When I talk about doing VHF SOTA activations, people often wonder about what kind of contacts to expect. VHF propagation from a mountaintop can be surprisingly good, and the range of possible contacts runs from the routine to the remarkable. Having done a lot of these activations, I’ve noticed that VHF SOTA contacts tend to fall into three broad categories. Let’s take a look at each one.

Type 1: The Local Contact (20–30 Miles)

This is the most common type of VHF SOTA contact, and it’s what keeps most activations from getting skunked. A simple 2-meter FM handheld radio, a decent half-wave antenna, and a summit with good Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT) — that’s all you need to make contacts with stations in the surrounding towns and valleys.

The typical range for this category is roughly 20 to 30 miles, with some variation depending on terrain. From most Colorado summits, this covers small mountain towns, outlying suburbs, or rural homesteads with a radio operator and a 2m FM rig. These are the chasers who have 146.52 MHz programmed in, monitor for activity, and are happy to give you a quick contact. Often, I’ll catch mobile stations driving through the high country with their radio set on 2m simplex.

These contacts are the bread and butter of VHF SOTA. Mostly reliable, repeatable, and very useful for getting the four QSOs to get the activator points. Don’t underestimate them.

Type 2: The Extended Contact (30–150 Miles)

Now it starts to get interesting. This category requires a bit more effort — both from the activator and the chaser. We’re talking higher power, a better antenna, or both. On the summit end, a 3-element Yagi like the Arrow II provides about 6 dB of gain over a half-wave antenna, which makes a significant difference. It also helps to run more power than a handheld radio can, with 25 watts making a big difference. A home station using 50 watts with a quality high-mounted omnidirectional or beam antenna can significantly boost range on the chaser side.

These contacts are mostly still on 2m FM, although SSB and other modes can really help at these ranges. The contact might require pointing the Yagi in the right direction, asking the chaser to try a different antenna orientation, or just working a little harder to pull the signal out of the noise. These contacts are made at the margin, so every decibel of signal strength matters.

This category represents a real challenge, and that’s part of the appeal. When you complete a contact at 100 miles with some rough terrain in the way, it feels like an accomplishment. You earned that one.

Type 3: The Exceptional Contact (150+ Miles)

These are the contacts that make you stop what you’re doing and say “wow.” Distances beyond 150 miles on 2m FM are not routine — they happen when something special is going on. Three factors drive most of these exceptional contacts:

Favorable geography. Two high summits separated by a long distance can sometimes “see” each other in a way that lower-elevation stations cannot. In the Colorado high country, summit-to-summit contacts across large distances are possible when both operators are at altitude. The geometry just works out.

Favorable propagation. This is where it gets really fun. Sometimes enhancement occurs on the VHF bands, which means the signals become significantly stronger. Several elements contribute to this, though most link to tropospheric conditions. Tropospheric ducting can have a very strong effect, occurring when atmospheric conditions create a temperature inversion that takes VHF signals well beyond normal range. The ionosphere can also play a role, with Sporadic-E propagation opening up the 2-meter band unexpectedly, providing path distances of over 800 miles. This is rare on 2 meters and more common on the 6-meter band.

Modulation type. FM is a great mode for local and medium-distance contacts, but it is not the most efficient modulation for squeezing out long-distance QSOs. SSB and CW require significantly less signal strength to complete a contact compared to FM — a difference that can easily be 10 dB or more. That’s a huge advantage when signals are marginal. So when the conditions are favorable but not quite strong enough for FM, switching to SSB or CW can make the difference between completing the contact and just hearing a ghost signal in the noise. This is one of the reasons I’ve been enjoying the 2026 SOTA Challenge on 2m and 70cm CW/SSB — it pushes operators to explore what’s really possible on these bands.

My best 2m FM contact from a SOTA summit is 245 miles (Mount Scott (W5O/WI-002)  — that one was a keeper. My best 2m SSB contact was 372 miles, from Three Mile Mountain (W0C/SP-107) to N0LL in Kansas. Longer contacts are possible, but you have to be on the right summit at the right time, with the right chaser listening.

