Did Parks On The Air (POTA) Save Ham Radio FROM EXTINCTION?

[@ncoldmanoverland]

I am not sure if it “saved” amateur radio, but it sure brought back a lot of folks. Same as you, I was licensed in 1983, I was active until my dad died in 1994. I randomly ran into some guys doing this POTA stuff on an overlanding trip up in VA. I was hooked, camping+overlanding+POTA all go together. Thx for a great video Stuart. 73 de N4TRD

[@outnaboot]

@@ncoldmanoverland thanks Max

[@MrJimmy440]

Absolutely a great part of the hobby Stuart. I’m seeing more and more spots every time I log onto the POTA spot. I absolutely love it and it’s a big part of my Amateur Radio experience. I’ve also heard a bunch of folks OTA saying the opposite that it’s ruining the hobby in which I don’t believe. There’s been days I’ve tuned around the 12,15 & 17 meter bands and it’s absolutely dead except for the POTA ops. I guess they like hearing dead silence on their bands ? Best, Jim NJ

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Thanks for sharing Stuart. I’ve heard folks say this before. I’m not sure if ham radio would have died , but it sure has gotten a lot more people active. This includes a lot of younger people that we desperately need in the hobby. It has also given those with limited options a way to play radio. It’s also lead to a lot of experimentation with antenna’s and other gear. “Saved” ham radio ? Perhaps, perhaps not. Made it a far more enriched hobby with much more activity ? Definitely.

[@outnaboot]

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, it’s great to hear from other operators who have seen the benefits of POTA firsthand.

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

It has definitely gotten more younger people involved in the hobby. I know a few guys in my area that are in their 30's and enjoy POTA both hunting and activating when they are able to. One of them works for a concrete contractor so he doesn't have a lot of free time during the warmer months. Once things slow down in the winter months he is able to have more time to play radio.

[@GAParksandPropagation]

I won't say that it saved the hobby but its certainly made this more exciting. I have been a ham since I Was 17 in 1991. I used allot of APRS and hf was just a side thing. Mainly for disaster relief with the GA Baptists. When pota came in , it certainly helped me out allot. It came to me at a time right after my mom died in 2021. It was something I really needed to put my attention in . ae4xo

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for sharing your journey with us! It’s inspiring to see how POTA has positively impacted your life during such a difficult time.

[@newsjunkie3000]

Hey Stuart! Really enjoying your videos. I just started POTA this year and it a great hobby. I don't know if I would have continued with ham radio if it wasn't for POTA. 73 from KM3STU. Stuart from NJ. Happy Boxing Day!

[@frasermderry]

I don't think it actually "saved" all of ham radio, but it definitely re-kindled my interest in HF ops. I bought a brand new IC-7300 specifically to do FT8. I've really enjoyed it and have earned my 6 continents award in QRZ. Thanks for what you do for amateur radio. Regards, M. (N1QGM)

[@outnaboot]

Thanks for sharing your story, N1QGM. It's inspiring to see how FT8 helped you achieve your goals.

[@6.5_shooter48]

Im a new ham of less than one year,I wouldn’t be on the air half as much if not for POTA. I love DX and have made some great contacts but I am so hooked on POTA now.

[@NSNorfolk]

Next February will mark my 51st year as a ham. POTA, in itself, did not "save" amateur radio from extinction but it was certainly a needed injection of energy! In my time, the "brass ring" could be summarized around DX, DXCC, 5BDXCC, CW DXCC, et.... However, I'm already on the Honor Roll and POTA came along and it is very enjoyable. In this case, the "brass ring" comes from activating and chasing. Also, no QSL cards needed AND logs can be uploaded where the operator receives almost instant gratification.

[@markwilkins9869]

I must admit after taking a 10 year break from HF I relished my new qth and my 101MP, that’s about the time pota started and was very slow to catch on in the beginning and at that point I didn’t much care for some interference associated with new users. Bad attitude on my part but once thought through and showing desire for the old camping days and my service experience and putting myself in there place I decided to not be part of any problem. Great vid Stuart

[@outnaboot]

I appreciate the honesty-I think we all have to deal with change in our lives!

[@OnTheAirwithVA3EWV-fn7rg]

❤I think that it helped , but my entire HF experience has been 9O% POTA and 10% FT8 , I've been on HF since June 2024 so it's all that I know.

