On 18 November 2013 I hiked up Black Mountain with Curtis (KC5CW), Elliot (K6EL), and my son Peyton. Both Curtis and Elliot Activated the summit but Peyton and I did some Geo Caching while they were busy. I am still not 100% from surgery and did not carry all the equipment up the hill for an activation. I did get down out of the activation area for 2m contacts with both activators. We had dinner at Howie's Pizza and Rick (N6XI) met us there.
Route: From Moffett Field Exit in Mountain View, CA take HWY 85 South (4.6 Miles) to HWY 280 North (6.5? miles) to Page Mill Road, Left on Page Mill Road (4.2 Miles) To small parking lot on the Right side of the road.
Cell Signal: Yes (Verizon). Digital Signal Questionable but with patience will be possible to self spot.
Interference: None.
Distance: Round Trip 4.5 Miles
Trail Condition: Well Maintained Easy to follow fire road and trail.
Setup: No rig for me. Curtis - KX3 and EndFed 1/2 wave antenna (20m).
Contacts: Curtis and Elliot log on SOTA. I had a 2m contact with each activator from outside of the activation area.
Curtis' KX3 and Battery
Curtis working the Pileup
End Fed Antenna in an inverted V over a small tree.
Peyton and I at the Marker.
Peyton at the Summit
Peyton sitting by the antenna. (Photo by Curtis)
Picture of all of us after the activation eating Pizza.
Though I did not do any activating I did have fun with some fellow SOTA activators on a summit. I am still not healthy enough to carry all my equipment up to the summit and activate but it will be soon. It was great to do another summit with Elliot and meet Curtis and Rick (N6XI). Rick was supposed to summit with us but had another situation come up that had to be dealt with. Maybe another day.
Thanks everyone for the great time and I look forward to the next time!
