SOTA AZ S2S Event 0.19.2020 W7A/AE-054 Guthrie Peak - January 2020 VHF UHF National Event

Will be sitting at 6500' in eastern Arizona this month on Guthrie Peak W7A/AE-054

Going to work this peak first as a possible S2S Event station with my 6m and 2m Meter beams most likely pointed to the North-West as I hope to catch the other SOTA guys in the greater Phx. area.

Most likely will have some qrm to deal with as this peak is full of radio towers.

Have a number of antenna options. First deployed will be the basic SOTA 6m 2m roll-up antennas on my fiberglass pole at maybe 16'.
Will set up the larger mast with a 2m 9elem beam as well as the 6m 3elem beam if needed.

Will also work as a rover today as I have a 3hr drive in each direction.

Well, this was a complete bust.... first time I have failed to this level. HF was fine with signals in and out of New York as well as Florida. VHF and UHF were dead.
Beautiful View of Morenci from this Peak. Grilled Breakfast and had a great time regardless of the signals. Distance and the peaks in the way prevented us from reaching everyone in Phoenix. Will hit Casa Grande next time.

CHASER TODAY - W7A/PE-074 "KI7LLD"

First SOTA Chase of 2020, my son Douglas KI7LLD with his first SOTA Activation of 2020 on Pistol Hill just East of Tucson Arizona in Vail.zee

Doug was initially a 57, did not realize he was on the HT, really a great signal considering he was on 5w at 30 miles or so. Went to 20 over nine with his SOTA set up and Ed Fong roll up 2m antenna set at about 12'.

As everything in Radio, there are always issues to overcome, I find this the greatest challenge.

While exchanging a qso with KI7LLD, I lost all power to the Yaesu 857d. Went to the back up travel radio (Kenwood D74A), could receive well, no contact. Stepped into the back yard of the HOA to pull a 59 contact on 144.41 and 146.52fm.

Moved back inside, trade antenna feed line to put the D74a on the external ELK antenna for a 9++ Signal.