SOTAUSA is launched

[ki6mwn]

John, KI6NNN and I, KI6MWN have launched a new program directed to outdoor minded ham operators like yourself. SOTAUSA.COM is a site designed to help you promote a mini DXpedition to a mountaintop or hilltop near you. If you have ever operated mountaintop portable before, you know what an advantage altitude gives to your signal. We just can't get enough and we hope you will get hooked too.
If you want to know what it is like to work the front end of a pileup, with modest gear, come join in the fun.
Stu KI6MWN

[NotAMog]

This is a fun activity I haven't done in quite awhile. When I first got into ham radio I made a couple of hikes to the top of Double Mountain above Tehachapi to see how what kind of range I could get. The best contact I had was hitting a repeater on Catalina with a 5 watt HT and a rubber duck antenna. I also did some VHF DXing from a site at about 4000' over looking the Central Valley.

It would be fun to get out and try doing remote location DXing again. I've talked with another Pinzgauer owner who is a ham and who is also interested to doing the same thing but it hasn't been enough of a priority to make it happen. Maybe this group will give us an excuse to get out there.

[cruiserlarry]

Sounds like a great idea...I've always wanted to see how far I could reach from up in Big Bear, etc...but usually I'm the only ham, and we're busy wheeling...this could afford a new opportunity....

[RedDavid]

Can you get to Sierra Peak from Ortega Hwy along Main Divide? I was thinking about running up there to see how this all works. There's an informal run with the local JK forum guys that may be interested in seeing this as well. They are talking about Main Divide or ?? Think the crowd would be welcome?

[KI6NNN]

Can you get to Sierra Peak from Ortega Hwy along Main Divide? I was thinking about running up there to see how this all works. There's an informal run with the local JK forum guys that may be interested in seeing this as well. They are talking about Main Divide or ?? Think the crowd would be welcome?

Yes I believe so if the gate is open, but that is a long trek from down by Ortega to Sierra. I'm getting up of Skyline in Corona. Will be up there around 10:30am to setup and get goin. Also, you will be driving past about 6 named peaks on Main divide...would be great to have you activate Modjeska or Santiago peaks on your way. If this sounds like a good idea to you Dave please send me a email ki6nnn@sotausa.com , and will try to get it all setup.... Stoked you guys are all interested.. .Stu and I love operating portable and are pretty excited were not the only ones Hihi. Peace

73
John
NNN

[RedDavid]

I didn't know Skyline was open. The last two times I've gone to check the gate it was locked. The Jeep guys are planning a nice Sunday run so it's more about the run for them. I'll see if they are interested if not I'll just run up skyline. I'm only a few miles from that gate.

dave.

[gon2srf]

Just wanted to say welcome to OAUSA to you new guys!

[RedDavid]

Figure out the Skyline drive gate, gotta go to Riverside and "rent" a key. I'll do that tomorrow or Friday.

I didn't know Skyline was open. The last two times I've gone to check the gate it was locked. The Jeep guys are planning a nice Sunday run so it's more about the run for them. I'll see if they are interested if not I'll just run up skyline. I'm only a few miles from that gate.

dave.

[KI6NNN]

Right on guys thanks for the welcome and the interest,

Ya correct you gotta go to the ranger station in Corona to get the key...To my understand my group headed up has a key but i need to clarify this more before Saturday. You can also get up the for-sure-way via Silverado...all the way up and make a left at Main Divide. Gonna be great to have some more hams up on the hill... We'll be in touch to get logistics squared away..

What kind of equipment and antennas do you run DAve?

Figure out the Skyline drive gate, gotta go to Riverside and "rent" a key. I'll do that tomorrow or Friday.

I didn't know Skyline was open. The last two times I've gone to check the gate it was locked. The Jeep guys are planning a nice Sunday run so it's more about the run for them. I'll see if they are interested if not I'll just run up skyline. I'm only a few miles from that gate.

dave.

[RedDavid]

I'll be meeting with the Jeep guys at Santiago at 9 so i probably wont make to to Sierra for a couple hours. Hopefully i can get some of the jeep guys to follow I know they are talking about going towards Wildomar OHV area. We'll see. Eaither way I'll make it up there. Don't know how much time for DXing but since it would be my first outing it would be fun. I'll have my APRS enabled kenwood in the Jeep and will carry the Yaesu HT.

There are 6 confirmed jeeps heading out of Santiago. I think I'm the only HAM. I'll be monitoring 146.520 and the Sierra Peak repeater 146.610- PL: 103.5. If you have APRS up there you should be able to track our progress as well.

Dave
KI6VEO

Right on guys thanks for the welcome and the interest,

Ya correct you gotta go to the ranger station in Corona to get the key...To my understand my group headed up has a key but i need to clarify this more before Saturday. You can also get up the for-sure-way via Silverado...all the way up and make a left at Main Divide. Gonna be great to have some more hams up on the hill... We'll be in touch to get logistics squared away..

What kind of equipment and antennas do you run DAve?

Figure out the Skyline drive gate, gotta go to Riverside and "rent" a key. I'll do that tomorrow or Friday.

I didn't know Skyline was open. The last two times I've gone to check the gate it was locked. The Jeep guys are planning a nice Sunday run so it's more about the run for them. I'll see if they are interested if not I'll just run up skyline. I'm only a few miles from that gate.

dave.