Everything on Saturday morning was going extremely smooth.  I woke up before the alarm sounded and was out the door slightly ahead of schedule.  I’ll admit, I didn’t do enough research on Centennial Cone.  However, I did read several trip reports on Lists of John website and even telephoned the Jefferson County Open Space office on Friday afternoon to inquire about two questions I had. 

Question #1 had to do with the notice on the website stating trail closure.  The lady I spoke with told me there were no trail closures.   Even asking the question again, and making note that I had seen a notice on their website, she explained I would not have an issue with trail closures.

Question #2 had to do with the alternate use schedule.  This just basically means they separate hikers and bikers on alternating weekend days.  I could tell the lady I was speaking with wanted to get back to her “Words with Friends” game session or whatever she was doing before I telephoned. 

After arriving at the West trailhead, I grabbed my pack and headed over to the trailhead and began my hike along the Elk Range Trail.  I was no further than 1/4 of a mile down the trail when I came across a big gate blocking the trail with the words TRAIL CLOSED.  The signage referenced more or less the same reasons as the notice on the website, stating the trail closure was due to Elk calving in the area. 

While some may have ignored the gate closure (and there certainly was evidence of this with human foot tracks just on the other side), it is the strong connection with the radio amateur’s code along with following the law of the land (with respect for God’s gift to all of us) which simply caused me to turn around and head back the other direction.  

Unfortunately, what happened next was where I made my mistake.  My initial thought was to pack up and go to “plan B”.  When I plan a SOTA activation, I typically also research at least one alternative summit in the area.  While I had a list of alternate summits in the area, I had failed to research them prior to Saturday morning.  

Centennial Cone had been on my list of alternate SOTA summits for some time.  I actually planned to activate it in December.  But this plan fell apart when I got sick.  I didn’t activate again until April and that was Genesee Mountain for the SOTA demonstration to the amateur radio club.

When I returned to the trailhead I studied the large map and devised an alternative plan where I would take another trail (fully open) and access Centennial Cone from the other side.  I had read reports on List of John that others had done this before, but it was the longer and more difficult route. 

I know what I’m going to say next may not always apply for hiking, backpacking and mountaineering.  It’s sort of like traveling.  I always find it counterproductive to fly South, to then fly West.  (example fly from Denver to Dallas to then fly to LA).  In any event, the alternative trail was downhill for the first mile.  Again, despite my gut telling me to pack it in and go somewhere else…I set off down the trail. 

I hiked about 3 miles to the point where the trip reports talked about bushwhacking and scrambling.  I could visualize the route as it was a common route for whatever wildlife in the area routinely used it.  This route would take me up and over a mountain, then down a saddle and then up the side of Centennial Cone.  Yep…it’s sounds better and easier on paper.

After about 30 minutes of scrambling and wishing I had my gaiters with me, I began to realize this plan was starting to fall apart.   I was already behind schedule and had promised the wife I would be home in the early afternoon as we had plans.  However, at the same time…I so wanted to operate the new KX3 in the environment I had purchased it for.

I began thinking how I could salvage the day.  I had two options.  Option #1 was setup on the top of the mountain I was climbing (not a SOTA summit) and just operate for an hour and head back.   While I would not earn any SOTA points, I could still have fun with my new radio.  However, those who were waiting for me to come on the air also would not earn any chaser points.  Option #2 was to return back to the trailhead, drive over to Genesee Mountain.  This option wouldn’t earn me any SOTA activation points, but reward my chasers with points and still allow me to have fun with my new KX3.

While I do enjoy the competitive nature of operating in amateur radio contests and yes, even accumulating chaser and activator points, that is only one very small element of why I enjoy the Summits on the Air program.  For me, it was more important to make sure anyone I worked would gain something versus only thinking about myself.  So without further hesitation I began the trip back to the truck.  Boy was that last 1/2 mile (uphill) difficult.

I reached the truck and drove over to Genesee Mountain.  Genesee Mountain is an easy SOTA summit.  The parking area is less than one mile from the top and the elevation gain is about 200 feet. Even with tired, sore legs and back, I was on the summit of Genesee Mountain within an hour of leaving the Centennial Cone parking area and quickly began setting up the Buddipole vertical.

