Trials and Errors Issue 50: Power to the (POTA) People!

This forum is for any comments about the article concerning a new, battery powered linear amp which should be quite a hit with the POTA community. Check out Dave's comments at this link.

There is quite a bit of additional information we could add to this article, and I will put a few of these items into the forum discussion as we go along.

How do QRP operators feel about the potential that field activations may now be literally blasting down the doors? I love QRP . . . but, I am also intrigued by what 600 watts could do to the number of QSO's I get on any given afternoon in a park. Let's talk about this product and the whole concept of beefing up our signals when we are in a remote location! Dave, W7DGJ

 

If your in need of an amp then your not QRP. What can this do in the field? Well it can make your lightweight QRP kit a lot heavier, most QRP operators also use lightweight antenna and feed line options, with an amp and battery of that size you will need to beef-up all of your kit thus making it heavier. I like to hike in and setup, but this might have appeal to the drive-up activators who use 100w rigs anyway. My thoughts...

POTA on!
Mike

 

Mike, agree. It's certainly not a SOTA solution, but there are indeed lots of park bench POTA operators out there. Dave, W7DGJ

 

Dave, sounds like a nice product, but too rich for my blood. Using a 48V battery makes sense with their availability and aftermarket power supplies.

QRO POTA... Well, if you are going to do POTA there is no rule that says you have to sit in a folding chair with your stuff on a table and use a wire thrown over a branch. Why not set up your 4WD and bring the Camper with your radio, amp, generator, coffee maker, kitchen, fridge, bed, toilet, and fold up tower all attached? ;D

This is dumb SOTA rule "Summits that are accessible by road can still be included in the programme, although operation from within vehicles or the near vicinity of activator’s vehicles is not permitted." What if you're mobility challenged? You have to exit your mobility van and have someone help you get set up away from your vehicle?

 

Ron, good point on that weird SOTA regulation. I mean, what's the difference how close you are to your vehicle? If a summit is available to reach by vehicle, more power to the driver. Dave, W7DGJ

 

I don't have a problem with it (DXpeditions have used amps for years), but I worry that if something like this results in mishaps, it could result in PoTA (and SoTA by association) becoming not welcome into some parks. It's already the case that PoTA has been banned in a few parks because of the actions/behaviors of some other PoTA activators.

So QRP SoTA and PoTA activators and others end up being penalized and prohibited from their hobby pursuit because of an accident some careless QRO activator caused.

I think it's the best practice (for both SoTA and PoTA) to have a low profile & small footprint activation.

An additional concern I have is that this could complicate the calculation for meeting the FCC's RF Exposure Calculations (or QRO PoTA people won't bother with it even if there's a reasonable risk they could exceed the RF Exposure limit - in a public venue, no less)?

 

Lots of good points here, Scott. I think your last point is probably the most likely of these. Can you tell me what activities have gotten POTA banned please in certain parks? I wasn't aware of that. Dave, W7DGJ

 

I'm always amazed at all the STUFF hams need to play radio at the park. Take at least 3 antennas, none actually efficient, just easy to set up. Then just increase your power to compensate.

If I was motivated, I'd design a backpack on wheels so hams could take everything they think they need. Sorta like those wheeled tripods for your golf bag. Hey, even motorize it and use your amplifier battery to get to the picnic table! Wait- carry your table and chairs with you, along with the computer, monitors and cooler!

But I'm sure they will sell a ton of them, once the influencers get up to speed.

 

Thanks Dave. There's a huge pent up demand for this product -- my guess, is that it will sell out on first release. Look how many Acom 500's that DXE has sold, as one example, because it is so much smaller and lighter than other amps. Whether you're putting it on your desktop or using it on battery, it's so much less weight than its competitors. DXPeditions, for sure. How many POTA users will jack up their output, we'll see. Appreciate your input, nice to see you here. Dave, W7DGJ

 

This is what I found following a search. I had heard about some parks being de-listed previously, but I don't recall if this was the reference in particular.

But the point stands; the choices that other PoTA activators make will affect the activation opportunities that will be available to you. I see more opportunities for this to go "off the tracks" the "bigger" the footprint other activators choose to make. Big masts (towers?), amps, large collections of gear, coax running everywhere; maybe it wasn't your choice but ultimately it will affect what you are able to do in the future. That's why I say the inconspicuous, small-footprint QRP activations are best. But we all know some hams that have to do everything in a big way.

From the POTA Slack channel:

Announcement: For activators in or around, or planning to visit Washington State:

Two locations in WA have been deactivated from our list at the request of the US Fish and Wildlife Service manager for them both.

To clarify, we received a communication from the manager of K-0586, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge and K-0581, Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge in Northwestern Washington.

It seems one of our members inadvertently put a wire in a tree which brought a complaint to the park ranger. This activator also refused to provide identification, but it remains that wires in trees are usually not acceptable in certain sensitive locations as these are.

After a very peaceful discussion with the FWS manager, who I personally spoke with, it was agreed that these two entities will be taken out of Active status, Not removed, so as to not take existing contacts from our hunters. FWS will update their website for said parks expressly prohibiting any Amateur Radio use within the property, whether in the field or in one's vehicle - in other words, No Radio Activity Allowed.

Please make note of this if you were planning to activate either park. Also please alert anyone you may know who does not follow our social media.

Lastly, Always check for a website of any park you intend to visit for current rules, exceptions or prohibited activity Before going there and Always cooperate with All park staff, no matter how much you feel the need to activate such park(s).

We apologize for this, but it is their property, and we must comply with their rules. Thank you, James, KB2FMH POTA Support-

 

Until their choices begin to limit what opportunities are available for you to activate?

 

True to what was posted;

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/billy-frank-jr-nisqually/visit-us/rules-policies

Non-Wildlife Dependent Recreation
While the refuge welcomes walking and enjoying nature and wildlife along the trails, some activities can be disturbing to wildlife and visitors that are here to enjoy nature. Activities permitted on the refuge include: wildlife observation, wildlife and landscape photography, interpretation, environmental education, and hunting. The refuge is not a typical park where people play ball, throw frisbees, fly kites, play games, use remote control toys, operate ham radios, play music, jog, or have parties with balloons and barbeques. These and other recreational activities are not reliant on wildlife and can be performed at a different park. They are not permitted here.

If only small, inconspicuous, QRP/small-footprint activation had been done, PoTA activators probably would still be allowed there. But some hams have to do everything in a big way, then the rest of us are compelled to accept the consequences of their choices.

 

Hi Scott --All of what you posted was good to know. My impression is that this stuff would have occurred anyway, despite whether there was a small amp on the park bench or not. Putting up wires in trees has always been the far-edge of what a park ranger would see as acceptable. But I get your point. Good caution for us all, Dave

 

When I’m out playing QRP I run my old FT-817 at 5w. I’m not out there to see what volume of contacts I can reel in, I’m seeing how far 5w can take me, many people would be surprised. I have an FT-891 for QRO, my average power output on it is 40w. I work some big pileups on 40w and it’s a lot of fun, but very rarely find a need to pump up the output.
I think a lot of folks have forgotten the old “only use what you need to make the contact” mentality. There are far too many hams using crap antennas and tossing hundreds of watts down them to make up for the poor transmission capabilities of the antennas. That’s my 10c.