Author: KH7AL
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Chasing Mountain Goat: A Bittersweet SOTA Activation Near Clinton, Montana
After 12 years in Summits On The Air, I’m closing in on Mountain Goat status—one slow, methodical activation at a time. A steep winter climb near Missoula, solid HF contacts from a long-overlooked summit, and a bittersweet reminder of why SOTA is about more than points. Read more
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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. Read more
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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… Read more
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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. Read more
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Going Baldy: Taking on Mountain Baldness with Back-to-Back SOTA Activations
Back-to-back SOTA activations of Mount Baldy and Boulder Baldy in Montana’s Big Belts—solo hiking, ham radio, and mountain adventure. Read more
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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… Read more
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20,000 Contacts Out at Sea, Wake Island Milestone
20,000 Contacts from Wake Island: Milestone Met, Coconuts Cracked It’s not quite 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but logging 20,000 radio contacts from a remote speck in the Pacific does feel a bit adrift—in the best way. Thanks to a surge in June, I hit the goal before heading off on vacation, logging over 2,100… Read more
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FT8 and Compound Calls
KH7AL shares lessons learned from operating FT8 in Fox/Hound mode, including tips for call sign issues in WSJT-X and a recap of a successful 20m session with over 380 contacts. Read more
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An Ode to the Dynamic Dipole
Build your own dipole antenna with scrap parts! Discover tips, formulas, and hands-on guidance for making simple, effective ham radio antennas—including metric and imperial measurements. Read more
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WSJT-X – Fox & Hound Mode: Tips and Tricks for Successful FT8 DXing
Learn how to navigate WSJT-X’s FT8 Fox & Hound mode with these practical tips. Improve your chances of DX success by mastering frequencies, mode settings, and compound calls. Read more