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There is Morse code in the dust of Mars… until the next dust storm anyway. ? ? FD ? ?
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Action Plan: W5N/CO-013 Cerro Rendija? Wednesday
March 5, 2025
Don and I will depart my QTH by 0800 en-route to trail head
parking. All roads up are in good shape. Last time I parked on the
pull out I was informed by a Ranger that I must be within 9 feet
of the road. see GPX drive
Its a .9 mile hike up to the summit. see GPX hike
See previous pics.? Very rocky on top but there is areas just
below the summit that are grassy with pines.? 73 WB5USB Geo...
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Wagon Mound Activation Report
Wagon Mound/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon/EL-014, proved to be everything I was hoping for.? The weather was ideal... sunny with a little breeze.? I activated with Matt/KF0RIG.? For Wagon Mound, we parked at the cemetery, and hiked up, heading for the juniper on the right side of the summit (just like KT5X's posting suggested).? In fact, studying and memorizing the SOTA postings was a great help for both summits.? I'm happy to report, there's not a bit of snow or ice to deal with.? I wore trail shoes (with grippy soles) and waiters (for the scrubby vegetation).? The approach to the base of the mound seemed steeper than I expected from looking at pictures.? The slot was awesome, with plenty of solid hand-holds.? As you go up, near the bottom of the slot, pay attention to a rock that you'll need to use for your descent.? It won't be visible when you descend, so it's good to know it's there.? Once on top, the same Juniper that we used for a heading, is the one where the register/cairn is located.? Looking at the callsigns in the register that came before me made me feel like it was a special honor to have my callsign associated with theirs.
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For Conjelon, we downloaded (from the SOTLAS page) and used K1JD's gpx track.? Also, be sure to get the required NM Rec Access Permit, and display it on the dashboard of your vehicle.? My permit took three days to get from online application (Sunday) to email inbox (Wednesday).? Even though we had a track to follow, really, your going to have to do a lot of route finding through scrub oak to get to the rim of the mesa.? The most important bit of advice I can pass on is to make sure you hike up onto the mesa at exactly the location along the rim that the gpx track does.? Being left or right of the entry point you will either cliff-out or be climbing rock.? Once on top of the mesa, it's about a mile of open, easy terrain to the last pitch and summit.
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The 360 degree views of both summits is impressive.? Thanks to KT5X for finding his mic for a local contact.? My other high points were a couple DX contacts in the Canary Islands, a S2S in W0C, a S2S in W5O, and being N0MTN's Complete for Wagon Mound.
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Best way to get local SOTA ops to join you, is post your intentions here, Ray. ? Glad you enjoyed The Wagon Mound and Conjelon. ? John and I ascended Palomas today (followed by the nearby Crest).? Palomas road from Placitas is getting rougher.? Very little snow on the trail already.? Road above Palomas still has melting snow, I wouldn’t go in either direction without good tires.? Palomas means “dove.”? We heard doves coo’ing.? Either we heard the doves, or perhaps we were being surrounded unknown natives.? Little joke there. ? TNX to locals for the chases; N9KW, WB5USB, N5XR, NM5S, and NM5D ? fd ? ? Fred, ? What a fantastic list of fun SOTA peaks to climb!? I’m already rearranging my SOTA schedule to make room for Cabezon and Pedernal.? Thanks a bunch for putting this list together for me… very much appreciated! ? I’m always looking for operators to activate with.? If anyone reading this thread has an interest in any of these peaks, and wouldn’t mind a tag-along, please reach out to me to coordinate something.? My email:? rgierlach@... ? So many peaks… so little time…
Ray / KD8EQA
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Fred Maas via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2025 9:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th? Ray, ? other northern NM peaks that may be of special interest to you if you like hands-on climbing: ? Cabezon W5N/SM-019 … similar to but higher than the more famous Devil’s Tower in WY.? ?in this area, also SM-033, SM-034, SM-037, SM-036 … this area deserves a multi-day camping trip.? You will LOVE IT.? Area roads MUST BE DRY.? Also visit Guadalupe Ruin nearby. ? Pedernal W5N/SE-018 … made famous by Georgia O’Keefe.? Also visit nearby Mesa Viejo, W5N/CC-020 vy picturesque.? And then there is Cerro Blanco, W5N/CC-011.? This mountain of marble, was once limestone.? The limestone was turned to marble by a meteor impact. ? Fd
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Re: Other Peaks Similar to Wagon Mound
