Summits on the Air (SOTA): Your First Activation

Mountains are the tallest 'tower' you'll ever use! This talk provides a step-by-step introduction to how you can go from dreaming of a panoramic shack-in-the-sky to doing it, including planning, safety, gear selection, activation techniques, and logging contacts. If you've previously tried POTA and loved the every-day-is-field-day experience, then SOTA offers a perfect pairing... where every day a passionate chaser community treats you like rare DX!

Thanks to ‪@HamRadioCrashCourse‬ for filming my presentation, and the Big Bear HamEscape for the invitation to present! Learn more about the event here: https://bigbearhamescape.com/

No time to watch this video? Check out N7KOM's 'Quick Guide' here: https://www.n7kom.com/SOTA.html

_Links to SOTA Sites & Tools_
SOTA Watch - https://sotawatch.sota.org.uk/
SOTA Data - https://www.sotadata.org.uk/
SOTA Maps - https://sotl.as/
PoLo Logger - https://polo.ham2k.com/

_Mark's 'Typical SOTA Kit'_
N6ARA TinyPaddle: https://n6ara.com/product-category/ra...
K6ARK Antenna: https://amzn.to/3SdEYyk (intermittently in stock - get one if available!)
QMX Radio: https://shop.qrp-labs.com/qmx
QMX Case: https://amzn.to/4cTfZtC
Nitecore Battery: https://amzn.to/4i1L8xv
12V USB-C Trigger Cable: https://amzn.to/3GxK1Hn
Tiny Rite in the Rain Notebook: https://amzn.to/3B5nfUX
Rite in the Rain Pen: https://amzn.to/4a9WWbw
Retractable audio cable for CW key: https://amzn.to/3UL4rkN
Masts: POTA20 or SOTAbeams Carbon 6

_Chapters_
0:00 Introduction to SOTA
7:45 Activating 101
10:59 Step 1 - Select a Peak
12:28 Step 2 - Plan your Trip
14:52 Step 3 - Pack for Safety, Activating
21:37 Step 4 - P.A.C.E. Plan
27:17 Step 5 - Post Alerts
31:13 Step 6 - Activate!
36:52 Step 7 - Submit Logs
37:59 SOTA Gear: Radios, Antennas, Batteries, and Logging
54:54 Q&A Session

Note - Amazon links are affiliate links; trying this out as an experiment. My guess is it's not worthwhile, but it's an easy way to generate short URLs.