What is Parks on the Air?
Parks on the Air (POTA) is a program that was born out of the ARRL's National Parks on the Air Event in 2016. Since then it has spread to become an everyday occurrence. Points can be awarded for those who activate from a national or state park and those who hunt these activations also receive points and awards.
Members of the W4TRC radio club participate in POTA as both Activators and Hunters. The club will regularly go out as a group to activate different parks in the area. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us as we activate different parks - you do not need to be a club member to participate!
Activators must set up in a registered POTA location. (Visit pota.app for a list and map of locations) A successful activation consists at least 10 contacts. These contacts can be made on any band or mode of operation (except for terrestrial repeaters).
To learn more, you can visit parksontheair.com, or reach out to the W4TRC POTA Coordinator, Stephen Hamby (KO4TDK).
Upcoming POTA/SOTA Events
| Date | Name | Type | POTA Park Number | SOTA Summit Number | Location | Distance | Summit Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 4, 2022 | Roan High Knob | POTA/SOTA | K-2972 | W4T/SU-005 | 36.1046, -82.1224 | 1 Hr 19 Min Drive (60.9 Miles) from Kingsport | 10 | Approx 1.5 Mile HIke from Parking Area to the Summit for activation. Not sure if Roan Mountain also dips into Cherokee National forest or any other parks besides K-2972. |
| July 2, 2022 | Watauga River Bluffs State Natural Area | POTA | K-6278 | N/A | 36.3651, -82.2976 | 36 Min Drive (27.3 Miles) from Kingsport | N/A | Approx 1/2 Mile HIke to Watauga River bank, where there is a picnic table suitable for operation. Also possible to operate from Parking Lot |
| August 6, 2022 | Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail & Appalachian Trail | POTA | K-4577 K-4556 | N/A | 36.1429, -82.2329 | 50 Min Drive (42.9 Miles) from Kingsport | N/A | Drive up and operate on smaller side road or pull-off. Combination of where Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail meets AT. |
| September 3, 2022 | Pinnacle Mountain | POTA/SOTA | K-4525 | W4T/SU-058 | 36.2173, -82.370697 | 1 hr 5 Min Drive (37.0 Miles) from Kingsport | 8 | Combination of Pinnacle Mountain SOTA Activation, as well as Cherokee National Forest POTA Activation. You can drive right up to the summit on this one and operate just outside of your vehicle |
| October 1, 2022 | Sycamore Shoals State Park | POTA | K-2979 | N/A | 36.3429, -82.2549 | 36 Min Drive (29.8 Miles) from Kingsport | N/A | Drive right up and operate either in parking lot or in nearby shelter or other area. |
| November 5, 2022 | Martin's Fork State Natural Area | POTA | K-7969 | N/A | 36.6978, -83.3925 | 1 hr 36 Min Drive (72.5 Miles) from Kingsport | N/A | Very remote park. Has never been activated before. Will require parking and hauling gear on limited paths to operating area near Martins Fork River. Limited cell service in area. |
| December 3, 2022 | Peter's Knob | SOTA | N/A | W4K/EC-024 | 36.8915, -83.4496 | 1 hr 56 min (84.3 miles) from Kingsport | 8 | Very remote strip mine mountain stop. Has never been activated for. Can operate next to vehicle. Limited Cell service in area. Requires 4x4. Not sure on permissions for getting on top of this mountain. |
