90% of POTA Activators Are Making This Costly Mistake!

[@DellFargus]

I didn't know that DX couldn't use >7.200MHz. Thanks for that info. 7.210-7.235 is all ragchewers, and they love to turn their amps up on POTA stations if you're on "their frequency". 7.255-7.270 is shortwave broadcast that comes on after dark, and crushes you. 7.275-7.290 is AM ragchewers - they like to turn up their amps if you're in their bandwidth, and chew you out for not following the band plan. 7.290-7.300 is shortwave broadcast. There are a few windows in there that are usable, but it's hard to find 3 open kHz in those gaps - especially on QSO Party weekends.

[@outnaboot]

I really appreciate your insights! Band plans can be tricky, and your experience is valuable to everyone trying to avoid those costly mistakes.

[@Finley-vd8sb]

I don't disagree with what you you are saying, but for a U.S. general class license holder that only leaves 7.175 to 7.200 to activate on. Hardly enough room to find an open frequency most evenings. Just another reason to upgrade to amateur extra for U.S. hams I suppose. Keep up the great work on your vids! 73s.

[@outnaboot]

Totally feel you on that! It can be a real pain to find an open spot. Upgrading sounds like a solid plan! Thanks for watching! 73s!

[@Keith_WB2VUO]

A valid point. I used to live in New England, and the SW broadcasters clobbered 40 meter from 1900Z and later!. ECARS on 7255 KHz shuts down around 1800Z because of the QRM from the broadcasters. Saying this, at times 7175-7200 KHz is often so busy that finding an open spot for POTA is hard if not impossible in that range. At those times, the best option is to move down to 7050 KHz & run CW. FT4 & FT8 are viable if one has gear for portable digital operations. I am working on fitting a laptop kr tablet into my Go Kit, but until then I always have a mike and key! 73, Keith, WB2VUO in Amherst ,NY

[@outnaboot]

Awesome tips, Keith! It can be a jungle out there on those bands. Good luck fitting your gear into the Go Kit-hope you can get it all sorted and hit the airwaves without a hitch! 73!

[@Se7en49]

General Class HAMS here is the states can only go down to 7.175 unless your activating on digitals modes.

[@outnaboot]

@@Se7en49 yep

[@jameski5oeb668]

I was not aware of this until now. I did a POTA on 1/2/2025 UTC and if I’d known I would have buzzed down there to try harder. I did start at 7.175(I am a general)and moved to 7.265 and heard a POTA call before I stopped the dial. Everything when I started below that was all clogged with folks doing Ham things. The gracious folks on 7.265 in NM gave up the frequency to me and went QRT when I talked with them! Soooo nice, only had to move once for QRM (SW Asian music thoughtfully on SSB by another wonderful amateur.) After two contacts with it in the background, the D¥€£ @&$ stayed and I departed only 5MHz lower to 7.260. And got another 20 contacts before getting too cold to continue! Now that I know I will try harder to play closer to the VE/VA band plan. Thank You!

[@outnaboot]

I really appreciate you sharing your story! It’s inspiring to see your dedication. Keep pushing those bands, and may your future activations be even more successful!

[@Aimsport-video]

Oh, I thought you were going to say “Using AI for thumbnails.”

[@outnaboot]

That's not it!!!!

[@kjoh42]

​@@outnabootnevertheless, please stop

[@outnaboot]

@@kjoh42 You know you don't have to subscribe or watch this channel...you are free not to visit if you don't like the thumbnails or anything else on this channel. No one forces you to come here.

[@jameski5oeb668]

@@outnabootI come for the content not the thumbnails.

[@outnaboot]

@@jameski5oeb668 That is what I say

[@giffjim55]

Many thanks! I usually start out on 40m, and I never realized the restriction faced by European operators nor the competition you face by SW stations. I will make an effort to correct where I land on 40. BTW, great KZbin channel.

[@outnaboot]

I really appreciate your kind words! It’s great to hear that the video is making a positive impact on your operations. Keep up the good work!

