Re: Ortegas report

开云体育

Brad,

Thanks input on the connector, good to know it’s a universal issue and not unique to my radio.

73,

John K1JD

On Sep 27, 2024, at 8:14?AM, Brad - WA6MM via groups.io <wa6mm@...> wrote:

?
Hi John,

The problem you had with your Kx2 must be fairly common.? I experienced the same loose connector on mine and was actually able to help another activator I was with recently fix the same issue with his Kx2 while in the field.? Elecraft should have used some sort of locking connector.? We subject our gear to a lot of vibration while climbing mountains!? I'm sure Elecraft must know about this problem by now.

?

73, Brad

WA6MM

Re: Ortegas report

#3941

Hi John,

The problem you had with your Kx2 must be fairly common.? I experienced the same loose connector on mine and was actually able to help another activator I was with recently fix the same issue with his Kx2 while in the field.? Elecraft should have used some sort of locking connector.? We subject our gear to a lot of vibration while climbing mountains!? I'm sure Elecraft must know about this problem by now.

?

73, Brad

WA6MM

Re: Ortegas report

#3940

开云体育

Tnxs John,?

Will RTV that connector in my KX2!

73

K6TAA?

Show quoted text

On Sep 26, 2024, at 11:30, John K1JD via groups.io <johnk1jd@...> wrote:

?
?On the first peak yesterday, I discovered there was no RF out of the KX2, not a good omen for a 3 peak day. I pulled the back off, battery dangling but connected, and found that the BNC had loosened slightly. Tightened it by hand but still no RF. Poking around inside the case near the BNC, RF out resumed. The KX2 case was open for the entire first activation since I had not conclusively identified the problem. After the activation, I took 5 minutes to make sure everything I could see was properly seated etc. The case was closed and there were no problems during the 2 additional activations.

This morning I hooked the KX2 to my Bird wattmeter and dummy load. No RF again! I noticed that the white connector closest to the BNC in the attached photo didn’t seem to be fully seated. Once seated, RF out resumed. I added a blob of silicone caulking so that the connector remains seated.

?Lesson learned - Years of trips off road & hiking stresses our gear, and the effects can be cumulative!

73,
John K1JD

<IMG_1779.jpeg>

On Sep 26, 2024, at 10:13?AM, Fred Maas <just.one.hill@...> wrote:

?
John and I enjoyed doing the Ortega Mtn three-some yesterday.? Road from El Rito is much better, but still subject to flashflood.? The roads into the peaks themselves were slightly better, as in, less rocks.? We aired down and that helped.
?
The numbered peak, OT-020, had BIG and fresh bear sign pile, but we didn’t see the bear.? East Ortega had bugling elk all around it, fun.? The plethora of fallen trees in there are breaking down, rotting, closer to the ground, and somewhat easier to negotiate than in the past.
?
<<< >>>
?
Carol’s presentation Saturday got me thinking more about back-ups.? Generally, John and I are each other’s back-ups.? That is the lightest and most reliable back-up.? ?I have had relatively few failures, and they have taken many forms.? Most often a broken antenna wire usually at a trap, and I can tie it back together and still have the higher band(s).? John had a failure this time with a BNC connector coming loose. ?He was able to temporarily tighten it, good for the day at least.
?
Equipment failure means loss of a SOTA point, frustrating, but not life and death, so I don’t worry much about back-ups.? Still, a trapped 26 gauge antenna wire, with each additional activation, the wire becomes more susceptible to fatigue.? So I made this #28 EFHW 20M only antenna which as you can see weighs less than an ounce with its heavy-duty carrying case (a sandwich bag).?
?
This back-up I don’t mind carrying.
?
73? fred kt5x
?
?
?
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Re: Ortegas report

#3939

开云体育

?On the first peak yesterday, I discovered there was no RF out of the KX2, not a good omen for a 3 peak day. I pulled the back off, battery dangling but connected, and found that the BNC had loosened slightly. Tightened it by hand but still no RF. Poking around inside the case near the BNC, RF out resumed. The KX2 case was open for the entire first activation since I had not conclusively identified the problem. After the activation, I took 5 minutes to make sure everything I could see was properly seated etc. The case was closed and there were no problems during the 2 additional activations.

This morning I hooked the KX2 to my Bird wattmeter and dummy load. No RF again! I noticed that the white connector closest to the BNC in the attached photo didn’t seem to be fully seated. Once seated, RF out resumed. I added a blob of silicone caulking so that the connector remains seated.

