POTA Activation Tomorrow – Lake Lowndes State Park (US-2543)
Well folks, it’s that time of the week again! I’m going to attempt a quick activation tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got a few other obligations to knock out first, but I think we can squeeze in some radio time. Because apparently, having hobbies means finding time for them between everything else! 😂
I’m planning to be at Lake Lowndes State Park (US-2543) sometime between 2:00 and 3:30 PM.
The weather looks like it might actually cooperate for a change, so I’m looking forward to getting back out to the park, setting up the gear, and enjoying those sweet sounds of HF SSB. I may even give SSTV a try if time and propagation are willing to play along. 😉
Hope to hear some familiar callsigns on the air, and if you’re in the area, stop by and say hello!
Until then, get outside, get on the air, get in the park, but most importantly, HAVE FUN and Keep it Simple!!
If there is one thing I want you to take away from this article, it’s this: you don’t need an expensive radio to have a successful POTA activation, but you do need an antenna that works.
We can spend hours comparing radios, looking at fancy displays, debating 10 watts versus 100 watts, and convincing ourselves that the newest piece of equipment will solve all our problems. Meanwhile, somebody down the road is making contacts with a simple wire antenna hanging in a tree.
Welcome to amateur radio!
When you’re operating Parks on the Air, your antenna plays a major role in what you hear and how well your signal gets out. That doesn’t mean you need the biggest antenna, the tallest tower, or a wallet full of expensive equipment. It means understanding a few basics and figuring out what works for you.
Let’s look at some options.
1. Three Antennas, Three Approaches — One Goal
There are plenty of antenna designs out there, but let’s concentrate on three popular choices for portable operation: the dipole, the vertical, and the end-fed wire.
I’ve used all three during my own radio adventures, and here’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned: all three have their place, and you can’t set them all up the same way and expect the same results.
Each antenna has its own characteristics. They can be installed at different heights, positioned differently, and arranged to fit the space available at your operating location. Those differences affect how each antenna radiates your signal, including its takeoff angle.
If that sounds a little technical, don’t worry. The takeoff angle is simply the angle at which your radio signal leaves the antenna. Depending on the antenna design, its height, and how it’s installed, that signal may favor different paths to the stations you’re trying to reach.
For example, a signal radiated at a relatively high angle can be useful for shorter-distance contacts, while a lower angle can help support longer-distance contacts under the right conditions. The actual results depend on several factors, including the antenna, frequency, propagation, and surrounding environment.
But here’s the important part: don’t get so caught up in takeoff angles, radiation patterns, and antenna theory that you never get around to making a contact!
When you’re starting out in POTA, you don’t need to master every detail of antenna design. You need to understand the antenna you’re using, learn how to deploy it properly, and figure out how to get the best performance from it.
Start simple. Learn your antenna. Learn how to use it effectively.
2. The Dipole: Simple, Effective, and Cheap
A dipole is one of the simplest antennas you can build. At its most basic, it’s two pieces of wire fed in the middle, with one wire extending in each direction.
You can make one from ordinary antenna wire, connect it to coax, and get it into the air. Hang it between two trees, support the center with a portable mast, or find another arrangement that fits your park.
A properly built dipole can perform very well without a complicated matching system. It’s also a great homebrew project for anyone who enjoys building their own equipment instead of buying everything off the shelf.
Of course, there are a few catches. You need room to spread it out, and you need somewhere to support it. Not every park has convenient trees, and not every picnic area gives you room for a long wire.
Installation also matters. How high you hang the antenna and which direction it runs can affect its radiation pattern and performance.
Still, a dipole is an excellent place to start. It’s relatively inexpensive, straightforward to build, and can teach you a lot about antennas without requiring you to take out a second mortgage.
3. The Vertical: When Space Is at a Premium
A vertical antenna is another popular option for POTA. Instead of stretching a wire horizontally, its main radiating element extends upward.
Verticals can be especially handy when you’re working in a small campsite or an open area where stringing a dipole isn’t practical. Some use telescoping whips, while others use wire supported by a fiberglass pole.
Many vertical antennas also use radials. These are wires arranged around the antenna’s base or laid along the ground to provide a return path for current and help the antenna operate as intended.
