Tag: Summits On The Air
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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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Tiny Dogs, Big Mountain: A SOTA Misadventure
What do you get when you mix two tiny house dogs, an off-trail SOTA summit, ticks, cacti, and a lost handheld radio? One very memorable misadventure in Montana. Read more
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SOTA Activation – Spokane Hills W7M/HB-135 and Reflections on QSL Cards
07 April 2025 Back Home and Buried in QSL Cards Sorry for the delays in any regular updates. I have enjoyed my time at home on break from Wake Island for the past few weeks, and I honestly have not been too inspired to key up the radio until today. When I first arrived home Read more