Fantastic activation with a great radio. I have both the 817 and 857 and would not be without either of them, oh by the way, if you have access to a 3D printer, print a base cap and no more splitting 👍👍. Many thanks
@@TheTechPrepper looks like a solid adventure! Nice work on the summit, but know when to say when and turn around when it's wise to do so. Sounds like the FT-857 worked well. Sometimes you can make shorter range contacts on 20 and 17 m due to sporadic E. I have made numerous 17 m QSOs to K6HPX and others in AZ from SoCal. It's definitely surprising when it happens.
I need to take a rock climbing class, but we really should have turned around once we saw what we were dealing with. We have a solid approach for next time.
I've had a similar experience between QRP and QRO. It's different when you are trying to bust a pile up, but most of the time QRP is just fine. Great video.
Bingo. I’m taking K6ARK’s suggestion and will be adding some heat shrink. Adding a better stake is a great idea and something I’ll add to the list of todo’s.
@@TheTechPrepper HA! Me too. Now I have 7 QRP rigs 2 QRO and an IC 706MKIIG recently that I logged Red on SOTA with on a hamstick driving down the highway to a two day tactical pistol course. Pinch me, I think I'm in heaven. 73s
That surely looks like fun. Come on dude, my friends and I used to hike all day long in that sort of terrain with all sort of critters when we were like 15. Including snakes. No biggie if you're careful. That's why I started to wear gloves and forearm/elbow and kneepads BTW when hiking...
The weight is a problem on the longer hikes, but this radio has some punch compared to my QRP rig. I typically bring the FT-857D if the round trip is less than 4 miles and assuming I'm not dealing with a lot of elevation gain. The extra power helps. Personally, I would get it if you can find one at a good price and if you enjoy SSB on HF/VHF/UHF. This thing is fun on 2m.
@@TheTechPrepper I use a KX2 now but want to get something for my daughter that is a little cheaper and has the 2m/6m options that the KX2 does not. We do a fair number of short hikes so guess she could take it on those and we could share on the long ones.
@@w6dfmp242 Take a look at an FT-817/8 on the secondary market for her. I use the FT-818ND on my more challenging or longer hikes. It's a QRP rig, but works fine for SOTA. It's all band and all mode.
SOTABEAMS did a fantastic job educating me on how not to use their mast when I contacted them this morning. Among other things, they suggested that I not use rocks as a support. Where did you get your fishing pole?
What batteries are you running? I got a couple of Bioenno Power Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, one 12v 6amp and a 12v 15amp. Haven't had a chance to put them to the test and see how long they'll last, but they have the Anderson Power Poles which makes connections easy.
I ran the radio off a 4.5Ah Bioenno battery and had a second in the pack just in case that I did not use. Operating time was only 30 min (20 minutes at 20 watts on 2m FM and 10-15 minutes at 50 watts on HF SSB). Battery still had power when I turned off the radio.
We certainly do. It's been awhile since i looked it up, but I believe we lead the country in highest number of rattle snake species. Don't quote me, but I believe we have around a dozen species. It's their season right now. We're constantly relocating them in our area.
The FT-857D and amateur Ecom... A marriage made in heaven.
Yes, sir!
Fantastic activation with a great radio. I have both the 817 and 857 and would not be without either of them, oh by the way, if you have access to a 3D printer, print a base cap and no more splitting 👍👍. Many thanks
I love it! That looks like a really fun one if you have a rock climbing buddy. 10 contacts on 2m is a good turn out.
Thanks, Charlie. Let’s plan on doing this from the West side. Much safer.
@@TheTechPrepper looks like a solid adventure! Nice work on the summit, but know when to say when and turn around when it's wise to do so.
Sounds like the FT-857 worked well. Sometimes you can make shorter range contacts on 20 and 17 m due to sporadic E. I have made numerous 17 m QSOs to K6HPX and others in AZ from SoCal. It's definitely surprising when it happens.
I need to take a rock climbing class, but we really should have turned around once we saw what we were dealing with. We have a solid approach for next time.
Even in Ham Radio, we have special forces operators...... Nice Job.
I'm not prior service, but it's fun doing radio amateur radio in the field.
@@TheTechPrepper You have the heart of of serving and preparing. Take care
No that is a sexy radio. From day one, always wanted one.
Great video man
Thanks! It’s a nice rig, but still getting used to it. I hope you find one.
Great video! Great radio! 😎
That was a fun day. Apparently, there was a solar storm that day that did not make the bands terribly helpful. Cheers!
