Author: admin

This was the toughest SOTA for me to date. For whatever reason I was impacted by elevation this time and it took me a little to acclimate since base camp was at 11, 352′ ASL. I was the oldest and biggest guy on this trip and carried the heaviest pack at 39.5 pounds total. I didn’t have the luxury to cross load my gear with somebody else but that didn’t stop me from keeping up with the pack. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY! I think as you progress in your hiking you need to find ways to stretch your individual capacity, ideally with others. Go hike and try new things!

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FOLLOW ME:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kg6hqd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kg6hqd/
Website: https://www.kg6hqd.us
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GEAR I USE:

Must Have Items:

****NEW FISHING POLE MAST (MUST HAVE): https://amzn.to/2KlxSWJ ****

5.4m Telescoping Fishing Pole: http://amzn.to/2phNNu6 (Older but shorter version used) . This one fits nicely into most backpacks as it’s shorter when collapsed.

Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com

Guy Line / Cordage: http://amzn.to/2FNC2S9

Yaesu FT2DR Gear:

Yaesu FT2DR Ham Radio: https://amzn.to/2D5noFP

Comet SMA24 VHF/UHF Antenna: https://amzn.to/2HM7YvO

FT2DR Spare Battery: https://amzn.to/2Gl8XAO

Yaesu MH-85A Camera Speaker Microphone: https://amzn.to/2ToVrzP

RT Systems Programming Software: https://amzn.to/2D5O7lE

Ham Radio HF Gear:

Elecraft KX2 & accessories: http://bit.ly/2tTYCqR

Laptop Mini-Microphone: http://amzn.to/2phHVks

Backpack & Hydration System:
My Osprey Backpack: http://amzn.to/2FIWXdu
Platapus 3 liter bladder: http://amzn.to/2FOoYfw

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter: https://amzn.to/2tYiirg

Footwear:
Solomon Trail Runner Hiking Shoes: http://amzn.to/2DymFeC

Darn Tough Socks: http://amzn.to/2GyKYvY

Camera Gear:

GoPro 7 Black Kit Choice: https://amzn.to/2WEk9y4

Wasabit GoPro Battery Pack: https://amzn.to/2t4Rtkm
Solar Charger Battery Bank: https://amzn.to/2GlfYBv
Zoom H1 Audio Recorder: http://amzn.to/2Gz1jRq

​Dead Cat Zoom for Zoom H1: http://amzn.to/2tV2kAA
Nikon D750 Camera: http://amzn.to/2GBaUHB
Nikon 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/2FNcyED
Nikon 24-70mm lens: http://amzn.to/2phrkx7

Joby GorillaPod: http://amzn.to/2piayhv

Drone:

DJI Mavic Pro – Fly More Kit: https://amzn.to/2KT1BUw

Cooking & Food:

MSR Ultra Light Stove: http://amzn.to/2FNxprf
Fuel Canister for Stove: http://amzn.to/2FGMEqh
Titanium 450ml Cup: http://amzn.to/2pjQE53
Titanium long handle spoon: http://amzn.to/2FI8Eko
Flint Fire Starter Tool: http://amzn.to/2FM8mVz
Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals: http://amzn.to/2phjrac
Cliff Protein Bars: https://amzn.to/2KFDBZf

Clothing:

My boonie hat: http://amzn.to/2HI1SYG
My tan US Flag ball cap: http://amzn.to/2FW8NjH
Neck Gaiter: http://amzn.to/2DxUOek
Carhart Beanie: http://amzn.to/2HE2UEN
Wool Gloves: http://amzn.to/2pnltXp
North Face Gortex Jacket: https://amzn.to/2m3hSM5
North Face Shell: https://amzn.to/2J3BWqq
North Face Down Jacket: https://amzn.to/2IYLUcP

Other Items:

Leki Trekking Poles: http://amzn.to/2HHf53P
Therm-a-rest Sleeping Pad(small): http://amzn.to/2FPramY
Gear Snake Wire Ties: http://amzn.to/2FOS4eF
Eno Double Nest Hammock: https://amzn.to/2Nxqx5J
Headlamp: https://amzn.to/2MRD6aU
Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com
Sunblock: https://amzn.to/2Nxwpfh
Bug Repellent (Skin So Soft): https://amzn.to/2IYYGYG ​

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Had to turn and burn on this activation to meet a deadline only to find out it was handled ????Either way I was able to setup, activate then tear down in about 35 minutes. Made my six QSO’s and had to bolt. This was good prepping practice if I ever wanted to become a prepper. Being proficient with your gear is something I preach and why I think SOTA is so useful for real world emergency communications. Have you ever timed yourself to see how much time you’d need to deploy, communicate, then break down your gear so you know? Might be a useful thing to try.

