{"id":13990,"date":"2015-07-17T18:19:05","date_gmt":"2015-07-17T22:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=13990"},"modified":"2015-07-19T09:24:06","modified_gmt":"2015-07-19T13:24:06","slug":"virtual-radio-challenge-iii-thru-hiking-the-appalachian-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/virtual-radio-challenge-iii-thru-hiking-the-appalachian-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual Radio Challenge III: Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"AT_-_Franconia_Ridge\"<\/a>

The Franconia Ridge, a section of the Appalachian Trail. (Photo source: Paulbalegend at en.wikipedia)<\/p><\/div>\n

On this blog, I\u00a0often write\u00a0about selecting the “right” radio for home<\/a>, boating<\/a>, preparedness<\/a>,\u00a0off-grid living<\/a>, or,\u00a0of course,\u00a0travel.<\/a>\u00a0 As a result,\u00a0sometimes I like to go through the mental exercise of imagining a\u00a0scenario that might be, well, a touch extreme.<\/p>\n

After all, as I’ve often said, SWLers<\/em> come from such interesting walks\u2013even\u00a0hikes\u2013of life, and often pose the most intriguing questions.<\/p>\n

Indeed, I occasionally\u00a0receive rather “extreme” questions from our readers, questions that push the limits of the hobby in the most exhilarating way, demanding\u00a0highly specific needs in a radio. And (I readily admit) I thoroughly\u00a0enjoy\u00a0these questions. \u00a0Such queries\u00a0give me a chance\u2013and good excuse, really\u2013to be\u00a0imaginative and innovative, to\u00a0push beyond mere practical or\u00a0monetary constraints\u00a0to consider unique\u00a0environments, weather conditions, durability needs, power requirements,\u00a0and\/or resource availability…all great\u00a0fun.<\/p>\n

If you\u00a0enjoy this kind of brain game, too, check out our\u00a0virtual\u00a0challenge that follows\u2013and,\u00a0oh, and did I mention…<\/p>\n

This time, there’s a prize<\/h2>\n
\"GP5SSB-Front\"<\/a>

The CountyComm GP5\/SSB<\/p><\/div>\n

Dennis Blanchard (K1YPP),\u00a0Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and author of\u00a0Three Hundred Zeroes<\/em><\/a>, <\/span>which chronicles his adventures on the trail,\u00a0will select\u00a0his favorite entry in this reader\u00a0challenge, and Universal Radio will reward the entrant\u00a0with a new CountyComm GP5\/SSB portable receiver<\/a>!<\/strong> Woot!<\/em><\/p>\n

So, should you agree to take it on, you’ll need to complete and submit your entry by August 8, 2015 at 06:00 UTC.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail<\/h2>\n

[This scenario is based on an actual\u00a0reader question.]<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"AppalachianTrail-Map\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Virtual Location:<\/strong>\u00a0The Appalachian Trail<\/a><\/p>\n

Accommodation?<\/strong>\u00a0Tents,\u00a0hammocks, and lean-tos on the trail; occasional hotel or hiker guest houses<\/p>\n

Electricity?<\/strong>\u00a0Other than rest days, you’ll be completely off-the-grid<\/p>\n

Internet?\u00a0<\/strong>You can choose to carry a smart phone with you on this hike. Since most of the trail is in rural, remote areas, Internet access will be sporadic on your journey.<\/p>\n

Your budget?<\/strong>\u00a0$300 US must cover\u00a0all<\/em>\u00a0of your radio requirements (radio, antenna, batteries, battery chargers, and all accessories)<\/p>\n

Your radio(s)\u2013???<\/strong>\u00a0You’re searching for portable radio gear that can receive shortwave, AM (medium wave), and FM. You’ll also need NOAA weather radio functionality to help you plan each\u00a0day on the trail and make accommodations for frequent spring and summer thunderstorms (and occasional spring snow or sleet).<\/p>\n

Virtual scenario:\u00a0<\/strong>Imagine you’re a recently-retired stockbroker fulfilling a lifelong dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.\u00a0You have cleared out most of the year for uninterrupted hiking, starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. You’re covering all of your logistics, travel, and living expenses\u00a0while on the trail.<\/p>\n

Being an avid shortwave radio listener, you see this hike as an opportunity to spend quality time listening to radio–while hiking and camping–in remote areas that are completely<\/em> removed from urban radio interference you experience at home.<\/p>\n

Although you’re looking forward to “unplugging” from the world of stock trading, you’re still keen on listening to international and local news so you’ll know what’s happening in the world of finance and business.<\/p>\n

It goes without saying that you’ll carry\u00a0all of your supplies\u2013your food, camping supplies, clothing, etc.\u2013and\u00a0all on your back.<\/em>\u00a0Minimizing your backpack weight is clearly of utmost importance.<\/p>\n

Limitations<\/h2>\n

Rather than making this virtual challenge more restrictive, these limitations are designed to make the challenge more fun and set a level playing field for all respondents.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Again, you\u2019re limited to a (virtual) budget of $300 US<\/strong> to procure your supplies; ideally, this includes shipping costs of the purchase<\/li>\n
  2. You can select new, used or homebrew\/kit gear<\/strong>, but must base your choices\u00a0on reality (i.e.,\u00a0actually find item(s) online and document the price and time of\u00a0availability). If you \u201cshop\u201d\u00a0eBay, make sure you\u2019re using the final purchase price, not the current or opening bid. If you do\u00a0locate something used on eBay<\/a>,\u00a0QTH.com<\/a>, QRZ.com<\/a> or\u00a0at Universal Radio<\/a>, for example, include the link! (Just to\u00a0add to the fun.) If you enter a homebrew radio, it should be based on something you’ve either built or used and must include a photo. Of course, you can use multiple radios, but keep in mind the amount of space and weight these will take up in your backpack.<\/li>\n
  3. Your main objective is to listen to international and local broadcasters and NOAA weather radio<\/strong>. If you’re a ham radio operator, by all means<\/em>, you’re invited to include a transceiver in your trail kit (indeed,\u00a0many do have AM\/FM\/SW\u00a0reception), but keep in mind that our accomplished A.T. thru-hiker judge will base\u00a0his decision on the best set up for listening to NOAA weather radio and international, local and broadcasters.<\/li>\n
  4. Remember, you\u2019ll be stuck with this radio once you hit the trail! So choose\u00a0something you\u2019ll love to operate<\/strong>, and don\u2019t forget your vital accessories<\/strong>. Note that there are many points of the Appalachian Trail that are in proximity to towns and cities;\u00a0you can get additional supplies there as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    About the Appalachian Trail…<\/h2>\n

    \"Appalachian_Trail_at_Newfound_Gap\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    If you’re not familiar with the Appalachian Trail, you’ll find a wealth of information about it at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s (ATC) website<\/a>. The following is an ATC\u00a0description of the trail:<\/p>\n

    The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpaths in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail\u2019s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.<\/p>\n

    Known as the \u201cA.T.,\u201d it has been estimated that 2-3 million people visit the Trail every year and about 1,800\u20132,000 people attempt to \u201cthru-hike\u201d the Trail. People from across the globe are drawn to the A.T. for a variety of reasons: to reconnect with nature, to escape the stress of city life, to meet new people or deepen old friendships, or to experience a simpler life.[…]<\/p>\n

    FUN FACTS<\/p>\n