People who wish to receive the PNW SOTA Newsletter
Current amateur radio technician. Aspiring to go pro.
I don't think I've technically activated a summit yet. Not sure how the points work. I tried at Rampart Ridge, Winchester Mountain Lookout, and the Thorp Mountain Lookout, but I didn't get more than one contact at each. I enjoy hiking with my radio, but find that most places I go don't result in many contacts. I don't know the rules too well either. I leave my Yaesu VX-6 on most weekends either at home or in the car so I might be able to hear somebody's call.
Licensed 2017. Enjoy portable activations. Just learning cw.
Interested in activating.
Living in Montana enjoying the outdoors.
Looking forward to getting involved with SOTA
Although I've had my license for forty years, I had not been active for thirty-five - until I learned about SOTA. As an active hiker/climber/skier, more opportunities to take me to places I would never think of going has made combining two favorite things into a fantastically fun activity. Any 'home' station I have is just about as temporary as the ones I set up on a peak. And a final word - Chasers Rock!
Ham since 1958. Love CW and hiking... a natural match to do SOTA.
Retired physics and math guy.
KX3, 40/20m linked dipole, mostly CW. Activate principally in SW Oregon,
the Siskiyous in particular.
Father of 2 teenaged sons and very active in Boy Scouts. Avid backpacker, QRP CW OP, restorer of ancient Volkswagens, dirt bike rider, computer nerd, and all around nice guy =) PNWSOTA admin and host.
I went on my first SOTA activation with Rich (AC7MA) and Bill (WA7NCL) in July 2017. I was hooked! I now have a KX2 and have been going on as many activations as my schedule will allow. I mainly do CW and sometimes 2m FM.
Introduced to amateur radio in the Fall of 2018, I’m a relative newcomer to the hobby and have jumped in with both feet. My current interests include CW, QRP and SOTA, though I haven’t yet activated any summits. Hopefully that changes soon!
I haven’t activated yet, but I have two rigs—a QCX 40m and an FT-818 for CW in addition to a Yaesu HT + roll-up j-pole that I will use for FM activations. I do like trail running so intend to keep my pack nice and light.
I started doing SOTA in March 2019. I have been learning CW and using my MTRB3. I completed CW Academy, level 2 in Jan/Feb 2020, and I am enjoying CW. I also use a 3 element Arrow Yagi with an Anytone 878.
I work as a flight nurse in Port Angeles. I work 24 hours on/24 hours off, so I mostly go for day hikes (some long days, hiking down in the dark).
I prefer off trail, by telemark/backcountry skiing when possible. My wife and daughter activated Mt. Adams, and I have done about 50 peaks in the Northern Olympics. My first activation was up at Hurricaine Hill, and Mark, K7NEW, just happened to be there and saw my antenna, so helped me get started.
Beginner SOTA person. Ham since '98, started mainly out of curiosity but developed interest. Now retired, this is my main hobby. I like the outdoors. I like to work portable when I travel around the country in my motorhome. My XYL likes to come along for the ride.
I would like the activate weather permitting, chase otherwise.
First licensed in 2013, initially just to pick up my dad's old call (W6PZA), but soon developed my own interests in the hobby. Love outdoor recreation, hiking and backpacking, so SOTA quickly became my focus. Also enjoy casual contesting and going out on county expeditions for the 7QP and CalQSO.
Semi-retired, still do some occasional consulting work. Work life was in local government, City and County land use planner in California. Now living in central Oregon and loving it!
I've been active in SOTA beginning in May 2014 with my first activation of Buckhorn Bally (W6/NW-222) near Redding, CA. Main focus is activating summits, but also chase whenever I can. While I now live in Oregon, I still serve as W6-SOTA RM for three northern regions.
I operate mainly HF-ssb mixed with some 2m-FM and digital. Hoping to learn CW - that's the plan anyway.
Radios include FT-857D, KX3 & KX2. What I take depends on the type of trip, hike, radio conditions, etc. Have an assortment of LiFePO4 batteries for power. I mostly use a Buddistick for HF antenna, but will play around with other types. Do APRS route tracking using a Yeasu FT1DX, but not every trip as it's just another thing to manage.
Born, raised & educated in the Midwest, I was drawn to the mild PNW climate and moved to Seattle in 2009. Only recently started getting into amateur radio at the recommendation of a friend/coworker (K7PJP). Looking forward to getting involved with SOTA!
So far, I've only had a couple of attempts to activate and have done a fair amount of chasing from home. I'm currently learning CW and hope to get more into activating in 2020.
First licensed in 1974, always lived in Idaho but sometimes you'll hear me remote from another part of the country.
Only a chaser up until Spring of 2020. Just got a KX2 and getting the other pieces together to do some activating.
Former electrical engineer now retired. I live in battleground Washington which is about 30 minutes north of Portland Oregon. I love backpacking and ham radio so SOTA is perfect for me.
No activities yet ~ just starting out. Would like to do the actual hiking with other hikers as well as making contacts with hikers from home.
Just started in the HAM world here earlier this year.
Currently just UHF/VHF as I'm working to build out my HF gear.
Licensed in 2017 (Tech) and 2018 (General), I began hearing SOTA stations calling for contacts on 2M. After learning more, I activated two summits in 2018, and have been enjoying activating and chasing since. Appreciate all the friendly folks who activate and chase!
Enjoy activating and currently use both Yaesu FT-70DR and Elecraft KX2. Usually the Elk antenna is used for 2M/70cm, but have also used rollup j-pole, Arrow yagi, or Diamond HT whip. HF antenna is the PackTenna mini end-fed cut for 20m, and recently tried a random wire with 9:1 unun.
rock climbing, mountaineering, and back country adventuring
Haven't done any yet. I want to try taking my QCX unit to the top of some things and see what i can reach.
Just a Man and his Dog - Rita
Novice, looking for more info and all things SOTA related in PNW.
Just getting into SOTA. Love backpacking and hiking.
My primary radio right now is a Kenwood TH-D7a. I'll be using an Ed Fong DBJ-2 roll up antenna for activating summits.
Boy Scout, long-time hiker and recent ham radio enthusiast, security researcher @ Intel.
CW and FM operator, mostly 20 and 2 meters. Interested in 2m distance and long distance 20m. Big on volcanoes and pretty views. Based in Portland, but I'm in Seattle enough to activate up there from time to time. I'm a fan of building kits and convincing people to join SOTA.