The signal bearing at the starting point was 45 degrees. My second bearing
from the hill was 30 degrees. I headed off to Cajon Pass. The signal was weak
and required monitoring it using CW mode most of the hunt. On the 15 as I
approached the merge with the 215 I hit a hot spot where the signal was more
than half scale.
At Oak Hill (Summit) I met up with KF6GQ/KD6LAJ. The signal was still weak
and pointed at 35 degrees. I continued up the 15 to Barstow where I had a
reading of 25 degrees. I wasn't sure if the T was in the area of Lane Mtn north
of Barstow or if it was at the southern end of Death Valley. I decided to
continue east on the 15 and take readings on the fly. The readings continued to
point toward Death Valley.
I gassed up in Baker and took a reading just up the 127 which indicated to
continue north. I reach the road that heads west along the southern edge of
Death Valley. This brought back memories of a hunt many years ago where I was 40
miles down this dirt road with only 2 gallons of gas in the old green bug. I
never found the T that time even though I knew where it was because I didn't had
the gas to drive to it. The reading I took at this point was 330 -- not down the
road but farther north. I speculated the T might be at Dante's View. Just after
this I saw HPW and KF6GQ/KD6LAJ heading south down 127. I figured they had
already found it and that I was going the right direction. I stopped to take a
reading. MI pulled up behind me. After posing for pictures I continued north on
127 a little behind Scott. The signal was getting quite strong by now.
I passed MI when he stopped to take a reading and came to a dirt road. The
signal was very strong and pointed down the road. About a mile down the road I
came across a motor home with a 100 foot, 42 element beam attached. It was 4:40
PM. I usually don't find Ts this far out in the daylight. I chatted with the
hiders. N6MI showed up not long after my arrival. I was amazed to find my
mileage to be only .2 miles less than KF6GQ/KD6LAJ after 236 miles of travel. On
my way back down 127 I passed HPW and AIN.
Doug WA6RJN