You are correct they are for any aircraft so they will be able to spot the wires that are hard to see. I’m an old Army Helicopter Crew Chief with 20 years of flying. One of the early things we were thought due to flying lots of low leave flights from 500’ to 50’.
Wow, nearly biblical terrain up there! Nice to see some summit activation in the cold months. I haven' t been up a hill for a few months with the radio. Looks like a great time at Quartz-Fest! Good to see you in action.
Thanks Eric, like you, i have not been out in a while. This trip was even more fun with a group of excited Ham operators as well. I look forward to doing a summit with you this year. Just.. make it easy for an old man ;)
@@hamradiowithkevin Well, I'm glad you got out! This winter is ready for the books I think. Let's make a plan, do a fun summit. I'm really looking forward to it. 73!
Very cool!!! Glad you got to go! I will tell you an old millitary trick that will work for climbing hills is to think about nothing but heel toe, heel toe, as you are climbing...It really works if you will just think about your heel making contact then your toe's...
From Edison Power. Balls are visibility markers. They weigh about 17 pounds each, and you will often find them near mountain passes, in deep valley areas, near major freeway crossings and around airports. Visibility markers are placed on power lines to make the conductor crossings visible to aircraft pilots. I have seen these on utility lines feeding microwave radio sites on mountain tops.
The "balls" are radar reflectors - probably with corner reflectors in them - for helicopters and other low flying aircraft. Small seagoing vehicles will also carry such reflectors, which will result in a relatively strong radar echo for their size.
"According to electric utility company Edison International, the balls are called visibility marker balls (or just marker balls, for short), and they help make power lines more obvious to low-flying aircraft like planes and helicopters. "
Used to go down to Quartszite, prior to 2013. Got both my licenses from VE, who lived down there. I'm sure they have passed away by now. It was fun all the years I went down there to avoid the winters up in flagstaff, az.AZ. No more Rv. Own property now.
@@hamradiowithkevin it was. It used to.take about 3 days to see all the small vendors that used to fill the maim street from burger king all the way to the east 10 ramp. Then the town mayor chased everyone away when they were elected..passed insane taxes too. I started staying up in lake Havasu after that happened.
Would a ham radio adventure like this get you out to activate a Summits on the air location ?
Great video and beautiful views. Thanks for sharing.
Javi is the bomb, great SOTA leader. Thanks Kevin what a great view up there!
Yes, Javi is such a fun guy to be around. I thank him for setting up the trip.
Scenery is simply amazing my friend, this whole place looks amazing and so soothing! 🔥🔥🥾
Thank you so much 👍
Great video! Cool to see the SoCal guys in action
Great video. Next time I'll join you guys.
Thanks Jason, it was fun trip to Quartzfest getting to do this summit. You are a great host at camp.
Wow great job congratulations 73 from kb2uew
You Quartzfesters just R O CK. Everyone of you is amazing and doing a fantastic Job out there. Tnx for sharing, Kevin.
Thank you kindly UF, we appreciate you saying so.
From what I hear Javi is like a Billy Goat. The views are awesome but the wind not so much... oh, sweet shirt 👍
The shirt indeed. Yes, it was a talky fun trip.
Awesome operation. Wish I was there. 73 de KH6DC
Looks like it took a little bit of work getting up and down, but the scenery and fun of it make it so worth it.
Looks so fun!
Thanks Ash
Nice video! Those bright, visible balls are for aircraft. You see them around airports in rural or sparsely populated areas all the time. 73
You are correct they are for any aircraft so they will be able to spot the wires that are hard to see. I’m an old Army Helicopter Crew Chief with 20 years of flying. One of the early things we were thought due to flying lots of low leave flights from 500’ to 50’.
Thank you for sharing that story.
Steep but good hike!
Wow, nearly biblical terrain up there! Nice to see some summit activation in the cold months. I haven' t been up a hill for a few months with the radio. Looks like a great time at Quartz-Fest! Good to see you in action.
Thanks Eric, like you, i have not been out in a while. This trip was even more fun with a group of excited Ham operators as well. I look forward to doing a summit with you this year. Just.. make it easy for an old man ;)
@@hamradiowithkevin Well, I'm glad you got out! This winter is ready for the books I think. Let's make a plan, do a fun summit. I'm really looking forward to it. 73!
Very cool!!! Glad you got to go! I will tell you an old millitary trick that will work for climbing hills is to think about nothing but heel toe, heel toe, as you are climbing...It really works if you will just think about your heel making contact then your toe's...
Excellent tips!
From Edison Power. Balls are visibility markers. They weigh about 17 pounds each, and you will often find them near mountain passes, in deep valley areas, near major freeway crossings and around airports. Visibility markers are placed on power lines to make the conductor crossings visible to aircraft pilots.
I have seen these on utility lines feeding microwave radio sites on mountain tops.
Thank you for that
The "balls" are radar reflectors - probably with corner reflectors in them - for helicopters and other low flying aircraft. Small seagoing vehicles will also carry such reflectors, which will result in a relatively strong radar echo for their size.
This is GREAT ! , thank you for educating me on these reflectors
"According to electric utility company Edison International, the balls are called visibility marker balls (or just marker balls, for short), and they help make power lines more obvious to low-flying aircraft like planes and helicopters. "
just ordered my first radio, and THIS video popped up? Subbed, looking for more novice info..
Welcome to ham radio. I hope I can bring you videos that will help you out.
Used to go down to Quartszite, prior to 2013. Got both my licenses from VE, who lived down there. I'm sure they have passed away by now.
It was fun all the years I went down there to avoid the winters up in flagstaff, az.AZ.
No more Rv.
Own property now.
12 years total.
That sounds like it was years of fun for you. I look forward to going again.
@@hamradiowithkevin it was. It used to.take about 3 days to see all the small vendors that used to fill the maim street from burger king all the way to the east 10 ramp. Then the town mayor chased everyone away when they were elected..passed insane taxes too. I started staying up in lake Havasu after that happened.
The balls are for visual avoidance of power lines. Most little aircraft and helicopters operating that low do not have radar.
Thanks
What's a Sota?
Great question. The activity is called summits on the air, or SOTA 😀