Guest User 11/30/25 Guest User 11/30/25

I created a new POTA park and activated it.

Many of us long for the days when many parks had not been activated-- ever, by anyone— and some of us wish we could have our names listed as the first person to activate a park. It wasn’t that long ago.

By Ted (W1TED)

My story about how this week, I got a new POTA park created, and then activated it. I thought the people here might be interested.

Many of us long for the days when many parks had not been activated-- ever, by anyone— and some of us wish we could have our names listed as the first person to activate a park. It wasn’t that long ago. But today, all the parks in New England have been activated at least once, except for one or two on remote islands with limited access that require special permission to land and operate.

Although I was always keeping an eye out for a new POTA-eligible park opening from the government to add to the system, I had pretty much given up on ever being the first person to activate a park. My POTA activities have focused mainly on a single park in Massachusetts, but I have been thinking about doing a small rove and which nearby parks might be fun to activate. I looked at the map on the POTA website for my favorite park, then started panning it to see what might be nearby.

I found a few Wildlife Management Areas and some State Forests, all with the familiar yellow dot indicating a valid POTA entity. But I stumbled across a State Forest with NO YELLOW DOT. I thought something must be wrong. Did the POTA site not load properly? Is the map showing an old State Forest that no longer exists?

Typing the name of the State Forest into the POTA website search turned up nothing. I did some online searching to see what I could find out. I saw some recent news from the town in which the State Forest sits that mentions the State Forest. I confirmed through online property records that the land is currently owned by the Massachusetts DCR, the department responsible for State Forests. It also appeared that this has been a State Forest since 1981. The DCR website, however, did not list this park’s name in its website.

Armed with this incomplete and somewhat conflicting information, I decided to reach out through the DCR website’s contact email. I asked about the State Forest by name and town, and if it was still an active State Forest managed by DCR. I received a friendly response within an hour. YES, it is an active State Forest managed by the DCR, and they promised to look into getting their website updated to include this State Forest.

Convinced that I had found a legitimate park that should have been a POTA entity, but was somehow missed, I reached out to the POTA mapping representative for Massachusetts, Pete Knapp, KN8PPY. I provided him with most of the evidence I had found, including the confirmatory email from DCR..

Within a day, he responded that the park, the J. Harry Rich State Forest had been added to the POTA program as US-12781. That was on Tuesday, and I just happened to have the next day off! I just hoped that no one would activate it before me. Wednesday morning, I had a great breakfast with other GSARA members and drove immediately to the park to be the first to activate it.

It is possible to set up in the park, where you can activate as a two-fer with US-8396, the Nashua River Rail Trail State Trail, which I did. That was also my first successful two-fer activation!

(Side note: a kind of cool part of activating was that one of the 126 contacts was Pete, KN8PPY, the POTA mapping coordinator, who added the park to the POTA system the day before.)

eric pfeifer 12/9/24 eric pfeifer 12/9/24

Winter Hiking and Ham Radio Adventures: Summiting PAC Monadnock

There’s something magical about winter hikes—the crisp air, the serene landscapes blanketed in snow, and the camaraderie of good friends. Recently, I had the pleasure of embarking on a winter adventure up Mount Monadnock at Miller State Park with my buddies Keith and Eric. Our goal? To enjoy the great outdoors and activate both the SOTA (Summits on the Air) and POTA (Parks on the Air) programs while connecting with fellow ham radio enthusiasts.

There’s something magical about winter hikes—the crisp air, the serene landscapes blanketed in snow, and the camaraderie of good friends. Recently, I had the pleasure of embarking on a winter adventure up Mount Monadnock at Miller State Park with my buddies Keith (KC1OZK) and Paul (N1OG) with his Dog Watson. Our goal? Enjoy the great outdoors and activate the SOTA (Summits on the Air) and POTA (Parks on the Air) programs while connecting with fellow ham radio enthusiasts.

A Perfect Winter Day

As we set out early in the morning, we were greeted by stunning weather conditions—clear blue skies, bright sunshine, and a refreshing chill in the air. The trail was covered in a layer of snow, creating a picturesque winter wonderland. We bundled up in our warmest gear and hit the trail, excitement palpable among the three of us.

The hike itself was invigorating. The beauty of the landscape around us was breathtaking, with snow-laden trees and sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. We took our time, enjoying the journey as much as the destination. The laughter, shared stories, and occasional friendly banter made the trek even more enjoyable.