I’ve been experimenting with a homebrew vertical of my own, including a loading coil that allows me to use a shorter whip on 40 meters. Along the way, W4TBH has helped me learn the ropes with both vertical and end-fed half-wave (EFHW) antenna builds. Having someone willing to share their knowledge, offer advice, and help you work through a project makes a real difference when you’re learning something new.
It’s a good reminder that amateur radio isn’t just about the equipment or the contacts we make. It’s also about the people who help us along the way and the knowledge we pass on to the next ham.
You don’t have to purchase a complete commercial antenna system to get on the air. You can build something, test it, make adjustments, and learn along the way—with a little help from your friends when you need it.
The trade-off is that verticals still need some thought. The available space, radial arrangement, antenna height, and nearby objects can all influence performance. And just because an antenna stands straight up doesn’t mean it automatically works better than a horizontal wire.
Like most things in amateur radio, there’s a little more to it than attaching a connector and hoping for the best.
4. The End-Fed Wire: Flexible and Portable
End-fed wire antennas are popular among portable operators because they’re often convenient to pack, carry, and deploy.
As the name suggests, the antenna is fed near one end rather than in the middle. Depending on its design, you might run the wire from a tree to a portable mast, hang it as a sloping wire, or arrange it in an inverted L.
Some end-fed antennas are designed for a single band, while others can operate on multiple bands with the appropriate transformer or matching arrangement.
Their flexibility can be a real advantage when you’re setting up in a park where trees, open space, and support options are limited.
However, an end-fed wire isn’t automatically a perfect match on every band. The wire length, installation, feed system, and operating frequency all matter. You may need a tuner, depending on the design and the bands you want to use.
And remember, an end-fed wire isn’t automatically better or worse than a dipole. Its performance depends on how the complete antenna system is designed and installed.
The beauty of portable operating is that you can experiment with different arrangements and see what works best for your situation.
5. Get That Antenna Up — Safely
You can have a great radio and a well-built antenna, but installation still matters.
For wire antennas, height can make a significant difference in how the signal travels. A dipole installed relatively low compared with the wavelength may radiate more energy at higher angles, which can be useful for shorter-distance contacts. Raising it changes the radiation pattern and may improve performance for other paths.
Verticals have their own considerations, including placement and the radial system.
So what should you do when you arrive at the park?
Look for suitable trees and open space before choosing your operating spot.
Keep wires away from walkways, roads, and places where someone could trip over them.
Use a telescoping mast or fiberglass pole when trees aren’t available.
Secure your antenna against wind and changing weather.
Check your SWR before transmitting, and make adjustments when necessary.
Follow the park’s rules and avoid damaging trees, vegetation, or other property.
And please remember that the park belongs to everyone. We want to make radio contacts, not create a new obstacle course for unsuspecting hikers.
If your antenna setup requires a complicated rescue operation every time you pack up, it might be time to rethink the design.
Simple and reliable is a good combination.
6. Do I Need an Antenna Tuner?
Maybe. It depends on your antenna and the bands you want to operate.
An antenna tuner helps present an acceptable impedance to your radio. It can make an antenna system usable over a wider range of frequencies, but it doesn’t magically turn an inefficient antenna into an efficient one.
Some antennas are designed to work well on a particular band without a tuner. Multiband antennas may require one on some or all of the bands you want to use.
If your radio has a built-in tuner, that’s convenient. If it doesn’t, an external tuner may be useful.
Here’s an important point: a good SWR reading doesn’t automatically mean your antenna is radiating efficiently.
The goal isn’t simply to make the radio happy. It’s to get as much of your signal into the air as practical.
If you’re new to antennas, don’t let the tuner question intimidate you. Start with an antenna designed for the band you want to use, learn how to check SWR, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for your equipment.
You can explore more complicated multiband setups as your experience grows.
7. Build It, Test It, Improve It
Here’s my favorite part of this hobby: you can experiment without spending a fortune.
Build a dipole. Try a vertical. Put up an end-fed wire. Change the height or position and see what happens.
Keep notes about the band, antenna setup, SWR, and contacts you make. Over time, you’ll start to recognize what works well in different locations and under different conditions.
Your first antenna doesn’t have to be your last antenna. In fact, if you’re anything like most hams, you’ll probably build several and tell yourself that this one is finally going to be the perfect antenna.
Until the next project comes along.
Don’t judge an antenna by a single activation, either. Band conditions, propagation, noise, weather, and your surroundings all affect what you hear and how far your signal travels. A quiet band or a slow afternoon doesn’t automatically mean your antenna has failed.
