Hilltopping on Black Mountain 1-30-05

Black Mountain (elevation 2800') is located in the Monte Bello Open Space Reserve. Click here for an aerial image showing the location of Black Mountain relative to the South Bay. Click here to see the location on a topographic map.

Even though there is a commerical radio site nearby, I didn't have any problem with overloading on the VX-150. I'm very pleased with the performance of this radio.

	This was my operating location overlooking the Santa Clara Valley. I was operating with my Vertex Standard VX-150 connected to the portable cubical quad antenna. Most of the time I was operating with the TX power set to .5 Watts. Unfortunately, I don't remember the advertised gain of this antenna. [Click on image for a larger version]
	Here's a zoomed in view of the Santa Clara Valley. As you can see, visibility was very good. [Click on image for a larger version]
	Here's the view looking up the peninsula towards San Francisco. Click on the image for a larger version and you might be able to make out the San Francisco skyline in the center of the picture.
	Here's the view looking toward the Northeast. Mount Diablo is clearly visible in the distance.
	Here's the view looking toward the Southeast. Loma Prieta can be seen in the middle of the picture.
	Here's a view of the radio towers on Black Mountain. [Click on image for a larger version]

	The equipment used on Black Mountain.
	Heading back down the trail to the Monte Bello parking lot. This is what my backpack looks like with the portable antenna sticking out.

Before we headed home, my wife and I hiked up to Borel Hill to watch the sunset. It was very cold so we left soon after snapping this picture.