So you want to have Parks on the Air (POTA). What is stopping you from organizing a POTA or similar event? Are you reliant on your Club or Organization to take your idea and tell you what to do, when to show up, and where to be? Do you only want to participate with others in an officially organized fashion? Are you not comfortable with your skillset to understand the operational requirements? Do you not have the equipment? Do you not understand the logging process? Have you visited the online resources to better understand what you are thinking about? Are you attempting to involve your organization as a positive influence and enhance teamwork and fellowship? Do you know where the POTA spots in your area are?
What seems to be missing as evident by the litany of questions is clear action after a statement of desire has been made. Are you sitting idly by with wants and wishes but not acting and in wait for “someone else” to take the reins?
Have no fear. The POTA Guide is here to not only help you understand what you will need, where you can go, how to log, but also how to inspire and set up an event for a single or multiple operators. One of the fallacies of group participation is that there must be an office or official in charge for an event to represent a Club or Organization. While that may be true for the use of the call sign with the permission of the call sign trustee, nothing is further from the truth when it comes to running an event in single or group mode. I have set up multiple events long before I assumed any roles in the administration of a Club or Organization. I was for all intents and purposes, just a member. But that does not mean I did not have a voice or a lack of motivation. Leadership comes from personal traits, learned skills, and a choice to guide and inspire others. You have already achieved so much by just volunteering your time, learning a skill, becoming a licensed operator, and many other untold successes. Why not act on them and take ownership of your yearning for communication?!
As with everything in Amateur Radio, reading is a large part of understanding and operation. Mike Case, W8MSC spent significant time compiling invaluable information for the Parks on the Air Activator Guide. Through his research and deep dives into POTA topics, he created a straightforward and easy to understand operating instruction for all to view. On the same website are other guides such as the Parks on the Air Club Activation Guide. Further instructions include how to log, how to submit logs, what the rules are, a park locator and more.
So, whether you are operating from anywhere as a hunter or going out and being an activator, the guides on the Parks on the Air website will guide you and your teams to surefire success! Be sure to read the items below, visit the website, take the lead, and pave the way for fun and engagement with all! So come along on the journey, grab cup of joe or whatever tickles your fancy, settle in and let us learn together to continue to advance the hobby, recruit, and retain others. Share the Joy and POTA this way!
The POTA Activator Guide:
https://docs.pota.app/docs/activator_reference/activator_guide-english.html
The POTA Club Activation Guide:
https://docs.pota.app/docs/activator_reference/activator_guide_clubs.html
Park List:
POTA Home page:
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.