Aloha

May 2006

Top of Hawaii, Top of the World
Mauna Kea, Hawaii
March 6, 2006

Location: 19.8N, 155.5W Grid BK29gt
Elevation: 13,796 feet (4,205 m)

Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano on the Island of Hawaii. From sea floor to summit it towers more than 5.6 miles (9 km). By this system of measurement, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, truly the “Top of the World!”

It began erupting on the sea floor about 800,000 years ago. Most of the volcano is made of shield-building lavas. Post-shield volcanism began about 300,000 years ago, producing cinder cones and lava flows that cover most of the present-day surface of the volcano. Mauna Kea has erupted several times in the last 10,000 years. The most recent eruption was about 3,500 years ago. Mauna Kea is considered a dormant volcano.

Here I am near the summit snow and observatories during a failed attempt to put Mauna Kea on the air during the "FYBO" event February 4, 2006. (Photo by Leslie Baker)

Beyond this point, the hazardous road warning sign warns of snow storms and other sudden conditions to even close the road.

Park Ranger Pablo is shown talking to his supervisor in an attempt to secure permission to let KH6B to operate from this position. After a short discussion, KH6B moved to a location acceptable to the ranger. It seems that the astronomers and the observatories on Mauna Kea want exclusive use of Mauna Kea.

Here, Dean, KH6B, is operating in the Spartan Sprint, Monday, March 6, 2006 from Mauna Kea, the highest volcano mountain in the State of Hawaii. Elecraft K2 transceiver with internal battery was used running at 5 watts. Accessories include an Emtech QRP Antenna Tuner, a North Georgia QRP Forward/Reflected power meter and NorCal QRP Paddles.

The KH6B antenna is a "home brew" 40 - 10 meter trap doublet inverted-V mounted on a 33-foot DK9SQ mast secured temporarily to the car door handle. KH6B was operated from 0200 - 0300 utc (Monday evening in North America).

In order to comply with the “rules” for ARS' “Top of the World,” KH6B entered the Spartan Sprint, Monday, March 6. Stations worked on 20m: NG7Z (WA), KH6RZ, W6YKM/KH6, W6YM/KH6 (all HI), N4BP (FL), W0NTA (CO), NN5K (NM), WA7LNW (UT) AND K5PTC (TX).

After the 20 meter propagation changed for the worse around 0230, 40 meters was tried. approximately 30 minutes later, but no contacts were logged. This was despite some quite strong signals from QRP stations were heard on Mauna Kea.

I took about one hour to go from Mauna Kea to my home in Hilo. This is about 26 miles straight line distance, 42 miles via the Hawaii road system.
* * * * * * * * * *
Dean Manley, KH6B, is a well-traveled outdoorsman and very active QRPer based in Hilo, HI.



	Aloha: From the Top of the World, KH6B Style
		By Dean Manley, KH6B Special to The ARS Sojourner
May 2006 Top of Hawaii, Top of the World Mauna Kea, Hawaii March 6, 2006 Location: 19.8N, 155.5W Grid BK29gt Elevation: 13,796 feet (4,205 m) Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano on the Island of Hawaii. From sea floor to summit it towers more than 5.6 miles (9 km). By this system of measurement, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, truly the “Top of the World!” It began erupting on the sea floor about 800,000 years ago. Most of the volcano is made of shield-building lavas. Post-shield volcanism began about 300,000 years ago, producing cinder cones and lava flows that cover most of the present-day surface of the volcano. Mauna Kea has erupted several times in the last 10,000 years. The most recent eruption was about 3,500 years ago. Mauna Kea is considered a dormant volcano. Here I am near the summit snow and observatories during a failed attempt to put Mauna Kea on the air during the "FYBO" event February 4, 2006. (Photo by Leslie Baker) Beyond this point, the hazardous road warning sign warns of snow storms and other sudden conditions to even close the road. Park Ranger Pablo is shown talking to his supervisor in an attempt to secure permission to let KH6B to operate from this position. After a short discussion, KH6B moved to a location acceptable to the ranger. It seems that the astronomers and the observatories on Mauna Kea want exclusive use of Mauna Kea. Here, Dean, KH6B, is operating in the Spartan Sprint, Monday, March 6, 2006 from Mauna Kea, the highest volcano mountain in the State of Hawaii. Elecraft K2 transceiver with internal battery was used running at 5 watts. Accessories include an Emtech QRP Antenna Tuner, a North Georgia QRP Forward/Reflected power meter and NorCal QRP Paddles. The KH6B antenna is a "home brew" 40 - 10 meter trap doublet inverted-V mounted on a 33-foot DK9SQ mast secured temporarily to the car door handle. KH6B was operated from 0200 - 0300 utc (Monday evening in North America). In order to comply with the “rules” for ARS' “Top of the World,” KH6B entered the Spartan Sprint, Monday, March 6. Stations worked on 20m: NG7Z (WA), KH6RZ, W6YKM/KH6, W6YM/KH6 (all HI), N4BP (FL), W0NTA (CO), NN5K (NM), WA7LNW (UT) AND K5PTC (TX). After the 20 meter propagation changed for the worse around 0230, 40 meters was tried. approximately 30 minutes later, but no contacts were logged. This was despite some quite strong signals from QRP stations were heard on Mauna Kea. I took about one hour to go from Mauna Kea to my home in Hilo. This is about 26 miles straight line distance, 42 miles via the Hawaii road system. * * * * * * * * * * Dean Manley, KH6B, is a well-traveled outdoorsman and very active QRPer based in Hilo, HI.