NW5W - Summits on the Air Journal

W0/FR-053 Activation Postponed

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:42:09 -0700

I couldn’t get out of the house in time to make it up and down before dark. Sadly, this activation is postponed. :(

Activation Alert: W0/FR-053 - Cheyenne Mountain

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:28:00 -0700

Who: Chris Snell (NW5W)
What: Ascent and SOTA activation of W0/FR-053, Cheyenne Mountain

About: Cheyenne Mountain is a 9,547’ (2910m) peak overlooking the city of Colorado Springs. Deep within it’s granite heart lies the world-famous Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, once the primary home of NORAD.

Points: 7 points (4 point peak + 3 winter bonus)

Date: Sunday, 11 December 2011
Time: 1900-2100Z (1100-1300 MST) +/- 2 hr, weather- and battery-dependent

Where: 28380 KHz SSB +/- for QRM
146.52 MHz FM

Track: NW5W-4 (HT tracker) NW5W-2 (Truck-mounted tracker)

Alerts: I should be able to self-spot by smartphone once I’m set up there. For purposes of spotting/coordination, I will monitor the CMRG Cheyenne Mountain repeater (147.345 [+] PL 107.2) which is IRLP node 3854.

Notes: I (Chris, NW5W) live on the eastern slope of the mountain. I’m going to try for an eastern slope ascent from the edge of my neighborhood if I can do it without having to cross obvious private property that exists around the lower slopes. If that doesn’t work out, I will drive around the back side and climb using an established trail on public lands. Either way, I’ll post up here on this website once I start the climb and I’ll post a SOTAwatch spot once I’m set up.

Ben LeMasurier (KD0PNS), David Stillman (KI6YMZ) and Chris...

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:13:37 -0700

Ben LeMasurier (KD0PNS), David Stillman (KI6YMZ) and Chris Snell (NW5W) on top of 10650 Peak on a very cold and snowy day! David is filming and Chris is calling CQ.

Activation Alert: W0/FR-140 - 10650 Peak

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:08:00 -0700

Who: Chris Snell (NW5W), David Stillman (KI6YMZ)
What: Ascent and SOTA activation of W0/FR-140, 10650 Peak

Points: 9 points (6 point peak + 3 winter bonus)

Date: Sunday, 4 December 2011
Time: 1800-2000Z (1100-1300 MST) +/- 2 hr, weather- and battery-dependent

Where: 28380 KHz SSB +/- for QRM
146.52 MHz FM

Track: NW5W-4 (HT tracker) NW5W-2 (Truck-mounted tracker)

Alerts: I will post an update here before I leave cellphone coverage at the entrance to the canyon. APRS coverage may be spotty due to 5W HT and possible lack of digipeaters. For purposes of spotting/coordination, I will monitor the CMRG Cheyenne Mountain repeater (147.345 [+] PL 107.2) which is IRLP node 3854.

Notes: 10650 Peak is not far from the road but it’s a nasty little steep climb. Saturday’s forecast is calling for snow with highs in the teens, 20 mph winds and sub-zero wind chill. I suspect that it will be a shorter activation if weather is particularly bad on top. If we make it up and down fairly quickly, we may try for a second activation on a nearby summit.