A recent thread on the SOTA Yahoo site regarding propagation between VK5 & VK2, prompted me in checking my SOTA stats.  It was really quite interesting.  Here’s what I found…..

CHASER

• Total of 1,882 Chaser points.
• Total of 411 SOTA QSO’s as a Chaser.
• Total of 189 unique summits chased
• 13 x DX QSO’s (UK & Europe)
• 71 x VK1 QSO’s
• 22 x VK2 QSO’s
• 283 x VK3 QSO’s
• 19 x VK5 QSO’s
• 2 x VK9 QSO’s

• DX           3 %
• VK1         17 %
• VK2          5 %
• VK3          69 %
• VK5          5 %
• VK9          1 %

My top Chased Activators

• Allen VK3HRA
• Wayne VK3WAM
• Peter VK3PF
• Andrew VK1NAM
• Marshall VK3MRG
• Peter VK3ZPF
• Mitch VK3FMDV
• Al VK1RX
• Brian VK3MCD
• Ron VK3AFW

Most worked VK1 Activator

• Andrew VK1NAM

Most worked VK2 Activator

• Ed VK2JI

Most worked VK3 Activator

• Allen, VK3HRA

Most worked VK5 Activator

• Ian VK5CZ

My first ever SOTA contact was with Mike, 2E0YYY, and since that time I have worked a further 12 DX activators in Europe and the United Kingdom.

The stats showed that propagation between my qth in the Adelaide Hills to VK1 & VK2 appears to be quite good.  This is considering that VK1 has been an active Association for a short period of time, and VK2 even less.

Sadly there are not too many Activators in VK5 South Australia.  This may have a lot to do with the fact that many of the summits here require a significant amount of travel from the major population base in Adelaide.  Having said that, there are still at least 3 summits in close proximity to Adelaide.  The lack of activity has not been as a result of publicity.  Both myself and Ian VK5CZ have been active in promoting SOTA here in VK5.

Unfortunately, despite hearing them on a few occasions, I am yet to work any of the VK4 Queensland activators.

ACTIVATOR

• Total of 147 Activator points
• Total of 60 activations.
• 45 x activations in South Australia
• 15 x activations in Victoria
• Total of 48 unique summits (in VK3 & VK5)

My top Activation Chasers.

• Ernie VK3DET
• Peter VK3PF
• Brian VK5FMID
• Peter VK3FPSR
• Col VK5HCF
• Ed VK2JI
• Tony VK3CAT
• Ron VK3AFW
• Larry VK5LY
• Rhett VK3GHZ

I only commenced activating SOTA peaks in March, 2013.  My first ever activation was VK5/ SE-016, on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.  Since then I have activated a total of 48 unique summits.

The Victorian fellas have been the primary chasers when I have been on top of a hill.  However there has been a core group of VK5’s including Brian VK5FMID, Col VK5HCF and Larry VK5LY.

I have been privileged to work a significant amount of DX in Europe, the United Kingdom, the USA, and the Carribean, whilst I have been on the top of a summit.