Activating SOTA on VHF/UHF - Radios, Antennas, & Tips

[@janiceemery2008]

Excellent video, this one is a keeper for future reference. It is always nice to have a video that views the whole package, band use, radio and antenna without going into price. Thank you so very much for sharing.

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you Janice, and glad it was helpful! Always appreciate your comments and feedbac! 73

[@andrewd4890]

Well presented summary of options for activations with HTs using FM. I think the best results are found when an alert is posted at least a day before the activation, together with notices to local hams via the usual mailing lists and even news broadcasts. Self spotting when on the summit then is the trigger for many chasers and for other activators nearby to look for you. There’s another thing you may be interested in trying when signals are weak. Go horizontal - we have found that horizontal polarisation gives better range than vertical. Some people think FM requires vertical polarisation - no, it’s just a convention due to vertical antennas being easier to set up on cars and HTs. Then once you have found that improvement, use SSB. The FT817/8 at 5w, for example, is easily capable of good distances on SSB, more than FM distances. There are not as many folk readily available on ssb but there are well equipped home stations who like working dx ssb to distant summits. They are more used to “real” distances above 500 miles, but will still appreciate working a summit at 250. 73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2DA

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you Andrew and great feedback! Spotting is key and there are many great chasers watching for and wanting to help activators with QSO's. The email idea also works, and I saw a newer ham with tech license almost activate some sparsely populated summits (ones mostly done on HF). Told me he reached out to the club in the area, and they shared with members that he would be over there looking for simplex contacts. Someday I need to try 2m ssb...and good info on polarization. 73

[@brian954]

One of the most helpful video I've seen for SOTA. I appreciate it.

[@wa7jnjradio]

Glad it was helpful, and thank you for commenting... good inspiration to start working on the next one (-:

[@brian954]

@@wa7jnjradio I’ll be waiting for it! GMRS only right now, but working on multiple ham licenses. WRQX632 out ✌️

[@Orbit2020]

Nice video. Great info. Well done sir!

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you so much, and appreciate the quick comment!

[@jonknodel5640]

Another awesome video James. Thank you!

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you Jon! 73

[@ve7ajk]

Lots of good tips thanks!

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you Bill! Looks like you're a member of the BC SOTA FB group... I am as well, and check it once in a while. (-: Thanks for the quick comment, and maybe we'll get a S2S this year! 73, James

[@ve7ajk]

@@wa7jnjradio That would be great. I'm planning on going out today on VE7/CV-030 and start on VHF. I think you're in WA state but not sure if I'll get out to your area. Should be on the air around 3:45pm.

[@wa7jnjradio]

Sorry for delayed response... I turned on radio that afternoon, but not sure my radio hears the best and I often drive a few hundred feet up the road in Marysville, WA when chasing or seeing a spot or hearing other people chase the SOTA station (-:

[@ve7ajk]

@@wa7jnjradio No worries. I managed to activate it on VHF which was my goal. That was my first VHF activation. I think Marysville is too south from where I was to get a good shot into it. But it does have a great direct shot into Bellingham.

[@eduardosturla]

Great video! 73 De HI8ESF

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you Eduardo for the quick comment, and much appreciated! 73

[@areflux]

I am wicked hard on my equipment when hiking/SOTAing and have recently killed my HT from too many hikes in the snow and it being on the outside of my pack. Got any good picks for a rugged good HT? Great video. Thanks K1EEB

[@wa7jnjradio]

Hello Eric, not sure what you've been using or price range for new... but a few ideas. As background, I generally hike in better weather, but have gotten radio rained on a few times. Most of my radios are resistant (ex. IP54), but with you being extra hard on equipment and using in snowy weather...there are probably 3 to recommend depending on price/preference. All three are more weatherproof & even submersible. The newer ICOM IC-T10 is dual band and more weatherproof than the IC-V96 I've used and been impressed with ruggedness. The Yaesu VX6R is an older radio, but rugged, tri-band...and had good reviews recently from TechPrepper and others due to quality, rugged, etc. The most expensive option would be Yaesu FT5D...I've liked the FT3D and dropped once or twice, and would primarily get this radio for APRS, 2 receivers, etc. Hope this helps, and would love comments from others if I missed any. 73!

