Got a crazy idea, W8M/LP-015 is an active ski resort and I’m planning on being up there to snowboard soon so I figure, why not try to activate it while I’m there?
The only problem is I can’t really do HF, just not going to be practical to get it all up there, set up an antenna, etc. while it’s their peak winter season.
Anyone have any tips for success going VHF? I’ve already got an alert set, and I plan on reaching out to a couple of the local clubs soon and maybe give them a heads up. And there literally is a repeater at the top of the mountain so I can probably call it and see if I can get anyone to try me on simplex.
Any other tips or tricks? Anyone done something like this?
Gear will probably be an HT with a SignalStick on it, should do better than a rubber duck but still be something I can easily transport or stick in a pocket.
Try to line up some chasers in advance. Got friends in the area? Check for a VHF club around there - they usually like to chase weak signals. Especially if you will be in a ‘rare’ grid.
Use a good antenna. Got a portable Yagi?
Try 2m SSB if you have something like an FT-817
The Elecraft KH1 + whip would be an ideal solution for you, but requires 2 C’s: Cash and Code.
Unfortunately I have neither cash nor code, working on the second but the first one is a tough sell.
No Yagi either, I’d like one but it’s tough to justify when I can only do SOTA while traveling (no summits anywhere near by where I live).
My dad is coming with me and is also a ham so I’ll make him bring an HT to get one and hopefully between soliciting contacts off the repeaters and hitting up some local clubs on Facebook ahead of time I can get enough people listening to get my 4.
Thought about taping a roll up J-pole to my leg but I probably won’t have one before the trip and I imagine that will de-tune it.
I know Cadillac and Traverse City are within about 30 miles and I know I’ve hit that range on 5W FM with a 1/4 wave whip before, just a matter of if I’ve got the elevation I need and people have their radios on.
In that case, I’d go with a 1/2 wave whip (Long Ranger or similar) and just really try to get some folks lined up in advance.
You can DIY a portable Yagi with aluminum arrow shafts or welding rod. Won’t cost you much and will get you a big gain improvement over an omni antenna.
I use a home made “Flowerpot” antenna for 2m. Very simple to make, robust and rolls up small. My current one has done over 50 activations so far.
Andy
MM7MOX
Looking at sotl.as, there has only ever been one 2m QSO logged from there. Of course, you only need one to claim the summit as activated. To qualify for the points, you need four QSO’s.
I use a diamond rh-770 telescopic whip for this kind of thing. I travel with it detatched from the radio, as it can put strain on the connector.
Worth throwing in a slim jim type antenna too, if you have one. You may find a pole to hang it from. Have a look on google street view and see if they’ve been up there.
