POTA - Get Started

Parks On the Air (POTA) is a program that encourages amateur radio operators to operate from designated locations around the world. The goal of the program is to promote nature and outdoor activity as well as amateur radio.

POTA Paradise: How to Hunt and Activate in any Park

eBook by, Marc - VA3BLV (”VA3-Believe”)

CONTENTS

Introduction to Parks On the Air (POTA)

Parks On the Air (POTA) is an initiative that encourages amateur radio operators to set up portable stations in designated locations across the globe. The primary objective of this program is to promote both nature and outdoor activities, while also fostering engagement in amateur radio. 🌿📻

The program is open to any licensed amateur radio operator and is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy the hobby. Whether you’re a new operator or a seasoned ham, POTA offers an exciting challenge and a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

4 Great Reasons Why Every Ham Should Try POTA

1. Promoting Wellness—Get Outdoors: Parks On the Air (POTA) encourages amateur radio operators to step outside and set up operations in different parks. This is a fantastic way to combine a love for the outdoors with a passion for radio communication.
2. Development of Emergency Communication Skills: POTA activations mimic conditions that one might encounter during real-world emergencies, where traditional communication infrastructure may be compromised. This makes it an excellent platform for practicing and honing emergency communication skills.
3. Opportunity to Join an Active Community: POTA has an active and friendly community of amateur radio operators who share an interest in portable operations and outdoor activities. Joining the POTA community can offer a wealth of resources, support, and camaraderie.
4. Enhance Your Radio Operating Skills: Whether you’re a seasoned ham or a new operator, POTA offers an exciting challenge. With each activation, you’ll improve your ability to set up a portable station, deal with varying signal conditions, and communicate with a variety of other stations. It’s a fun and rewarding way to enhance your radio operating skills.

POTA: An Effective Way to Practice Emergency Comms

Parks On the Air (POTA) is not just a fun and rewarding way to enjoy the hobby of amateur radio; it also serves as an excellent opportunity to practice emergency communication (EmComm) skills. POTA activations often mimic the conditions one might encounter during a real-world emergency where traditional communication infrastructure may be compromised or unavailable.

Practicing in the field enhances your ability to quickly and efficiently set up and break down a portable station, operate under less-than-ideal conditions, and communicate with a variety of other stations, some of which may be difficult to reach. This kind of practice can be invaluable in an emergency situation where effective communication can make a crucial difference.

POTA: Field Day Everyday

With POTA, you can experience the thrill of a “Field Day” anytime you want. Field Day, one of the most popular events in amateur radio, involves setting up temporary stations in public places to test the skills and preparedness of radio operators. It’s a day of fun, learning, and camaraderie.

Through POTA, you can have a similar experience anytime you choose to activate a park. Each activation brings its own unique challenges and learning opportunities, just like Field Day. The more parks you activate, the more you’ll hone your skills and be ready for whatever comes your way. Whether you’re a seasoned ham looking for a new challenge or a newbie wanting to learn, POTA is your chance to have a “Field Day” every day.

So, How Do I get Started?: Joining the POTA Community

Joining the POTA community is a great way to meet other amateur radio operators who share your interest in portable operation and outdoor activity. The POTA community is active and friendly, and there are many resources available to help you get started and improve your skills.

You can join the POTA community by signing up on the POTA website, joining the POTA Facebook group, or participating in POTA events and activities.

Sign Up For Free!

To get started today, go to the POTA website (The POTA website) right. Click the sign up button. Follow the instructions to create a free account.

Hunting vs Activating

In POTA, there are two main roles: hunters and activators. Hunters are the operators who stay at home or in their local area and try to make contact with the operators who are activating the parks. Activators are the operators who go out to the parks and set up a portable station to make contacts.

Both roles are important and offer their own challenges and rewards. As a hunter, the challenge is to successfully make contact with as many parks as possible. As an activator, the challenge is to successfully set up a portable station in a park and make as many contacts as possible. Both roles offer the reward of enjoying the hobby, improving your skills, and contributing to the success of the POTA program.