Sorry about the sniffles, just getting over a pretty bad head cold and the exercise at elevation opened the floodgates on my nose.

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FOLLOW ME:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kg6hqd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kg6hqd/
Website: https://www.kg6hqd.us
—————————————————————————————————————
GEAR I USE:

Must Have Items:

****NEW FISHING POLE MAST (MUST HAVE): https://amzn.to/2KlxSWJ ****

5.4m Telescoping Fishing Pole: http://amzn.to/2phNNu6 (Older but shorter version used) . This one fits nicely into most backpacks as it’s shorter when collapsed.

Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com

Guy Line / Cordage: http://amzn.to/2FNC2S9

Yaesu FT2DR Gear:

Yaesu FT2DR Ham Radio: https://amzn.to/2D5noFP

Comet SMA24 VHF/UHF Antenna: https://amzn.to/2HM7YvO

FT2DR Spare Battery: https://amzn.to/2Gl8XAO

Yaesu MH-85A Camera Speaker Microphone: https://amzn.to/2ToVrzP

RT Systems Programming Software: https://amzn.to/2D5O7lE

Ham Radio HF Gear:

Elecraft KX2 & accessories: http://bit.ly/2tTYCqR

Laptop Mini-Microphone: http://amzn.to/2phHVks

Backpack & Hydration System:
My Osprey Backpack: http://amzn.to/2FIWXdu
Platapus 3 liter bladder: http://amzn.to/2FOoYfw

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter: https://amzn.to/2tYiirg

Footwear:
Solomon Trail Runner Hiking Shoes: http://amzn.to/2DymFeC

Darn Tough Socks: http://amzn.to/2GyKYvY

Camera Gear:

GoPro 7 Black Kit Choice: https://amzn.to/2WEk9y4

Wasabit GoPro Battery Pack: https://amzn.to/2t4Rtkm
Solar Charger Battery Bank: https://amzn.to/2GlfYBv
Zoom H1 Audio Recorder: http://amzn.to/2Gz1jRq

​Dead Cat Zoom for Zoom H1: http://amzn.to/2tV2kAA
Nikon D750 Camera: http://amzn.to/2GBaUHB
Nikon 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/2FNcyED
Nikon 24-70mm lens: http://amzn.to/2phrkx7

Joby GorillaPod: http://amzn.to/2piayhv

Drone:

DJI Mavic Pro – Fly More Kit: https://amzn.to/2KT1BUw

Cooking & Food:

MSR Ultra Light Stove: http://amzn.to/2FNxprf
Fuel Canister for Stove: http://amzn.to/2FGMEqh
Titanium 450ml Cup: http://amzn.to/2pjQE53
Titanium long handle spoon: http://amzn.to/2FI8Eko
Flint Fire Starter Tool: http://amzn.to/2FM8mVz
Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals: http://amzn.to/2phjrac
Cliff Protein Bars: https://amzn.to/2KFDBZf

Clothing:

My boonie hat: http://amzn.to/2HI1SYG
My tan US Flag ball cap: http://amzn.to/2FW8NjH
Neck Gaiter: http://amzn.to/2DxUOek
Carhart Beanie: http://amzn.to/2HE2UEN
Wool Gloves: http://amzn.to/2pnltXp
North Face Gortex Jacket: https://amzn.to/2m3hSM5
North Face Shell: https://amzn.to/2J3BWqq
North Face Down Jacket: https://amzn.to/2IYLUcP

Other Items:

Leki Trekking Poles: http://amzn.to/2HHf53P
Therm-a-rest Sleeping Pad(small): http://amzn.to/2FPramY
Gear Snake Wire Ties: http://amzn.to/2FOS4eF
Eno Double Nest Hammock: https://amzn.to/2Nxqx5J
Headlamp: https://amzn.to/2MRD6aU
Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com
Sunblock: https://amzn.to/2Nxwpfh
Bug Repellent (Skin So Soft): https://amzn.to/2IYYGYG ​

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Exploring the Souther Desert Region of Southern California as I embark on my new role – Regional Association Manager. Drone footage, fighting through DX contesters, 20m band action, great hiking after a rain and and awesome day on the mountain with views that match.

