Flustered To A Fantastic SOTA Activation of Burnt Mountain W6/CT-217

Burnt Mountain W6/CT-217
33 12 11 N 117 3 57 W
Elevation 2140
Key Takeaways from this Activation:
1. Remain calm and don't dismiss an activation just because you forgot essentials like a notepad or radio instructions. Adapt and improvise to ensure you can get on the air and establish contacts.
2. Practice deep breathing and stay relaxed. Morse code (CW) can be soothing, and fellow chasers are generally understanding and eager for the contact, just like you are.
3. Expect the unexpected; not everything will go according to plan. View each activation as a learning experience and use it to enhance the smooth flow of future activations.
4. Acknowledge that changes in character recognition can occur, even with familiar letters and numbers. Understand that the brain is constantly evolving, and difficulties in character recognition are a common experience for all CW operators.
Correction for 1 QSO: K6KMH was the contact station
Operating Frequencies: 7.062, 14.063, 21.062 and 18.087Hz
Radio Equipment
MTR-4B
mcHF QRP
EFHW 10-40M
RG-316 25'
Bamatech III Key
N0SA S/P-X Key
Anker Soundcore Portable Speaker
7M carbon Fiber Mast
0:00 - Hike to the Summit
10:26 - 7.062Hz
20:08 - 14.063Hz
31:00 - 21.062Hz
1:09:00 - 18.087Hz
Copyright KD7DUG 2023. All rights reserved. This music is protected by copyright law and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright owner.

[@aussiesotaops]

Congrats on Argentina, warts and all! Nice work showing the frustration that comes from being on the hill and little things going wrong.

[@dugbohamradio]

Thanks 😊! It was a great time and so far my record number of CW QSOs for SOTA or POTA, 21 contacts and the chasers were fantastic. Next activation I’ll make sure I have radio instructions and writing pad 😆

[@KYFriedHam]

Way to persevere Dugbo!

[@dugbohamradio]

TNX Jason! Burnt mountain has a great summit , it was perfect for setting up the EFHW and radio gear. Appreciate you watching , it was a long video.

[@W4EMB]

Great stuff Dugbo. How satisfied did you feel when you were done? Some folks try new things on purpose.... some folks like me try new things because the circumstances kind of roped me into it hihi.... My last activation was my first all vehicle CW activation.. My first in the dark.... Almost totally dark when my light died... P.A.C.E ( primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency)... I need to re-think my PACE plan after my last activation.. Great music!

[@dugbohamradio]

Afterwards and hiking back down the trail I realized the reason I am out on the trail and hiking to the top of a summit with 2 radios. I truly appreciate the ham radio community, cw operators and that this is all about trying something new and pushing yourself. What could be better than hiking and SOTA . ❤ I use to operate at 16-17 wpm to make it comfortable but I had to push myself and bumped my speed up to 20wpm. Especially, your advice has always been on point ! Relax , take a deep breath and have fun. Great words of wisdom.