Fred, ? What a fantastic list of fun SOTA peaks to climb!? I’m already rearranging my SOTA schedule to make room for Cabezon and Pedernal.? Thanks a bunch for putting this list together for me… very much appreciated! ? I’m always looking for operators to activate with.? If anyone reading this thread has an interest in any of these peaks, and wouldn’t mind a tag-along, please reach out to me to coordinate something.? My email:? rgierlach@... ? So many peaks… so little time…
Ray / KD8EQA
?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Fred Maas via groups.io
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2025 9:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th? Ray, ? other northern NM peaks that may be of special interest to you if you like hands-on climbing: ? Cabezon W5N/SM-019 … similar to but higher than the more famous Devil’s Tower in WY.? ?in this area, also SM-033, SM-034, SM-037, SM-036 … this area deserves a multi-day camping trip.? You will LOVE IT.? Area roads MUST BE DRY.? Also visit Guadalupe Ruin nearby. ? Pedernal W5N/SE-018 … made famous by Georgia O’Keefe.? Also visit nearby Mesa Viejo, W5N/CC-020 vy picturesque.? And then there is Cerro Blanco, W5N/CC-011.? This mountain of marble, was once limestone.? The limestone was turned to marble by a meteor impact. ? Fd
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Ray, ? other northern NM peaks that may be of special interest to you if you like hands-on climbing: ? Cabezon W5N/SM-019 … similar to but higher than the more famous Devil’s Tower in WY.? ?in this area, also SM-033, SM-034, SM-037, SM-036 … this area deserves a multi-day camping trip.? You will LOVE IT.? Area roads MUST BE DRY.? Also visit Guadalupe Ruin nearby. ? Pedernal W5N/SE-018 … made famous by Georgia O’Keefe.? Also visit nearby Mesa Viejo, W5N/CC-020 vy picturesque.? And then there is Cerro Blanco, W5N/CC-011.? This mountain of marble, was once limestone.? The limestone was turned to marble by a meteor impact. ? Fd
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Re: After Action Cerro Brillante
Hi y'all,
Thanks for the reports; always glad to chase, and follow along later from here.
72, Andy, N4TU
On Wed, Feb 26, 2025 at 6:32?PM George Yoakum via <gkitfoxy= [email protected]> wrote:
Weather was cloudy as Don, Scott and I headed out
towards Grants. Just east of Grants, Don and I peeled off and
headed south toward W5N/CO-014 while Scott continued on to Grants
and south to W5N/CO-011. From parking Don and I hiked the .7
miles, up the side of the volcano, to the summit. Temps were warm
under cloudy skies and no wind at all. Took a couple of pics of
Don on the summit. First time here for him. Mean while, Scott was
trying to find his way to Cerro Lobo, but not having any luck, so
he decided to bag this trip. Scott then decided to meet us at our
trail head. see pics
Nice summit but the first part of the hike is steep but then turns
into a nice gentle slope. Nice to meet up with Scott, NM5SW, on
the trails. 73 all and thanks chasers..Geo WB5USB
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Last Labor day weekend I tried hiking west West Las Mesas del Conjelon with my dogs. I turned around because of the snake danger with my dogs. My wife has some cousins living in Wagon Mound. We took our camping trailer and stayed in their yard. On that trip I met up Fred,WS0TA and a few others for a hike on Hermit Peak. Mark N0MTN
On Wed, Feb 26, 2025 at 6:38 PM, Raymond Gierlach <rgierlach@...> wrote: Fred, ? Sorry I’m just getting back to you… I was doing some SOTA recon in the mountains until just a few minutes ago. ? Yes!! We’ve read and re-read all the posts for these two peaks: ? Wagon Mound:? It’s our intention to summit up the route you pioneered/discovered.? I’ve been memorizing your pictures to make sure we head up the smaller slot on the right.? This is a peak I’ve wanted to activate ever since my SOTA buddy, Shane/N0QLR, told me how much fun he had scrambling up the slot.? We tend to like the same mountaineering/climbing stuff.? I’m intentionally doing it in February, hoping any resident rattlesnakes are less active, or dormant.? That’s also why I’m not climbing up alone.? We look forward to finding, and signing the register.? Thanks for all the pics and tips.? We’ll be our usual leave-no-trace selves. ? West Las Mesas del Conjelon:? Thanks for the lat/long parking waypoint.? I’ve downloaded John’s track and we’ll be sure to follow it (Thank you John!).? I also applied for the NM Rec Access Permit as soon as I read about it on the SOTlas page.? It just arrived in my in-box earlier today, so we’re all set.? I spent time around cattle as a youth, so we won’t be doing anything to challenge the bull or his territory/cows. ? Lastly… THANK YOU… for all you and John and have done in the past to pave the way for those who follow… and all you’ve done to insure Matt’s and my success tomorrow.? It’s much appreciated! ? Ray / KD8EQA ? ? ? ? Ray and Matt…? ? Can I assume you have read posts about these peaks on SOTlas?? ? For Wagon Mound, it can easily be activated from the highest part of the north shoulder by following