10 POTA Life Hacks - Ham Radio Q&A

#POTA #Parksontheair #LifeHacks
Over the years I’ve collected quite a few little tips that help me in having a more enjoyable time while minimizing issues that could lead to failure with my Parks on the Air activations. With that said, here are my 10 POTA hacks that will help make your activations a success.
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Timestamp
00:00 Opening
00:33 My ten favorite Parks on the Air Tips
01:22 Check List
02:44 Everyday item Emergency Kit
03:37 Over-Under cable wind
04:33 Velcro cable wraps
05:01 Packing/Organizing cubes
05:32 Knots for deploying antennas
07:04 Charged Battery Indicator
07:52 Anderson Power Poles
08:28 Hydration
09:04 Parks on the Air Slack Page
10:04 What are your favorite POTA hacks
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#tips #bettterhamradio #hamharder

[@n5pa]

Good and useful video on preparing for a POTA Activation Michael! Keep up the good work!

[@Uncle-PAIN]

At the beginning of this video, you said that you are on a mission to inspire and educate the amateur radio community. Your KZbin channel is one of the three KZbin channels that inspired and motivated me to get licensed - KK7MHO. You are an asset to the amateur radio hobby. We are eager for more great entertaining and informative videos.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

that's awesome! I'm glad the content was helpful in your amateur radio journey.

[@thuff3207]

Thank you and these are great tips to help us all on parks on the air.

[@Taylor-KY3G]

This was a great video, thanks! I’m hoping to do my first activation in a couple weeks and these were great tips.

[@ClayExtrudingExpert]

You are a treasure for new hams like me, MM. Just got my copy of the POTA book!

[@gaptastic]

Excellent video, thank you, Mike!

[@ky4tgtodd203]

another fantastick video!! thank you for all you do!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Ten very good suggestions. Thanks.

[@F4WBU]

Thank you very much 73!

[@potababe]

As a new ham who wants to POTA activate in the near future, I found this video very helpful. Thanks!

[@randalltom9750]

Great video! Two additional knots to use are the truckers hitch, and the prussic knot… the former for guys, the latter for strain relief, e.g. antenna to radio… thanks for the tips!

[@mikeh4524]

I always hook up my station on the tailgate of my truck before I leave my home base. I then turn it on, tune around to hear some voices and hit the PTT once. This way I always know I’ll have a working station at the very least. It eliminates the possibility of leaving a battery, connector or a feed line that leaves me dead in the water. -KE0VIM

[@palmerstation99]

Thank you Michael. Greatly appreciate your dedication and you sharing your knowledge. God bless. 73. KZ1J

[@jefft2553]

Good information. Thanks

[@mewrongway]

Awesome video Michael!! 👍

[@F4WBU]

Thank you very much and 73!

[@WilliamParmley]

Great stuff!

[@larrytaylor7753]

Occasionally I use a portable 50W amplifier (for when QRP just isn’t getting there) from QRP LABS. It requires 20 volts. I use a homemade power station with 5, 12, and 20 volt outputs. To avoid serious damage by applying 20 volts to my 12 v radios, I use Anderson Power Poles configured with the connectors over-under instead of side by side. It is impossible to plug a 12v connector into my 20v supply. There isn’t anything much worse than letting the smoke out of your portable rig when miles from the shack.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Great idea! I love how Powerpoles are genderless and come in different colors. You can create combinations like that to prevent misconnecting wires.

[@Rolfunther]

Love the tape tip.

[@Davidjb37721]

Thanks

[@richlovin2173]

Switching entirely to Anderson Power poles was a great way to speed up setup and take down, It also greatly reduces the frustration factor.

[@barrykery1175]

I like the knot. Pretty simple and very useful. Power Poles......every radio that I own that is low voltage has been changed to power poles. They are great. Good video, very informative. Thanks for posting. Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@kd5you1]

One thing I can think of is a spare parts bag or box that contains extra rf connectors/adapters, zip ties, fuses, soldering iron with solder, etc. During the last field day we set up an AS-2259/gr antenna in a nearby field on Friday evening for the GOTA station, and everything was fine. The next morning we tested everything again and found the antenna impossible to tune. After checking the antenna with an antenna analyzer at various points along the coax we discovered that the barrel connector between two lengths of coax was bad. Luckily we had a spare. 73 KD5YOU

[@ChrisCookTech]

Always a good idea to bring some form of shelter as well, either a pop-up tent or a simple 9x9 tarp. Those pesky rain clouds that show up outta nowhere can certainly damage some equipment if you aren't prepared.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Some sheets of plastic or even a garbage bag works great for a quick rain cover for those sudden downpours.

[@RadioK4RLC]

I have an emergency bivouac that it lightweight & strong from a company aptly named "Don't die in the Woods !"

