POTA 101 - Parks on the Air - How, What & Where

In this video I am goping over POTA, or, Parks on the Air. POTA is a ham raio activity that can be fun and teach you more about your hobby and your equipment. It is relatively easy to get involved in this activity with a little bit of equipment and an enjoyment of the outdoors. I briefly go over a few tips and tricks for successfully getting into a park for an activation. I go over some equipment suggestions and ways to find a park near you. Joining the POTA site is easy and FREE! So get out there and start having fun with your gear in nature!
Links from the video:
parksontheair....
www.hamrs.app/
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Consider becoming a Patreon to the channel: / hr4nt
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[@ernestoraices4158]

POTA, camping, fried chicken and beer. Turning knobs with greasy fingers adds another layer of fun! Great video!

[@DK5ONV]

😂😂😂👍

[@HR4NT]

LOL...I guess so! Not so much on the greasy fingers near my radio thing...but I get the idea! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the video! 73 as always!

[@reyalds]

😅😅😂

[@bluescorduroys3523]

Best pota start up video I've seen so far. Haven't seen a single one that mentioned how to use the "Add the park now" feature to add your spot.. kept watching videos and thinking that I am missing something , this isn't adding up. Cheers!!

[@HR4NT]

Glad it was helpful! I try to be as thorough as possible in my videos. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@SmokeSignalsRF]

Thank you for promoting the POTA program. Nice 👍 job and it’s FUN! 73s

[@DK5ONV]

I am so with you on this Point 👍👍👍

[@HR4NT]

Yeah no problem. I think the more hams get involved in POTA the more we will all learn and interact with one another and hell, bring outside is never a bad thing....well...almost not a bad thing...LOL. Thanks for watching.. 73!

[@greadore]

Thanks for the video, very helpful. Good to see you are in the Houston area, I’m up in Huntsville, Texas!

[@HR4NT]

Glad it was helpful and that you enjoyed the video! Maybe we will see one another at Huntsville State park some time. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@mgentile7]

God bless Texas !!!

[@Tonylovesjazz]

Thank you sir. You are providing much needed information in a very informative way. Most would not take the time to look this up. Your time, effort and channel are much needed. Consider yourself an ELMER. Best Regards. 73.

[@HR4NT]

Hi Tony! I really appreciate that. i just want to share information with others and hope that I can help out as many as possible enjoy and discover new things within Ham Radio. Thanks you for watching an for your support. 73!

[@twohandsandaradio]

Yes Sir....5 watts certainly won't be about amount of contacts. QRP is for the experience. I will say you will see a huge difference if you wind up the 891. I've run 100 watts through the KM4ACK EFHW all day long with no meltdowns. Anyway... You covered half of the POTA program.... the activator side. There is also the hunter side of it that I'm more into. Would be great to see a video on the hunter side of it and Etiquette! From the hunter side of POTA I have to say it's turning into a cesspool and there aren't many videos about the etiquette of making a QSO...not interupting a QSO, LISTENING, giving your call sign once after you hear QRZ Whole host of bullet points that would be excelent to cover for the new ham and the old curmudgeons that seem to forget that they aren't the only ones in the world.

[@HR4NT]

Thank you very much. I have copied and added your suggestion to the video pool! That would be a great addition to this video. POTA hunting can be almost as much fun as being an activator. I will cover what you recommended in my video, but I think that common sense should have a place as far as etiquette, but I know the excitement sometimes overtakes our senses and mistakes happen. Thank you for the suggestion. 73! p.s. I will be bringing both the 705 and 891 out on the next POTA adventure.

[@twohandsandaradio]

@@HR4NT I agree 100%... you would think common sense should have a place as far as etiquette however we're reminded every day that common sense isn't so common. I'll look for you at a park! 73

[@KC3WHJ]

INCREDIBLY informative!!! Really appreciate this and you!!! 73!