the green route lines on the map accompanying SOTA map, John’s GPX route.? ? If it is your intention to go all the way up, then be sure to read my post “to the top” on the SOTlas page for the peak.? ? The photos and captions on the SOTlas page are intended to help you reach the top.? It took us several years to find and pioneer this route, though it was known all along by locals.? There are photos and with the captions, you should be able to find the SOTA sign-in bottle.? ? This peak is on private land.? The owner allows people to go up, but expects no litter, etc.? Be discreet. ? Mesas de las Conjelon: Took us years to understand THAT we could go there.? This is on NM State trust land.? Such lands ARE public IF they can be reached by a public access, and this one can, but a permit from the state which can be had online is expected.? See SOTlas posting for details. ? It is guarded by palisades.? Park on the highway at about 36.01472,-104.66049 where you will find an unlocked gate.? Look at the green route lines on the map displayed on SOTlas for this peak.? Take the right-hand (eastern) route around then up the edge of the erosional valley. ?John’s GPX.? Follow the deer. ? A rancher owns grazing rights to this section of land, and rents it from the state.? There might be cattle up there, and if so, don’t threaten the resident bull. ?He can be ornery. ? Please report your adventure afterwards!? I don’t have a microphone, but will be rooting for you.? ? 73,? fred ?kt5x / ws0ta ? Subject: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th ? Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.?
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Fred, ? Sorry I’m just getting back to you… I was doing some SOTA recon in the mountains until just a few minutes ago. ? Yes!! We’ve read and re-read all the posts for these two peaks: ? Wagon Mound:? It’s our intention to summit up the route you pioneered/discovered.? I’ve been memorizing your pictures to make sure we head up the smaller slot on the right.? This is a peak I’ve wanted to activate ever since my SOTA buddy, Shane/N0QLR, told me how much fun he had scrambling up the slot.? We tend to like the same mountaineering/climbing stuff.? I’m intentionally doing it in February, hoping any resident rattlesnakes are less active, or dormant.? That’s also why I’m not climbing up alone.? We look forward to finding, and signing the register.? Thanks for all the pics and tips.? We’ll be our usual leave-no-trace selves. ? West Las Mesas del Conjelon:? Thanks for the lat/long parking waypoint.? I’ve downloaded John’s track and we’ll be sure to follow it (Thank you John!).? I also applied for the NM Rec Access Permit as soon as I read about it on the SOTlas page.? It just arrived in my in-box earlier today, so we’re all set.? I spent time around cattle as a youth, so we won’t be doing anything to challenge the bull or his territory/cows. ? Lastly… THANK YOU… for all you and John and have done in the past to pave the way for those who follow… and all you’ve done to insure Matt’s and my success tomorrow.? It’s much appreciated! ? Ray / KD8EQA ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Fred Maas via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 8:33 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th? Ray and Matt…? ? Can I assume you have read posts about these peaks on SOTlas?? ? For Wagon Mound, it can easily be activated from the highest part of the north shoulder by following the green route lines on the map accompanying SOTA map, John’s GPX route.? ? If it is your intention to go all the way up, then be sure to read my post “to the top” on the SOTlas page for the peak.? ? The photos and captions on the SOTlas page are intended to help you reach the top.? It took us several years to find and pioneer this route, though it was known all along by locals.? There are photos and with the captions, you should be able to find the SOTA sign-in bottle.? ? This peak is on private land.? The owner allows people to go up, but expects no litter, etc.? Be discreet. ? Mesas de las Conjelon: Took us years to understand THAT we could go there.? This is on NM State trust land.? Such lands ARE public IF they can be reached by a public access, and this one can, but a permit from the state which can be had online is expected.? See SOTlas posting for details. ? It is guarded by palisades.? Park on the highway at about 36.01472,-104.66049 where you will find an unlocked gate.? Look at the green route lines on the map displayed on SOTlas for this peak.? Take the right-hand (eastern) route around then up the edge of the erosional valley. ?John’s GPX.? Follow the deer. ? A rancher owns grazing rights to this section of land, and rents it from the state.? There might be cattle up there, and if so, don’t threaten the resident bull. ?He can be ornery. ? Please report your adventure afterwards!? I don’t have a microphone, but will be rooting for you.? ? 73,? fred ?kt5x / ws0ta ? Subject: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th ? Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.?
