Mount Newton

I was back in Victoria for a few days and this trip I planned to operate from a couple of summits. I wanted to get credit in both the summits on the air and parks on the air programs so I needed to visit a summit inside a park. I selected two for this trip. The first would be an easy walk up a service road to a viewpoint. The activation area on Mt Newton is very easy to get to, the walk from the car is only 400m and not too steep. I made good time on the walk taking only ten minutes.  Arriving at the view platform I removed my backpack and scouted the area. The once lovely view is now mostly obscured by trees so the viewpoint isn’t worth spending much time at.

For me however, it is a good location for operating. The main drawback is the two radio towers less than 100 feet away. The closest one also supports a radar facility for the nearby airport. So, the RF noise in the area can be high. I fortunately pack a band pass filter which eliminates most of the energy outside of my ham band. After a few photos, I set up my antenna. Today I was operating on VHF only so my yagi was all I would be setting up. I found that the wood railing of the platform provided a good support for my antenna and I was soon set up and ready to call.

I had my first caller in the log at 11:55, a chap from the Fraser Valley. I then had John a local in Victoria who I have worked on many summits. I soon had another regular in the log and fellow club member Ken. Ken’s signal was a bit weak but I was able to hear him well enough to work him. A couple US stations came by next, then Jim from the club called calling from his truck. He was weak but solid enough. Turning the yagi helped. Responses slowed down a bit after Jim but I eventually had a few more and finished with 13 logged stations. Having operated for 25 minutes.  I had more than I needed so I closed down my station.

I was enjoying the time in the fresh air and making contacts but it was damp and I could feel the dampness starting to penetrate. I stowed the gear back in my backpack and then took out my camera for a few more photos. The fall colours were present but mostly just yellows and dry browns. Not a lot of colour like in Ontario. After gathering a few photos including of the trailing moss. I started back for the car. The return went quickly. The road was empty of walkers today, I encountered one couple on the way up, heading down I was alone, not a busy day on the summit.

The parking area was full of cars (8 fills it up) and I saw one driver heading out with their dog. I guess most of the visitors were walking the lower trails likely to a small pond that isn’t too distant. The drive back to the hotel went quickly as traffic was quite light it being just after 1pm. The adventure had been pleasant, offered some fresh air and an opportunity to play radio, but it was time to get back a relax some more.