San Fernando Benchmark

Well like Mt. Jupiter I ended up having to go back to this summit to activate it again. The first time I forgot my Buddistick mast so that left me to working 145.520 FM. That only turned up two contacts so I came back this morning to give it another go with my Buddistick.

The weather wasn’t bad as I got there just as the gate was being opened up. Then I was the winding drive up the narrow road. A lot of cyclists going up.

Once I got there I had a breakfast worthy of her majesty. Poptarts and coffee.

Breakfast

Next I setup the Buddistick and check my SWR. Good to go!

Not too shabby

Things really started piling up on 20 meters. I was making it across the US on 50 watts on my FT-817 so I figured propagation couldn’t be too bad.

What a view!

After making a slew of contacts on 20, I moved to 40. The upper portion of the band was filled with the usual foreign radio stations. I did however find a spot that was clear. In total I made 17 contacts. This was by far my most successful activation to date.

More of the San Fernando Valley

I even found the Geo Marker.

Camp 9

Buddistick and my operating position