SOTA activation guide
How to activate a summit for Summits on the Air. Equipment, logistics, scoring, and safety for mountain-top amateur radio.
Everything you need to activate a summit for Summits on the Air.
What is SOTA
Summits on the Air (SOTA) is a program where amateur operators hike to mountain summits and make radio contacts from the top. Activators carry their station to the summit; chasers contact them from home. A valid activation requires at least 4 contacts from a qualifying summit.
SOTA differs from POTA in one critical way: you carry everything on your back. Weight is the primary equipment constraint. Every gram matters.
Equipment — weight is everything
The ultralight SOTA station (~3 lbs / 1.4 kg)
| Item | Weight | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Radio | 350g | Elecraft KX2, QRP Labs QMX |
| Battery | 200g | Bioenno 3Ah LiFePO4 or 3S LiPo |
| Antenna | 100-150g | SOTAbeams Band Hopper or PackTenna EFHW |
| Paddle | 50g | American Morse Bushwhacker or CW Morse Pocket |
| Coax + adapters | 50g | short BNC patch cable |
| Throw line | 50g | arborist throw line + weight |
| Logging | phone | HAMRS app |
| Total | ~850g-950g | under 2.2 lbs |
The comfortable SOTA station (~5-7 lbs / 2.3-3.2 kg)
| Item | Weight | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Radio | 900g | Icom IC-705, Yaesu FT-818 |
| Battery | 400g | Bioenno 6Ah LiFePO4 |
| Antenna | 200g | EFHW or linked dipole |
| Mic/paddle | 100g | hand mic or paddle |
| Accessories | 200g | coax, adapters, earbuds |
| Mast | 500g | carbon fiber or fishing pole |
| Total | ~2.3 kg | ~5 lbs |
Activation rules
- The summit must be in the SOTA database (sotadata.org.uk)
- You must be within 25 vertical meters of the summit
- Minimum 4 QSOs required for a valid activation
- All equipment must be carried by human power (no vehicles to the summit)
- No permanent installations — everything comes up and goes back down
- You must operate under your own power (battery, solar — no generators)
Scoring
Summits are worth 1-10 points depending on height. Activators earn points for each unique summit activated. Chasers earn points for each unique summit contacted. Season bonuses: winter activations (December-March in northern hemisphere) earn 3 bonus points per summit.
Safety
SOTA is hiking first, radio second. Standard hiking safety applies:
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return
- Check the weather forecast. Do not activate in thunderstorms — you are the highest point carrying a metal antenna
- Carry water, food, and appropriate clothing for conditions
- Know your limits. A summit is not worth an injury
- Lightning: if thunder is audible, pack up immediately. Do not wait for the contact
- Cell coverage may not exist at your summit. Carry a PLB or InReach if operating in remote areas
Getting started
- Find summits near you at sotadata.org.uk
- Register for SOTA at sotadata.org.uk (free)
- Start with easy summits (drive-up with a short walk, or well-maintained trails)
- Alert your activation in advance on SOTAwatch3
- Spot yourself when you start operating
- 4 contacts on 20m or 40m CW or SSB typically takes 10-30 minutes