Відео

Just because we say POTA is not a contest doesn't make it so. There are in fact start and end times; the New Years operating award runs the first full week of the new year; this is a clearly defined start and end time. Same with the early and late shift awards and the Support Your Parks weekend, each has clearly defined start and end times. There is an exchange which has to happen in order to complete the contact - the activator and hunter have to exchange their call sign; this absolutely is a required exchange both in practice and by government regulation. Again, just because we say POTA isn't a contest doesn't make it so. And the only reason why this is even a question is because some hams are trying to skirt the international rule prohibiting contesting on the WARC bands. This is simple, stay off the WARC bands and the POTA contest question magically disappears. Oh, and avoid long established nets - the courteous operator knows when and where established nets operate, and he avoids those frequencies at those times. I love hearing other POTA operators declare that POTA isn't a contest because there is no start and end time all the while complaining about the never-ending nets on 14.300. The nets on 14.300 aren't contests, they're just a public service activity.

may be very nice in off season , but in the summer it is crazy busy ,, parking is a problem, I call for a cab took them 45 mins to get to me because of traffic

I regularly do contest from parks. I do the weekly MST, CWOP(weekly contest), the Ca QSO party had a category for POTA, ........ When you live in an HOA, condo, or appartment, you can have a better antenna at a park (I live in a HOA).

Frank was a super cool guy Iuset o hang out at PopTonesbest store down town

“Fourth Turning” might be the book you’re referencing.

Squatters on the air.

Havana Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge my wife and I ate at downtown after a winery tour on our 24th anniversary last October. Great restaurant.. I love the tour video you gave. Thanks.

Words of wisdom from a true piker of radio

Thanks Stuart! Excellent tips!

"Don't buy crap" is the best advice ever. Wish I knew it a long time ago.

As a fellow Canadian ham, are there any antenna makers in Canada. Ordering from the USA is rather expensive with the current exchange rates.

To me its kinda like a rec league or adult softball leagues. Some do it to hang out or an excuse to get outside and get active. Others do it to win in the league. You do what you want with it. If i want to be competitive ill view it one way if not i view it another. But we can still co exist.

Multiple antennas are a good idea, as you called out there are a variety of situations. I use EFHW, JPC-12 vertical, ham sticks on the car…and needed them all at some point…vertical dipole on 10M and lots more

Yeah, I agree contest like, but not really a contest. Surprised you did not bring up the WARC Police. Always going to be a controversy. Honestly, I do not look at any of the list as "leader boards". I call that analytical data. I certainly do not look at individual park leader board. You also failed to mention a critical facts that I would love someone to verifiy/clarify/do a deep dive on..... The fact that POTA has brought new life to a VERY dieing and dare I say dead hobby. Didn't you come back to ham for POTA? I was licensed in 1983 and active until 1994 when my dad became a silent key. I did not touch ham radio until one year ago, when I randomly ran into guys at a park doing a thing called POTA. I jumped back in and it give me adventure, happiness and some personal goals to shoot for. Along the way, I have made a ton of friends..........

If POTA is a contest then I guess SOTA, IOTA, County Hunting, The Annual 13 Colonials special event (or other special event stations) are contest also. I guess trying to work that rare DXpedition would be too since one would be looking for that special QSL and another notch on your DX award count.

A very thought provoking video Stuart. I agree with your assessment. You can compete against others (if you wish) or just set goals for yourself. It comes down to what you want it to be. An activity that takes you outdoors into nature to enjoy while allowing you to get on the air or an all consuming activity to be at the top of a leader board. The choice is up to you. I have chosen to set some personal POTA goals but I am not obsessed about attaining them as it is secondary to being out there and getting on the air. 73 VE1MDF

If POTA was a contest, I would not be doing POTA nor devoting so much time to POTA. POTA for me is just going to the Park and have fun.

POTA IS NOT A CONTEST! POTA is a TEST! It's a test of an operators ability to operate portable with a transceiver, battery, coax, and an antenna and make contacts. An op can sit in the shack or, if like me, get outdoors and make it happen. I bet I've activated with at least 10 different antennas or antenna deployments. POTA tests me at every activation. So, for me, it's a TEST, not a conTEST. POTA is more fun than an old retired guy should be allowed to have. 73 and POTA ON!

POTA is not a contest……,but I have the most activation/most contacts at park fill in the blank.

a contest has a start and an end, and a winner. awards programs like DXCC, WAS, and others offer participants recognition for a certain combination of contacts (eg working at least one station in every US state). awards programs have no winner and no end date. I see POTA as an awards program; you get an award for QSOs that meet certain requirements.

