Operating Your Amateur Radio Station

Today’s Article Count is 22.   The most recent update was made on September 07, 2024.

These articles offer perspectives on ways you can enjoy the ham radio hobby through On-The-Air activity.

There may be some blurring of the lines between two of our website pages.  The following matrix is intended to provide some guidance. 
If you don’t see what you hoped to find, please check the other page.

 

Operating Your Amateur Radio Station Managing Your Amateur Radio Station
   
Parks On The Air  –and–  Portable Operations Logging
VHF Operations QSL Cards
Things To-Do  –and–  General On-The-Air Topics Reference Material
Emergency Communications –and–  Traffic Nets Computer Apps
and more… Test Instruments  –and– Other Equipment
   
   
   

 

 

** Parks On The Air  — and — Portable Operations **

Sign-Up for POTA…

Posted February 12, 2023

Our author enjoys the great outdoors.  He enjoys having his rig with him and operating in the great outdoors.  This lead to his interest in the Parks On The Air program (POTA)  Here he describes how he registered for a POTA Account.  You can register too.  Read How.

How Do I… POTA Part 1 [PDF]

Keywords: PARKS ON THE AIR, POTA, LOGGING, ADIF, SPOTTING,

POTA Tips and Tricks

Posted September 04, 2023

Fifteen, count ’em, Tips and Tricks that may help you become the most effective POTA Activator or Hunter.  Some apply to any of the other “OTA” events — SOTA, MOTA, and IOTA to name a few.

POTA Tips and Tricks [PDF]

Keywords: POTA, ACTIVATOR, HUNTER, POTA TIPS, POTA TRICKS, 

POTA Paper Logging

Posted August 21, 2023  ** Updated September 03, 2023

Sometimes there is no room for a logging PC when heading out for a POTA Session.  Here is a General Purpose POTA Log Sheet and instructions for its use.

POTA Paper Logging [PDF]

Keywords: POTA LOGGING, PAPER LOGGING, PORTABLE, ACTIVATOR, HUNTER

POTA Post Event Log Upload

Posted August 24, 2023

Our author is very big when it comes to Parks On The Air (POTA).  He shows us how to export an ADIF file from N3FJP and upload that file to the POTA website.

POTA Post Event Part 1 [PDF]

Keywords: LOGGING, POTA, ADIF, N3FJP, TQSL, LOTW

POTA Post Event LOTW

Posted August 25, 2023

Our author is very big when it comes to Parks On The Air (POTA).  He shows us how to create a Station Location entry in your Logbook Of The World profile.

POTA Post Event Part 2 [PDF]

Keywords: LOGGING, POTA, LOTW, STATION LOCATION, GRID SQUARE

POTA Logging with HAMRS

Posted August 28, 2023

Our author seems to have a case of everything POTA.  Today’s article introduces HAMRS as a convenient logging app for portable operations.

POTA Logging with HAMRS [PDF]

Keywords: POTA, LOGGING SOFTWARE, HAMRS, FIELD DAY

Portable Operating Essentials

Posted June 05, 2022

Warm Weather Season 2022 has arrived.  You may wish to pack a picnic basket, take your radio and antenna into the field, and operate portable.  Our author has a few suggestions involving what else you should carry on your journey.

Portable Operating Essentials [PDF]

Keywords: BANDAGES, USER MANUAL, BUG SPRAY, FLASHLIGHT, BATTERIES, SUNSCREEN, POLARITY TESTER, ICED TEA, BROWNIES.

What’s in that book?

Posted August 01, 2022

Our #1 Author is particularly fond of the great outdoors.  He lives to take his transceiver outdoors and make contacts from exotic places such as Sideling Hill and Shippensburg.  He goes nowhere without his book.  Read and you will know why.

Radio Operations Guides [PDF]

Keywords: USER MANUAL, BAND PLANS, LICENSE, IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, COFFEE RECIPE, THREE-RING BINDER.

POTA Activation Planning

Posted September 13, 2023

A bit of planning your POTA Activation goes a long way toward ensuring a successful event.  Our author shares his thoughts regarding comfort and safety.