[@dangermandave67]

Thanks for this video. I've had mixed results with 2m and am yet to activate a summit with it. It doesn't help that I'm often in remote areas in Utah, where hams are thin on the ground. One of these days, I'd like to buy a radio that does 2m SSB. I expect that it will only be useful when there's a 2m contest happening, but I think it would be cool. 73 de K7DMJ

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thanks David, and agree it definitely depends on location and hams around... I still haven't done 2m SSB, and would be fun for sure... it does help to time activation with 2m contests, and I've done that to help with 70cm and 1.25m. (-: 73!

[@understandthetimes5721]

Hello, I enjoyed your video! What brand/model mast extension (green color) are you using? Another chance to get on the air portable is during the ARRL contests. Thanks and 73.

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you, and very true about ARRL contests. The green mast is a fiberglass 5.4 meter, telescopic fishing rod, and one that I got on Amazon for about $16 in 2019. I wish they still sold them, and currently I've been looking at the Goture 7.2 meter for potentially getting in the future. I know Ebay could be source as well...seems like there are less options the last few years. 73, James WA7JNJ

[@BobBroeking]

Thanks; I carry a roll up J pole and a small mast to get it into the air on almost all activations; helpful video. I have called CQ once on 146.520 and gotten nothing; how many times have you gotten a response without first some type o spot or aid to tell folks you are there?

[@wa7jnjradio]

For calling on 145.520 without a spot, I'll often get contacts but it will depend on the summit (ex. elevation & line-of-sight to Puget Sound), day or time of day, antenna, etc. Sotl.as or the Sota summit website will list each summit, and how many contact have been used on each band. That can be a good check to see if the summit you want to activate has had success on 2m, and will help confirm whether it has good line-of-sight to more populated area. Day or time of day can change as well... mid-day on a weekend there are usually quite a few people listening for summits in our area. While I have made contacts without a spot, recommend posting an alert to let people know you will be on a summit with approx time. It helps chasers know you'll be there, what band, and they might want to chase that summit for a SOTA "Complete" (both activating and chasing a summit). Posting an alert, and then a spot is the best way to increase chances of a 2m contact. Hope this helps, and have a great day! 73

[@BobBroeking]

@@wa7jnjradioSolid analysis and advice; thanks. Was going to tr it yesterday at my park activation and then I reached for my handheld and discovered....I had left it at home! :-)

[@clydeosterhout1221]

It is easier to get simplex GMRS contacts than on the amateur frequencies. Is that allowed?

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thanks for reaching out with this question. GMRS contacts wouldn't necessarily be easier, but potentially similar to 2m VHF or 70cm UHF band contacts? I'm a bit unsure how many people are listening on GMRS frequencies, but there are usually decent amount of people monitoring the 2m band 146.52 (national calling frequency) With SOTA, per rules section 3.10, only amateur radio frequencies or bands are allowed.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

@@wa7jnjradio thanks for your response! Our area might be different from most. We have a large group of GMRS users, and because there are only 22 channels people just tend to scan through them all on a regular basis. Simplex contacts are almost as common as repeater contacts. On the other hand I have never heard any traffic on the 2 meter or 70 cm calling frequencies, even though I monitor them on regular basis. Your answer clarifies the importance of lining up friends ahead of time so that someone will actually be listening!

[@thetravi1348]

I also have a ton of baofengs but never use them now. Once you get a much better radio(s) you hardly ever go back to baofengs.

[@wa7jnjradio]

Very true! (-: I love having them compared to GMRS cheap bubble pack radios and am surprised sometimes how well they work when I use with the kids, but completely agree with you. Thanks for comment!

[@dcolb121]

Good video. WA7OCZ watching.

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you Don, and Happy New Year! I rewatched some of the Mt Fremont video clips the last few days, and was awesome to make QSO's with you that day on 2m, 70cm, and 1.25m! Thanks again! 73