Florida State Parks on the Air & HAMs in the Park : April 6, 2024

We are combining HAMs in the Park and the Florida State Parks on the Air event. Come join us on April 6, 2024.

This event is open to all.

Date: April 6, 2024
Time: 8am - 1pm. Stay later if you like.
Location: Lake Louisa State Park, 7305 US Hwy 27, Clermont, FL 34714 At the Dixie Lake Pavilion (Click for GPS Location)

What is Parks on the Air (POTA)?.
POTA is an international radiosport award program that encourages amateur radio operators to visit and use portable equipment in SPECIFIC parks and public lands. POTA operators set up their equipment to make radio contacts with other amateur radio operators. POTA promotes portable communications from SPECIFIC national, state, and provincial level parks.

The operator in the park is called the Activator and submits their logs into the POTA website. The operators who respond to the Activator are called Chasers or Hunters. The Chasers/Hunters do not submit logs themselves and they get credit based on the activator's log submission.

It is done year round and there is no limit to how many times a park can be activated. There is an interactive map and full list of the thousands of eligible parks on the web site. It's a great way to operate outdoors in nature and build your portable operating skills.

The POTA website is here.

What Parks are part of POTA?
There are many parks in Florida, The US, and all over the world. In the US there are over 11,000 designated POTA parks, in Florida there are over 400 designated POTA parks, and in the world there are over 48,000 designated POTA parks. You can see the full list of the parks here.

What is HAMs in the Park?
LMARS and OARC have teamed up to organize monthly local park gatherings of Amateur Radio Operators we call "HAMs in the Park." Each month, we'll pick a different local park to operate from and enjoy fun, fellowship, and learning! This time it is at a POTA Park.

If you have an interest in participating in the Florida State Parks on the Air event/contest you can get all the details here: https://flspota.org/

Do you need help with POTA?
If you don't have a POTA account please sign up before the event. If you need help or have questions about POTA please let me know.

Suggested items to bring (only if you have, no worries if not):

• HF radio(s) and cables

• Antenna(s)

• Portable power (battery, solar)

• VHF/UHF radio(s)

• Portable table

• Popup canopy

• Camp chair

• Drinks, snacks of your choice, and lunch if you like

• If you have gear, bring it. Radios, antennas, Go-Kits, Satellite gear, whatever you have. If you have a popup canopy, bring it. This will allow us to spread apart and not interfere with each other.

• If you're new and don't have gear, or if you do not have much experience that is OK. We will share our equipment and our knowledge with you. It's all about learning and having Fun.
  
  We look forward to seeing you there.
  
  Joe Marsh
  KQ4AID
  jhmarshfla @gmail.com