2. Ham Radio

Lacey Benchmark (W6/NS-156) SOTA Activation 9/14/2013

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To get to Lacey Benchmark, travel on Highway 89 between Truckee and Sierraville and turn onto the paved Tahoe National Forest road 07 that runs to Jackson Meadows Reservoir. A sign at the turnoff points towards the reservoir. At Henness Pass, turn left onto Tahoe National Forest Road 86 (Meadow Lake Road). Approximately 7.3 miles later turn right onto the unsigned logging road at C843LACEY (39.42003N, 120.45613W) or park and hike up from there. The segment of Meadow Lake Road that runs out to this turnoff is a well maintained gravel road that any 2WD vehicle should be able to navigate. The logging road is also drivable in a 2WD vehicle with moderate ground clearance.
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To get to Lacey Benchmark, travel on Highway 89 between Truckee and Sierraville and turn onto the paved Tahoe National Forest road 07 that runs to Jackson Meadows Reservoir. A sign at the turnoff points towards the reservoir. At Henness Pass, turn left onto Tahoe National Forest Road 86 (Meadow Lake Road). Approximately 7.3 miles later turn right onto the unsigned logging road at C843LACEY (39.42003N, 120.45613W) or park and hike up from there. The segment of Meadow Lake Road that runs out to this turnoff is a well maintained gravel road that any 2WD vehicle should be able to navigate. The logging road is also drivable in a 2WD vehicle with moderate ground clearance.

TopoMap1

  • The SOTA Northern Sierra region logo. This logo is available on Northern Sierra T-shirts, sweatshirts, beer steins, mouse pads, etc. for SOTA participants who qualify for the Northern Sierra Award (offered by yours truly KU6J). The award rules are linked to from my page on QRZ.com.
  • To get to Lacey Benchmark, travel on Highway 89 between Truckee and Sierraville and turn onto the paved Tahoe National Forest road 07 that runs to Jackson Meadows Reservoir. A sign at the turnoff points towards the reservoir. At Henness Pass, turn left onto Tahoe National Forest Road 86 (Meadow Lake Road). Approximately 7.3 miles later turn right onto the unsigned logging road at C843LACEY (39.42003N, 120.45613W) or park and hike up from there. The segment of Meadow Lake Road that runs out to this turnoff is a well maintained gravel road that any 2WD vehicle should be able to navigate. The logging road is also drivable in a 2WD vehicle with moderate ground clearance.
  • At the LACEY1 point where a 4x4 trail (shown in red) joins from the right, park and kike up the trail unless you are driving a very capable, lifted, rugged 4x4 vehicle such as a rock crawling buggy or 4x4 ATV, preferably with a winch in case you come off the gas at the wrong time and can't regain enough forward momentum to finish the climb. A stock SUV or pickup won't cut it. The 4x4 trail is rough and steep and the worst section is narrow with no ability to turn around. You have been WARNED.<br /> <br /> Another way to reach Lacey Benchmark is via Pacific Crest Trail which is shown in pink.
  • My SOTA cap next to the actual Lacey Benchmark. This summit was the first of three that <a href="http://www.grizzlyguy.com/HamRadio/NA-SOTA-Day-Overnight-4-summit">I activated on NASOTA Day in 2012</a>.
  • I set up my 88' doublet and Jackite pole in the trees to the east of the actual benchmark. The east-facing downslope was best here. The wires are oriented N-S for maximum signal to E-W.
  • I bungeed the mast to this small tree.
  • Happy camper ready to do some operating.
  • My shaded operating position.
  • Looking southwest, Meadow Lake is on the right and Fordyce Lake is on the left.
  • Behind and between the lakes in the prior shot is Old Man Mountain (W6/NS-184) on the right, and Red Mountain with its <a href="http://www.grizzlyguy.com/HamRadio/SOTA-Activation-842012-Signal">Signal Peak (W6/NS-179)</a> on the left.
  • To the west-northwest is <a href="http://www.grizzlyguy.com/HamRadio/SOTA-EnglishMtn-W6NS151-2013">English Mountain (W6/NS-151)</a> on the skyline.
  • Just across the gap to the north is <a href="http://www.grizzlyguy.com/HamRadio/SOTA-Activation-W6NS159-Pt8166">Pt. 8166 (W6/NS-159)</a>. Pacific Crest Trail descends from Lacey Benchmark, crosses a road in the gap, then climbs up onto Pt. 8166's west side.
  • Zoomed in shot of <a href="http://www.grizzlyguy.com/HamRadio/SOTA-Activation-W6NS159-Pt8166">Pt. 8166</a>.
  • SOTAWatch spots page 1.
  • SOTAWatch spots page 2.
  • Reverse Beacon Network spots. I actually started off by calling CQ SOTA on 12m, but no skimmers heard me even though XE1XR gave me a 579. When I went back to the band later I was heard weakly by skimmers out in W4 and the Caribbean.
  • Logbook page 1
  • Logbook page 2. I only managed to work Rich N4EX on my return to 12m.
  • Logbook page 3.
  • Logbook page 4. Thanks to everyone who gave me a call!
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