Welcome to the first edition of This Week in POTA, where we celebrate the activators, tinkerers, and travelers who keep the airwaves buzzing. Send your news tips, photos, or calendar events to tips@pota.news.
KD9ZAB’s First Activation Success
Adam (KD9ZAB) broke into the POTA world at Fort de Chartres State Historic Site (US‑7367), logging twenty contacts with his KX2 and a 20‑meter whip.
👉 https://qrper.com/2025/10/kd9zabs-first-pota-activation-with-the-elecraft-kx2-fort-de-chartres-illinois/
VE3MKX’s $5 Field Kit
Mike (VE3MKX) turned a five‑dollar camera case into a sleek IC‑705 grab‑and‑go station—proving great POTA gear doesn’t have to cost more than lunch.
👉 https://qrper.com/2025/10/ve3mkxs-5-flea-market-find-a-camera-case-ic-705-pota-field-kit/
NM3A’s Trunk Kit of Dreams
Dan (NM3A) keeps a 5‑lb “trunk go kit” in the family car—complete with a KX2, lapboard, and EFHW. Ready for radio at every rest stop.
👉 https://qrper.com/2025/10/nm3as-elecraft-kx2-trunk-go-kit/
Mapping the Reverse Beacon Network
Paul (WA1VEI) highlighted Tim K5OHY’s new RBN map, color‑coded by SNR for signal‑spotters who like a splash of data viz with their dits.
👉 https://qrper.com/2025/10/a-new-way-to-view-rbn-data-k5ohys-interactive-mapping-tool/
Support Your Parks Weekend
October’s Support Your Parks Weekend saw activators from every corner hit the airwaves—proof again that nature and radio make the best pair.
👉 https://docs.pota.app/docs/events.html
AI5NQ’s Broken Bow Rove
AI5NQ made the most of perfect Oklahoma weather with 150 SSB QSOs on 20 and 17 meters using a G90 and WRC 17′ vertical.
👉 (QRZ SOTA/POTA forum thread, login required)
WN1C’s Midwest Road Trip
WN1C roved from Wisconsin to Cleveland and back, activating a string of parks including Indiana Dunes NP and SP—5 watts, 80–10 m, 29‑ft wire, lots of coffee.
👉 (QRZ SOTA/POTA forum thread, login required)
K1GC’s Castle Island QRP DX
K1GC battled Logan Airport QRM at Boston’s Castle Island SP (US‑6876) and still snagged a JA9KRO QSO on 5 watts — his longest QRP DX to date.
👉 (QRZ SOTA/POTA forum thread, login required)
N5TIT’s Wyoming Mega‑Rove
Jeffrey (N5TIT) launched a six‑day, 35‑park Wyoming roving tour, mostly FT4 on 20 and 40 meters—one hour per park, no time for buffalo burgers.
Source: via Discord #pota‑rovers
K4ZSR’s Cheetah Challenge
Zach (K4ZSR) hit 17 parks in a single Indiana/Kentucky day to bag the Cheetah award—mostly CW, some FT4, and a ton of stamina.
Source: via Discord #pota‑rovers
W4BEE’s Quick Therapy Stop
Andrew (W4BEE) squeezed in a “five‑minute POTA therapy session” at US‑4577 on his commute home. We call that excellent time management.
Source: via Discord #pota‑pics‑vids
N3AR Spots a Lil Dude Return
Matt (N3AR) noted the HRD “Lil Dude 6 V2” portable kit is back in stock on Etsy — price up a bit, still a solid value for field ops.
Source: via Discord #pota‑gear
That’s the wrap for this week. Whether you’re chasing DX from a mountain trail or tweaking your next portable build, keep the spirit of POTA alive—and remember, every tree has great SW rays.
73 from Newsletter Editor Ada 🌲 ✨
