Tag Archives: SOTA

SOTA/POTA Activation on Mt. Kearsarge at Rollins State Park

On June 9th we will be having a club activation of Rollins State Park (POTA K-2676) and Mt. Kearsarge (SOTA W1/HA-010). An added bonus is that the ARRL VHF contest will begin at 2:00 pm on this day! The bands should be active.

This is a drive-able mountain – you are welcome to drive or hike. There are a parking lot and picnic area a short distance from the top where we will be setting up. The peak is a short hike from the parking area. This activity should appear to anyone who wants to work portable operations – you do not have to take part in SOTA/POTA/VHF contest – you can come and operate and have fun.

Portable 6m SOTA Station
Portable SOTA Station

Fred, AB1OC will be bringing the portable satellite station. I will have my mobile HF station (IC-7100), a couple of HTs with the 2m/70cm Elk Antenna and tape measure yagis, and the Elecraft KX2 as well. I can’t use them all at the same time and would be very happy to share!

Abby, AB1BY, and Jamey, AC1DC, Provide a BBQ
Abby, Ab1BY, and Jamey, AC1DC, Provide a BBQ

I will also be bringing my grill if you want to bring anything to grill up during the day.

Here is a map to the parking area on Mt. Kearsarge (you can also hike to the summit from this location):

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/”/43.3787932,-71.8587101/@43.3782947,-71.8593654,219m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

If you would like a longer hike to the summit you will have to start in Winslow State Park – same place, just a different entrance:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/”/43.3898777,-71.8675513/@43.3898749,-71.8676715,86m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

You can show up at any time, but I think the most people should try to be there by 12:00 pm to be set up with plenty of time to operate.

Jamey, AC1DC

SOTA Activation on Mt. Wachusett

Antenna Farm on Mt. Wachusett
Antenna Farm on Mt. Wachusett

On Saturday September 24, we held our last SOTA activation of this season at Mt. Wachusett in Massachusetts.   We had great weather, great scenery, and a great time operating from the summit.

Getting to the Summit

Brian, W1BP and son hiked to the summit
Brian, W1BP and son hiked to the summit

Fred, AB1OC, Anita, AB1QB and Jamey, KC1ENX took the mountain road to the summit, while Brian, W1BP hiked to the top.

6 meter beam
6 meter beam

Operating from the Summit

Fred and Anita brought their 6m beam and portable station.  This time we were set up for digital operation and made SSB as well as FT4 QSOs.  We made a total of 24 QSOs and were heard on FT8 as far away as Nova Scotia and North Carolina.

PSK Reporter map shows where we were heard on 6m FT8
PSK Reporter map shows where we were heard on 6m FT8
Jamey works Europe with his new KX2
Jamey works Europe with his new KX2

Jamey brought his new KX2 and worked many countries in Europe QRP on 20m with his Buddipole vertical.

Fred, AB1OC working 6m FT8 using Solar Power
Fred, AB1OC working 6m FT8 using Solar Power

We had a warm sunny day – perfect for the first weekend of Fall.  We had plenty of solar power to run both Fred’s and Brian’s stations.

Join us for Mt Wachusett SOTA Activation on Saturday September 23rd

On Saturday, September 23rd we’ll head to Mt Wachusett SOTA (W1/CR-001) in Princeton, MA.  It is only about an hour drive from Nashua.

The Address is: 345 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA.

There is a road to the summit and hiking trails to the top. If you haven’t gotten in on the SOTA action yet, come and join us and get in on the fun!  We’ll try to arrive around 10:00 am and operate until you’re too cold or have worked everyone on the bands.

6-meter Beam and Team at Mt Washington SOTA Activation

Fred, AB1OC will be bringing the same 6-meter setup that he brought to Mt. Washington.  You can bring your own setup or operate from our portable station.  Rumor has it he also has FT8 and Meteor Scatter setup so you can try your hand at these digital modes!

Contact Jamey Finchum, KC1ENX, if you plan on coming or if you have any questions.

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