[@bryan94591]

Great points. But shouldn’t it be Oot n Aboot?

[@outnaboot]

Not Dom where I stand. We named it so we decide :-)

[@MikeN2MAK]

I usually try to get below 7.2, especially when I'm out in the evening, although it can get crowded at times. But if I'm using 40m during the day when the band isn't open for DX, I don't worry about it too much.

[@outnaboot]

Very True...not going to get any DX on 40m during the daylight hours.

[@bwillan]

That is a good tip to keep in mind. Being familiar with the amateur radio band plans of places you wish to contact will certainly increase your odds of making QSOs.

[@outnaboot]

Absolutely, as I tell anyone who would listen, there is a huge big world outside of North America believe it or not.

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

All my 40 meter contacts are from the US and Canada. I know mostly it is the time of day I am on 40 meters though. I have only done one activation using 40 meters and all my contacts were from U.S. and Canada even though I was below 7.200 MHz. It might have been the time of day I was calling CQ though as it was between 03:00 and 03:40 UTC during the summer so the early birds in Europe might not have been awake yet. I was using a dual band 80m/40m NVIS antenna so that might have played a part as well. Main reason I built the antenna was to check in to a morning round table net on 80 meters from my campsite in the national forest. I knew it would be NVIS on 80 due to the height so I decided to include 40 meters in the build. I did build the antenna at the campsite so I decided to do a POTA activation to test it. Next time I do a dispersed camping trip in the national forest I will make sure to take that antenna along and try to get on 40 earlier in the day to see if I might be able to catch some DX due to the height.

[@outnaboot]

I usually work the Big Guns Friendship net on M, We, and Fr starting at around 2300 UTC on or around 7128. Lots of DX there.

[@AirBozzz]

Totally agree - everytime I hunt POTA the majority of US stations are above 7.200 and as such missing out a lot of DX contacts - we (often) hear you but are not allowed to work you !! At least try to find a spot below 7.200 first when activating, much appreciated!

[@outnaboot]

For me, I almost never work above 7200. I always focus on 7200 and below to make sure I can get you guys in the log.

[@TonyYarusso]

Yeah, not enough room below 7.200 for Generals, plus the number of overseas contacts you’re realistically going to get on 40m with a portable setup isn’t often enough to care. Higher bands sometimes, but on 40m not so much. Most of us are using 40m to allow contacts by nearby hunters.

[@outnaboot]

I always get many DX contacts from my location. I just need to have the right antenna and the right propagation at the right time of day. Canadians are not restricted like many of the amateurs in the US, where a basic amateur in Canada has even more band access compared to a US extra.

[@TonyYarusso]

@ You’re two thousand kilometers and two timezones closer to Europe than I am though.

[@outnaboot]

@@TonyYarussofair enough. I do have a friend in Minnesota who has regular QSOs with Europe on 40, so it can be done.

[@StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio]

US Generals are really limited to 7178 as a carrier frequency to avoid the lower sideband spilling below 7175. I have worked several US activators when they have been in the bit of the band we can both use and I've been hunted fairly intensively from the US on 40m below 7200 when I have been out at night or very early morning.

[@outnaboot]

I really appreciate your detailed comment! Your firsthand experience with activators provides valuable context for everyone trying to navigate the band effectively.

[@LB7VJ]

Good point! We'd love to get you in are logs on 40, but we just can't answer your CQs over 7,200. Most of the time we don't hear you on 40, especially if we’re activating ourselves, but sometimes we do. Wishing you all the best, and 73 🥳

[@outnaboot]

Thanks, this is why I almost never activate on 40m above 7200. I want you guys to get in my log. I get many LA station on 40m when band conditions allow for it.

[@LB7VJ]

@ Thanks for hunting us! I heard you several times in the pile up on 20m over Christmas while hunting park to park, but unfortunately failed to log you when I activated myself. Unfortunately, conditions have been a bit up and down these last days. Happy hunting and 73 bud!

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

I’ve heard of a few people activating on 7.200. I don’t have the patience or temperament to do it, so I avoid that frequency. 73!

