Hey coach… I heard that contests are a problem for SOTA activators, and I shouldn’t activate on a contest weekend. Is that true?

Not really true. Number one – There’s a contest almost every weekend. You can’t avoid them. Number two – Only the really big contests could be a problem. So let’s talk about what to do about the really big contests.

• One option is to retreat to the WARC bands. Contesting isn’t done on WARC bands. SOTA isn’t a contest. (It is an “awards program.”) So you can use 17 meters or, if you can do CW, you can use 30 meters.
• One option is to get in there and compete with the contest. Find yourself an unused frequency and go to town as a typical activation.
• If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Participate in the contest. Many contests want you to exchange call sign, signal report, and sequence number. If you don’t generally do contests, that means you’ll say something like, “W1ABC you are number 1 and you are 599” for your first contest QSO, and then, “W2XYZ you are number 2 and you are 599” for your second QSO. Some contests want you to state your county and the other guy will give you his state. (These are called “QSO parties.”) The gentlemanly thing to do when you get home is to record your QSOs on the contest site, in addition to the SOTAdata site. It isn’t hard – really. Just listen to what the other contesters are doing, and imitate them.
• Change modes. Most contests use CW one weekend and SSB another weekend. Whichever mode they are using, you use another.
• Do a VHF activation. Get on your HT and raise contacts on 146.52.

The one thing you can’t avoid about a contact is that some of your regular chasers will be busy with the contest and they won’t be chasing. So don’t expect a million QSOs if you’re competing with Sweepstakes. Oh… and if you activate on the day after a big contest, some of your chasers will be sleeping after contesting for 24 hours straight, so your QSO count will be down.

Contests can add to the difficulty factor. In my first 40 activations, I had one activation where I had to work really hard to make 4 QSOs, and I eventually joined the contest to make my 4th. I’ve had activations where I’ve been working my chasers and a contester started calling CQ on top of me. Other than that, contests haven’t been a big problem.

Note: The contester who called on top of me may have been rude, but he might not have heard me. Remember that I’m running 12 watts and he was probably running a kilowatt. If he’s running a kilowatt into a puny antenna, he could be an alligator (with a big mouth and little ears).

Trip of 2013.11.03

• Succeeded: Yes
• First-activation: Yes

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide: W4G/HC-008, Rocky Mountain

Commentary: An excellent day for SOTA: Beautiful fall weather, beautiful fall colors, really good propagation, and a new antenna.

First hill was W4G/HC-008, Rocky Mountain.  (One of five SOTA summits in Georgia named “Rocky Mountain.”)  The trailhead is just across the street from W4G/HC-002, which is one of my favorite Georgia summits.  

There are two sensible trailheads on Rock Creek Road for this summit – Benton MacKaye trail and Stanley Gap.  On the map, the Stanley Gap trail is a little shorter, but it looks like it runs straight up the side of the mountain.  I was in a hurry, so I went with the shorter trail, expecting a tough climb, but it turned out to be a piece of cake. 

Also, I was expecting to have to bushwhack from the trail to the summit.  I turns out that on the north side of the summit there’s a clear trail running up the ridge line.  Consequently, I reached the summit waaay early and activated early.  (Sorry about that, for those in Pacific Time.)

Then I headed over to Springer Mountain.  There were about 20 cars at the trailhead, and there was a real party going on at the high point.

My new antenna is a 36’ carbon fiber mast with a 20m EFHW cut for minimum SWR.  (For 40 meters I remove the matchbox, and add a single 21’ radial.)  I was concerned that the conductivity of the carbon fiber would mess things up.  I know that others use CF masts, but most activators appear to use a configuration where little of the antenna wire is in direct contact with the mast.  I ran my wire straight up the mast, attached with masking tape.  It worked as well as my slightly shorter fiberglass mast on its best days, was much lighter, and was quicker to set up.  

Thank you chasers!

Trip of 2013.11.03

• Succeeded: Yes
• First-activation: No

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide: W4G/HC-005, Springer Mountain

Commentary: An excellent day for SOTA: Beautiful fall weather, beautiful fall colors, really good propagation, and a new antenna.

After activating W4G/HC-008, Rocky Mountain, I headed over to Springer Mountain. There were about 20 cars at the trailhead, and there was a real party going on at the high point. (Lots of people, lots of noise.)

I set up off to the side, near some backpackers who were about to make camp.  I explained what I was doing, and that I’d be gone in a couple of hours when one of them asked, “Is your name Kevin?”  It was someone from work.  (We all telecommute, so we don’t recognize faces but we do recognize voices.)  This is the second time in the past 6 months that I’ve run into someone from work on a summit.   What are the odds?

