> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://kb9v.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# 20240921 - POTA?  What's this Park Thing?
- URL: https://kb9v.com/20240921-pota-whats-this-park-thing/
- Published: 2024-09-21T13:11:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-16T21:56:08.000Z
- Author: KB9V
- Tags: HAM Radio, POTA, POTA Activation, 2024, #Import 2026-09-16 21:04

!Welcome to #POTA

As a new HAM, everything is exciting, and sometimes a bit overwhelming with a learning curve. My friend KX4BY graciously started mentoring me in the many ways of HAM radio this summer, and introduced me to Parks On The Air. I had no idea what contesting was, field days, mobile ops, or why someone would set up a rig out in the forest or a park. This has all turned out to be both a fun thing to do and a great method of testing your skills and equipment. A huge thanks to Ken, Robert and others in the local club for helping be me be engaged into this new hobby. #POTA

![image000000](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-003-image000000.webp "image000000")

For my own memories of this journey into HAM radio, this next image shows some of the contacts we made on of my first Parks On The Air activation.  
![5772fc6c-00e2-43d5-a3a0-67cb9f8bd6d4-1](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-004-5772fc6c-00e2-43d5-a3a0-67cb9f8bd6d4-1.webp "5772fc6c-00e2-43d5-a3a0-67cb9f8bd6d4-1")