Let's take advantage of an early SOTA season in Washington and have some fun.
Puget Sound Summit to Summit Party - Saturday May 16th 19:00 UTC (Noon local). Local Summit to Summit activity will be focused on 146.58 MHz FM which makes this a perfect day to introduce both hams and non-hams to SOTA. Invite hams from your local club, bring your kids, neighbor or invite other curious hikers on the summit to make a contact. This is a great day to enjoy and promote our radio sport. Of course HF gear is welcome so we can share our party with all the loyal chasers. Just be ready for the "Party" when 19:00 UTC rolls around.
To 'claim' your summit, post an alert for our QRV time of 19:00 UTC (on 16/05/2015) and a frequency of 146.58-fm with a comment "Puget Sound S2S Party" on www.SOTAWatch.org (you'll need to register if you haven't).
For your gear, a HT with 5 watts and an aftermarket whip should be sufficient to work most everyone. However, a gain antenna could be a benefit - a car mag mount on a cookie sheet, a simple yagi or a 5/8 wave are options to consider. (Remember to open your squelch to hear the weak ones.)
Be sure to document S2S contacts in both your Activation Log and in the Chaser/S2S Log on www.SOTAData.org.uk.
Here's a list of some summits you might consider:
Issaquah Area:
South Tiger Mtn - W7W/KG-121: http://www.pnwsota.org/node/402
Tiger Mtn - W7W/KG-115: http://www.pnwsota.org/node/534
West Tiger Mtn - W7W/KG-116: http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k7atn/2012-july-30/west-tiger-mountain-wa-july-2012
Squak Mtn - W7W/KG-122: http://www.pnwsota.org/node/361
Wilderness / Whittaker Peak - W7W/KG-132: http://www.pnwsota.org/node/341
Little Si - W7W/KG-134: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/little-si
Skagit County Area:
Mt. Eire - W7W/SK-169: http://www.pnwsota.org/node/214
Little Mtn - W7W/SK-173: http://www.pnwsota.org/node/215
Little Baldy - W7W/SK-168: http://www.pnwsota.org/node/211
GPX file of trail to summit: http://www.pnwsota.org/content/w7taos-gps-paths
Snohomish County:
Mt. Pilchuck – W7W/SN-105: http://tinyurl.com/k27xua9
Olympic Peninsula
Mt. Walker - W7W/NO-163 http://www.pnwsota.org/node/434
73,
Todd-W7TAO
Matt-KF7PXT