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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.
Originally from California and moved up to Oregon. I got my license in the early 90's but haven't been very active until now. Really wanting to see how things have changed.
Just getting started. Really want to explore POTA and SOTA. Going to contribute any way I can.
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.
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.
I live in Camas, WA & volunteer for the Clark County ARES/RACES. If I'm on the air it's usually for a public service event or an ARES training event.
I'm new to Clark County (as of June '24) and so in my free time I'm trying to get to know local hiking trails.
Unsure what to say here, I'm not well set up for HF at home, so chasing would be limited. I've only activated once, but did have a blast & will definitely be doing that again.
Enjoy pota and sota spotting/hunting.
Spotter chaser. My old body doesn't climb or hike anymore
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.
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.
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.
Project Manager in Healthcare in Portland Oregon area.
Formerly KJ7EHA.
Currently working towards achieving 200 summits 100% unique.
Formerly KJ7EHA.
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.
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.
Summits on the air, Ninja wannabe.
I do as much as I can. Working toward double goat greatness.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.