I am not sure if it “saved” amateur radio, but it sure brought back a lot of folks. Same as you, I was licensed in 1983, I was active until my dad died in 1994. I randomly ran into some guys doing this POTA stuff on an overlanding trip up in VA. I was hooked, camping+overlanding+POTA all go together. Thx for a great video Stuart. 73 de N4TRD
Thanks for sharing Stuart. I’ve heard folks say this before. I’m not sure if ham radio would have died , but it sure has gotten a lot more people active. This includes a lot of younger people that we desperately need in the hobby. It has also given those with limited options a way to play radio. It’s also lead to a lot of experimentation with antenna’s and other gear. “Saved” ham radio ? Perhaps, perhaps not. Made it a far more enriched hobby with much more activity ? Definitely.
It has definitely gotten more younger people involved in the hobby. I know a few guys in my area that are in their 30's and enjoy POTA both hunting and activating when they are able to. One of them works for a concrete contractor so he doesn't have a lot of free time during the warmer months. Once things slow down in the winter months he is able to have more time to play radio.
POTA has definitely increased exposure of amateur radio. It brought people in and back to the hobby. And with its focus on state/provincial parks in addition to national ones has made it so mych easier to find a park. The improvements in battery technology and QRP to QRO radio options have also made portable operating much easier.
I only had a tech license for my first 20 years as a ham. When it came time to renew my license again, I learned about Parks on the Air, and that’s what inspired me to upgrade my license to General. I wouldn’t have bothered if it hadn’t been for POTA and the dropping of the CW requirement.
Hey Stuart! Really enjoying your videos. I just started POTA this year and it a great hobby. I don't know if I would have continued with ham radio if it wasn't for POTA. 73 from KM3STU. Stuart from NJ. Happy Boxing Day!
I won't say that it saved the hobby but its certainly made this more exciting. I have been a ham since I Was 17 in 1991. I used allot of APRS and hf was just a side thing. Mainly for disaster relief with the GA Baptists. When pota came in , it certainly helped me out allot. It came to me at a time right after my mom died in 2021. It was something I really needed to put my attention in . ae4xo
I don't think it actually "saved" all of ham radio, but it definitely re-kindled my interest in HF ops. I bought a brand new IC-7300 specifically to do FT8. I've really enjoyed it and have earned my 6 continents award in QRZ. Thanks for what you do for amateur radio. Regards, M. (N1QGM)
Absolutely a great part of the hobby Stuart. I’m seeing more and more spots every time I log onto the POTA spot. I absolutely love it and it’s a big part of my Amateur Radio experience. I’ve also heard a bunch of folks OTA saying the opposite that it’s ruining the hobby in which I don’t believe. There’s been days I’ve tuned around the 12,15 & 17 meter bands and it’s absolutely dead except for the POTA ops. I guess they like hearing dead silence on their bands ? Best, Jim NJ
Im a new ham of less than one year,I wouldn’t be on the air half as much if not for POTA. I love DX and have made some great contacts but I am so hooked on POTA now.
POTA makes ham radio more visible and that will bring people into the hobby. It isnt as popular here in the UK but we still seem to be on an upswing which I put down to making getting a license easier after covid forced online exams to become the norm. I also think DV is having the opposite effect, obfuscating traffic and raising barriers to entry. We seem to take two steps forward one step back.
Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's great to hear that POTA is making a positive impact, especially with the changes in licensing after COVID. Your insights really help to highlight the evolving landscape of ham radio.
I must admit after taking a 10 year break from HF I relished my new qth and my 101MP, that’s about the time pota started and was very slow to catch on in the beginning and at that point I didn’t much care for some interference associated with new users. Bad attitude on my part but once thought through and showing desire for the old camping days and my service experience and putting myself in there place I decided to not be part of any problem. Great vid Stuart
I think it definitely helped energize the amateur radio community. Hot take: I think FT8 did as well. Though, I think the hobby is still at risk of extinction. I was first licensed at 15 years old. I turned 40 years old this year. I've always been the youngest one in the local clubs I've joined, and I don't know any amateurs under 40 years old. It is difficult to find anyone at hamfests or conventions or club meetings who isn't a white male with grey or thinning hair. Communicating with someone across the globe just doesn't carry the same magic as it once did. Ordering a pizza through an autopatch is also much less impressive than it was in the 90s before cell phones were ubiquitous.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always great to hear from someone who has been a part of the community for so long. Your perspective is invaluable, and I hope we can inspire more young people to get involved!
