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Skyline Ridge (Peak 761), OR | November 2020

Submitted by K7WXW on
APRS Coverage
Full two-way messaging
Cellular Provider
AT&T
Voice Cellular Coverage
Good, very usable
Data Cellular Coverage
Good, very usable

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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