SOTA Activation Report: W4G/HC-036 - Pine Mountain

Trip of 2012.11.20

  • Succeeded: Yes
  • First-activation: Yes

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide - W4G/HC-036 - Pine Mountain

Commentary:

Perfect weather, convenient site to Atlanta, moderate-level hike. For a bonus, my eldest son came along and listened in via a second set of headphones. We both had a great time.

It’s a short, steep hike up from the west parking lot off Komatsu Drive in Cartersville. 20 meters was noise free and our chosen frequency was silent. (That’s an advantage of a weekday activation!)

Contacts:

  • 11 QSO at 10 watts on 20 meters - 14.345 MHz SSB
  • Thank you chasers!

Radio: Elecraft KX3.

  • This is the first time I managed to get battery power and SWR just right to transmit with 10 watts. (Nothing wrong with the radio before this – just operator error.)

Antenna I used:

  • 20 meters - EFHW on 31’ Jackite with EARCHI 20 meter matchbox. Bungee-corded it to the trunk of a twisted tree.
  • I used a counterpoise of about 21-20 feet.