Great info. I am a new General and ham. I have 10 activations in my first month of doing SOTA. I travel all over the place for work a lot of places near mountains. I have spoke to so many people about what I am doing and a couple have expressed genuine interest. I think SOTA is a great way to introduce people to ham. Right now I am using my FT60R and a roll-up Jpole (over 90 miles on 5W!) but having two failed activations already I want to improve my chances in HF bands. Looks like a new FT818 will be in my backpack soon!
The FT-818ND and FT-60R are fantastic radios. That’s what I take in the field. You’ll enjoy the FT-818ND. There’s a ham who makes a great power adapter for the 817/818. www.ebay.com/itm/FT-817-FT-817ND-FT-818-Anderson-PowerPole-Adapter-Power-Connector-/223073076701
Love all the SOTA videos you post. So jealous because I always wanted a dog and daughters. ( my son is a gunners mate in the USN busy Americaing tonight) My FAVORITE video moment has to be when you and your daughter took time to pray and give thanks. Awesome!
That was a very special trip for the both of us. That's my oldest daughter and she is a total daddy's girl. I feel very blessed by all three of my kids and my granddaughter.
Amazon says the handheld radio you linked is not availableDo you have a comparable substitute you can recommend? Do you carry hot sauce or any spices to add to your dehydrated meals? Love your videos!
Hey Tom the radio that replaced the VX-8 series seems to be the FT-2 series so you can have APRS in a HT. They aren’t as rugged as the VX-8 so consider that or look for a used VX-8 maybe. No need to spice up the mountain house meals as they are actually pretty good IMO, and way better than the MREs I used to eat when in the military. Thanks for your support man, it’s greatly appreciated.
Hey Jerry, sorry for the novice question but if you Yaesu FT-817ND has an internal battery what is the purpose of the external? If the unit were to go with just the internal battery pack would it die out too quickly? Good stuff bro; just got my technician's license so I'm hoping to join your and K6CMD on some SOTA activation's this hiking/backpacking season.
+Tuba Solo the Hiker hey Steve congrats on your license! Be aware if you're a techy kind of gadget guy this can get expensive real quick 😁. Regarding the 817 & external battery pack, you are correct in that it zaps the internal battery pretty quick especially if you push it at the max of 5 watts. When I go out for overnight I like to work as many bands as I can to enjoy the summit activation. If you even consider multi day trips or even multi peaks it would really suck to make that summit then set up and find out your batteries are dead or low blowing the activation. You might say oh well I'll do it again one day which is true but I put my activations out via APRS and do alerts so there are others waiting for me to summit. It'd be a let down for them and if they aren't on TH-cam they may never know what happened and you look like a inconsistent SOTA activator. Long answer I know but I also subscribe to one is none and two are one. What radio are/did you buy?
+Kyle Krieg Hi Kyle, The green tarp is the Kelty Upslope Tarp, it's my light weight tent so to speak that I use in conjunction with my bivy bag. You can check it out here www.rei.com/product/865451/kelty-upslope-tarp?&s_kwcid=sDgp6VJyb_dc%7Cpcrid%7C71493705125%7Cpkw%7Ckelty%20upslope%20tarp%7Cpmt%7Ce%7Cgoogle%7Cmain%7CNB&gclid=Cj0KEQjwm4mwBRCni-ivmePYivkBEiQAdGkklgpfDZcgOaIUlZtHcun2B4i59CvrUzmQ2dK_ClWmXJsaAsi48P8HAQ
Hi Philip - absolutely! I was reviewing my channel and watched the video I did on APRS2SOTA and I want to improve the video quality on how that works. It's a very handy feature that I fully believe in especially since I mostly hike solo with my dog. She's great company but hard to hear on the hand mic hi hi :)
Jerry I do a lot of backpacking in So Cal, it would be helpful to get info on using HAM as a way to communicate w/ the wife, what r some things to know?
If she's a HAM then that's more than half the battle. For SOTA I alway use APRS and I've installed the app on her phone too in case I need to send her a text or coordinate for a different repeater if 146.520 doesn't work. If I'm camping then I just set up a sked for us to use and I ensure I know what I can hit from my house. I also have some fellas on a few machines that I can call in a favor if need be to get her to either QSY or send her a text saying I'm ok. That's all she really wants to hear anyway lol.
Jerry, I see you are using the LNR trail friendly antenna. Do you use a antenna tuner with IR or does it tune up without one? Thanks again. 73 Roger W8RLP
zanado11 love that antenna! I started out with the Z100 autotuner by LDG but then tuned (trimmed) the antenna to 40m per the instructions and now no longer use or own the Z100 as it is no longer needed. Antenna is awesome on 40/20/10m as advertised. Hope that helps you.
Hey Hosh, yes it does. Instructions call for it to be tuned on 40 with an alalyzer then it drops in on 20,15 & 10. 15 being a bonus as a harmonic of 40m. My SWR on 40m was 1.3 to 2.4 across the band, on 20m 2.0 - 2.3 across, and 1.3 - 1.5 across 10m. I didn’t like where 20m landed but it was acceptable. Now I just make resonate antennas and have SWR at 1.1 - 1.5 across the whole 20m band. Video on the antenna I made forthcoming as it’s ultra lightweight and portable. Thanks for the sub and comment. I do believe we have a mutual friend too.
