SOTA Stats 1010 pts (207 bonus) 175 activations (11 this year) 126 unique summits 3,718 QSOs 10 associations 12y 7m
KH7AL hero
KH7AL · Allen Le Vie

Ham Radio
Elevated.

Thanks for stopping by. My passion for ham radio reside in operating mountaintop portable while participating in Summits On The Air (SOTA). Every activation is unique and teaches me something about researching summits, gear/pack preparation, hiking, activating and just enjoying my journeys in the great outdoors. This site is dedicated to sharing and promoting SOTA and my adventures with ham radio.

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20K+
Wake Island QSOs
175
SOTA Activations
KH9
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96
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Helena Area Drive Up SOTA Summits
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Helena Area Drive Up SOTA Summits

Think SOTA requires a grueling hike? Drive-up summits make Summits on the Air more accessible than ever—no backpacking or blisters required. Just bring your gear, step away from the vehicle, and enjoy portable ham radio from a mountaintop. It’s a fun way to sharpen your skills and maybe even spark a new radio obsession.

Haystack Mountain (W7M/HB-038) SOTA Activation, Third Try's A Charm
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Haystack Mountain (W7M/HB-038) SOTA Activation, Third Try's A Charm

After two winter strikeouts, I finally tackled Haystack Mountain just south of Helena—and this time, summer conditions were on my side. A rugged 4WD approach, boulder-strewn trail, whortleberry-scented air, and fire tower remnants made for an unforgettable hike and radio activation. With 32 contacts logged and views stretching for 100 miles, it was well worth the wait.

Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Double SOTA Summits
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Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Double SOTA Summits

What started as “just a couple summits along a ridge” turned into a 13.5-mile SOTA adventure through Montana’s stunning Gates of the Mountains Wilderness. Two peaks, dozens of contacts (including DX), game trails, and a sockful of burrs later—I earned the points and the memories.

Elkhorn Endurance Run, Ham Radio in the Wilderness
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Elkhorn Endurance Run, Ham Radio in the Wilderness

Ham Radio in the Elkhorns: Endurance, Elevation & Emergency Comms Every August, the Elkhorn Endurance Run puts runners—and radio operators—to the test. Hosted by the Helena Ultra Runners League (HURL), this backcountry race winds through remote terrain with little to no cell coverage. That’s where we come in. For the another year, my sons and I hiked into the hard-to-reach Elk Park aid station to support the event with the Capital City Amateur Radio Club. With antennas deployed, radios checked, and thunderstorms narrowly avoided, we helped ensure 100% accountability of runners across a grueling 50-mile course with 13,000 feet of elevation change. It’s always inspiring to see what these athletes push through—and rewarding to know ham radio plays a vital role in keeping everyone safe.