Be A Pro POTA Hunter!

Taking on the role of a POTA (Parks On the Air) Hunter can be an exciting and rewarding way to participate in the program without having to leave your local area. As a Hunter, your role is to make contact with Activators who have set up portable stations in designated parks.

Getting Started as a POTA Hunter

To get started as a POTA Hunter, you will need a radio setup that allows you to communicate with the operators activating the parks. This can be a simple home station or a more elaborate setup, depending on your preferences and resources.

Tuning Into Activators

Once you have your radio setup in place, you can start tuning into Activators. There are several ways to find out where and when Activators will be on the air. One of the most common ways is to check the POTA website https://pota.app/, which provides a list of upcoming activations and spots

Making Contact

When you hear an Activator on the air, your goal as a Hunter is to make contact with them. This is usually done by responding to their CQ call. Remember to follow good operating practices: listen first to make sure the frequency is clear and the Activator is not in the middle of a contact with another station. Then, when you’re sure it’s your turn, respond with your call sign.

QSO Exchanges

Once you’re acknowledged by the Activator, it’s important to provide some standard exchanges—usually your callsign, a signal report and your State/location: “This is VA3BLV, you are 59 into Hawaii, Hotel, India. QSL?” That’s it! You’ve made your first POTA contact as a hunter! Now do it again a couple of times, as many times as you can and you will start getting achievement awards from in your POTA profile.

Be a Boss POTA Activator!

Equipment needed for POTA

Radio, antenna and a battery. The equipment needed for a POTA activation can vary widely depending on the individual operator’s preferences and the specific circumstances of the activation. At a minimum, you will need a transceiver (radio), an antenna, and a power source.

The radio can be any type of amateur radio transceiver, from a simple handheld radio to a more complex mobile or base station radio. The antenna can be anything from a simple wire antenna to a more complex directional antenna. The power source can be anything from a car battery to a portable solar panel.

How to Find a Park to Activate

Finding a park for a POTA activation is easy. The POTA website (http://pota.app/) has a map of all the designated parks that are part of the program. You can search the map by location or by park name.

Once you find a park you’re interested in, you can click on it for more information, including the park’s code, which you will need for your logs. You can also find information about the park’s facilities, such as whether it has restrooms or picnic areas.

Understanding the rules and regulations of POTA

Understanding the rules and regulations of POTA is crucial for a successful activation. The rules are fairly straightforward and are designed to ensure fairness and to promote the spirit of the program.

The rules cover things like what counts as a valid activation, how many contacts you need to make, and how to log your contacts. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the rules before your first activation. (see: Parks on the Air Documentation)

Preparing for a POTA activation

Preparing for a POTA activation involves several steps. First, you need to choose a park and plan your trip. This includes checking the park’s facilities and rules, and making sure you have the necessary permissions to operate there.

Next, you need to pack your equipment. This includes your radio, antenna, power source, and any other equipment you might need. It’s a good idea to make a checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything.

O’ahu has many beautiful parks that are perfect for POTA. Here are three of them:

• Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area
• Next Park
• Another Park

Conducting Your First POTA activation

Conducting a POTA activation involves setting up your equipment, making contacts, and logging your contacts. It’s a good idea to arrive at the park early to give yourself plenty of time to set up.

Once you’re set up, you can start making contacts. Remember to follow the POTA rules and to be courteous to other operators. Once you’ve made enough contacts, you can pack up and head home.

Logging and confirming contacts

Logging your contacts is an important part of a POTA activation. You need to record the call sign of each station you contact, as well as the time, frequency, and mode of each contact.

Once you’ve logged your contacts, you need to confirm them. This involves uploading your log to the POTA website. Once your contacts are confirmed, you can apply for credit for your activation.

