N1CLC: SOTA 360 Video Series

Yeeee Haaa, the SOTA 360 Video Series Is Done!!!

I've created a video series about Summits On The Air (SOTA) to help others hams get into this niche of the hobby and possibly pass on a tad of what I’ve learned in my journey so far.

● Part 1 - Intro and Planning covers two things: 1) an introduction to SOTA, what is it and why do it, ; and 2) the beginning of the planning process that includes how to choose a peak, checking the weather, and what to bring.

● Part 2 - Charting A Path To The Planned Peak walks you the process that I use to plan my hike, how I navigate as well as a section on safety and how I mitigate risk.

● SOTA 360 Part 3 - Activating Twin Peaks shows you how I get started and find the trailhead, hike up to the summit, setup my gear and get some contacts (this time with CW and my handi-talki). Yes, I made it back down without spilling blood.

● SOTA 360 Part 4 - Logging Your SOTA Contacts with a BONUS covers how I then upload my e-log book to the SOTA website to get my points but more importantly, discusses some of the reasons why I do that including a little bonus for uploading.

I became inspired to do this for a couple of reasons. First, another ham in the area said he wanted to meet with me and talk SOTA. I started thinking about this BLOG, and some of the limited videos that I’ve done and the main focus is always on the activating portion of SOTA. SOTA is a lot more than just jumping in the car, enjoying a hike and getting on the radio. Sure, that part is probably the most glamorous, entertaining and ego fulfilling part of SOTA, but it has limited value to hams who are trying to figure this hobby out because it lacks the planning that I go through as well as the logging to get the points. Second, although I’m a beginner, I’ve learned a lot in my 140+ summits, some of it from other SOTA operators, so I thought I would share some of that knowledge as well. Third, I was watching some other Youtube videos and was further inspired to try to do more education and try some creative techniques in video form as an experiment and learning opportunity. So to the hams out there that want to do SOTA, this is for you.

Given this was more than just a run-and-gun video, I took a video production class on SkillShare.com. I also picked up a better microphone to narrate. The next step was to get to work sketching out the series and shots. I took some notes and developed an outline for the segments that I wanted to shoot. I enjoy using mind mapping to brainstorm and then organize my thoughts. I used the map in the video to: (a) keep myself organized, and (b) help foretell, recap, or introduce a new topic where needed in the video. I’ve used mind mapping for previous writing and computer application development planning so I’m familiar with the technique. It was fun to really put some thought into a larger video and then execute on it. I started to put some “shot card” entries into the outline but it wasn’t really necessary given the length. I may do that more in the future. The last thing I did was shoot some of the video out of sequence. This is the first time I’ve done more than a sequential shoot, which requires that you’ve done the planning to make it all come together in the end.

I got a little OCD trying to finish the series, so there are probably some areas that could have used some more polishing, post production is a LOT of work. I had a few long takes at the computer that could have benefited from some scripting or outlines to keep me on track as well. All of these statements indicate, at-least to me, that some learning took place. Yeah!

I really liked the way the intro came out (except for the long takes in the montage intro section of the first video. I cut the montage down for part 2 - 4 and I like it much better. I’m going to use a piece of that for my new SOTA opener. I’m also going to use the short close up shot technique that I’ve seen used by others a little more often to make the videos a little more interesting. There is a transition technique that I still want to try that I learned in a SkillShare.com class, so look for that in the future. Take a look at the intro in the first video and then then Part 2 to see what I’m talking about.

For those of you who are feeling cheated out of a SOTA adventure story, I’ve got you covered. Part 3 of the series is the activation example, so watch that to get your hike and radio fix.

You can see a list of the series videos HERE. Take a peak (pun intended), and let me know what you think in the comments section.

Contacts

Date:08/03/2020 | Summit:W6/SC-453 (Twin Peaks) | Call Used:N1CLC | Points: 1 | Bonus: 0

Time	Callsign	Band	Mode	Notes
19:08	K6HPX	14MHz	CW
19:12	WU7H	14MHz	CW
19:12	NW7E	14MHz	CW
19:14	KI6KU	14MHz	CW
19:15	NS7P	14MHz	CW
19:17	K6KM	14MHz	CW
19:18	K7TP	14MHz	CW
19:20	WB7ULD	14MHz	CW
19:22	N6NKT	14MHz	CW
19:23	WW7D	14MHz	CW
19:27	W6IPA	14MHz	CW
19:27	NQ7R	14MHz	CW
19:28	W6RWS	7MHz	CW
19:49	KM6TWI	144MHz	FM
20:10	KJ6TOA	144MHz	FM
20:13	K6MXA	144MHz	FM
20:17	KI6RRN	144MHz	FM
20:36	W0MNA	14MHz	CW
20:37	W0ERI	14MHz	CW
20:39	K7MK	14MHz	CW
20:46	AC7P	14MHz	CW