What is POTA? Parks On The Air Ham Radio

[@onemorething100]

Passed my General on 4/3/22 with your help

[@HamRadio2]

Congrats!

[@titoaddz347]

i enjoyed watching you guys. i just got my technician license last week and i think im IN to this HAM hobby thing. you inspired me and my crew here in the PHILLIPINES! thank u and 73s!

[@andycampbell8476]

This is part of why I decided, even as a new-ish ham, to start my HF adventures with the 705. I realize QRP can be tough, but for now I live in an apartment, plus I'm a walker anyway, so I thought I might as well learn QRP ops first and then get an amp later after I move. POTA looks like exactly the thing for that.

[@MoseYoutube]

Summits On the Air sounds like a good fit for you as well, provided you are within driving distance of any mountains.

[@twohandsandaradio]

What is POTA? Addictive. OH OH OH OH What did I do that would cause me to miss the premiere?? I got Finger Lake State Recreation Site, ALASKA! K-7211

[@HamRadio2]

Nice!

[@donaldchittenden671]

I have done five parks this past summer great time. Also hike up into the Adirondacks mountain and did Sota work England and Ireland also South Dakota all this on a battery and solar power great time. Thank you and 73.

[@Andyg7sqw]

Hello Don, Take a look at WWFF also when you get a chance. Andy G7SQW

[@donaldchittenden671]

Andy G7SQW I will do that and thank you 73 please be safe

[@thomasboller9861]

I will doing POTA real soon, just waiting for my Xiegu G90, very much looking forward to it.

[@pale_2111]

I recently got an IC-705 along with an end fed antenna to work HF. Last weekend, I set up in my backyard with the 705 running 5w and got 3 POTA stations in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Michigan. One on 20m and two on 40m. Signal reports ranging from 3x3 to 5x5 or 5x6. Not too bad for running a QRP rig with an end fed antenna without a tuner. After learning about POTA, I'm going to have to bring it up at a club meeting, so club members can work different bands. 73, W4ISB.

[@HamRadio2]

Great job!

[@gregorysmith3097]

POTA is the whole reason I finally got on the air. Got my license Nov 2019 and never bothered getting online. Started looking at POTA, built an antenna and got on the air yesterday. Now that I've chased some activators. I think it's time to get set up to activate a park myself.

[@HamRadio2]

That's great, thanks for sharing. I have heard similar stories from other Hams also. I do agree that this is a great program for getting folks on the air.

[@johnbspringer]

But why did it take POTA. Why wasn't getting outside "somewhere" - even if it was a park enough to get you on the Air. Why did it take an acronym like POTA to get you on the air. Again, I am just trying to understand how POTA is different than just being on the air outside.

[@joecraft4409]

As you stated, i did FT8 last time k was out and had a ball. Talk about exciting, making FT8 in the wind with bright sun is a blast.

[@joecraft4409]

Good to see you outside enjoyong the great weather. I do "Roadside on the Air". No parks or Walmarts around me so i find a spot on the side of a (usually) a back road (often times a dirt road) and operate my Xeigu G90. It all about the fun!

[@MrBracey1970]

Going to look it up for the UK,looks like fun.We have a 145 alive event in the south of England where you get as high up as you can and operate on 2m,that’s great fun!

[@Martin_PA0KGB]

POTA is world wide. Try it in The Netherlands, or Germany or the UK!! greetings from PA0KGB POTA admin The Netherlands and (soon) Belgium

[@lasantiagoa]

Also Dominican Republic, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and coming soon Panamá in Latin America. Buenos dias from HI8ILO, Luis, POTA Manager Dominican Republic

[@TheCyberRick]

Hi Jason, tnx for the great explanation. I’m actually preparing my gear to do POTA over here in Europe. So just to let all the guys not located in the US know: there are quite a few parks over here to work from as well. 73 de Rico, DG5BQ

[@HamRadio2]

Best of luck!

[@MichelleGianni]

Just getting back into radio after a very long pause. Sounds like a fun activity I may want to try it out soon

[@KM4ACK]

Great explanation. 👍

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks, Jason!

[@Downeastwaves]

Thanks 👍 gathering information on what radio for us to pick for ota's

[@GeoCachingwithMotoJoe1]

Just got back from doing an activation at K-0970, had a blast.....very addictive. Great video KD5JRM

[@HamRadio2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bmwrider1]

Good job with the video. If you have a park near you that is not a local government operated park check with you map rep and see if you can get it added to the list of parks. On the splash page of parksontheair.com scroll down to find the list. In Arkansas, the Game and Fish Commission operates many recreation areas that are now part of the POTA program. Don't forget about wildlife management areas and state/national forest. Hats off to John Ford for managing all of the POTA requests. W5LST

[@F4WBU]

Thank you very much 73!

