It was a sunny day yesterday when my wife and i went to Bald Peak for a SOTA activation attempt (she thinks i am crazy for doing this). The view was great. It was a busy day at the park, lots of visitors coming and going. I had never been there and until i starting researching SOTA i had no idea it existed. learning about SOTA has allowed me to discover a different perspective and i can't wait for the next opportunity to combine the great outdoors with radio. I was able to make 6 contacts yesterday and with my little 2meter HT. I had spent part of last week making a homebrew directional antenna based on measuring tape elements. i was shocked to find it reaching from Bald peak to Salem on simplex and hit it with a clearer signal than a repeater. I was also amazed to get a contact all the way on Mt. Hood, i think it was 50 plus miles. I wanted to thank Etienne for suggesting this as the first peak. We are truely blessed here in the NW with all these wonderful summits. I am truely glad i discovered the SOTA program here in the PNW.
73,
Glenn
KG7TDC
