Parks on the Air January Update: 7,702 parks activated! 49,653 QSO's

"Walls of QRM"
That's called "activity" and it would seem that you'd prefer the bands be reserved only for nets and ragchews. As a frequent POTA activator and hunter, yes, some operators could use a bit of a lesson in good operating practice, but I've yet to hear a single one of them splatter, or run especially wide which is more than I can say for the nets and regular gatherings of people on 40 meters ragchewing at 5k wide. Most of the operators I've encountered in this facet of the hobby are amongst the best out there, but obviously there are exceptions.

"And how much money is this clown making off his "contest"? I'd love to see a list of his corporate donors!"
What gives you any inclination that it is a huge money-maker? it's supported entirely by donations and sales of products with the POTA logo on it, they have to pay for hosting and databases and all that jazz with that money.
It costs nothing to participate, and nothing to receive and earn awards. (looking at ARRL that charges me for LOTW awards whilst also giving them $50 annually, and they've yet to update the site since its inception)
What corporation stands to gain from donating to POTA? Why?



It is impossible to remember where every special interest net meets and on what days. There is not a master listing or repository. Though some have tried to make such a thing it is hardly all-encompassing, and its not realistic to memorize them all.
A gathering of 4-5 chaps that get together on 40 every Saturday and roundtable isn't a net, either.

What I can tell you, is if I'm running a pileup on YOUR frequency, come down and let me know your net is starting in a few minutes and I'll say "thanks for letting me know, I'll move". POTA has created more activity on the HF bands than any contest or event ever has, we all need to be good stewards of our band space and learn to co-exist politely with one another.

 

From the ARRL ..Contests take place on both the HF and VHF/UHF/microwave bands. On HF, contests take place on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10-meters. Contest sponsors have agreed to keep the 60, 30, 17 and 12-meter bands off limits from competitive events .... so anytime you turn in your contacts for counts it now becomes a contest .... I thiink its great to get people out and about on the air but in the same token there are people that dont want to hear that and just rag chew hence why they came up with this ...

 

I appreciate that, but that also does not match the ARRL rules for National Parks on The Air that I posted, which is effectively the same thing as Parks on the Air. It does appear that the ARRL did not view the program as a contest. Maybe I am wrong, but I don't think most people view POTA is not a competitive program. Just my perspective, and I don't plan on activating on the WARC bands.

 

http://www.arrl.org/contest-basics

 

Yes, I have read, but then the ARRL specially made National Parks on The Air open to all bands but 60M.

 

By that logic working DX and submitting it to LOTW for awards should be banned from the warc bands. Just call QRL and move on if it's busy.

 

The SmokinApe did a really good video on considerate operations.

 

You gotta think outside the box! Check in to the net, then qso with 10 people also on the net.. BAM! Activate the park

 

Very cool. Love POTA, hope to see the automatic log-processing real soon!

 

yes

 

Now we are supposed to take advice from someone on YT who is too paranoid to use his his real name or call sign….

 

Heck yeah!! Unmask The SmokinApe!!

 

Go ahead. You know him a lot better then the rest of us.

 

I rarely look at the Pota awards page. For me it’s just F U N to operate whether as a hunter or a activator. I don’t see it as a contest but people can become competitive about anything. It’s so confusing hearing people saying ham radio is dying but at the same time complaining about the bands being over crowded.