TIPS FOR ACTIVATORS

THE 5 'Ps'.

I remember at work being taught the 6 P's:

Prior planning prevents piss poor performance.

​Make sure you undertake some planning and research before your activation.

WHAT TO DO IN THE PLANNING STAGE.

  • are you planning a trip - are you going to be driving passed any SOTA summits you would like to activate
  • Refer to the SOTA website regarding the summits you plan to activate
  • Check topo maps, Google Earth - summit access, where are you going to park your vehicle, is there a road to the top, is there shade on the summit
  • Refer to blogs of other amateurs who have activated the summit
  • Conduct a Google search for articles from anyone who may have walked there before, eg local bushwalkers
  • Check the forecasted weather
  • Refer to resources such as HAPCharts to ensure propagation is good
  • is there communication equipment on the summit that may cause interference
  • Check the SOTA Activation Zone Estimator to establish the activation zone for the summit.
  • If you are not confident, plan an activation with someone else
  • If you are also involved in Geocaching, check to see if there are any geocaches.  The Geocache website may also provide information about the summit ifself 

PACKING YOUR EQUIPMENT.

  • Complete a checklist
  • Test all your equipment before heading to the summit
  • ensure you know how all of your equipment functions

POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT YOU MIGHT TAKE.

  • Transceiver/s
  • Antenna/s
  • microphone/s
  • headphones
  • Logbook
  • paper & pen
  • Morse keyer/paddle
  • tuner/balun
  • adaptors
  • fully charged batteries
  • velcro straps
  • octopus straps
  • tent stakes
  • hammer
  • torch
  • mobile phone
  • GPS device
  • Swiss Army knife/Leatherman
  • water supply
  • food
  • headlamp
  • bothy bag
  • whistle
  • binoculars
  • camera
  • gloves
  • hat
  • sunscreen
  • spare socks
  • spare clothes
  • toilet paper/human waste sack
  • first aid kit
  • insect repellant
  • SOTA flag

WHAT TO DO BEFORE LEAVING.

  • post an alert on SOTAWatch3 and/or parksnpeaks
  • ​Advise a loved one of your intentions
  • ​Re-evaluate weather conditions

ARRIVING AT THE SUMMIT.

  • check your checklist again to ensure you have all your equipment
  • Phone your loved one to let them know you are about to activate the summit
  • Post an alert to advise that you are about to activate the summit
  • Recheck weather conditions
  • ​ensure you lock your vehicle

ON THE SUMMIT.

  • Remember that your vehicle cannot form part of your station
  • Keep an eye on the time - don't run out of sunlight
  • Safety first - if you see approaching poor weather, e.g. rain, lightning, consider heading down off the summit
  • Consider other persons who may be on the summit.
  • Announce your new frequency or mode when you QSY
  • Announce when you are going QRT

ON THE WAY DOWN.

  • Leave only footprints.  Do not leave any rubbish behind.
  • If you spot any rubbish left behind by others, and you are in a position to take it down with you, do so
  • Ensure you have all your equipment.

BACK AT YOUR VEHICLE AND THE DRIVE HOME.

  • Change your clothes if wet.
  • Make a phone call home to let your loved one know that you are down off the summit safely and on your way home
  • Drive back home safely - rest if you are tired.
References.
  1. ​K6EL Elliott
  2. VK1DI Ian
  3. VK3AFW Ron
  4. VK3HRA Allen
  5. VK3KAN Rik
  6. VK3YY Glenn
  7. VK3ZPF Peter