Summits On The Air (SOTA) operating events are a great way to promote activity and create opportunities for summit-to-summit radio contacts. Here’s the 2016 calendar, an update of the 2015 list suggested by Guy N7UN. Many of these dates are aligned with VHF events but there will be HF activity as well.
- Jan 30-Feb 1: ARRL Jan VHF Contest + NA SOTA Winter Activity Weekend
Apr 16-17Apr 23-24: North America SOTA Spring Activity Weekend- Jun 11-13: ARRL June VHF Contest + NA SOTA Summer Activity Weekend
- Jul 16-17: CQ WW VHF Contest + optional for SOTA
- Aug 6-7: Colorado 14er Event + NA SOTA Rocky Mtn Rendezvous + W7 SOTA Activity WeekendW7 SOTA Activity Weekend +
ARRL UHF Contest - Sept 10-11: ARRL Sept VHF Contest + NA SOTA Fall Activity Weekend
Of course, any day is a good day for SOTA activity. The August 6-7 weekend looks to be the alignment of the planets with four events happening around that weekend. Early August usually offers excellent conditions for hiking the highest peaks in Colorado, so come on out and play.
For more info on VHF SOTA, see How To Do a VHF SOTA Activation.
Get off the couch, put on your hiking boots, grab your backpack, grab your radio but most important: get on the air!
73, Bob K0NR