Have you noticed how many activation reports feature limitations caused by accidentally leaving items at home? Same thing world wide. The obvious solution is a checklist, but I can’t find one in the files section of NASOTA or any other site. In the Reflector, there was a two year old M6CSS thread entitled “What do you take”. Using that and my recollection of a list I used as a teen trekker, here is a new list. It is intended to be exhaustive for one-day trips and added to various files-sections after I categorize it. Users can then reduce it, individualize it and print it. Prior to that, please supply items to add. I know I left something out…what is it?
What to take:
Checklist, backpack with gardeners kneeling pad, radios, mic, headphones, keyer paddle, tuner/balun, transmission line, adapters (sma-bnc), antennas (hf-vhf), tripod-base, fish-rod/mounting spike & velcro straps, counterpoise, fully charged batteries/power cable, clip leads, fuses, tape, cordage, tent stakes, light hammer, fishline, 2 oz sinkers, slingshot, waterproof log, 2 pencils, Swiss army knife, cigarette lighter, chapstick, light tarp, water bladder, food, headlamp, orange survival bag, pistol (where legal), bear spray/bell, whistle, signalling mirror, binoculars/camera, altimeter, thermometer, alarm clock, GPS/map/compass, Bushnell backtrack, locator beacon, phone, APRS, mini-stool, spare vehicle key, copy of radio license, layer clothing/rain gear, hat, gloves, goggles, sunscreen, spare socks, trekking poles, snow gear, boot traction devices, towel, mini-dictaphone, first aid kit, bug repellent spray.
Before going on the trail:
Test all equipment at home, add name and phone number to all items, use checklist at home and again when arriving at trailhead, post SOTA alert, pre-hydrate, do final weather check, call home with location of trailhead and summit plus estimated times, place everything on bonnet/hood of vehicle while getting organized before the climb, lock vehicle.
At the top:
Safety first, don’t run out of sunlight, leave no trash or gear behind, show the simple courtesy of taking out other’s trash, announce your new freq when you QSY and when you QRT, consider returning to original freq right before going QRT, use all your tools to find your way back down to the trailhead.
Back at the vehicle:
Put everything on the hood while stowing gear, don a dry shirt, call home, drive safely.
Looking forward to your additions.
Thanks,
Elliott, K6ILM
#1 Calif Chaser
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The opinions are all in, and there are items to add to the list set out at the start of this thread. In that missive, I said there was something I couldn’t remember, and it is the flag! No one caught that. Take your flags, both SOTA and national…but don’t plant the latter as a claim of territory for your monarch. That’s been done once or twice… sometimes with short effect (tsk, tsk). To be added other than flags: summit designation with alerted frequencies, standard QRP and FM frequencies, human waste sack with paper, equipment mini-manuals/cheat sheets, small ruler, plastic envelope for money/papers/license, route plan, sunglasses, antenna insulators. I decided against adding G3CWI’s trousers due to difficulty reproducing the stains, holes and tatters.
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At the summit, I added language about being wary of animals and weather/lightning. Post-summit, I mentioned writing resource tips on the summit info page for the benefit of other activators. The list is to be pared-down and personalized before printing, and it does not include any items for overnight trips or snow gear.
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Thanks to G8ADD, GM4COX, C3CWI, KJ6OGE, MMoGYX, MM0FMF, and especially OH7BF/F5VGL. The list will be added to the files section of the NASOTA Yahoo group. Please find other places to install it for easy access/improvement, and for parallel lists for clothing, two-day trips and snow gear.
Elliott, K6ILM
Be a Hero
Get Glass
