Park Activations
Have you recently activated a park in the POTA (Parks on the Air) program? Tell us about it and we will post your story here. Send your report to treasurecoasthams@gmail.com.
Be sure your report includes your callsign and first name, park name and id, activation date, rig and antenna used, operating mode and number of successful QSOs made. Also include a photo or two if you can.
Activation reports are listed below. (Most recent at the top.)
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POTA Activation – Jonathan Dickinson State Park (POTA id US-1887)
Park activation team, 7-19-25. From left to right: Norman Schklar – WA4ZXV, Craig Montgomery – KK4CID, Paul Horner – W4ISZ, Dick Langbert – K4NJ and Mina Shehee – KS4PB.
Dick – K4NJ reports,
“We met at 9:30 AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025 in the Jonathan Dickinson State Park parking lot. From there we drove 4 miles to the Wilson Creek pavilion deep into the park where we started the activation by setting up a quarter wave vertical and two elevated radials. Results were so-so.“
“We then tried Paul’s Alpha vertical on a super deluxe tripod with similar results. Finally, we tried a Ham Stick dipole. Results were a little better, but still not great. Our most distant contact was Wyoming. (Note that all our operating was with 30 watts.)“
“The bottom line is this: When the bands are sleeping, contacts are tough. Usually at a park there are lots of pileups. This really makes time fly and is a lot of fun.“
“Even though that was not the case this time, I think we all learned something from each other and from the propagation gods. But most of all, we had fun.“
73, Dick, K4NJ
Vertical 
Radial 
Stake for radial 
Dipole 
Tripod
(Photos from Jonathan Dickinson State Park – July 19, 2025)
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Dick (K4NJ) Had a Visitor at a Recent POTA Activation
Dick says,
“Imagine this: a bunch of amateur radio enthusiasts, dressed in their finest club shirts and hats, setting up their antennas in state and national parks while sending out radio signals, as they try to connect with fellow “Hamsters” from across the globe.”
“Park activation is good healthy fun. Consider giving it a try! You never know who you may meet while outdoors enjoying nature. Allow me to tell you about a recent activation adventure where I met the handsome fellow pictured nearby.”
Dick (K4NJ) at Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park, 5/23/2025
“On May 23, 2025 I visited Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park in Martin County, FL (POTA park id # US-6284). I was operating at a picnic bench under a tree when I heard a “loud snort” behind me. Turning around, I saw the big guy shown above eavesdropping over my shoulder.”
“The animal’s owner was really interested in what I was doing, and listened while I made four or five quick QSO’s. She then inquired as to what she needed to do to get licensed. Since she lived in Jupiter I gave her the contact information for the Jupiter Tequesta Radio Group and other area clubs.”
“She hung around for a few more minutes and before leaving asked if there was such a thing as a small radio with a little antenna she would be able to use while riding. I told her absolutely and explained that people operate from lighthouses, summits, islands, arboretums, and whatever else floats their boat, including boats – so why not horses?”
“I didn’t get her name because if I came home and told my wife I would have one more scar on my back.”
“If you would like to give POTA operation a try, and have some fun fishing for contacts all over the world from a relaxing environment, get in touch and we can hit one of the local parks and have some fun.”
73. Dick, K4NJ
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Park Activator Dick (K4NJ) Tries Something Different
Dick writes,
“So many parks – so little time. I am physically and mentally in better shape when I’m outside enjoying an activation.“
“For something different, I decided to do Lighthouses on the Air from the Jupiter lighthouse with the “Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group”. Propagation that day was virtually nonexistent. My first contact was in Oklahoma and my second was from Port Saint Lucie. Those were my only contacts in an hour and a half.“
“The flip side of that saga was that had I been doing POTA, I would have been able to self-spot on the POTA website and likely had better results. POTA has a tremendous following and I usually come home with a minimum of 20 contacts.“
To learn more about POTA go to https://parksontheair.com/.
View from atop the Jupiter Lighthouse
“Propagation that day was virtually nonexistent. My first contact was in Oklahoma and my second was from Port Saint Lucie. Those were my only contacts in an hour and a half.” …. Dick, K4NJ