?Lesson learned - Years of trips off road & hiking stresses our gear, and the effects can be cumulative!

73,

John K1JD

Show quoted text

On Sep 26, 2024, at 10:13?AM, Fred Maas <just.one.hill@...> wrote:

?
John and I enjoyed doing the Ortega Mtn three-some yesterday.? Road from El Rito is much better, but still subject to flashflood.? The roads into the peaks themselves were slightly better, as in, less rocks.? We aired down and that helped.
?
The numbered peak, OT-020, had BIG and fresh bear sign pile, but we didn’t see the bear.? East Ortega had bugling elk all around it, fun.? The plethora of fallen trees in there are breaking down, rotting, closer to the ground, and somewhat easier to negotiate than in the past.
?
<<< >>>
?
Carol’s presentation Saturday got me thinking more about back-ups.? Generally, John and I are each other’s back-ups.? That is the lightest and most reliable back-up.? ?I have had relatively few failures, and they have taken many forms.? Most often a broken antenna wire usually at a trap, and I can tie it back together and still have the higher band(s).? John had a failure this time with a BNC connector coming loose. ?He was able to temporarily tighten it, good for the day at least.
?
Equipment failure means loss of a SOTA point, frustrating, but not life and death, so I don’t worry much about back-ups.? Still, a trapped 26 gauge antenna wire, with each additional activation, the wire becomes more susceptible to fatigue.? So I made this #28 EFHW 20M only antenna which as you can see weighs less than an ounce with its heavy-duty carrying case (a sandwich bag).?
?
This back-up I don’t mind carrying.
?
73? fred kt5x
?
?
?
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<tmobilespace.gif>
<20240926_094630_HDR.jpg>
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Ortegas report

#3938

开云体育

John and I enjoyed doing the Ortega Mtn three-some yesterday.? Road from El Rito is much better, but still subject to flashflood.? The roads into the peaks themselves were slightly better, as in, less rocks.? We aired down and that helped.

?

The numbered peak, OT-020, had BIG and fresh bear sign pile, but we didn’t see the bear.? East Ortega had bugling elk all around it, fun.? The plethora of fallen trees in there are breaking down, rotting, closer to the ground, and somewhat easier to negotiate than in the past.

?

<<< >>>

?

Carol’s presentation Saturday got me thinking more about back-ups.? Generally, John and I are each other’s back-ups.? That is the lightest and most reliable back-up.? ?I have had relatively few failures, and they have taken many forms.? Most often a broken antenna wire usually at a trap, and I can tie it back together and still have the higher band(s).? John had a failure this time with a BNC connector coming loose. ?He was able to temporarily tighten it, good for the day at least.

?

Equipment failure means loss of a SOTA point, frustrating, but not life and death, so I don’t worry much about back-ups.? Still, a trapped 26 gauge antenna wire, with each additional activation, the wire becomes more susceptible to fatigue.? So I made this #28 EFHW 20M only antenna which as you can see weighs less than an ounce with its heavy-duty carrying case (a sandwich bag).?

?

This back-up I don’t mind carrying.

?

73? fred kt5x

?






?

?

New plan

#3937

开云体育

Due to closure in the Pecos the new plan is a follows.
W5N/MG-010? North Baldy? Wednesday September 25, 2024
Depart my QTH by 0800 for the drive down to trail head parking.? QRV 1730 ish
The FS road to the top is 4WD, High Clearance, and Lockers helpful.
Nice little summit with memorial plaque on top.
73 all WB5USB Geo

W5 MG 010 North Baldy 7.JPG

W5N MG 010 K5RHD.JPG

W5N MG 010 North Baldy 7.jpg

W5N MG 010 North Baldy Drive from Alb.gpx

W5N MG 010 North Baldy Drive.gpx

Action Plan W5N/PW-022

#3936

开云体育

W5N/PW-022 Barillas Peak? Wednesday September 25, 2024
Depart my QTH by 0800 for the drive up to trail head parking. see GPX Drive
From parking, at the gate, I plan to hike up the road to the summit. (about 1 mile)
QRV should be around 1800 UTC.? Lots of room to spread out on top with trees and grassy areas.
The road up is SUBARU capable. Always a nice drive in the Pecos Wilderness. Weather should be nice.
Enjoy the previous pics.. WB5USB Geo

