People who wish to receive the PNW SOTA Newsletter

K7AGL's picture
Greg Letendre
W7O/WV

Project Manager in Healthcare in Portland Oregon area.
Formerly KJ7EHA.

Currently working towards achieving 200 summits 100% unique.
Formerly KJ7EHA.

WL7KV's picture
Gary Hart
W7W/CC

TBD

AE7I's picture
Craig Sande
W7N

I have been a CW op from the time I was licensed in 1976. For some reason, I only discovered SOTA in 2014. I love the outdoors and am always drawn to the mountains. Now, in retirement, I have been able to merge my interests while keeping myself fit and healthy.

So far SOTA has taken me to many summits throughout the Sierra Nevada range and local Nevada ranges. In 2024 I was able to activate a summit in the Lofoten Islands of Norway and am looking forward to activating a few summits in Japan soon. I typically use an Elecraft KX2 with 40m EFHW, but also use a KH1 or K1. I enjoy building my own antennas and experiment frequently.

WX7OR's picture
Jeff McKinnis
W7O/WV

I have been licensed since 1994 and climbing mountains since 1997. Other hobbies include camping, kayaking, and canyoneering. My wife and daughter both have their license and mostly enjoy accompanying me on my adventures.

My portable equipment includes HF and VHF/UHF radios and antennas- IC-V86, KX2, KH1, FT-891, and IC-705. I prefer to find remote peaks that require some fun driving and/or bush whacking. My wife (KE7HUP) usually joins me on my adventures and will provide an extra contact for those in need.

I started re-learning Morse code in November ‘23 and am finally somewhat proficient at 15 wpm. More and more of my activations are with CW now.

My first taste of mountaineering and radio was a VHF contests from Mt Hood and South Sister, but that was before SOTA was started.

N1CLC's picture
Chris
W6

Summits on the air, Ninja wannabe.

I do as much as I can. Working toward double goat greatness.

K7AMM's picture
Bryan Estes
W7O/WV

Originally from north Idaho, I've been living in the Portland area since 2009. I studied philosophy, literature, and education, and lived in Japan and France. Currently I teach computer science and woodworking at Corbett High School.

I'm drawn to logistically interesting summits, near or above the treeline. Other interests that intersect with SOTA: mountaineering, splitboarding, dual-sport moto, cycling. I mostly operate CW and 2-meter using my KX3 and homebrew antennas.

K1ZMA's picture
KC
W7O

PNW native and hiker/backpacker. I had my Technician license for years, but only started using it recently due to friends getting me into SOTA. I recently upgraded to General and have been doing POTA, as well.

My SOTA rig is an X6100 running an MC-750 vertical (and occasionally a wire to a 9:1 unun). Been hitting OR and WA peaks this year, but plan to get outside the PNW more in the coming years.

KR7KN's picture
Ryan
W7W/SO

Born and raised in Washington. Enjoy POTA and interested in SOTA

All of my radio operations are field portable/ POTA. I have hunted SOTA activators occasionally but want to become more involved and possibly start activating some summits

K7VK's picture
Vick Applegate
W7M/LM

Licensed as WN7DEO in 1965. As WA7DEO upgraded to Extra. 1996 changed call to K7VK.
Retired Forest Ecologist/Forest Silviculturist USFS.
Operate 160m through 70cm. New to SOTA in 2016. Love to summit scramble and wish I'd have known about SOTA years ago.

I activate and chase. Got into SOTA in 2016. Now using a KX3 and am looking forward to scrambling summits while I'm still able to. SOTA has already taken me to summits I would not have otherwise hiked. Two summits activated in and near the Bob Marshall/Scapegoat Wilderness have thrilling views, W7M/GA-084 & GA-163. My heart rate elevated when my radio was placed near large piles (fortunately old) of grizzly bear scat.

AK7U's picture
Kevin Stanton
W7O

New to ham radio in 2021.

