People who wish to receive the PNW SOTA Newsletter

WU7H's picture
Josh Gibbs
W7W/KG

Father of 2 teenaged sons and very active in Boy Scouts. Avid backpacker, QRP CW OP, restorer of ancient Volkswagens, dirt bike rider, computer nerd, and all around nice guy =) PNWSOTA admin and host.

I went on my first SOTA activation with Rich (AC7MA) and Bill (WA7NCL) in July 2017. I was hooked! I now have a KX2 and have been going on as many activations as my schedule will allow. I mainly do CW and sometimes 2m FM.

KF7EJ's picture
Will Sohn
W7O/WV

Mid 70's Vietnam veteran. I am very disabled. Military says I am totally and permanently disabled, I plan to show them I can still function. Have been a Ham for close to 40 years.

Just getting started with SOTA.

K7TME's picture
Larry Bever
Lower Columbia (W7W/LC-xxx)

Helped with some activation's around the Mt. St. Helen's area and farther. Just thought I should sign up and truly participate.

I guess I am a chaser so far. I have a place near Mt. St. Helen's and my radio is usually on 146.520. I am up most weekends so give me a call! With the help of NA7Q I hope to have a dedicated APRS site near Marble Mountain up this year.

W7WRP's picture
Will Patten
W7W/NO

Got my ham radio license in 2020. Live on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington. I enjoy backpacking and thought it would be a great add for contingency. I then discovered SOTA and POTA and am look forward in getting involved.

I have mostly chased, but have recently activated Blue Mountain (W7W/NO-073). I have a Yaesu FT5D and a ICOM 7300.

K7DHZ's picture
David Zonies
W7O/WV

I am a relatively new operator with knowledge but little practical skill as it relates to SOTA. Wanting to get out more and combine my passion for the outdoors (and away from the City) and radio.

Just getting started in the SOTA world. My Home QTH is too noisy for any real DX so portable it is!

WB6ZGO's picture
Jim Talt
W7O/WV

Married with children. Ham license and drivers permit both 1967. Once worked for companies similar to Tektronix and LAM

An occasional Chaser and Activator: SSB, CW, FM

KK7QMM's picture
Keola Ching
W7W/KG

Love the Puget Sound and all it has to offer. Boating, hiking, camping, and how Ham radio! New Ham, so looking forward to learning more and geeking out on antennas and testing!

Looking forward to combining hiking and radio. As a new Ham, I will be starting out with a simple HT tri-band setup: Kenwood TH-D74A with a N9TAX roll-up J-pole and a small amplifier (RM Italy LA 144). Considering an Arrow Yagi, but want to see how I do with the J pole first, before spending any more money. I'll be taking the General test this month and saving my pennies for a Icom IC=705. From there I'd like to build and test some end fed half wave antennas.

W7NKZ's picture
Rob Garrett
W7O/CN

Currently licensed Tech class but actively studying for General Class

I am brand spanking new to this hobby but I've been "bagging peaks" for almost 5 years. I plan to activate using (preferred) digital or voice. I have a lot to read up on.

AI7OV's picture
Chris Lahoda
W7W

I am an avid PNW hiker for the last 20 years. I just got my license in 2021 and started participating in SOTA in 2023.

So far I have only activated Squak mountain. I look forward to many more activations in the KG area and beyond!

KJ7DZ's picture
Frank Hoonhout
W7OWV

Ham for over 30+ years, looking at doing SOTA now that I am retired.

None

KK7SQP's picture
James Thompson
W7O/WV

I'm originally from the Salem area and went to school nearby.

No experience yet, just purchased a G90. I'd like to do Bald Peak to start with.

KK7OVF's picture
Sean Borgerson
W7O/WV

Amateur radio is pretty new for me (2023). My original motivation for license was to add another preparedness tool but then I realized how much more amateur radio has to offer. I’m a member of the Portland Amateur Radio Club (PARC), ARRL, AMSAT, and try to support some of the local repeater networks. I regularly participate in some nets and try to not miss the Thursday night Outdoors net (https://theoutdoorsnet.net) and the Oregon Traffic and Training Net (on the WORC repeater system). I started doing summits on the air (SOTA) in the fall of 2023 - Besides being another great reason to get outdoors, SOTA offers me a great opportunity to practice good radio form (and get over the anxiousness about saying/transmitting something dumb).

I've enjoyed fishing (mostly mountain lakes and desert rivers) and amateur astronomy for quite a few years. Now SOTA gives me another reason to get outside and play.