[@HR4NT]

Glad it was helpful! Let me know if I can help! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@hamradiotube]

Hey I’ve heard of POTA before. I should really look into it lol. Great video bud.

[@HR4NT]

Yeah...LOL...I thin you could get into it...LOL Try it sometime....it may become an addiction...LOL Thanks Mike! 73!

[@BikePractice]

Refreshing take on POTA no ego and straight forward. Transparent and inspiring. 73 NC6I

[@HR4NT]

That is how I prefer to bring you all information. I am direct and I throw in a little entertainment in between it all...LOL Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@w5licanthony66]

Great lesson. I can't wait til we try it out. Going to bring both icom and g90.

[@HR4NT]

Good choice! It is a blast! 73!

[@brentjohnson6654]

Another great video, Scott. Congrats on the awards you recently had. All the best!

[@jamesknotts1546]

Just found your channel thanks for the informative video very helpful

[@HR4NT]

Glad it was helpful! I hope you find value in the videos and if you have a question, let me know! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@DK5ONV]

G-morning Scott, very nice documentary video! Keep up the Great Work. Happy thursday into TX-State from Your Friend Uncle Guenter

[@HR4NT]

Dear Uncle Guenter! Thank you for watching and glad you enjoyed the video I most assuredly will keep them coming ! 73!

[@Andelle72]

Appreciate the info. Answered alot of questions I had. Been curious about pota. Nice to have your 4 video breakdown for reference. Nice work!

[@HR4NT]

Thank you very much! I am glad it was useful to you! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@mdmackey]

Great overview video. I really like how you walk each portion of POTA through. Just subscribed to your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@HR4NT]

Thanks for the sub! I wanted top break it down and make it easier to understand so that others will go out and just start doing POTA. It is so much fun once you get past the initial setup and fear of a pileup. It has become an addiction for me and many others that have gotten involved. I am glad the videos brought value to you! Thanks for watching and maybe I will catch you on the air! 73!

[@mikeramsey9747]

POTA Hunting is a lot of fun, and as you said the logging program is easy. I've only been doing this a few months and have hunted over 170 parks. I'm looking forward to when I build a battery box so I can start doing some activations.

[@HR4NT]

If you like to hunt, you will LOVE to activate. It is an exhilarating thrill that makes you want to go back over and over! Hope to make a contact with you on POTA sometime! Thanks for watching. 73!

[@paulhastings3109]

Have to give it a try, should be alot in Florida

[@HR4NT]

I would imagine Florida would have a ton of parks to go to. Enjoy POTA! 73!

[@paulhastings3109]

@@HR4NT I don't know where to start. Antenna, battery, and program. Using a laptop. Have more questions about it all. ect

[@HR4NT]

@@paulhastings3109 find a park. Use an HF radio and I suggest an EFHW antenna and some way to power it all. Keep it simple. If you can tune the antenna ahead of time, all the better. The idea is to get on the air and have fun. Watch some of K8MRD's POTA videos as well to get an idea. He is the POTA King after all...lol

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Don't forget portable power! Nice video with lots of info! POTA 4 LIFE!

[@HR4NT]

Absolutely! a small 6 - 15Ah Bioenno would be a nice addition for portable power. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@dutchovenguy]

@@HR4NT Yes. Cannot beat the Bioenno batteries.

[@ke0ourwilliam982]

POTA is something I would Like to try. Just working on my Antennas for easy deployment. You always need more then one.

[@DK5ONV]

I strongly recommend you to go portable. Having an antenna farm at home with a bunch of HF-Radios and a kilowatt amp is fun to own and to play with BUT going outdoors with a 100W or even a qrp radio 5 -20W with a home brew antenna system is way more of fun. If the Wx is shitty and you can't go portable because of cold, moisture and mudd all over the Places there's sill the Option to bang the Drum from the Base Station at home. I enjoy POTA combined with beautiful scenery mother nature shares with me everytime I made my decission to get my butt in gear to get outdoors. Happy thursday from SW-Germany & 73's de Your Friend Uncle Guenter

[@HR4NT]

I highly recommend bringing more than one antenna if not just to play with different antennas but always good to have a backup in case something goes wrong with one and you are 40 miles form home...LOL If you give it a shot, I think you will find another facet of the hobby that will be fun and a bit addictive! Thanks for the comment 73!

