SOTA Explained

Summits on the Air (SOTA), is one of fastest developing award schemes that have come into existence in recent years. For the active hillwalker and the home-based chaser of summits alike, this program offers endless fascination. "SOTA Explained" provides the essential guide to this program, hilltop radio, and much more. Taking a portable radio station into the hills and operating from a summit is a fascinating and rewarding way to combine the very best aspects of walking and of amateur radio. SOTA activity is also inexpensive, providing the opportunity to achieve a great deal in amateur radio. Many appreciate the freedom this sort of operation offers and the benefits of having a high radio station far from urban electrical interference. At altitude, even modest sets can deliver astonishing performance: communication across the country and across the continent is routinely available—and on many days, mountain-to-mountain conversations flow across the world.

This 160-page paperback also provides advice for those who do not venture onto the hills but still want to participate in SOTA. There's a whole chapter dedicated to chasers—from the bands to choose, how propagation affects your operation, chasing DX stations, and rare SOTA activations. Not only does "SOTA Explained" detail how SOTA works, but there's advice on safe hillwalking, setting up simple and cheap SOTA stations, and modes of operation. You'll read technical advice on improving your first station, the antennas to choose, and how to run SOTA stations on HF. The book isn't just for those new to SOTA; the more experienced operator will find much of use, too. Be warned: after reading this book, you will never see a hilltop in the same way again.
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