Hiking and Amateur Radio – my two favorite hobbies. It’s difficult to avoid setting goals for yourself as another year begins. As I was thinking about what I wanted to accomplish this year, the 6 peaks in 12 hours challenge came to mind. This is a challenge of my own making, created to push myself physically, while having fun playing radio. I set out to hike to the top of 6 different Summits on the Air peaks and activate each of them, all within a 12-hour timeframe. As an added challenge, the last peak would be the most difficult, forcing me to dig deep for the completion. Check it out and see if I was up to the challenge.
well done! I am thinking about something like this for this summer, congrats. Regards from Barcelona. Jon EA3BV
Bravo and well done! I really enjoyed this video, mostly because you introduced me to all the hiking opportunities around Phoenix. I wasn't aware SOTA was a thing on VHF/UHF FM. Not sure my hiking partner (wife) would sit still for multiple radio breaks on the trail but it certainly would add another interesting activity to the mix (for me). de Brad-WP2B
Many compliments for the peaks, forthe activations and for the interesting video! Nice mountains there in Arizona, really, I didn't know even that they existed. And did not imagine so many people would hike there and climb those peaks, too. Many 73s from the Alps de IU2IJW, Martino
Good stuff. That's the great thing with SOTA. Everyone can create a personal challenge and have fun with amateur radio. From my knowledge one of the overall epic achivements in that category was done by Manuel HB9DQM with his Churfirsten (Switzerland) challenge in 2020: Activation report can be found here: https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/churfirsten-challenge-six-summits-3700-m-ascent/23238 3700 m are over 12000 feet elevation gain with 29.2 km (18 miles) walked. All that combined with additional 23 km (14 miles) by bike. And every summit activated in HF with a KX2. 73 Joe
My first SOTA was on Camelback last June. I was hooked from that day on. I like the idea of 6 in 12h. I know just the place to do it. Thanks for the inspiration! “73” Erik KE8OKM
VHF/UHF is certainly alive. I have 90+ activations via those modes in the past 7 months. I’ve been stumped ~7 times and have had to call 3 + hours a couple times for the 4 required QSOs. K0NR who did all VHF Mountain goat has a website dedicated to VHF/UHF SOTA if your interested in reading more about it.