This wasn't an actual SOTA operation, but it was done in SOTA style.  For today's Eclipse QSO Party, I took my SOTA gear to Oregon's Devil's Kitchen State Beach.

Made a couple of dozen contacts, one on FM, the rest on CW.  Rig was my FT-817ND and the first trial of my SOTABeams 20/30/40M link dipole.  Since I wasn't hiking far and because Oregon's coastal winds are strong, I took an aluminum 18' Wagner painter pole as support instead of the usual 20' fiberglass crappie pole.

SOTA activation or not, I never miss a chance to literally "Show the Flag" when it comes to SOTA, and it fluttered nicely in the coastal gale breeze.

It was a good chance to discuss ham radio and SOTA with my fellow eclipse-istas.  Always safety conscious, I posted a caution sign:  "TO AVOID EYE INJURY, DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE HAM RADIO PERSON!"