I had sort of mentioned previously that becoming the First Delaware Mountain Goat was a goal that had Jill crisscrossing the entire W3 Association looking for points (the points are NOT over here in eastern W3). But at some point that had resulted in another quite impressive accomplishment, which has gone totally unnoticed. Jill was at one point (and probably still is) the ONLY W3 Activator to have operated from and scored points in EVERY W3 region.
Welcome to the Herd and hope you continue! Many times Iāve run to the radio to hear your pleasant voice calling CQ, and usually a contact results! Your stationās very effective, and youāre good at navigation and logistics in areas far afield.
Iāve been amazed at your multiple-summit efforts!
Jill,
Heartiest congratulations on making MG. Nice return to your first summit. You make us a herd of three in W3, all in less than a year. Hurray.
Ad multa cacumina!
David - N3II
Thank all of you - I wouldnāt be an amateur radio operator if not for SOTA.
I have never done HF that wasnāt also SOTA.
I started without knowing anyone or anything about amateur radio, the idea just popped in my head and I decided to learn it. (Thatās not unusual for me.) I searched YouTube and found a SOTA video that described SOTA and the equipment you needed. (Iām a long time backpacker, so hiking amateur radio seemed the thing for me.)
I studied, bought equipment (Yaesu FT857) and turned it on [simplified description for brevity]. I started with VHF and listened to a man talk about raising potatoes for several hours and thought āIāve made a mistakeā. (Too much noise and antenna restrictions at home for an HF antenna.)
I pressed on with SOTA, and went out to Welsh Mountain (the only SOTA summit within 70km radius). I got all set up and sat in the middle of the woods, started to get very nervous about getting on the air. Then I pushed myself and started making contacts. The rest you know.
Let me just say that SOTA chasers are amazing! The feeling you get when you canāt get a spot out and they find you anyway - is like angels descending from heaven!
Thank all of you for all your help.
My plan forward is to shift from driving hard towards a goal, to relaxing & trying (& failing sometimes) different setups. Also shifting from my FT857 to a KX2 and lightening my pack - taking hikes that include SOTA, rather than SOTA only hikes. That means lower power - so, I hope I donāt get too frustrated.
Congratulations Jill and welcome to the herd! Now relax, focus on other aspects of SOTA and rememberā¦Keep Calm and call CQ SOTA. Best 73ās Dean ~ K2JB