[@HR4NT]

I think you nailed it! Thanks for the comment! 73!

[@DK5ONV]

@@HR4NT Highly believe it or not, I always have 2 Endfed Antennas in my tool baggage, the 49:1 EFHW + the 9:1UNUN EF. And yes you are right about the Facet Side about this great Hobby. I am more addicted to that already than I have ever been addicted to anything before. All in a good way of course. No woman - no cry ... 😜

[@johnosborne2224]

Oh yeah. I appreciate your video. Inspiring!!

[@HR4NT]

Awesome! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@mikemiles3068]

Thanks Scott❗️ I have been wanting to start Hunting POTA and this will give me an idea of what I need to do to get started. I don’t drive much anymore but I can walk down to the little park here in my subdivision. I have the new little Xiegu X6100 ordered just for portable operation. Good video. 73 KV5P

[@HR4NT]

Hey glad you enjoyed the video! You will have a lot of fun when you start doing POTA. It may prod you to try other locations just to activate them. Let me know what happens when you go out for the first time. I promise you will like it! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@rickpellicciotti]

Excellent video. Have not done an activation yet but I have practiced setting up my portable station in my back yard. I have done several sessions of pota hunting while learning to use my gear. Great fun! 73 KJ4NWQ

[@HR4NT]

Hey that is fantastic! Sounds like you are off to a great start! Activating is a bit different, but if you are already hunting, then you will master activating in no time. I wish you the best of luck and maybe we will catch each other on the air! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@Steven-hs5nl]

Great video! Tks

[@HR4NT]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@DonzLockz]

Great info, thank you. I see videos of ppl do POTA a but didn't really know how exactly. I still need a HF radio and ordered a Cahrtenna. I can atleast setup software and learn more till then.👍🤓🍺

[@HR4NT]

Absolutely. Learn as much as you can, watch as many videos on the subject as you can and go out there when you are ready and knock it out of the park!!! I am glad that my videos were able to help you out! Thanks for watching. 73!

[@8thspirit]

I call it radio bushcraft. Amazing hobby.

[@HR4NT]

It definitely can be and you can turn a park into your own antenna lab!!!! Thanks for watching and for the comment! 73!

[@W6OBB]

Thanks for sharing! I'm looking at starting to attempt trying POTA. Great video. 73 de W6OBB

[@HR4NT]

You can do it! It will be a bit frustrating at first, but you will catch on quick and then its just pure fun all day each time you go out. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Thanks for watching and for the comment. Good luck on your first POTA!!!! 73!

[@W6OBB]

@@HR4NT It went good. Made 2 contacts after spotting myself but then got some static from the Park Ranger then the Sheriff. They were okay after I explained what I was doing but the Sheriff wanted some more documentation on what I was doing until he saw my County ID badge when I was getting my Driver's license out for him. Do you carry anything to show law enforcement when they ask what you're doing?

[@NomadicLiving]

Maybe a good pop filter will help your mic/sound? Thanks for your video!

[@HR4NT]

Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@flyingthesails6801]

Very informative video. As a ham operator who only works 2 meters, I was thinking of getting involved with HF. My questions: Are most people just making contacts one right after the other to see how far and how many they get? Do HF operators "ragchew" much anymore? What about QSL cards. Do Hams still mail those out?

