I agree that any obsession is unhealthy and almost always leads to a devastating burnout. Take a break, my friend. I don't agree, however, that "nobody cares". As a hunter, I care when I see your callsign on the spotting page. I will try harder to tune in on you if your signal is weak or distorted, because we've had dozens of QSO's and I see you as a friend or at least a social acquaintance. I want to make that contact and I want to add to your POTA experience. And it's not just you. There are those regulars who are out there daily and I place in the same circle. If a regular contact tells me they're doing a rove today, I'll rearrange my schedule as much as I can to meet their rove. If someone who activates every weekday morning from their home park suddenly disappears, I've been known to send emails checking on them; because I care. Maybe the world as a whole doesn't care, but I guarantee you I'm not the only one who does.
Yeah, good point...I guess "don't care" wasn't the exact meaning, maybe it was "it doesn't matter if you don't get out today, there is always another day". My situation is good, I can do POTA all day, but I also have duties at the house, a wife to pay attention too and oh yeah, sort of a job "which I hate" and looking to retire any minute now :-). I don't want to see people get obsessed with anything that takes away from other core responsbilities like health, relationships and financial stability.
Very true, people listen to repeaters? I haven't turned my VHF rig on in weeks. Love working DX from home now that I have built a half decent station at home.
Thanks...for the walk. I'm primarily a hunter that appreciates the activator. Moderation is probably the key to it. Your situation will surely dictate the level of activation that you can do. Everyone is different.
Obsession? I believe that when you discover anything new and you like it, you should do it . I'm very new, just got my HF in April so right away I jumped into FT8 , not due to an obsession, but because I finally could lol :) I was too scared to talk on HF even though I just got my HF and POTA was the same as FT8 to me - Not a Rag Chew, Not A contest, just hello my name is, I'm at blank park, what's my signal , then I move on. But then I found out that I can go to other places. I work in the National Capital Region and we have too many parks to count that are apart of POTA, enough that I can schedule 1 a week and not even drive out of my way and get to see new things. My alternative is sitting in the house getting fat, but now I'm Out N' Aboot :)
I'm back lol, In the month of August I have been to 6 parks , you have been to 40 and their are only 31 days in the month lol so I see why you posted this video, but it's not an obsession unless you are skipping work to go to the park or you have forgotten what your wife and kids and pets look like over the last 25 days. So if you are still eating, sleeping, working and paying bills , it's not an obsession, its just something you enjoy.
I'm getting out more as an Activator for usually a couple of hours or a little more per activation 1 or 2 times a week. I don't make a lot of contacts, but I have the POTA regulars as well as some good DX. There are those who like to chat for a while, and I'm fine with that too. It's a good reason to get out of the house. I agree that the world keeps turning if we are not out there. I just try to make a balance and have some fun. In my opinion, if POTA seems like a job. You're out there too much.
❤agree even be doing alot of dx or contests excetra can only be obesion if you dont have a balance life and radio takes over combining It with familly trips Instead just alone And balance it out nature is all good But to hop in car just activating and dont share the experience Or beutfull nature of park All comes to balance it out with rest of your life Regards de v51ww
100%, my friend, I know I was obsessed with it for a period of time. Maybe coming out of it a bit, not fully there, that is why I can see it. I know many people who go crazy with POTA (or anything), get consumed by it, and burn out. Saw it in our RV days as well, lots of RV TH-camrs, gone now, channels deleted...what happened?
I have never POTA’d alone. I use it as an opportunity to visit with other hams in my area and teach/ learn from each other.
Thanks for your comment
I agree that any obsession is unhealthy and almost always leads to a devastating burnout. Take a break, my friend.
I don't agree, however, that "nobody cares".
As a hunter, I care when I see your callsign on the spotting page. I will try harder to tune in on you if your signal is weak or distorted, because we've had dozens of QSO's and I see you as a friend or at least a social acquaintance. I want to make that contact and I want to add to your POTA experience.
And it's not just you. There are those regulars who are out there daily and I place in the same circle. If a regular contact tells me they're doing a rove today, I'll rearrange my schedule as much as I can to meet their rove. If someone who activates every weekday morning from their home park suddenly disappears, I've been known to send emails checking on them; because I care.
Maybe the world as a whole doesn't care, but I guarantee you I'm not the only one who does.
Yeah, good point...I guess "don't care" wasn't the exact meaning, maybe it was "it doesn't matter if you don't get out today, there is always another day". My situation is good, I can do POTA all day, but I also have duties at the house, a wife to pay attention too and oh yeah, sort of a job "which I hate" and looking to retire any minute now :-). I don't want to see people get obsessed with anything that takes away from other core responsbilities like health, relationships and financial stability.
Nothing wrong with POTA OCD but fresh air makes sense instead of sitting at home listening to the repeaters
Very true, people listen to repeaters? I haven't turned my VHF rig on in weeks. Love working DX from home now that I have built a half decent station at home.
Thanks...for the walk. I'm primarily a hunter that appreciates the activator. Moderation is probably the key to it. Your situation will surely dictate the level of activation that you can do. Everyone is different.
Thanks for the comment, yes, I think that is the key, moderation....
Obsession? I believe that when you discover anything new and you like it, you should do it . I'm very new, just got my HF in April so right away I jumped into FT8 , not due to an obsession, but because I finally could lol :) I was too scared to talk on HF even though I just got my HF and POTA was the same as FT8 to me - Not a Rag Chew, Not A contest, just hello my name is, I'm at blank park, what's my signal , then I move on. But then I found out that I can go to other places. I work in the National Capital Region and we have too many parks to count that are apart of POTA, enough that I can schedule 1 a week and not even drive out of my way and get to see new things. My alternative is sitting in the house getting fat, but now I'm Out N' Aboot :)
Thanks for your comments
I'm back lol, In the month of August I have been to 6 parks , you have been to 40 and their are only 31 days in the month lol so I see why you posted this video, but it's not an obsession unless you are skipping work to go to the park or you have forgotten what your wife and kids and pets look like over the last 25 days. So if you are still eating, sleeping, working and paying bills , it's not an obsession, its just something you enjoy.
Very true
I'm getting out more as an Activator for usually a couple of hours or a little more per activation 1 or 2 times a week. I don't make a lot of contacts, but I have the POTA regulars as well as some good DX. There are those who like to chat for a while, and I'm fine with that too. It's a good reason to get out of the house. I agree that the world keeps turning if we are not out there. I just try to make a balance and have some fun. In my opinion, if POTA seems like a job. You're out there too much.
@@heathstillman4986 thanks for your feedback
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 😁
@@tombarrett7080 been there done that
❤agree even be doing alot of dx or contests excetra can only be obesion if you dont have a balance life and radio takes over combining
It with familly trips
Instead just alone
And balance it out nature is all good
But to hop in car just activating and dont share the experience
Or beutfull nature of park
All comes to balance it out with rest of your life
Regards de v51ww
100%, my friend, I know I was obsessed with it for a period of time. Maybe coming out of it a bit, not fully there, that is why I can see it. I know many people who go crazy with POTA (or anything), get consumed by it, and burn out. Saw it in our RV days as well, lots of RV TH-camrs, gone now, channels deleted...what happened?