W5N PW 022 Barillas Peak 2 George ops.JPG

W5N PW 022 Barillas Peak 6 Bobbie hike up.JPG

W5N PW 022 Barillas Peak Drive up 1.JPG

W5N PW 022 Barillas Peak Drive.gpx

W5N PW 022 Barillas Peak Parking at gate.JPG

DCHF

#3935

开云体育

Thank you for stepping up and contributing to a SOTA presentation.? You did SO well!? Carol spoke on important details to hiking in NM from gaiters to gloves to bothy bags to snowshoes, as well as a few details on serious business equipment.? John presented on, you can do this while traveling almost anywhere in the world.? He blew me away with slides and story from, wow, Tasmania.? And George, the photographer, opened the door for people to a dozen peaks not that far from ABQ that anyone might do as there is drive-up access.? We had fifty minutes allotted, we had four presenters, I urged each to try for ten minutes while knowing that it always runs long, 4 x 12 minutes is forty-eight… George’s last slide came on the screen at exactly 10:50.? Whew!

?

The presentation slides will be on the DCHF website for people to reference in a few weeks.

?

Loved Herb’s presentation on Navajo Code Talkers, of whom his dad was one.? Herb is N7HG, and the only extra class from Navajo country… and a SOTA activator.? If you want to activate on the Navajo Reservation, contact him, information on QRZ.

?

73,? fred

After Action W5N SE 021 Scooter Peak

#3934

开云体育

On Wednesday 18 Don and I headed out to trail head parking around 0700. From the paved parking area it was a .9 mile hike up a fairly steep slope covered with dead fall and high grass. see pics? It took me twice as long to get to the summit. Very rough hike. Once on top, however, it was open and grassy with some nice pines to set up under. Weather was excellent providing nice views of the caldera. The drive up was all asphalt but the hike up is one I do not wish to repeat. Band conditions were fairly good. Enjoy the pics.? 73 WB5USB Geo

FW: LAST Email from the Duke City Hamfest

#3933

开云体育

The SOTA presentation featuring K1JD, K5TFL, and WB5USB, will be Saturday, room 108 at 10 AM.? See you there!

?

Fred

?

Subject: LAST Email from the Duke City Hamfest

?

Good Morning Everyone,

Welcome to the LAST MailChimp Email Blast from the Duke City Hamfest and the FIRST DAY of the DCHF for 2024.? It’s been a year in coming and a lot of hard work by a dedicated team of volunteers and unstoppable Board Members. ?

The doors will open this morning, Friday, 9/20 at 8:00 AM for those who Pre-Registered and for Walk-in Registration.? Coffee and doughnuts will be for sale in the Main Lobby Area.? The Vendor and Indoor Marketplace area (Rooms B & C) will open for business at 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.? The “EMCOM Workshop” and “HF University” events will both begin at 9:00 AM in Room D and Room 222 respectively.? These are both ALL DAY events.? Those are the three main activities for Friday.

Starting at 10:50 AM will be the first of SEVEN Door Prize giveaways that will happen throughout the day on Friday.? On Saturday there are EIGHT Door Prize giveaways starting at 9:50 AM.? All Door Prizes must be claimed by the end of that particular day.? Unclaimed prizes will be given away at the next possible opportunity.? Final Door Prize giveaways AND the drawings for the SIX Grand Prizes will begin at 12-Noon on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.? For some prizes you MUST BE PRESENT to win.? For other prizes, we will get them to you.? Make sure to READ the jar that you put your ticket(s) into so that you understand the rules for each prize.

Good luck EVERYONE and here’s wishing you all a WONDERFUL TIME at the 2024 edition of Albuquerque’s Duke City Hamfest.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of the Duke City Hamfest.

?

?

Copyright ? 2024 New Mexico Hamvention, Inc., All rights reserved.
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wait, WHAT?

#3932

开云体育

?

SOTA LOG:? 15:17z

??KT5X

? CT8/N6JFD/P

? CU/SM-005

? Pico das Eguas

? 18MHz

? CW

? 4

?

Jamie, N6JFD reports:

?

Hiya Fred, my wife and I are touring the mainland for yet another fall. I managed to sneak in an afternoon activation on the Azores island of Sao Miguel (cu/sm-005). TU for the chase.? Maybe a new Association for you?? I am running a KX2 with the AX1/AXE setup.

