Squak Mt SOTA Activation - Success!

[Chris Caviezel]

Yesterday’s Activation of Squak Mountain was one of my more memorable and epic activations.  This is because I tested a theory and I hit a home run.  Last year when I activated this summit, I struggled to get four contacts.  This was primarily due to QRM resulting from some nearby Antennas.  This summit is well documented for challenging 2 meter activations.  An activation must occur within 80 (vertical) feet of the summit.  I marked this on my GPS, so I would know the boundary of the activation zone.  The activation zone has a fair number of trees, so that can be a challenge as well.  When I approached the summit while in the activation zone, I noticed a little building off to the right.  And there was a trail that wrapped around this secure building.  I had an idea.  I thought if I could get low to the ground that the building might “block” the QRM.  Sure enough it did. Last year I struggled to get four contacts.  This year I easily got 12 contact.  The activation occurred between 1445 L on 1505 L.

 

Thanks to the chasers:  KE7UIU, N9JRU, K7CH, KE7SW, KC7QDO, K7JRO, WA7OCZ, KF7HQR, KD7UO, AC7BK, KC7HXC, KI7NWA.

Chris L, Caviezel, FF, EMT-B

WX7EMT

Kittitas County Search & Rescue, Backcountry Ground Team

King County Search & Rescue, 4x4 unit

City of Seattle, Emergency Management, ACS, Radio Operator 1

City of Shoreline, Office of Emergency Management, ACS

 

425-830-2542
Winlink: WX7EMT

 

 

[Mark Spencer]

Congrats Chris.

I listened for you on 146.52 but didn't hear anything here in CN89. (I figured CN89 to CN87 with FM was a perhaps a bit of a long shot.). Thanks for making the effort.

73
Mark S
VE7AFZ

[mark weisenfeld K7TUM]

Indeed, it looks like a really high concentration of stuff in Google Maps 3D view.