Which Type Is Most Common?

Type 1 is by far the most frequent, and Type 2 contacts are a regular occurrence for activators who show up with the right gear and a good summit. Type 3 contacts are not predictable, but they are not as rare as you might think.

The key takeaway is that VHF SOTA is not a one-size-fits-all experience. You can tune your station and operating strategy to optimize for any of these categories, or just show up with a handheld and see what happens. Either approach can work, and both are fun.

That’s the universal purpose of amateur radio, after all.

73 Bob K0NR

The post Three Types of VHF SOTA Contacts appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.

Show Notes

Spin the Random Topic Wheel

• Intro to picking a 1st timers Distro

This Weekend in Hedonism

• Cheryl’s Recipe Corner
  • Spring Chicken Salad
  • Description:
    • This is an item served in one of our local coffee shops (I know the owner, so she gave me the recipe… which I have since tweaked to my preferences). It’s great as a brunch item or a light meal on hot summer days. And can be whipped up super quick if you’ve got some rotisserie chicken on hand - and you can get the carrots and green onions already prepped at most grocery stores (I do 99.9% of my grocery shopping at Walmart)!
  • Ingredients
    • 1 cooked chicken breast (boneless/skinless or that has been deboned) OR rotisserie chicken that has been deboned, chopped and shredded into bite sized pieces
    • 1/2 cup Mayo (+/- to taste)
    • 1/2 cup Raspberry Vinaigrette (+/- to taste)
    • 1/2 cup THINLY sliced Celery
    • 1/2 cup Julienned Carrots, cut into small pieces
    • 1/2 cup chopped Walnuts OR Pecans
    • 1/2 cup finely sliced green onion (optional)
    • 1/2 cup halved seedless red Grapes
    • Loaf of Baguette Bread (optional)
  • Directions
    • Mix chicken, mayo, vinaigrette, celery, carrots, nuts and green onion together. Cut the grapes in half and store in a separate container and mix in with a portion of chicken salad immediately before eating (if you don’t keep them separate, the grapes will make the chicken salad very liquidy).
    • If using baguette bread, cut a 6" piece off of the loaf (works best with end pieces; if you can find the “mini baguette loaves” that are 8-10" long, just cut them in half) and carefully hollow the bread out (leaving enough of a bread barrier between the chicken salad and the crust that the bread doesn’t fall apart). Lightly toast, if desired (I definitely prefer them warm and lightly crunchy). Stuff the bread with the chicken salad and enjoy with extra grapes, chips, etc.
  • Notes:
    • At the coffee shop where this recipe originated, the Baguette bread is hollowed out and stuffed with the chicken salad, making it a unique “sandwich” presentation (they call it the “Spring Chicken Stuffer”). If you don’t want to mess with that, it’s also great served on sandwich bread, a hamburger roll or even all by itself.
    • I personally prefer Ott’s brand Raspberry Vinaigrette, which is manufactured 20 minutes from our house - Kraft is my second choice.
    • This mixture will be store fine in the fridge for about 1 week (BUT, the longer it is stored, the more it will dry out as everything will absorb the mayo and dressing - just stir a little more mayo and dressing in). I personally put a few spoons of chicken salad in a separate bowl, a spoon of mayo and a squirt of raspberry vinaigrette and a spoon full of grape halves and stir well, that way the grapes are well incorporated.
    • While this is yummy immediately after making it, after it has a few days to meld with the other flavors, it is amazing.
    • When making this a meal, it pairs well with a piece of quiche
    • Feel free to tweak this however you see fit! Add some spices (salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dill weed, parsley)! As I typed this, I thought that Bacon Bits would probably be really good with it. Let me know how you made it your own creation!
• Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner
  • Peach Bellini
  • Description:
    • I’m an equal opportunity girl, when it comes to alcohol, for the most part (although, I’m still trying to learn to love Gin). And you’ll find me enjoying a “girly drink” like the one I’m sharing today, and a finger of Scotch tomorrow. This is a great brunch beverage, too.
  • Ingredients
    • 1 lb. fresh or frozen sliced peaches, plus more for serving
    • 1/4 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, plus more for serving
    • 1/2 cup peach schnapps
    • 1 bottle prosecco or sparkling white wine
  • Directions
    • Add the peaches, strawberries, and peach schnapps to the pitcher of a blender. Cover tightly with the lid, and blend at high speed until smooth.
    • Divide the peach mixture among 6 glasses. Garnish each glass with more peaches or strawberries, if you like. Fill each glass half full with prosecco; stir, and add more prosecco, if you like.
• Russ’s Drink Corner (now hijacked by Cheryl - and probably occasionally by Bill!)
  • Elijah Craig Small Batch
  • This bottle is from the C918 batch, meaning it was their 3rd release for the year, bottled in September of 2018
  • Description
    • Elijah Craig was a baptist preacher who created the process for “true Kentucky bourbon.” - and he’s credited with the process of putting his distillate into charred oak barrels. Citing a surge in popularity and supply not meeting demand, in early 2016 Heaven Hill Distillery removed Elijah Craig’s age statement and began blending younger stock into its non-age stated (NAS) small batches
  • Details
    • Mashbill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
    • Region: Bardstown, KY
    • Proof: 131.4 (65.7% ABV)
    • Color: Copper
    • Nose: Brown Sugar, with well toasted pie crust and cloves.
    • Taste: Vanilla and Oak, followed by the sweetness of corn syrup from a pecan pie - and a tiny hint of cherry and a touch of honeysuckle.
    • Finish: Extremely heavy baking spices; the rye makes it spicy. But the lingering end was heavy clove and extreme sweetness - a mix between caramel and that pecan pie corn syrup taste
    • Price: $200+ (750ml) - VERY limited in availability.
    • Rating: 89
• Bill’s Whatever Corner
  • Item: Numb Numb Juice Hazy IPA from Fall River Brewing in California
  • Numb Numb Juice Hazy IPA is a tropical juice bomb that shifts to an almost candy like finish on both the nose and palate. While being served in a coconut with a little umbrella seems fitting, the can it’s in will have to do. It’s so nom nom, that it might leave you numb numb. So drink responsibly. Cheers!
  • ABV: 7.5% IBU 33