[@outnaboot]

I think everyone knows you've been on HF since June... :-)

[@tcort]

I think it definitely helped energize the amateur radio community. Hot take: I think FT8 did as well. Though, I think the hobby is still at risk of extinction. I was first licensed at 15 years old. I turned 40 years old this year. I've always been the youngest one in the local clubs I've joined, and I don't know any amateurs under 40 years old. It is difficult to find anyone at hamfests or conventions or club meetings who isn't a white male with grey or thinning hair. Communicating with someone across the globe just doesn't carry the same magic as it once did. Ordering a pizza through an autopatch is also much less impressive than it was in the 90s before cell phones were ubiquitous.

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always great to hear from someone who has been a part of the community for so long. Your perspective is invaluable, and I hope we can inspire more young people to get involved!

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

I honestly don't know if POTA saved ham radio as it started before I got my license two years ago. It is part of what prompted me to get my General license and shortly after that my Amateur Extra license as I discovered it while I was looking into amateur radio. I looked into ham radio after I discovered that the walkie-talkies I bought for use at the large scale paintball games I attend were in fact handheld ham radios. Back then I knew there were frequencies that needed a license to use and frequencies I didn't need a license to use. Not knowing any better I programmed in the Family Radio Service and Multi Use Radio Service frequencies into the radios. Late 2021 or early 2022 is when I discovered the radios I was using for paintball games were ham radios. I looked up what repeaters were near me and started listening to the only one that I could hear on the handhelds along with some of the emergency service frequencies for my area. I listened for several months before actually deciding to get my license. Listening to a severe weather net that prompted me to not go into work early that evening is what made me actually look into getting listened despite my girlfriend encouraging me to get licensed since I enjoyed listening to the repeater traffic. As I was looking into what all I could do with ham radio while I was studying to take the Technician test I discovered POTA. At the time my main focus was just passing the Tech test to get my license so I could chat on the local repeater that I discovered was a mile and a half from my house. A little over a year later I went for my General upgrade and two months later I went for my Amateur Extra upgrade partly because I was seeing US activators spotted in the Extra portion of the band when I started hunting parks. Parks On The Air appealed to me because I always get the Michigan Recreation Passport when I renew my vehicle registration every year even though I rarely visited Michigan state parks. It is an $14 (as of Jan 2024) annual pass that allows entry to all state ran recreational areas that require an entrance fee. Last I checked a day pass for state parks and recreation areas that charge for entry is $11 per vehicle. While I did not visit many parks that require an entry fee this year having the Michigan Recreation Passport has saved me about $40 due to the number of parks I did visit that required either an day pass or the Recreation Passport. Also due to Parks On The Air this year I finally went and got my free lifetime Veterans America the Beautiful pass that allows military veterans free access to many national parks. Next year I hope to visit more parks and really make use of the Michigan Recreation Passport. I do know that POTA has created a lot of activity on the bands. There have been some complaints about POTA activity "clogging up the bands" in some of the ham radio centered Facebook groups, especially during or after the Support Your Parks weekends. I know there have been a few activations I was glad I had my Extra ticket because I could not find a clear frequency in the General portion of the bands, especially on 20 meters.

[@glenncapone]

POTA seems to have rejuvenated amateur radio for a segment of operators and, in doing so, may have saved it. I feel that it may have encouraged operators in their ability to set up a remote station. An ability that can transfer to emergency communication. 73 de KC1EIJ

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s amazing to see how POTA has brought new life to the amateur radio community. Your insights on emergency communication are spot on!

[@chetboisen1187]

Yes!

[@PaulK7VIQ]

I was already trying to learn CW anyway but it is motivating activity idea. My XYL KD7PJW hopes it will help us to get out to visit parks on occasion.

[@ScottNB0W]

I also wouldn't say "saved", but it has certainly increased the activity on the air. I like how POTA has changed the perception of what is "necessary" to play ham radio. The 50ft tower with a tribander beam is not so much the norm now. POTA has taught us that a small radio, battery, and piece of wire is all you need to have fun. Sure, the tower and beam is nice, but not necessary to make contacts and have fun. Sometimes I wonder if the "sad hams" that are upset over POTA are just jealous that people are out there having just as much (or probably even more) real fun with minimal equipment? That whole "sad ham" thing is just strange.

[@HAMFunko4pdi]

Don't know if it saved it, I have only been a HAM for 4 years. But I do love it as well and enjoy it a lot. Merry Christmas.

[@outnaboot]

It's great to hear you're enjoying the hobby - Merry Christmas!

[@N2EWSRadio]

I have ZERO 0 goose-egg NADA interest in POTA. Will I do it someday? Maybe, but it's not an exciting use of ham radio. It's boooooooring.

[@TheRetiredtech]

No it didn't save ham radio.