SOTA Guide - Greentop, W4T/SU-076

I do not like Greentop. I do not intend to activate it again.

• It is difficult to find a safe spot for an HF antenna, avoiding power lines.
• I was able to raise Knoxville (strong signal report) on VHF with a Yagi, but I found only 2 VHF contacts with calling on 146.52 and zero chasers after spotting.
• S5 noise level on 20 and 40 meters in 2015. (S3 in 2014.)
• No opportunity to set up away from noise sources.
• I got blisters from poison ivy on the summit.

Drive Guide - Greentop - From Applewood Restaurant, Pigeon Forge

• Duration: 0:30
• Google Maps: n.a.
• Seasonal/Limited Access: Paved to top
• Directions:
  • West (away from Parkway) on Apple Valley Rd and go to corner of property ~ 0.1
  • Bear R to stay on Apple Valley and go 1.1
  • L on New Era Rd and go 0.3
  • L fork at Stop sign and go 2.2
  • L on Goose Gap Rd and go 1.6
  • R on Bluff Mtn Rd and go 4.1
  • Sharp L on Tower Rd and go 0.7
  • Note: You go straight. Horse Cove Rd goes L. This junction is outside the activation zone.
  • S past Horse Cove Rd and go 0.3
  • Sharp R at ridge top onto very short road to antenna tower.
• Food
  • Applewood Restaurant

Drive Guide - Greentop From Atlanta

• Duration: 4:00
• Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/cdFAE
• Seasonal/Limited Access: Paved to top
• Directions:
  • I-75 North
  • At I-640, continue East on I-40 and go 2.6
  • Exit 388 for US-441 (Henley Street) and remain on US-441 for 20.8
  • R on Whites School Rd and go 0.6
  • R on Goose Gap Rd and go 4.4
  • R on Bluff Mtn Rd and go 4.1
  • Sharp L on Tower Rd and go 0.7
  • Note: You go straight. Horse Cove Rd goes L. This junction is outside the activation zone
  • S past Horse Cove Rd and go 0.3
  • Sharp R at ridge top onto very short road to antenna tower.

Drive Guide - Clingmans Dome to Greentop

• Duration: 1:10
• Directions:
  • Head out on Clingmans Dome Rd and go 7
  • L on US-441 N and go 13.8
  • L on Gatlinburg Bypass and go 3.6
  • Keep L on US-441 N and go 7.3
  • L on Wears Valley Rd and go 0.1
  • S on E Wears Valley Rd and go 0.1
  • S on Wears Valley Rd and go 2.6
  • R on Waldens Creek Rd and go 0.5
  • R on Goose Gap Rd and go 0.5
  • L on Bluff Mtn Rd and go 4.1
  • Sharp L on Tower Rd and go 0.7
  • Note: You go straight. Horse Cove Rd goes L. This junction is outside the activation zone
  • S past Horse Cove Rd and go 0.3
  • Sharp R at ridge top onto very short road to antenna tower.

Drive Guide - Greentop - TO Knoxville

• Directions:
  • Head downhill (sharp L from tower driveway) and go 1.0
  • Sharp R ond Bluff Mtn Rd and go 4.1
  • L on Goose Gap Rd and go 4.4
  • L on Whites School Rd and go 0.6
  • L on US-441 N
  • If going to Alcoa Hwy go 13.4
    • R on ramp to TN-168 (John Sevier Hwy)
    • L on TN-168 W and go 6.7
  • If going to Atlanta, go 20.2 to ramp to I-40 W

Trail Guide

• Duration: 20 minutes
• Navigation
  • It is a big activation zone. Coming up the road from Horse Cove Rd, once you round the bend to the left, you are in the zone.
• Summit altitude: 3069’
• GPS tracks/waypoints: Official Summit: 35.8119, -83.6672

Summit Guide

• Hang antenna from tree: No
• Space to guy mast: No
• Cell coverage: AT&T (VZN and APRS not tested)
• Unique features: Summit is full of towers and power lines. The only wire antenna I could fit was to run a near-vertical sloper off the side of the fire tower or to throw a line over a tree in the “corner” (above poison ivy). Any place else near the summit was just too close to a power line or an air conditioning noise source.