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Skyline Ridge (Peak 761), OR | November 2020

K7WXW's picture
Summit: 
W7O/WV-138
Voice Cellular Coverage: 
Good, very usable
Data Cellular Coverage: 
Good, very usable
Cellular Provider: 
AT&T
APRS Coverage: 
Full two-way messaging

This is an urban park activation about thirty minutes from downtown Portland. No GPS device needed as Google maps provides good driving directions. Though you can pull off a 2M sidelwalk activation near the summit (which is on private property), a more pleasant place to operate from is Skyline Ridge Park (45.3905, -122.6634), about a half mile south. RF noise levels are high, so while a nice spot for an activation, don't expect big things on the HF bands.

Details - The walk from your vehicle is short, the park is quiet (at least on a cool, wet, autumn morning) and there are a couple of picnic tables with nearby trees, making it quite a nice spot for operating. Unfortunately RF noise is of the urban sort, with S7-S8 noise levels below 30MHz, making this a not-so-great location for HF operating. Noise on VHF was in the S4 range but K7AHR and I managed a S2S while he was on W7W/LC-036 (54 miles away), so interesting two meter contacts are possible.  Next time I will leave probably leave the HF gear at home and bring a 2M yagi instead. 

 

 

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