Announcements & Feedback:

• Announcements:
  • Can you help support the show?
    You can do that via Patreon, Paypal, Merch - just a few bucks a month helps us out immensely when it comes to covering the costs of giving you the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet!
• We need topics!
  • Weekender episodes - anything goes!
  • We need ideas for things you’d like to hear about in our Deep Dive episodes! Help us out by emailing suggestions to [email protected]
• Come see us at Hamvention
  • May 15-17, 2026 - Booth 2206
• Repeater for sale!
  • Spread the word to anyone you think might be interested, if you’re not! The repeater that Russ had set up has been taken offline because of Russ’s death. If anyone is interested in everything available (sold as a package deal only), please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll send you the details/pictures. Pickup in SW Missouri, the Billings, Montana area or at Hamvention (or if you live along the route between either of our homes and Hamvention; other places hinge on whether we will be traveling through/to where it needs to go. Don’t hesitate to ask!).
• Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
  • There will be a memorial service held for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on November 1, 2026. Everyone is welcome! If you’d like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you more info!
• Feedback from Peace Carmene W1DCN
• Feedback from Thiago S.
• Feedback from Steve D
• Feedback from Ted Poppke WO0R

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• Free Patreons
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• Facebook
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  • Dan, KB6NU
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Ham College episode 138 is now available for download.

Technician Exam Questions Part 25
T9A – Antennas: vertical and horizontal polarization, concept of antenna gain, definition and types of beam antennas, antenna loading, common portable and mobile antennas, relationships between resonant length and frequency, and dipole pattern.
T9B – Feed lines: types, attenuation vs frequency, selecting. SWR concepts, Antenna tuners (couplers), RF Connector selecting and weather protection.