[@outnaboot]

Ha Ha. I avoid 40m most of the time, unless I am going out at night to hunt 40m DX. That said, I avoid 20m as well, unless the bands are lousy on the higher end of the spectrum. If I go on 20 or 40m, it will be where I have the highest chance to land some unique country flags.

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

I have actually seen people spotted there and thought to myself they are either nuts or working a time of day the circus isn't on the air. There have been times I have been scrolling through 40 meters and go past 7.200 as my girlfriend is walking past my desk. She gets interested when she hears people fighting and wants to know the drama.

[@toddshook1765]

Glad you brought that up. Son and I are just getting interested to pota. Will look into the freq.

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for your comment! I’m excited that you and your son are exploring POTA together. It's a great way to bond and learn!

[@EricFullwood]

I'm never activating above 7.060. Will that work? 😅

[@outnaboot]

@@EricFullwood yes! I’m not up on that portion of the band.

[@VoiceOverTrailReviews]

40 meters barely works for us out West anyway. Here in Washington state it is nearly impossible to qualify a park on 40 meters because there's just not enough population density to make it happen.

[@outnaboot]

West coast is a different animal it appears

[@claw22000]

This is actually something I've thought about cuz I don't know what other countries rules are for their bands is there a good website that lays this out what all The overlap is?

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for your comment! It's always great to hear from fellow activators who are looking to broaden their knowledge. I recommend checking out the IARU website for detailed band information across different countries.

[@pirate959]

If i look at my pota log, the numbers do not support staying below 7.200mhz. Even in Michigan, the ground wave is not happening and I will bounce over where all the Canadians live. If forced to 40M, need more space.

[@outnaboot]

If you are driven by numbers that is your goal...if you are driven by DX, like I am and numbers don't matter..then my argument is valid. BTW, technical Canada is DX, but it isn't either.

[@N2AKJ]

Just subscribed

[@outnaboot]

@@N2AKJ awesome

[@1crazynordlander]

Becoming a ham is a costly mistake…

[@outnaboot]

Please share what caused you to feel it was a costly mistake

[@1crazynordlander]

​@outnaboot I was trying to get a young high school age student to check out amateur radio. He had a great answer. He knows the equipment is expensive and did not think there was a good ROI. I thought to myself, what a wise young student. I had been such a fool all these years spending money on self and not enjoying my hard earned dollars with someone else.

[@1crazynordlander]

@@outnaboot Simple! I became a ham, now I am broke.

[@outnaboot]

@ fair enough

[@cthoadmin7458]

Do Canadians really say "aboot" or is it a Southpark thing?

[@outnaboot]

We say About

[@RustyMadd]

US Generals class can't operate below 7.175. Move lower than 7.175MHz and the majority of us will lose interest altogether.

[@outnaboot]

Sorry to hear that...lots of DX below 7.175 most evenings, if you are into chasing DX it can be a goldmine...sometimes it is nice to go below 7.175 or even 14.225 to get away from the crowded band.

[@Private290]

Great informative video. We happened to have a QSO on 12/28. Happy New Year

[@outnaboot]

Excellent

[@pauls8456]

It’s obvious - US hams can’t work 40m because it’s metric ;)

[@outnaboot]

@@pauls8456 I guess they can’t work any band then!

[@GAParksandPropagation]

yep. I try to get everyone coming to GA to 40M. ae4xo

[@outnaboot]

Nice! Sounds like you're really hustling to get everyone up to speed. Keep it up, and we'll all be hitting those goals together!

[@ronfirth5198]

I usually operate on 20 meter, but this is good information! Thanks! VA3IRF

[@outnaboot]

There is a huge world outside of 20m. The higher bands are rocking right now.

[@joseneves2822]

Many thanks 👍 73 de CT7BDO

[@outnaboot]

Chasing DX is my passion with POTA and WWFF. The more we can do to make our DX friends feel welcome will always get my time and attention. Best 73

[@joseneves2822]

@@outnaboot yes, you are absolutely right I think the same way / 73