Diet SOTA Episode #1 with Rob Kingery - AE7AP

Rob (AE7AP) looking towards Hawks Rest

Hello, this is Allen Le Vie, amateur radio call sign KH7AL. This is a blog recap of my first interview for the “Diet SOTA” podcast series I started in 2024. What is Diet SOTA? Well, it’s a little play on words that I came up with for 1) my goal to keep plenty of SOTA in my “diet” (I wish I could do more of it), and 2) diet as it a lighter look at this program, that is well defined and professionally organized, to take a look at the lighter, human aspect of why so many of us thoroughly enjoy this part of ham radio. The following is an overview of my interview with Rob Kingery, AE7AP, on January 25th, 2024. To hear the complete interview, check out my YouTube page at this link: www.youtube.com/@Kh7alBlogspotSOTA (or directly at https://youtu.be/OQ0L4jZsiSs)

As you listen to the conversation with Rob I hope you will also hear what I observed, that he’s a thoughtful, exceptional ambassador to the SOTA community, and to ham radio at large.

Rob has been the SOTA Association Manager for Montana since 2014. Rob and his wife Barb (AE7AQ) have been an active part of the SOTA community ever since. Together, Rob and Barb, are affectionately referred to as “the dynamic SOTA duo” by local Helena hams, who have continued to support their activations around the Helena area, and from some truly amazing and remote locations across Montana and Idaho. We always enjoy hearing from them about their multi-day backpacking adventures that inspire us all. Rob is a SOTA “Goat” with over 340 activations under his belt, and has tallied up more than 1650 activator points.

Rob’s Introduction to Ham Radio

Rob shared how his journey into ham radio began through the influence of his wife, Barbara (AE7AQ). He explained that the initial push to get licensed was part of a larger plan to equip themselves with valuable communication skills for their travels during retirement. They had dreams of going sailing someday and realized they would need a communication plan.

“We came up with this idea of sailing [but a] sailboat was way out of our reach at that time, at least the kind you’d sail any distance in. But in researching it, it became apparent that it was beneficial to have your ham radio license. So my wife came up with the idea. Let’s get our ham radio license. * – Rob Kingery

Barb (AE7AQ) looking towards Sphinx Mountain

Rob’s Introduction to SOTA

Rob recounted his first encounter with the SOTA program and how the challenge of combining radio operation with physical activity appealed to him. He described his and Barb’s first activation, which involved a mix of anticipation and improvisation due to their relative inexperience at the time.

“I don’t remember how I discovered [SOTA], and I read up on it and decided I’d give it a whirl. …And so our first activation, we decided to just hike from our house. … And I loaded up a couple SLA batteries and … we just went on this seven mile hike [and] made what’s normally a three quarter mile hike and a seven mile hike,” Rob chuckled while remembering that first go.

Personal Stories and Experiences

Rob offers vivid anecdotes from various SOTA activations, emphasizing both the physical challenges and the unexpected joys of operating in remote locations. He highlighted a particular concern when activation during the summer months.

“The scariest thing that we encounter is invariably thunder and lightning.” – Rob Kingery

Technical Aspects of SOTA Activities

Rob delved into the technical setup required for successful activations, discussed his preference for lightweight, reliable gear. He talked about learning from equipment failures and adapting his approach based on real-world experiences in diverse environments.

Community and Social Aspects

Emphasizing the community aspect, Rob reflected on the friendships and connections forged through SOTA. He appreciates the dual roles of activator and chaser as ways to engage with and support the broader ham radio community.

“[SOTA is] kind of a nice size where there’s a real sense of community with the Summit On The Air program.” – Rob Kingery

Future Plans and Aspirations

Looking ahead, Rob expressed his commitment to furthering the reach and inclusivity of the SOTA program. He shared his excitement about upcoming activations and his desire to bring more enthusiasts into the fold.

“You know, first I used to be a little bit goal driven, the 25 mile radius [from home] thing…but I think we get the most joy out of places we’ve never been before.” – Rob Kingery

Rob’s SOTA journey embodies the themes we hope to witness in the ham radio at large; community, fun, adventure, and technical aspects that define the SOTA experience. His perspective reminds us that at the heart of SOTA is this incredible blend of nature, tech, and human connection. Thanks for sharing your journey, Rob, and for inspiring us to reach new heights, literally and figuratively.

Stay tuned for the next episode of Diet SOTA. If you, or someone you know, might be a candidate to be featured on a future episode send me your feedback. Leave me a reply here or email me at KH7AL@ARRL.NET.

Safe hiking, activating, and chasing, and until next time, 73!

AL ~ KH7AL