Category Archives: POTA

Are Technicians Missing out on 10-meter digital modes?

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The Technician license has been the entry level for most hams.  Many of whom think it is a VHF and above license.  Those that do are missing out on the fact that they have digital privileges on the 10-meter band from 28.000 to 28.300 MHz.  That includes the very popular FT-8 frequency of 28.074 MHz.

Ten meters isn’t always open, but during the peak of the solar cycle (where we are right now), it is often open many of the daylight hours.  Sometimes, global DX is available 24×7 – it all depends on solar activity.

Given the popularity of FT-8, that might be an excellent way to get HF experience, along with Digital and DX excitement.  Especially using FT-8, Parks On The Air (POTA) can be more productive than voice.

This snapshot showing HF privileges for Technicians is from the ARRL:

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The software is free and it is pretty straightforward to set up modern radio gear, like the IC-7300.  Check out https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html

Parks On The Air (POTA) Demonstration: Fort Adams, June 8, 10AM-2PM

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Every day hundreds (thousands?) of US and international Amateur Radio stations bring their gear to parks all over the globe.  They set up portable stations in the parks, and try to make as many contacts as possible.  The operators in the parks are called “Activators”, and other people contacting them are called “Hunters”.  Activators and Hunters make up what is called the Parks On The Air (POTA) program.

On Sunday June 8, from 10am until 2pm, Newport County Radio Club will be holding a demonstration of a High Frequency (HF) POTA activation at Fort Adams State Park (park number US-2874).  Our activities will be located in the parking area behind and to the right of the Eisenhower House (Northwest).  Upon entering the park, turn left at Lincoln Drive, and follow it past the Eisenhower House.  Enter the parking area that faces the East Passage of the bay – see the area circled on the map below.

By attending this event, you can see several stations engaged in a POTA Activation, and understand the equipment and antennas used – a great way to understand what you will require for your own portable operations.  At least one voice and one digital station will be on the air.  You do not need to sign up for anything, but you can make contacts for yourself, if you like.  (By the way, this is an excellent way to get some on-air experience for Field Day.)

An activation can be as simple or complex as you desire – talk to a few or hundreds of stations.  Run 1 watt QRP, 100 watts, or more.  And of course all modes are possible. There are handy on-line tools available to help you find where the parks are and who is on the air, plus a very expansive awards program to help encourage your POTA activities.

POTA is a wonderful way to combine your love of Amateur Radio with fresh air outdoors and beautiful sea views for us lucky Rhode Islanders.  We hope to see you there on Sunday June 8th from 10am until 2pm.

Changes to POTA Naming Conventions

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The POTA program has been in the process of changing all park prefixes from their original format to a new format that follows the ISO standard for naming entities.  On March 20, 2024, parks in the US will change from being listed as “K-xxxxx” to “US-xxxxx” (the K changes to US).

Changes for other countries have either already taken place or will take place soon. For example, The Bahamas used to begin with C6, and is now BS.

Keep in mind that there never has been a requirement to transmit your park information, not even if you are doing a park-to-park contact.  All of that is automatically handled when logs are uploaded.  But you will certainly see these changes on the POTA spotting network, and will likely hear them on the air soon.  Just remember to send “US” starting March 20th!!!

See this URL for information:  https://docs.pota.app/docs/changes.html

Second Annual Pete Lawson Outdoor Adventure – Sunday, September 10, 2023

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When:
Sunday, September 10, 2023
1:00pm to 5:00pm
(UTC-04:00) America/New York

Where:
Colt State Park, Bristol RI

SITE #25 MAP

Organizer: NCRC k1jsm@arrl.net

Description:
Newport County Radio Club is happy to announce our second annual Pete Lawson Outdoor Adventure recognizing the achievements of club members, and the many activities that the club participates in throughout the year. It’s also a fun way to get together and enjoy a late summer day! This year’s event will be held at Colt State Park in Bristol RI on Sunday September 10 starting at 1 PM.

PETER LAWSON OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
The 2nd annual Peter Lawson Outdoor Adventure will be at Colt State Park

Sunday September 10, 2023.
Register and Save the Date Now!

The picnic starts Sunday at 1 pm. Delicious catered dinner by Scratch Kitchen of Newport (same as last year).

Our Sunday picnic caps off three days of the All-RI POTA event, sponsored by NCRC, and managed by Jim Garman, KC1QDC. There will be active radio stations at the event so you can experience Parks-On-The-Air. Colt State Park is K-2872 in the Parks-On-The-Air (POTA) radio event.

The PLOA Sunday picnic event is for all NCRC members and their families. All RI POTA participants are invited as well. Best of all, it is FREE! You may wish to make a donation of any amount but not required.

WE NEED A HEAD COUNT to accurately forecast the amount of food to order. PLEASE sign up on the club web site now, W1SYE.ORG. Or, if web sites are not your thing, send an email to k1jsm@arrl.net.

As a reward for registering now, we have several drawings for prizes:

  • An antenna survey, recommendations & set-up assistance at your QTH by Mr. DX, W1LY.
  • $100 Gift Certificate to DXEngineering
  • A POTA activation (a guided training session) on another date & in RI with a POTA pro who will provide all the equipment.
  • A Wolf River Coil antenna (the antenna shoot out winner).

PLUS – events for the kids, and recognition of Jack Garforth, N1JK, (SK-Silent Key) and more.

Hope to see you there. Register now!

Should you be willing to donate to the event to cover expenses, please use the following Donation Button or find the link Pay Dues or Donate on the club website (You don’t need a PayPal account to donate as any credit card can be used).

NCRC August Meeting

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NCRC’s August Meeting will be a hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting from 7:00pm to 8:15pm on Monday, August 14.  A ZOOM invitation will be sent out the weekend before.  In-person will be at St. Barnabas Parish Hall, 1697 East Main Rd. at Fairview Lane, Portsmouth, RI.  Minutes and Business Meeting slides will be posted as available.

Doors open at 6:45pm. Join us!

Jim Garman, KC1QDZ is excited to share updates with you about the upcoming PARKS ON THE AIR (POTA) – Activate All RI happening September 6-10, and the many ways you can get involved.
John Mills, K1JSM and Willy Maclean, W1LY will share updates on the Pete Lawson Outdoor Adventure on September 10. (K1JSM has just sent out a separate email with more details and how to register.) The PLOA includes a catered meal, is free and is offered as a thank you and club wide social event for all members and their families. The last day to register is August 30th. Here’s a link to the registration form.
We look forward to seeing you on August 14th as we plan for a great start to September with the POTA – Activate ALL RI and 2nd annual PLOA at Colt State Park.