And don’t assume someone else’s results will be identical to yours. Their antenna may be higher, their surroundings may be different, or propagation may simply be more favorable at that moment.
The best way to learn is to get out there, make contacts, pay attention, and experiment.
You don’t need to understand every equation before you start. You just need enough knowledge to operate safely, recognize when something isn’t working properly, and make sensible adjustments.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a tower, a giant antenna, or a truckload of expensive equipment to enjoy POTA. You need an antenna suited to your operating conditions, a safe way to put it up, and the willingness to learn.
I’ve used dipoles, verticals, and end-fed wires, and each has taught me something different. None is automatically the answer to every situation. The trick is learning what your antenna does well and how to use it effectively.
Start simple. Learn your equipment. Take notes. Make changes one at a time, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Most importantly, don’t let antenna building keep you from getting outside and making contacts. You can learn a great deal from the first antenna you build, even if it isn’t the last one you use.
And if you discover an antenna setup that works particularly well for you, share it with the rest of us. We’re always looking for another excuse to build something out of wire, tubing, and whatever happens to be lying around the workshop.
Get Outside, Get On the Air, Get in the Park, but most importantly, HAVE FUN and Keep it Simple!!
POTA Guide: Mother Nature Doesn’t Care About Your QSO Count
A personal journey into Parks on the Air
With a hurricane approaching the Gulf Coast, it seems like a good time to talk about something that should be part of every POTA activation plan: weather awareness and responsible use of the amateur radio bands.
We spend plenty of time discussing radios, antennas, batteries, coax, and how to squeeze one more contact out of an activation. We research parks, check propagation, and watch POTA.app for spots.
But how often do we stop and ask ourselves two simple questions?
What’s happening with the weather, and what’s happening on the frequencies I’m planning to use?
Both questions deserve an answer before we throw a wire in a tree, extend a vertical, and start calling CQ.
Mother Nature Gets the Final Say
Let’s start with the obvious. If severe weather is approaching, your activation can wait.
Check the forecast before leaving home. Keep an eye on watches and warnings, and continue monitoring conditions while you’re in the park. Remember that weather conditions can change quickly, especially around thunderstorms, strong winds, and tropical systems.
A beautiful morning beside a lake can turn into a very bad afternoon before you’ve finished your second cup of coffee.
Don’t forget that trees, exposed locations, lakeshores, and temporary antenna supports all present additional concerns when severe weather moves in. If conditions become unsafe, shut down and leave when it is safe to do so.
That rare DX contact isn’t worth becoming the subject of somebody else’s emergency report.
The Hurricane May Be Hundreds of Miles Away. Your Signal Can Reach It.
Here’s where things get interesting for us HF operators.
You might be sitting comfortably in a Mississippi state park while a hurricane threatens communities along the Gulf Coast or farther away in the Caribbean. The sun might be shining at your location, the birds might be singing, and your biggest concern might be whether the 20-meter band will cooperate.
Meanwhile, amateur radio operators in the affected region may be passing weather observations, emergency information, or messages for people trying to contact loved ones.
Amateur radio is more than a hobby during these situations. Established emergency networks can help relay weather reports, coordinate relief efforts, and provide communications when ordinary infrastructure fails.
And here’s the important part: you don’t have to be in the disaster area to interfere with communications taking place there.
HF propagation can carry your signal far beyond your local surroundings. A frequency that sounds completely quiet at your picnic table might be in use by a station you simply cannot hear.
You could be calling CQ for another POTA contact while an emergency net is trying to pass information somewhere down the band.
Nobody intends to cause a problem. But good intentions don’t prevent interference.
Know Before You Transmit
Before heading out for an activation, take a few minutes to research current emergency communications activity.
During hurricane season, the Hurricane Watch Net is an important resource to know about. Its commonly used frequencies include 14.325 MHz on 20 meters and 7.268 MHz on 40 meters, depending on propagation and whether the net is active.
These are examples, not a complete list of emergency frequencies. Other regional and international emergency nets may be activated, and their operating frequencies can change with the situation.
Check current information from the ARRL, the Hurricane Watch Net, and relevant emergency communications organizations before operating. Pay particular attention when a hurricane, wildfire, major flood, or other disaster threatens populated areas.