[@bobirvin2051]

Thank you Jason... much better understanding of POTA now.. First time I heard of it was in one of Josh's videos (HRCC).. KK6NKA. Bob

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks

[@alallan7584]

I think " Walmart Parking Lots On the Air" is most likely, the best emergency situation that would occur , in a real disaster.

[@HamRadio2]

True lol

[@quaildogusa]

This sounds like great fun.

[@paulshaffer9674]

If you can't put a antenna out side. You can use a Magnetic Loop. I learned how to make one on KZbin. Mine is very effective. KG7IRJ Ohio.

[@KU9L]

Sounds fun, now I need to get an HF radio for portable use. As a full-time RVer in my Camp Host duties it seems there are a lot of parks to choose from. I haven't been active for a while because I hated all of the birdies from the RV converters in campgrounds that give lots of RF noise to challenge our ears. Out west we do mostly dry camping, but then we have the PWM & MPPT of the solar charge controllers to contend with, LOL. Dave - KU9L

[@davidcarlson4412]

Good job!

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks!

[@garywesley233]

Cool now I know I can get awards for doing what I normally do when I go camping during the summer. Even as a Technician class I would take my gear to the campgrounds at the state parks and try ( succeeding at times to make contacts on VHF , UHF and 10 meter bands ). Now that I am a general class (W9CRT formerly KC9ZCZ ) , I will have to start checking the map to see if the park I am at has been activated or not. I can see some nice SSTV pics being sent out for those of us who still do that. Also can see getting a lot more experience up on the HF side of the house that way. Definitely see more trips to the state parks in my future to help spark interest in amateur radio.

[@markdoyle8713]

So I blame you and a few others for selling the shack bits for an over haul starting with an Icom 705. I only chased this week end and made some POTA contacts and had a ball while sipping my coffee. The POTA site made it easy I just followed the updates and tuned up. Can’t wait do activate my self . Thanks for all you do . Love your work. KN4KAX

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Jason, The video hit all the great points of POTA. If my reverse mortgage is approved, thinking of getting an FT-891 and a new laptop and get myself out there. Stay safe. WJ3U

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks, Don!

[@browntroy101]

I am....interested ...I really think this would be a good way to get out and about! Well I just got my General license , so this research into this is, sounds really interesting! This was a great overview of the POTA and I will definitely check out their site! 73 from KI5RTH!!!

[@TheNoCodeTech]

POTA, thats the sit in your car one yeah, lol.

[@HamRadio2]

Yes. You can do it that way, but don't have to.

[@tglenn3121]

If you haven't already done so, can you do a video on what power equipment is needed for POTA? Solar panels, batteries, etc... Thanks.

[@HamRadio2]

Sure

[@tglenn3121]

@@HamRadio2 Thank you :)

[@kalskag8496]

What does it mean to spot yourself? Announce your frequency and location on a Facebook group? Can I use 2m FM repeater or 2m FM simplex for POTA or is that frowned upon?

[@HamRadio2]

Typically spotting yourself is to post it on the pota.app website, but the Facebook group can work too. It is perfectly acceptable to activate a Park on 2M FM Simplex. But repeaters don't count.

[@mark351]

Stumbled across a comment on a DX spot that said POTA in February 2020. Hmmmmm whats that? Look it up and see its a continuation and an extension of NPOTA which I didn't do enough of but enjoyed. I've already got portable HF gear and so the addiction started! Almost 2000 POTA QSO's in the 9 months since.

[@hamradio1017]

I want to do POTA, just haven't tried it yet. Next year at this point. My question is how you log for it? I found a setup video for ACLog, but what about others?

[@georgegarcia7247]

Can you use DMR for P.O.T.A?

[@timscampingandradio8152]

This is a great opportunity for my YT Channel. Considering I all about camping and radio. New Ham here got the license in November. Before that I would get on 11 meters on 38lower and talk DX when I went camping. KD9TRP.

[@HamRadio2]

Welcome!

[@W6IWN_Radio]

#pota thanks for the video Jason.

[@mediocreman2]

Thanks for somewhat explaining what it is. I saw a video by HRCC that was like an hour long and not one time did he describe, explain, or define what it is.

