydtfA3qDUeAKDOYM_MbTQLQq8ShiV9mZYwsbFSU8-AOxw/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rikMtomE75wF6ImwKPh7gwJWmvyj1d7-gzrw2lHrvn5e3YicFzC7eITkJcctNNV6dxYai97RoL-BuHvbtDm-6X-fktjnVGjydtfA3qDUeAKDOYM_MbTQLQq8ShiV9mZYwsbFSU8-AOxw/s400/IMG_1108.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Summit Cross was made of wood, and appears to be installed into the foundation of the old <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIVA_%28TV%29">KIVA</a> television transmitting tower.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having reached the summit, I quickly deployed my end-fed wire antenna and commenced making contacts using the FT-817ND and the VX-8DR. Propagation was actually not too bad, given the conditions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoFolvKM1qdzu6M4SRWklPKf63EvmAx6LDqnjNQdSNXXEpnmAtJXbMF2xKqmgzIIvx0dcCIdER5C8J2Jc0q0HcdvMgtL5fZp_TUhJcFesHT-Aj-Nr0Baoiynmg2E3Ul5SpmLWVm5LjWxF/s1600/Propagation.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoFolvKM1qdzu6M4SRWklPKf63EvmAx6LDqnjNQdSNXXEpnmAtJXbMF2xKqmgzIIvx0dcCIdER5C8J2Jc0q0HcdvMgtL5fZp_TUhJcFesHT-Aj-Nr0Baoiynmg2E3Ul5SpmLWVm5LjWxF/s320/Propagation.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
Even with conditions only so-so, I commenced making numerous contacts throughout the US, using both SSB and CW. I also attempted contacts on 50, 144, and 222 MHz, but no takers. I did make contact with a ham in Yuma on 446.0 (K7ACS), who also ran an APRS digipeater that received my packets.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYQsDgPv3y2J_MKS49NhUi3DYgkImCCO1LWX5PTWJxJLbesSEZLBwTuPJK3lDTt1vMzTTosLGSbACGdFrQjAjfeJIjW-V81LCyklhyphenhyphenU-BbKtVm4rDWecb1EsHiLpyUelGZTeRvrIGgxVu/s1600/11+October+2015+Pilot+Knob+SOTA+Logbook+w6+sd+435.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYQsDgPv3y2J_MKS49NhUi3DYgkImCCO1LWX5PTWJxJLbesSEZLBwTuPJK3lDTt1vMzTTosLGSbACGdFrQjAjfeJIjW-V81LCyklhyphenhyphenU-BbKtVm4rDWecb1EsHiLpyUelGZTeRvrIGgxVu/s400/11+October+2015+Pilot+Knob+SOTA+Logbook+w6+sd+435.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Pilot Knob activation log on SOTAData.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As for my spotting technique, I self-spotted using the web browser on my phone. I could have easily self-spotted using APRS, SMS, SOTA Goat, and likely the Reverse Beacon Network. AT&T cell signals were plentiful, and APRS coverage, once on the summit and out of the draws, was fine:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgETtd1P49einS-2-V7ki3xjak-36QwGVhB12v76vOHnGFuSaOuWH_N8AT7Pdm6E2AG2rny3rCxXdFjpWhz90CKledmrQmWnMPoDhyphenhyphen7yXTgDhsP6SCNX9DAnCidyJ-Qsav05SbeeOzbCP/s1600/Pilot+Knob+Zoom+in.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgETtd1P49einS-2-V7ki3xjak-36QwGVhB12v76vOHnGFuSaOuWH_N8AT7Pdm6E2AG2rny3rCxXdFjpWhz90CKledmrQmWnMPoDhyphenhyphen7yXTgDhsP6SCNX9DAnCidyJ-Qsav05SbeeOzbCP/s400/Pilot+Knob+Zoom+in.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My APRS breadcrumbs from the false summit leading to the summit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyaWr-blNksJWc0FtCmVfO19H_9zhGedgc3ln96wyO9zXdMNQTUntrzqFMXxn8hGczY6Zxy1ginK8_BsLxboV8bHVf2Y2mE6mFASk7VoBZNmKgjJdcmcECT5smXVWrL0q8d9UVwhB4r7h/s400/Pilot+Knob+Zoom+Way+Out+Baja+Digi.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the false summit, by APRS packets were received by the <a href="http://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&call=a%2FBAJA&timerange=3600&tail=3600">BAJA</a> digipeater, perhaps 50 miles away. I am N0PCL-7.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBmOC1P3WIlLXWN1-rF8JHnT0FWcA622S60qSY_x5NHXF6VwGM7LHxmAyx4XelgxgJF84v2qfsc7cGQuRUpKnKYcUKbiUFasvPEwrCPhPrqIgh1P1b0E-TX92PkSsNAoWPNNddipYDgs1/s1600/Pilot+Knob+Zoom+Out.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBmOC1P3WIlLXWN1-rF8JHnT0FWcA622S60qSY_x5NHXF6VwGM7LHxmAyx4XelgxgJF84v2qfsc7cGQuRUpKnKYcUKbiUFasvPEwrCPhPrqIgh1P1b0E-TX92PkSsNAoWPNNddipYDgs1/s400/Pilot+Knob+Zoom+Out.