Hiders: Bob N6ZHZ and Cathy KD6CYG
Locations: T1 was in Running Springs T2 was way out near
Pisgah Crater around Lavic south of the 40.
As usual when we hide, we prefer to choose a spot for at
least one of the T’s which has good rocks…or a good
view. So, after due diligence and searching, we
decided to hide out in Lavic – 45 miles east of Barstow on
I-40. Not only did it have cool rocks (red, yellow,
orange and maroon colored jasper) but it also had a great
view of the surrounding desert and Pisgah crater to the
west. And, although there was a bridge across the
freeway, ½ mile to the north of our location, there were
no off ramps there; in fact, the nearest off ramp was 9
miles to the east at Ludlow. That is, if anyone came
via freeway.
However, upon selecting this fine location, we realized a
signal would most likely not reach any start point, as we
had at least 4,000+ feet of elevation to clear over
Ord Mt and other peaks, not to mention the San
Bernardino Mt themselves. So we placed T1 at John
KF6BRF’s house in Running Springs, at nearly 6,500
ft. The start point would be Pathfinder.
T1 was code and tones. This was found by everyone
between noon and 4 pm. Comments ranged from
KF6GQ/KD6LAJ: “Poor signals everywhere” to
N6MI/K6VCR: “Help!” T2 could just barely be
heard by most, and it was out across the
desert….thataway. Mostly northeast to east.
Some hunters took bearings off Hwy 18 beyond Baldwin lake;
N6MI/K6VCR took a bearing from a high spot in Green
Valley, which had a clear shot to T2.
Meanwhile, we were enjoying a clear, cool windy day in
Lavic. Had to tie the antenna and mast to the truck,
so the morning wind wouldn't blow either it or the truck
away. To stifle boredom while waiting…and waiting,
N6ZHZ had scheduled to help train two gentlemen from Civil
Air Patrol in search techniques. They found their
“T” – rather, ELT or practice beacon on 121.775 mhz by
9:00 am. But then they started in Barstow. ZHZ
commenced with additional studying for them while KDCCYG
commenced to roam the entire Lavic basin, studying pretty
red, yellow, orange, brown and maroon-colored rocks.
We had several small visitors, too; horny toad lizards (px
included) one of which was indignant that we had
invaded his home for the day. It kept a close
eye on the left front wheel of the truck and wouldn't’t
leave until after sundown.
T2 was code only, transmitting 160 watts most of the day,
and we finally had to turn it down to 50 watts. By
then, N6AIN/N6EKS had become lost in Yucca Valley and
decided to head for home. KF6GQ/KD6LAJ had crossed
Johnson Valley into Newberry Springs/Hector area and while
they now had a straight shot to Lavic along National
Trails Hwy, they….quit? The excuse was the nebulous
poor signal. We think they didn't’t want to
win. They had the shortest mileage to T1.
Both Ts were on roads accessible by a Prius, but
fortunately the hunters chose some very fine desert roads
to cross which a Prius wouldn't like. Three teams
reached us after dark: WB6JPI/AB6PA, WA6RJN, and
N6MI/K6VCR. They liked the rocks, too. They
were just prettier in the afternoon sunlight.
The rocks - not the T-hunters. We had a third mini-T
on the air, but its battery died about 7:30 pm, so no one
signed into it.
Results:
T1
Calls Miles Time
KF6GQ/KD6LAJ 69.8 11:58 AM
N6AIN/N6EKS 120.3 12:52 PM
WB6JPI/AB6PA 81.1 1:46 PM
WA6RJN 83.4 3:35 PM
N6MI/K6VCR 98.0 3:53 PM
T2
Calls Miles Time
WB6JPI/AB6PA 192.4 8:00 PM
WA6RJN 184.2 9:00 PM WINNER
N6MI/K6VCR 272.9 LATE
KF6GQ/KD6LAJ DNF
N6AIN/N6EKS DNF
Deryl and Ray's story
Pictures
