The Station
Currently I operate an Elecraft K3 – mostly in the digital modes. I finished off the interior of a tool shed and use it as a radio shack. It doubles as a clean tool shed and a music studio. For antennas I use a multiband doublet that is resonate on 40m. It is up about 40 feet in the trees around the shack. I also have a full-sized 20m rotatable dipole, a 10m rotatable dipole and a Comet CX-333 vertical for 2m and 70cm. There is a map of the rest of the gear below.
Using Boot Camp on a vintage iMac, I run Windows 8.1 native. I use the Ham Radio Deluxe suite including Digital Master 780 as a digital interface via an Xonar U4 external soundcard.
The SOTA station incorporates an Elecraft KX2 with a Bioenno 3AH external battery. My main SOTA antenna is a home brew 20 AWG zip cord doublet that is resonate on 20m. I also carry a PackTenna end-fed random wire antenna for quick deployment in tough conditions. For 2m and 70cm I use a Kenwood TH-F6a and a roll-up Slim Jim. Antennas are supported with a Goture 24′ carbon fiber fishing pole.
The SOTA station carefully wrapped up for quick, snag-free deployment
Latest Posts
Mount Lukens
In preparation for our second leg of The John Muir Trail next week, I pick a strenuous hike.
Mount Gleason and Summit 6,020′
Back in the LA Basin after our first stint on the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada, I activate two summits on a hot morning to stay in shape.
Mount Hooper
By far the most challenging SOTA activation to date is part of a five day backpack trip kicking off our attempt of the entire John Muir Trail
Peak 9,691′
A warm-up hike for the John Muir Trail leads me to activate summit 9,691′ for the first time
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