I've had a similar experience between QRP and QRO. It's different when you are trying to bust a pile up, but most of the time QRP is just fine. Great video.
I think you’re right. For SOTA, especially as the activator, QRP is probably all that is needed. Thanks, Tom.
It's very beautiful up there and of course that wide range allows you to excellent work on 144 and 440mhz 👍👍👍
It was really beautiful. It’s amazing how well you can do with 2m/440 while on a summit. One of the stations was about 120 miles out. 73, KT1RUN
@@TheTechPrepper Wooow 120 miles that quite a huge distance without using repeaters or digipeaters. Respect, buddy
I like to put heat shrink on the outside of my poles - especially the carbon ones - to help protect them.
Source for big heat shrink? A?
That’s a great pro tip, Adam. Time to give the mast some outerwear.
@@TheTechPrepper the thick kind with the glue. Marine grade.
Great tip. I have a carbon 6 on order, but I don't think it's getting here anytime soon.
Epic! Good times
Indeed! :-)
The CF mast is probably not liking the leverage put on it internally from that mounting spike. I have the Tac-Mini and its a bit more robust for that.
Bingo. I’m taking K6ARK’s suggestion and will be adding some heat shrink. Adding a better stake is a great idea and something I’ll add to the list of todo’s.
Fun stuff! Now you are a genuine HAMAHOLIC!! We're having fun now!
Pretty much. I should have never bought the Baofeng UV5R gateway drug. ;-)
@@TheTechPrepper HA! Me too. Now I have 7 QRP rigs 2 QRO and an IC 706MKIIG recently that I logged Red on SOTA with on a hamstick driving down the highway to a two day tactical pistol course. Pinch me, I think I'm in heaven. 73s
Looks like a lot of fun. Good job, keep it up. AD8DU.
Thanks. I appreciate the view and support. 73
Don't think I would have made it to the top by myself, definitely a buddy peak. I would have chickened out.
We’re in the same boat. I would have turned around solo. It’s too bad the footage doesn’t capture the actual sensation of being up there.
That surely looks like fun. Come on dude, my friends and I used to hike all day long in that sort of terrain with all sort of critters when we were like 15. Including snakes. No biggie if you're careful. That's why I started to wear gloves and forearm/elbow and kneepads BTW when hiking...
It's a tough habit to break...flinching when one of those little guys pops its head out. Gloves help. Take it easy.
I’m thinking about this for a second portable radio but the weight.... anyway thanks for the video, seems like a very cool and challenging summit
The weight is a problem on the longer hikes, but this radio has some punch compared to my QRP rig. I typically bring the FT-857D if the round trip is less than 4 miles and assuming I'm not dealing with a lot of elevation gain. The extra power helps. Personally, I would get it if you can find one at a good price and if you enjoy SSB on HF/VHF/UHF. This thing is fun on 2m.
@@TheTechPrepper I use a KX2 now but want to get something for my daughter that is a little cheaper and has the 2m/6m options that the KX2 does not. We do a fair number of short hikes so guess she could take it on those and we could share on the long ones.
@@w6dfmp242 Take a look at an FT-817/8 on the secondary market for her. I use the FT-818ND on my more challenging or longer hikes. It's a QRP rig, but works fine for SOTA. It's all band and all mode.
@@TheTechPrepper Will do, thanks for the tips!
My carbon fiber mast/fishing pole is beat up from jamming in crevices. They are cheap so I just have an extra one.
SOTABEAMS did a fantastic job educating me on how not to use their mast when I contacted them this morning. Among other things, they suggested that I not use rocks as a support. Where did you get your fishing pole?
What batteries are you running? I got a couple of Bioenno Power Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, one 12v 6amp and a 12v 15amp. Haven't had a chance to put them to the test and see how long they'll last, but they have the Anderson Power Poles which makes connections easy.
I ran the radio off a 4.5Ah Bioenno battery and had a second in the pack just in case that I did not use. Operating time was only 30 min (20 minutes at 20 watts on 2m FM and 10-15 minutes at 50 watts on HF SSB). Battery still had power when I turned off the radio.
On the bottom of my Carbon 6 I have the cap taped on with electrical tape, then silicon tape over top to take abuse.
Great idea, Malen. Thanks again for the antennas. It’s motivation to get back out soon and try your excellent gifts.
i heard you guys have alot of rattelers in az
We certainly do. It's been awhile since i looked it up, but I believe we lead the country in highest number of rattle snake species. Don't quote me, but I believe we have around a dozen species. It's their season right now. We're constantly relocating them in our area.