Setups for SOTA on technical/exposed peaks

Hi Mike, welcome onboard, you’re not gonna regret the combination of mountain + radio!

This reflector is a good point to ask and sure you will get useful answers.

According yo your statement, you’re thinking on a suitable gear for winter/ overnight/ small summits… I guess you’d need space to carry drinks + food and warm extra clothes etc

You better get a reduced, but trusty gear then….

  • Rig: G90 is an affordable rig but too heavy for such conditions. I’d rather go for a QMX with a small batt (3 X 18650 cells), doing well in SSB with a reduced current draw and handy.
  • Antenna: 5m carbon rod + small trapped EFHW (abt.12m) is okay, but when space and other mountaineers in summit are the key point I’d go by a shortened vertical. I made a small 3m on a glassfiber telescopic pole that runs well in 20m /acceptable in 40m, with a few short radials on ground (some hints here). It’s very unobstrusive. I find the telescopic metal whips are heavier and are not okay for placing the center loading coil as per my design …

If you need some more details just reach me!

Good luck and let us know your final choice.

73 Ignacio

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