I created some confusion at Springer, when I used copy/paste to create the text for my self-spot.  I apologize for any bother that caused chasers.  W4G/HC-008 was about 14:30 UCT and W4G/HC-005 was about 19:00 UCT.

My new antenna is a 36’ carbon fiber mast with a 20m EFHW cut for minimum SWR.  (For 40 meters I remove the matchbox, and add a single 21’ radial.)  I was concerned that the conductivity of the carbon fiber would mess things up.  I know that others use CF masts, but most activators appear to use a configuration where little of the antenna wire is in direct contact with the mast.  I ran my wire straight up the mast, attached with masking tape.  It worked as well as my slightly shorter fiberglass mast on its best days, was much lighter, and was quicker to set up.  (Hey! I had my first QSO with Scotland, and my second Finnish contact with OH9XX!  I also had a partial contact with a GB call sign, but QSB hit before we could complete the contact.)

Thank you chasers!

Trip of 2013.10.20

• Succeeded: No
• First-activation: No
• Propagation forecast on departure: n.a.
• Propagation forecast on return: n.a.

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide: W4C/WM-013, SummitName

Commentary:

I drove to the trailhead, but did not hike to the summit. This summit is on Cherokee land. The Mile High Campground, near the trailhead, is run by a Cherokee. I had planned to ask him for permission, but the campground closed for winter on October 15.

There is a gate across the trail. In my book, crossing a gate on private land is trespassing, so I did not cross the gate.

Trip of 2013.10.20

• Succeeded: Yes
• First-activation: No
• Propagation forecast on departure: 40=fair, 20=good, 17=good, S/N=0-1, K=1, A=3
• Propagation forecast on return: not recorded

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide: W4C/WM-004, Waterrock Knob

Commentary:

Pretty day. Lots of contacts. I think someone was intentionally creating QRM, but the chasers and I persisted through it. There were a couple of dads on the summit with 2 pre-teen girls each. The girls shared my second set of ear buds to listen to the QSOs.

Trip of 2013.10.20

• Succeeded: Yes
• First-activation: No
• Propagation forecast on departure: 40=fair, 20=good, 17=good, S/N=0-1, K=1, A=3
• Propagation forecast on return: not recorded

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide: W4C/WM-003, Richland Balsam

Commentary:

Pretty day. Excellent propagation. Lots of chasers.

I got tired of trying to track down what the kits at http://www.qrpme.com actually do, so here’s a list.