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FOLLOW ME:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kg6hqd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kg6hqd/
Website: https://www.kg6hqd.us
—————————————————————————————————————
GEAR I USE:

Must Have Items:

****NEW FISHING POLE MAST (MUST HAVE): https://amzn.to/2KlxSWJ ****

5.4m Telescoping Fishing Pole: http://amzn.to/2phNNu6 (Older but shorter version used) . This one fits nicely into most backpacks as it’s shorter when collapsed.

Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com

Guy Line / Cordage: http://amzn.to/2FNC2S9

Yaesu FT2DR Gear:

Yaesu FT2DR Ham Radio: https://amzn.to/2D5noFP

Comet SMA24 VHF/UHF Antenna: https://amzn.to/2HM7YvO

FT2DR Spare Battery: https://amzn.to/2Gl8XAO

Yaesu MH-85A Camera Speaker Microphone: https://amzn.to/2ToVrzP

RT Systems Programming Software: https://amzn.to/2D5O7lE

Ham Radio HF Gear:

Elecraft KX2 & accessories: http://bit.ly/2tTYCqR

Laptop Mini-Microphone: http://amzn.to/2phHVks

Backpack & Hydration System:
My Osprey Backpack: http://amzn.to/2FIWXdu
Platapus 3 liter bladder: http://amzn.to/2FOoYfw

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter: https://amzn.to/2tYiirg

Footwear:
Solomon Trail Runner Hiking Shoes: http://amzn.to/2DymFeC

Darn Tough Socks: http://amzn.to/2GyKYvY

Camera Gear:

GoPro 7 Black Kit Choice: https://amzn.to/2WEk9y4

Wasabit GoPro Battery Pack: https://amzn.to/2t4Rtkm
Solar Charger Battery Bank: https://amzn.to/2GlfYBv
Zoom H1 Audio Recorder: http://amzn.to/2Gz1jRq

​Dead Cat Zoom for Zoom H1: http://amzn.to/2tV2kAA
Nikon D750 Camera: http://amzn.to/2GBaUHB
Nikon 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/2FNcyED
Nikon 24-70mm lens: http://amzn.to/2phrkx7

Joby GorillaPod: http://amzn.to/2piayhv

Drone:

DJI Mavic Pro – Fly More Kit: https://amzn.to/2KT1BUw

Cooking & Food:

MSR Ultra Light Stove: http://amzn.to/2FNxprf
Fuel Canister for Stove: http://amzn.to/2FGMEqh
Titanium 450ml Cup: http://amzn.to/2pjQE53
Titanium long handle spoon: http://amzn.to/2FI8Eko
Flint Fire Starter Tool: http://amzn.to/2FM8mVz
Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals: http://amzn.to/2phjrac
Cliff Protein Bars: https://amzn.to/2KFDBZf

Clothing:

My boonie hat: http://amzn.to/2HI1SYG
My tan US Flag ball cap: http://amzn.to/2FW8NjH
Neck Gaiter: http://amzn.to/2DxUOek
Carhart Beanie: http://amzn.to/2HE2UEN
Wool Gloves: http://amzn.to/2pnltXp
North Face Gortex Jacket: https://amzn.to/2m3hSM5
North Face Shell: https://amzn.to/2J3BWqq
North Face Down Jacket: https://amzn.to/2IYLUcP

Other Items:

Leki Trekking Poles: http://amzn.to/2HHf53P
Therm-a-rest Sleeping Pad(small): http://amzn.to/2FPramY
Gear Snake Wire Ties: http://amzn.to/2FOS4eF
Eno Double Nest Hammock: https://amzn.to/2Nxqx5J
Headlamp: https://amzn.to/2MRD6aU
Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com
Sunblock: https://amzn.to/2Nxwpfh
Bug Repellent (Skin So Soft): https://amzn.to/2IYYGYG ​

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What I thought would be a quick turn and burn SOTA hike while the wife was at work turned into a little extra time and some critters. Saw some lion prints and dealt with some steep terrain as I made my way to the top of Mt. Lawlor for a Ham Radio SOTA activation.

