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SOTA Activation, Locke Mountain, Davis Mountains, TX
1 August 2013 | by This was fun activation today. Locke Mountain is the home of the McDonald Observatory and you can drive most of the way to the top. There is a short climb to the summit from the parking lot. Locke Mountain is in the Davis Mountains which this time of the year is like an oasis in West Texas. Everything is green and the mountains are beautiful. The only problem with this area is that so many of the peaks are on private property. I need to do a little more research to find ways to get on them. I tried to get permission to do Guide Peak, another 10 pointer close to Locke Mountain, but the owner said no, this time.
Today,because of a potentially crowded summit, it wasn't, I used an Alex Loop for the first time. Very pleased with the results, ~30 QSO's on 4 bands with my ATS-4. I actually did two stints on the summit. After lunch in Fort Davis I went back up to try to work a few more guys while my wife shopped in town. Fort Davis is a very nice town.
Tomorrow I will try Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park, W5T/CI-009. This is a 9 mile round trip. I will be on the trail early, but if it gets too hot, I will call it a day. Check out www.sotawatch.org for spots. I will try to summit between 1400-1500z on 2 Aug.
Tomorrow I will try Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park, W5T/CI-009. This is a 9 mile round trip. I will be on the trail early, but if it gets too hot, I will call it a day. Check out www.sotawatch.org for spots. I will try to summit between 1400-1500z on 2 Aug.
2 Responses to “SOTA Activation, Locke Mountain, Davis Mountains, TX”
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Your SOTA posts are an inspiration to me! They dovetail nicely with Jerry’s 10,000 Steps post. Amateur Radio certainly doesn’t have to be a sedentary activity!
I’m heading out to Fort Davis area to try some SOTA activities. What advice can you give me? How did you find out who owned what peaks and contact them? Appreciate any advice you have. Thanks!