People who wish to receive the PNW SOTA Newsletter
Amateur radio is pretty new for me (2023). My original motivation for license was to add another preparedness tool but then I realized how much more amateur radio has to offer. I’m a member of the Portland Amateur Radio Club (PARC), ARRL, AMSAT, and try to support some of the local repeater networks. I regularly participate in some nets and try to not miss the Thursday night Outdoors net (https://theoutdoorsnet.net) and the Oregon Traffic and Training Net (on the WORC repeater system). I started doing summits on the air (SOTA) in the fall of 2023 - Besides being another great reason to get outdoors, SOTA offers me a great opportunity to practice good radio form (and get over the anxiousness about saying/transmitting something dumb).
I've enjoyed fishing (mostly mountain lakes and desert rivers) and amateur astronomy for quite a few years. Now SOTA gives me another reason to get outside and play.
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 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 IC-705 & 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 FT5DR, but not every trip as it's just another thing to manage.
I've been a licensed Ham for about 12 years and love being in the PNW! I am a member of the Clark County Amateur Radio Club as well as our local ARES group. I am retired now but worked in various not-for-profit organizations. I am long-time married and we have three children and six grandchildren.
I'm relatively new to the PNW and to SOTA. My primary activity will be in chasing since my days of summitting mountains seem to be behind me. Looking forward to being involved in this aspect of our hobby!
first licensed in 2020. I've been in construction all my life. The outdoors have always been my goto to reset. My dogs keep me tethered to day trips or an occasional overnighter. TX500 EFHW FT3D 5/8 tele whip and QuadZilla
drive ups hike ups snow shoes on the weekends. I use WE4DX club call typically.
Let's Goooooooooooat 8^P
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.
I am a fairly new ham, and I enjoy getting out when I have time.
I will probably do mostly activations, although chasing might be fun sometimes. I currently have a Yaesu FT-70D, but am looking to buy an Anytone 878 and either an Anytone 578 or Motorola Mototrbo mobile. I am looking to use a roll-up jpole antenna and maybe power my mobile radios off my Milwaukee batteries.
Just getting started with SOTA! Can send / receive Morse code.. *slowly*. Despite being pokey, still loving the challenge of making contacts.. and of getting to be a shack sloth, too!
Recent SOTA activities:
- Enjoy chasing at home with 2m/20m/40m.
- Have activated two summits so far. Used homebrew inverted-V first time and buddipole second time (the latter being much heavier!)
Just getting started with SOTA. NA7EE and W7ETF have been helping show me the ropes!
- Enjoy chasing at home with 2m/20m/40m.
- Have activated two summits so far. Used homebrew inverted-V first time and buddipole second time (the latter being much heavier!)
Have participated in two Soto’s & have enjoyed same.
I have only been a spectator and the activator.
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.
Mountaineer / cyclist
SOTA by bike, ski, foot, and truck.
Got my ham radio license in 2020. Live on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington. I enjoy backpacking and thought it would be a great add for contingency. I then discovered SOTA and POTA and am look forward in getting involved.
I have mostly chased, but have recently activated Blue Mountain (W7W/NO-073). I have a Yaesu FT5D and a ICOM 7300.
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- KX2, FT-818, and IC-705. Most of my activity has been chasing. I’ve activated and couple of times, but plan to start doing more of it. I prefer to find remote peaks to summit that require either some fun driving or bush whacking.
I did VHF contests from Mt Hood and South Sister, but that was before SOTA was started.
I'm a retired wildlife biologist. Now I'm a dog trainer. I was active in backpacking,rock climbing and mountaineering when I was younger. I've only got a Technician license for now.
I have not participated in SOTA activities so far. I'm interested in doing activations. My present mobile rig wont work well for this sport. I'm looking for advice on HT radios and antennas.
My favorite part of the hobby is detecting and decoding as many different types of signals as possible. Currently, that's either satellites or digital modes on HF. I tend to work SO-50, AO-73, AO-85, AO-91, and AO-92, but even collecting imagery from NOAA weather satellites and others is always interesting.
On HF, I tend to work QRP modes with my FT-817nd running PSK31, FT8, and Olivia.
I can also be found attempting SOTA activations on the weekends, but I still need to get better, portable antenna for 20 meters.
I've previously held the callsigns KG7GAN and AG7NC.
All logs uploaded to LoTW, QRZ, and eQSL.
Interested in chasing/activating summits. Currently using portable 2m/440 FM HT with a handheld yagi, but will likely get into 20m CW.
I'm interested in getting into the microwave bands and activating summits in the area.
Hello, all! I am a Tacoma based SOTA activator with aspirations to activate at least one summit per month until I hit my goat!
I like to activate peaks that are a challenging hike or climb all throughout Washington. I hope to expand out into more regions later, especially those I can travel to with my airline benefits. I currently activate with an Elecraft KX2 or a Penntek TR-35. I also chase remotely from my QTH with an Icom 9700 or a Flex 6400. My favorite activated summits so far have definitely been Mount Baker (W7W/WH-001) and Mount Hood (W7O/CN-001)!
Project Manager in Healthcare in Portland Oregon area.
Formerly KJ7EHA.
Currently working towards achieving 200 summits 100% unique.
Formerly KJ7EHA.