Software for Logging Your Activations

When logging your Parks On the Air (POTA) activations, selecting the right software can significantly enhance your experience. A robust logging software aids in tracking your contacts, simplifying the process of uploading your logs to the POTA site, and identifying other POTA activations in real time.

There are numerous software options available for POTA logging. Some of the widely used ones include:

• N1MM Logger+: This is a highly customizable and potent logging software extensively used in the amateur radio community. It offers features like real-time scoring, networking capabilities, and a wide range of customization options. However, due to its complexity, it might be a bit much for a simple POTA activation.
• Ham Log: A simpler and more user-friendly alternative, Ham Log provides basic logging capabilities in an intuitive format. This makes it a great choice for beginners or anyone seeking a straightforward logging solution.
• POTA App: Specifically developed for Parks on the Air, the POTA App delivers a seamless logging experience. It automatically uploads your logs to the POTA website and offers real-time spotting, allowing you to view other ongoing POTA activations.
• HAMRS: Stands for Ham Radio Logbook System and is a popular choice among amateur radio operators. It’s a simple and intuitive logging system designed specifically for field operations like POTA. It offers features like automatic time stamping, easy log entry, and supports ADIF export for easy upload to the POTA website.
• Fast Log Entry (FLE): An excellent choice for those who prefer a minimalist and efficient approach, Fast Log Entry is a simple text editor designed for quick manual entry of QSO logs. It’s an ideal solution for quick logging during your POTA activations.

Choosing the appropriate logging software depends on your specific needs and preferences. Factors such as ease of use, features, and compatibility with your operating system should be considered. The objective is to find a solution that makes logging effortless and enjoyable, allowing you to concentrate on your POTA activations.

Watch a pro show how it’s done:

How I do it! A complete POTA activation from start to finish - KB9VBR

Taking the truSDX on its first CW POTA activation! Can it activate? We’ll find out! - K4SWL

Digital Modes and POTA: FT4, FT8, and CW

Digital modes of communication have become increasingly popular in Parks On the Air (POTA) activations owing to their efficiency and ease of use under varying signal conditions. Among these, FT4, FT8, and CW (Morse Code) are commonly employed by amateur radio operators.

FT4 and FT8

FT4 and FT8 are digital modes developed by Joe Taylor, K1JT and Steve Franke, K9AN. These modes are part of the WSJT-X software suite, which is designed for weak signal communication. FT stands for “Franke-Taylor” and the number represents the transmission duration of the mode in seconds.

FT8, with its 15-second transmission cycle, is widely used due to its ability to work under very weak signal conditions. It is an excellent mode for making contacts over long distances, even when propagation conditions are not optimal.

FT4 is a faster mode with a 7.5-second transmission cycle. It is designed for radio contesting but can also be used for POTA activations. Its faster transmission rate allows for quicker contacts compared to FT8, which can be beneficial in a busy activation.

Both FT4 and FT8 operate under the principle of time-synchronized transmissions, which require accurate timekeeping on the radio operator’s part. This can be achieved through computer synchronization using an internet time server.

CW (Continuous Wave)

CW, or Continuous Wave, is the simplest form of modulation and is often associated with Morse Code transmissions. Despite being one of the oldest modes of radio communication, CW remains a favorite among many amateur radio operators, including those participating in POTA.

CW’s popularity stems from its simplicity and efficiency. It requires minimal bandwidth and can be decoded by ear, which can be a useful skill during field operations. Furthermore, CW signals can often be received when voice or digital signals cannot, making it a reliable mode under challenging conditions.

In POTA activations, CW can be a fun and rewarding way to make contacts. It brings a sense of tradition and skill to the hobby, and many operators find the rhythm and pace of Morse Code communication enjoyable.

In conclusion, digital modes like FT4, FT8, and CW offer unique advantages and add diversity to your POTA activations. They can help you make contacts under various conditions and can make your activations more interesting and challenging.