Summit Information:

                               Points: 6

                               County: Warren

                               Grid: FM08vt

                               Wx: 78 °F; 2 mph; Sunny

 

Field Day 2018 was taking place this weekend, so I decided to head out Sunday (6/24/2018) to see if I could complete the following: activate a SOTA summit, activate a POTA (Shenandoah NP) and make some contacts for Field Day.

Compton Peak is a pretty easy hike up starting with a decent size parking lot at the trailhead. Those who hike SNP, know this is not always the case. The trail is pretty easy climbing and once you reach near the summit, the trail splits north and south. There is decent signage indicating either option. The actual summit is right in the middle of the trail, so I chose the north trail so that I could get a decent view. While still within the activation zone, I set up my station. I used my Packtenna mulitband random wire antenna and propped the end towards me with my hiking pole. Using my KX3 I jumped on 40 meters which even at that early hour was pretty busy.

Even though I have been 99% CW for the last year, for some reason (nostalgia?) I decided to operate on SSB. Being a QRP station running off of battery power makes for a pretty good handicap. Nevertheless, I managed to make my needed  quick 4 contacts. The bugs were eating me alive and I decided to head to the next summit. I had a 4pm appointment in DC, so I was limited on time for this trip.

Hiking:

Maps

Parking: Park at the Compton Peak trailhead. Entrance fee is required into the park.