Piper Mountain

Looking West from the trail

The peak is about a mile from the trailhead and
took us 45 minutes to reach. Piper is 2000 feet
above sea level and offers excellent views of the
surrounding lakes.

Looking East from my operating position

The top is mostly granite but there are some low
blueberry bushes and pines also.

I brought my ATS3-A and a half-wave end-fed for 20
meters. I sat on a chair someone had made of stones.
I ran a wire up to a nearby pine tree (maybe 15 feet
high) and then over to a second tree.


I felt as if I were sitting on a granite throne

There were quite a few strong stations, but Spain
seemed to rule the band. EA6NB, Jim, on the Balaeric
Islands gave me a 549. I gave him a 559. "UR 4W FB,"
he kindly sent at the end of the quick contact.

I was pretty excited to hear 4L8A calling CQ with a
full 599. I answered right away, but he worked a
station in New Mexico and then disappeared.

Tuning up the band I heard another Spanish station,
EG1SDC. He was a real 599, and he gave me a quick
599 and was off to the next caller.

Quite satisfied with a couple of contacts, I started
putting my gear away so Dick could make some QSOs
too. He had been trying on 40 meters, so he wouldn't
interfere with me on 20. But 40 was dead. As soon as
he switched to 20, he heard K4LTA, Bill in Tennessee booming
in and calling CQ.


Dick is using the KX-1 with a 27 foot wire

Bill came right back to Dick and gave him a 569. Not bad
for two and a half watts with a 27 foot wire.


Dick is anxious for some more hiking

In a few minutes Dick was packed up and ready to head
out for some more hiking. We went South toward
Whiteface and hiked another half hour before heading down
to the cars.

By the time we reached the cars, we were dripping wet and
glad to call it a day.

-end-