Summits On The Air
SOTA Activations
Pack the KX-3 or MTR4B, strap on the hiking boots, and earn those points. SOTA activations in the Montana highlands — from drive-up summits to technical scrambles with small dogs.
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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.
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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 the wait.
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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.
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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.
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An Ode to the Dynamic Dipole
Build your own dipole antenna with scrap parts! Discover tips, formulas, and hands-on guidance for making simple, effective ham radio antennas—including metric and imperial measurements.
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My Guest Appearance: All Across America Podcast – Episode #62
I joined Marc Vig on the All Across America podcast to chat about my Air Force background, life on Wake Island, and ham radio adventures. Tune in to Episode #62 for the full conversation.
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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.