[@HR4NT]

To answer your question: Yes. There are definitely ragchew HF groups out there. I think you can find them on many of the bands. I know we have a weekly ragchew on 80 meters locally that has been going on for over a decade. As for QSL cards, some do some don't. I send one out if I get one after doing a Parks on the air activation, sometimes they show up and I return one out of courtesy for my fellow ham operators. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73

[@chuckmartin6049]

Scott what do you mean by activating the park? Does that mean it gets put on the POTA map? I am confused about what an activation does. I really enjoy your videos. The videos inspired me to get my Tech license. Thank you for helping all us newbies get started in this hobby.

[@HR4NT]

To activate a park, you have to go to a designated POTA park, setup your equipment and make 10 contacts. Getting those 10 contacts is activating the park. Of course you will probably have a few hundred contacts before you leave that day, but activating with the first 10 contacts sets the ball in motion. I hope this helps. Best of luck and maybe we will have a QSO from park to park! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@Swoop180]

Just found your channel and wanted to drop a line and say thanks for the tips. Also, I'm a fellow Texan who resides due East of you in Beaumont, Texas and wanted to let you know about an amazing product from Port Arthur, it's called Marshland mesquito repellent and it is better than anything else on the market. Look forward to seeing you on the air, 73' de KC5JSR.

[@HR4NT]

That is awesome! Thank you for the comment and welcome to the channel. Mosquito's are really bad here so anything to get rid of them is a plus. Thanks for watching and see you on the air. 73!

[@chuckmcdermott7053]

Just remember, most common mosquito sprays are plasticizers, meaning that if you have it on your hands and touch plastic it will haze it out. You don’t want to mess up things that you like.

[@HR4NT]

Good to know. I never realized that! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@kennethblackwell1137]

Kool....How about battery, power supply, etc.

[@HR4NT]

For my power I went with a 15aH Bioenno Battery. I equipped my 7300 with Anderson Power Poles and just plug and play. With my 7300 it works pretty much all day and if I need a recharge, I can bring my solar panel setup and plug that in. Hope this helped! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@cwebs1000]

great help getting into POTA, thanks. Carl AB1ZI

[@HR4NT]

I am always glad to help. Hope you will go out and enjoy POTA as much as I do! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@cwebs1000]

@@HR4NT I have asked other KZbinrs for answers with no answers, So thanks that the answers were in your video. My problems are, I am 75 years old with very limited income. Can't afford a light weight, expensive portable radio. I'll have to use my 120 volts ac Icom 740 and I can make anything else I need. I can barely get around so setting on my ass playing radio all day is what I can do! Most of my ham radio hobby is finding none working older rigs and fixing them but no light weight ones yet. Mostly boat anchors. Thanks Carl.

[@davidburke3378]

I installed Hamrs on my android. I am not able to edit my QSO's because the little edit gear is not showing up. It is unusable because of this. I suggest you try it before buying it. I also have the Windows version of Hamrs and it works fine. I am going to try out the Linux version on my laptop soon.

[@HR4NT]

Were you trying to use this on a phone or a tablet? I found that resolution is a factor in seeing the full layout of the app. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@paulhastings3109]

Ok I have everything ready. Do you use UTC or local

[@HR4NT]

UTC is the norm for most radio ops at least as far as the logging software is concerned. Thanks again Paul! 73!

[@RichardHopkinsLobosSolos]

So, are you going to go to Huntsville State Park with K8MRD and K5QBF for the Support Your Parks weekend later this month?

[@HR4NT]

Yes!! I will be there probably only for Saturday! If you are coming up it would be great to meet you! 73!

[@RichardHopkinsLobosSolos]

Yeah, my QTH is central AR, so I won't be there for that one. But the sentiment is appreciated.

[@dwatson4]

Camelback water bladder backpack….MUST HAVE WATER!!! You will die without it.

[@HR4NT]

That is a good idea as well! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@butterbean4195]

i noticed all parks are not on the POTA list.. what about county and city parks? will they ever be put on the list? Payne's creek in Georgia used to be a state park but Hart county Georgia bought it and now taking control of it..

