POTA – Parks on the Air

I was recently introduced (Sept 2024) to POTA (Parks on the Air) by my friend and Elmer – Wilson Little (NT5AT) … aka, my POTA-Yoda. POTA is an activity within Amateur Radio that has operators setup their equipment in designated public lands and parks, then establish communications with other operators across the country and world. It helps develop skills and techniques for setting-up functioning stations and establishing communications in remote locations without external resources, which can be very important when supporting emergency services.

My HF band experience had been primarily focused on digital modes (FT8, FT4, etc) and I had little SSB voice communications experience. In fact, there was a bit of apprehension involved on my part – worried that I didn’t know what to say and didn’t want to be too much of a noob. The short, structured messages used for POTA were perfect to help me break through that wall. I now find the pace and banter of the voice connections very enjoyable and look forward to working “SSB phone” when I’m out in the field.

Wilson and friend Kevin Stephens (KI5YYO) helped me through that phase and I now feel more confident in both my ability to get setup quickly and effectively, and establishing connections from remote locations/parks to the HF world. If you’re a ham and haven’t tried POTA – I strongly suggest you consider exploring this exciting activity within Amateur Radio.

POTA Gear

Yaesu FT-991A HF/VHF/UHF Multi-Mode Transceiver
KOSS SB-40 Headset with microphone
Heil AD-1-YM Yaesu Headphone modular adapter
Heil HS2 Handheld PTT switch
LiFePO4 12VDC 50Ah Battery (x2)
Chelegance MC-599 7-50Mhz Dipole Antenna
Chelegance 16ft Telescoping Antenna Mast and Tripod
MFJ-1979 Stainless Steel Telescoping Whip Antenna – 17ft
Common Mode Inline Choke
18AWG Stranded Silicon Wire radials (x8)
Spike-mounted Antenna Mount 3/8-24
Camera Tripod with MFJ-342T Mirror/Pipe Antenna Mount 3/8-24
RG-8X Coaxial Cable – 50ft (x2)
RG-8X Coaxial Cable – 100ft
Bose QuietComfort 15 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Heavy Duty Photo Studio Sandbag
iPad with HAMRS and Ham2k Portable Logger (PoLo) logging software

POTA Stats

Images from the field

My very first POTA activation was with Wilson Little NT5AT at US-3051 Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point TX
Original tripod antenna stand used, which was replaced with a more sturdy tripod after this initial activation.
Kevin KI5YYO operating FT8 at US-2991 Bonham State Park in Bonham TX
Kevin KI5YYO operating at US-6601 Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site in Bonham TX while Wilson NT5AT enjoys the beautiful TX afternoon under a shade tree.
We met one of the nicest guys ever at US-6601 Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site, Bonham TX
It was a very enjoyable afternoon under a tree on the shore of Lake Texoma at US-3005 Eisenhower State Park in Denison TX
First activation (of 5!) of the day at US-2770 Arrowhead State Park, Canadian OK
Second stop of the day - this one at US-2802 Sequoia Bay State Park, Wagoner OK
Third activation of the day at US-2803 Sequoyah State Park, Hulbert OK
No photo from US-2789 ... but here's the final (5th) activation of the day - US-6335 Cabin Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, Big Cabin OK
The day started with a beautiful place for a cup of coffee and a bit of POTA at US-3337 Battle of Carthage State Historic Site in Carthage MO
Another beautiful day to be lakeside. This time at US-2281 Big Creek State Park in Polk City IA
A little 20m FT8 from US-2284 Clear Lake State Park in Clear Lake IA
I love the fall colors starting to appear at US-2493 Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls MN
The sister park to US-2493, which is across the river, Wisconsin's US-4249 Interstate State Park is in St Croix Falls WI
This is my favorite POTA activation and image - an evening visit to US-0786 Mount Rushmore National Park in Keystone SD. It was my first visit to the park and I was thrilled to be here.
Not a POTA-specific image, but one of my favs from the trip. I probably wouldn't think to visit at night, but timing forced me to visit late. What a spectacular view of the mountain. I consider myself lucky to be able to witness it in this light.
US-0059 Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, CO was beautiful as-always. I was able to setup away from other visitors in a parking lot and operate from here.
This is US-1214 Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado Springs CO. Yes, THAT Cheyenne Mountain. Fortunately, I didn't setoff any alarms at NORAD - that I know of.
It was a beautiful evening at US-1225 Lake Pueblo State Park, Pueblo CO. I arrived as the sun had nearly set and the evening was beautiful.
I was able to setup and operate from the edge of the caldera at US-0910 Capulin Volcano National Monument in Capulin NM - elevation about 7500 ft

US-3051 Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point TX

US-6601 Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site, Bonham TX

US-2770 Arrowhead State Park, Canadian OK

US-2802 Sequoia Bay State Park, Wagoner OK

US-6335 Cabin Creek Battlefield State Historic Site, Big Cabin OK

US-3337 Battle of Carthage State Historic Site, Carthage MO

US-2281 Big Creek State Park, Polk City IA

US-2284 Clear Lake State Park, Clear Lake IA

US-2493 Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls MN

US-2429 Interstate State Park, St Croix Falls WI

US-0786 Mount Rushmore National Park, Keystone SD

US-0059 Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park CO

US-1214 Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado Springs CO

US-1225 Lake Pueblo State Park, Pueblo CO

US-0910 Cauplin Volcano National Monument, Capulin NM

Additional menu

POTA Gear

POTA Stats

Images from the field