None so far

WB7VTY's picture
Joe Korpela
W7W/WV

Licensed in about 1977. Passed Extra exam in 1988 with 21 WPM CW. Main interest QRP CW. Best; Japan on 15M CW with 1/2 watt. Hobbies amateur radio, astronomy (Celestron 9.25" SCT and Celestron NexStar5SE), hiking, camping. Home Station; Kenwood TS590SG, MFJ-949 Tuner, 160m dipole, 80M OCFD, 30M OCFD, Kenwood TMV71 with Diamond 510 vertical. SOTA / Portable; Yaesu FT817ND, Hendricks PFR3B Kit (I built it in 2017) MFJ16010 Tuner, LDG Z817 Tuner, 58 foot wire. SKCC # 7735

I use the same radio on the desk that I use portable - and ICOM 705. I also have a Hendricks PFR3B that I built a number of years ago. Im QRP only on HF. Antenna at home is a Chameleon Emcom 2 set up as a dipole. For portable I use either a chameleon MPAS Lite, or a 58 foot piece of #26 polystealth wire with a LDG 9:1 unun. All of the antennas are good for 160 - 6 meters. For antenna tuners - the PFR has a built in BLT and with the 705 I use either the AH705 auto tuner or a MFJ 9219 manual QRP tuner. I also have a Yaesu FT60 handheld and a Kenwood TMV71A that I use on the desk. For portable power I use the Bioenno batteries and a solar charging system for prolonged portable use. Favorite mode on HF is CW.

WU7H's picture
Josh Gibbs
W7W/KG

Father of 2 teenaged sons and very active in Boy Scouts. Avid backpacker, QRP CW OP, restorer of ancient Volkswagens, dirt bike rider, computer nerd, and all around nice guy =) PNWSOTA admin and host.

I went on my first SOTA activation with Rich (AC7MA) and Bill (WA7NCL) in July 2017. I was hooked! I now have a KX2 and have been going on as many activations as my schedule will allow. I mainly do CW and sometimes 2m FM.

NN7O's picture
Tom Hardy
W7O/NC

Started SOTA when I lived in Bishop, CA, and got spoiled with short trips (but tough hikes) to 8 and 10 point summits. Now retired to Astoria, OR, and am adapting to coastal living and trying to not be concerned about points. Beautiful hiking and summits here! Doing more chasing, too, since given that retired people can spend time sitting at the radio. Field rig is a KX2, usually into a random wire or an EFHW.

Mostly HF CW. Rig is KX2, usually into an EFHW or random wire.

K7TPH's picture
Mickey Pillers
W7I-SR

Raised in the Great Basin country. Recently retired from 40+ year career with USFS. Started amateur radio October 2019.

Planning stage so far. SOTA activities were significant aspect of my decision to get involved with amateur radio. Currently putting together equipment suitable for SOTA work.

KK7LHY's picture
Kyle Westhaus
W7W/KG

See QRZ

VHF FM, also starting to learn CW for HF activations.
Mountaineering objectives near Seattle, interested in first activations.

(last updated 2025 March 09)

K7MAS's picture
Mark Sandler
W7W/KG

Amateur Radio Operator since March 1995.
Mountain Climber Since 1972.

Activator - Since 2011

AG7GP's picture
Amy Haptonstall
W7O/CS

Licensed 2017. Enjoy portable activations. Just learning cw.

Interested in activating.

KL0NP's picture
Will Koenig
W7W/NO

I started doing SOTA in March 2019. I have been learning CW and using my MTRB3. I completed CW Academy, level 2 in Jan/Feb 2020, and I am enjoying CW. I also use a 3 element Arrow Yagi with an Anytone 878.

I work as a flight nurse in Port Angeles. I work 24 hours on/24 hours off, so I mostly go for day hikes (some long days, hiking down in the dark).

I prefer off trail, by telemark/backcountry skiing when possible. My wife and daughter activated Mt. Adams, and I have done about 50 peaks in the Northern Olympics. My first activation was up at Hurricaine Hill, and Mark, K7NEW, just happened to be there and saw my antenna, so helped me get started.

K7KER's picture
Kathleen Kerns
W7O

I'll fill this out later.

I'll fill this out later.

AC6ZQ's picture
Christophe David
W7W/KG

ON6ZQ | AC6ZQ

SOTA MT, activator, chaser