Ham Radio Articles about SOTA

SOTA HNY Activation

March 5, 2015January 2, 2014 by John Huggins

KX4O/p Summits on the Air (SOTA) activation of Hawksbill Mountain (W4V/SH-001) on New Year’s Eve on 40, 20 and 10 meters.

LiFePO4 – The New Normal?

May 19, 2018May 19, 2013 by John Huggins

Humble pair of battery and purpose built AC charger.

The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery chemistry is my replacement of choice for my old 7AH lead acid gel cells.

First SOTA Activation – Using VHF FM

May 19, 2018November 25, 2012 by John Huggins

My first journey to the mountains as SOTA activator was a success using minimalist VHF FM gear.

Hawksbill Mtn. APRS Appalachian Trail Test

March 5, 2015March 4, 2012 by John Huggins

This is the view as you approach the top of Hawksbill on the only trail.

The Northern Virginia team of Ham Radio operators and companion hikers manned Hawksbill Mountain for the 2011 Appalachian Trail Golden Packet event. Gear included a Kenwood D710 with Green Light Lab GPS, 2m Collinear J-Pole and a 70cm collinear J-Pole.

Virginia Summits On The Air

February 24, 2012February 11, 2011 by John Huggins

After some Virginians volunteered to research the mountain peaks in the Commonwealth and see which ones are sufficiently prominent to qualify for the Summits on the Air (SOTA) program, we now, as of Feb 1, 2011 have 542 peaks from which to operate a ham station.

If you are a hiker and a ham, the Summits on the Air award program is for you. Originally organized in England, SOTA has become very popular in Europe for both hikers and summit collectors. Operators in the United States have caught on; Volunteers are working feverishly to add US peaks to the growing number of valid SOTA summits.

Virginia is now proudly represented in the W4 area.

Check out the Virginia peaks right here in this web domain.