parks on the air (pota)
The POTA Story
Contributed by
Ken Walters - KX4BY, and Robert Ball - KQ4GEV
What is POTA?
Parks on the Air (“POTA”) started as a pilot program in 2016 to bring awareness to the National Parks in the U.S. Originally the program was set to run for one calendar year. It was dropped in 2017. A core group of Activators reached out to the ARRL asking for the program to be continued. With some 500,000 QSO’s posted by Activators, in 2017 public support by operators pushed to make it a permanent organization. In 2018 a non-profit was established to continue and expand the parks to state parks and beyond into Canada and beyond. Today, it is a worldwide radio-sport. Awards and accolades are issued automatically based on Activator’s and Hunter’s participation.
POTA by the numbers.
There are roughly 850,000 ham operators in the U.S. (with some unknown number of them being inactive). As of 2023 there were over 325,000 POTA participants. Year-over-year participation by Activators has increased by 50%, and Hunters by 33%. Thus, between 35% and 50% of hams in the U.S. participate in P.O.T.A.
From 2017 to now there have been 9.5 million officially logged POTA QSO’s. 2024 alone is projected to surpass 4.5 million POTA QSO’s. Future plans are to expand even further into growing countries, and some thoughts are being developed for a POTA-vention hamfest.
How do you POTA?
There are 2 aspects of POTA participation, the Activators and the Hunters. Activators choose a park with a designated POTA number (e.g. US-1038 Chewacla State Park). Once on-site, setup your portable radio gear, antenna, and successfully complete 10 or more QSO’s from your station to others within a 24-hour time period to qualify for an Activation. The use of many bands and modes is allowed, thus offering operators their choice of operating preferences. Hunters can seek out Activators from their home or other locations and participate with the Activation. Hunters accrue points and awards by merely making contact. The data collected from the Activation is submitted by the Activator to POTA using a POTA app. POTA is also an excellent way to perfect the field deployment of your gear and practice communication should there be an emergency where local communications and backbone technologies are not available.
Who should POTA?
Everyone. Make it a club event. If you haven’t tried it, please do, either as an Activator or as a Hunter. Both are needed to enjoy this emerging and growing radio-sport. Ask any questions you might have to those who have already participated in the program and who can offer insight into the joys and rewards of being an active POTA supporter.
Do’s and Don’ts.
Do be a good ambassador for POTA and Ham Radio.
Do share your enthusiasm with the public and park officials.
Do thank park officials for use of the park.
Do leave the park area cleaner than you found it.
Do clarify if the park is a historical site and requires any special considerations.
Do not block or impede trails, footpaths, or access to facilities.
Do not damage any trees or structures during deployment.
POTA “Know before you go” Items
It is always a good idea to do a little research ahead of your POTA event. Check the POTA website and get the details of the park you are going to visit. Helpful information includes:
Park number and name
Maidenhead grid location (in large parks the actual grid in which you setup may be different)
Park hours
Entrance fees / requirements
Anticipated elevation
Potential locations for the antenna type you want to deploy
Items to take on your POTA journey:
Bag of some type to carry your gear – you may not always be able to park at the location from which you plan to operate
Radio & amp; manual
Battery / Power source
Coax
Antenna and antenna support (tripod & amp; painters tape or rope and arborist throw line)
Unun or Balun
Method of logging / Recorder
POTA ID
Radio attire – hat, shirt, etc., with your call sign or other radio reference
Band plan
Water
Snacks
Hat
Sunscreen
Bug spray
First aid kit
When you get there:
When visiting a park where you have not previously operated, you should consider stopping by the ranger station or visitor center and have a chat with the staff. This is an opportunity to be a good ambassador for amateur radio and POTA. Don’t take it for granted that the staff knows about the POTA program. They likely do not. Share your plans for antenna deployment. Some sites are historic in nature and don’t allow you to dig into the ground or hang antennas from trees. Share your “Leave no trace” mantra. Remember to take some photos! These are handy for later reference. Some suggestions are park entrance sign, deployment area, antenna and radio setup. After arriving at your planned deployment area check the surroundings for hazards. This could include broken glass, trip hazards, alligators, snakes, etc. If you are in a wooded area in warmer weather, spray the bug repellant on your shoes and ankle areas.
Consider taking a look at the radio operating conditions.
Don’t let this deter you from activating, but this can help you understand the conditions you are up against.
Operating bands / propagation maps
MUF
Space weather
Actual longitude and latitude
Elevation