I setup the Buddipole Versatee Vertical for full 1/4 wave on 20m (no coil) and connected the new Elecraft KX3.  I listened for a few minutes on the 20m QRP calling frequency of 14.342.5 and heard another SOTA station calling CQ.  It was AE7LD operating from W7/LC-146.  I answered his CQ and logged the first KX3 QSO at 1847 UTC.  My second QSO was one minute later and was a line of sight contact with W0RW who was operating pedestrian mobile from about 13,000 feet on the side of Pikes Peak. 

I moved down the band and found a clear frequency and began calling CQ.  I also quickly spotted myself on Twitter and my third contact was with Randy Hall, K7AGE.  You may know Randy from his Youtube videos.  Randy’s video series on PSK-31 was what encouraged me to study and upgrade to general three months after earning my tech. 

I also worked WA2USA, AJ5C, KB6COF, K6ILM, NS7P, N1EU, KE5VTD, NX9B, N0WY, WD0GTY, K4CIA, WT5RZ and VE1WT. 

A few noteworthy items from that list of QSO’s. 

This was my 4th activation and I’ve worked WA2USA on each of them. 

AJ5C, Bob in Arkansas.  When I activated Mt. Herman on 19 November, I worked Bob.  I was his very first SOTA contact as a chaser.  Today, 23 April he earned his 1000th SOTA Chaser point and earned the title of Shack Sloth.  Congrats Bob and thank you for your friendship.

Finally, NX9B informed me that I was also his first SOTA contact.  I wish Jeff the best of luck with future chasing and perhaps activations.  As many will admit, SOTA (both chasing and activating) is highly addictive.

As for me, I’m ready and excited for the next opportunity to get out and activate a SOTA summit. I hope to spend the first couple of weekends in May working on the basement ham shack and then take a weekend off (or at least a Saturday) for SOTA. 

Until then….

73 de KDØBIK

Equipment: Elecraft KX3 (maiden activation / Buddipole versatee vertical

APRS Track: On Road / On Trail

The more I played around with my brand new (less than 48 hour old) Elecraft KX3, the more I knew I had to plan an activation for this weekend.  This will mean I’ll probably miss the combined QRPTTF + SOTA event scheduled for Saturday, 28 April. 

Centennial Cone is a two point SOTA summit and is located just slightly NW from Genesee Mountain (WØ/FR-194) that I activated just a few weeks ago.  At the present time Centennial Cone has had no other activations.  So this will be my second summit where I was the first to activate. 

I’m going to setup and operate on 20m SSB.  However, I may also attempt to operate PSK31 via my iPad and the PSKer iOS App. 

Well I need to wrap this up as I need to double check my gear and get it all ready to go.  I look forward to working you on my fourth SOTA activation.

73 de KDØBIK

As I previously stated, this is a great opportunity for both chasers and activators.  While this is a CW contest, I also feel this is a great opportunity even for non-CW enthusiasts to still activate and chase.   You can read more about the specifics of the contest, including the rules below.  Keep in mind that while QRPTTF rules state “any old hill or lump of dirt”, SOTA rules will apply if claiming for activation or chase points through the SOTA program.

I have this on my calendar and will try very hard to activate a Colorado SOTA summit for a portion of the contest period.  Stay tuned for more info.

Until next time,

73 de KDØBIK

QRP TO THE FIELD (QRPTTF)

“Get High on QRP”

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2012

1500Z April 28 thru 0300Z April 29
East Coast Time: 1100 – 2300 EDT (UTC –4 hrs)
Mid-west Time: 1000 – 2200 CDT (UTC –5 hrs)
Mountain Time: 0900 – 2100 MDT (UTC –6 hrs)
Left Coast Time: 0800 – 2000 PDT (UTC –7 hrs)

QRPTTF is an annual event to encourage QRPers to operate portable “from the field,” and of course, have fun. This year, we are joining forces with others who also like to operate from the field – Summits On The Air, or SOTA. This will not change the QRPTTF event – just gives us all more stations to work.

SOTA stations operate from designated summits for points and awards. Out of necessity, most are QRPers. This year some SOTA stations will activate summits for their purposes, AND to participate in QRPTTF. For QRPTTF stations, you work fellow TTF stations or SOTA stations … they all go in the log and add to the score. Plus, each SOTA station worked will count as an SPC – like working a DX station – boosting your multiplier.

