Get Started with POTA (Parks On The Air) - Beginners Guide!

There are tons of people that operate away from their homes. For example, in a car, in a park, or even at the top of a mountain.
Read the full guide here: hamradioprep.c...
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[@barbaram4487]

Thanks for demonstrating a POTA. As a new Tech student (hoping to take the test soon) this type of segment really helps demonstrate a practical ham activity that described in the books.

[@HamRadioPrep]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cclayhammer]

The chillout music in this video adds just the right touch...73s!

[@1977drz]

Thanks ❤❤❤❤73❤❤❤❤ Merry Christmas ❤🎉

[@IcomAmericaInc]

This is how you POTA, from setting up to getting your contacts. 73~

[@kumasu]

I haul my 7300 around so much that I wish @IcomAmericaInc made a heavy-duty armor for it. POTA on!

[@jessicaday6561]

This sort of video is so helpful thank you

[@HamRadioPrep]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carlosroig5315]

Leaving the wire hanging down at the ends doesn't reduce the swr. You need to wrap the extra length of wire back over itself.

[@HamRadioPrep]

That is definitely a better way to do it.

[@jft7660]

I really enjoyed this video. How many watts were you running at the park? Can that battery support 100 Watts?

[@jerryKB2GCG]

There are a million ways to POTA, thanks for sharing one of them.

[@PerB_M]

If you hang the dipole feed point highest and leave the ends lower so you have about 45 degrees between the two wires, the antenna is omnidirectional. (It will have the same radiation pattern in 360 degrees.

[@johnpentony]

Taking the General tomorrow. I was looking for the blue words on the screen to know what's on the test! Great video. Looking forward to being KJ5EYD/GA in part thanks to your team.

[@richardkennedy5598]

Very informative

[@HamRadioPrep]

Glad it was helpful!

[@r.lynnsmith592]

Really enjoyed and learned a lot here! Thank you.

[@HamRadioPrep]

Glad to hear it!

[@brandonboyd1]

How do you know which bands are optimized on any particular day?

[@HamRadioPrep]

Take a look at a place like pskreporter.info/pskmap.html to see what's busy!

[@tedhammett1823]

Thanks for the video. You said you checked band condition’s before hanging antenna. How do you do that?

[@HamRadioPrep]

We use a site like solar.w5mmw.net/ or check the spotting networks for activity.

[@tedhammett1823]

Thank you. I’m new (just passed tech and general, shopping for hf gear). Visual is very informative. Question ..what does it mean to ‘be on the board’? How does that work?

[@HamRadioPrep]

Not 100% sure, could this be about being spotted? Visit pota.app/#/ to see current spots.

[@BrickoMode]

How do you know what size battery to use?

[@HamRadioPrep]

There is a formula you use which includes the time you want to operate and the power draw of the radio.

[@tplyons5459]

I'm very new to this and was wondering if there are numbered parks on the air here in Australia?

[@HamRadioPrep]

Yes! You can see the entire list of qualifying parks at pota.app/#/parklist

[@EricFullwood]

I didn't see any mobile operations.

[@HamRadioPrep]

We defined mobile as portable or "away from the shack."

[@tamstutz921]

Why is James simulating all the contacts?? 😂

[@DMarrTheRambler]

I am really confused. What exactly is the purpose of all this effort and expense? It seems like an awful lot of work and for what?

[@HamRadioPrep]

Some people do it just for the enjoyment of visiting parks. Other use it as practice for emergency communications.