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After Action Cerro Brillante
Weather was cloudy as Don, Scott and I headed out
towards Grants. Just east of Grants, Don and I peeled off and
headed south toward W5N/CO-014 while Scott continued on to Grants
and south to W5N/CO-011. From parking Don and I hiked the .7
miles, up the side of the volcano, to the summit. Temps were warm
under cloudy skies and no wind at all. Took a couple of pics of
Don on the summit. First time here for him. Mean while, Scott was
trying to find his way to Cerro Lobo, but not having any luck, so
he decided to bag this trip. Scott then decided to meet us at our
trail head. see pics
Nice summit but the first part of the hike is steep but then turns
into a nice gentle slope. Nice to meet up with Scott, NM5SW, on
the trails. 73 all and thanks chasers..Geo WB5USB
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Ray and Matt…? ? Can I assume you have read posts about these peaks on SOTlas?? ? For Wagon Mound, it can easily be activated from the highest part of the north shoulder by following the green route lines on the map accompanying SOTA map, John’s GPX route.? ? If it is your intention to go all the way up, then be sure to read my post “to the top” on the SOTlas page for the peak.? ? The photos and captions on the SOTlas page are intended to help you reach the top.? It took us several years to find and pioneer this route, though it was known all along by locals.? There are photos and with the captions, you should be able to find the SOTA sign-in bottle.? ? This peak is on private land.? The owner allows people to go up, but expects no litter, etc.? Be discreet. ? Mesas de las Conjelon: Took us years to understand THAT we could go there.? This is on NM State trust land.? Such lands ARE public IF they can be reached by a public access, and this one can, but a permit from the state which can be had online is expected.? See SOTlas posting for details. ? It is guarded by palisades.? Park on the highway at about 36.01472,-104.66049 where you will find an unlocked gate.? Look at the green route lines on the map displayed on SOTlas for this peak.? Take the right-hand (eastern) route around then up the edge of the erosional valley. ?John’s GPX.? Follow the deer. ? A rancher owns grazing rights to this section of land, and rents it from the state.? There might be cattle up there, and if so, don’t threaten the resident bull. ?He can be ornery. ? Please report your adventure afterwards!? I don’t have a microphone, but will be rooting for you.? ? 73,? fred ?kt5x / ws0ta ? Subject: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th ? Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.?
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Mark, you got my cell phone number from the Medicine Bow, WY Complete we coordinated last year.? Call or text me if you need us to jump to a band/frequency for a Complete.? Anyone else looking for a Complete, I’d be happy to help.? Here’s my cell number: 248-231-6921. ? Ray / KD8EQA ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mark Molberg via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 5:28 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th ? I hope I can sneak out of work and get a complete on Wagon Mound tomorrow.
Mark N0MTN ? On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 8:35 PM, Raymond Gierlach Thanks John, we’ll put it to good use! ? Ray KD8EQA ? ? ? ? Here?�?s our .gpx from 2022, FYI.? John K1JD ? On Feb 25, 2025, at 4:48?�?PM, Raymond Gierlach <rgierlach@...> wrote: ? Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.? The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, with a light wind.? Our planned time for leaving the Wagon Mound trailhead/parking is 8:15am local... activating at 10:30am.? For West Las Mesas del Conjelon, our planned time for leaving the trailhead/parking is 1:30pm local... activating at 3:30pm.? We hope to catch some of you on 40m.? We'll be spotting our bands and frequencies. ?
