SOTA frequencies for every band
Where Summits on the Air activators usually call, by band and mode. SOTA has no official frequencies: these are informal centres reported by activators and chasers on the SOTA Reflector.
SOTA
Centres of activity| Band | Frequency | Regions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40m | 7.032 MHz | All | CW; operators advise keeping clear of the 7030 QRP centre |
| 40m | 7.118 MHz | Region 1 | SSB, common in Europe |
| 30m | 10.118 MHz | All | CW |
| 20m | 14.062 MHz | All | CW |
| 20m | 14.285 MHz | All | SSB; also the Region 1 SSB QRP centre, often occupied by a US net |
| 15m | 21.062 MHz | All | CW |
| 2m | 144.300 MHz | Region 1 | SSB (144200 in Regions 2 and 3) |
SOTA has no official calling frequencies. These are informal centres of activity reported by activators and chasers on the SOTA Reflector; look a few kHz either side and check SOTAwatch spots.
Sources: SOTA Reflector, "SOTA SSB Calling Frequencies?" (2015); SOTA Reflector, "Activating frequencies - Advice" (2016)
An activator on a summit has little time, little power and a battery to save, so most call close to a handful of habitual frequencies and spot themselves on SOTAwatch. Chasers tune a few kilohertz either side of these centres, or simply follow the spots. When a centre is busy, a second activator moves up or down until a clear spot is found and posts the new frequency.
On 40 m CW, activators are asked to keep clear of the 7030 kHz QRP centre. 14285 kHz SSB is also the Region 1 SSB QRP centre and is often taken by a US net. On 2 m, SSB activity in Region 1 gathers near 144.300 MHz.
The SOTA table has 7 entries, on 40 m, 30 m, 20 m, 15 m, and 2 m.
No entry for 160 m, 80 m, 60 m, 17 m, 12 m, and 10 m: the source gives none there.
2 of the entries hold only in some ITU regions, as the regions column shows.
Dial frequencies are the USB suppressed-carrier setting of the radio; the signals sit a few hundred hertz to about 3 kHz above. Band plans and national rules prevail.