How to use ALERTS and SPOTS for Summits on the Air and Parks on the Air

[@ianparsons4710]

Ha! Just came across this video -and heard myself! QSO #2 on that AO-91 pass. And yes, it was a new grid for me!

[@RedSummitRF]

Awesome Ian. Thanks!

[@forsakenrider]

Keep this videos coming! I'm super excited to get into sota, and this is really giving some great pointers!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks for the feedback. That's awesome you are interested in SOTA. Good luck on your adventures and thank you for watching 👍

[@piecetrain9767]

I did not know an alert still worked for RBN purposes without a valid summit reference. Thanks. I use RBN mostly because often I do not have service and, even if I do, I like to see where my signal goes and the strength. For RBN, calling CQx2 instead of x3 works fine. I never do x3. SMS is also really nice, especially for SSB because not much service is required for a simple text. If I have any advice for new activators, it would be to get a spot out if at all possible (probably biggest factor for "success") and expand the alert time if relying on RBN because multiple times I have missed the window due to a prior activation taking longer, weather delays, unexpectedly rough terrain, etc. Everyone knows that an alert for 20:30 UTC is usually only a rough estimate.

[@RedSummitRF]

Solid advice and info. I appreciate you watching the video and contributing very good relevant information to this topic ... 💯% agree.

[@piecetrain9767]

@@RedSummitRF I think you are putting together some valuable videos for new operators and mixing in some fun for those of us who have done this a number of times. There are so many advantages to CW, and the availability of the RBN you discuss is just one of them. I got skunked on an activation involving thousands of feet of elevation gain and a full day of hiking due to incoming lightning cutting short my activation to probably less than 10 minutes on air. With CW I would have got it activated. With SSB and no cell service I ended up with a hard-earned lesson on the value of CW and an awesome day of hiking with my son.

[@RedSummitRF]

@@piecetrain9767 thanks again! Appreciate your comments. I'm sorry man but that abort after all your effort sounds painful! 😬

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

Great video! I look forward to your next video 👍 I really like how you decode on the video. Hopefully soon I wont need to see the decode 🤣

[@RedSummitRF]

😂 yes, CW is tough at first, but you'll get there no doubt, if you stick with it. Excellent feedback. I appreciate it!

[@AD6DMDennis]

Thanks for sharing your POTA experience! 73, Red de AD6DM Dennis

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Dennis ... I guess I'll be seeing you next week, huh? 🤘

[@theexperimentalcqdx4208]

You make great video's :)

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you. Much appreciated!

[@brianve7jyd943]

why the K at the end of the last call sign Charlie

[@RedSummitRF]

I'm not sure where you are talking but I assume it's in reference to the K I used to use instead of BK to turn the qso over to the other operator. I didn't always understand the proper use of cw characters and abbreviations.

[@brianve7jyd943]

@@RedSummitRF ahh ok thanks Charlie - im learnin alot from your vidios- much obliged

[@decoeric]

cool video! de K0EAP

[@RedSummitRF]

Much appreciated Eric! 👍