POTA ACTIVATIONS:
From the log of KK5ZD: Keith
For those new to Parks on the Air, I invite you to follow along, gain some new insights to our hobby, and join the fun. One thing I enjoy about POTA is that it only takes ten contacts to be a successful activation. Depending on mode and band conditions that can be easy or difficult.
I do not list the number of contacts since this is not a contest. My viewpoint is that the ten contacts required to qualify for an activation, is the cake. All contacts over the ten required is the icing on the cake. All of the following were solo activations using an Icom 7100 with a Wolf River coil or a Yaesu 891 using the ATAS 120A antennas. If you are going to set up a vertical or dipole, please co-ordinate with park officials if there are any for the space you want to use. If, like I do, operate from the mobile, there is no need to do that as long as you park in an authorized area.
I normally operate mainly on FT8. The other digital modes or phone is fun as well.
#1 – on July 5th, 2026. I stayed local and activated the Taylor Woodlands, US-7711. It is a spot on a map and just as the name implies, it is a wooded area. You have to park on the side of the road it is off of since there is no parking lot available. It is considered a natural area so not really much to see except trees and brush.
#2- on July 8th, 2026. The park was another local entity named the Saracen Trail, US-9163. Parking is plentiful as the trail encompasses the entire Lake Saracen area.
#3- on July 10th, 2026. The park was the Kingsland Prairie State Area, US-7182. This was another park that is in a wooded area, usually associated with a Wildlife Management Area, but not always.
#4 – on July 12th, 2026. The park was the Cox Creek Lake State Park recreation area, US-9165. This POTA spot even had a public restroom which can be an added benefit for an old man like myself.
#5- on July 15th, 2026. It was the Moro Creek Bottoms, US-12767. As the name implies, it is another wooded area.
#6 – on July 17th, 2026. The park was Marks Mill, US-1100. It is a Civil War battle spot. It has a parking lot, and some picnic areas with tables, but no other facilities. The one caveat with this activation was that I was able to work one station via simplex on 146.520. The station worked was N5RN who was also mobile at the time and within range.(parked next to me).
#7- on July 20th, 2026. The park was the Cane Creek State Park in Star City. It is a nice park with plenty of places to park to operate.
#8 – on July 24th, 2026. The park was the Hall Creek State Natural Area, US-7179. Another wooded area.
#9 – on July 25th, 2026. For this one I stayed close to home with the Mike Huckabee Delta River Nature Center in Pine Bluff, US-7525. It is a good spot with plenty of parking and facilities.
#10 – After a break, I activated on August 9th, 2026 again close to home with the Mike Huckabee Delta River Nature Center, US-7525.
#11 – On August 22nd, 2026 I ventured several miles away to activate the Mt. Nebo State Park, US-1105. Some great views and even a visitor center with facilities.
#12 – On August 23rd, 2026 I operated close to home again with the Saracen Trail, US-9163.
#13 – On August 24th, 2026 I went to the Pinnacle Mountain State Park, US-1110. A good spot as well with plenty of parking and facilities.
#14 – On August 26th, 2026 I went down the road a piece and activated a spot on the Trail of Tears called the Rising Star Park, US-3791. It is governed by the Corps of Engineers, but plenty of space and a public restroom.
#15 – After another break, on September 5th, 2026 I got out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and activated the Jenkins Ferry Park, US-1087 which is another Civil War spot.
#16 – On September 12th, 2026 I happen to have traveled out of state for personal reasons, but while there, I was able to activate the Kentucky Dam Village State Park, US-1283. A really nice place to activate with plenty of boats to look at while operating.
#17– The last one in September was the Warren Prairie State Natural Area, US-7171 on the 29th.
#18 – The first one in October, on the 3rd, took place at the Seven Devils Swamp State Natural Area, US-7186. There are two spots I found to operate from, several miles apart, but it is a big area. Also, this area is governed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission which means you must have an Arkansas license for hunting or fishing or a day use permit issued by said entity. If you choose to activate any area in Arkansas under the authority of the AFGC and do not have either of the above, you run the risk of getting fined if caught by the law enforcement branch of the AFGC.
There are three of us that will operate outside the vehicles and setup portable antennas when weather permits. POTA is fun individually, but more so when you have multiple operators at your site. The fellowship is part of the fun.
73 for now, KK5ZD, Keith