Therefore, the theme this year is to “get high with QRP” and operate from a hill. Any old hill or lump of dirt near your QTH, or as high as you want to go. Even a SOTA summit if you feel so inclined. To find the designated SOTA summits near you, go here: http://www.sotawatch.org/summits.php and look under your call area. Not all states have SOTA summits.

NOTE: You do not have to operate from a SOTA summit to participate in QRPTTF. Again, any old nearby hill.

Exchange:

QRPTTF Station: RST SPC Name example: 599 OH Jake

SOTA Station: RST SPC SOTA ID example: 599 CO W0/FR-004

SOTA ID = call area plus summit ID; example W0/FR-004 (Pike’s Peak, CO)

Scoring:

Per band: Number of QSOs times SPCs times SOTA stations worked

ADD scores for each band for QSO points

Total Score: QSO points TIMES Multiplier

Multipliers:

x1 home station

x2 TTF hill field station

x3 SOTA summit location

After the meeting and a brief lunch, six of the members accompanied me on the activation of Genesee Mountain.  Genesee Mountain is part of the Denver Parks and Recreational System.  It is a well maintained area with a paved road providing an easy walk about 90% of the way.   

The six other amateurs accompanying me wanted a nice leisurely first SOTA experience and that is exactly what I wanted to provide them.  The original plan was to drive all the way to the top, park and then hike down 100 vertical feet, then back up.  However, Genesee Mountain park road wasn’t open all the way the highest parking area.  The main parking area is less than 1 mile (0.8 to be exact) from the summit with an elevation gain of about 200 feet.   Everyone in the group felt comfortable with this hike and we took a nice easy stroll to the top.  I handled packing the communications equipment needed for the activation.

We reached the summit just before 2100 UTC (3 PM local) and quickly began setting up the Buddipole Versatee Vertical for 20m. I briefly explained the setup and began calling CQ at 2115 UTC.  Within just  a few minutes I had the first QSO in the log and we took turns working each station until everyone had their four (or more) QSO’s in the book. 

I (we) worked a total of 10 stations including N1EU, K7ASQ, K7ATN (S2S), WA2USA, ND9Q, KK1W, AD5A, WB9WHQ, K6ILM and W5DLD. 

In the above photo, KDØBIK (red shirt) helping NØHIO work his first SOTA activation.  I would like to thank NØHIO for providing the photo and video of the activation. 

Watch this video on YouTube.

I’m fairly certain those who participated in the activation will all perform their own activations in the near future.  I’m also hoping to get another SOTA activation planned in the next couple of weeks.  The KX3 should arrive (hopefully) in the next 2-3 weeks and of course I will need to test it out and the best way I know of doing that is Summits On The Air.

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK

Equipment: FT-817ND / Buddipole versatee vertical
(still anxiously awaiting delivery of the KX3)

APRS Track: On Road / On Trail

This will be my first SOTA activation in 2012 and my third since being bitten really hard by the SOTA bug back in the fall of 2011.  I’d like to say it was the harsh, Colorado winter weather that kept me away.  But it’s actually been a mild winter with many weekends suitable for an activation.  But if you’ve followed my recent blogging, you know I’ve also been actively working on the new basement ham shack.  Anyway, this activation will be slightly different than my previous two solo activations.  More about this in a minute.

Steve Galchutt, wGØAT invited me to assist him in the WØ region by serving as the regional manager for the central Colorado area.  I proudly accepted and part of my role is to help promote Summits On The Air throughout the Greater Denver Metro area.  If you missed my blog post from earlier in the week.  Please visit and book mark our new WØ-SOTA.org website.

The 285 Tech Club has invited me to present SOTA this coming Saturday at their monthly meeting with the option to do an activation after the meeting. When I originally agreed to do this (about two months ago) I wasn’t sure what sort of weather conditions we might face.  Thankfully, Mother Nature must also be a SOTA enthusiast and looks to bless us with a beautiful Easter weekend.

Here’s why this SOTA activation will be slightly different.  The meeting starts at 10 AM local (1600 z).  I will begin my SOTA presentation around 11AM and plan to wrap by 12 (12:30 at the latest).  Those who are planning to attend the activation demonstration will leave the meeting facility, stop for a quick bite to eat and then drive to Genesee Mountain. 