Hi David - sorry for the delay in response but you had me trying to remember. What I do know is I will be doing a brand new video with my updated load out as I've made some changes. I bought two different scales to weigh my items so video will be out very soon and have great details on the gear and load out weights. Thanks for being patient.
So I looked at that app and according to what I read it should work much like the OpenAPRS app I use. One of the reviews even suggested they use it for SOTA like how I do so it might be worth a look. Hope that helps and let me know. Be aware you’ll need your license in order to register and use the app since it will be tied into your call sign.
Jerry Hildeman definitely will do alot of things I started planning I can't do till I get my license. I do hope they change it in the future the questions to be more user based and not something like a engineer has to know
Hi Sean, You can get the flag and some other swag directly off the SOTA website. They are based in the UK so an exchange rate will be necessary but simple using their online store. Follow this link www.sota-shop.co.uk Hope this helps.
Hey Ray - Glad you enjoy the videos and stay tuned because my schedule has just freed up so there'll be more coming starting this weekend. While the General Class bands are helpful, you can still do most of the activations on VHF with an HT. At those elevations your VHF range via QRP is unbelievable especially if you are near a fairly populated location like I am in So Cal. Have you had a chance to give it a shot yet?
Great info. I am a new General and ham. I have 10 activations in my first month of doing SOTA. I travel all over the place for work a lot of places near mountains. I have spoke to so many people about what I am doing and a couple have expressed genuine interest. I think SOTA is a great way to introduce people to ham. Right now I am using my FT60R and a roll-up Jpole (over 90 miles on 5W!) but having two failed activations already I want to improve my chances in HF bands. Looks like a new FT818 will be in my backpack soon!
The FT-818ND and FT-60R are fantastic radios. That’s what I take in the field. You’ll enjoy the FT-818ND. There’s a ham who makes a great power adapter for the 817/818. www.ebay.com/itm/FT-817-FT-817ND-FT-818-Anderson-PowerPole-Adapter-Power-Connector-/223073076701
Thank you for walking through your gear. It gave me some ideas on how to refine my field setup.
You should have tens of 1000s of subscribers by now your content is terrific.
Thanks man! Feel free to share and help me get there. 🍻
Love all the SOTA videos you post. So jealous because I always wanted a dog and daughters. ( my son is a gunners mate in the USN busy Americaing tonight)
My FAVORITE video moment has to be when you and your daughter took time to pray and give thanks. Awesome!
That was a very special trip for the both of us. That's my oldest daughter and she is a total daddy's girl. I feel very blessed by all three of my kids and my granddaughter.
Love it Jerry!.. Good stuff.. You know, the 817 is my go-to rig bro..
Ya man! Need to get you out there Freddo!
I just got my license. I can wait to start calling. I’m not even sure what I want to do yet
Thanks for activating SOTA .... videos are done well. Hope to work you ... 73
Do you carry a manual tuner with you? For the 817/818 or did you just cut wire to spec freq?
Last, for the 817 doing SOTA- balun or unun?
Hello what is the name of the “73” app? I can’t seem to find it on my iPhone thanks.
Amazon says the handheld radio you linked is not availableDo you have a comparable substitute you can recommend?
Do you carry hot sauce or any spices to add to your dehydrated meals?
Love your videos!
Hey Tom the radio that replaced the VX-8 series seems to be the FT-2 series so you can have APRS in a HT. They aren’t as rugged as the VX-8 so consider that or look for a used VX-8 maybe.
No need to spice up the mountain house meals as they are actually pretty good IMO, and way better than the MREs I used to eat when in the military.
Thanks for your support man, it’s greatly appreciated.
Hey Jerry, sorry for the novice question but if you Yaesu FT-817ND has an internal battery what is the purpose of the external? If the unit were to go with just the internal battery pack would it die out too quickly? Good stuff bro; just got my technician's license so I'm hoping to join your and K6CMD on some SOTA activation's this hiking/backpacking season.
+Tuba Solo the Hiker hey Steve congrats on your license! Be aware if you're a techy kind of gadget guy this can get expensive real quick 😁. Regarding the 817 & external battery pack, you are correct in that it zaps the internal battery pretty quick especially if you push it at the max of 5 watts. When I go out for overnight I like to work as many bands as I can to enjoy the summit activation. If you even consider multi day trips or even multi peaks it would really suck to make that summit then set up and find out your batteries are dead or low blowing the activation. You might say oh well I'll do it again one day which is true but I put my activations out via APRS and do alerts so there are others waiting for me to summit. It'd be a let down for them and if they aren't on TH-cam they may never know what happened and you look like a inconsistent SOTA activator. Long answer I know but I also subscribe to one is none and two are one.
What radio are/did you buy?
Great SOTA videos! What is the neon green tarp shelter you set up on some of your videos?
