so ive been planning this for like two months and tomorrow is finally the day, going up W4C/EM-001 early morning to try and get the activation done before it gets too hot. ive got my KX2 packed with a 40m/20m linked dipole, small battery pack, logbook, the whole deal. already set up a spot alert on SOTAwatch and posted my alert for around 0900 local.

my question is kind of dumb but - when i summit and start calling, do i just go to a clear frequency and start calling CQ SOTA or is there some etiquette around it im missing? ive chased a bunch of activations from home so i know how that side works but actually being the one on the summit feels different. also do i need a certain number of QSOs to count as an official activation? i think its 4 but want to double check before i get up there and find out i miscounted or something.

any last minute tips welcome, kinda nervous but excited

yes 4 QSOs is the magic number, and they cant be with other people on the same summit with you. you'll be fine though honestly once you get on the air the chasers find you pretty quick especially if your alert is on SOTAwatch. just make sure your spot goes out when you summit - either self spot from the app or ask one of your first contacts to spot you and then the pileup usually builds fast.

one thing i wish someone told me before my first activation: dont panic if the band sounds dead when you first listen around. sometimes you gotta call CQ for a few minutes before anyone comes back, just be patient and try both bands if one seems slow. 40m is usually reliable in the mornings for domestic contacts and 20m if you want some DX. good luck up there, W4C summits are great

dude just go have fun, you clearly know what youre doing. the nervousness goes away real fast when someone comes back to your first CQ. i remeber my first activation i was shaking a little setting up the antenna and by the time i made my 4th contact i was totally relaxed lol. take some extra water too if its already warm down in the valley, ridgelines can be deceptive