[@HR4NT]

I think POTA parks are reserved to just State and National parks. Adding county and city parks would cause a major backlog of designations for the POTA folks over at POTA.app. It can be frustrating, but I am sure there is a reason for it. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@butterbean4195]

@@HR4NT gotit thanks makes sense..

[@RandellReeder]

What type of coax and length do you use?

[@HR4NT]

Most of the time I am using RG8X an lengths from 25 feet to 75 feet. It really depends on the antenna being used, how I deploy it an the situation that the park I am operating. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@paultyler5989]

Thanks for the video. I'm new to POTA so this is helpful. Question... Did they change the park id's from K-# to US-#. TIA. 73 N7YSQ

[@HR4NT]

Yes that is a recent development. I still have issues getting used to it because I am used to the K calls rather than the US calls. Adapt and overcome right? LOL Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@paultyler5989]

@@HR4NT I haven't tried it yet and trying to learn all about POTA. Going to try next week.

[@markcapozzoli6756]

What if I do not have no internet service? How would I proceed to use POTA? Any tricks?

[@HR4NT]

At that point, you would have to resort to paper if you cannot use a hotspot through your phone or something similar. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@claytonlaflamme1955]

what headphones u use on 705.

[@HR4NT]

At the moment, i don't use any headphones. Out in a quiet park the speaker on the unit seems to be just fine. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@barneymerrill3188]

Can you add a park that is not listed in the POTA?🎙🇺🇲🤷‍♂️

[@HR4NT]

From the Parks on the Air Website FAQ page I found this answer: Q: How do I get a park added to the POTA database, or get park coordinates fixed etc…? A: Over the last year we’ve updated the US database, and even though not every possible POTA entity can be activated, we are in pretty good shape, and will take a two year break before we will add more parks, unless it is a newly developed state/federally owned state or national park. You may be able to contact someone, but before you do, make sure that the park is a state or federal or national park and also check to see if it has already been added to the POTA database. I hope this helps you out. Thanks for your support of the channel! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!

[@walnutcreekwoodworksofjack3520]

If a park IS NOT listed, How can it became listed?

[@HR4NT]

If it is a national or state park, you can send a request into the Parks on the Air folks through their website and make a recommendation. If it passes the requirements they have set in place they will eventually mark it as a POTA park. Go to parksontheair.com/ . I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

[@Echo_Hotel]

Is there a way to get a park on the list? I have a huge park I live next to but it’s not on the map. Fells odd to pass by that to go to another one.

[@HR4NT]

I believe it has to be either a state park or a national park. If that is the case, you can contact the folks at parksontheair.com and they may be able to assist. Here is an answer directly from their FAQ page: Q: How do I get a park added to the POTA database, or get park coordinates fixed etc…? A: Over the last year we’ve updated the US database, and even though not every possible POTA entity can be activated, we are in pretty good shape, and will take a two year break before we will add more parks, unless it is a newly developed state/federally owned state or national park. Hope this helps. Thanks for the question and have a great week! 73!

[@Echo_Hotel]

@@HR4NT that’s disappointing. I have an old state park that is a national park now. With the mountains and gorges in WV it’s hard to get out to any other park. There is two POTA spots on top of each other on the other side of the gorge. Very strange. It takes two hours for me to drive around a beautiful national park to get to the POTA spots. I’m not bothered about driving, just feels wrong to ignore it. Thanks for the reply!

[@nr3rful]

What does it mean to "Activate" a park

[@HR4NT]

To activate a park for Parks on the Air, you simply have to make 10 contacts with your radio in an approved park and you have activated that park. You can do this either by calling CQ and getting others to respond and give them a signal report, or you can hunt others that are in parks at the same time you are and make contact with them. As long as you have at least 10 contacts, that park is then activated. I hope this helped! Thanks for the question and for watching. 73!

