Disaster Comms is a repository of information for those interested in backcountry exploration, hiking, and practical preparedness. With a focus on Amateur Radio operation from adverse locations.
Latest Articles
-
Yaesu FT-857D: 12 Month Review
Read more: Yaesu FT-857D: 12 Month ReviewI’ve had the Yaesu FT-857D for just over 12 months now and so I figured it’s time to share what I like and dislike about this radio. Ultimately, it doesn’t fit into my rotation and so you won’t…
-
Chelegance MC-750 Antenna: 12 Month Review
Read more: Chelegance MC-750 Antenna: 12 Month ReviewI picked up an MC-750 one year ago and it quickly became a primary antenna for me. For those not immediately familiar with it, it’s an SO-239 base which connects to a 5.6m telescopic whip and offers 40m…
-
ICOM IC-705: 12 Month Review
Read more: ICOM IC-705: 12 Month ReviewI’ve had the ICOM IC-705 for about 12 months now, so I think that’s enough time to give a good review of the radio, what I like and dislike – and why I keep using it when I…
Summits on the Air
Summits on the Air, or more commonly “SOTA”, is an Amateur Radio award scheme that aims to encourage licensed amateur radio operators to operate from mountain summits and hilltops.
Latest After Activation Reports
-
Summits Off The Air: Little Conval – GM/ES-057
Read more: Summits Off The Air: Little Conval – GM/ES-057It’s pretty rare for me to have a “failed” activation, but a recent trip to Scotland led to just that – so I figured I’d share a story of a successful summit but not a successful activation. Any…
-
SOTA Activation: Longridge Fell – G/SP-014
Read more: SOTA Activation: Longridge Fell – G/SP-014For some reason, I’ve put off activating Longridge Fell for a while. I’ve often passed it and could have activated it but always gone elsewhere. I think the fact that it’s only small (350m) and has a short…
-
SOTA Activation: Whernside – G/NP-004
Read more: SOTA Activation: Whernside – G/NP-004This weekend I completed four SOTA summits, saving the biggest for last. For Whernside, I hiked in from the roadhead at SD 763 793 up to the summit along the “Three Peaks Walk” (SD760816, SD755825, SD740823) making this…
PARKS on the Air
Parks on the Air, or more commonly “POTA”, is an Amateur Radio award scheme that aims to promote emergency awareness and communications from a range of outdoor locations including National and State Parks.
Latest POTA Activation Reports
-
POTA Activation: GB-1608 Lytham St Anne’s Dunes
Read more: POTA Activation: GB-1608 Lytham St Anne’s DunesI recently picked up a SOTABeams BandHopper II and a Tactical Mini. My plan is to use these for some SOTA activations, however I didn’t want the first time I put the mast up to be on top…
-
POTA Activation: GB-3261 Jubilee Tower
Read more: POTA Activation: GB-3261 Jubilee TowerI’ve had Jubilee Tower on my list to activate for a little while; It’s a great spot for a little radio work – in fact I’ve had a couple of contacts us there already, before I knew it…
-
Parks Off The Air: Forest of Bowland – GB-0219
Read more: Parks Off The Air: Forest of Bowland – GB-0219We planned a hike today around Gisburn Forest, which is within the Forest of Bowland and therefore a POTA park. We set off dressed lightly, and for a change I wasn’t carrying a radio. We did a loop…