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the summit, my APRS packets were received at the K7ACS digipeater. I worked K7ACS on 446.0 during the activation as well.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptBQt9OPrGBB3dKGZQ2sEpeNX9SHuhvW8ro22uLkkXq18Tp1FK9wbheWVBQ1bYSXMi-PGAXZv2hM5Ib9lMAA7YJte0Th7W-im9qsP0CN6zCZQNECR7qvdIlZeoSRMayEIATNnJvGK2OeT/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptBQt9OPrGBB3dKGZQ2sEpeNX9SHuhvW8ro22uLkkXq18Tp1FK9wbheWVBQ1bYSXMi-PGAXZv2hM5Ib9lMAA7YJte0Th7W-im9qsP0CN6zCZQNECR7qvdIlZeoSRMayEIATNnJvGK2OeT/s400/IMG_1109.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view into Mexico from the summit. The US-Mexican border is very visible.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having completed the activation, I started my hike down. Having more of
a bird's eye view while on the summit made route selection a bit
easier. I simply picked a prominent trail that headed west down the
mountain. Given how easy the descent was, I recommend that future
activators use the following coordinates as your trail head: N 32
44.050", W114 44.090". That will place you approximately one draw to
the north of the trailhead I used for this activation, and it will make
navigation to the summit much easier! Simply go to those coordinates
and hike up the well-defined and well-ducked trail.<br />
<br />
A few other notes for a future activation:<br />
<ul>
<li>You are operating very close to the Mexican border. The place is crawling with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. I recommend you carry identification on your person in order or alleviate suspicions that might ruin your activation attempt.</li>
<li>It's a short hike, and not too strenuous, but I still recommend you bring a good amount of water. On the day I hiked this peak, it was in the mid-80s before the sun came up, and there's not much shade (no shade, actually).</li>
</ul>
Lastly, I promised a review of the WLB-817 battery pack that I had installed in my FT-817ND. The battery performed marvelously. Battery voltage barely dropped, even when transmitting a full 5 watts of power on CW during the five long "dahs" of the "0" in my callsign. I suspect that there's power for several more activations in a single battery charge. I'm very happy with this purchase.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-67758626574644243032015-10-06T09:57:00.000-04:002015-10-06T17:41:24.839-04:00Upcoming Activation: Pilot Knob (W6/SD-435)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfipaOZywH-oEycI9A6kxw532CQQKKJM2QBCJVcpPpM8ftzoOHqm_QSd86yqAC0DEWX_kKFKVluTL8sVks8gnLf2Al1Of_3CyZzPNGNS5q0DAg6jaVEirueuATs9ZyS_kLClRdUm6mm91/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfipaOZywH-oEycI9A6kxw532CQQKKJM2QBCJVcpPpM8ftzoOHqm_QSd86yqAC0DEWX_kKFKVluTL8sVks8gnLf2Al1Of_3CyZzPNGNS5q0DAg6jaVEirueuATs9ZyS_kLClRdUm6mm91/s400/image.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilot Knob, just a few miles from the Arizona, California, and Mexican borders. Image captured from the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAAahUKEwj9i-7N_a3IAhVhraYKHao9AGk&url=http%3A%2F%2Fww1x.com%2Fsotagoat%2F&usg=AFQjCNG0RRjcqfcAGW55fLsNhG5Nk7hNow&sig2=FnQmlfMnelsig7jX7tlrOw&bvm=bv.104317490,d.dGY">SOTA Goat</a> App.</td></tr>
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I'm planning on activating <a href="http://sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W6/SD-435">Pilot Knob (W6/SD-435)</a> next Sunday. Look at <a href="http://sotawatch.org/alerts.php">SOTAWatch Alerts</a> for updates. Wikipedia article about Pilot Knob <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_Knob_(Imperial_County,_California)">here</a>.<br />
<br />