+Kyle Krieg
Hi Kyle,
The green tarp is the Kelty Upslope Tarp, it's my light weight tent so to speak that I use in conjunction with my bivy bag. You can check it out here
www.rei.com/product/865451/kelty-upslope-tarp?&s_kwcid=sDgp6VJyb_dc%7Cpcrid%7C71493705125%7Cpkw%7Ckelty%20upslope%20tarp%7Cpmt%7Ce%7Cgoogle%7Cmain%7CNB&gclid=Cj0KEQjwm4mwBRCni-ivmePYivkBEiQAdGkklgpfDZcgOaIUlZtHcun2B4i59CvrUzmQ2dK_ClWmXJsaAsi48P8HAQ
When I get my ticket and my first radio I'm making a goal of mine to make a contact to you from Alabama, 73 elmer Jerry
good
Ah, a fellow Jocko fan - good
Thanks so much the HT microphone and the aprs, could you go over that again for me I'd really appreciate it
Hi Philip - absolutely! I was reviewing my channel and watched the video I did on APRS2SOTA and I want to improve the video quality on how that works. It's a very handy feature that I fully believe in especially since I mostly hike solo with my dog. She's great company but hard to hear on the hand mic hi hi :)
Jerry I do a lot of backpacking in So Cal, it would be helpful to get info on using HAM as a way to communicate w/ the wife, what r some things to know?
If she's a HAM then that's more than half the battle. For SOTA I alway use APRS and I've installed the app on her phone too in case I need to send her a text or coordinate for a different repeater if 146.520 doesn't work. If I'm camping then I just set up a sked for us to use and I ensure I know what I can hit from my house. I also have some fellas on a few machines that I can call in a favor if need be to get her to either QSY or send her a text saying I'm ok. That's all she really wants to hear anyway lol.
KG6HQD Jerry Great info Jerry, tx for sharing
Jerry, I see you are using the LNR trail friendly antenna. Do you use a antenna tuner with IR or does it tune up without one?
Thanks again. 73 Roger W8RLP
zanado11 love that antenna! I started out with the Z100 autotuner by LDG but then tuned (trimmed) the antenna to 40m per the instructions and now no longer use or own the Z100 as it is no longer needed. Antenna is awesome on 40/20/10m as advertised. Hope that helps you.
KG6HQD Jerry so you cut the random wire to 40m and it still does ok on 20 and 10 without a tuner? Nice!
Hey Hosh, yes it does. Instructions call for it to be tuned on 40 with an alalyzer then it drops in on 20,15 & 10. 15 being a bonus as a harmonic of 40m. My SWR on 40m was 1.3 to 2.4 across the band, on 20m 2.0 - 2.3 across, and 1.3 - 1.5 across 10m. I didn’t like where 20m landed but it was acceptable. Now I just make resonate antennas and have SWR at 1.1 - 1.5 across the whole 20m band. Video on the antenna I made forthcoming as it’s ultra lightweight and portable.
Thanks for the sub and comment. I do believe we have a mutual friend too.
Hi Jerry, great video! It only left me wondering what the total weight is?
Hi David - sorry for the delay in response but you had me trying to remember. What I do know is I will be doing a brand new video with my updated load out as I've made some changes. I bought two different scales to weigh my items so video will be out very soon and have great details on the gear and load out weights. Thanks for being patient.
Thanks Jerry, no worries about the delayed response. I look forward to the upcoming videos.
How do you set up the HT antenna for side band use?
didn't see a key, no CW?
I’m. Slow code General from about 20 years ago so I’m relearning again now actually. Signed up for the Sep CW academy and I have a key for my KX2 😎👍🏻
What is that name of that aprs AP to send and receive shit via ham
baudellio charles it’s called OpenAPRS but the developer needs to update it for iOS 11.
Jerry Hildeman I see aprsdroid I don't see openaprs on my Google store
baudellio charles oh, I’m not too familiar with the droid platform but my son is at my house so I’ll check real quick and see
So I looked at that app and according to what I read it should work much like the OpenAPRS app I use. One of the reviews even suggested they use it for SOTA like how I do so it might be worth a look. Hope that helps and let me know. Be aware you’ll need your license in order to register and use the app since it will be tied into your call sign.
Jerry Hildeman definitely will do alot of things I started planning I can't do till I get my license. I do hope they change it in the future the questions to be more user based and not something like a engineer has to know
Jerry, where were you able to buy a SOTA flag from?
73, Sean
Hi Sean,
You can get the flag and some other swag directly off the SOTA website. They are based in the UK so an exchange rate will be necessary but simple using their online store. Follow this link www.sota-shop.co.uk Hope this helps.
great video. Just what I was looking for to learn how to SOTA. still have to get my general though. kg7swn
Hey Ray - Glad you enjoy the videos and stay tuned because my schedule has just freed up so there'll be more coming starting this weekend. While the General Class bands are helpful, you can still do most of the activations on VHF with an HT. At those elevations your VHF range via QRP is unbelievable especially if you are near a fairly populated location like I am in So Cal. Have you had a chance to give it a shot yet?
thankyou .
nicely done....... inspiring.
de KF4LBG
You're welcome Larry. The weather is changing for the better here in So Cal so it's time to get started back up again soon.
I look forward to seeing your progress........
SOTA!
I admire your direction..........