Download
YouTube

Ham Radio License Class

Buena Vista, Colorado 

The Technician license is your gateway to the worldwide fun and excitement of Amateur Radio

• Earn your ham radio Technician class license
• Learn to operate on the ham bands, 10 meters and higher
• Learn to use the many VHF/UHF FM repeaters in Colorado
• Pass your FCC amateur radio license exam in class

Schedule:

Sat    May 9th    1-4 pm In-Person Kickoff Session
Wed  May 13     7-8 pm Online – Review session via Zoom
Wed  May 20     7-8 pm Online – Review session via Zoom
Wed  May 27     7-8 pm Online – Review session via Zoom
Sat    May 30     1–3:30 pm In-Person Review and Exam Session
(The exam session is open to everyone.)

Most of the course content will be delivered via the Ham Radio School online system, requiring about 20 hours of independent study by the student. Each chapter includes an eBook reading section, an instructional video, a review summary, a lesson quiz, and optional depth learning media. Our instructors will provide additional instruction and coaching during in-person and online sessions.

The in-person sessions will be at the Casa Del Rio Clubhouse in Buena Vista.
The fee for the class is $29.95.
Advance registration is required by May 1st.

Note: the FCC also charges a $35 license fee to issue your license, payable after you pass the exam
.
To register for the class or to get more information, contact:
Bob Witte KØNR    [email protected]

Sponsored by the Chaffee-Lake Amateur Radio Association

Click here to download Technician Class Flyer – May 2026

The post Technician Class – Buena Vista, CO appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.

Show Notes

Deep Dive Topic - iNTERCEPT

• iNTERCEPT is a unified web interface for software-defined radio tools. Monitor pagers, track aircraft, scan WiFi networks, and more — all from your browser.
• More Information: 
  • https://lhs.fyi/Lc (Main Site)
  • https://lhs.fyi/Ld (YouTube)
  • https://lhs.fyi/Le (YouTube)
  • https://lhs.fyi/Lf (HamRadioTherapy Review)
  • https://lhs.fyi/Lg (RTL-SDR Review)

Announcements & Feedback:

• Announcements:
  • Can you help support the show?  
  • You can do that via Patreon, Paypal, Merch - just a few bucks a month helps us out immensely when it comes to covering the costs of giving you the most terrific amateur radio podcast on the internet!
• We DESPERATELY need topics! 
  • Weekender episodes - anything goes!  
  • We need ideas for things you’d like to hear about in our Deep Dive episodes!  Help us out by emailing suggestions to [email protected]
• Come see us at Hamvention
  • May 15-17, 2026 - Booth 2206
• Repeater for sale!
  • Spread the word to anyone you think might be interested, if you’re not!  The repeater that Russ had set up has been taken offline because of Russ’s death.  If anyone is interested in everything available (sold as a package deal only), please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll send you the details/pictures.  Pickup in SW Missouri, the Billings, Montana area or at Hamvention (or if you live along the route between either of our homes and Hamvention; other places hinge on whether we will be traveling through/to where it needs to go.  Don’t hesitate to ask!).
• Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
  • There will be a memorial service held for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on November 1, 2026.  Everyone is welcome!  If you’d like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you more info!

Feedback:

• YouTube Comment - Omarchy Video - tgrossner
  • Omarchy seems like a hammer in search of a nail. I’m sure it fits a niche, but it’s not my niche.
• YouTube Comment - Omarchy Video - PaulGriffith
  • I have no experience with Omarchy. I might consider adding it to my bucket of something-to-try-sometime. KE5WMA

Subscribers & Supporters:

• Paid Patreon
  • William Collins (monthly)
  • John Stengel (monthly)
• Paypal
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• Mastadon
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• Live Show Participants
  • Steve, KJ5T

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Chris Howard (M0TCH), Martin Rothwell (M0SGL), Frank Howell (K4FMH) and Bill Barnes (WC3B) to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Bob K0NR: VHF, Summits and More

We would like to thank our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

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