It's a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_plug">volcanic plug</a>, which makes sense given that the Chocolate Mountains to the north are volcanic in origin. Other volcanic plug mountains I've activated include <a href="http://sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W6/SC-339">Bishop Peak (W6/SC-339)</a> and <a href="http://sotawatch.org/summits.php?summit=W6/SC-378">Black Hill (W6/SC-378)</a>. These two peaks are a part of a series of peaks between Morro Rock (itself a volcanic plug) and San Luis Obispo. But enough about that...<br />
<br />
I once attempted to activated Pilot Knob before, but my time was limited and I ended up hiking up a dead-end trail without making it to the summit. I had to give up for lack of time.<br />
<br />
I should have more time available for me to do this activation.<br />
<br />
I'm using the helpful <a href="http://virgil.azwestern.edu/~sd1/2YC3%20199th%20Conference%20Website_files/YumaTrails.pdf">"Hiking Guide to Trails in the Yuma Area,"</a> by Geo Montopoli to assist with planning the ascent. See pages 66-68 of the PDF for more info on Pilot Knob.<br />
<br />
I'll be APRS-capable, so watch for my breadcrumbs as <a href="http://aprs.fi/n0pcl-7">N0PCL-7</a>. I'll be phone & CW capable on all bands from 40 meters through 70 centimeters (including 222 MHz.). I'm also going to try out a new counterpoise for a portable HF antenna, so I may be able to load it up on 60 or 80 meters, albeit very inefficiently. This will also be the first time I try using the <a href="http://n0pcl.blogspot.com/2015/10/wlb-817-initial-review.html">WLB-817</a> battery system in the field.<br />
<br />
We'll see how it goes.<br />
<br />
73.Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-70746865749887498812015-10-04T12:25:00.000-04:002015-10-04T20:04:46.859-04:00WLB-817 Initial ReviewLast week <a href="http://n0pcl.blogspot.com/2015/09/in-mail-lithium-ion-batteries-for-ft.html">I mentioned</a> that I was having some battery issues with the <a href="http://w4rt.com/FT-817-Accessories/One-Plug-Power-FT-817.htm">W4RT battery pack</a> that I had installed in my main SOTA radio, the Yaesu FT-817ND. I opted to purchase a lithium polymer (LiPo) battery system from <a href="http://www.hamsource.com/WLB-817.html">HamSource</a>, a small side hustle of John, N1OLO.<br />
<br />
This past Thursday I the new batteries arrived. WindCamp is the manufacturer. Total price: $80.00 + $12.99 shipping and handling. It turns out that the $12.99 of shipping and handling purchased a 2-day priority shipping via the US Postal Service. I would have been happy for a slower shipping option to save a bit on S&H.<br />
<br />
The small box contained the new battery pack, a small wall charger, and a new battery bay door for the FT-817ND. There was also an invoice, but no instructions. I admit I was a bit miffed at that. At work on Friday, I sent an email to John about that issue. Within a couple of hours he replied, apologizing for the lack of instructions, which he said should have been included. He attached a PDF file which had a single page of instructions (this is also available at his <a href="http://www.hamsource.com/pdf/WLB-817%20Kit%20Manual.pdf">website</a>.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_-fkV6SMfXgyo71u6dMV0CrSo4TasBYMBd3q7gKztSuyjwy0y7innsO3YKHSKJo8t-zEfafz5OGO0bacpTeIkgmG6myGdf-wfl8fsa4nVDkyrHM0miT_KmzVlKcqlRZzfZ_KORSiiq0G/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_-fkV6SMfXgyo71u6dMV0CrSo4TasBYMBd3q7gKztSuyjwy0y7innsO3YKHSKJo8t-zEfafz5OGO0bacpTeIkgmG6myGdf-wfl8fsa4nVDkyrHM0miT_KmzVlKcqlRZzfZ_KORSiiq0G/s400/IMG_1074.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The HamSource WLB-817 Battery Kit</td></tr>
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That minor problem solved, I commenced to assemble the new battery system into the FT-817ND.<br />
First, I removed the W4RT batteries from the FT-817ND and dropped in the new battery set, being careful ensure that the wiring harness from the batteries will reach to the battery bay door (which contains a tiny circuit board.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe3MEE8ZCaCwFoGUpOXBjsiB6-tvMCB-QlU43eLb1L43cMX4e3ilI4Qndn1fjhpktQ9BB_dU0iGXCJ_rZ9TvH9KI1TmcT50QYWAaapHmNOVCnX9zFl7nM9ZUZpU_kaRr3CdpawCPDR79q/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe3MEE8ZCaCwFoGUpOXBjsiB6-tvMCB-QlU43eLb1L43cMX4e3ilI4Qndn1fjhpktQ9BB_dU0iGXCJ_rZ9TvH9KI1TmcT50QYWAaapHmNOVCnX9zFl7nM9ZUZpU_kaRr3CdpawCPDR79q/s400/IMG_1078.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping in the lithium ion battery pack.</td></tr>
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The new batteries are smaller than the W4RT batteries. Fitting batteries into the FT-817 battery bay isn't too difficult. Some jostling is required, but it worked out ok.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZsQk1xnkfWmJolGsh9C18yL_W1y46PGeQyVWpS9GwRxjnY6gdhx65PI7caoAd-g4GcPwDh0OPZ2Z94YYBALWV45l4IU5I6Oaw1Ea0jEDGyuVyRRMeSUS5kLnG0dmhL-MMzyzYjimIzUM/s1600/IMG_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZsQk1xnkfWmJolGsh9C18yL_W1y46PGeQyVWpS9GwRxjnY6gdhx65PI7caoAd-g4GcPwDh0OPZ2Z94YYBALWV45l4IU5I6Oaw1Ea0jEDGyuVyRRMeSUS5kLnG0dmhL-MMzyzYjimIzUM/s400/IMG_1077.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new battery pack (top) vs. the W4RT NiMH battery pack.</td></tr>
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The replacement battery bay door has a nifty feature: A switch. This makes a positive disconnect of the battery from the rest of the radio during charging, and for periods of storage. (Some FT-817ND owners have experienced failure of the final power amplifier, apparently due to batteries discharging through the power amplifier bias circuit. I'm not sure how much truth there is to this, but it's a common reason given when the FT-817 finals fail.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktBfklU50fMkbfbLPKyudlCNiVb2ac00puy7MRE7VHJHv3kSvhwLb64gmnXK7BzASE3WxZnY2THM8EXS78kjYr3QHdmnRJoWmD16lMxx6YgUtmW66Y27N2hvs6AV1oyuKcBcW8w-Qu_Wk/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktBfklU50fMkbfbLPKyudlCNiVb2ac00puy7MRE7VHJHv3kSvhwLb64gmnXK7BzASE3WxZnY2THM8EXS78kjYr3QHdmnRJoWmD16lMxx6YgUtmW66Y27N2hvs6AV1oyuKcBcW8w-Qu_Wk/s400/IMG_1075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new FT-817ND battery bay door. Chinglish: "Choose the specifically charger..." </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGe2G1jptJhMtR6GnS-k7xtGkuwSvB-TCD3VDmYl4fs-tpQ8_7KBMyoMY2ANUbwS8oghCczaGwxm73xI7zw6PiK2R6_zvuvMYZReKmrsqAs7gqTHEGLgHQsltQar-sknxIx6Nh6InrlYL/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGe2G1jptJhMtR6GnS-k7xtGkuwSvB-TCD3VDmYl4fs-tpQ8_7KBMyoMY2ANUbwS8oghCczaGwxm73xI7zw6PiK2R6_zvuvMYZReKmrsqAs7gqTHEGLgHQsltQar-sknxIx6Nh6InrlYL/s400/IMG_1076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside of the battery bay door contains a board which connects the switch and charging jack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXzKdY8G8jCtIWuBThFtT8qfmo9iQTKQM9Sq7hahRDwqxJzKBgt0ktqUAqpXkx1xuxM7oROZCISDtjemLQkD8QldtUNXqTxooNsy8g3ozCwxvVGTvqyMR27pUOjgyBQWgLmjwQj377KvA/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXzKdY8G8jCtIWuBThFtT8qfmo9iQTKQM9Sq7hahRDwqxJzKBgt0ktqUAqpXkx1xuxM7oROZCISDtjemLQkD8QldtUNXqTxooNsy8g3ozCwxvVGTvqyMR27pUOjgyBQWgLmjwQj377KvA/s400/IMG_1079.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connecting the wiring harnesses up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqNlMj23wiTvUj36keQWU9xb_Y8CUk8wq38DqXmBtZqfUE__WEPIi2_oRLxVOw0Eqz_cNbssi0PK7mybvfArfw9y7JpIBq-_5_asTiaJriv_SHHV42BTpRg1Tme9m9OQCkkMZTUweMl4Q/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqNlMj23wiTvUj36keQWU9xb_Y8CUk8wq38DqXmBtZqfUE__WEPIi2_oRLxVOw0Eqz_cNbssi0PK7mybvfArfw9y7JpIBq-_5_asTiaJriv_SHHV42BTpRg1Tme9m9OQCkkMZTUweMl4Q/s400/IMG_1080.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replacement battery bay door installed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrWKkYmKgkZSP7gQVWjsyfpZ_3kLbc_nrNHEczo55sF8_M_obNz704uCYPfh0SX-OsfwiNkHeb7VAQEB-8IYkvS-yPB8KXzFXOGFJ8ELnzikdtW-1p1xXRiyV3QtRqB1hep1YquCvab2w/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrWKkYmKgkZSP7gQVWjsyfpZ_3kLbc_nrNHEczo55sF8_M_obNz704uCYPfh0SX-OsfwiNkHeb7VAQEB-8IYkvS-yPB8KXzFXOGFJ8ELnzikdtW-1p1xXRiyV3QtRqB1hep1YquCvab2w/s400/IMG_1081.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All finished. Radio is propped up with the <a href="http://www.mtechnologies.com/palm/pegleg.htm">Palm Radio Peg Leg</a> kit.</td></tr>