[@paulhastings3109]

Question for me I believe that I should go and meet up a few times and be all ears and see it work Thanks Scott maybe that will fill in some gaps in my questions to you. Guess did not know what's what 73 KQ4CD Paul

[@HR4NT]

Absolutely. If a local group of Hams are having a POTA meetup definitely go and check it out. Ask questions, try it out. I think you will have a lot of fun. Thanks for the comment and for watching as always. 73!

[@svporqueno]

So if there is a park that is not listed on the POTA website, is it still possible to activate it so that it ends up with a designator? There are a few between Houston and Austin that aren't listed 🙂

[@HR4NT]

You can contact Parks on the air and request for them to look into it and see if they will give it a designator. Go to their website an there should be a contact email to make a request or suggestion. That would be my best suggestion to you. Someone there should know who you need to contact for that and point you in the right direction. I hope this helps. Thanks for the question and for watching. 73!

[@quaildogusa]

If you are a hunter do you log your contacts, the park activator logs the contact or do both log the contact?

[@HR4NT]

No. The logging is the responsibility of the activator. You "can" add it to your log an upload which will confirm the QSO with the activator, but the activator is the one trying to make as many contacts during the POTA as possible. I hope this helps. 73!

[@quaildogusa]

Thanks

[@quaildogusa]

Where do I log to confirm, POTA or ARRL?

[@HR4NT]

@@quaildogusa I would just add your log to LOTW or QRZ if you have it. When the operator uploads their log to POTA, I think you get credit for that. Just make sure you have a POTA account.

[@quaildogusa]

@@HR4NT I found it browsing the POTA website. My hunter QSOs and logged from the activator's log without me doing anything. :)

[@brianmartin7964]

Do your ten contacts need to be activated or POTa people or is it any contacts?

[@HR4NT]

Any contacts made by you in a designated POTA park whether you are hunting other POTA activators or hunters are hunting you are all valid contacts to activate the park. I hope that helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@Echo_Hotel]

How do you do pota on FT8?

[@HR4NT]

Pretty much the same as if you were doing FT8 at home, except that you change the messages to reflect you are at a park and activating. as a POTA. Might want to consult the Parks on the Air website for more information on how to do that. I generally keep my FT8 for home operation. When I am out at a park, I want to talk, so SSB is my go to there. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@BurninWires]

Question :- there are lots of parks around me, but none are on those lists. Can I just activate a park that isn’t on that list, or do I have to travel 50 miles to one that is ? Sorry, I don’t understand that part. Have enjoyed your vids for a while now. Am still studying for full license, here in NZ

[@Locksnut]

Has to be a designated park listed. It’s still fun to be a hunter though and helps the activator get his 10

[@RichardHopkinsLobosSolos]

As a general rule, it's state and national parks. You can submit parks to them. And they are about to work on adding some more DX entities. If you go over to Ham Radio 2.0, he had a livestream last Sunday night (October 3, 2021) with one of the guys that runs the site.

[@HR4NT]

The Parks on the Air organization designates certain State and National parks in its database as official POTA parks. To participate in actual POTA, you would need to travel to one of those parks. I am in a similar boat...nearest park is 35 miles away, however it can be a day trip and just make it fun. You "can" go to ANY park and setup a radio and make contacts, but it would not be POTA contacts, just regular calling CQ and making contacts that way, and you would be outdoors. Good question. Hope this helped. Take care. 73!

[@HR4NT]

Very good point...POTA hunting is fun as well!

[@CWB-RF]

Do you activate or or hunt POTA under a different call sign or club call? I was just curious if I had ever worked you but nothing comes up under your call in the POTA website.

[@HR4NT]

I use my regular call sign for both hunting and activating. I just recently activated my first park. Hopefully we will make a QSO sometime soon. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!!!!!

[@CWB-RF]

@@HR4NT That's cool, I enjoy hunting POTA activators and try to get a few every time I have the rig on. I've managed to get a few of the KZbinrs that do POTA. Take care.

