Second failed attempt at my first SOTA activation

Old Reflector
1

I’ve tried to activate Mt. Raut, I/FV-321 an 8 pointer), twice now. Last weekend on 2m (Boafeng HT) with no luck. So I lugged my 817nd and buddipole up the 2025m (6644ft) behemoth today. I got set up and finally got decent SWR on the antenna. It was so nice to not be blasted with RF noise way up there. Anyway, I was hearing a lot of UK stations and a lot of chatter in general, but didn’t land a single QSO! After working feverishly for two hours, I was at a loss. I packed up and headed down the mountain.

If I keep doing this every weekend, I’ll be in the best shape of my life. Perhaps I’ll actually get this big rock activated. I figure this mountain is fitting because I’ve never activated a SOTA, and this one has never been activated.

2

In reply to KD2DHT:

Hi Francis,

I saw your alert and did hunt around for you including monitoring your aprs sign of KD2DHT-10. The last beacon was on the 9th June. When there was no new beacon nor spot I assumed you had decided not go.

Better luck next time for both of us 8)

Best wishes
Mike G6TUH

3

In reply to G6TUH:
Thanks for the lookout. I was using APRSdroid on my phone. I started it but never verified it was working correctly. I had a friend trying to track me as well. Very little in the way of mobile signal up there as well so impossible to post on SOTAwatch when on location. I will try again next weekend of the weather cooperates. Hopefully will have the VX8 running APRS as well. Thanks and 73’s!