• W1REX Open ALL Night Hamfest Table
  • Does nothing. Always empty. Looks like he intends to use it to sell off his junk box.
• Special #1 A Scratch-Builders FDIM Special
  • Does nothing. DIY circuit boards/panels
• Special #2 Scratch Builders FDIM DX Special
  • Does nothing. DIY circuit boards/panels
• Special #3 40m 7 Crystal Pack
  • Does nothing. Collection of 40m crystals.
• Special #4 FDIM 2013 BeaconatorPCB & Crystal
  • 30m beacon transmitter. Partial kit. (PCB and crystal only)
• Two Tinned Tunas (EZ Build)
  • 40m QRP transmitter, crystal controlled
• Sudden Storm
  • 40m receiver. Can be altered to 10 or 20 or 30 or 80m.
• Rexwood 1000W Receiver
  • 40m receiver. Can be altered to 20 or 30 or 80m. Same as Sudden Storm, with different label.
• XXm SUPER Tuna Band Module
  • Add-on board; alters SUPER Tuna ][+ to run on XXm
• Two Tinned Tunas. Not available.
• Tuna Tin 2. Not available.
• Reggie II
  • 1/10th watt 80m CW transceiver
• Sudden Storm][ Band Module Upgrade
  • Add-on to make Sudden Storm ][ receiver work on 20 or 30 or 80m.
• Sudden Storm Crystals
  • Add-on crystals to provide more frequencies for Sudden Storm receiver
• Sudden Storm SOUP-UP
  • Add-on. LED lighted controls for Sudden Storm receiver.
• Tuna Helper
  • T/R switch. (RF sensing transmiter/receiver antenna switch)
• Texas Topper
  • 40m 5W amp. Upgrade kit available for 20, 30, or 80m.
• Block_Toids
  • Does nothing. DIY circuit board/panel.
• Tuna Topper ][+
  • 40m 5W amp. Upgrade kit available for 20, 30, or 80m.
• QRP Pocket PAL
  • Test equipment. 7/14mHz signal generator, frequency counter, audio frequency sweep generator
• Tuna Power System
  • Gel cell charge controller and power distribution.
• Picnic Table Outlets
  • 5V regulator and various power connectors
• Picnic Table Outlets Upgrade
  • Add on. Adds gel cell charge controller to Picnic Table Outlets.
• Manhattan Chowder Kit
  • Doodads for hacking/modding other kits. No logic. Just blank boards, glue, etc.
• Island Cutter Kit
  • Doodads for hacking/modding other kits. No logic. Just blank boards, glue, etc.
• Zomboids Prototyping Kit
  • Altoids tin plus blank boards, glue, etc. For DIY projects in an Altoids tin.
• Preparation T Kit
  • Toroids and a toroid clamp
• Kids Kit#1 - Learn the Code
  • Code practice oscillator
• Numerical Frequency Indicator
  • Decoration for a transmitter kit
• Numerical RST Indicator
  • Decoration for a transmitter kit
• MePADs
  • Panels for enhanced DIY Manhattan style construction
• MeSquares
  • Connectors for enhanced DIY Manhattan style construction
• RFP RF Probe
  • RF Probe
• Night Sender KEY
  • Practice “oscillator” with an LED instead of a buzzer
• Match-less Dummy Load
  • Dummy load for QRP
• Lobstercon Maine Bugs 2 Kit
  • Picaxe programmable beeper and LED flasher
• UK Bugs Kit
  • Picaxe programmable beeper, LED flasher, with more I/O
• Match-less OP LEDs
  • 2 LEDs on a circuit board with a power connection
• Picaxe Hatchet Kit
  • Picaxe T/R switch, beacon keyed, IR remote controller, timer, temperature…
• Match-less PowerON LED
  • 1 LEDs on a circuit board with a power connection
• Match-less IC Proto
  • Perf-board with connectors for two 16-pin ICs
• AXEme Picaxe Construction Kit
  • Picaxe and some I/O (Not available)
• Match-less Audio OSC
  • Low-powered audio oscillator
• Tuna Construction Zone
  • Decoration for tuna cans
• Tuna Project Board
  • Solder pads on round PC board
• Tuna Construction Zone - Tip Cleaner
  • Solder iron tip cleaner (brass shavings brillo pad)
• XTAL SPECIAL
  • Collection of 80m-20m crystals
• Tuna Tunah
  • QRP antenna tuner
• Lil Squall Transceiver ][
  • 1/4 watt 40m CW transceiver (adaptable for 10 or 20 or 30 or 80)
• SUPER Tuna PicoKeyer Kit
  • Keyer, identical to PicoKeyer from HamGadgets
• SUPER Tuna ][+
  • 40m 2W CW transmitter. Adaptable for 10 or 20 or 30 or 80m.
• SUPER K Keyer
  • Keyer add-on for Super Tuna ][+
• 2011 FDIM Build-Along kit
  • Crystal checker
• Tuna Tin 2 35th Anniversary Issue
  • 1/4 watt 40M CW transmitter
• Dummy Load Construction Set
  • Dummy load
• Lobstercon - not a product; a camp-out/cook-out
• HC49-US Squat crystal 4 pack
  • Collection of crystals 80/40/30/20.
• Lil Squall Band Module Pack
  • Add-on to for Lil Squall for 80/30/20
• Toroid EZ Tools
  • toroid winding clamps
• Ca Bling! Pacificon Buildathon
  • Picaxe LED flasher/beeper
• 49er Picaxe Pacificon Buildathon
  • Picaxe I/R w/4 relays
• Picaxe Playset
  • Picaxe board with I/O
• SUPER Tuna Prototype Band Module
  • Add-on board; alters SUPER Tuna ][+ to run on frequency of your design
• Super Tuna 10 Meter Band Module
  • Adapt Super Tuna for 10m
• QRPme Kit of the Month Club - limited availability. He got as far as 6 months and quit
  • solderless breadboard system
  • 4 Port Directional Coupler (partial power/VSWR meter)
  • Audio Amplifier
  • ‘Fireball’ Style Transmitter
  • IC Prototype Board
  • ‘Universal’ Low Pass Filter
• 2013 FDIM Buildathon Reservation - event, not a product
• Lil Squall 10m Band Module
  • Adapt Lil Squall for 10m
• Sudden Storm 10m Band Module
  • Adapt Sudden Storm for 10m
• BCI Filter / MePad kit
  • Attenuate broadcast band signals by 30db
• Micro80D
  • 1/4W 80m CW transceiver (adaptable to 20/30/40)
• SBSS/PAIR of SBSSs
  • T-slot with nylon screws. Used to clamp circuit boards at 90 degrees
• HOLEY TOIDS!
  • Altoids sized pert board
• FDIM 2013 Buildathon kit Mailed
  • Low powered beacon transmitter
• 40m 7 Crystal pack
  • 7 different 40m crystals
• Beaconator][
  • Low-power beacon transmitter with keyer
• Tuna Topper ][ 4+ band SPECIAL!
  • 20/30/40/80m 5W amp
• DX Tuna can & POSTAGE
  • Shipping surcharge “product” for shipping other products overseas
• Tuna & Texas Topper Band Module pack
  • 20/30/80m kit for Tuna Topper or Texas Topper amps
• MeTubes
  • prototyping board for vacuum tubes
• Quality Tuna Housing
  • Heavy, cast aluminum “tuna can”
• Hollow State Design Book & MeTubes Panel
  • Book and prototype board for vacuum tubes

