TIPS FOR ACTIVATORS.
THE 5 'Ps'.
I remember at work being taught the 6 P's:
Prior planning prevents piss poor performance.
Prior planning prevents piss poor performance.
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.
- K6EL Elliott
- VK1DI Ian
- VK3AFW Ron
- VK3HRA Allen
- VK3KAN Rik
- VK3YY Glenn
- VK3ZPF Peter