Genesee Mountain is located just outside of the Denver Metro area.  It is accessible off of I-70 as the highway begins to gain in elevation through the foothills of the magnificent Rocky Mountains.    As you can see from the image below, Genesee Mountain Road goes all the way to the top. 

I’m told to expect an interest from our older generation of hams and with this in mind, will take advantage of the road to the top.  We’ll take a casual stroll down 100’ and then back up to make the activation legal.  So this is why I can’t with any high degree of accuracy predict exactly when we’ll be on the air. 

We plan to setup two HF stations.  One on 20m and the second on 17m.  We will also monitor and attempt QSO’s on 146.52.  I have also listed 10m as a possible option.  Depending on time and interest, we may or may not get to that band.

I’m really excited to be able to share all the wonderful aspects of the Summits on the Air program with this amateur radio club.  If you listen to my amateur radio podcast, the practical amateur radio podcast, you know I take my Elmer role very seriously and passionately.  I’m truly honored to have been given the opportunity to show others just how fun SOTA actually is.  Please listen towards Colorado for us.   

Well that just about does it for this activation alert.  All that is left to do is…well go and activate Genesee Mountain.  Besides this activation alert, I’ll post my activation intentions in all the usual places.  But I’m also going to Self-Spot via Amateur Radio to Twitter.  If you want to know more about  what I’m talking about…please make sure to read this blog post.

Until next time….

73 de KDØBIK (Jerry)

Many who read my blog posts and have listened to episode 50 of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast know my involvement with SOTA or Summits On The Air.  While I’ve been concentrating on getting my new basement ham shack, podcast studio, home office and just general man-cave finished…I’ve also been helping in a small way spin up a new website for the WØ SOTA organization. 

Our official press release which we’ve posted to many of the SOTA reflectors and websites is below.  If you live in the WØ region or plan to visit someday, please bookmark the WØ-SOTA.org website.

On behalf of Steve, Matt and Bob.  If we can help introduce you to the exciting and addictive world of Summits on the Air, please contact us.

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK

NEWS FROM WØ-SOTA ASSOCIATION

 
The WØ-SOTA Association has Named 3-Regional Managers Plus Launched a NEW Website (http://w0-sota.org)
 
We are pleased to announce the WØ-SOTA Association has 3-New Regional Managers to help promote and encourage WØ-SOTA activities:

- Matt Schnizer/KØMOS Northern CO Region
Activator/Chaser for W0-Association
- Jerry Taylor/KDØBIK Central CO Region
Activator/Chaser and promoter via PARP/podcasts
and host for w0-sota.org website
- Bob Cutter/KIØG Western CO Region
Chaser and active SOTA promoter in Western CO
- Steve Galchutt/wGØAT Southern CO Region plus ND/SD
WØ-SOTA Association Mgr

Our BIG News is the WØ-SOTA Association has launched a new website (http://w0-sota.org). This web portal is primarily targeted at new and/or potential SOTA participants in the WØ area who are seeking Summits on the Air information. It also provides distilled content from other sources for already active SOTA regulars with documents, tools, links plus the latest regional news.

The site’s content is divided up into a welcome Homepage, About SOTA, Get Involved, How to …, SOTA-Tools/Resources, W0-SOTA, Contact and What’s Happening. Plus a dynamic feed of regional SOTA news and SOTAwatch realtime Spots plus links to multimedia photos and videos.
We hope you find w0-sota.org helpful in planning, chasing/activating and reporting your SOTA adventures!

Cheers, Steve & WØ-SOTA Team

PS: Special Thanks to our web grammarian, Chuck/N6UHB, who saved us from looking illiterate on w0-sota.org!

Back in late December, the hope was the new KX3 would begin shipping in late February.  Even with the extra day added to the calendar, the month of February expired and no KX3’s are shipping.  It is now Friday, 9 March and the latest shipping status as displayed on the Elecraft website states “KX3 shipments are estimated to begin Mid-March, between the 16th and 26th”. 

While the excitement and anticipation is certainly very high for those who are chiseling their marks in stone waiting for that package to arrive on their doorstep, the level of patience is also just as high.  There is a certain calm which proves amateur radio operators are a professional and respectable group of individuals.  There is an understanding that each and ever delay experienced will just simply make a better and more reliable product in the end.  I doubt we would see this same level of calm and respect in the iWhatever community.

