The Ham Radio Lab

Helping people get on the air and have fun

Activate and Feast: My First POTA Activation at Eisenhower State Park

POTA: Buddy-Boxes, Pileups, and Overcoming Mic Fright at Eisenhower State Park

Join me as I step out of the home shack for my very first POTA activation at Texas’s Eisenhower State Park (US-3005). Discover how a clever dual-operator 'buddy-box' setup, a supportive community, and a local club potluck helped me beat an unexpected case of mic fright to log 22 contacts in under an hour!

Adventure Awaits: Leaving the Shack for Parks on the Air (POTA)

POTA for Beginners: How to Activate Your First Park

Ready to take your ham radio hobby outdoors? Discover the world of Parks on the Air (POTA). Learn how to register at pota.app, find local parks, and the essential rules for a successful 10-contact activation. Perfect for new Generals looking for adventure!

Gearing Up for the Summer and Getting On Air

My Ham Radio Goals for the Year!

Like many of you, the start of Spring (or maybe just a particularly inspiring QSO!) gets me thinking about what I want to achieve in our fantastic hobby. Amateur radio is such a vast playground, and it’s easy to get distracted by all the shiny new things or venerable old boat anchors!, just read a couple of my last posts for details. So going forward, I’m trying to be more focused and intentional on what I want to do and achieve. I’ve set myself three main goals, centered around organization, operation, and exploration.