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
I hope I can sneak out of work and get a complete on Wagon Mound tomorrow. Mark N0MTN
On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 8:35 PM, Raymond Gierlach <rgierlach@...> wrote: Thanks John, we’ll put it to good use! ? Ray KD8EQA ? ? ? ? Here?�?s our .gpx from 2022, FYI.? John K1JD
On Feb 25, 2025, at 4:48?�?PM, Raymond Gierlach <rgierlach@...> wrote: ? Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.? The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, with a light wind.? Our planned time for leaving the Wagon Mound trailhead/parking is 8:15am local... activating at 10:30am.? For West Las Mesas del Conjelon, our planned time for leaving the trailhead/parking is 1:30pm local... activating at 3:30pm.? We hope to catch some of you on 40m.? We'll be spotting our bands and frequencies. ?
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Thanks John, we’ll put it to good use! ? Ray KD8EQA ?
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From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John K1JD via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 8:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [W5N-SOTA] Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th? ? ? Here?�?s our .gpx from 2022, FYI.? John K1JD
On Feb 25, 2025, at 4:48?�?PM, Raymond Gierlach <rgierlach@...> wrote: ? Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.? The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, with a light wind.? Our planned time for leaving the Wagon Mound trailhead/parking is 8:15am local... activating at 10:30am.? For West Las Mesas del Conjelon, our planned time for leaving the trailhead/parking is 1:30pm local... activating at 3:30pm.? We hope to catch some of you on 40m.? We'll be spotting our bands and frequencies. ?
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Re: Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Ray & Matt, Here’s our .gpx from 2022, FYI.? 73,
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On Feb 25, 2025, at 4:48?PM, Raymond Gierlach <rgierlach@...> wrote:
Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.? The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, with a light wind.? Our planned time for leaving the Wagon Mound trailhead/parking is 8:15am local... activating at 10:30am.? For West Las Mesas del Conjelon, our planned time for leaving the trailhead/parking is 1:30pm local... activating at 3:30pm.? We hope to catch some of you on 40m.? We'll be spotting our bands and frequencies.
?
Ray / KD8EQA
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Re: "South Mountain" Cedar Grove
I have both peaks there for SOTA but it is pretty much surrounded by private land. There is BLM on top but parking somewhere and access is via private. A friend of mine knew someone who lived there that allowed us to park on their property and access through it to the top of the mountain. Those people have moved and I never had access again. There are two SOTA peaks on that mountain and I did both on the same day. It is also pretty thick with oaks and large granite boulders. It looks easier than it actually is. NN5K
-Dave
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On Feb 25, 2025, at 16:50, TOM N5ATR via groups.io <atrussell4@...> wrote:
?K5TFL and I were eying that mountain a few days ago as a possible human repeater site in the need of an EMCOM situation. Has anyone hiked up there recently...if not, any known good entry points to get up there aka park and hike?
Tom / DM65UD / Edgewood
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"South Mountain" Cedar Grove
K5TFL and I were eying that mountain a few days ago as a possible human repeater site in the need of an EMCOM situation. Has anyone hiked up there recently...if not, any known good entry points to get up there aka park and hike?
Tom / DM65UD / Edgewood
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Activation Plans for Thursday, 27th
Matt/KF0RIG and I/KD8EQA plan to activate Wagon Mound, W5N/EL-016, and West Las Mesas del Conjelon, W5N/EL-014, this Thursday, February 27th.? The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, with a light wind.? Our planned time for leaving the Wagon Mound trailhead/parking is 8:15am local... activating at 10:30am.? For West Las Mesas del Conjelon, our planned time for leaving the trailhead/parking is 1:30pm local... activating at 3:30pm.? We hope to catch some of you on 40m.? We'll be spotting our bands and frequencies.
?
Ray / KD8EQA
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Having just retired my very old and extremely worn Mule pack, I failed to transfer the knife from it to the new Osprey. This is obviously why the antenna wire next to the 17m trap broke today. Used my teeth to strip the wires, make a temporary splice and then tie a knot which held fine for the windy activation on 6860. SWR was normal. Only a few DX stations, F4WBN (17m & 10m) and EA4R (10m).
Photos of the inelegant but effective field splice on the workbench before repair and, thanks to Fred, of me at my usual 6860 activation spot.
73,
John K1JD
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John K1JD
