parksontheair.com/POTA - Parks On The Air

2019-09-30 For quite a while now I've been "dreaming" of setting up in a nearby state park and operating as a POTA station. In fact I made plans to do that this summer on a Boundary Waters Canoe trip with my two sons and one grandson. At the last minute I scrapped those plans out of concern for weight and time. That was a wise choice as there really wouldn't have been time and it would have taken me away from the main purpose, to spend time with those guys. But that didn't kill the original idea.

I have two rig packages that are perfect: First, my Xiegu X5105. Second, my more recent Xiegu G90. I've actually had both in the field, the X5105 to a local lake with a friend and the G90 to a local forest preserve. Both performed well. I used the Wolf River Coils TIA 1000 vertical antenna for both which performed well also. Both setups were light, simple to set up and easy to transport.

I even have a 40 meter QCX transceiver by QRPLabs which would be perfect as well. And I have quite an assortment of wire antennas in addition to the Wolf River Coils vertical. So gear is not a problem!

My G90 and Wolf River Coils vertical on a picnic bench at nearby Seno Forest Preserve.

While waiting for the courage to actually get serious about it, I've started being a "hunter"! The POTA Spots web page on their website makes that really simple. Simply look at who is on what frequency, tune up and give a listen! And if they are in range for current propagation, give them a call. Most of them I've worked have been SSB but some CW. And with patience, I almost always get them if I can hear them. The secret, since I'm running 20watts or less seems to be to wait until the big guns have had their turn and then call. It is actually pretty simple and is also fun!

There are several other similar programs that make it equally as easy to find stations on mountain tops or in other outdoor places and make both their day and yours! Give it a try. WorldWide Flora and Fauna. Field Radio.