APRS worked perfectly and the contacts came nicely. Took the “easy” route out of there though it was longer.
————————————————————————————————————–
FOLLOW ME:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kg6hqd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kg6hqd/
Website: https://www.kg6hqd.us
—————————————————————————————————————
GEAR I USE:

Must Have Items:

****NEW FISHING POLE MAST (MUST HAVE): https://amzn.to/2KlxSWJ ****

5.4m Telescoping Fishing Pole: http://amzn.to/2phNNu6

Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com

Guy Line / Cordage: http://amzn.to/2FNC2S9

Yaesu FT2DR Gear:

Yaesu FT2DR Ham Radio: https://amzn.to/2D5noFP

Comet SMA24 VHF/UHF Antenna: https://amzn.to/2HM7YvO

FT2DR Spare Battery: https://amzn.to/2Gl8XAO

Yaesu MH-85A Camera Speaker Microphone: https://amzn.to/2ToVrzP

RT Systems Programming Software: https://amzn.to/2D5O7lE

Ham Radio HF Gear:

Elecraft KX2 & accessories: http://bit.ly/2tTYCqR

Laptop Mini-Microphone: http://amzn.to/2phHVks

Backpack & Hydration System:
My Osprey Backpack: http://amzn.to/2FIWXdu
Platapus 3 liter bladder: http://amzn.to/2FOoYfw

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter: https://amzn.to/2tYiirg

Footwear:
Solomon Trail Runner Hiking Shoes: http://amzn.to/2DymFeC

Darn Tough Socks: http://amzn.to/2GyKYvY

Camera Gear:

GoPro 7 Black Kit Choice: https://amzn.to/2WEk9y4

Wasabit GoPro Battery Pack: https://amzn.to/2t4Rtkm
Solar Charger Battery Bank: https://amzn.to/2GlfYBv
Zoom H1 Audio Recorder: http://amzn.to/2Gz1jRq

​Dead Cat Zoom for Zoom H1: http://amzn.to/2tV2kAA
Nikon D750 Camera: http://amzn.to/2GBaUHB
Nikon 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/2FNcyED
Nikon 24-70mm lens: http://amzn.to/2phrkx7

Joby GorillaPod: http://amzn.to/2piayhv

Drone:

DJI Mavic Pro – Fly More Kit: https://amzn.to/2KT1BUw

Cooking & Food:

MSR Ultra Light Stove: http://amzn.to/2FNxprf
Fuel Canister for Stove: http://amzn.to/2FGMEqh
Titanium 450ml Cup: http://amzn.to/2pjQE53
Titanium long handle spoon: http://amzn.to/2FI8Eko
Flint Fire Starter Tool: http://amzn.to/2FM8mVz
Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals: http://amzn.to/2phjrac
Cliff Protein Bars: https://amzn.to/2KFDBZf

Clothing:

My boonie hat: http://amzn.to/2HI1SYG
My tan US Flag ball cap: http://amzn.to/2FW8NjH
Neck Gaiter: http://amzn.to/2DxUOek
Carhart Beanie: http://amzn.to/2HE2UEN
Wool Gloves: http://amzn.to/2pnltXp
North Face Gortex Jacket: https://amzn.to/2m3hSM5
North Face Shell: https://amzn.to/2J3BWqq
North Face Down Jacket: https://amzn.to/2IYLUcP

Other Items:

Leki Trekking Poles: http://amzn.to/2HHf53P
Therm-a-rest Sleeping Pad(small): http://amzn.to/2FPramY
Gear Snake Wire Ties: http://amzn.to/2FOS4eF
Eno Double Nest Hammock: https://amzn.to/2Nxqx5J
Headlamp: https://amzn.to/2MRD6aU
Mapping subscription – https://www.gaiagps.com
Sunblock: https://amzn.to/2Nxwpfh
Bug Repellent (Skin So Soft): https://amzn.to/2IYYGYG ​

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