[@HR4NT]

@@CWB-RF Maybe sometime soon we will cross paths on a POTA activation. 73!

[@XJwolf4]

I don’t know if you’ll see this comment but is there an international version of this as well?

[@HR4NT]

I believe POTA has parks worldwide, not just limited to the US...although they may be few and far between as they add more international parks to the program. Check out pota.app website to see full list of parks worldwide. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@cdray1968]

I’m really enjoying your channel! N5GEB

[@HR4NT]

Glad you enjoy it! I try to put out new videos at least once a week on various topics of interest. Glad to have you here! 73!

[@floid33556]

What’s the fun part? Looking up people and frequencies on a web page, then writing them down on your own log. Seems kinda silly to me.

[@HR4NT]

There is a lot more to it than what you described. You are testing the efficiency of your gear and seeing how many contacts you can make in the time frame you are activating. Try it before you criticize it. You may be surprised. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

[@floid33556]

@@HR4NT Thanks for the reply. I am an engineer and have my general license. The prospect of getting a bunch of random contacts seems weird to me in modern times. I get the fun of problem solving and learning to tuning/use gear, experimenting with different propagation, antennas, technologies, modes, etc. But the psudo-random contact things seem bizare to me. To me, creating a word-wide group of people via internet, the meet a pre-determined time, to experiment with antenna, propagation, frequencies in near-real time seems much more interesting.

[@HR4NT]

@@floid33556 I'd say give it a shot. Many hams really enjoy POTA. It's more about getting out there and reaching others. You don't have to post your spot on a website...some hams prefer to just start calling CQ and let the hunters find them to get their contacts. It really is a fun activity and teaches you a bit about your equipment and where you may want to make improvements. Thanks again! 73!

[@nr3rful]

Almost doesn't seem like a challenge if you are telling people where you are and freq you are on. Half the fun is CQ for anyone out there.

[@HR4NT]

True, however if you don't spot yourself there's a good chance someone else will spot you...so I don't sweat it. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73.

[@ronammologist16]

Why do I need to join a club to go to a park and try to make contacts? This seams to be pointless to this newly licensed guy...

[@HR4NT]

You absolutely do not need to join a club to go enjoy parks on the air. I'd say grab your gear go find a park that's an authorized parks on the airpark and Go have fun the idea of going to it with a club is to have other people around but you can also just Find other hams that you enjoyed their Company and grouten have fun as well. Thanks for watching it for the comment

[@ronammologist16]

@@HR4NT ok! i understand. Thank you.i certainly need help. I bought Ham Radio for dummies and am pooring over it, and watching lots oy youtube stuff. Living in North Idaho I'm likely going to fit out my side x side and try to find high ground for day outings or overnighters. I'm still looking for a rig that will work at home and afield.

[@paulhastings3109]

Question using hamers apr how do you link it to QRZ. 73 MY FTIEND sorry for the caps. Also it would be nice to have a POTA flag 73 KQ4CD Paul

[@HR4NT]

Actually, you don't link it to any of your logging books like QRZ or LoTW. You export the .ADI file to your computer and then upload it to QRZ. From within the QRZ dashboard, if you have LoTW connected as well, you can export directly to LoTW as well. If you do POTA, you send that .ADI file to Parks On The Air to get credit for a park activation and that can take a couple days to show up in your POTA profile. I hope this helps. Thanks for the question and for watching. 73 Paul!

[@nessie-justforthefunofit286]

This helped alot- I was nervous- but im going out tomorrow and gonna give it a go- bringing my Elmer for backup tho. Lmao. 📻 🗣️ 🌳 VA2VEF

[@HR4NT]

Follow my instructions and you will do fine. It is only scary at first, then it becomes a lot of fun that will give you decades of enjoyment and fellowship with your fellow hams! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!

[@fret14u]

Thank you for this great video...KQ4GYH sends

[@HR4NT]

Hey I am glad you liked and appreciated the video. I try to help where I can. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!