That's a big negative.. And the next sad ham that wants to run me off a WARC band for "contesting" (1) better give their call sign and (2) better physically try to stop me.. I even did a video of that exchange and this same topic.73!

We have a pota contest for Georgia parks first weekend of april

Its radio sport but not a contest

The competitive nature of POTA is versus yourself. The POTA board of directors is not really wanting from when I’ve heard them on Media. Worked All States is completely on the Hunter/Activator. None of this is driven by a group. POTA only facilitates the use of the app to activate parks. They are not verified and no cards exchanged. All is done on the honors system for bragging rights. This is the reason they still utilize the WARC Bands. Again I’m not a volunteer member of the team, but I have read everything they have published. They even changed the structure to not conflict with or emulate a contest. Just fun in a park on RF!

When I go to the Park stats, mine doesn't say "Leaderboard", mine shows the Park Leaders - it is all stats, nothing else. The certificates are not awards, they are recognition of things I've accomplished through my activations. There's no prize for moving into the first slot. All the stats are based on stats. I consider POTA a way for me to stay active as I get older, go hiking, exploring, testing out new radios and antennas, chat with hams, like you, that I've gotten to know since 2020. I'll rag chew at times, I give them their signal report, and I set a yearly goal to see if I can achieve it by year end. That's all it is for me, fun, refine my skills, meet other hams, learn more aspects of the hobby, and did I say have fun?!!! Thanks for the video Stuart. Always enjoy hearing what you have to say. POTA on. 73 KN3A.

I agree with your assessment that POTA, SOTA, IOTA, LOTA etc. would be better termed as radio sport akin to NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS. I think you are also right that a contest has a defined start and end time and along with defined QSO requirements for logging. So I would fall into the category of POTA and the rest are not contests.

POTA is what you want to make of it and that is different for everyone. Thanks for the video buddy. Best 73!

Lived there for 10 years in Welland. Beautiful area.

You said you are running VOX? Can you do a video or post your VOX FT-891 settings? I have my FTDX10 dialed in, the 891 is being difficult.

Wow, very nice video, its a shame that the old places we knew growing up are being torn down, thanks for sharing, greetings from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Nice video Stewart, what day of the week did you film? it seems very quiet (I like that)

👍🏻 Thanks for the tour!

I have no idea what I just watched but it was interesting. 10/10 👍

I’ve only ever visited a couple of the 1812 monuments in the Niagara peninsula! What a great little history lesson and encouragement to get out and activate these wonderful historical resources scattered around the region.

Are you running VOX, hand switch, foot switch, something else ?

Gotta get me one of those antennas!!!

Last year I went to activate a 3fer but found out is was a 4fer when talking to one of the park rangers. Fortunately it was before I setup so I was able to stay close to the bonus trail I wasn't expecting.

Stuart when were you actually there? Is this current Dec?

Really enjoy your videos,

What rig are you running in the car, and is it on a separate battery? Enjoyed the video!

Great content again! I don't yet have an ATAS 120, but I will. During every activation I do, almost every mobile operator who breaks through my pileups is running the FT891 with an ATAS 120. Great system. Keep em coming Stuart. 73

I’m a POTAholic, and I can’t get enough POTAhol.

Hey Stuart! Please don't stop POTA. I was excited to get you in my POTA log yesterday. Your activation videos have inspired me to have FUN FUN FUN with POTA and that's what I do. I have to operate attic compromised at the QTH, so POTA gives me the vehicle to get out and operate. Had DX contacts today from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, and Spain, so I'm having a ball. 73 my friend, and my QSL card is on it's way to you.

My best pota investment is my yearly park pass for my states parks.

Happy Santa Claus into New Brunswick 💯👍🙋‍♂

Nice video, I use a metal patio umbrella mount, bolted to a 2 ft by 4ft 1/2 inch plywood. I find a spot, park with wheel on plywood for stability, and erect my antenna 20 ft in the air with 4 ft interlocking fiberglass tent poles, ( 5 bucks each at Princess auto) Cheap as beat soup! 73!

I live in Niagara on the lake

Surprised it hasn't been torn down! The activists would have to walk too 😅

I came here to see a review of the french fry capital of the world. Since NC seems to have a direct line to all your activations on multiple bands, I for one, will miss your activations. N4TRD

Ham Radio is a mental disorder.