One happy SOTA operator. Photo by R. Crenshaw
1 APRIL 2022 W6/SC-318
I met my nephew as it was just starting to get light in the Dos Vientos section of Newberry Park. Venus, Mars and Saturn all graced the eastern skyline on this fair and mild early morning. We saw three deer as we made our way up what is known as Powerline Trail.
The hike is a pleasant 2.2 mile up a gently graded road. It gets a bit steep once the route leaves the road. It took us almost exactly an hour.
This was my third trip up Conejo Mountain, my first trip being in 1984 and the last trip a SOTA expedition last year. Despite the erratic rainfall this winter, quite a few wildflowers brightened the hillsides.
The skies were a bit hazy with some marine layer that reduced our visibility. Band conditions were poor due to a recent solar flare but we got into the Pacific Northwest and other points north.
Cell coverage from Verizon was poor, but APRS coverage was fine, as might be expected.
KG6MZS 