Heading up to Apple Orchard Mountain this weekend.

Tue 11 July 2017

Like last year, I'll be heading over to Apple Orchard Mountain to support the annual APRS Golden Packet Event.  My friends Dave KB3RAN and Steve N3IPN are once again part of the team with the addition of Ed KC3EN joining us for the long slog up the mountain.

In addition to operating APRS, we'll also be active on HF and VHF+.  You can watch for spots from us on the SOTAwatch2 site.

Changes from last year

Last year we didn't quite know what to expect; we ended up bringing way too much stuff and it was all way too heavy.  This year weight is a primary concern and we don't plan on making the same mistake again.

image0My friendly postal carrier dropped off a box just yesterday which contained the new heart of my station.  I've heard good things about these new LifePO batteries so I figured I'd get one to try it out for myself.  So far I'm impressed.  I've not really put it under a load test, yet, but if it really gives me the watt-hours that it says it will at ~3 lbs, I'll be ecstatic!

Another change is that I'll be bringing my Elecraft K1 with SOTABEAMS Band Springer Midi antenna.  This is an extremely lightweight HF setup and has proven itself to work quite well (you can read about my adventure activating Emmaville Mountain North up in Pennsylvania with this setup).

Listen for us!

We'll be on the air from the summit starting Saturday, 15 July 2017, morning (likely around 1400Z) and will stay on the air until early to mid afternoon.  I'll be chirping on APRS (WG3K-7) if you need to get a message to me while we're up on mountain!

73!

By Sparks, Category: Radio

Tags: 2m / 6m / 70cm / Digital Operations / QRP / Summits on the Air (SOTA) / APRS / APRS Golden Packet /

Other articles

Activating Apple Orchard Mountain (W4V/RA-001)

Mon 18 July 2016

On Saturday, 16 July 2016, Dave KB3RAN, Steve N3IPN, and I hiked up Apple Orchard Mountain (SOTA W4V/RA-001) to activate it for the Appalachian Trail Golden Packet event.  While we were there we took advantage of the altitude and activated the summit for Summits on the Air (SOTA), National …

By Sparks, Category: Radio

Continue reading …

Oh, did I mention six meters was open?

Tue 12 July 2016

Turning on the radio this morning I was surprised to hear Puerto Rico coming in loud and clear on 50.125MHz. Once I had KP4EIT and HI3TEJ (Dominican Republic) in the logs I checked the DX Cluster to check the activity. There appeared to be many other stations from the …

By Sparks, Category: Radio

Continue reading …

Operating Portable from Apple Orchard Mountain

Wed 06 July 2016

During the weekend of July 16th I plan on being atop Apple Orchard Mountain, in Virginia, operating in the AT Golden Packet event as well as doing some VHF+ work while I'm there.  I'll be accompanied by Dave, KB3RAN, and Steve, N3IPN, who are planning to operate QRP HF voice …

By Sparks, Category: Radio

Continue reading …

10m and 6m band opening

Sun 07 February 2010

Heard 10m was open this morning but concentrated my efforts on 6m as it is rarely open this time of year.  Worked NJ2F, N2WB, N3LL, W4LT, and K4MM, all from Florida.  I didn't really hear anyone else on but the Florida stations were saying that the bands were crowded!

By Sparks, Category: Radio

Continue reading …