WELCOME

Welcome to my amateur radio BLOG. Here at N1CLC.com (aka HamNinja.com), I hope to cover my exploration of ham radio, summits on the air (SOTA) and general RF geek stuff.  My other BLOGS focus on technology (cloudrant.com), photography (cameraninja.com/blog), and life (thethroboflife.com). QSL via QRZ, LOTW, cards.

* Reference Links Page    * SOTA Specific Links  
* My Equipment Loadout    * DMR Tips    * My Youtube Channel

I monitor 146.520 and DMR SOTA (973), track me on the trail HERE.  Donate HERE, Mastodon

Check out the latest videos by the Ham Ninja

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SOTA Safety TIP #8 - Reduce Your Navigation Risk

What

Build redundancy into your navigation capabilities and execution.

Why

As to the “why”, well, getting lost is no fun and could be deadly.  Our phones are super capable, and with GPS navigation, it takes the work out of figuring out where you are and how to get somewhere.  It also makes us a little too dependent on our phones.  Breaking your phone, or running out of power can put you in danger if you don’t have a backup plan. 

If your hike is on a well established trail, like the PCT, you may feel like your navigation risk is low but if a fire sparks up, or a flash flood closes off your return route, that won’t be the case.

Hikes that seem simple can look completely different on the way back under different lighting or become a real adventure if you are forced to take a different path.

SOTA Safety TIP #7 - Tell People Where You Are Going

What

Tell people where you are going before you start your hike.

Why

If you leave and don’t come back, hopefully people will start looking for you.  If you don’t tell anyone where you are going, they will have no idea where to start. You could be lost or injured and unable to ask for help.  (See my earlier tip on having backup emComms)

SOTA Safety TIP #6 - Be Able To Communicate Your Location

What

In an emergency, you need to be able to tell people where you are located.  The best way to do that is to communicate your latitude and longitude (lat/long).

Ham2K PoLo A Rock'n Logging For Portable Opps

I found a new Logging tool for SOTA & POTA, and it ROCKS!

I started using a phone to log contacts for SOTA not long after I started because I can’t read my own writing.  I used a very rudimentary app for the first two years but when I started doing multiple summits per day, I needed something different.  Outd was an excellent replacement and had some new features that were awesome,  I’ve been a bit (a lot) resistant to change when support started to wane and some features quit working and it was removed from the App Store.  I tried switching to another popular logging app a while back but it that alternative just wasn’t up to the SOTA task and not approved for my kit.  Que the new solution, Ham2K PoLo (PoLo).  I was sold after using it on the very first summit.  

SOTA Safety TIP #5 - Have Backup EmComs

What

All of us depend on our cell phones for.... well EVERYTHING, especially for emergencies which requires cell service and a working phone. Don’t depend on cell service in the back country! 

SOTA Safety Tip #4 - Check the Weather

What

Before you leave, check the weather forecast for your area of operation.