?

He was just a whisper in NM, and yet, … it was enough!? (not enuff to chat, but enuff to get into the log)

?

73,? Fred KT5X ( aka WS0TA when on peaks)

?

After Action W5N GF 016 John Kerr Peak

#3931

开云体育

Weather was excellent as Don and I made our way to the summit. Once we turned off NM 12 onto Bursum RD I let air out of my tires until it read about 25 lbs, as Fred suggested. Made for a nicer trip on the 18 mile trip up to the summit. Roads in fairly good shape, except for the last .7 mile to the summit. High clearance a must and low range helped crawl up over some of the bigger rocks. Summit has lots of pines and open meadows. see pics
Summit has and old well and some concrete steps left over from what was once there. Ran across turkeys, antelopes and various birds of pray on the way up.? On the way back down a rancher flagged us down and ask us if we had seen any cows on our way down. Apparently he had lost a few. We told he we saw a couple a little ways back.? 73 all enjoy the pics? George WB5USB

W5N GF 016 John Kerr Peak Drive up.gpx

Proposed Activation

#3930

开云体育

W5N/GF-016 John Kerr Peak? Saturday September 14, 2024
I will be picking up Don, at his QTH, around 0700, then we will proceed south to summit parking.
QRV will be on or before 1800 UTC.? This is a new summit for me so I don't have any tracks or pictures, but I will have some to share in the after action report. Weather should be mostly sunny and warm.
Our route will be south to Socorro then west to Datil. From Datil its south to Old Horse Springs then south on Hwy 12 to Bursum Road then Long Canyon to FS Rd 47 on to the summit.? (4 hrs with stops)
If anyone knows of a better route they can share please do so.? As always anyone wishing to join us is welcome.
WB5USB George

Re: how tuff is 40M ?

#3929

seven skimmers reported in, 2 db to 15 db hi hi

Show quoted text

On Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 7:39 PM Bill Mader, K8TE via <billamader=[email protected]> wrote:

Few skimmers operate on 40m that local time of day.? WSPR for FT8/4 would be a better choice.

?

73, Bill, K8TE

Re: how tuff is 40M ?

#3928

Few skimmers operate on 40m that local time of day.? WSPR for FT8/4 would be a better choice.

?

73, Bill, K8TE

how tuff is 40M ?

#3927

开云体育

ABT noon… how much absorption??

?

On the one hand, I just heard/worked a SOTA activation in Montana.? He was likely QRP, but could copy him OK.

?

On the OTHER hand, just for sport, I called CQ with 250 watts to see what the skimmers might say.? Best report was just 16 DB and only a few reports, the rest as low as 2 DB over the noise floor.

?

73? fred kt5x

After Action W5N GF 002 Eagle Peak

#3926

开云体育

Don and I departed his QTH by 0700 en-route to trail head parking. see GPX Drive
We turned onto ST233, off of NM12, and preceded the 16 miles to the summit.? The lower section was in good shape and SUBARU capable, but as we neared the summit it became rocky in places where higher clearance would be helpful, however a skilled driver could get a SUBARU up to the closed gate. One mile from the summit the road was closed (see pic) and we had to hike on up to the top. (see pics) Very small summit so Don and I set up ops very close to each other. Had good luck on 17 and 20 meters. F4WBN was the sole DX.? on 17 meters.
Beautiful drive up and even a small stream to cross. (see pic) We saw two javelinas (wild pigs ?) on the way up along with some antelope and an elk. (look close for the pig in the pic) Very nice summit with spectacular views..
73 all WB5USB George? Tried to get Carol but had no luck.

W5N GF 002 Eagle Peak Drive 1.gpx

W5N GF 002 Eagle Peak Hike down.gpx

Re: sunspots anyone?

#3925

K=3 today, but good DX mostly on 15m: F4, GI0, SM3, DL8, EA7.
Dale, thanks for the QSO!
73,
John K1JD

Show quoted text

On Sep 4, 2024, at 3:17?PM, Dale AA7OY <120dale@...> wrote:

?Number of sunspots exceed 200 for the first time in 23 years.
Exciting times ahead.

<sunspotnumbers.jpg>

Re: sunspots anyone?

#3924

Number of sunspots exceed 200 for the first time in 23 years.
Exciting times ahead.

sunspotnumbers.jpg

sunspots anyone?

#3923