KG6MZS SUMMIT ACTIVATION
7 JANUARY 2021 W6/SC-219
It took several months, but my new Elecraft KX2 Finally arrived! I was so thrilled to finally have an HF radio, I decided to revisit Triunfo Lookout to try it out. I also purchased a Packtenna end-fed random wire to go with the KX2.
The Santa Ana winds had been blowing but I decided to give it a shot anyway. I was on the summit well before sunrise and the wind picked up quite a bit. Not the best conditions to deploy an HF antenna. As it was, the antenna blew down three times. In my excitement I had forgotten to pack my windbreaker or even a heavy pile jacket, so I was left shivering in a hoodie. I made 8 contacts on single sidband – one in France – and then beat a hasty retreat. The learning curve is pretty high on the KX2. It is a very different radio than my K3. I’ll need to spend some time with the rig. However, I am thrilled to finally be on HF on my SOTA adventures.
The end-fed Packtenna can be seen here on the edge of the old fire lookout’s foundation. I picked up quite a bit of common mode current with the coax running up to the feed point. Clearly I need to work on that.
The link to my previous activation of Triunfo Lookout and the route description can be found HERE.
More information about the Summits on the Air program.
