[AK-VHF] First SOTA

[Brandon Clark]

Hello group,

   The trails are starting to thaw and the high country is becoming
accessible again. That means it's Summits on the Air season! Rendezvous
Peak, above Arctic Valley ski area, is one that I tried to activate for
SOTA before. I wasn't able to get the requisite 4 contacts because of
deteriorating weather and a fast turnaround time at the top, but I'm
planning to take a crack at it again this Saturday. I could use eveyone's
help with contacts. The exchange is just your call sign, my call, and I
give the reference for the peak I'm on. Pretty simple.
   My plan is to be set up on the peak in time for the Saturday net. I'll
check in there to get a quick 4+ contacts over VHF and ensure that the peak
has been properly "activated" per SOTA rules. After that I'm going to try
running digital over HF with a new portable setup I've assembled.
   Alaska has thousands of peaks, but almost none have been activated for
SOTA. Many of those that have been activated were climbed by visitors, so I
think its a matter of pride to get more of these activated by the local ham
community.
Brandon

PS: SOTA is a worldwide thing, and on any given day there are tons of guys
activating peaks, and even more ops acting as "chasers" to provide contacts
to the activators. Us activators REALLY appreciate the help, so check in on
https://sotawatch.sota.org.uk/ to see who is out there whenever you're
looking for something new to try on HF. Nothing makes your day like getting
to the top, sending out a spot, and having hams across the continent try to
work you. It really is a team radiosport.