So ive been chasing SOTA for about 8 months now from home and finally decided to actually get off my butt and do an activation. Planning to head up W4T/SU-001 this Saturday, weather looks decent enough. I have my KX2 and a end-fed halfwave on a fishing pole, done a bunch of testing in the backyard so I think the setup is solid.

My main question is about the self-spotting thing. I know you can use the SOTA spotter app but up there cell coverage is pretty sketchy. Do people usually just call CQ and hope the chasers find you, or is there some other way to get spotted without cell? I saw something about RBNhole but I dont fully understand how that works exactly. Also do I need to pre-announce the activation somewhere or is just showing up and operating fine?

The summit requires 4 QSOs to get the points right? I know thats the minimum. Feeling a little nervous honestly, dont want to drive two hours and come home empty handed.

Congrats on taking the plunge, first activation is always a little nerve wracking but you'll be fine. RBNhole is actually pretty slick -- basically the Reverse Beacon Network picks up your CQ calls on CW and then automatically posts a spot to SOTAwatch for you. So if you're running CW at all up there it'll likely get you spotted without needing cell at all. For SSB though you're kind of dependent on either self-spotting or having someone else hear you and post for you.

A lot of activators will post an alert on SOTAwatch ahead of time with their planned frequency and time, even just a rough estimate. Chasers actually watch those alerts pretty closely and will be tuned in waiting for you. Doesnt guarantee anything but it helps a lot, especially for your first one. I'd post the alert tonight or tomorrow if you can.

And yeah 4 QSOs is the minimum for the points. Honestly on a popular summit like that one you'll probably get a pileup once you get spotted, dont stress about it. Just take your time and work em one at a time.

oh man SU-001 is a great first one, not too brutal of a hike if I remember right. I did my first activation last spring and was absolutely terrified I wouldnt make 4 contacts but ended up with like 22 on 20m SSB. The chasers are super active and friendly, way more forgiving than a contest pileup haha.

One thing I'd add -- bring more battery than you think you need. I always convince myself the KX2 will be fine on one pack and then I end up sitting at the top longer than planned because the bands are good and I dont want to leave.