People who wish to receive the PNW SOTA Newsletter

KR7Q's picture
Dennis Lane
W7M

I've been active in ham radio since I was 1st licensed in 1977 as WB7TDC.... Ham Radio has been a continual interest for me.  My 1st rig was a heath kit HW101. If it were not for my faithful "Elmer" W7TVA, I would have never got that rig on the air. After a few years of SSB operation, I became disenchanted with using a microphone.   I found the HW101 With a  400 hz CW filter was really effective. I was hooked on CW. In 1980 I took the advanced and extra tests. At that time I applied for a 2x1 call and was issued KR7Q AND NEVER LOOKED BACK!
My preferred mode is CW. I use that mode for 90% of my operating. However,  I do enjoy a good rag chew on HF  SSB or 2m simplex.
I retired from the fire protection industry in the Seattle Area in November of 2016. We love living in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana.
I have enjoyed getting into the POTA & SOTA over the past few years. These programs have been a breath of fresh air for my interest in radio.   I enjoy  combining outdoor activities and ham radio - especially here in Montana where there is so much to see and enjoy. I have been actively involved in photography for over 50 years and more recently learning about videography.  I try to combined video and still images to document my POTA & SOTA activations.  - See My QRZ Page if Interested

I have only been active with SOTA since June of 2020. I've really had lots of fun chasing the Activators. I have only done one activation but plan more next year. Lots of summits here in MT. I like to use an EFHW for 40 or 80 with a 49:1 xformer with a fiberglass telescoping pole about 17 feet. There's always a few trees around too. My 1st SOTA activation video is on my website or via QRZ.

W7NHY's picture
ROB
W7W/LC

Just starting out

hiking

N7ID's picture
Mike Brown
W7I/NI

QTH is N. Idaho. QRQ alki.

I like to activate with my KX2 and modified Super Antenna.

NE7ET's picture
Jarod Eells
W7O/NC

Retired software engineer after almost 30 years.
In 2021, got back into ham radio after a decade or so lapse.
Interested in homebrewing circuits and trying out new antenna ideas.
Know enough CW to chase SOTA/POTA. Working on better CW recognition so I can activate as well.

I enjoy backpacking, camping and combining that with ham radio.

K2VFZ's picture
Scott
W7W

Graphic Designer for a rafting/kayaking/paddlesports company based in Idaho.

New to SOTA (and HAM in general). Avid hiker, backpacker, cyclist—looking to incorporate SOTA into outdoor experiences throughout the PNW.

KG7WED's picture
Leigh Marble
W7O/WV

Software developer, audio tech, musician. Lover of dogs and donuts.

Hiking and activating in remote areas is my primary ham radio interest. Also I like building on the workbench, and have built a lightweight digital-only rig to be able to do digital mode activations without needing a laptop.

KM7BEA's picture
Rita Walling
Salem oregon

Im brand new to ham radio but love to hike and camp. This sounds like an awesome group. I'm in Salem Oregon but spend a lot of time in Washington. I'd love to get out there and meet some local hammers!

I love hiking and camping. I love cleaning up the forrest. I have a AR-5Rm and am just getting started on my ham journey!

K7WXW's picture
bill hulley
W7O/WV

Being in the mountains is just about my favorite way to spend time.

When I am not carrying a radio into the woods to do SOTA or support a wilderness ultra, I like to build RF gear of all sorts. I pick SOTA summits for the challenge or hike rather than the points and when I am out I really enjoy chasing other SOTA ops for S2S points.

My primary rigs are the KX2 and FT2D. I generally use endfed antennas for HF and a half-wave whip or beam for VHF/UHF. I mostly work CW on HF and FM voice on 2M.

In 2021, I put together the first Pacific Northwest Not-Quite-Fourteener to coincide with the Ham14er and Socal SOTAFest. It turned out pretty well, with more than a dozen W7W and W7O ops getting out and making a bunch of S2S contacts.

W7NFR's picture
Joe Haney
W7O/WV

General Ham dipping my toes in SOTA

Interested in SOTA activating as I have just been a chaser so far. My Elmer left me a like new FT-857D so I'm hoping to get out and start using it to activate.

KK7ZHI's picture
Dan
W7O/WV

Attempting to learn

I'm new and trying to learn.

N0DNF's picture
Bill Skerjanc
W7I

I run Ultratrail races as another hobby and am always near summits when I am training. I received my General License in September and stumbled upon SOTA and thought that it would be great to combine the training with summitting.

KK7OVF's picture
Sean Borgerson
W7O/WV

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.

N7BDD's picture
Brian Darby
W7O

General/Technician: December 2024
Extra: January 2025

Retired Chemist and Computer Security Expert

Activating along with POTA

W7PCT's picture
Kim Owen
W7O

PCT and CDT backpacker. Mostly a POTA guy now, but hope to get a few SOTA activations.

No activations yet, but enjoy chasing sota activations.

KC6TBO's picture
Andy
W7O/WV

SAR, POTA, and wilderness

Looking at starting up...

KK7PBA's picture
Lauren Ciurca
W7W/WV

Howdy! I'm a recent General licensee getting started with HF. I got into ham radio through emergency communications and also enjoy volunteering at races.

I'm just getting started with SOTA. My first activation was with the Portland Amateur Radio Club. Looking to start with summits close to Portland as I work on my setup. I have a Xiegu x6100, a Wolf River coil antenna, and an EFHW.

K7TMZ's picture
Krista
W7O

My husband and I are amateur radio operators. We live and work in the PNW.

We enjoy road trips and the idea of activating summits is exciting. We have a several Yaesu radios.

W7SJB's picture
Bill Reichlin
W7W

Husband, father, grandfather, and former Marine interested in all things HAM radio related specifically ultra portable setups for travel.

Currently I have not had to opportunity to activate any summits but as the weather continues to warm, I am hoping to get out in the next couple of weeks and explore some of the summits near me (Transistor Mt., Lookout Mt., Baldy, Gracie Pt. etc.)

K7TME's picture
Larry Bever
Lower Columbia (W7W/LC-xxx)

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! We have a club for the GPNF, WA7BF if you are interested please see our QRZ page. We have a VHF repeater with Allstar and autopatch, there is also a APRS and soon a GMRS repeater. Happy hunting!

K7FC's picture
Zach Larson
W7O/SC

Amateur radio in SW Oregon. Primarily POTA, but occasionally SOTA.

Drive up and short hikes.