I’m really writing this blog article in response to a few emails I’ve seen on the Elecraft Yahoo Groups reflector.  The subject of cases and bags suitable for protecting our beautiful investment has been mentioned several times over the past few weeks.  Wayne Burdick with the Elecraft company has suggested the LowePro Edit 140 camera bag.  He stated in an email to the Yahoo reflector that he owns this bag and uses it to protect his KX3.  Many other members and anxious hams have ordered this bag for their soon to be KX3.

Just like everyone else, I want a bag of some sort to protect my new KX3 but I just don’t like the look of the LowePro Edit 140.  It looks like it might be a bit on the bulky side and if it were just going in the back of the SUV it would be one thing.  But I want a multi-purpose bag that can go in the back of the SUV, in a carry own bag or in my backpack for SOTA activations. 

A few months ago I purchased the LowePro Apex 120aw camera bag after seeing it featured in a K0MOS Youtube video.  Like Matt, I currently own and use the Yaesu FT-817 for SOTA activations.  I wanted a bag of some sort to protect my 817 while inside my backpack.  I ordered the LowePro Apex 120aw and it works beautifully for the 817. 

The LowePro Apex with my 817 and accessories protected inside.

A view inside showing the Yaesu FT-817, Yaesu microphone, Buddipole 4S4P battery pack, Doc Watson meter and power cables.

While I’ve watched every video I can find of the KX3, it is hard to judge size until you can actually hold it in your hand.  Like everyone else, I also want to be ready for the day the KX3 arrives.  Having a bag suitable to protect it if scheduling could allow for a SOTA activation is important.  But like I said  the LowePro Edit 140 looks bulky.  In my mind, bulk equals weight and extra weight makes my back hurt. 

But how do I know if my new Elecraft KX3 will fit inside my current LowePro Apex bag.  I could measure…but how fun is that?  Now if I’m reading the KX3 manual which was released just last week correctly, the KX3 measurements are 3.5 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches.  If I just had something of those measurements to test with I would know for sure. 

Now it wasn’t until I walked into the unfinished portion of my basement which I’ve been working on the past few weekends.  You can read blog postings here about my progress along with pictures.  Anyway, I had failed to clean up my mess after working for about an hour last night and just nearly tripped over my KX3….huh I mean the block of wood that is the same size of my KX3. 

As we all know, a 2 x 4 is not actually 2 inches by 4 inches.  The exact measurements are roughly 3.5 inches by 1.5 inches.  Hmmmm, that is pretty darn close to what the KX3 manual states for the KX3 dimensions.     I picked up the block of wood I had kicked away and measured the length.  It was 7.5 inches.   But would it fit in my bag?  Perhaps another way to ask this, if it fits…will it zip?

The KD0BIK KX3 prototype.  I sure hope my real KX3 receives better than this block of wood. 

Yep…it zips.  It’s a nice fit and still room for the large battery pack and other accessories.

Of course there is a fundamental design difference between the Elecraft KX3 and the Yaesu FT-817.  The control buttons and knobs and that super large display of the KX3 is a not factored into my 2×4 KX3 prototype.  However, if you review the above picture (the inside view) I will still have room and these will be protected.  I will probably slip the KX3 into a felt bag just for extra protection.  Where’s that Crown Royal bag I’ve been hanging onto?

Now please don’t rush out and purchase the LowePro Apex 120aw bag just because my 2×4 fits and zips.  I’ll make certain to create a new blog posting once my KX3 arrives and I have a chance to model it with the bag.  But if you already own this bag, it might just work out for you with the KX3.

Well this blog post and trying out my KX3 block of wood has been fun.  I now must get back to work. 

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK

A SOTA activation is similar to a short backpacking trip.  What we need for our trip and especially what’s required to communicate when reaching the top all must be carried to the top.  While we have options to assist us in saving some weight.  An example of this might be carrying the Yaesu FT-817 5w QRP rig versus the FT-897 100w version.  Not only is there a significant weight difference, there’s also a size or volume difference in just how much more space the FT-897 will take up in the pack.  But of course, if the FT-897 is your only HF rig, then there isn’t much you can do about it.

