W4V SOTA Workshop – October 25th at Lake Arrowhead
Allen Graves
Hello Valley Hams,
Our list of speakers for the upcoming Summits on the Air Workshop is now complete!
You’ll find the workshop details below, as originally sent in July, for anyone who’d like a refresher.
Hope to see you on the 25th!
73,
Allen
The W4V SOTA Workshop will be held on October 25th at Lake Arrowhead in Luray, Virginia—rain or shine! We’ll meet at the Ruritan Shelter.
We’ll kick things off promptly at 9:00 AM and wrap up just after 11:00 AM, giving everyone time to travel or hike (weather permitting) to their chosen summits for the afternoon Summit-to-Summit QSO Party, which begins around 1:00 PM.
Many folks arrive early for more social time. Lenny and I will be at the shelter by 8:00 AM, and we have it reserved for the entire day—so you're welcome to linger, enjoy a picnic, or relax while others head out to activate summits. No rush!
Most activators stay on their summits for an hour or two—I know I do—so there's no need to feel pressured to be on a summit by 1:00 PM. We do this for fun, so relax! You’ll have a generous window to get on the air and make plenty of great contacts.
We held our first workshop in Bridgewater on May 15, 2021. The spot along the North River was terrific, though parking was a bit tight. Since then, we’ve enjoyed the excellent facilities at Montgomery Hall Park in Staunton—but this year, it’s time for a change of venue.
I’ll miss the fireplace—that cozy touch won’t be found at Lake Arrowhead—and I’m sure the facility manager will miss my annual ritual of spending an hour with a leaf blower so folks could actually see the pavement and figure out where to park.
SOTA dogs are welcome! (Just note the park has a leash rule.) And if the weather’s cool, we might even trade the fireplace for steaming hot chocolate.
No RSVP Needed—Just Show Up!
There’s plenty of space, so feel free to bring your spouse, family, or friends. Everyone is welcome!
Plenty of Nearby Summits
Summits around Luray are abundant. The Thornton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park is just 7 miles away. Along Skyline Drive, Pass Mountain, The Pinnacle, Stony Man, and Hawksbill all offer scenic and relatively easy hikes.
To the west, there are several drive-up summits including Big Mountain, Reddish Knob, and Flagpole Knob. Along the West Virginia border, High Knob offers a rewarding hike to a fire tower. To the north, Kennedy Peak, Devil’s Benchmark, and Snyder Knob offer more challenging hikes for all skill levels.
Staying Home but Chasing?
A big shout-out to our dedicated Chasers—you’re a vital part of every activation! Thanks for your past, present, and future contacts.
On the 25th, expect activity to begin around 1:00 PM and continue until at least 3:00 PM. The usual calling frequency 146.52 FM should be buzzing, and some activators may also use 146.58 FM (often called the Adventure Frequency).
We’ll have HF SSB and CW activity as well—so keep an ear out. Your efforts from home really help make these events special!
New to Activating?
If this will be your first time activating, we can pair you up with an experienced activator to help make your day fun and rewarding—with plenty of QSOs in the log!
What to Bring?
Come prepared to hike:
Appropriate clothing
Sturdy footwear
Water
Sun protection
We don’t post an exhaustive packing list, but anyone we pair you with will be happy to share their radio(s) to help you get on the air.
If you’re planning to activate with your own gear for the first time, we strongly recommend testing your setup at home—even just in your backyard. That helps you get familiar and discover anything you might have overlooked.
A basic setup might include:
A battery
Power cable to radio
Radio
Coax
Antenna(s)
Many folks make successful contacts with just an HT, especially during busy SOTA days. Still, a better antenna than the stock rubber duck is a smart idea.
I also bring:
A cozy inflatable cushion for summit sitting comfort
A ground cloth to keep gear clean and dry
A paper log and pencil
A compass and multi-tool (like a Leatherman)—rarely needed, but you’ll miss them if you leave them behind on the one day they are!
We always welcome folks who bring their own gear, antennas, or fresh ideas to share. Whether it’s a clever DIY project, a lightweight setup, or a new approach to activating, we love checking out anything that helps make SOTA more fun, efficient, or rewarding. This is a community that enjoys learning from each other—so if you’ve got something to show, bring it along!
Do Some Homework
We recommend reviewing the Summits on the Air website before the workshop so you can get familiar with the awards program and bring any questions with you.
Location
Lake Arrowhead
265 Lake Arrowhead Rd
Luray, VA 22835
GPS Coordinates (Entrance Road): 38.63609, -78.39189
GPS Coordinates (Ruritan Shelter): 38.63773, -78.38954
Clean restrooms are conveniently located near the shelter. During a recent Sunday morning visit, the information center was staffed by three attendants—this is clearly a well-maintained and popular location.
Questions?
Feel free to reach out: abgr...@earthlink.net
I’m really looking forward to catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, and enjoying a great day of SOTA fun together!
73, Allen, AG4VA
Park Map: