Hi everyone,
I am new to the reflector as well as to SOTA. I have been lurking on the various SOTA websites for years, just never took a radio up a hill with me. At this point I have learned CW (little shaky but I’m trying), bought a Weber MTR from LnR Precision, and my plan is to activate AT LEAST 5 summits by year’s end.
Some of you may have already seen the W6 map I created for personal use:
Welcome to SOTA Michael. You are located in an area where there is a lot of SOTA activity to your south in the Transverse Range on an almost daily basis! And lots of Activators are learning CW while participating in SOTA…just do an Alert and the Chasers will match your CW speed!
Welcome Michael - don’t sell yourself short hoping for 5 activations by year end! If you’re like the rest of us it wont be long before you’re trying to plan for 5 in one day! Some hikes are a considerable excursion so give yourself the best chance of making the minimal 4 contacts by double checking your equipment before you leave, post an alert before your trip to let everyone know your planned summit and time, self-spot when you’re QRV if you can! Be warned there are no SOTA addiction resources available - enjoy and don’t say we didn’t warn you!