POTA Activation Planning [PDF]

Keywords: PORTABLE, POTA, GO PLAY RADIO, OUTSIDE, PLANNING, MAPS, TABLES, CHAIRS,

POTA Hunter Tricks and Tips

Posted October 08, 2023

Our author has accumulated so many insights as a POTA Hunter that he might burst unless he can share his tips with you.  Please read his article or cover yourself with something waterproof.

POTA Hunter Tricks [PDF]

Keywords: POTA, HUNTER, TRICKS, TIPS, TECHNIQUES, N3FJP,

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** VHF Operation **

VHF – Two Meter FM Simplex

Posted July 26, 2021

Our author shares a few thoughts about making contacts on Two Meters, without using a repeater.  FM Simplex is the name of this method of communications.  You can do it.  Click the link to read how easy it can be.

Fun with VHF 2 Meter Simplex [PDF]

Keywords: x

FM Repeater Tips

Posted Month DD, 20YY

Frank Mellott, KB3PQT, writes about FM Repeater usage.  Many first-time ham radio hobbyists earn a Technician License and begin operating using a HT radio to access nearby repeaters.

How Do I FM Repeaters [PDF]

Keywords: x

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How Do I… Repeaters

Posted November 16, 2021

Our author wrote this How Do I… article telling about how repeaters can fit into your ham radio operation.  He describes how some popular VHF radios include a built-in repeater function and provides a practical example of how you could use this feature.  Good Reading!

How Do I – Repeaters [PDF]

Keywords: x

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** Things To-Do  –and– General On-The-Air Topics **

Practice Makes Perfect

Posted Month DD, 20YY

In other areas of the website we talk about being prepared.  Radio Sport Contests provide a competitive outlet for honing the skills that Hams use during emergencies.

Practice Makes Perfect [PDF]

Keywords: X,

Skill vs. Luck

Posted Month DD, 20YY

A short story about some things that went wrong on a Contest Weekend coupled with  the steps that brought relief.  In other words, If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade.

Skill vs. Luck [PDF]

Keywords: X,

Maximizing Play Value

Posted Month DD, 20YY

The point of this article is that most of what Ham Radio Operators do is scalable.  If you want to try something on a small scale you can get plenty of enjoyment before making a big investment.

Maximizing Play Value [PDF]

Keywords: X.

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Hints and Kinks

Posted Month DD, 20YY

Frank Mellott, KB3PQT, writes about his recent experiences on the CARC Net, using FLDIGI, using FT8, and sending QSL Cards to confirm Two-Way Radio Contacts.

Hints and Kinks [PDF]

Keywords: X,

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** Emergency Communications  — and — Traffic Nets **

Public Service

Posted Month DD, 20YY

Amateur Radio Operators are well-known for the service they provide to communities in times of disaster.  Hams also are  helpful at parades, races, fairs, and walk-a-thons.

Public Service [PDF]

Keywords: x

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Hints And Kinks [PDF]

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CARC Net Check-In

Posted Month DD, 20YY

Tips to guide you when checking-in to the CARC Net.  Our net is a directed social event with relaxed procedures.  More formal procedures are used by the  National Traffic System Nets and for Emergency Operations.

CARC 2 Meter Net [PDF]

Keywords: x

Clubs, Nets and Social Activities

Posted Month DD, 20YY

One topic.  Three files.  All three work together to tell the story of what and how Ham Radio Operators do to enjoy the hobby.  Please enjoy these articles that are part of our How Do I… series.

Clubs Nets Social Activities Part 1

Clubs Nets Social Activities Part 2

Clubs Nets Social Activities Part 3

Keywords: x

Giving Back via EMCOMM

Posted March 02, 2024

The Amateur Radio Service has some of its earliest roots in providing Emergency Communications.  We still do that.  In some cases we work in partnership with other organizations.  Learn how we collaborate.

Giving Back via EMCOMM [PDF]

Keywords: ARES, RACES, FEMA, RED CROSS, WINLINK, VARA,

OMISS Net

Posted September 25, 2023

The Old Man International Sideband Society has a place for you.  Read all about it, then give it a try.

The OMISS Net [PDF]

Keywords: OMISS, NETS, AWARDS, INTERNATIONAL,  SIDEBAND, 

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