I’m planning my third attempt at a Mt. Whitney winter summit. This time I’m bringing a couple of arguably the cheapest radios on the market to make my first SOTA attempt!
Baofeng UV-5R
TRU(sdx)
W6/SN-001
Estimated Summit Window
Tuesday March 25th 7:00 am - 9:00 am PST
1400 - 1600 UTC
Frequencies:
20 Meter
14.150 SSB
14.225 SSB
2 Meter
146.445 FM
147.445 FM
70 Centimeter
420.000 FM
445.000 FM
I posted an alert with the details above. I wanted to post a spot as well but didn’t have time to get everything setup on my inReach mini to send the data over. Also I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong thread. Very new to the SOTA world and I’m probably biting off more than I can chew for my first activation but figured if I’m going up there might as well give it a shot. Open to comments advice and suggestions!
I think most folks stick to the General class portion of 20 to appeal to a broader market. Perhaps a thread for another day is whether YOU should be operating right on your band-edge, too. Nothing wrong with it if you are absolutely certain of your frequency accuracy AND certain that you have no LSB output whatsoever - your call.
So I would recommend bringing a descent antenna. At least a full 1/4 wave or 1/2 wave telescope antenna. Or my choice a rollup J-Pole
The Baofeng is better than nothing but I have witnessed too many failed activations because of the poor receive performance of that radio. So if you planned to upgrade your radio maybe now is the time… But I guess a bit short noticed in two days…
I see your alert is up so good luck with the tour and many QSO.
I wouldn’t count on using those 20m SSB frequencies. You won’t know until you are on the summit… 20 tends to be very busy with lots of nets, POTA, SOTA, etc. You will need to listen and find a clear frequency. Very best of luck to you - I will be watching for your 20 meter spots and hope to make a QSO with you. I have chased Whitney 3 times before, all on 20 meters.
Triple check that you have everything for your HF rig before you go! Nothing worse than getting on summit to find you have left behind some essential bit of kit
As a former, but long-term, resident of the Eastern Sierra, be careful. Inyo County SAR spends most of their time doing “recoveries” not “rescues” from Mt. Whitney, especially in the winter.
That being said, the Bishop Amateur radio club has two repeaters–one on Mazourka Peak at 146.76- with a PL of 103.5 which can easily hit from Whitney, and one on Silver Peak at 146.94-, also with a PL of 103.5 (they are linked . . .) There are several club members that routinely monitor those frequencies (but don’t pay attention to the SOTA site) and are usually happy to QSY to 146.52 or some other simplex frequency if asked. They are always helpful in getting at least three or four VHF contacts in the books. They “saved” a couple of activations for me. I never tried on Whitney, but it may be worth a shot for you.
Wow thank you everyone for the replies and experience.
I have done this trip a couple times before in the winter so I understand the severe dangers and have been practicing with all of my mountain safety equipment. I’ll also be making my location available to anyone that is interested.
Yes, these are terrible radios to be attempting activations with… My reason for choosing them was partly as an entry point but also because something inside me wants to prove they can get things done. My next upgrade will be the Elecraft and I’m hoping to earn it!
I intended to program my Baofeng with the local repeaters but could not for the life of me find my programming cable. I’m on my way up there now but will take some time to manually program the repeaters definitely going to be a huge help.
There is cell service on the summit proper as you can see down into Lone Pine from
the Summit. There are a few Activators up in the Bishop area who may be able to hear you on 2M FM. Depnding on prop and if there are folks on the bigger peaks in the San Gabriels/Bernadinos you can possibly get 2M S2S (well maybe with those Baofengs).
