People who wish to receive the PNW SOTA Newsletter

N1CLC's picture
Chris
W6

Summits on the air, Ninja wannabe.

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

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.

K7ATN's picture
Etienne Scott
W7O/WV

---

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

N7KOM's picture
Tim Sherry
W7O

Mountaineer / cyclist

SOTA by bike, ski, foot, and truck.

WJ7WJ's picture
Bill j
W7O/WV

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

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, 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. Mostly using CW as a chaser, but I plan to try some all CW SOTA activations soon.

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

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.

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

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!

K7VK's picture
Vick Applegate
W7M/LM

Licensed as WN7DEO in 1965. As WA7DEO upgraded to Extra. 1996 changed call to K7VK.
Retired Forest Ecologist/Forest Silviculturist USFS.
Operate 160m through 70cm. New to SOTA in 2016. Love to summit scramble and wish I'd have known about SOTA years ago.

I activate and chase. Got into SOTA in 2016. Now using a KX3 and am looking forward to scrambling summits while I'm still able to. SOTA has already taken me to summits I would not have otherwise hiked. Two summits activated in and near the Bob Marshall/Scapegoat Wilderness have thrilling views, W7M/GA-084 & GA-163. My heart rate elevated when my radio was placed near large piles (fortunately old) of grizzly bear scat.

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.

AK7U's picture
Kevin Stanton
W7O

New to ham radio in 2021.

None so far

KA7WYR's picture
Chuck Dorsett
W7W/KG

Hi I'm KA7WYR, licensed back in the 1980's along with my entire family, earning my Novice and Tech (with code) licenses. This year 2024 upgraded my license to General and have started doing more HF ops. Living in Western Washington I wanted to become more active and combining hiking and radios seemed like a great combination! My full QRZ bio at https://www.qrz.com/db/KA7WYR.

QTH is Issaquah, WA and starting (in 2024) to activate local peaks in W7W and branching out from there in terms of difficulty. For equipment I have a 2m/70cm HT with rollable j-pole antenna, and also recently build a packable HF rig based on FT-891 and either EFHW or simple dipole.

N7UN's picture
Guy
W7W/LC

Former SOTA Association Manager for W7-Oregon, W7-Utah, W7-Montana, W7-Wyoming, and W7-Nevada. Completed all SOTA docs for W7-Washington and then turned over to Bruce/N7RR for execution. W7W subsequently managed by WW7D. Recently turned over W7-Idaho to Scott/W7IMC. W7O is now managed by K7ATN. Worked for the SOTA MT to incorporate NA into the SOTA family.

Currently retired as a EE and worked 21 yrs for UPS IT in NJ. "Trying" to sell my house in NJ so I can move back to the Pacific NW.

TBD

WB7VTY's picture
Joe Korpela
W7W/WV

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

I use the same radio on the desk that I use portable - and ICOM 705. I also have a Hendricks PFR3B that I built a number of years ago. Im QRP only on HF. Antenna at home is a Chameleon Emcom 2 set up as a dipole. For portable I use either a chameleon MPAS Lite, or a 58 foot piece of #26 polystealth wire with a LDG 9:1 unun. All of the antennas are good for 160 - 6 meters. For antenna tuners - the PFR has a built in BLT and with the 705 I use either the AH705 auto tuner or a MFJ 9219 manual QRP tuner. I also have a Yaesu FT60 handheld and a Kenwood TMV71A that I use on the desk. For portable power I use the Bioenno batteries and a solar charging system for prolonged portable use. Favorite mode on HF is CW.

WU7H's picture
Josh Gibbs
W7W/KG

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.

NN7O's picture
Tom Hardy
W7O/NC

Started SOTA when I lived in Bishop, CA, and got spoiled with short trips (but tough hikes) to 8 and 10 point summits. Now retired to Astoria, OR, and am adapting to coastal living and trying to not be concerned about points. Beautiful hiking and summits here! Doing more chasing, too, since given that retired people can spend time sitting at the radio. Field rig is a KX2, usually into a random wire or an EFHW.

Mostly HF CW. Rig is KX2, usually into an EFHW or random wire.

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.

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.

K7TPH's picture
Mickey Pillers
W7I-SR

Raised in the Great Basin country. Recently retired from 40+ year career with USFS. Started amateur radio October 2019.

Planning stage so far. SOTA activities were significant aspect of my decision to get involved with amateur radio. Currently putting together equipment suitable for SOTA work.