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# 20241219 - My first FT8 POTA activation
- URL: https://kb9v.com/20241219-my-first-ft8-pota-activation/
- Published: 2024-12-19T12:53:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-16T21:56:03.000Z
- Author: KB9V
- Tags: HAM Radio, FT8, POTA, POTA Activation, 20M, sBitx V3, 2024, #Import 2026-09-16 21:04

Today was a day in history for me... Mark this day down as my first:

- POTA Activation with my own gear.
- POTA Activation using the new sBITx Radio.
- First TX from the new sBITx Radio.
- POTA Activation covering the FT8 Digital mode.
- Use of my home built end fed 1/2 wave 10M/15M/20M antenna.

Also, it was a test to see if my battery system would do the job. Today proved that I could run a couple hours RX/TX Radio + Rasberry Pi + Antenna Tuner on my 6AH LiFePO4 "Frankenstein" battery box. More than I expected it would run. At the end of the day it was still at 12.9v which indicates about 25% energy left. Also, the battery was able to power TX during the heavier FT8 duty cycle.

It was a great afternoon at the park with KQ4GEV and N0OZZ also working POTA on their rigs.

Here was my setup:

20M End-Fed antenna up to the fishing pole:

![pota-antenna](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-058-pota-antenna.png "pota-antenna")

The office:

![pota-setup](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-059-pota-setup.png "pota-setup")

![pota-setup2](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-060-pota-setup2.png "pota-setup2")

Map of my FT8 POTA Activation:

![pota-ft8-activation](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-061-pota-ft8-activation.png "pota-ft8-activation")

Just for curosity, here are the stations that could hear the new sBITX radio call CQ on FT8:

![pota-ft8-reach](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-062-pota-ft8-reach.png "pota-ft8-reach")

Top it off with a beautiful sunset at the park! Blessed with life!  
![pota-sunset](https://kb9v.com/content/images/2024-063-pota-sunset.png "pota-sunset")