And don’t limit your awareness to the frequency where you intend to operate. Emergency traffic may be taking place on nearby frequencies, other bands, or digital modes.
If you hear an emergency net or learn that a frequency is being used for emergency communications, stay clear and give those operators room to work. Don’t assume that a frequency is available simply because it isn’t listed as a calling frequency or because your radio isn’t picking up any activity.
When emergency communications are underway, making room for them is more important than making another contact.
“But I Can’t Hear Anybody!”
This is where antenna selection and setup become more important than many operators realize.
An antenna doesn’t hear every station equally well. Its height, orientation, polarization, radiation pattern, and the propagation conditions all affect which signals reach your receiver and how strongly they arrive.
Your portable vertical may hear one station clearly while missing another station that is communicating on the same frequency from a different direction. A low wire antenna may perform very differently from a higher antenna, depending on the band and the distance involved.
The same applies to your transmitted signal.
Not hearing a station does not mean that station cannot hear you.
This is one reason we should listen carefully before transmitting, use appropriate operating practices, and pay attention to current band conditions. A quiet receiver is not a guarantee of a clear frequency.
And remember that changing antennas, adding power, or moving to another band doesn’t automatically solve the problem. Responsible operating begins with understanding what’s happening on the air.
A Little Homework Goes a Long Way
Before your next activation, add a few items to your normal checklist:
Check the weather forecast and any watches or warnings for your destination.
Identify the emergency and weather nets that may be active because of current events.
Verify their current frequencies and operating status using reliable, up-to-date sources.
Listen carefully before transmitting, and continue monitoring conditions as you operate.
If you encounter emergency traffic, stop transmitting on that frequency and move elsewhere when appropriate.
If severe weather threatens your location, prioritize your safety over completing the activation.
You don’t have to become an emergency communications expert to be a considerate operator. You simply need to be aware that other people may have a much more important reason to be on the air than collecting a park reference.
We’re All Sharing the Same Bands
One of the great things about amateur radio is that a signal sent from a quiet park can connect us with people across a state, across a continent, or across an ocean.
That same capability comes with a responsibility.
The operator trying to complete a POTA activation, the amateur passing a weather observation, and the emergency net coordinating assistance are all using the same radio spectrum. We need to be mindful of one another, particularly when severe weather threatens lives and communities.
So, when you plan your next activation, check your batteries, pack your coax, choose your antenna, and check the bands.
But check the weather, too.
Because the goal isn’t simply to get outside, get on the air, and get in the log. It’s to do all of that while being a responsible member of the amateur radio community.
And if Mother Nature decides that today isn’t your day, there’s always tomorrow.
The park will still be there. The radio will still work. And your log will survive missing a few QSOs.
Useful Resources
Before heading out for your next activation, bookmark these resources. They can help you stay informed about weather threats, emergency communications, and responsible operating practices.
ARRL — Operating Resources: Amateur radio operating information and useful references.
Hurricane Watch Net — www.hwn.org: Information about the net, its mission, activation status, and operating frequencies.
National Hurricane Center — www.nhc.noaa.gov: Official tropical cyclone forecasts, advisories, and updates.
National Weather Service — www.weather.gov: Local forecasts, watches, warnings, and hazardous weather information.
Remember that emergency net frequencies and activation status can change. Always verify current information rather than relying on an old frequency list or a saved note in your radio.
A few minutes of preparation before an activation can help you avoid unnecessary interference and make better decisions when conditions change.
Get Outside, Get On the Air, Get in the Park, but most importantly, HAVE FUN and Keep it Simple!!
So, you’ve found a park, you’ve checked the rules, you’ve figured out when you’re going, and you’ve got your POTA spot picked out.
Now what?
Well, it’s time to actually activate the park.
You need the most expensive radio, the biggest antenna, the largest battery you can carry, and enough equipment to make your truck look like a mobile communications command center.
Just kidding.
You just need the basics.
The whole idea behind Parks on the Air is getting outside, getting on the air, making some contacts, and having fun. You don’t need a $5,000 radio setup to do it. In fact, one of the great things about POTA is seeing just how little equipment you can get away with and still have a successful activation.
For a basic activation, you really need four things: a radio, an antenna, a way to support that antenna, and power.
That’s it.
Well… technically you also need some way to connect everything together, but hopefully you’ve already figured that part out.
