SOTA Activation Report: W4G/NG-023, Big Cedar

Trip of 2013.07.26

• Succeeded: Yes
• First-activation: No
• Propagation forecast on departure: 40m: Fair, 30m: Good, 20m: Good, 17m: Fair, S/N: 1-2
• Propagation forecast on return:

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide: W4G/NG-023, Big Cedar Mountain

Commentary:

Woody Gap is on GA-60, and easy to find. Lots of parking, but lots of hikers/bikers/picnickers on weekends.

If you go there, watch out! There’s lots of poison ivy on that summit. I went off trail, to activate from the true high point. There was lots of thunderstorm QRN, but a good number of chasers persisted through the noise and my weak signal.

Given the poison ivy and the fact that the high point of the trail is within the activation zone, I’ll operate from the side of the trail when I go back. I was observed by a doe for part of my activation, so that was unusual.