Little Mountain, WA - SOTA hike or drive-up & First time using Icom V86

[@MrMunchCat]

Looking forward to your review of the V86

[@wa7jnjradio]

Thank you for feedback! I've used on 2 additional summits since then, and have asked a local SOTA activator how he's liked using the last few years. I like the quality and ruggedness for outdoors, 7w a bonus although it keeps trying to make you use 5w (-:, battery life is very long. Haven't compared receive yet to Yaesu FT70 or 3DR yet, but it is good. My main nuisance is small button and awkward to change squelch, but like overall so far as a quality lower price 2m only radio. I'm hearing a few local activator are using the Yaesu 65/4X, and just ordered a 65 today to try out as well...73

[@MrMunchCat]

I’ve been looking at the V86 and the yaesu vx-6r because of their rugged build. Did you find it necessary to use a band pass filter because of the those nearby radio towers?

[@wa7jnjradio]

Very cool about the 2 radios! Thought I heard a little interference at first, and used the band-pass for first contacts...but didn't seem to make a different with our without on this summit and haven't used filter on 2 other summits. I don't have experience with the vx-6r, but like the rugged submersible build and tri-band option (even if less power on 220). Depends on price, and how you may use radio... since most activators only use 2m for VHF SOTA, the V86 seems like a great lower cost option at ~$128. For tri-band submersible, ~$250 seems like a good price...and the new Icom T10 could be another dual-band rugged option in ~$250 range.

[@2metercrew389]

👍👍👍

[@tuckersimpson4442]

KJ7ZVK here in Woodland WA. I'm just now looking into SOTA. Id like to start getting out and about. Do you ever activate in the SWWA area? Id like to meetup with someone whos got some experience doing SOTA

[@wa7jnjradio]

Hello Tucker... I'm not in SWWA area very often, but Larch Mtn W7W/LC-103 or Prune Hill W7W/LC-164 are good options to start out on, and there is a great SOTA community a little further south around Portland area. If you're on Facebook, there is a "PacNW SOTA" site which will give a feel for other activators... there are those around your area willing to help. pnwSOTA.org is also a good site for more information about PNW SOTA activity. Please reach out via qrz email if any further questions, and excited to hear you'd like to start getting out and about. (-: 73, James WA7JNJ