People who wish to receive the PNW SOTA Newsletter

WJ7V's picture
Jeff Cowan
W7O

Ham'd up in 2022 with a General and looking to explore POTA and SOTA in the PNW. Extra in 2023.

Been active since the start of 2023 with over 450 points invested in summits in Oregon, Washington and California, and growing! I love operating QRP with an Elecraft KX2 and either a 40m EFHW antenna or a Wolf River vertical whip with coil for 40m. It's a very versatile setup. Happy to activate with newcomers or experienced operators!

WA7BEN's picture
Ben Marwick
W7W/KG

I enjoy doing SOTA with my son, WA7OOO

2m, CW, SSB with a KX3, KH1, FT5R

KC7JNU's picture
Amy Boyle
W7O

Hi! I’ve been active in HAM radio and SOTA as of January 2023. Excited to have a reason to get in more exploration of the state, learn more about radio and meet like minded folks at the same time. My call sign used to belong to my grandmother.

Only done peak activations so far, as I am only able to have a handheld at home and not been able to chase successfully yet.

K7ATN's picture
Etienne Scott
W7O/WV

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SOTA has provided opportunities to go places I would never think of going. Any station I operate is field "temporary."

K7STB's picture
Stuart Bivens
W7O/NC

Working in Portland metro area, doing parks and summits as I can around an odd work schedule and two small children.

Running an FT-891 with an EFHW and some light masts. Only done a few summits in SE Oregon when we didn't draw any deer tags but still wanted the trip. Mostly get summit chases when I sneak in a POTA activation.

AE7AP's picture
Rob
W7M

My wife Barbara - AE7AQ and myself activate primarily in the Helena area, but we also include activations into backpacking and road trips. I typically use a KX3 for shorter activations (1-3 days), and a KX1 for longer backpacking trips. My preferred antenna is a SOTABeams link dipole that is supported by a 22-foot fiberglass mast.

KD7QOW's picture
Josef Hoffman
W7W/LC

I'm an avid mountain biker and backcountry skier and sometimes I go hiking if I'm under duress. I have a YouTube channel dedicated to mountain biking called Voice Over Trail Reviews. I will add SOTA content to the channel as appropriate.

I've activated a few summits now. I like to ski to summits in the Winter and mountain bike to them whenever possible in the Summer. I work SSB and digital modes to activate. Often I can be found with my FT-891 blasting 100 watts from my summits to ensure success. If it's a distant summit, I'll bring my IC-705. If I know there's folks out there listening, I'll even bring my yagi and activate 2 meter SSB.

ND7Y's picture
Tyler Ward
W7W/LC

New ham but experienced outdoorsman. Grew up in the woods with the Scouts, and now enjoy back-country camping and travel. Any day I can get out in the woods is a good day!

Shack: IC-735 w/ OCF dipole @ ~25', IC-2200 w/ Diamond X300A @ ~30'
Mobile: Xiegu G90, FT2DR

WJ7WJ's picture
Bill j
W7O/WV

Hope to do bicycle activations. Did my first 8 miles from my home.

KF7PXT's picture
Matt
W7m

I am living in NW Montana after 20 years of traveling the world in the Army. Looking forward to getting the summits around here activated.

K7AGL's picture
Greg Letendre
W7O/WV

Project Manager in Healthcare in Portland Oregon area.
Formerly KJ7EHA.

Currently working towards achieving 200 summits 100% unique.
Formerly KJ7EHA.

WL7KV's picture
Gary Hart
W7W/CC

TBD

AE7I's picture
Craig Sande
W7N

I have been a CW op from the time I was licensed in 1976. For some reason, I only discovered SOTA in 2014. I love the outdoors and am always drawn to the mountains. Now, in retirement, I have been able to merge my interests while keeping myself fit and healthy.

So far SOTA has taken me to many summits throughout the Sierra Nevada range and local Nevada ranges. In 2024 I was able to activate a summit in the Lofoten Islands of Norway and am looking forward to activating a few summits in Japan soon. I typically use an Elecraft KX2 with 40m EFHW, but also use a KH1 or K1. I enjoy building my own antennas and experiment frequently.

WX7OR's picture
Jeff McKinnis
W7O/WV

I have been licensed since 1994 and climbing mountains since 1997. Other hobbies include camping, kayaking, and canyoneering. My wife and daughter both have their license and mostly enjoy accompanying me on my adventures.

My portable equipment includes HF and VHF/UHF radios and antennas- IC-V86, KX2, KH1, FT-891, and IC-705. I prefer to find remote peaks that require some fun driving and/or bush whacking. My wife (KE7HUP) usually joins me on my adventures and will provide an extra contact for those in need.

I started re-learning Morse code in November ‘23 and am finally somewhat proficient at 15 wpm. More and more of my activations are with CW now.

My first taste of mountaineering and radio was a VHF contests from Mt Hood and South Sister, but that was before SOTA was started.

N1CLC's picture
Chris
W6

Summits on the air, Ninja wannabe.

I do as much as I can. Working toward double goat greatness.

N7KOM's picture
Tim Sherry
W7O

Mountaineer / cyclist

SOTA by bike, ski, foot, and truck.

K7AMM's picture
Bryan Estes
W7O/WV

Originally from north Idaho, I've been living in the Portland area since 2009. I studied philosophy, literature, and education, and lived in Japan and France. Currently I teach computer science and woodworking at Corbett High School.

I'm drawn to logistically interesting summits, near or above the treeline. Other interests that intersect with SOTA: mountaineering, splitboarding, dual-sport moto, cycling. I mostly operate CW and 2-meter using my KX3 and homebrew antennas.

K1ZMA's picture
KC
W7O

PNW native and hiker/backpacker. I had my Technician license for years, but only started using it recently due to friends getting me into SOTA. I recently upgraded to General and have been doing POTA, as well.

My SOTA rig is an X6100 running an MC-750 vertical (and occasionally a wire to a 9:1 unun). Been hitting OR and WA peaks this year, but plan to get outside the PNW more in the coming years.

N7JTT's picture
John Trefethen
W7W/WH

I enjoy packing my gear into the high country, making contacts from summits, hunting, and activating parks throughout the SOTA & POTA networks.

My family and I live between two beautiful properties, one in San Juan County and the other in Whatcom County. We keep a small farm, and we're made up of a family of five "humans being" with creation and the inhabitants of this land. Our homestead is comprised of roughly 10 acres of wooded grassland. The property is situated on a three percent slope with total southern exposure. You can learn more about us at www.GentlmenFarming.com and Instagram.

In my free time, I enjoy exploring light as it gets captured through the lens of my camera. I am interested in investigating ideas through photography and designing for our challenges in the ophthalmic industry. You can learn more about my work at www.JohnTrefethen.com | you can also connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Equipment -- IC-705, KX2, KH1, IC-7300, IC-5100, ID-52. (all barefoot) | HF Antennas -- Hexbeam 20M and up & EFHF 130' length, Sloper configuration | VHF/UHF Antennas -- Cubical Quad and Vertical 9' Commet.

I love getting into the very high cascades and taking challenging overnight treks into the wilderness.

KR7KN's picture
Ryan
W7W/SO

Born and raised in Washington. Enjoy POTA and interested in SOTA

All of my radio operations are field portable/ POTA. I have hunted SOTA activators occasionally but want to become more involved and possibly start activating some summits