W6PZA's picture
Ron Adams
W7O/NC

First licensed in 2013, initially just to pick up my dad's old call (W6PZA), but soon developed my own interests in the hobby. Love outdoor recreation, hiking and backpacking, so SOTA quickly became my focus. Also enjoy casual contesting and going out on county expeditions for the 7QP and CalQSO.

Semi-retired, still do some occasional consulting work. Work life was in local government, City and County land use planner in California. Now living in Oregon and loving it!

I've been active in SOTA beginning in May 2014 with my first activation of Buckhorn Bally (W6/NW-222) near Redding, CA. Main focus is activating summits, but also chase whenever I can. While I now live in Oregon, I still serve as W6-SOTA RM for three northern regions.

I operate mainly HF-ssb mixed with some 2m-FM and digital. Hoping to learn CW - that's the plan anyway.

Radios include IC-705 & KX2. What I take depends on the type of trip, hike, radio conditions, etc. Have an assortment of LiFePO4 batteries for power. I mostly use a Buddistick for HF antenna, but will play around with other types. Do APRS route tracking using a Yeasu FT5DR, but not every trip as it's just another thing to manage.

KK4SPY's picture
Alan Arnold
W7W/LC

I've been a licensed Ham for about 12 years and love being in the PNW! I am a member of the Clark County Amateur Radio Club as well as our local ARES group. I am retired now but worked in various not-for-profit organizations. I am long-time married and we have three children and six grandchildren.

I'm relatively new to the PNW and to SOTA. My primary activity will be in chasing since my days of summitting mountains seem to be behind me. Looking forward to being involved in this aspect of our hobby!

NT3S's picture
Nick Smith
W7O/WV

first licensed in 2020. I've been in construction all my life. The outdoors have always been my goto to reset. My dogs keep me tethered to day trips or an occasional overnighter. TX500 EFHW FT3D 5/8 tele whip and QuadZilla

drive ups hike ups snow shoes on the weekends. I use WE4DX club call typically.

Let's Goooooooooooat 8^P

KL0NP's picture
Will Koenig
W7W/NO

I started doing SOTA in March 2019. I have been learning CW and using my MTRB3. I completed CW Academy, level 2 in Jan/Feb 2020, and I am enjoying CW. I also use a 3 element Arrow Yagi with an Anytone 878.

I work as a flight nurse in Port Angeles. I work 24 hours on/24 hours off, so I mostly go for day hikes (some long days, hiking down in the dark).

I prefer off trail, by telemark/backcountry skiing when possible. My wife and daughter activated Mt. Adams, and I have done about 50 peaks in the Northern Olympics. My first activation was up at Hurricaine Hill, and Mark, K7NEW, just happened to be there and saw my antenna, so helped me get started.

KK7BEW's picture
Justin Rohrer
W7O

I am a fairly new ham, and I enjoy getting out when I have time.

I will probably do mostly activations, although chasing might be fun sometimes. I currently have a Yaesu FT-70D, but am looking to buy an Anytone 878 and either an Anytone 578 or Motorola Mototrbo mobile. I am looking to use a roll-up jpole antenna and maybe power my mobile radios off my Milwaukee batteries.

KF0RST's picture
Jim Ladd
W7O/WV

Just getting started with SOTA! Can send / receive Morse code.. *slowly*. Despite being pokey, still loving the challenge of making contacts.. and of getting to be a shack sloth, too!

Recent SOTA activities:
- Enjoy chasing at home with 2m/20m/40m.
- Have activated two summits so far. Used homebrew inverted-V first time and buddipole second time (the latter being much heavier!)

Just getting started with SOTA. NA7EE and W7ETF have been helping show me the ropes!
- Enjoy chasing at home with 2m/20m/40m.
- Have activated two summits so far. Used homebrew inverted-V first time and buddipole second time (the latter being much heavier!)

W6OFV's picture
Stephen
California

Have participated in two Soto’s & have enjoyed same.

I have only been a spectator and the activator.

WA7JNJ's picture
James Jorgenson
W7W/SN

Licensed in 2017 (Tech) and 2018 (General), I began hearing SOTA stations calling for contacts on 2M. After learning more, I activated two summits in 2018, and have been enjoying activating and chasing since. Appreciate all the friendly folks who activate and chase!

Enjoy activating and currently use both Yaesu FT-70DR and Elecraft KX2. Usually the Elk antenna is used for 2M/70cm, but have also used rollup j-pole, Arrow yagi, or Diamond HT whip. HF antenna is the PackTenna mini end-fed cut for 20m, and recently tried a random wire with 9:1 unun.