John Bock (KB1ICL)

How long have you been a Ham?

I was first licensed as a Technician on April 3, 2002, and later passed the General exam on April Fool’s Day in 2023.

What mode(s) within Amateur Radio do you enjoy operating?

These days, I mostly enjoy SSB portable operation while participating in Parks On The Air (POTA). I enjoy building antennas based on designs created by other hams and taking them into the field. There’s still something fascinating about grabbing a radio, a battery, and an antenna I built myself,

heading out to a beach, forest, or mountaintop, setting up, and making contact with someone across the globe—then packing it all up like I was never there.

One of my favorite moments was making my first contact with Australia during a POTA activation. I was using a 10-meter inverted V I made from speaker wire, a dual binding post, and a 28-foot mast. Getting into POTA rekindled my passion for the hobby and inspired me to upgrade to General, especially

with an upcoming vacation to Iceland. Not only did I pass the exam, but I also became the first person to attempt—and successfully activate—two POTA references in Iceland.

I also enjoy hunting weak stations and grid squares on FT-8. And when time and focus allow, I hope to dive into learning CW.

Describe your involvement with GSARA.

Life happened, and ham radio took a back seat for a while as I focused on raising a child and moving multiple times before finally settling in Manchester, NH. Once I was able to get my equipment set up again, I started searching for a local club, and was thrilled to discover GSARA right nearby. In the past, clubs were often an hour away, so having one close to home made all the difference.

I attended my first GSARA meeting in January 2023. Afterward, I had a great conversation with N1JUR and W1STJ about radios and this thing called POTA. Their enthusiasm and friendliness made me feel instantly welcome. That same night, I submitted my membership application.

Since then, I’ve been involved as Net Control for the GSARA nightly net. I enjoy participating in club events—POTA meetups, Field Day, Winter Field Day—and do my best to make it to monthly meetings and the occasional weekly breakfast.

What is one piece of advice you would give a new Ham?

Don’t think ham radio is too technical or just for older guys talking from their basements. There are so many ways to get involved now—books, apps, online resources, and in-person learning. The ham community is diverse, with people of all ages and backgrounds, including a growing number of women. You can shape your journey however you want: chat on SSB, use FT-8 if you’re not into talking, try slow-scan TV, or dive into CW.

You can even get involved in public service through ARES or RACES.

Most of all—don’t be afraid to ask questions. Hams are usually more than happy to share their knowledge and welcome new operators into the fold.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

POTA - Parks On The Air

https://parksontheair.com/

https://pota.app/#/

https://pota.app/#/profile/KB1ICL