Beyond NPOTA: Riding the Portable Operating Wave Sean Kutzko, KX9X

National Parks on the Air Used Amateur Radio to help National Park Service celebrate their Centennial. First time ARRL worked with outside, national-level organization for an on-air event. Focus was on portable operating: take gear to an eligible NPS unit and “activate” it. Had its roots in the ARRL Centennial, Field Day, and DXCC.

NPOTA Statistics 1.1 Million QSOs 460 of 489 eligible NPS units activated 1,494 Activators 21,345 Activations Most of the inactivated units were in Alaska Rough Mode Breakdown: 85% SSB, 13% CW, 2% digital Unqualified success

NPOTA: Lessons Learned Longer events are more popular than ever. Hams want more activities that fit into their lifestyle and schedule Social media turns an event into a community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/NPOTA/ Outside partnerships take work, but worth the effort.

Feedback from NPOTA Activators “With basic equipment, I could have a pileup!” “I learned a lot about my country that I never knew before.” “I had no idea how many NPS units there were so close to me.” “I never tried PSK before NPOTA. Not bad!” “By the end of NPOTA, I could handle a CW pileup pretty well.” “My club did an activity other than Field Day for the first time ever.” “NPOTA taught me how to overcome equipment issues in the field. That makes me a better ARES operator.” “Most fun I’ve had in 40 years of being licensed.” “Being outside with ham radio was great. I’ve re-dedicated myself to getting back in shape. I want to do this more!”

“What’s Next?” ARRL clearly sees that longer events are a hit: Modern hams – time constraints due to work/family Enjoy the event at your own pace Provides training & recreation at the same time We will offer more longer on-air events. Stay tuned!

“But what do I do in the mean time?”

Portable Operating Primer

Portable Operating “Portable Operating” just means not operating from home. It can be as simple or as complex as you like. Plenty of awards, operating events and contests geared towards portable operating. MUCH more to do than Field Day…. Opportunities are endless and rewarding.

Why Operate Portable? Antenna restrictions at your house/apt. Get to be the sought- after station Excellent skills training Lower QRN than at home Better views than your shack!

Portable Operating Methods Expedition: Activate a rare location for a few hours or a week. Bring as much gear as your car will allow and you’re willing to pack/unpack. Many contests and operating programs to use this technique.

Portable Operating Methods Mobile: Put a rig in your car. Use hamsticks while mobile; pull off to the side of the road and use other antennas. Great for State QSO Parties, VHF contests, County Hunting

Portable Operating Methods Backpack QRP: Ultra-portable stations; can weigh as little as 3 pounds and be very effective. Perfect for Summits on the Air (SOTA), frequent flyers, satellite operations, QRP- themed contests.

Contests New England QSO Party: May 6-7, 2017 www.neqp.org New England works world, world works only New England. List of rare counties available on NEQP website Operate portable from any county in W1. Rent a cabin, throw up a dipole, make QSOs! Operate mobile as a “rover” from multiple counties. “Single op Rover Rookie” plaque for first-time rovers (minimum 100 QSOs/3 counties)

Work grid squares on 6 meters and up Contests ARRL June VHF QSO Party June 10-11 www.arrl.org/june-vhf Work grid squares on 6 meters and up Take an expedition to a rare grid Operate mobile from multiple grids as a “Rover.” Single op “QRP Portable” category New England rare grids: FN45, 51, 56, 57, 64, 66, 67 Grid square map: www.newsvhf.com/grid-na.gif Find your grid on Google Maps: http://qthlocator.free.fr/

Awards Programs

Summits On The Air (SOTA) www.sota.org.uk Operate from mountaintops Regional chapters worldwide HF or VHF Inexpensive to do Great exercise! Thousands of summits in New England! W1BXY atop Higby Mountain, CT (W1/HH-001) May 26, 2014

US Islands Program www.usislands.org Operate from islands in the US; rivers, lakes and along the coast. Different from IOTA (Islands on the Air). Thousands of them! You can DRIVE to many of them. Inexpensive. Fun to find new ones! USI “One-Day Getaway” May 13 KX9X/4 – Pigeon Key, FL (FL-437s) December 17, 2014 (video on YouTube – “KX9X Pigeon Key”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JASu7h6YpfA

World Wide Flora & Fauna International: wwff.co USA: https://wwff-kff.com Portable operating from parks and nature areas worldwide Big spike in US activity thanks to NPOTA Lots of NPOTA Activators now participate in WWFF Many NPOTA units qualify for WWFF Lots of state parks do, too!

County Hunting www.countyhunter.com USA-CA Award issued by CQ. MARAC also issues lots of county- related awards. 3,077 counties – lots of them are rare! Simple mobile stations can do very well. County Hunters Net: 14.336 Great for a weekend drive New England QSO Party

Fred Fish Memorial Award (FFMA) Work all 488 grids in the 48 contiguous United States on 6 meters. Fred W5FF (SK) first to do this. 5 others have done it. 20 hams need fewer than 25 grids. Explosion in 6 meter grid DXpeditions since 2008.

Amateur Satellites www.amsat.org Satellite operators chase grid squares, too! Extremely portable Satellite passes are predictable Average pass – 15 minutes FM sats: a dual-band HT and handheld yagi is a solid performer Available to all license classes! ARRL VUCC Award – Satellite category Tons of how-to videos on YouTube

Special Event Stations Associate amateur radio with any special event in your community or local history. County fairs, a visit from an elected official, village anniversaries, historical events…anything is fair game. A special event can be just a few hours long, or several days. The planning is entirely up to you! WA5HOT- 2008 BBQ Goat Cookoff Publicize your special event station on the ARRL web site! http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations W1T – Mark Twain’s 181st Birthday Mark Twain House – Hartford, CT Nov 30

Portable Operating is FUN! Get Outside - Get Active - Get on the Air!

Questions? Ask Me! kx9x@arrl.org