That’s it.

Ravencliff Knob is an ugly summit. It is interesting because it has an FAA VOR on top, and the hike is lovely, but the summit is seriously ugly.

The VOR is a small building, surrounded by a big gravel parking lot, surrounded by a denuded summit. It looks like they bush-hog the vegetation and then spray it with an herbicide. Consequently, the summit is covered in dead stubble with a powdery dirt mix.

To get to the gated driveway, you drive several miles up a remote dirt road. It is an easy 0.9 mile walk from the gate at the end of the driveway. It was a pretty day, and the leaves are starting to turn.

About 3/4 of the way to the summit, I saw someone’s private little bit of heaven. Waaay in the middle of nowhere, 3/4 of a mile up a gated driveway, someone has a small plot of land with power, a small grass parking area, a covered picnic table, a carport and a storage building. It is clearly a one-trailer RV park. Surrounded by woods. With no neighbors for miles. (The ugly summit is out of sight.)

At any rate, I had activated Standing Indian earlier this afternoon, so this was a late afternoon summit. I had a fine session on 20m until and alligator from the California QSO party landed on me, so I switched to 40 and picked up a few more contacts. I made it back to my car just as the sun set behind the hills. Very nice.

Thank you chasers! Kevin / K4KPK

SOTA Activation Report: W4C/WM-014, Standing Indian

Trip of 2013.10.05

• Succeeded: Yes
• First-activation: No
• Propagation forecast on departure: 40m=Good, 20m=Good, 17m=Fair, S/N=0-1, K=0, A=2
• Propagation forecast on return: 40m=Good, 20m=Good, 17m=Fair, S/N=0-1, K=0, A=1

See my trip planning guide at: SOTA Guide: W4C/WM-014, Standing Indian

Commentary:

My activation was a comedy of errors.

Off to the side the approach road, I saw a small SUV had tumbled off the road. It was a few days old, with a sign taped to the (exposed) bottom that had been rained on. I figured it was old enough that the rescue had happened days ago. I didn’t stop, but I did take it as a reminder to drive carefully. It wasn’t a gnarly road, nor was there any obvious obstacle at that point. Maybe the drive of that vehicle or a vehicle he encountered was going too fast for a dirt road…

It was a beautiful early-fall day, with 0% chance of rain. The drive took longer than I expected and I had a second summit planned for the day, so I hiked up the trail as fast as I could. It is an easy trail to follow.

There’s a grassy clearing with a nice view on top. I guyed a mast with a vertical EFHW. The first thing I always do is to send an SMS from both of my phones (AT&T and Verizon) to a special address I have set up. This gives me a permanent record as to whether SMS is available on a site. I have set up address book entries cleverly named “SOTA-Coverage” for this purpose.

When I was ready to activate, I sent my SMS to self-spot. Then I called CQ. Nothing… So I sent another SMS and called CQ some more. Nada. I checked my antenna, my feed line, my SWR, my power. Again an SMS. And some more CQ. Crickets.

“I’m not getting out,” I thought. So I got on the HT. I can never raise more than a couple of people on VHF. Today, I made 3 S2S, plus I tail-ended a home station. Activation rescued. A couple of my S2S were to teen-agers on nearby summits, so that was unusual. (They both did a FB.)

Then I realized I’d been sending my spots to “SOTA-Coverage” in my phone’s address book and not “SOTA-Spot.” Oops! No wonder nobody heard me. I then had a fine session on 20m.

For 40m, I usually replace the EFHW matchbox with a balun, and run a low radial/dipole-leg to balance the 1/4 wave vertical. Today, my balun fell apart in my hands. I rigged up something with alligator clips, but it wasn’t effective and I made no contacts on 40.