[@HamRadio2]

Thanks for commenting

[@W4ETA]

I really enjoy POTA! I spend more time on HF in a park, then I do at home. I haven't tried HF digital at all yet, and may try on the WARC bands. Does anyone have any experience with a Yaesu FT-891 and running WSJT using just a usb soundcard? Pros? Cons? WX0EMT

[@Mmitchtexas]

Can you do pota with uhf vhf?

[@HamRadio2]

Yes you sure can. There are no mode or band restrictions on POTA. But there aren't as many folks listening on VHF/UHF Simplex or SSB frequencies, so it makes it more challenging.

[@Mmitchtexas]

@@HamRadio2 Sweet, we are heading up to Dinosaur Valley this weekend from Houston. Will give it a try. Trying to incorporate traveling and radio together to keep the family out and about.

[@izacnewton5761]

on da air

[@mraleksk1]

Is there BOTA? I have lots of beaches around the place where I live KM6LBV, 73..=D

[@HamRadio2]

Great idea!

[@thomasking5970]

POTA sounds great. It would sound even better if SSB stations would avoid the AM window and calling frequencies. Have fun, but not at someone else's expense. Band Plan, friends...

[@coolelectronics1759]

can u do pota with 2m and 70cm setups or is it only for the more advanced level2+ hams with expensive hf rigs and whatnot? another dumb (?) is there such things as repeaters on hf?

[@HamRadio2]

You can do POTA on any band, any frequency. There are also plenty of inexpensive HF rigs. You just can't use repeaters for POTA. There are repeaters on 10M FM, yes

[@coolelectronics1759]

@@HamRadio2 cool stuff!

[@davidc5027]

late comment... hahaha, but I prefer a non resonant antenna? Can I still do POTA? Just kidding around. I'm just getting started over the past week as a Hunter, but have been looking for information to be an Activator, so good info here. thanks.

[@Art_64]

Thank you. It gets tonexercise field work like Field Day for emergencies. But "us amateur radio operators" all dont like to do things to get points. Lol. Although some do!

[@izacnewton5761]

i wish they would do a general ham cram around here like they did for the tech pre pandemic

[@HamRadio2]

There's a class like that on this channel. KB6NU teaches a 1-day Tech Class

[@johnlinebarger2922]

Next time you are at Texoma let us know. Have smoker, will travel! LoL

[@HamRadio2]

Haha, will do.

[@dougofford6567]

Is this only for HF?

[@HamRadio2]

No, you can do POTA with VHF and UHF also.

[@chuckzechman7390]

W3CMZ (formerly KC3QCU) Has any one ever activated a Drive-In Movie Theater? DOTA, asking for a friend. Safe Travels and God Bless

[@HamRadio2]

LOL, not that I have heard of, but great idea!

[@joecraft4409]

Oh, I've activated plenty of drive in's back in the day. Al be it from the back seat with a girlfriend! 😂😂😂😂

[@jneale5204]

NPOTA is the reason I hate Logbook of the World. I had trouble getting logged in to the software and was following the instructions correctly. I missed most of the event because of it.

[@bricks312100]

Hmmmm. Wonder if someone is monitoring and tracking this?

[@HamRadio2]

In what way?

[@pratwurschtgulasch6662]

i noticed the ground and antenna schematic symbols on your hat are sideways.

[@HamRadio2]

Much like my personality

[@pratwurschtgulasch6662]

@@HamRadio2 that sounds perfect. i think i'll have to watch some of your videos to learn more about that :)

[@SMShannon55]

@Pratwurscht Gulasch - Did you notice that they form a fish skeleton with a coil (inductor) in the middle?

[@pratwurschtgulasch6662]

@@SMShannon55 i suppose

[@izacnewton5761]

ft8?

[@schauman1]

Can go to a park more than once? Thanks KO4KTM

[@josebrivera1716]

POTA does not recognize big city parks, like New York City’s Central Park or Pelham Bay Park, both of which encompass a few hundred, thousand acres. When I asked POTA about it on their Facebook page, I got rude remarks from members of that page for even asking about city parks. I will not respond to any pota CQs, ever. 73 de N2LRB

[@3nertia]

I want to get my ham radio operator's license but I also don't want my name and address in a [public] database ...

[@izacnewton5761]

how bout yoda?

[@HamRadio2]

Do or do not. There is no try

[@izacnewton5761]

right i need to get my gen @@HamRadio2

[@johnbspringer]

But why publish a list of the park as if it is a POTA sanctioned park. People have been going doing mobile radio before POTA, the fact that they were/were not at a park made no difference. So why is the "Park" on the Air? What is special about the announcing that your location is a park?