Finding Your Park — And Reading the Rules
Before you head out, make sure you know where you’re going and what you’re allowed to do when you get there.
POTA parks aren’t all the same.
Some have plenty of room to spread out. Others may have designated picnic areas, parking areas, or other restrictions on where you can set up. Some parks may have rules concerning antennas, generators, vehicles, or other equipment.
Take a few minutes before your activation to check the park’s rules.
The last thing you want to do is arrive at your carefully selected activation location, unload half the contents of your truck, and then discover that the park doesn’t allow what you just brought.
Ask me how I know.
Well… actually, don’t.
Just check the rules.
Radio and Antenna — They Work Together
There’s no single “right” POTA radio.
A 100-watt HF radio will certainly get the job done. So will a QRP radio. I’ve seen people activate parks with everything from full-sized base-style radios to tiny radios that you could practically carry in your pocket.
The important thing is that you have a radio that you’re comfortable operating and that fits the kind of activation you’re planning.
The same thing goes for antennas.
A good antenna doesn’t have to be complicated. A dipole, an end-fed antenna, a vertical, or another simple portable antenna can all work extremely well.
The antenna is also one of the most important parts of your station.
You can have a great radio, but if your antenna isn’t working properly, you’re going to have a frustrating afternoon.
Get the antenna as high as practical, get it away from obvious sources of noise, and make sure your connections are good.
And remember: portable doesn’t necessarily mean complicated.
Sometimes the simplest antenna is the one that gets you on the air fastest.
Power — Keep It Simple
Power is one of those things that can become unnecessarily complicated.
You can run from a vehicle, a battery, or even park-provided electrical power where it is permitted. The important thing is to know what your radio requires and plan accordingly.
If you’re using vehicle power, make sure the connection is properly fused and capable of handling the current your radio can draw.
If you’re using a battery, know how much capacity you have and how long you expect to operate.
And don’t forget that a radio doesn’t draw the same amount of power all the time. Receiving takes relatively little power compared to transmitting, and transmitting at 100 watts takes considerably more than transmitting at 10 or 20 watts.
I learned this one firsthand during my recent activation at Columbus Lake.
I started the activation at 100 watts. Everything was going great until the battery started to sag under the load.
Rather than packing everything up and calling it a day, I simply dropped the radio down to 50 watts.
Problem solved.
I continued making contacts and finished the activation without having to change the entire setup.
That’s one of the advantages of keeping things simple. You don’t necessarily need more equipment. Sometimes you just need to adjust what you’re already doing.
Generators are another option, but they add weight, noise, fuel, and another piece of equipment to your setup. Some parks may also have restrictions on their use.
For most portable operators, a good battery is going to be a much simpler solution.
And remember: you don’t have to operate at 100 watts just because your radio can.
The goal isn’t to see how much electricity you can turn into RF.
The goal is to make contacts.
You’re Ready. Now What?
At this point, you’ve got your park picked out.
You’ve checked the rules.
You’ve got your radio, antenna, support system, and power.
You’ve set everything up, connected the coax, checked your SWR, and turned the radio on.
Now comes the fun part.
It’s time to get on the air.
And this is where things can get interesting.
Because the first time you call CQ from a POTA park and people start answering you, you may suddenly discover something nobody warned you about:
People actually want to talk to you.
Sometimes a lot of people.
That’s when the theory you’ve been reading about turns into actual operating experience.
Listening before you transmit, calling CQ, recognizing callsigns, handling a pileup, getting accurate signal reports, keeping track of your contacts, and knowing when to move to another frequency are all skills you’ll develop by doing it.
And don’t worry if it isn’t perfect the first time.
It won’t be.
Mine wasn’t.
That’s part of the fun.
Every activation teaches you something.
Maybe your antenna needs to be higher. Maybe your battery wasn’t big enough. Maybe you brought too much equipment. Maybe you didn’t bring enough.
Maybe you discovered that the park picnic table makes an excellent operating desk.
Or maybe you discovered that the picnic table is occupied by twelve people eating lunch and your radio station has to move to the back of the truck.
That’s POTA.
You figure it out.
You make some contacts.
You learn something.
And then you do it again.
That’s really what this series has been about from the beginning.
You don’t have to have everything figured out before you go.
Get outside. Get on the air. Get in the park. But most importantly, HAVE FUN and Keep it Simple!!
