Resources, videos, and downloads

We host Apache-2.0 Polo documentation screenshots (Ham2K docs repo) and our 4WAVE photos. N3FJP / POTA FAQ screenshots stay on their sites — those pages are not an open license. Templates and SVG diagrams below are original.

Downloads on this site

Also: Field sheet (print before you lose cell) · Saturday planner

Polo (Ham2K)

• Manual: polo.ham2k.com/docs
• Your First Operation
• Mapping / grids
• Data lookups (QRZ paid vs free)
• Supported activities
• Docs source (Apache 2.0): github.com/ham2k/polo.ham2k.com
• App source (MPL 2.0): github.com/ham2k/app-polo
• Screenshot attribution: NOTICE

YouTube:

• First Operation demo
• Ham2K Apps channel
• SWFL Hamfest Polo walkthrough

Our how-to: Polo

N3FJP AC Log

• n3fjp.com
• FAQ — POTA four steps, current keyboard list (Ctrl+O in-app)
• POTAConfig.efl — N3FJP’s file; right-click save if you are on AC Log ≤ 7.0.3
• POTA docs: Logging with N3FJP (W0ZAP)
• OnAllBands: Customizing AC Log for POTA
• groups.io layout file thread

YouTube:

• N3NWV: configure AC Log for POTA
• N3FJP four-step clip
• Getting Started With Parks on the Air — N3NWV
• N3FJP YouTube playlist

Our how-to: N3FJP · Shortcuts

ADIF and grids

• ADIF 3.1.7 specification
• Maidenhead locator
• QTH Locator map
• QRZ (paid XML is what loggers actually use)

Our how-to: ADIF fields & gridsquare

Award programs (confirm rules here, not on social media)

• POTA spots, map, account, My Log Uploads: pota.app
• POTA rules and activator/hunter guides: docs.pota.app
• POTA overview (not the log portal): parksontheair.com
• Community: Discord and Facebook — list on docs.pota.app. Do not use pota.us for spots. Do not hunt a dead Slack.
• SOTA: sota.org.uk · sotadata · sotamaps · SOTAwatch
• WWFF: wwff.co
• LoTW / TQSL: lotw.arrl.org
• QRZ: qrz.com
• eQSL: eqsl.cc
• Contest calendar (WA7BNM): contestcalendar.com

YouTube (program, not logging):

• Parks on the Air channel
• Getting Started With POTA — N3NWV

Antennas

• 4WAVE (this site’s vertical): 4waveantennas.com · guide page
• 4WAVE / hitch vertical videos
• POTA hitch mount HF vertical

Radios (manufacturer manuals — get the PDF for your firmware)

• Icom: icomamerica.com/support
• Yaesu: yaesu.com
• Elecraft: elecraft.com
• Xiegu: dealer/manual for your G90 / X6100 / G106 revision

Our hardware notes: Hardware hub · Icom · Yaesu · Xiegu · Elecraft · SDR

Digital modes & software

• WSJT-X: wsjt-wsjtx.sourceforge.io
• POTA digital modes: docs.pota.app — Digital modes
• POTA hunter guide (FT8 section): docs.pota.app — Hunter guide
• GridTracker 2: gridtracker.org · GT2 + POTA
• JTAlert: hamapps.com
• FLdigi / FLrig: w1hkj.com · Fldigi help
• N3FJP digital setup: n3fjp.com/help/digitalsetup.html

Our how-to: Software hub · WSJT-X · GridTracker · JTAlert · FLdigi · SSTV · POTAPlus

CW & pileups

• CW POTA field manual (community): potacw.guide
• Unofficial POTA/SOTA etiquette: QRPer
• CQ POTA operating notes: DitWit Portable Radio

Our how-to: On the air hub · CW operating · Hunt · Pileups

Satellites & SSTV

• AMSAT: amsat.org
• Easy portable satellites (PDF): K4DC deloach.net
• N5DUX Satellite Guide: n5dux.com/ham/satellites · Tracking
• WA4MCM PSR-100 Mk2 portable satellite rotor: wa4mcmkits.com/psr-100 · kits home
• Ham Sat Tracker blog: hamsattracker.com/blog
• SOTA reflector KISS SSTV: reflector.sota.org.uk
• SSTV Pad (Black Cat Systems): blackcatsystems.com — SSTV Pad
• ISS SSTV with handheld: Ham Radio Prep

Our how-to: Satellites · SSTV

Station setups (fixed & mobile)

• ARRL grounding & bonding: arrl.org/grounding-and-bonding-for-the-amateur
• CWOps single-point ground (PDF): cwops.org N3JT
• RV ham radio setup overview: parkonwhiskey.com
• RV antenna mast mounting: hitched4fun.com guide

Our how-to: Setups hub · Permanent shack · RV & camping · Boating

License, exam, first radio

• Practice exams: hamstudy.org · hamexam.org · HamStudy exam sessions
• KB6NU No-Nonsense: kb6nu.com/study-guides
• ARRL exam finder: arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session
• ARRL club search: arrl.org/find-a-club
• FCC CORES / FRN: apps.fcc.gov/cores · ARRL CORES steps
• FCC ULS license search: wireless2.fcc.gov ULS
• Repeaters: RepeaterBook
• Programming: CHIRP · RT Systems

Walkthrough: Get licensed, get on the air

Power, connectors, time, and RFI

• Anderson Powerpole (Powerwerx / Anderson Power Products) — the usual 12 V ham connector. Fuse the branch, not the hope.
• LiFePO4 field packs: vendor manuals for your BMS. This guide’s habit is stop ~12.0 V under load on 4S — ethics · hardware.
• Time: GPS/NTP; WSJT-X needs ~1 s. Software hub.
• TQSL / LoTW rover override: lotw.arrl.org — Log Handling
• WWFF US log managers: wwff.us/logs
• Digirig cable matrix: digirig.net
• CHIRP memory columns: chirpmyradio.com wiki
• RT Systems tone/offset primer: rtsystemsinc.com support