Next February will mark my 51st year as a ham. POTA, in itself, did not "save" amateur radio from extinction but it was certainly a needed injection of energy! In my time, the "brass ring" could be summarized around DX, DXCC, 5BDXCC, CW DXCC, et.... However, I'm already on the Honor Roll and POTA came along and it is very enjoyable. In this case, the "brass ring" comes from activating and chasing. Also, no QSL cards needed AND logs can be uploaded where the operator receives almost instant gratification.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s always inspiring to hear from seasoned hams like you. Your perspective really highlights how POTA has evolved the way we engage with amateur radio.
I got licensed in 2022 with excitement about talking to people all over the world. But was frustrated with the high noise level I have at my house and how hard it is to hear anything less than an S5 on the meter. If it wasn't for POTA, I'm not sure I would have gotten as much into the hobby as I have. 95% of my time on HF radio is activating in a park for POTA. I may have given up on the hobby without it.
POTA seems to have rejuvenated amateur radio for a segment of operators and, in doing so, may have saved it. I feel that it may have encouraged operators in their ability to set up a remote station. An ability that can transfer to emergency communication. 73 de KC1EIJ
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s amazing to see how POTA has brought new life to the amateur radio community. Your insights on emergency communication are spot on!
I honestly don't know if POTA saved ham radio as it started before I got my license two years ago. It is part of what prompted me to get my General license and shortly after that my Amateur Extra license as I discovered it while I was looking into amateur radio. I looked into ham radio after I discovered that the walkie-talkies I bought for use at the large scale paintball games I attend were in fact handheld ham radios. Back then I knew there were frequencies that needed a license to use and frequencies I didn't need a license to use. Not knowing any better I programmed in the Family Radio Service and Multi Use Radio Service frequencies into the radios. Late 2021 or early 2022 is when I discovered the radios I was using for paintball games were ham radios. I looked up what repeaters were near me and started listening to the only one that I could hear on the handhelds along with some of the emergency service frequencies for my area. I listened for several months before actually deciding to get my license. Listening to a severe weather net that prompted me to not go into work early that evening is what made me actually look into getting listened despite my girlfriend encouraging me to get licensed since I enjoyed listening to the repeater traffic. As I was looking into what all I could do with ham radio while I was studying to take the Technician test I discovered POTA. At the time my main focus was just passing the Tech test to get my license so I could chat on the local repeater that I discovered was a mile and a half from my house. A little over a year later I went for my General upgrade and two months later I went for my Amateur Extra upgrade partly because I was seeing US activators spotted in the Extra portion of the band when I started hunting parks. Parks On The Air appealed to me because I always get the Michigan Recreation Passport when I renew my vehicle registration every year even though I rarely visited Michigan state parks. It is an $14 (as of Jan 2024) annual pass that allows entry to all state ran recreational areas that require an entrance fee. Last I checked a day pass for state parks and recreation areas that charge for entry is $11 per vehicle. While I did not visit many parks that require an entry fee this year having the Michigan Recreation Passport has saved me about $40 due to the number of parks I did visit that required either an day pass or the Recreation Passport. Also due to Parks On The Air this year I finally went and got my free lifetime Veterans America the Beautiful pass that allows military veterans free access to many national parks. Next year I hope to visit more parks and really make use of the Michigan Recreation Passport. I do know that POTA has created a lot of activity on the bands. There have been some complaints about POTA activity "clogging up the bands" in some of the ham radio centered Facebook groups, especially during or after the Support Your Parks weekends. I know there have been a few activations I was glad I had my Extra ticket because I could not find a clear frequency in the General portion of the bands, especially on 20 meters.
Thank you for sharing your story! It's fantastic to see how POTA and your curiosity have driven you to achieve your licenses. Your experience might inspire others to dive into the world of ham radio!
@@outnaboot part of upgrading was wanting to check out a new aspect in the hobby and part of it was encouragement from my radio club. Buying those handhelds back in 2019 turned out to become a reason to get my ham radio license and I do not regret it at all
I also wouldn't say "saved", but it has certainly increased the activity on the air. I like how POTA has changed the perception of what is "necessary" to play ham radio. The 50ft tower with a tribander beam is not so much the norm now. POTA has taught us that a small radio, battery, and piece of wire is all you need to have fun. Sure, the tower and beam is nice, but not necessary to make contacts and have fun. Sometimes I wonder if the "sad hams" that are upset over POTA are just jealous that people are out there having just as much (or probably even more) real fun with minimal equipment? That whole "sad ham" thing is just strange.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I completely agree that POTA has opened up the hobby to so many more people, showing that you don’t need all the bells and whistles to have a great time on the air.
