Why I Never Fly A Parks On The Air Flag Or Banners When Out In The Field

[@SHTFchef]

Everyone is different. I personally enjoy interacting with people at parks.

[@outnaboot]

Absolutely, every operator has their own style! It's great that you enjoy connecting with others at parks. Those interactions can really enhance the experience!

[@DF2GN]

same here. i go out and do hamradio in nature for myself. after a hard day at work i only want to be with me alone and enjoy the nature. 73 Klaus

[@outnaboot]

Totally get it, Klaus! Just you, the radio, and the great outdoors-sounds like the perfect escape! 73!

[@OnTheAirwithVA3EWV-fn7rg]

My view is this :) I'm out to get as many contacts as possible in the limited amount of time I'm at the location. I had to learn the hard way , the more you carry and the more you draw attention to yourself, the fewer contacts you get. I now take about 10 to 15 min to take in the sights and sounds of nature , take a moment to learn about the location and its history, snap some photos and then it's time to get to work. Thanks for all that you do for the hobby.

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for sharing your perspective! It’s great to know that my content resonates with fellow enthusiasts. Enjoy those moments in nature; they’re just as important as the contacts!

[@StealthGTI]

I wrote a point against flags and banners in a recent blog post. I don't do any of it, not even flyers to pass out. The last thing I want is for park rangers to find litter with the words POTA, ham radio, or my call sign. They'll remember it and keep score. Mobile operation is great. My original reason for erecting foil sunshades was to keep out glare and to reject heat. But they're also great for keeping people from making eye contact and talking to me! I pull-in, park, operate, and then leave. HAHA!

[@outnaboot]

@@StealthGTI oh great idea!!! I don’t understand why people want to attract outside attention

[@jerryKB2GCG]

I occasionally put up a small 12”x12” flag. It’s resulted in some great conversations with both rangers and park visitors. I operate very often with a second person. One of us keeps operating and the other explains. Never had an issue. Of course everyone gets to experience their operation in the manner they enjoy.

[@outnaboot]

That sounds like a fantastic approach! Engaging with rangers and visitors can really enhance the experience, and it's great that you have a system that works for both of you.

[@stuarthall3874]

I completely agree with someone's choice to enjoy radio as they want. I love operating portable, but for me, I'm not interested in making a bunch of quick contacts so I don't even do POTA or contests. I like connecting with people either ragchewing on the air or talking about radio with someone who walks up with questions. I don't think anyone should feel pressured to "enjoy" radio in a certain way.

[@outnaboot]

I totally understand where you're coming from! It's all about enjoying the hobby in whatever way makes you happiest. Connecting with people through casual conversations can be as rewarding as chasing contacts for some! For me, it is all about working DX, if I had one contact in the field to a new country, that would make my portable outing a success versus 100 from Bob in New Jersey.

[@giffjim55]

I enjoy it when folks stop to see what we are doing; however, I never put out flags or signs to draw attention. I agree with your point on causing undue attention, especially from park rangers, etc. thanks for the video.

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for watching and sharing your perspective! It's great to hear that others feel the same way about keeping things low-key while enjoying the outdoors.

[@N2NWK]

Quite agree with you, I dont go to parks to advertise or explained anything to anyone.

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s great to connect with others who appreciate the simplicity of being out in the field.

[@Wayde-VA3NCA]

Personally, I'm middle of the road. I don't begrudge others who choose to "advertise", or those who choose to "go stealth" ( to each their own :-D ), but I'm not going to hide either... I feel I have as much right for enjoying the park in a safe, minimally obtrusive way as anyone else does... If the park is already packed with other users and I can't find a way to setup in a safe, low impact way then I will pack it up and go to another park or come back another day. I would similarly expect any other group, doing any other activity, to setup in a way to minimize their impact on other legitimate park users as well. No matter what though, I follow the "leave it better than you found it rule". I take all my items and any trash I might have created, replace my divots and while I'm at it, I pickup whatever might have been left around me before I showed up on site. Love your videos Stuart! 🙂 and looking forward to the next time I catch you on the air!

[@outnaboot]

Hey, I get what you're saying! It’s all about having fun but not being a nuisance. Keep doing your thing and leaving the parks better than you found them!

[@WA2OUZUpstateNYHam-m5f]

Great video. I don't use any flags either, i like to keep it low key. I've been approached twice by park authorities, and both times i explained the process and gave them a flyer. They were very appreciative. Sometimes a passer by will ask a question, i don't mind. But like you, i would rather be able to concentrate on my purpose for being there. 😊

[@outnaboot]

I really appreciate your kind words and insights! It’s great to hear that you’ve had positive interactions with park authorities. Keeping it low key definitely has its perks!