[@andyrobison9723]

You mentioned having two antennas, that is great advice unto itself. I carry a linked dipole and hamsticks for redundancy. “Two is one and one is none” as they say. 73, K9ELF

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

You've got it. Not only two antennas, but two styles of antenna. Carrying a pair of wire dipoles won't help you if you don't have suitable structure to get them in the air.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

It also helps to carry a spare antenna cable, too. My first POTA activation was a bust because I did not have another cable to replace the bad one that I bought with me.

[@scottcottle4325]

I love the girth hitch. It's almost not a knot! I many times have folding chairs and square card table in the suv just in case.

[@Skipper-Marcusde]

I have my equipment checklists in Google Docs. This way I can access them everywhere. I have lists for different antennas (some require to bring the tuner, SWR stick, other stuff). Since then I never forgot anything again. Learned it the hard way after not bringing an important adapter once and forgetting my headphones the other activation.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

You are so right, Preparation makes operation look easy and it makes the operation an absolute joy. As Portable activator for many years I share your enthusiasm for checking the gear bag often. Pack small in the beginning and the check list stays manageable. Great Video ! thank you for sharing

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I think we all tend to overpack and should constantly refine our gear choices. I remember reading an article many years ago in Backpacker magazine about an outfitter located about 5 days in on the Appalachian Trail. Their whole purpose was to lighten the load of thru-hikers and were often very successful at shedding 10-20% of your gear weight. That critical look at what you are carrying can make the difference between success and failure.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

@KB9VBR Antennas that is a fun story. Yes, there is a difference between what we want and what we actually need. 😉 SOTA teaches us to pack better, I am learning that POTA is less about surviving and more about fun. And this means more sharing with others.

[@genebodenberger]

For tying off the end of an antenna (or anything else for that matter) I use the trucker's hitch. Easy tie and easier untie.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The truckers hitch is a great knot as it holds fast and allows you to put a lot of tension on a line. In some instances, a tautline can loosen up, but the truckers hitch won't.

[@sudmuf9232]

Hi, I find your videos interesting, entertaining, and educational. I would like to see a video that compares and contrasts the Chameleon Antenna hybrid, micro hybrid, and mini hybrid.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Amen on the knots bro! Buddies in hunting camp have given up on my harping and let me tie all the knots because when we tear down camp they untie their knots with a knife! Sheesh.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Ain't that the truth

[@antonanker583]

Attaching, and packing away, radials to a vertical antenna can be time consuming. Your WRC antenna, among others have “O” rings attached to each radial and these rings be put on the support legs while screwing them into the mount. I bought two additional 3/8 x 24 fine nuts and mounted them on a leg with an “O” ring between them. I soldered a pig tail with three ends to the “O” ring and attached Anderson power poles on the other three. Attached power poles to the end of each radial wire. It’s a simple matter to attach and detach the radials now.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

What a great idea.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

I bought wire winders to wrap my radials on. Works for me.

[@RadioK4RLC]

Michael - another vy useful video with hacks. Any chance your Check List is available? TIA

[@gregbreitz972]

Thanks for the quick response to my email. Keep doing what you do!! 73, KD2RLB

[@LiquidCheney]

As a salior and a ham, you picked the exact same knots I would have.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

We teach those knots to new Scouts. I figure if a 10 year old can learn them, so can a ham.

[@Skipper-Marcusde]

Another hack: When I go out with my radio I wear a second watch (Casio G-Shock) with UTC time. Logging the contacts is sometimes challenging enough for a beginner like me and I don't want to calculate. If I don't habe the watch with me I log in localtime and calculate the UTC at home.

[@Frisky0563]

Very nice video some great tips to get organized with equipment.

[@d3jake]

My Tip is to make your own Signal Report reference card. You can add space to leave a reminder of the Park name, Park number, grid, County, etc. I use paper logs, so not needing to rewrite some specifics is great. The card is a small notecard, and I can print it off from my home printer. I can send you a picture if you like. I suspect YT and Patreon will scrub unsolicited URLs.

[@patricksharimccarthy9495]

I’d like to see this if possible! De K2SCH

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I find a visual reminder essential. I'll write the park number, callsign (for club activities), or other information on a 3x5 card. Feel free to post the link, if it goes to the spam folder, I'll approve it.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Parks on the Air has a log sheet that you can use. Just fill out the top before you leave.

[@d3jake]

​@@patricksharimccarthy9495 Check out KE0RIY's QRZ page. The link I posted vanished..

[@d3jake]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Check out KE0RIY's QRZ page. The link I posted vanished..I dunno if it hit the spam folder or not.

[@gregorysmith3097]

For batteries, if you have more than 1 battery, label them. You don't want to grab the one that you just depleted when you thought you were getting the fully charged one.

[@ki4clz]

Do you do any AM operating on the different AM windows?

[@Scott_AI5EF]

Thank you for these tips. I pack a n Ozark 7 person tepee. It's nice for rain cover and plenty of room, in case i decide to stay overnight. Easy to setup and take down. N5ABI

[@patring620]

What kind a knot does one use for their ponytail?