I’ve learned a lot in the few SOTA activations I’ve completed.  I believe this is mainly because I have a fantastic Elmer.  Steve, wG0AT has shared a lot with me and importantly….I’ve listened.  The other thing I have going for me is I’ve been hiking and backpacking for years.  While there are many similarities between backpacking and a SOTA activations, there are also just as many differences.  Being able to adjust from on-summit experiences has been crucial to me and has helped save many pounds of weight from my pack. 

Unfortunately, we can’t drill holes in our 12v batteries and HF transceivers to save weight.   But there are other ways to save weight by either replacing conventional items with alternatives or multi-purposing an item into having multiple uses on the activation.  I will share two of my most recent multi-purposing discoveries.

Multi-purposing Tip #1 – Leave the tent stakes and hammer at home.

On my first SOTA activation I carried with me three lightweight aluminum tent stakes.   I didn’t take a hammer or mallet, as I figured I would use a rock.  The tent stakes were not used as the ground was frozen hard and most importantly weren’t needed after all.  Why?  Well to answer that question, let’s first define what a mountain is made of.  Rock!  What is scattered all around on the top of a mountain?  Yep…you guessed it…ROCKS! 

Multi-purposing Tip #2 – Mast and Hiking Stick

Depending on what type of antenna you choose to use on a SOTA activation, you’ll need some way of supporting it.  While a tripod type mast works great, these are generally heavy and may still need to be guyed on the summit of a mountain. 

A valuable tip I learned from Steve, wG0AT was to use a hiking staff as the lower mast section of my vertical antenna.  You can find hiking staff models which have a removable knob or handle revealing a threaded stud.  This threaded stud is intended to allow the hiking staff to double as a monopod. 

I use a threaded adapter which allows for the Buddipole Versatee to screw down on the top of my hiking staff (with knob removed).  This means I’m not having to carry anything else along with me to support the antenna.

I hope these two tips will help you save a little weight in your pack and at the same time make for a more enjoyable summit activation.  If you have a multi-purposing idea, please contact me.   You’ll find a convenient email icon in the upper right hand corner of the page in the Follow Me section.  Alternatively, you can look up my email address on QRZ or just send an email to my callsign at ARRL dot net. 

Until next time…

73 de KDØBIK

HamLog is an iOS and Android application developed by Nick Garner, N3WG.  Nick has developed over a dozen different apps.  One I mentioned briefly in another blog post is his Pocket SOTA app.  You can view Nick’s listing of Apps from his website. 

As I mentioned, I’ve owned HamLog for a few years.  I believe Nick developed and released it in 2009.  I’ve watched Nick make many changes to the HamLog app over the years.  While I’ve tried using it to log contacts, I found I could log via pen and paper much faster.  Especially with operating SOTA, you can easily find yourself generating a large pileup.  The extra time it takes to manually key in all the info was just something I wasn’t interested in for my own operational setup.  Until now…

Please take a few minutes to watch this video.  Nick introduces some new enhancements to the HamLog App as well as a new piece of hardware called Pigtail Air.  Pigtail air will allow for true rig control through the HamLog app and of course will speed up the logging process. 

I believe the Pigtail Air device, coupled with my new KX3 (when it arrives) and my iPad will make a fantastic SOTA or portable logging setup.  I’ll now have an excuse to buy that Otterbox Defender iPad case.

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK

A fellow ham who I’m honored to call a friend, Chris Matthieu, N7ICE and owner/developer of the amateur radio social networking site 73s.com has developed a process for helping to bridge the APRS to Twitter gap.  This process essentially enables anyone with an APRS enabled device (like the Yaesu VX-8 model) to send an APRS message via ham radio which the 73s.com website will retrieve and post it on your behalf to the social networking site Twitter. 

In a nutshell, here’s how it works. 

1.  Sign up for a free Twitter account.
2.  Register for a free account at 73s.com
3.  Link your Twitter account to 73s.com via your 73s.com profile page.
4.  Test by sending an APRS text message to 73s from your APRS enabled transceiver.
5.  Watch for that tweet to get posted to Twitter. 

It really is this simple.  With the VX-8’s ability to store up to five messages, you could easily setup in advance the messages you would want to send out to Twitter, then pull them up and send away.  Or you could always just manually do it from your mobile web-enabled device.  But that isn’t near as cool as doing via amateur radio.

Please watch Chris’ how-to video below and consider giving this a try for your next SOTA activation.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Until next time…

73 de KD0BIK