Power on POTA?

[mr10pt]

I was just passing time waiting for the CrashCar race(?) to begin so I turned on 40 meter band for some POTA fun. I'd swear this station in TN was running an amp from a park. That's just wrong in my opinion. If true, that's not what pota is about. What's the next step - POTA Net check in's? If so, I'll have some equipment for sale.

 

[W4AXW]

If so, I'll have some equipment for sale.

Or, you could just ignore the POTAto people and enjoy your equipment. Nothing against them, but I'm damned if I can see the attraction to the whole thing.

 

[alcahuete]

If true, that's not what pota is about.

Says who? You?


"...just remember that the golden rules of POTA are to have fun and keep it simple. We want to give you as much flexibility as possible, to have fun your way."

"...portable amateur radio operations that promote emergency awareness and communications from national/federal and state/provincial level parks."


So if I operate from a RV or from the back of a pick-up truck or something, no good? Has to be a portable radio and you have to camp and hike? I don't remember that being a requirement of POTA.

 

[KF0NYL]

Tent camping and/or hiking in would exclude disabled people from participating in POTA. I can't hike very far and tent camping is out for me.

I hear the old curmudgeons complain about POTA and FT8 all of the time. As mentioned, if you don't want to hear any of that then turn the dial to another frequency. There are enough different modes to satisfy everyone.

As far as using amps for POTA, if a person wants to lug all the extra equipment and batteries around then more power to them, Others love operating QRP with minimal equipment. There is no right or wrong answer there.

 

[W4AXW]

Tent camping and/or hiking in would exclude disabled people from participating in POTA. I can't hike very far and tent camping is out for me.

The OP didn't mention camping, hiking, tents or excluding anyone. He was just crabbing about a POTAto activation that he suspected was running power, which apparently he finds improper. That's it. Nothing about exclusion of the disabled or anything like it.

 

[KF0NYL]

The OP didn't mention camping, hiking, tents or excluding anyone. He was just crabbing about a POTAto activation that he suspected was running power, which apparently he finds improper. That's it. Nothing about exclusion of the disabled or anything like it.

And I was quoting someone else.

So if I operate from a RV or from the back of a pick-up truck or something, no good? Has to be a portable radio and you have to camp and hike? I don't remember that being a requirement of POTA.

Again, here is my opinion of people using amps for POTA

As far as using amps for POTA, if a person wants to lug all the extra equipment and batteries around then more power to them, Others love operating QRP with minimal equipment. There is no right or wrong answer there.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I was just passing time waiting for the CrashCar race(?) to begin so I turned on 40 meter band for some POTA fun. I'd swear this station in TN was running an amp from a park. That's just wrong in my opinion. If true, that's not what pota is about. What's the next step - POTA Net check in's? If so, I'll have some equipment for sale.

It could have just been good propagation, but there's No rule that states Pota has to be QRP .

 

[mr10pt]

OP here, thanks for all of your reply's and input. This falls into the "to each his/her own" category. I realize some must use the power because they can. Do they do the same on Field Day? Based on responses, I'm guessing many may be using amps on POTA. However, this one particular station was absolutely horrible. Very "tinny" and about to have feedback. I've had contacts with many stations running amps where if they didn't state their output, you'd think there was a band opening. For the record, when I activate I'm within 100 feet of my minivan. These bones don't do terrain very well anymore.

 

[alcahuete]

Do they do the same on Field Day? Based on responses, I'm guessing many may be using amps on POTA.

Some do, some don't. Some groups put up massive towers for Field Day. Some run wire antennas. Just depends. Same goes with POTA. I'm sure there are plenty of folks who setup in a RV and run bigger antennas and maybe even amps. Then there are those who use a 5w portable radio and portable antenna.

 

[ladn]

I subscribe to the POTA group on Facebook. It does seem counter institutive for POTA operators to be running high power, but to each their own.

The only thing that really annoys me about POTA the tendency for operators to use only their park registry number when talking about their activation. Including the QTH name in plain English would be a lot more useful.

 

[Grounded]

That's just wrong in my opinion.

OK, you don't make any rules, and no one cares. If you are young and strong enough to lug the equipment around, more power to you. Grump Pa wishes he could. Most POTA people I know do everything from their vehicle. They plant an antenna spike in the dirt, make a contact or two, and move on to the next park to make the next brownie point. Just like DXer's and FT8, make the contact (brownie point), and they are done with you.

 

[mr10pt]

OK, you don't make any rules, and no one cares. If you are young and strong enough to lug the equipment around, more power to you. Grump Pa wishes he could. Most POTA people I know do everything from their vehicle. They plant an antenna spike in the dirt, make a contact or two, and move on to the next park to make the next brownie point. Just like DXer's and FT8, make the contact (brownie point), and they are done with you.

I could not agree more, I do not make the rules. My name is not Elon Musk