so ive been chasing for about 3 months now and finally decided to just do it and activate a local summit this weekend. its only a 2 pointer but whatever gotta start somewhere right. my question is kind of dumb but i want to make sure i get credit — do i need to register the summit reference on the SOTA database before i go up or just log it after? i looked at the sotawatch site and it was a little confusing to me about the self spot thing vs having someone else spot you.

also im bringing my ft-818 and a linked dipole i made from a kit, planning to work 40 and 20 meters. the activation zone is pretty clear from what i can tell on the topo map but im a little unsure if im reading the elevation correctly. the summit is W4T/SU-064 if anyone knows it. any advice appreciated, first time jitters and all that

dont stress too much about the summit reference stuff, you dont register beforehand or anything like that. the reference already exists in the database — someone else set it up years ago most likely. you just activate it, log your contacts, and then submit them on the SOTA database website afterward. pretty straightforward once you do it once.

the self spotting on sotawatch is honestly worth figuring out before you go up though. if you have cell service up there you can spot yourself which basically tells all the chasers youre on the air and they come running. i usually do it right after i make my first contact just so i know the radio is actually working. if no cell then you can ask someone on the air to spot you or just work simplex and hope people are scanning. the ft-818 will do you fine, 5 watts is plenty especially on 40 in the morning. good luck up there

oh man W4T/SU-064 i think i chased someone off that one last fall, great little summit. you'll be fine. activation zone thing is usually pretty generous, just gotta be within 25 meters vertical of the true summit and you're in the zone. the maps can look weird but usually if you're near the top youre good.

one thing i'd say is bring more coax than you think you need, i always end up wishing i had another 10 feet when im trying to find a good tree to hang the dipole from. also log on paper up there and transfer it later, dont rely on just a phone app cause batteries do weird things in the cold