SOTA Summit: W6/SD-024, Peak 5863
Trail: PCT and then 100% bushwhack to summit
Hike: Difficult (bushwhacking) ~ 5+ miles round trip.
Elevation gain: 820 feet
Self Spot: N0 (RBNhole – CW)
2-meter FM: No
Files: GPX
Bushwhacking ahead…
SOTA W6/SD-011, Combs Peak
SOTA Summit: W6/SD-011, Combs Peak
Trail: PCT and use trail climb.
Hike: Easy ~ 6.4 miles round trip.
Elevation gain: 1100 feet
Self Spot: N0 (RBNhole – CW)
2-meter FM: Not really (Got 1 from Otay Mesa)
Files: GPX
SOTA W6/SS-340, Peak 8060
SOTA Summit: W6/SS-340, Peak 8060
Trail: Lightly used trail and a cross county climb.
Hike: Moderate – 7.2 miles round trip.
Elevation gain: 2160 feet
Self Spot: N0 (RBNhole – CW)
2-meter FM: No
Files: via link
Peak 8060 is a rarely visited summit near the Kennedy Meadows campground. It had yet to be activated for SOTA so we thought we’d give it a shot.
CW Academy Level 3 Complete
It has been a long road but after almost a year I have completed the full CW Academy schedule by graduating from CW Academy Level 3. I am amazed at the contest speeds I am now comfortable with. If you had told me a year ago that I would be able to comprehend CW contest speeds between 30-35 wpm I would have thought you were crazy. The CW Academy will get you there.
As I’ve posted before: the Academy is free and taught by instructors who are passionate about helping people learn to operate using CW. Classes were held twice a week online with the instructor and a small group of students. There are three levels in the program with the ultimate goal of 25 wpm head copy. Thanks to my Instructor Rob K6RB who did a great job!
If you want to get started using CW or improve your skills check out the CW Academy.
Yaesu FT2DR SOTA Trail Card
About a year ago I posted my Trail Card for the FT1D. However last summer I upgraded to the FT2DR. I found posting APRS SOTA spots much easier with the touch screen on this HT. I really like my Yaesu FT2DR. It has been a solid performer and accompanied me on every SOTA activation since last summer. It is the HT I use for all my 2-meter activations.
I find the menu system much easier to navigate on this unit. That said, I always pack my SOTA Trail Card (cheat sheet) just in case I forget one of those rarely used features hidden deep in the Yaesu menu system. Short of using the radio everyday, it is easy to become lost navigating some of the less used features.
If you find Yaesu FT2DR SOTA Trail Card it useful, you are welcome to it.
[Read more…] about Yaesu FT2DR SOTA Trail Card
KX6A Amateur Radio Goals – 2017
My 2016 goals worked out pretty well so I am continuing the program and posting my Amateur Radio Goals for 2017.
1. 500 SOTA Activator Points – Half Way to Mountain Goat
I am starting the year with 212 total activator points. Last year I earned 211 of those. Now that I have some experience I am going to aim for earning at least 288 more points this year. My goals is to be halfway to Mountain Goat by 2018.