Backpacking with your Ham Radio - Summits on the Air

Sandy W7NRS and I decided to go on a get-away to the San Jacinto’s for a 3-day backpacking trip. We also wanted to hit a Summits on the Air peak while we were there. We got our permits for the Tahquitz zone and made plans to hike up Devils Slide from Idyllwild California. See what gear we took along and how the activation went.
GEAR:
Backpack www.rei.com/pr...
Trekking Poles amzn.to/3deCWKz
Hammock amzn.to/35Gbi4E
Seat Cushion amzn.to/3gJLqvj
SHELTER
Tent www.rei.com/pr...
Groundsheet amzn.to/35BWPqH
SLEEP SYSTEM
Pillow amzn.to/3vIp7u0
Sleeping Bag Liner amzn.to/3qeDOUD
Sleeping Bag discontinued tinyurl.com/ym...
Sleeping Pad amzn.to/2SQgFeX
KITCHEN
Stove amzn.to/3cVMmdC
Fuel www.rei.com/pr...
Pan *Unavailable
Ursack amzn.to/35Gc1mo
WATER FILTATION
BeFree Filter amzn.to/3zD4geS
Sawyer Mini Filter amzn.to/2SHHpyi
Aquimira Drops amzn.to/3xyb9fC
Platypus 1L Bottle amzn.to/35FuHms
NAVIGATION
Garmin 66i GPS amzn.to/3cXU2fn
Garmin Instinct Watch amzn.to/3vGVCZK
Compass amzn.to/3j0oCJ5
RADIO GEAR
Yeasu FT-817n
Yeasu FT-60R
Battey Home Brew
HF Antenna Home Brew
VHF/UHF Antenna n9taxlabs.com/
20‘ Mast www.amazon.com...
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF
Donate: / redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker redsummitrf.bl...
#MNHR #SOTA #PortableRadio

[@KI4ASK]

Excellent video Charlie. One of your best and good to see Sandy too. Mary Catherine & I did a SOTA activation yesterday but it was only a day hike. We need to do a backpacking trip like you guys. 73 KI4ASK & KI4HHI

[@RedSummitRF]

Hey Joe - I enjoy following you and Mary Catherine on social media. You have some cool KZbin videos too. You two do a lot of fun things I wish I was doing as well. Seems like you all mix it up a bit more. I need to do that. Good example my friend!

[@brianve7jyd943]

another good one Charlie - glad you have a good sport - theyre hard to find -- 73 VE7JYD

[@RedSummitRF]

Yes, I feel very blessed!

[@simonsaquatics6869]

Ive been in search of videos that had multi day backpacking with pota/sota so I really appreciate you sharing this. Thanks guys! 73 KQ4DBL

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you Brandon. It was a fun trip. I wish we had time to get out and backpack more. We have a trip planned so hopefully we'll have another one to share. Thanks for visiting the channel and dropping a note.

[@robertklinger2000]

Great video! Always enjoy them!

[@RedSummitRF]

Happy to hear that. Thanks Robert.

[@malenve6vid]

Great stuff Sandy and Charlie.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Malen!

[@ocavant]

In Southern CA, NEVER count on there being water. Bring more than you think you'll ever need. Glad you found some.

[@RedSummitRF]

Yup. This is true always, not just in Southern California. We had enough to make it back out but not enough for 3 days. I'm not carrying that much water LOL. Thanks!

[@KJ7IGZ]

Thanks Sandy and Red!

[@arizonagirladventures9417]

We had a lot of fun!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Jon

[@JayN4GO]

That’s great. 6 s2s !! Man you guys really put a lot of effort into sota. Much appreciated. It’ll get better too as we head into cycle 25. That sun looked hot as hell but I didn’t see any sweat dripping off the nose like here. Humidity really drains me. Yeah and the cheese Whackers on 2m. Crazy. 2m here is a deadzone. I mean you prob won’t get anyone on 2 here. Haha. Fb es hope you enjoyed yourself. Reflection in the hammock is a must. I often go back to my childhood wishing I was still there. Ha.

[@RedSummitRF]

Haha great comments. Looking forward to that cycle 25 heating up the ionosphere. And yes, heat and humidity really drains my energy too. We love our hammocks. We even sleep in them instead of our tent on occasion. Thanks Jay!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks, terrific video 73 from kb2uew

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Alvaro - thank you. I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[@ReedAB8AS]

Enjoyed watching this. Seems like you guys had a great time. 73 de AB8AS

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Alan - we love being outdoors. Yes it was fun. Thanks for joining us.

[@CaptainRadioAdventures]

Excellent Charlie from NY4G

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Ariel and thanks for the kind note! Hope you are well.

[@M0RSF]

Excellent video and well done to you both. Looks you both had some fun. My XYL is Natalie M7NTD and although she has activated a couple of SOTA Summits she doesn't want to appear on any of my videos just yet. Maybe sometime in the not too distant future. All the best to you both and thanks for sharing. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@RedSummitRF]

Hey Chris! Thank you. I am surprised how willing my wife is to be on the videos. It's fun. BTW I really enjoy your videos! I need to have you on sometime in the future to talk about all the different portable ops programs you guys have over there.

[@M0RSF]

@@RedSummitRF It would be great and I would be more than happy if to make an appearance speaking about the various Award Programmes we have here in the UK.

[@kn6dmo547]

Thank you for sharing your trip. I really enjoyed watching and learning from your hiking, camping and SOTA activation experience. I also use the same radios (with similar home brew batteries) for SOTA. 73

[@RedSummitRF]

That's great Luis! Isn't SOTA fun! I mean backpacking and camping are already really fun. Add in portable radio and it's just a blast! Thanks.

[@TheNoCodeTech]

The more I watch your channel, the more I enjoy and appreciate it. Thanks for the upload. #TeamReplay #MNHR

[@RedSummitRF]

That's very nice of you to say. Thank you!

[@aj2isotadxing]

Great stuff both of you , great to see some tips and gear suggestions too

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi AJ. Glad you appreciated the tips and suggestions. Thank you.

[@willian.direction6740]

Great job among the QRM, I would never have those issues on VHF on summits not many Ops in the foot print around here. Thanks for the video.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Ian and thanks. We don't have QRM like that near my QTH area either. Was interesting for sure. That's great you don't have those issues. Do you have opportunity to make VHF contacts at all? Surely there are a few guys around?

[@JosephVE3GKT]

Fantastic video Charlie! Thank you for bringing us along! Is the linked dipole homebrew? How high off the ground are the ends? I'm sure I missed it but how tall was the mast you brought? 73 de VE3GKT

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Joseph. Thanks for the compliment. Yes the linked dipole is a homebrew. I didn't mention the length of the mast in this particular video. I use a 20 foot fishing pole but don't use the last section so it's 17 feet up. I tuned the antenna with the ends about two feet off the ground. Of course the terrain doesn't always cooperate with that.

[@streetpunk99]

This is a pretty cool video but those are far from 5x9. What recommendations do you have for a pack? I've been looking for a crossover kind of bag that accommodates hiking gear for through hike multiple day trips but also built for radio gear. Can't seem to find anything that fits that specific role.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks. I did a video a while back about choosing a pack. Of course you know there are a lot of variables and opinions. I can only speak from my own point of view, which is this . . . don't worry about a pack build for radio gear. Find the pack that fits you the best and make it work with your radio gear by using accessory bags. The most important thing is to go someplace and get fitted. Zulu 30 is what I use for 1-2 days, and an Aether 55 is what I use for 2 or more days. These two are the best fit for my body type. Find out what pack is the best fit for your body type then go from there.