The Station
Welcome to my radio shack! My main HF radio is a Yaesu FTDX-10 loading up a multiband doublet that is resonate on 40m. It is up about 40 feet in the trees around the shack. additionally I am running an M2 three element Yagi on 6 meters and a 80m half wave end fed antenna. For 2 meters and 70 centimeters I have a Comet CX-333 vertical driven by a Kenwood TH-G707. On the right on the wall is a Davis Instruments Vantage Pro 2 weather station.
Using Boot Camp on a vintage iMac, I run Windows 10 native. I use the Ham Radio Deluxe suite including Digital Master 780.
The SOTA station incorporates an Elecraft KX2 with a Bioenno 3AH external battery. My main SOTA antenna is a home brew 20 AWG zip cord doublet that is resonate on 40m. I also carry a PackTenna end-fed random wire antenna for quick deployment in tough conditions. For 2m and 70cm I use a Kenwood TH-F6a and a roll-up Slim Jim. Recently I’ve added a Yaesu FT5DR and APRS capability. The antennas are supported with a Goture 20′ carbon fiber fishing pole, a Jackite 30′ and a Jackite 20′ fiberglass masts.
The SOTA station carefully wrapped up for quick, snag-free deployment
Latest Posts
Sandstone Peak x3
Two days before Christmas I return for a glorious third activation of the misnamed Sandstone Peak. Santa Catalina Island in this view looking from Chester the Drone. 23 DECEMBER 2022 W6/CC-056 This is a classic hike that I give four stars to with one very important caveat: it is an incredibly popular hike. I usually…
Summit 4,460′
On the Edison road to the summit. 26 NOVEMBER 2022 W6/CT-144 Elevation:4,460’Route: Short cross countryHike Distance: .6 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 250’Navigation: EasySteepness: gentleVehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Edison dirt roadCell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS ExcellentHike basics This activation didn’t exactly go smoothy but ended up being surprisingly enjoyable. In preparing for this…
Santiago Peak
Looking north past Modjeska Peak to the San Gabriel Mountains. 5 NOVEMBER 2022 W6/CT-023 Elevation:4,689’Route: Drive upHike Distance: n/a Elevation Gain: n/aNavigation: EasySteepness: n/aVehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Forest Service dirtCell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS ExcellentHike basics Lots of people crowded this “techno summit” on the Saturday I decided to activate Santiago Peak. My…
Modjeska Peak
Looking east toward Mount San Gorgonio and Mount San Jacinto. 5 NOVEMBER 2022 W6/CT-026 Elevation:5,495’Route: 4×4 routeHike Distance: 2 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 500’Navigation: EasySteepness: GentleVehicle: SUV High clearance recommended Road: Forest Service dirtCell Coverage: Good (Verizon), APRS ExcellentHike basics Modjeska Peak is named for the famous Polish actress Helena Modjeska who immigrated to…
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