From JohnGBP@aol.com Sun Apr  4 13:24:16 1999
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 18:05:37 EST
From: JohnGBP@aol.com
To: robertb@transmeta.com
Subject: PCT Ham Radio Info

Rob,

I saw your recent post on the PCT-L asking about repeater access along the
PCT. I'll pass along what little knowledge I have on the subject-maybe some of
it will be useful to you.

>From your description of your radio, it sounds like it may be one of the
Alinco micro HTs. If so, its transmit power (300 or 500 mW??) probably won't
be enough to reach repeaters from remote regions. I've found that 5 W is
needed along with an AEA Hot Rod antenna to have a realistic chance at hitting
repeaters from the backcountry. (Of course, your experience may be different
than mine.) 

I've recently ordered but not yet received a Yaesu VX-5R. It seems like it
would be an ideal radio for hiking. Triband transceiver (6m/2m/70cm) with 5 W
on 6m and 2m (4.5 W on 70 cm), Li ion battery, thermometer, optional
barometric pressure/altitude sensor, scans all 10 NOAA freqs, shortwave
reception, etc. Weighs about 9 oz. Anyway, I'll be seeing how it really works
shortly.

Now to your repeater question. Based on my experience and correspondence with
other hams, I think you should have little trouble hitting repeaters in
Section A. (I live in San Diego.) There are repeaters in the southern part of
San Diego county on Mt. Otay and Lyons Peak. Likewise, there are repeaters in
the Laguna mountains (Monument Peak and Mt. Laguna) that you'll be walking
right by. After you drop down into the desert from the Lagunas, you will
probably still be able to hit the Laguna repeaters (though I've never hiked
that portion of the PCT). If not, try for the repeaters in Imperial County,
including Borrego Springs, El Centro and Brawley. After you climb back up out
of the desert, the repeaters on Palomar Mtn should be within range. 

Once in the Sierra, you must get high on a pass or the crest itself to have a
chance of getting a signal out, at least to repeaters east of the range. I've
corresponded with a ham who has 60 years experience in the Sierra! He provided
the following information. 

For the southern Sierra, there is a repeater in the Inyo Mountains east of
Independence (Mazourka Peak, W6TD, 146.76 (-)). Farther south, try Little
Lake, 147.21 (+). Farther north, try the Silver Peak repeater, 146.94 (-),
which has wide area coverage (Tioga Pass on the north to the Whitney region on
the south) given its 10,800 foot elevation in the White Mountains east of
Bishop. Still farther north, try Conway summit, 146.73 (-). Of course, there
are numerous repeaters in the Tahoe area, but I'm unsure if they can be
accessed from the PCT.

Don't overlook the possibility of hitting repeaters to the west of the Sierra
in the San Joaquin Valley around Bakersfield, Fresno, as well as those in the
Coast Range and Coalinga. 

I remember reading in QST several years ago about a PCT north-to-south thru-
hiker who carried a handheld to get messages to his family. I vaguely remember
that he was a teenager from the Pacific Northwest. If you could scare up that
article, maybe you could get in touch with him.

Hope this helps. Have a good hike!

John