I climbed California's Mt. Shasta (14, 179 feet) some years ago. I worked 2-Meter FM from the summit (pre-SOTA days, so it doesn't count.) My voice was lowered proabably about an octave, from climbing and breathing so deep, so hard, for so long, in that thin air, that it didn't sound like me on the radio. I had to tell people that it "really was me!"
Great job man, I do lots of climbing here in Patagonia, Chile, I´m Bob CE-8-EYS. Wanted to ask you what´s the antenna you were using with the great FT 60 ? Cheers and regards from Chile. best 73´s.
Hey CE8EYS, Thanks and the antenna I'm using is the MFJ Longranger. It's a great antenna IMO. I've made a ~200mi VHF summit to summit contact at 5W with it before. 73 Tim N7KOM
Congrats on your SOTA Summit from Mt Hood. I did a similar trek to the summit of Mt Hood back in June of 1973. Back packed 2m equip included a lead acid motorcycle battery, Regency HR2-A 2m FM xcvr, and the first 4-elements w/coax of a CushCraft 11-el yagi strapped to an ice axe. Amazing 146.52 simplex pipeline signals into Seattle areas. Callsign was WA7ECY.. Perhaps one of the first activations, 48 years ago.
Now that sounds like an activation! How many watts were you running with that battery? I thought about bringing my yagi, but high winds were forecast and I wasn't sure how long I would be on the summit. 1/2 whip was the tool of the day. The winds never materialized though.
..probably about 6-8 watts to the antenna...I have a B&W photo that I'll post if I can locate. We stayed on the summit for about an hour. weather was clear and minimal winds.. Also signed the summit ledger in the metal box....
