What is the point of climbing to the top and talking? Because he can? I thought he was going to set up a minitower or something with the goats carrying supplies.
From Summits on the Air – General Rules - The purpose of SOTA (the Programme) is to encourage Amateur Radio based activity from the summits of hills and mountains in countries around the world and to provide an award system for Radio Amateurs in all DXCC Entities.
The point was to participate in the SOTA competition. The goats were used to help carry the supplies needed for the climb for himself and the goats, as well as the radio equipment he used. I assume the goats were also used because he enjoys working with them. So I guess the real point was to enjoy many things - the climb, the goats, nature, and Ham Radio all at the same time. So SOTA was really just a good excuse to do that.
What were all the little supplies for? Making his own ham radio or tower to link? Rather confusing to me.
They were the radio components used to make his contacts. The basic component, the ATS-3B, is a 5 watt CW (Morse Code) transceiver. Other parts required for operation include batteries, keyer, headphones, antenna, connecting cables, etc.
Came back to ask another question. If you are interested in learning about ham radio what do you recommend?
Probably the best way is to talk with a number of Hams. An excellent opportunity to do this is at club meetings, such as the Park County Radio Club (PCRC) meeting on Saturday, 2:00 PM at Saint Mary of the Rockies Church on Crow Hill (236 Bulldogger Rd). Hams are always happy to talk about their hobby, and there are so many different ways to enjoy the hobby that you need to talk with a number of them to get a good feel for the possibilities.
Hope this is helpful.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again - Jeanne Pincha-Tulley
Comprehensive is Latin for there is lots of bad stuff in it - Trey Gowdy
