Unfortunately for the Colorado 14er Event this weekend the propagation does not look very good. A Strong (G3) geomagnetic storm condition was observed starting at 0600 UTC this morning, the K Index was then at 6+.
Hopefully things will settle down quickly and we can start working DX again.
Stay Safe Out There!
Feel free to join in on the fun during the annual event by activating a summit or contacting (chasing) the mountaintop stations. Be aware that many mountaintop activators will hit the trail early with the goal of being off the summits by (1800 UTC) noon due to lightning safety concerns.
This event is normally held the first full weekend in August. Again this year, we will add two bonus days to the Colorado 14er Event. The main two days remain Saturday and Sunday (Aug 5 & 6), while the bonus days are Friday Aug 4 and Monday Aug 7th, for those SOTA enthusiasts that need more than two days of SOTA fun!
The 14er event includes Summits On the Air (SOTA) peaks, which provide over 1700 summits to activate. The Colorado 14er Event was started in 1991, about 19 years before the SOTA program was set up in Colorado. As SOTA grew in popularity, this event expanded from just the 14,000-foot mountains (14ers) to include all of the SOTA summits in the state. They still call it the Colorado 14er Event because, well, that's where it all started and the 14ers are the iconic summits in the state.
Important: The recommended 2m FM frequencies have been changed to 146.58, 146.55, and 146.49 MHz, to align with the use of the North America Adventure Frequency for SOTA (146.58). The National Simplex Calling Frequency (146.52) may be used as appropriate. There will be plenty of action on the HF ham bands, especially on 20m.
Stay Safe Out There....and SOTA & POTA On!!
It's been mighty quiet around the VE3FI property for the past month. I haven't done a POTA activation, or any portable radio during July.....just taking a break. Some days the propagation around here has been so bad we couldn't talk across the street....never mind across the big pond!
However, the propagation over the next few days sure doesn't look too good.
So far this month I have not done a single outdoor activation, in fact I've hardly been on the radio at all. Between the very high heat and humidity, and the lousy propagation, I just haven't felt the "love"....and that's OK, sometimes a nice break is a good thing.
While I enjoyed working from the van it was getting old and starting to show its age. I'm looking forward to many new adventures in the new vehicle, including a cross-country POTA trip next year. Details to follow.
And my last excuse for the lack of operating and posts here is this.....what seems to have become a typical day around here propagation wise:
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The contest runs from 1200 UTC July 8th to 1159 UTC 9th July.
The rules can be found HERE.
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I'm not a huge fan of the new rule changes that the ARRL has made over the past two (3?) years, in fact I think they are really ridiculous. So this year I'm taking part more on a social basis than a serious contesting basis. And, as I did last year, I'll be operating QRP.
Don, VE3MNE, and myself have been invited down again by the Northumberland County QRP Club. This is our second year taking part with them.
We have plans this weekend to refurbish our collection of notch filters that we haven't used in the past 3 years. I think they probably need a good looking over after sitting in my garage for that long. The rest of the equipment I'll be taking, masts, antennas, and the camping gear, will also need a good inspection to make sure it is all serviceable for the weekend.
Rule for Field Day 2023 can be found HERE.
Stay Safe Out There!!