No, people have been talking about the pending demise of Ham radio long before any of us have been around and a topic that keeps getting regurgitated. However, with the proliferation of these things on social media continued spreading the myth may have the unintended consequence of making someone put off making the effort to get licensed for something that is supposedly dying...
Thank you for your insightful comment! It's a crucial reminder that we need to inspire rather than discourage new operators. Every hobby goes through ups and downs, and Ham radio is no exception!
Did Parks On The Air (POTA) Save Ham Radio FROM EXTINCTION? No, it didn't. There's a lot more to ham radio than POTA. It's a good activity but, as a ham of 40 years, there's a whole lot more going out there out there.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's always valuable to hear insights from seasoned hams like you. Your perspective reminds us all to explore the full spectrum of this hobby.
I am not sure if it “saved” amateur radio, but it sure brought back a lot of folks. Same as you, I was licensed in 1983, I was active until my dad died in 1994. I randomly ran into some guys doing this POTA stuff on an overlanding trip up in VA. I was hooked, camping+overlanding+POTA all go together. Thx for a great video Stuart. 73 de N4TRD
@@ncoldmanoverland thanks Max
Thanks for sharing Stuart. I’ve heard folks say this before. I’m not sure if ham radio would have died , but it sure has gotten a lot more people active. This includes a lot of younger people that we desperately need in the hobby. It has also given those with limited options a way to play radio. It’s also lead to a lot of experimentation with antenna’s and other gear. “Saved” ham radio ? Perhaps, perhaps not. Made it a far more enriched hobby with much more activity ? Definitely.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, it’s great to hear from other operators who have seen the benefits of POTA firsthand.
It has definitely gotten more younger people involved in the hobby. I know a few guys in my area that are in their 30's and enjoy POTA both hunting and activating when they are able to. One of them works for a concrete contractor so he doesn't have a lot of free time during the warmer months. Once things slow down in the winter months he is able to have more time to play radio.
POTA has definitely increased exposure of amateur radio. It brought people in and back to the hobby. And with its focus on state/provincial parks in addition to national ones has made it so mych easier to find a park.
The improvements in battery technology and QRP to QRO radio options have also made portable operating much easier.
I couldn’t agree more!
POTA helped me learn how to use my radio when I was a new ham by providing opportunities for lots of QSOs in a short time.
It’s always inspiring to see new hams get active with the hobby. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I only had a tech license for my first 20 years as a ham. When it came time to renew my license again, I learned about Parks on the Air, and that’s what inspired me to upgrade my license to General. I wouldn’t have bothered if it hadn’t been for POTA and the dropping of the CW requirement.
Thank you for sharing your journey! It’s inspiring to hear how POTA motivated you to upgrade your license. Keep enjoying the airwaves!
Hey Stuart! Really enjoying your videos. I just started POTA this year and it a great hobby. I don't know if I would have continued with ham radio if it wasn't for POTA. 73 from KM3STU. Stuart from NJ. Happy Boxing Day!
Thanks for the kind words! It's awesome to see POTA keeping ham radio alive and well.
I won't say that it saved the hobby but its certainly made this more exciting. I have been a ham since I Was 17 in 1991. I used allot of APRS and hf was just a side thing. Mainly for disaster relief with the GA Baptists. When pota came in , it certainly helped me out allot. It came to me at a time right after my mom died in 2021. It was something I really needed to put my attention in . ae4xo
Thank you for sharing your journey with us! It’s inspiring to see how POTA has positively impacted your life during such a difficult time.
I don't think it actually "saved" all of ham radio, but it definitely re-kindled my interest in HF ops. I bought a brand new IC-7300 specifically to do FT8. I've really enjoyed it and have earned my 6 continents award in QRZ. Thanks for what you do for amateur radio.
Regards,
M. (N1QGM)
Thanks for sharing your story, N1QGM. It's inspiring to see how FT8 helped you achieve your goals.
