How to Log Summits on the Air Contacts

Chris K7TAB joins me at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, located north-east of Flagstaff, for a Summits on the Air activation worth 13 points. We hike to the top of Baby Black W7A/CS-040 which is a volcanic cinder cone located just outside the park boundaries. While on top I discuss how I log my contacts, and later I show how to upload them to the SOTA database.
This day we activated two SOTA peaks and one POTA at Cinder Hills overlook. Find the other two activations released in subsequent videos.
CSV log format is here:
www.sotadata.o...
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Full audio of the Baby Black CW QSO's can be downloaded here:
drive.google.c...

[@potababe]

I am getting ready for my first SOTA activations next month. This video was very helpful showing how I will log my SOTA contacts. Thanks for sharing this information!

[@RedSummitRF]

Slowly getting caught up after an eventful summer. Thank you so much for visiting the channel and watching. Glad it was helpful. How did your activation go?

[@potababe]

@@RedSummitRF It was successful! In fact, I had 3 successful SOTA activations in July while in NC. I enjoyed it so much, I am planning another trip for north Georgia in April 2025.

[@RedSummitRF]

@@potababe That is GREAT! I have some SOTA friends in NC and North Georgia. I'm sure you must know several of them. Say hi if you do. Good luck on future SOTA adventures.

[@vaamorais]

Amazing volcanic scenery. Thanks for the useful tips on logging. I must say that my morse code is getting much better just by watching your videos - I can easily recognise the 'CQ CQ CQ' very well .

[@RedSummitRF]

Hey that's great Vitor. The more exposer you can get the better, for me too. I listen to audio files sometimes while on my walks.

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Tnx for another great video/summit outing. wow ! no way wud I hv survived that climb. being 78 and overweight, I wud hv had a heart attack about 1/3 of the way up. and looking at the angle of that climb wud have rolled all the way back to the bottom. so I get to enjoy these outiings thru your efforts. and I really appreciate them. I really enjoy the cw portions keeps my ear up to date!. tnx again Charlie and will luk for more 73 gud dx de Ellis WA1RKS

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Ellis - thanks man! Very kind words. I've had a few others say they like the CW portions. Covid got my in it's grasp and I'd probably struggle on that one today too LOL. Working on dropping a few 'cause I got a few beastly summits planned this coming month. Thanks for stopping by! 👍

[@alvarogaitan2529]

I enjoy your videos phenomenally thanks 73 from kb2uew

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you so much Alvaro. I appreciate the positive feedback and hope you continue to come back and let me know how I'm doing.

[@driverfilmsshortwavechannel]

Rite in the rain pen and paper for me on the summit, and manual transfer when im back at home. Might start using CSV format to upload now.

[@RedSummitRF]

Everybody is different, but I can't log fast enough on cell phone apps 😂

[@mikelberrocal5356]

Have you tried "Fast Log Entry" soft? It generates Cabrillo, ADIF, SOTA, WWFF, etc files from very easy and fast text entry, either real time or later when back home.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Mike. A actually have tried that software on a PC. Is there a cell phone app for logging in the field? Thanks for the suggestion and for watching 👍

[@AI6XG]

Nice video Red, like you I use a paper log and I will experiment using the CSV upload. I always take a minute on the summit when I change bands and when I QRT to review my writing (scribbling) to make sure I can read the call signs, times etc. My recall is much better on the summit than later at home! 73 de AI6XG

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Dan - thank you. I am pleased you enjoyed the video. That's why I do them. Yes, I can totally relate. If I don't get it down in the field it's doomed to be forgotten. These videos have actually saved my bacon a couple times. 73!

[@lovethevdub]

This was another one where I worked K7TAB on 40 (13:15 in the vid) , but couldn't hear you on 30 or 60. Your paper log sheets wouldn't work that well here in W7W... I use "Rite in the Rain" logbooks and a pencil. My logs regularly get wet from rain and/or snow! Thanks for another video! 73 de WU7H

[@RedSummitRF]

It IS a bit moist there in WA 🤣. Now I gotta go back and watch that segment of the video. Thanks Josh!

[@edrudolph1]

I enjoy your videos. Just a friendly suggestion try using instrumental music in hiking sequences since the lyrics are a bit distracting. Hope to work you s2s one day. 73 de KM6TNT

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you for watching, Ed. I really appreciate it. And thanks for the feedback. Kinda interesting, I also received a compliment (in a different social media platform) about using this particular track. 🤔. I'm definitely interested in continuous improvement with these videos. Maybe I'll try instrumental on every other video and try and get a gauge for my audience preference. It'd be great if other viewers saw this and chimed in here. 👍 again thank you I lets get that S2S QSO!

[@W6IWN_Radio]

VOTA? What qualifies a Volcano on the Air? Nice work 👍👍

[@RedSummitRF]

Haha thank you!

[@ae4xo]

wouldnt it be easier to use ham polo for logging now?

[@brianve7jyd943]

thanks Charlie 73 VE7JYD

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank YOU!