Activating SOTA and POTA

Reaching the summit of Mount Monadnock was a moment of triumph. The views from the top were absolutely stunning, and we quickly set up our ham radio equipment to activate SOTA and POTA. The airwaves were alive with activity, buzzing with other hams, Keith (AC1RH) and John (KB1ICL) activating POTA parks in the local area. It was thrilling to know that while we were conquering the summit, others were also on the air, making their own connections.

Getting Ready to Activate

Keith (KC1OZK), Paul (N1OG) (Not pictured), and Eric (N1JUR) are setting up for an activation of US 2662 Miller State Park.

With our equipment ready, we started making contacts. Each of us took turns operating the radio, and before we knew it, we had made **22 contacts!** The thrill of reaching out to fellow operators across the country was exhilarating. The energy in the air was infectious, and we felt the camaraderie of the ham radio community, even from a distance.

Keith KC1OZK making a 2m Contact from atop Pac.

A Thriving Community

What made the experience even more special were the several other hams who were activating POTA parks nearby despite not hiking with us. The airwaves were filled with signals and voices, creating a vibrant atmosphere that showcased the spirit of amateur radio. It was a reminder of how connected we all are, regardless of our physical locations.

As we wrapped up our radio session, we took a moment to soak in the stunning vistas and the accomplishment of our day. The combination of great weather, successful activations, and the joy of connecting with others made for an unforgettable experience.

A Memorable Adventure

The descent from the summit was filled with smiles and stories about our favorite contacts and the beautiful moments of the day. As we made our way back down, we reflected on the incredible adventure we had shared. Winter hiking at PAC Monadnock is not just about reaching the top; it’s about the journey, the connections we make, and the friendships we strengthen along the way.

I highly recommend PAC Monadnock at Miller State Park for anyone considering a winter hike. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a ham radio operator, or simply looking for a beautiful escape into nature, this adventure offers something for everyone.

As we look forward to our next outing, we know that the mountains will always be calling, and the airwaves will always be buzzing with activity. Until next time, happy hiking and 73!

eric pfeifer 5/28/19 eric pfeifer 5/28/19

Parks, People, and POTA: A Day to Remember with the Granite State Amateur Radio Association

The Granite State Amateur Radio Association (GSARA) recently hosted an unforgettable Parks on the Air (POTA) Meetup, and the airwaves were abuzz with excitement. With 26 members in attendance, the event was not just a gathering; it was a celebration of the spirit that amateur radio embodies - camaraderie, exploration, and the thrill of communication. Set against the serene backdrop of one of our local parks, we unfolded our antennas, tuned our transceivers, and set out to make waves, quite literally! Here's a recap of the fun we had and the memories we created.

As the day progressed, the park was alive with the sounds of Morse code (CW), the clarity of voice communications, and the digital pings of Winlink. The rhythmic tapping of CW, the enthusiastic calls of CQ, and the digital tones of packet radio painted a picture of diversity in operation modes that our club members thoroughly enjoyed.

The excitement was particularly palpable among several of our members who, for the first time, activated a park. Their calls were met with responses from across the country, marking their inaugural foray into the POTA program with success. The sense of accomplishment and the smiles on their faces were a testament to the joy that amateur radio brings.

Between making contacts, our event became a treasure trove of shared knowledge. The park turned into an open-air classroom where experienced operators and newcomers alike exchanged a wealth of ideas about gear setups, go-boxes, and antenna configurations. From the simplest of wire antennas to the more sophisticated directional beams, there was much to learn and admire. The hands-on experience provided invaluable lessons that manuals alone could never convey.

More than just an opportunity to log contacts, our POTA Meetup was a chance to strengthen the bonds within our community. Old friends caught up, new friendships were formed, and stories from the ether were shared. Laughter and good-natured banter complemented the crackle of radio static, creating a warm atmosphere of fellowship.

As the day came to a close and our last QSOs were logged, it was clear that our POTA Meetup with the Granite State Amateur Radio Association was a resounding success. We not only celebrated the joy of amateur radio but also embraced the beauty of nature and the strength of our community.

The good news is, this isn't a one-time event. We are thrilled to announce that we will be holding a fall event for our next POTA Meetup. The anticipation is already building for another day of outdoor radio fun, and we encourage both seasoned hams and those new to the hobby to join us. Keep an eye on our club's announcements for the date and location. Until then, 73, and keep the frequencies alive with the spirit of POTA!

You can check out our photo gallery for all the additional photos