Absolutely a great part of the hobby Stuart. I’m seeing more and more spots every time I log onto the POTA spot. I absolutely love it and it’s a big part of my Amateur Radio experience. I’ve also heard a bunch of folks OTA saying the opposite that it’s ruining the hobby in which I don’t believe. There’s been days I’ve tuned around the 12,15 & 17 meter bands and it’s absolutely dead except for the POTA ops. I guess they like hearing dead silence on their bands ?
Best, Jim NJ
I appreciate you sharing your perspective, Jim NJ! It's interesting to hear about the differing opinions out there.
Im a new ham of less than one year,I wouldn’t be on the air half as much if not for POTA. I love DX and have made some great contacts but I am so hooked on POTA now.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's always wonderful to hear how POTA is bringing new hams into the community.
POTA makes ham radio more visible and that will bring people into the hobby. It isnt as popular here in the UK but we still seem to be on an upswing which I put down to making getting a license easier after covid forced online exams to become the norm. I also think DV is having the opposite effect, obfuscating traffic and raising barriers to entry. We seem to take two steps forward one step back.
Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's great to hear that POTA is making a positive impact, especially with the changes in licensing after COVID. Your insights really help to highlight the evolving landscape of ham radio.
I must admit after taking a 10 year break from HF I relished my new qth and my 101MP, that’s about the time pota started and was very slow to catch on in the beginning and at that point I didn’t much care for some interference associated with new users. Bad attitude on my part but once thought through and showing desire for the old camping days and my service experience and putting myself in there place I decided to not be part of any problem. Great vid Stuart
I appreciate the honesty-I think we all have to deal with change in our lives!
I think it definitely helped energize the amateur radio community. Hot take: I think FT8 did as well. Though, I think the hobby is still at risk of extinction. I was first licensed at 15 years old. I turned 40 years old this year. I've always been the youngest one in the local clubs I've joined, and I don't know any amateurs under 40 years old. It is difficult to find anyone at hamfests or conventions or club meetings who isn't a white male with grey or thinning hair. Communicating with someone across the globe just doesn't carry the same magic as it once did. Ordering a pizza through an autopatch is also much less impressive than it was in the 90s before cell phones were ubiquitous.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It's always great to hear from someone who has been a part of the community for so long. Your perspective is invaluable, and I hope we can inspire more young people to get involved!
Next February will mark my 51st year as a ham. POTA, in itself, did not "save" amateur radio from extinction but it was certainly a needed injection of energy! In my time, the "brass ring" could be summarized around DX, DXCC, 5BDXCC, CW DXCC, et.... However, I'm already on the Honor Roll and POTA came along and it is very enjoyable. In this case, the "brass ring" comes from activating and chasing. Also, no QSL cards needed AND logs can be uploaded where the operator receives almost instant gratification.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s always inspiring to hear from seasoned hams like you. Your perspective really highlights how POTA has evolved the way we engage with amateur radio.
❤I think that it helped , but my entire HF experience has been 9O% POTA and 10% FT8 , I've been on HF since June 2024 so it's all that I know.
I think everyone knows you've been on HF since June... :-)
I was already trying to learn CW anyway but it is motivating activity idea. My XYL KD7PJW hopes it will help us to get out to visit parks on occasion.
Yes!
Thank you for your enthusiasm! It’s great to see so many people recognizing the positive impact POTA has on our beloved hobby.
After careful consideration of the question, I believe the answer is a definite possible maybe.
I think you hit the nail on the head!
I got licensed in 2022 with excitement about talking to people all over the world. But was frustrated with the high noise level I have at my house and how hard it is to hear anything less than an S5 on the meter. If it wasn't for POTA, I'm not sure I would have gotten as much into the hobby as I have. 95% of my time on HF radio is activating in a park for POTA. I may have given up on the hobby without it.
Thank you for sharing your journey! It's inspiring to see how POTA has rekindled your passion for ham radio. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
POTA seems to have rejuvenated amateur radio for a segment of operators and, in doing so, may have saved it.
I feel that it may have encouraged operators in their ability to set up a remote station. An ability that can transfer to emergency communication.
73 de KC1EIJ
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It’s amazing to see how POTA has brought new life to the amateur radio community. Your insights on emergency communication are spot on!
