getontheairResources, videos, and downloads
Looking for a definition? The Glossary covers licensing, operating, equipment, propagation, satellites, events and emergency terms in plain language.
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
| File | What it is |
|---|---|
| polo-callsign-shortcuts.txt | Polo call box commands |
| n3fjp-other-fields.txt | AC Log Other titles = ADIF tags |
| n3fjp-keyboard-shortcuts.txt | AC Log pileup tab order |
| n3fjp-pota-layout-recipe.txt | How to load POTAConfig.efl |
| adif-fields-cheatsheet.txt | Parks + grids tags |
| sample-pota-qso.adi | Two-QSO ADIF (P2P + hunter) for import tests |
| field-pack-list.txt | 4WAVE / POTA kit list |
| potaplus.zip | POTAPlus Chrome extension v1.10.0 (pota.app). Install notes |
| meshcore-pota-gateway.zip | MeshCore room overlay (Heltec V3, V4, V4 R8, XIAO ESP32-S3) that posts LoRa SPOT lines to pota.app. Firmware v1.17.1+. Utility · notes · test builds |
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:
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
ADIF and grids
- ADIF 3.1.7 specification
- Maidenhead locator
- Maidenhead grid square map (levinecentral.com) · our Grid 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 rules & park qualification: docs.pota.app/rules · Park qualification for additions (France ZNIEFF review — confirm Active on pota.app)
- POTA overview (not the log portal): parksontheair.com
- Community: Discord and Facebook — list on docs.pota.app. Do not use
pota.usfor 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
- Paper QSL: ARRL Outgoing QSL Service · Incoming QSL bureaus · Club Log (OQRS) · how-to: QSL cards
- Contest calendar (WA7BNM): contestcalendar.com
- Contesting — weekends, Cabrillo basics, state QSO parties, OSPOTA, major contests
- More programs (islands, lighthouses, bunkers, lakes, tiles, counties, events): Program atlas · award order: Awards ladder
YouTube (program, not logging):
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 Software (w1hkj.org) · Fldigi Users Manual
- APRS: aprs.fi · APRS-IS · APRSdroid · Dire Wolf · how-to: APRS
- Keyboard and messaging modes: JS8Call-improved · VarAC · VARA modem · Winlink · how-to: Keyboard modes
- N3FJP digital setup: n3fjp.com/help/digitalsetup.html
Our how-to: Software hub · WSJT-X · GridTracker · JTAlert · FLdigi · SSTV · POTAPlus · MeshCore POTA gateway
CW & pileups
- CW POTA field manual (community): potacw.guide
- Unofficial POTA/SOTA etiquette: QRPer
- CQ POTA operating notes: DitWit Portable Radio
- DX: NG3K Announced DX Operations · DX-World · DX Summit · DX Code of Conduct (IARU R1) · how-to: DXing
- Special events: ARRL listings · 1x1 call signs · how-to: Special events
- Learn Morse: LCWO.net · CWops CW Academy · Long Island CW Club · Morse Code Ninja · W1AW code practice · SKCC · NAQCC · how-to: CW learning path
Our how-to: On the air hub · CW operating · Hunt · Pileups · 60 m
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
60 m (field limits)
- 60 m in the field (contiguous vs channels) — FCC FR 2026-00587 field card; pack
fcc_60m_2026_02_13
Field pack / hard lessons
- Field pack — hard lessons / grab-and-go — paper park #, offline maps, first-aid, knife, UTC, bailout, QRT
- Template: field-pack-list.txt
- Tool: Field Sheet
Dead cell / rover QRT
- Dead cell / rover QRT — offline prep, SOTAMAT / APSPOT recipes, QRT etiquette (not a skimmer; confirm syntax on vendor pages)
- SOTAMAT: sotamat.com · 2-way syntax
- APSPOT: apspot.radio · Usage · SMS numbers
- Apple Messages via satellite: support.apple.com/en-us/120930
Recent rule changes (as of Oct 2026)
Part 97 has changed several times since 2024. Old books, videos and forum posts may predate these changes. This box was checked against the Federal Register and eCFR (current through Oct 1, 2026) on 2026-10-08. It's a summary, not legal advice.
| Effective | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-08 | The HF symbol-rate (baud) limit was removed for data emissions on the bands where it applied. It was replaced by a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit (§97.307(f)(3)). 2200 m and 630 m keep their old limits. | 88 FR 85126 (WT Docket 16-239) |
| 2026-02-10 | Obsolete Part 97 provisions deleted in the FCC's "Delete, Delete, Delete" cleanup: §97.27, §97.29, §97.315(b)(2), §97.521(b) and Appendix 2. Little effect on day-to-day operating. | 90 FR 57698 (GN Docket 25-133) |
| 2026-02-13 | 60 m reworked: a contiguous 5351.5–5366.5 kHz segment at 9.15 W ERP, plus retained channels at 100 W ERP, General and above. | 91 FR 1405 · our 60 m page |
The band-plan checker uses these rules, including the 2026 60 m segment and channels.
Still pending (watch list):
- VHF/UHF and LF symbol rates. A 2023 FCC proposal would remove the remaining symbol-rate limits on 2200 m, 630 m, 6 m, 2 m, 1.25 m and 70 cm (FNPRM, FR 2023-26769). As of the Oct 1, 2026 eCFR, the 19.6 and 56 kilobaud limits are still in §97.307(f)(5)–(6).
- Other modernization requests. ARRL asked the FCC in April 2025 to act on these and on other items, including updated Technician privileges (RM-11828) (ARRL comments). No final rule as of this check.
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
- Band privileges by class: band-plan checker · ARRL band plan · eCFR §97.301
- Repeaters: RepeaterBook
- Listen before you transmit: WebSDR.org · KiwiSDR receiver list · how-to: Listen first
- Programming: CHIRP · RT Systems
- Community: YLRL · Handiham · YOTA Americas · Hamvention · Amateur Radio Newsline · how-to: Community
- Upgrading and becoming a VE: Upgrade path · ARRL question pools · Become an ARRL VE
- First radio and used gear: Your first station · Buying used · FCC advisory on non-compliant VHF/UHF radios (DA 18-980) · hamfests: ARRL calendar
- Operating abroad: ARRL — US Amateurs Operating Overseas · CEPT · IARP · how-to: Operating away
Walkthrough: Get licensed, get on the air
Power, connectors, time, and RFI
- RF exposure: guide · calculator · ARRL RF Exposure · FCC OET-65 Supplement B (PDF)
- 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
Notes & edits
Comments and proposed markdown sit in a queue. Nothing is public until it is reviewed. How this works.