Parks on the Air: The Best Way to Learn Ham Radio Portable Operations

If you’ve just earned your ham radio license — or you’re staring at that portable rig wondering now what? — let me introduce you to one of the best excuses to pack your gear and head outside: Parks on the Air, or POTA for short.

POTA is fun, surprisingly approachable, and a great way to build real skills in the field — whether you’re chasing awards, testing antennas, or just looking for an excuse to hang out at a picnic table with your radio and a thermos of coffee.

You don’t need perfect gear. You don’t need to be a CW master. You just need a radio, a little curiosity, and a willingness to get out there and try.

Let’s break it all down.

Heads up: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy something through one of the links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use and trust.

What Is Parks on the Air?

Parks on the Air (POTA) is an international award program that encourages licensed amateur radio operators to set up and make contacts from designated parks, forests, wildlife areas, and protected lands. You can:

Activate a park (operate from it), or
Hunt activators from wherever you are.

Each park has a unique code (like US-1234 in the U.S. or CA-1234 in Canada), and you can earn awards by logging contacts across different bands, modes, and park combinations.

It’s like a scavenger hunt meets field day — but way more flexible.

Here’s how to get started:

Go to pota.app
Create a free account
Use the map to find a nearby park
Read the rules for activators and hunters
Log your activation and upload your contacts

Whether you’re running 100 watts from your truck or 5 watts from a summit with a soda can antenna, there’s a POTA style that fits you.

Why POTA Is Perfect for New Hams

One of the biggest struggles after getting licensed is figuring out what to do with your license. You know you want to get on the air, but maybe you don’t have a great setup at home. Or maybe you’re still sorting out what gear to buy.

That’s exactly why POTA is such a perfect fit.

You learn what works. You figure out what doesn’t. You get real practice using your gear — and I promise you’ll come back from every activation with at least one thing you’d do differently next time.

Bonus: It’s low-pressure, high-reward.

Nobody’s judging your setup. There’s no time limit. You can activate from a picnic bench, the back of your SUV, or a folding chair in the woods.

And when those contacts start rolling in — what we call a pileup (aka a bunch of other operators calling you at once) — you set the pace. You decide how fast or slow to log, how much info to exchange, and whether you want to chat or keep it snappy. Total control. No stress.

You’ll make contacts, have fun, and maybe even earn a few internet brownie points. (Which are like real brownies, but with fewer carbs and more call signs.)

What You Really Need for Your First Activation

Let’s talk gear. The list below is your “get-on-the-air-without-overthinking-it” starter pack.

The Essentials:

Ham radio + antenna
This could be as simple as a Baofeng handheld for VHF/UHF or a small HF rig with an EFHW or dipole. If your antenna needs elevation, a telescoping mast is worth its weight in contacts.
Power source
A battery or portable power station. Be realistic: 100W drains a battery fast. 10W gives you more airtime but may take some finesse to make contacts.
Logging method
Paper works just fine. Digital is great for ease of upload. I highly recommend HAMRS, a POTA-friendly app that auto-fills operator details and helps format logs correctly.
Clock or phone
You’ll need accurate time (UTC) for logging. Most digital apps handle this, but it’s worth double-checking.
A way to mount your antenna
Fiberglass masts, tent poles, hiking sticks, or even nearby trees can work. Get creative.
Somewhere to sit
A folding chair, a park bench, or the tailgate of your truck. Don’t overthink it — just be comfortable.
Fun
Not technically required, but highly encouraged.

Optional but Smart:

Headphones
- Great for helping you hear people calling — especially in noisy or windy environments — and even better for not disturbing other folks enjoying the peace and quiet of the park.
Spare cables or adapters
Clipboard or folding table
Water, snacks, sunscreen
A simple first aid kit
- I really like this Boo-Boo Kit for basic first aid, and this Adventure Kit for a more comprehensive setup that stays in the car. Both are from Refuge Medical, made right here in the USA — and they’re HSA/FSA eligible, which is a nice bonus if you’re looking to use those benefits.
  (Full disclosure: these are affiliate links — if you grab one, it helps support the blog at no extra cost to you.)
Your license and ID (just in case)

Pro Tip:

If you’re unsure about jumping in solo, reach out to your local ham radio club. There’s a good chance someone nearby is already doing POTA — and some operators love helping newcomers activate parks. It’s a great way to learn the ropes, borrow gear, or even team up for your first activation.

And if you want a gentler entry into activating? Try hunting Park-to-Park contacts. It’s a fun way to get your feet wet, still counts as an activation, and most activators will prioritize Park-to-Park contacts in a pileup — giving you a better shot at making the contact even when things get busy.

How the POTA Exchange Works

One of the most common questions new activators and hunters have is: “What do I actually say on the radio?”
The good news is: it’s simple, friendly, and low-pressure — just like the rest of POTA.