I honestly don't know if POTA saved ham radio as it started before I got my license two years ago. It is part of what prompted me to get my General license and shortly after that my Amateur Extra license as I discovered it while I was looking into amateur radio. I looked into ham radio after I discovered that the walkie-talkies I bought for use at the large scale paintball games I attend were in fact handheld ham radios. Back then I knew there were frequencies that needed a license to use and frequencies I didn't need a license to use. Not knowing any better I programmed in the Family Radio Service and Multi Use Radio Service frequencies into the radios. Late 2021 or early 2022 is when I discovered the radios I was using for paintball games were ham radios. I looked up what repeaters were near me and started listening to the only one that I could hear on the handhelds along with some of the emergency service frequencies for my area. I listened for several months before actually deciding to get my license. Listening to a severe weather net that prompted me to not go into work early that evening is what made me actually look into getting listened despite my girlfriend encouraging me to get licensed since I enjoyed listening to the repeater traffic. As I was looking into what all I could do with ham radio while I was studying to take the Technician test I discovered POTA. At the time my main focus was just passing the Tech test to get my license so I could chat on the local repeater that I discovered was a mile and a half from my house. A little over a year later I went for my General upgrade and two months later I went for my Amateur Extra upgrade partly because I was seeing US activators spotted in the Extra portion of the band when I started hunting parks.
Parks On The Air appealed to me because I always get the Michigan Recreation Passport when I renew my vehicle registration every year even though I rarely visited Michigan state parks. It is an $14 (as of Jan 2024) annual pass that allows entry to all state ran recreational areas that require an entrance fee. Last I checked a day pass for state parks and recreation areas that charge for entry is $11 per vehicle. While I did not visit many parks that require an entry fee this year having the Michigan Recreation Passport has saved me about $40 due to the number of parks I did visit that required either an day pass or the Recreation Passport. Also due to Parks On The Air this year I finally went and got my free lifetime Veterans America the Beautiful pass that allows military veterans free access to many national parks. Next year I hope to visit more parks and really make use of the Michigan Recreation Passport.
I do know that POTA has created a lot of activity on the bands. There have been some complaints about POTA activity "clogging up the bands" in some of the ham radio centered Facebook groups, especially during or after the Support Your Parks weekends. I know there have been a few activations I was glad I had my Extra ticket because I could not find a clear frequency in the General portion of the bands, especially on 20 meters.
Thank you for sharing your story! It's fantastic to see how POTA and your curiosity have driven you to achieve your licenses. Your experience might inspire others to dive into the world of ham radio!
@@outnaboot part of upgrading was wanting to check out a new aspect in the hobby and part of it was encouragement from my radio club. Buying those handhelds back in 2019 turned out to become a reason to get my ham radio license and I do not regret it at all
Don't know if it saved it, I have only been a HAM for 4 years. But I do love it as well and enjoy it a lot.
Merry Christmas.
It's great to hear you're enjoying the hobby - Merry Christmas!
I also wouldn't say "saved", but it has certainly increased the activity on the air.
I like how POTA has changed the perception of what is "necessary" to play ham radio. The 50ft tower with a tribander beam is not so much the norm now. POTA has taught us that a small radio, battery, and piece of wire is all you need to have fun. Sure, the tower and beam is nice, but not necessary to make contacts and have fun. Sometimes I wonder if the "sad hams" that are upset over POTA are just jealous that people are out there having just as much (or probably even more) real fun with minimal equipment? That whole "sad ham" thing is just strange.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I completely agree that POTA has opened up the hobby to so many more people, showing that you don’t need all the bells and whistles to have a great time on the air.
No, people have been talking about the pending demise of Ham radio long before any of us have been around and a topic that keeps getting regurgitated. However, with the proliferation of these things on social media continued spreading the myth may have the unintended consequence of making someone put off making the effort to get licensed for something that is supposedly dying...
Thank you for your insightful comment! It's a crucial reminder that we need to inspire rather than discourage new operators. Every hobby goes through ups and downs, and Ham radio is no exception!
Did Parks On The Air (POTA) Save Ham Radio FROM EXTINCTION? No, it didn't. There's a lot more to ham radio than POTA. It's a good activity but, as a ham of 40 years, there's a whole lot more going out there out there.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's always valuable to hear insights from seasoned hams like you. Your perspective reminds us all to explore the full spectrum of this hobby.
I have ZERO 0 goose-egg NADA interest in POTA. Will I do it someday? Maybe, but it's not an exciting use of ham radio. It's boooooooring.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It’s great to hear different perspectives on how people engage with ham radio. What do you enjoy most about it?
No it didn't save ham radio.
Interesting perspective! It's definitely a topic that sparks a lot of debate within the ham radio community.