[@thelandrethfarm4782]

Thanks Michael, lots of good info! K7DFL

[@jeffwelsh1185]

Great video on your pota hacks. Very informative and great content as usual. My question is, I have never been involved in pota or SOTA. Where do I find the information to get started in either? Such as the park or summit numbers, maps ,etc.. I enjoy portable operating and could incorporate pota and SOTA in my camping and 4 wheeling trips as you have incorporated your camping trips into pota trips. Any information or a point in the right direction to find this information would be a great help and greatly appreciated. As always, great video, and great content. Thanks for the videos, I have learned a lot from them. 73 KI5HGT

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

For POTA, go to parksontheair.com. There you will find information and tutorials to get started. As for the park numbers and activators currently on the air, go to the spotting page at pota.app.

[@frankwc0o]

I've noticed for the first time you are wearing that vest you got from a "surprise" box from ARRL. Must be getting cold there.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yep, it's my 'surprise box' vest. With the weather getting colder, I thought it would be good to get it out again.

[@larryjanson4011]

as to water. at the grocery store. buy the one gallon store brand water as it is the lowest price. keep the jugs and refill. great way to have plenty of water at hand one gallon+ per person per day). and with a couple of them (full) they can be used as dead weight for holding things down. do not forget quality snacks... aka not candy.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I hate the waste that store bought water bottles create, that's why I try to use my own. Reusing gallon jugs is a good idea.

[@Jase_husky]

Normally I have my truck along with that has all my camping gear but the one thing I tend to do is my radio I take into the field has a recording function. When I start my activation it records all RX and TX and puts a timestamp on them along with frequency for the file. That way if I think I wrote down a call wrong I can aways go back to the recording on my radio.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The recording feature is so useful. I don't know how many times I've gone back to the recording to fix a busted call in the log.

[@davewhite7679]

Somehow I've missed that. Which radios have that QSO audio recording feature? KZ9V

[@AirsDream]

@@davewhite7679 iCom 705 for one! K8RHH

[@radioman3229]

Thanks for all your great videos... I started doing POTA because of them... I now have 28 activations and got my first kilo recently. I have a question for you sir, I run a Icom 7300, my friend like you uses the ft 891, he says for his radio he needs a 12vdc to 13.8 dc converter... is this necessary for the Icom 7300, i have done like i said 28 activations without one, so I wondering will this effect my radio?? NS9T ty.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The advantage of a DC-DC converter is that it delivers a constant voltage to your transceiver as the battery is depleted. The down side is that your current draw will be reduced, so you need a battery appropriately sized to cover that drop. I don't use a DC-DC converter as the FT-891 will operated over a wide range of voltages (13.8v +/- 15%). But ideally the closer you stay to 13.8 volts, the better the radio will be able to provide it's rated transmit power. As for the IC-7300. I believe it has similar specs and you should be able to run it just fine from a LiFePO4 battery without the need of the DC-DC converter.

[@radioman3229]

thanks@@KB9VBRAntennas

[@turtlecreek4633]

73!

[@Thomas-rl8kw]

Lately I've been hearing 2nd operator. What's that all about?

[@stacywallett]

Hey Michael, what logging software do you like to use?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

For the most party I've been using Hamrs on my inexpensive Windows notebook.

[@RandellReeder]

What type of coax and length do you use?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I carry RG-8X in various lengths, notably 2 25 foot pieces and one 50 foot piece.

[@edschroer613]

That vest maybe from the secret 📦

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

It's getting colder up here, so it's time to break the vest out again.

[@WN8HGZ]

What do u use for logging software de wb8idy Swansboro nc

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've been using Hamrs on an inexpensive Windows 10 PC.

[@frankwc0o]

What’s that bag for ur battery? Look slim.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

In my box of old computer parts I had a padded case for an Iomega Zip drive. (remember those from the '90s?) It fit the battery perfectly. Insulated lunch bags also work well for battery transport.

[@frankwc0o]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I remember. It makes sense now, with the longer pockets. And I saw the video again, I see the big "I". Well at least the case survived!

[@dwallich56]

What is the address for getting to the POTA SLACK page, please?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

parksontheair.slack.com/ will get you there.

[@Mandarin110631]

KK7SWB-thank you for these tips Michael!

[@donaldsmith3048]

I like the Truckers knot for guide ropes. It let's me put some pull on them, and I can adjust them when needed.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The beauty of the truckers hitch is that it creates leverage so you cinch it very tight. It also won't work its way loose.

[@donaldsmith3048]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I like it for that, plus when I put up a pole for the end of a wire. Then when the wire is put up the Trucers knot can be easily adjusted. Just make sure when making it you. You must leave room for adjustment. 550 cord does give some so that needs to be allowed for.

[@GH0ST369]

After 40 we start to lose our thirst reflex by the time you are 60 it is noticeable.

[@jerry-suhrstedt]

Bro, Slack is not a page. It’s not a web page. It’s a messaging app. 😂😂

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

But you still knew what I meant, so all it good.

[@demorestautosport]

Great video! I look forward to my first POTA activation here soon! - KE8QPI