Summits on the Air (SOTA)
Summits On The Air (SOTA) is an amateur radio operating award program similar to designed to encourage amateur radio operators to operate temporarily from mountainous locations, and is fully operational in nearly a 100 countries across the world.
While similar in concept to the Parks on the Air (POTA) program, SOTA is designed to make participation possible for both licensed HAM’s as well as Shortwave Listeners. There are awards for activators (those who ascend to the summits) and chasers (who either operate from home, a local hilltop or are even as Activators on other summits).
In the United States, each state has its own SOTA Association which defines the recognized SOTA summits within that Association. Each summit earns the activators and chasers a score which is related to the height of the summit. Certificates are available for various scores, leading to the prestigious “Mountain Goat” and “Shack Sloth” trophies. An Honour Roll for Activators and Chasers is maintained at the SOTA online database.
The Superstition Amateur Radio Club participates in SOTA as both an Activator by going out and activating different summits in the area, and as chasers. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us as we activate different summits– you do not need to be a club member to participate! Check out our club Events Calendar for upcoming club SOTA events.
To learn more about Summits on the Air including information on how to get started, rules, or to locate your local SOTA Association visit the Summits on the Air website. If you are located in Arizona, you can also request to join the Arizona SOTA Group message board.
If you or your group are interested in doing your own SOTA Activations, the Superstition Amateur Radio Club HAM’s are happy to be an Elmer and work with you or your group on a “joint activation” of a summit. The joint activation is usually a less challenging summit so that the focus can be on you as a new SOTA activator getting acclimated to the program.
Contact Us for more information on our SOTA Elmer’s.