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

I wonder how many of those who have been asked to show a permit had flags, banners, signs, etc. and how many didn't. Unless someone parks next to me while I am operating outside my vehicle I have never had anyone approach me and ask questions. To minimize my footprint when operating outside of my vehicle I try to park so I can operate from the bed of my pickup truck. Depending on how much room I have behind the truck I will either set up a table behind my truck or I will use the tailgate as a table. If I can't set up where trees will provide shade I have a 4 foot by 6 foot canopy. I have only done one POTA operation with a second person and it was to show one of my mentors how I do my field operations for POTA. He was curious how I do it and he was thinking about getting involved with the program himself.

[@outnaboot]

That's an interesting perspective! It sounds like you've got a solid setup for operating in the field. Minimizing your footprint is definitely a smart approach, and I love the idea of using the truck bed as a workspace.

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

@@outnaboot I don't have it fully figured out, but I am definitely learning. Eventually I want to build a random wire antenna for my field operations so I can change bands without changing antennas. Currently I use one of the stake pockets on my bed rails to support my mast so that helps minimize my footprint. I also have a mini Shark stick for 10 meter and 15 meter that I picked up for dirt cheap at a local hamfest. Those are great for when I can't set up the wire antennas. I do want to get either a couple more hamstick style antennas or a screwdriver antenna so I can make use of other bands in situations where setting up the wires aren't possible. A screwdriver antenna might not be ideal during the winter months here in Michigan so I might actually need the hamsticks for field operations during those months.

[@chasingskywaves-Hz]

Well the antenna is a flag, many see my antenna and start asking questions. Do you use a stealth antenna?

[@outnaboot]

Sometimes, you can't hide the antenna... I usually get strange looks and I will give them a strange look back and a few times people have come up to me and ask me questions...my first response is "are you a cop or park staff?" If they are neither, then I politely answer one question and go back to what I am doing. They eventually get the hint that I do not want to be bugged. I am not bugging them and therefore, that doesn't give them to right to bug me. I am very protective of my space.

[@martyyoung598]

Well, to each his own. If someone is staring at me at what I’m doing I’m not offended. I realize ham radio isn’t something a random person is going to see every day. I don’t scowl at them or be curt in any response to them if they approach me. I’m just polite and friendly. I don’t go into a public place expecting privacy. Light’en dude. Don’t be so easily offended.

[@outnaboot]

@@martyyoung598 ha ha…offended, no one said that. Talk about the most over used word in the English language “offended”. You may like people hanging around you, some of us don’t and that is 100% ok.

[@Aussat]

I agree myself, I'm like you, rather go on my own and be as stealth as possible, I use headphones to try and cut down on people seeing me and asking questions although often people are still interested in what I'm doing and come up and expect me to stop everything to ask questions, I do answer but I don't like it much, more of a loner and always have been. Great video's.

[@outnaboot]

I totally understand where you're coming from! Stealth mode has its perks, and headphones can help create that personal bubble while in the field. Thanks for watching!

[@ronpetroski7203]

I use my pota flag as a side shade. Because having antennas hanging of my camper is as obivous as flag hahah. What about a shit ton of aantennas on your pov? Doesent that draw attention also?.

[@outnaboot]

That's a clever use of the POTA flag! It definitely helps to keep things low-key while enjoying the outdoors. As for antennas, they can indeed attract some attention, but sometimes it's all about how you present them!

[@N0LSD]

Personally? I don't spite operators that want to put up flags or hand out leaflets, but it's not my jam. Although I have supported both POTA and WFD by purchasing small flags, if I've put them up twice it would be a lot. In New York, State Parks are managed by State Parks and Recreation; while State Forests are managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation. I prefer to activate the State Forests, as they're typically not used for recreation the way the State Parks are used, and are thus far less frequented by many people. It's rare that I see other people in the places that I operate. I'll always take some time to answer questions from folks that stumble upon my operation, but I certainly don't seek out their company when I'm operating. I'm not an ambassador, I'm not PR, and I'm not out there operating in public to sell Amateur radio to anyone. If ARRL wants to fail at those tasks, I'll leave them to the task: but, for my part, I'm out there operating, honing my craft, and learning from the experience for me and so others can maybe learn from my mistakes if I write about it or make a video about it.

[@outnaboot]

Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's always interesting to hear how different operators approach their time in the field. Your insights about the State Parks and Forests are really valuable!

[@kenmartin1211]

I understand being low key when conduction operations in the field, i am a believer that the less we attract attention to ourselves the better. I enjoy your Channel and it's Content... Thank You de KC3ZDW 73

[@outnaboot]

I completely agree! Staying low-key can help us focus on the operation without unnecessary distractions. Thanks for being a part of the community!

[@artistnumber12]

I think you should have jumpsuit uniforms like nasa!

[@outnaboot]

@@artistnumber12 ha ha, watch what you recommend, some would do that :-)

[@mlipscomb3232]

😆 lol

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

People walk off with your stuff.

[@outnaboot]

Where?

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

@outnaboot had two very friendly people walk up. While my back was turned on one, he stole a solar controller. Didn't notice it missing for a couple of hours. I get nervous when more than a single person walks up.

[@outnaboot]

@@Philip-KA4KOE That sucks!! That is why I don't like being around people! See my video on avoiding people.