S. O. T. A. in the U.S.A. 🇺🇲

Activation Reports
61

Nice video Fraser! @MM0EFI. It was great to hear Chris @F4WBN working you, he’s very clear on the recording.

Looking forward to Part 2 :+1:

73, Simon

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62

Cheers Simon. 2m in part 2, once I edit it. Some SOTA Celebs in that one. :grin:

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63

Great, looking forward to it Fraser :+1:.

On my screen breaks between Teams calls I should be revising for my cyber exams, but the books are so dull compared to SOTA videos ha ha! :joy:

73, Simon

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64

Working 2m FM in the US was a much happier and more rewarding experience that on my local hills. Great to work a couple of mobile stations too.

Here’s my 2m activation from the iconic Pikes Peak, America’s Mountain.

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65

Nice activation there on 2 meters, Fraser! Such a contrast to the 2 meters band here in S. Germany where, on weekdays at least, the band is often completely dead: so much so that an HT often just amounts to dead weight!

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66

Agreed! Obviously working with 2m above a densely populated strip (Colorado Springs up to Denver) from 14,000’ helped greatly, but there seems to be more interest in 2m FM over there.

Visitors just need to remember that a standard EU handheld may not have the frequency coverage for the US, hence my US spec ancient Kenwood.

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67

Thanks so much for the initial report and the two great follow-up videos. I am always amazed by how different the mountains are out west versus our beloved Blue Ridge Mountains here in the east. I always think the same thing when I read everyone’s reports from “across the pond” as you all say. I think most of your altitudes are similar to ours, but most of your peaks are wide open. Most of the peaks here in the Carolinas are under canopy, which creates unique challenges but allows you to no have to carry a mast.

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68

That’s funny because when I flew into Glasgow several years ago I had the same impression in reverse. I have spent about half my life in or near the Blue Ridge Mtns of VA (ie north of Thomas). Glasgow airport’s surrounding terrain reminded me of Roanoke Regional Airport in SW VA and its surrounding environment.

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69

Exactly. I find sometimes it’s difficult to get a wire antenna up because the forest and undergrowth is too thick. I’ve had many instances of having to thread a wire through the trees in a haphazard fashion.

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70

I suppose I was meaning the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire. They are mainly bald, grassy, heathery and in some cases rocky though. Out of the 78 GM/ES summits, I can think of around eight that are wooded

71

Is it just me or does everyone think of Laurel and Hardy when they see that?

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72

I think it’s everyone.

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73

…of a certain age.

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74

Not me. What am I missing?

75

Gotcha. Lack of trees aside, the mountains in Scotland are similar to the Appalachians (which contain the Blue Ridge Mtns).

76
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77

Thanks. Never saw that one before. :slight_smile:

78

Classic! Every evening on BBC2 when I was a kid. Interspersed with a bit of Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton.

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