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Introduction to �Parks on the Air

Portable Amateur Radio Operations that promote emergency awareness and commination's from national and state/province level parks

November

2022

Presented by Paul Impellizzeri – N9PMI

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Parks on the AirSM (POTA) Basics

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  • Grew out of the US National Parks on the Air Program (ARRL 2016)�
  • Has grown to incorporate many HAM activities (more fun and more accessible to more people)�
  • Participate from deep in the forest or from the comfort of your easy chair

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Parks on the AirSM (POTA) Basics

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  1. Ongoing Program Operated / organized by a group of volunteers (not a contest)�
  2. You may participate in POTA as an “Activator or a Hunter”

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  • Portable ham operators (called Activators) set up and operate from designated parks�These operators are said to have Activated the park once they log 10 QSO’s, typically calling “CQ POTA”; the park is “active” while the Activator is there operating.�
  • Any HAM licensed to operate on the band being used may hunt for active POTA stations to make contact with a POTA Activator (these hams are the “Hunters”) �
  • Eligible parks are identified in the POTA map on the POTA web site (https://pota.app)

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Parks on the Air Map

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Parks on the Air (POTA) Basics

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  1. POTA recognizes dedication with awards available to Activators and Hunters
    • Standard Awards
    • Advanced Awards
    • Geographic Awards
    • Special Awards

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Go to www.parksontheair.com to get details on the awards available�

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POTA Award Samples

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ParksontheAir.com

Website provides the following:

  • Maps of Entities (Parks)
  • Help/Getting Started
  • Dashboard/Login
  • Awards Information
  • POTA Scheduler
  • POTA Spots

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To be award eligible:

As an official Activator or Hunter

You must Register for an Account in the POTA System�

  • Instructions are provided on their web site:�(parksontheair.com)

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Also on their web site you will find:

  • Rules
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Video and PDF Guides for Activators
  • Video and PDF Guides for Hunters

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A Few Notes for Hunters

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  1. Hunting is easy and fun!�
  2. Hunters do not need to submit logs, it is all tracked through the Activator’s logs!�
  3. Follow DX Code of Conduct, ARRL Operating Ethics, and POTA Rules�
  4. The Hunter can be anywhere, home, mobile, another POTA Park�
  5. Land Repeaters are not allowed but Satellite contacts are allowed

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Spotting

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  1. Spotting is putting info on-line to help Hunters find Activators
  2. You may use a spotting tool or just scan the bands.
  3. Follow DX Code of Conduct, ARRL Operating Ethics, and POTA Rules
  4. Spotting is done on the POTA.APP web site. Some also use the Parks on the Air Facebook page or Slack channel but best results are from pota.app.
  5. If you can hear the Activator, you can spot the activator
  6. The spot information includes activators call, frequency, mode and park number

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Spotting – POTA.APP web site:

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Spot Example

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A Few Rules for Activators

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  1. You and all of the equipment you are using must be located within the official park boundaries (determined by park administrators, not POTA)�
  2. You must be there at a time when you are allowed to be there (park rules)�
  3. You must follow all of the rules of the park; where you can set up, what you are allowed to use (tables, pavilions, trees…), what you may bring in, quiet hours…�
  4. Activators must submit logs for their activations (you do not need to schedule an activation in advance, but you can if you like on the POTA web site)�
  5. Log data: UTC Date and Time, Callsign, Band and Mode, (and Park # of contact if park to park QSO)

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Sample Stations

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Sample Stations

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Mobile Station

Photo courtesy of W8MSC

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Sample Stations

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Multiple Operators in a Cabin

Photo courtesy W8TAM

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POTA Awards

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POTA Stats

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Helpful POTA Link

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W4CN POTA in Action

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On November 5, 2022, W4CN activated K-4191 Clark State Forest in Henryville, IN. This was our inaugural activation as a club

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W4CN POTA in Action

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W4CN POTA in Action

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Despite 40+ MPH winds and spitting rain, the club managed 138 QSO’s with 24 of those Park 2 Park’s.

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THANK YOU!

Paul Impellizzeri – N9PMI

n9pmi@arrl.net

Bill Shive – KC4ZMZ

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kc4zmz@arrl.net

Amateur Radio Transmitting Society of Louisville - www.arts-club.org