2021 January VHF Contest

 For the past few years I've gone up to Loma Alta, W6/NC-350, for the January VHF contest, and this year was no different. It was warm and sunny at the Big Rock trailhead. I was prepared for cold, but was very glad I wore a t-shirt.

The Big Rock.

I took my time on the hike up, since I had a heavy pack and didn't want to get too sweaty. I was starting to regret wearing my thicker pants since it was so warm.

Gorgeous day to be out above the Lucas Valley.

It took a bit less than an hour to hike the 2 miles to the summit. This time I set up in a slightly different spot, on the peak away from the fence. I had put guy loops on both my poles, so I didn't need the fence to help hold stuff up. The view south around Mt Tam seemed a bit better too.

Trees shading a rock.

Getting close to the top.

I had two poles, one for the gain antennas and one for wires. I staked out the bigger pole, then put the two arrow yagis on it. It took a bit of finagling to get the 144/432 yagi balanced and pointed in the right direction, but I did it. I also managed to pull out two of the loops I had epoxied on. I must not have done it in a good way. 

Two meter EDZ.

On the other pole I planned to put my extended double zepps for 6m and 2m. The 2m one went up without an issue, but I broke one of the legs of the 6m one while setting it up. This was unfortunate, since it meant I wouldn't be able to use it with my 817 for WSJT-X. Luckily the tuner in the KX3 was able to match the 2m one on 6m. 

The other half of my antenna farm.

I finished setting up a few minutes before the start, so I turned on 20m to make a few SOTA contacts. The band seemed to be in good condition, with France booming in. At 1900z I turned to VHF to start making contacts. 

So many transverters and radios.

Six and two meters were fairly busy, as expected. After the first hour or so working the loud people on those bands I started trying the higher bands. Calling CQ on the 70cm and 1.25m bands got a few more people and mults, and some were even able to go up to 1296.

On the summit of Loma Alta.

I asked quite a bit, but no one seemed to have 902. I was disappointed, I carried up the antenna and transverter but didn't get to use them. Otherwise it seemed to be a pretty typical contest. 

Shortly before packing up.

I ended up using the 817 for 2m SSB, the KX3 for 6m and the transverter bands (222, 432, 902, 1296). I used my HT for FM on the three bands it has, 146, 223, 446. On the mountain top, the HT with just a whip seemed to do fine.

Around 5pm local time I shut down and started packing up. I was hoping to get down before it got dark, and I nearly made it. It was dark when I got to the car, but my eyes had adjusted enough I didn't have to dig out my flashlight.

Sunset over the ocean.

Overall this was a very good year for me. I got a personal best score (claiming 4008), and the most contacts and multipliers. There are, however, a number of changes that need to be made. 

I need a gain antenna for 6m. I have plans to get one, and a 2m antenna with more elements and gain. But these bigger yagis will need a more substantial pole.

I also need to find a mounting solution for my 902 and 1296 yagis and transverters. Holding them by hand is not a good way to do it. 

The Bay at twilight. 

I also think I need to go up both Saturday and Sunday. There were probably people I missed who only operated one day, or even an opening on 6m that could've gotten me more multipliers. 

I should also take my WSJT-x raspberry pi setup out on some more summits for regular SOTA activations to make sure it works as well as I hope it does.

Overall, it was a great contest, and I've already started thinking about locations to go in June!