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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!
Just getting started. I'm planning on summits of Winchester, Ruth and Mount Baker this summer.
CW only introvert
I am a chaser and activator. Mostly CW with a some local 2 meter FM mixed in.
Favorite radio for activating is the 3 band MTR with simple resonant quater wave vertical.
New HAM and love the outdoors. Hiking and camping in the Mt Hood National Forest.
Looking to activate new summits in my area. UV-50 and a J-pole on 2m/70cm to start.
I enjoy ham while traveling, and from our cabin near Mt Rainier in Washington state. I live in Seattle most of the time.
Beginner, but looking to host activations in and around Washington state.
Project Manager in Healthcare; Wine grape grower, newly licensed in Feb 2019.
Activator; bicycle to top if possible! Day tripper for now, not hike in and camp; newbie, starting with smaller peaks. Travel between Portland and Tri-Cities WA often.
I am new to SOTA and am interested in getting started. I am currently studying for my General license and hope to work a few peaks before the summer is over.
I am new to SOTA and am interested in getting started. I am currently studying for my General license and hope to work a few peaks before the summer is over.
New ham, new to SOTA, but hooked already.
Learning ham radio through SOTA. Picked up a second hand FT-817ND that is my main rig at home and summit. Looking forward to a summer of SOTA.
Licensed in about 1977. Passed Extra exam in 1988 with 21 WPM CW. Main interest QRP CW. Best; Japan on 15M CW with 1/2 watt. Hobbies amateur radio, astronomy (Celestron 9.25" SCT and Celestron NexStar5SE), hiking, camping. Home Station; Kenwood TS590SG, MFJ-949 Tuner, 160m dipole, 80M OCFD, 30M OCFD, Kenwood TMV71 with Diamond 510 vertical. SOTA / Portable; Yaesu FT817ND, Hendricks PFR3B Kit (I built it in 2017) MFJ16010 Tuner, LDG Z817 Tuner, 58 foot wire. SKCC # 7735
Mostly chasing, Some activating. Have gotten over 1000 chaser points now so starting to do more activating. I have a Yaesu FT817nD, but most activations have been done with a Hendricks PFR3B that I built a little over a year ago. HF antenna is a 35 foot random wire for the PFR, which it tunes on all bands. With the 817 I use a MFJ 16010 tuner and a 58 foot wire. That works on everything from 160 through 6 meters even though the tuner isnt meant for 6. For 2 meters I either use the 817 or a FT60 and the antenna is a dipole that can go horizontal or vertical. Ive done a half a dozen activations, mostly one pointers, but I think Im happy with my equipment list finally. Takes a while to whittle away at it and figure out what you like and what works for you.
Boy Scout, long-time hiker and recent ham radio enthusiast, first activator of Oregon's Peak 2905, almost-activator of Barlow Ridge.
First activator of Peak 2905
Failed activator of Barlow Ridge
Mostly activated on 2m FM with a VX-5R and an Arrow antenna, but I'm trying out 20m CW with a Hilltopper 20 and I'm interested in building low-weight FSK decoders for the same.
Helped with some activation's around the Mt. St. Helen's area and farther. Just thought I should sign up and truly participate.
I guess I am a chaser so far. I have a place near Mt. St. Helen's and my radio is usually on 146.520. I am up most weekends so give me a call! With the help of NA7Q I hope to have a dedicated APRS site near Marble Mountain up this year.
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.
Living in Montana enjoying the outdoors.
Looking forward to getting involved with SOTA
New ham and avid hiker.
Interested in chasing and activating with a simple 2m/70cm HT.
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.
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.