AG5CC

Hey there, fellow amateur radio enthusiasts! It’s George (AG5CC) here, and today I’m thrilled to share an incredible experience Nathan (KI5EDP) and I had recently. You see, we’re always on the lookout for something new and exciting in the world of ham radio and wwe love to play radio. We firmly believe that why settle for boredom when there’s a whole array of possibilities waiting to be explored?

How this all happened.

Let me start by giving you a bit of background. I’ve had the honor of being the net control for the White River Radio & Communications 2m simplex net and the 10m HF net a few times now. These weekly nets take place every Wednesday at 7:30 PM and 8:00 PM, respectively. However, after going through the routine a few times, I couldn’t help but feel a desire for a fresh adventure. That’s when I approached KI5EDP with an idea that would take us into new territory.

I shared with him my plan of becoming a mobile net control operator, taking our operation to different locations. Nathan was immediately intrigued and suggested Jamestown Mountain as the perfect spot. Not only that, he proposed scheduling the event on the Parks on the Air (POTA) website, opening up a whole new world of possibilities. We wasted no time turning this idea into reality.

How it all went.

Now, you might be wondering about the logistics involved. Well, let me tell you, it was pretty smooth sailing all the way. We received an overwhelming response and well over the required 10 check-ins(27 total) to activate the Jamestown Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) park, designated as K-7298 in the POTA system. It was a fantastic feeling to know that our efforts paid off, and we were able to contribute to the POTA community.

Here’s a video of the 10m net!

I have already posted the activation on the POTA website, ensuring that all the check-ins would receive their well-deserved POTA Hunter credit.

Speaking of Parks on the Air (POTA), let me take a moment to express my admiration for this incredible initiative. It truly is one of the greatest things for playing radio and having a good time, especially for new operators. POTA provides an excellent platform to explore and activate various parks, combining the joy of amateur radio with the thrill of discovering new locations. It’s a win-win situation that brings together a passionate community and creates lasting memories.

What we learned.

The feedback we received from our fellow hams was overwhelmingly positive, and it was evident that everyone enjoyed this change of pace for our regular Wednesday night nets. It’s experiences like these that remind me why I enjoy amateur radio in the first place.

So, my fellow hams, if you haven’t delved into the world of POTA yet, I highly encourage you to give it a try. Explore new parks, activate them, and connect with fellow operators who share your passion. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Now, it’s your turn to share. Have you participated in a net and POTA activation? What was your experience like? I’m eager to hear your thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to leave a comment and share your stories.

Until next time, fellow hams, keep pushing the boundaries, exploring new avenues, and most importantly, “Play Radio & Have A Good Time!”