After reading EA7GV, Jose’s, writeup about activating a summit with his birthday age I wanted to celebrate in a similar way. But the -068 summits in the area were experiencing weather I didn’t want to be in, or were more distant than I wanted to travel.
The Verdugo Mountain highpoint, W6/CT-269, has a trailhead 15 minutes from my home. The hike is 6 miles rt and follows an unpaved service road to various comms sites. It also provides a good heart pounding workout.
I left the car at 6:30 AM, the air temperature 38 F. The sun was already up, the route well lit. There is a series of bicycle tracks that shortens the road and I took several of them adding to my exertion. After an hour I arrived at my operating site and took in the expansive views while catching my breath.
It was great fun to work the regulars and receive a number of birthday greetings. DX was good, too. Of my 127 QSOs, 34 were outside the country in 15 countries on all six continents! NA=V31DJ, EU=G3VXJ, AF=EC8ADS, AS=JA1VVH, OC=AH6V, SA=PJ2/K5PI.
Interestingly, five of six continents were contacted on 10 meter CW. What a great outing! Oh, and 11 S2S plus chases from EG2GURU and EG7GURU.
By the time I packed up the sun had warmed the air nicely. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Thanks to all who called in. I love working DX and S2S. I also enjoy handing out chaser points to all who want them.
72, David N6AN
Happy birthday, David! This is excellent. While I wasn’t available to chase on Tuesday, I wanted to add that I appreciate your dedication to always trying the high bands! It certainly looked like it paid off big this time!
That’s stunning on 5 watts, although the antenna is as good as you can get without hiring K6HPX to consult. I run 12 watts to a 44 foot end fed inverted L on summits, and I can’t do what you did. I’d bet that you are one of the ultra-rare Worked All Continents award qualifiers who did it in a few hours with QRP, battery power, and no beam.
Your map with the paths needs to be “up front” in QST. I see my blue triangle, and I’m reminded that my activations are not complete until we have our usual s2s.
Wow!!! Congrats on a great activation and Happy Birthday, David. As an activator, I often use N6AN as a beacon on the high bands here in the Northeast. If you can hear and work N6AN, the band is open !!
Stay well & 73!
Mike, WB2FUV
TNX David, I heard you calling the JA station S2S after I made my call but then the station replied to me. Apologies for stepping on you! My intent is to always give priority to S2S while chasing.
