Take Ham Radio Somewhere Interesting
Parks are only the beginning. Portable radio can take you to parks, summits, new Tiles and places you probably never would have visited with a radio sitting at home.
This is where I share real-world activations, portable setups, lessons from the field and the occasional “why did I pack three of the wrong adapter?” moment.
Parks Are Only One Place to Play Radio
Portable operating doesn't have to mean doing the same thing from a different picnic table. Parks, summits and Tiles each give you a different reason to grab the radio, leave the shack and see where RF takes you.
POTA
Find an eligible park, set up a portable station and start making contacts. POTA is an approachable way to get outside, experiment with antennas and learn what actually works when your shack has to fit in a bag.
SOTA
Trade the picnic table for elevation. SOTA combines amateur radio with qualifying summits and adds a new challenge: getting yourself and your station into the activation zone before you ever make the first contact.
Tiles
Instead of limiting your destination to a designated park or summit, Tiles gives you another reason to explore the map. Find a Tile, take the station there and turn locations you might otherwise drive past into places worth putting on the air.
These programs don't have to compete for your operating time. A trip may qualify for more than one program, giving you another challenge to chase from the same location. Just remember that each program has its own rules and an activation still needs to independently qualify for each one you're participating in.
The Map Is Bigger Than the Park.
POTA gave a lot of us a reason to take radio outside. But the fun doesn't have to stop at the park boundary. A summit can become the destination. A new Tile can turn an ordinary spot on the map into somewhere worth exploring. Sometimes the best activation starts by asking, “What's over there?”
The Latest Trip Into the Field
Here's the latest N1JUR activation—where I went, what I brought, what worked and whatever the field decided to teach me this time.
Field Notes From the Real World
Parks, summits, Tiles and whatever other excuse I can find to take a radio somewhere interesting. Every trip is a little different—and usually teaches me something I didn't expect.
The Stuff That Usually Makes It Into the Bag
There's no perfect portable station. What I bring depends on where I'm going, how I'm getting there and what I'm trying to do once I arrive. But most of my setups come back to the same four pieces.
Pick the Rig for the Trip
Sometimes I want 100 watts. Sometimes I'd rather carry less. The radio gets picked around the activation instead of making every activation fit the same radio.
- Yaesu FT-891
- FX4CR
- FlexRadio 6400
Use What the Location Allows
Trees, open ground, setup time and the bands I want to work usually decide the antenna. A great antenna isn't very useful if there's nowhere to put it.
- Bugout Mini 40–10 EFHW
- Ryabkov Vertical
- Mad Dog 80–10 Coil + 17' Whip
Bring Enough. Not the Power Plant.
Power should match the radio, operating time and how far I have to carry it. The goal is enough battery to enjoy the activation without hauling unnecessary weight around all day.
- 100Ah Redodo Custom Battery Box
- Bioenno 20Ah
- Bioenno 15Ah
Keep the Logging Simple
I primarily use a 12-inch iPad with a Bluetooth keyboard. It keeps logging quick without turning the activation into paperwork cosplay.
- Polo by Ham2K ↗
- HAMRS ↗
- Bluetooth Keyboard
Radios, antennas, accessories and the other equipment I actually use are over on the N1JUR Gear page.
Your First Activation Does Not Need to Be Perfect
You do not need the perfect radio, perfect antenna, perfect battery or perfect weather. Pick somewhere interesting, build a station you can actually manage and go find out what works.
The field will teach you faster than another three hours of staring at gear reviews. Although, yes, you should still watch the gear reviews. Obviously.
Find a park, summit or Tile that gives you a reason to get the station outside.
Radio, antenna, power and logging. Bring what you need before bringing everything you own.
Get on the air, learn what worked and make the next activation a little better.
The setup doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to get you on the air.
Take the Next Activation With You
Field Notes is where I send the useful stuff that doesn't need another algorithm deciding whether you should see it—new activation ideas, field lessons, projects, videos and things worth trying on your next trip outside.
- Activation Ideas
- Field Lessons
- New Videos
- Projects & Experiments
- Gear & Deals Worth Sharing
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