Who really uses the VHF and higher bands (>50 MHz) for Summits On The Air? Last year, I pulled some data from the SOTA database and provided some analysis.
Here is the short story:
Roughly 20% of the SOTA contacts worldwide are on VHF/UHF frequencies and about 90% of these are on 2m FM.
So that’s the information that is in the official SOTA database. For SOTA, I pretty much operate on the VHF/UHF bands so over time I’ve noticed that four types of operators use VHF/UHF for SOTA. Of course, this is based on my own observations, mostly in Colorado but also in other states.
Beginners
Many newer hams or new-to-SOTA hams just grab their handheld radio and go do a SOTA activation. This makes a lot of sense, assuming there is reasonable 2m FM simplex activity around. Summits that are within VHF range of large population areas usually work quite well. A Technician license is sufficient to have fun with this mode (both activating and chasing). If you are new to ham radio, like the outdoors, and have SOTA summits in your area, this is a fun activity to pursue!
HF+VHF Ops
Many SOTA activators are after longer distance contacts so they naturally gravitate to the HF bands. Some leave VHF behind, as they focus on HF operating. However, many SOTA activators and chasers keep a VHF radio in their toolkit, often treating it as an add-on to their HF activity. Sometimes the VHF radio becomes the fail-safe mode if things are not working well on the HF bands. Sometimes, I hear activators say something like “the HF gear was just not working for me today, so I had to use my HT to log four contacts.”
Non-SOTA Ops
There are quite a few hams out there on 2m FM that are not really focused on SOTA. They like to hang out on 2m FM simplex, especially 146.52 MHz, to chat with whoever comes along. In the backcountry, this may include hikers, snowshoers, skiers, 4WD enthusiasts, campers, etc. It also includes hams just hanging around the shack with a radio or scanner monitoring 2m FM. Announce that you are on top of a summit and these folks are happy to contact you.
VHF Enthusiasts
Finally, there are VHF/UHF enthusiasts that like the combination of higher frequencies and mountaintop operating. The effect of Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT) has a huge impact at these frequencies. A 5-watt handheld (HT) might be limited to a few miles on flat terrain, but from the top of a summit, the range extends dramatically (50 to 100 miles). Improve your station and 200-to-300-mile contacts are achievable. Most of this action is still on 2m FM but adding in additional bands (70 cm, 23 cm) and modes (CW, SSB) provides another challenge. Chasers are included in this category as well…there are VHF/UHF enthusiasts that are challenged by working distant summits from home.
Summary
These are the four categories of folks I usually encounter on the VHF/UHF bands when doing SOTA. Do these match your experience? What did I miss?
73 Bob K0NR
Interesting analysis, Bob. Thank you.
I’m struck by the results posted on YouTube videos by Charlie of Red Summit RF. While he does mostly HF from SOTA summits in Arizona, and mostly CW at that, he exhibits great success operating VHF voice (2m, 440, and sometimes higher) to his homies around cities in AZ. That may be a particular situation among Charlie and his buds, but he has no trouble getting VHF contacts when he tries (at least, on the videos that he posts).
Where I am in Michigan, operating SOTA VHF would be very difficult since population densities near our sites is very low.
When you got it, though, flaunt it !
Dave, N8LBF
Thanks for the comments, Dave.
VHF tends to depend on local or maybe regional activity.
Colorado is generally a great setup for VHF SOTA but one can run into problems in the western part of the state due to lower population density. (Great summits but no one around on VHF.) Charlie’s area in Arizona is generally good and I’ve operated from a few summits down there. Many parts of California are good.
I have not operated SOTA from Michigan but I consider it challenging for VHF. There are some decent summits but they tend to be up north where the population is sparse. I have been planning a trip to Isle Royale National Park for SOTA and POTA…and I’ll probably be taking HF gear along (but I will also try VHF). I’ve been in contact with some of the local VHF folks around Copper Harbor to arrange a sked.
Bob K0NR
I did VHF 2m SSB for several years when I was over the road. I did have some fun and luck with it. But eventually I gave up because I got tired of calling CQ to myself. But man, when there’s a contest, you can’t find a clear frequency. Where the heck are all these people when there isn’t a contest?
“Nobody gets on because nobody gets on.” 🙂
Having neither summits (I’m in N FL, 25′ passes for a ‘summit’ around here) nor many local VHF operators (“The Forgotten Coast”) puts me squarely in the non-SOTA ops category. I have had some luck on 2m however with passing cars, the occasional RV visiting the area, and even one airplane over the Gulf.
I think though now with the clear winter weather, I’m going to set up the FT-857 in the shack and try for some 2m digital text modes next. Might pick up some traffic from the west coast of south FL.
Yes, Florida is a bit SOTA-challenged.
You do get some nice tropo openings on 2m and higher.
I love The Forgotten Coast…visited there last year.
Bob K0NR
My first SOTA Mountain Goat award was all on 2m/70cms, but not sure I would consider myself a ‘VHF enthusiast’.. Cost of equipment and weight-efficiency were factors for me.
Richard,
Congrats on the VHF/UHF Mountain Goat.
I did the same thing.
After hitting 1000 points, I have done a few HF activations but it really hasn’t caught my interest.
I still do mostly VHF/UHF, with a little more emphasis on 70 cm and 23 cm.
Bob K0NR
Thanks for sharing this great info Bob. I’ve always been interested in SOTA but always thought I needed an HF rig to do it seriously. You’ve inspired me to grab my HT and yagi and hit the local peaks!
Patrick N7KPP
Patrick,
Yes, give it a try.
Southern Arizona has an active SOTA community using both VHF and HF.
Bob K0NR