KB9VBR has some great videos on youtube demonstrating the exchange:
It’s not always perfect weather! Parks on the air at Brunet Island – KB9VBR Antennas

The standard POTA exchange is short and easy to remember. It typically includes:

Call sign
Signal report (usually 59 or 579 unless there’s an issue)
Location (your park identifier, e.g., US-1234)

Let’s walk through a few quick examples:

Calling CQ

CQ POTA, CQ POTA, this is KX1ABC calling Parks on the Air from US-1234 and listening.

You’re calling out to invite responses. Once someone replies, you might say:

K4XYZ, you’re 59 into US-1234. Thanks for the contact!

And they’ll usually respond with:

Roger, you’re 59 in Georgia. 73 and good luck!

That’s it — you just made a valid contact!

Park to Park Contact

When you hear another activator and you’re in a park too, call:

Park to Park! Park to Park!

They’ll usually pause and say something like:

Go ahead Park to Park.

Then you reply with your call and park number:

This is KX1ABC, US-5678, you’re 57.

And they’ll confirm the exchange with:

Copy KX1ABC at US-5678, you’re 59 into US-1234. Thanks for the Park to Park!

Park-to-Park contacts are highly valued and often prioritized in pileups.

Working a Pileup

Pileups can feel chaotic, but don’t stress. Just listen, wait your turn, and speak clearly.

When you hear a break, give your call once:

KX1ABC

If the activator picks you up (even partially), jump in and repeat your full call and exchange:

Roger, KX1ABC, you’re 57 from US-1234. Thanks!

Keep it short and efficient — the goal is to help the activator work through callers quickly.

Pro Tip:

It’s totally OK to ask for info again.
Sometimes the other station fades, gets stepped on, or gets clipped. You can say:

“Say again the park number?”
“Can you repeat the call?”

Everyone’s been there — no one’s judging. Just ask politely and clarify what you missed.

Paper vs. Digital Logs (And Why It Matters)

You can log contacts in a Rite in the Rain notebook with a pencil — and honestly, that’s a classic move. No batteries, no fuss.

But over time, I’ve found that digital logging is the way to go for me, especially when using tools like HAMRS. It just makes exporting and uploading logs that much easier — especially if you’re chasing awards or logging lots of Park-to-Park contacts.

HAMRS Highlights:

Free on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Paid app for Android/iOS
Made for POTA — formats logs automatically
Park lookups by identifier
Auto time stamping

Pro Tip: Use the POTA naming convention when creating the logbook for your activation in HAMRS (e.g., US-1234_YourCall_20250721) for a smooth export and upload process.

Important: According to POTA rules, a successful activation requires a minimum of 10 logged contacts. But here’s the deal — even if you only log 3, 5, or 9 contacts and don’t technically “activate” the park, you still need to upload your log. Those hunters on the other end? They still get credit for the contact. And yes, that means they still earn their sweet, sweet internet brownie points — even if your activation didn’t quite go the distance.

So always save and upload your logs in ADIF format. Bonus points for backups — even a phone screenshot can save your bacon if your tablet crashes mid-activation.

What POTA Teaches You About Your Gear

The first time I did a POTA activation, things actually went pretty smoothly — which was a nice surprise. I operated right from one of the park tables, so I didn’t even need to bring a camp chair. And while I use long coax runs (usually around 100 feet), I quickly realized that’s probably more than I need for most setups. Still, every activation teaches you something — like which gear you actually use, what you’re just hauling around for no reason, and where you can trim things down.

That’s the magic of portable ops.

You figure it out by doing it.

Which coax works best for short runs?
Which batteries last longest?
How fast can you deploy your antenna?

And beyond just field efficiency, POTA can help you identify gaps in your gear or planning that might affect your ability to operate in adverse conditions. If you’re ever faced with power outages, hurricanes, wildfires, or other emergencies — your go bag and radio setup could literally be a lifeline. Participating in POTA helps you build confidence and spot what needs improvement before you’re operating in less-than-ideal situations.

Start Small, Build Smart

You don’t need a Pelican case full of gear to get started.

In fact, the best POTA ops often run lean, dialed-in setups that they’ve built and refined over time. Start with what you have, practice often, and tweak your loadout after each activation.

Eventually, you’ll settle into a rhythm — knowing exactly where everything goes in your bag, how long your battery lasts, and how to troubleshoot without breaking a sweat.

Before You Head Out: More Tips from the Blog

Want to make your own gear for POTA? You’re in the right place. Check out these related articles:

And if you’re brand new to ham radio, don’t miss The Ultimate Ham Radio License Guide — it breaks everything down with zero fluff and no jargon.

Final Thoughts: Just Go

You don’t need a perfect setup. You don’t need to hit 100 contacts. You just need to try.

Every POTA activation teaches you something — what to bring, what to leave at home, and what makes you smile when that signal comes back.

So grab your gear, find a park, and press that PTT. The airwaves (and the outdoors) are waiting.

Parks on the Air: The Best Way to Learn Ham Radio Portable Operations