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Charging appears straightforward. Simply turn the radio over, flip the battery door switch to "Off", plug in charger, and wait. The charger has a dual-colored LED which glows red when the battery is charging and green when it's fully charged. Simple.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGTvxG7O9Ojy85G7IJ3Z45LfS_BPzUugcBa58hI0GfIH08C1DnhItyDyDqHDYmvbxqcxBYHq6fe74HL2C_z0ZvFWjxGX1VA8tb-VE9ycersugs-WjD3qCJsG0dubP2B0FbRmy0RhWcYcY/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGTvxG7O9Ojy85G7IJ3Z45LfS_BPzUugcBa58hI0GfIH08C1DnhItyDyDqHDYmvbxqcxBYHq6fe74HL2C_z0ZvFWjxGX1VA8tb-VE9ycersugs-WjD3qCJsG0dubP2B0FbRmy0RhWcYcY/s400/IMG_1082.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charging configuration.</td></tr>
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The instructions say to never allow the battery voltage to drop below 9 volts. This matches <a href="http://powerelectronics.com/site-files/powerelectronics.com/files/archive/powerelectronics.com/portable_power_management/battery_charger_ics/804PET22li-ion-battery-life.pdf">similar advice</a> I've seen <a href="http://www.ka7oei.com/ft817_roar.html">elsewhere</a> regarding lithium polymer batteries.<br />
<br />
So, that's it. I'm reasonably happy with the installation. I have a business trip to SoCal and Arizon over the next couple of weeks. I'll try to knock out a SOTA activation or two out there. After the trip reports I'll let you know how the batteries held up.<br />
<br />
73.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOo85MTsCRb2yeiIFc_HCYog1IaUwOKznwuzZRCb-CyqtVrdQCCLwFpHXRXYXpc8-7L8coRXh8uHUoEBusGaB3A4iJUENf2t0GhDdVR-ys0cOGjoypnczO26lZJg-lwOu_TRT8pr9OEr8/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOo85MTsCRb2yeiIFc_HCYog1IaUwOKznwuzZRCb-CyqtVrdQCCLwFpHXRXYXpc8-7L8coRXh8uHUoEBusGaB3A4iJUENf2t0GhDdVR-ys0cOGjoypnczO26lZJg-lwOu_TRT8pr9OEr8/s400/IMG_1083.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The batteries ship mostly charged. 11.3 volts indicated.</td></tr>
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Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8502944407268195122.post-10525726630545292892015-09-26T19:45:00.002-04:002015-09-26T19:48:28.631-04:00Stock Investor Tips for the Ham Radio OperatorI've been working my way through the <a href="http://www.investablewealth.com/wealthsteading-podcast/">Wealthsteading Podcasts</a>, by Jon Pugliano.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until episode from February 5th 2015 that he spilled the beans that he was a ham. It turns out that he is N7PUG, and his <a href="https://www.qrz.com/db/n7pug">QRZ page</a> links to a blog post that he wrote <a href="http://www.investablewealth.com/investing-tips-for-the-ham-radio-operator/">comparing ham radio and the stock market investing</a>.<br />
<br />
He also seems to be a bit of a QRPer, as he uses the FT-817, too.<br />
<br />
Incidentally, I also listen to the <a href="http://radicalpersonalfinance.com/">Radical Personal Finance Podcast</a> by Joshua Sheats. Joshua is also a ham, and is also probably one of the most over-qualified financial experts out there, especially when you consider his age. Natehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494797639771712387noreply@blogger.com1