Winter SOTA on Lookout Mountain

(Originally published in QRP Quarterly 2022)

I’ve enjoyed field portable operation with QRP rigs for a while. My first HF radio was a NorCal 40a, which I still love.  My current setup is an Elecraft KX2, a homebrew EFHW antenna, and an inexpensive 7m fishing pole to support the antenna, usually as an inverted vee.  I use a variety of keys, including ones from N0SA, N6ARA, and K6ARK, and also the Palm Mini Paddle.

Lately, I’ve really been enjoying Summits on the Air (SOTA). Some of the best things about the program are the new places it has encouraged me to go to and the fantastic new people I’ve met.  For SOTA, it is important to minimize weight and maximize efficiency. My current kit weights about 3.5 pounds (including everything) – there is still some room for optimization. I’ve been really happy with the antenna I’m using – it’s relatively efficient on 40m, 20m, and 15m and has held up in the field with close to 100 outings. The configuration includes a modest common mode choke at the BNC connector, a short 6’ section of RG-316 coax to the 49:1 unun which is connected to the 66’ radiating element constructed with #26 AWG polystealth wire.  The short coax section allows me to elevate the feed point a few feet off the ground, and the outside of the braid serves as the counterpoise.  The internal antenna tuner on the KX2 will match this system on any band from 10m to 80m. It’s resonant on 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m, but probably less efficient on 30m, 60m, and 80m.  Even on those bands, the tuner will match with a 1:1 VSWR, and I’ve been able to make contacts from the field on those bands as well. 

Hope to hear some of you on the air sometime soon!

73 de K6STR

Winter portable operation from Lookout Mountain in Eastern California (SOTA ref: W6/ND-037).  This peak is vehicle accessible in summer, but makes for a fun and moderate winter ski tour. Photo credit: W6LOR.

Kit for field portable SOTA operation. Clockwise from top: 7m mast collapses down to 45cm; case for KX2 with some band charts and misc notes; Elecraft KX2; Palm Mini paddle; tiny microphone; digital voice recorder (so you can relive your cw contacts!); homebrew EFHW antenna; case for misc. parts, Velcro straps, and earbuds.   Total kit including lightweight cord and tent stakes for guying (not shown) weighs about 3.5 pounds.