[@HamRadio2]

People want to chase you and make contact with you

[@johnbspringer]

@@HamRadio2 I understand. But is the fun removed if I make contact from a place in the woods but is not actually a park. Why is the idea of a park important as opposed to just outside somewhere? Not trying to be a nay-sayer, I am just trying to understand the whole "Park" thing. It would be different if the Park was state recognize as HAM friendly and coded in their park rules and regulations, but from what I can tell that is not what it is about. Was there not already a website where you log your contacts and exchange contact cards - which is all that POTA seems do be doing.

[@HamRadio2]

Nothing wrong with doing that either.

[@Drewboo1968]

Nice explanation. Two miserable sods didn't agree. Lol

[@HamRadio2]

LOL, it happens

[@williampeacock9473]

Thanks for the info about POTA. I am trying to get all the stuff I will need to do Park on the air. My biggest hold back is getting a battery to run my radio. Being on a fixed income it takes a while to get what I need. But eventually I'll make it.73 AE4OY WILLIAM EM-81UF God bless.

[@HamRadio2]

I used this one last weekend and had good luck with it - amzn.to/2IBwMaW

[@k3unx404]

Another suggestion… I had a new ham ask me what POTA was and being a ham for 60 yrs/ Extra I of course answered a pretty good explanation. But I googled once I got home and of course your video was so.much more detailed! I wanted to send your video to him as a follow up and encourage him to subscribe. I worked for 15 minutes trying to figure out how to do it… never could do it. Suggest you make it easy to do this/ subscribe to your videos… their are great… and so many hams new & old don’t know about them… W3GAC

[@HamRadio2]

It is pretty simple to share a video, so I am not sure where you are looking. But there is a "share" button underneath every video, with an arrow that points to the right. Click that and copy the URL, then send it to anyone you wish. Thanks for watching.

[@craigjordan3739]

Love to sign up and participate BUT you have to sign up with AMAZON? AWS? WTH? After you give them every ounce of your personal info then they want your credit card.....BS! POTA CHANGE THIS!

[@wilsondavenport6939]

They actually can’t regulate antennas at a home you own

[@HamRadio2]

They can if you are in an HOA

[@erichstocker8358]

What was the purpose for walking around and around. It was making me dizzy. A lot of time with fluff while not explaining POTA. There was no need for walk around in circles filler. There is plenty about POTA that could have been explained. Sitting down would have been better than walking in circles.

[@arsbadmojo]

WTF is a 'pile up'?

[@HamRadio2]

Watch any of my POTA videos. Basically it means lots of stations calling back to you at the same time

[@josebrivera1716]

It’s sad that Pota does not recognize big city parks like Pelham Bay, Central Park in New York City. I asked them about having city parks included and was slapped down with rude remarks from their Facebook group members. They remarked that they have enough to do with the parks they have on their lists. And the second and rude remarks came from members who told me to RTFM. I did visit their website before asking questions on Facebook but did not see any reference to city parks at all. I find pota as a very unfriendly group. And kind of uppity. I will not participate in any events they have. And I will do a New York City Parks on the air. I don’t need their approval to do this. Pota is condescending.

[@HamRadio2]

I'm sorry to hear that. Honestly I haven't ever heard anyone else with this experience from the POTA guys, so this surprises me. I have a city Park in my home city also and have always wondered why they weren't included - especially with many Wildlife Reserves and other historical sites being added - but my experience in speaking with the POTA folks in their FB group has been quite positive.

[@twohandsandaradio]

I would say it's a numbers thing. You have 7518 state and national parks (according to their POTA list). You have 22,764 parks just in the 100 biggest cities in the United States. POTA may not even have the computer horsepower to run that kind of database. My only advice is to stay off social media. Don't blame POTA because members of a Facebook group are pissy....that's the society we live in. And they are getting more rude by the day. Be glad there is a program out there recognizing ham radio and the parks that they do. Remember it's an all volunteer organization as well.

[@dondemarcus7937]

Jason, Thanks for information very helpful. Just got my Technician license and working on my General ticket. This is one of the reasons for getting into the hobby, doing POTA. Don KO4ZDM

[@HamRadio2]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Sonicgott]

Thanks for this! Maybe doing POTA with an HT will be challenging, but hopefully possible. Just find a tall area to get to! KF0QNM