W6/NC-209 | Sierra Morena

Last updated on 2021-10-28

Easy, First, Close.

This is the easiest peak I’ve ever activated. That was by design since it was also the first peak I ever activated. It is also the peak closest to my home. This is a great peak for beginners and the athletically challenged: it requires only quarter-mile “hike” from the parking lot, which is almost at the peak. The activation zone is only 95 feet of vertical gain from the parking lot. Once you finish your activation, those who want some real exercise can hike a number of trails that take you down from the peak towards the coast 2,400 feet below. If you want, you can turn this easy activation into a major all-day adventure with lots of climbing. Or you can lazily walk down 94 feet back to your car and leave.

The actual peak is not accessible under the rules because it is in a habitat restoration zone. There is still an overgrown trail leading to the peak but is marked off limits. No worry since the “25 meter” rule allows you to activate anywhere that is above the ring 82 vertical feet down from the peak. The main Fir Trail path is well within the 25 meter rule and is wide enough in sections to allow operation without blocking traffic.

Joining me was my San Mateo Radio Club friend Kevin (K3AM): it was also his first SOTA activation. K3AM used an FT897 with a big battery, a linked dipole antenna, and a telescopic pole for a mast. Weight doesn’t matter much when you are only ascending 100 feet! I had ordered a SOTABeams Tactical Mini mast months earlier but COVID-19 had messed up the supply chain and so used an End-Fed-Half-Wave (KM4ACK‘s) thrown over a tree using an “arborist throw bag“. I also used a Helinox Chair Zero, a 4.5AH BioEnno battery, and an Elecraft KX3. Writing this article many months later I laugh at the gear I used. It worked, but I’ve lightened my kit considerably.

We self spotted using our cell phones and had fun figuring out the rhythm of making SOTA contacts. We were hooked!

Soon after a Park Ranger approached and queried what we were up to as some mountain bikers reported some “strange activity in the woods”. We explained our activity and she said that since we were not blocking the path, were not damaging habitat, were not making objectionable noise, and did not have permanent structures (a portable chair), we weren’t doing anything illegal and were free to continue. She actually thought it was cool. I asked about the summit and the habitat restoration area and was informed that even after the habitat recovers there are no plans to ever re-open that section to the public. In fact she said they are closing several non-main trails and returning several areas to nature permanently.

While Kevin worked 20 meters at 50 watts, I was on 40 meters at 15 watts and then we flipped bands. Even with such close proximity we had no interference issues given the large frequency spread. After an hour of fun we packed up and decided we needed to find some bigger hills!

Note that there are no “vistas” from the activation zone – but you can view a very nice forest on all sides.

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