K7WXW and I did two Joint-Activations on the ridges across from Mount Hood in Oregon. K7WXW prefers using an Inverted-L EFHW antenna for his SOTA outings. He explained why it's his go-to antenna and works for him. Was a fun outing with *some* views. We were in fog and clouds for a lot of the day. 73 de Tim N7KOM
Hey Derek, That's the N9TAX dual band Rollup J-Pole: https://n9taxlabs.com/shop/ols/products/dual-band-slim-jim-antenna-with-10-or-16-foot-cable One of my favorite antennas. 73!
I’m so envious! (CW, Country, Roscoe, i have a long list) love love love your videos and your country but most of all Roscoe! Keep it up and stay safe Tim. The time you take to produce this footage is really appreciated.
What mode were you using for 2m SOTA? The audio didn't seem to have any "Donald Duck", so I'm assuming FM? Also, do you use a "standard" frequency when doing SOTA? Do other stations have some way of knowing when you are going to a particular peak?
Yes, FM for those HTs. As far as a "standard frequency"... in the PNW we tend to use 146.58 as our main 2m frequency for SOTA activations. In the rare case that there is already activity on it, 146.56 is the typical backup. If we're really hurting for the 4 QSOs needed for points, we'll drop down to 146.52 and try to break into the ragchew as a "mountaintop portable" station. We use https://sotawatch.sota.org.uk/en to let Chasers know when and where we plan on being out. 73!
I've had years of personal experience using a high-power 40M EFHW using a L-network and high-power components inside an ammo can. It was also half vertical and half horizontal, with six or eight roughly quarter-wave wires laying on the ground as a counterpoise. It worked great. I ran an Alaskan 40M daily net with it for a few years with 600 to 700 Watts feeding it. The radiation was a mix of low and high angle, and it accounted for itself quite well. Nary a problem with that wire antenna.
I'm currently using an 80M (132') EFHW inverted L and it is my favorite antenna. Mine is home-brew, staked to the ground with a couple of counterpoise wires in either direction. From there, it goes up about 35', over my roof, and over to a tree. I operate almost entirely QRP CW and I seem to do very well in various events. I recently did an SKCC event and cleaned up pretty well in the QRP class, despite getting in a half hour late. It has made into a big proponent of the EFHW in general, and the inverted L installation in particular.
I got to dust off my transmitters, what a delightful video, nice and clean CW TNX Fer taking us along. 72' P.S. enjoyed the Hill music, goes with what I play on my Banjo.
