SOTA

Three of us (AA6XA, KE6MT, N6RUN) spent a few days peakbagging and playing radio in California's White Mountains. The highlight was climbing White Mountain Peak, a 14er. Here are the videos from the trip

Day 1: https://youtu.be/N4vlB0vUXDM

Day 2: https://youtu.be/_MrAtT4pRhI

Day 3: https://youtu.be/XVUOeInevQY

Hope you enjoy!

I assume by now everyone's heard about the new Elecraft KH1 handheld transceiver. Offical Website Wayne N6KR is not a SOTA op, but he seems to know exactly what SOTA ops want.

I was able to hold one and play around a little at Pacificon today. Definitely a nice radio. Most of the internal volume is a giant battery. Due to space limitations, he said not to expect any other bands. But 40-15 is the sweet spot for QRP HF. Lightweight, and even with the whip extended doesn't feel heavy. Probably the closest thing the ham community has to an HT for HF, so far. I wouldn't mind having one; N6KR is a great salesman and engineer. I'm sure there are videos out showing it in action by now. We timed him going from packed to ready to transmit, it took him about 22 seconds. Most of that time was unwinding and tossing out the counterpoise wire.

The receiver is a superhet, similar to the MTR or KX1. Transmitter puts out 5W. There are two antenna connectors, BNC and the screw for the whip, and you can choose between them. Its not really shown in the manual, but there's a little "catch" to hold the end of the counterpoise wire when it's wrapped around the radio to keep it nice.

This event is normally held the first full weekend in August. Again this year, we will add two bonus days to the Colorado 14er Event. The main two days remain Saturday and Sunday (5-6 August), while the bonus days are Friday 4th August 2023 and Monday 7th August 2023, for those SOTA enthusiasts that need more than two days of SOTA fun!

I have a few different variations depending one what mode or antenna I want to try.

Usually though:

• IC-705
• Endfedz 10/20/40 Trail Friendly
• paddle or mic
• 20' collapsible mast
• log book (rite in the rain)
• in-ear headphones

Of course a water dish and treats if my dog, Nora, is traveling with me.

I'll keep all of that in a Maxpedition 12-Inch X 5-Inch Bottle Holder

Backpack if I'm able to really minimize is the Nathan Trail 12-liter

There's a few extras in the pic that I may bring, like a coffee thermos for short hikes on cold days, YAKTRAX spikes in case it's icey, and a headlamp.

What do you SOTA with?

In case you missed it: (stolen from the ARRL weekly letter)

Summits on the Air (SOTA) in North America has three events scheduled between August 4 - 7, 2023. The Colorado 14er annual event will run from August 4 - 7, the SoCal SOTAFest in Southern California will run from August 4 - 6, and the Pacific Northwest Not-Quite-Fourteener event will run from August 5 - 6, and includes climbers in Washington and Oregon.

Many different frequencies and modes will be used during the August events, but the recommended 2-meter FM frequencies have been changed to 146.58, 146.55, and 146.49 MHz to align with the use of the North America Adventure Frequency for SOTA (146.58 MHz). Operation is also permitted on select HF frequencies. The National Simplex Frequency (146.52 MHz) may also be used. Each event website provides a list of operating frequencies. All amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners are invited to participate.

Steve (wg0at) was a huge reason I got into amateur radio and SOTA. Could watch his videos all day.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/57982

SOTA was the biggest reason I got into amateur radio. Love mixing radio/tech with getting out in the fresh air.