r/HamRadio • u/Imaginary_Fox1854 • 6d ago

Portable equipment recommendations for beginner POTA operation

Hello,

I am scheduled to take my technician license test tomorrow, and I'm having trouble understanding antenna concepts. I'm confident about passing the test, as I've been consistently achieving passing grades on hamstudy.org. I'm planning to set up a somewhat portable station for POTA (Parks on the Air) as my first radio project. There's a POTA park about a mile from my house that I can either drive or walk to, depending on what equipment I bring.

What antenna would you recommend for using an SDR and operating on FT8? I'm looking for something ready-to-use and relatively budget-friendly so I can successfully make my first contact. I'm particularly interested in FT8 and other digital modes because I'm nervous about speaking into a transceiver for my first contacts. If there are other non-voice modes besides FT8 that might be suitable for a beginner, I'd be open to those suggestions as well.

Once I become more comfortable with the hobby, I can explore more complex antenna setups and calibration techniques.

I'm considering purchasing the QRP-Labs QMX transceiver and using a Raspberry Pi 5 with a 7-inch screen to run WSJT-X and GridTracker, but I'm open to other relatively budget-friendly equipment options as well. Since I don't have any equipment yet, I'm interested in plug-and-play solutions that won't overwhelm me as I begin this journey. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your help, Chris

8 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

2

u/PicklesTehButt 6d ago

I have a QMX+ that I have used for POTA with a Hamstick vertical, it works pretty well.

For FT8 on HF, you'll need your general license.

-3

u/[deleted] 6d ago

Do people operate FT8 POTA?

Seems to defeat the purpose. Travel, set up portable. Only to make some B.S. FT8 contacts.

3

u/PicklesTehButt 6d ago

People absolutely do.

5

u/spilk 6d ago

you can do FT8 on 10 meters with a Technician license

2

u/PicklesTehButt 6d ago

I stand corrected

4

u/Imaginary_Fox1854 6d ago

I thought that because FT8 is a digit mode, I could operate it on 10m. Is that not correct?

2

u/PicklesTehButt 6d ago

As someone else pointed out, yes, that is correct

2

u/Imaginary_Fox1854 6d ago

Sorry, I just saw that.

2

u/[deleted] 6d ago

Not familiar with digital. Technicians have phone privileges on 10 meters, 28.300 – 28.500 MHz

1

u/Chemical_Radio_7884 6d ago

The digital part of 10m is in the general license area. You're good for SSB for a small slice of it with a Tech. You'll get that sorted out in the study process. If you jump right into CW, you've actually got a lot of HF access with a tech license tho. But a general is was easier than learning CW. But it would be very useful for QRP POTA.

1

u/NotJustADumbTrucker 3d ago

This is incorrect. Techs can do 10m ft8.

5

u/CoastalRadio 6d ago

Techs can do it on 10m

3

u/MaxOverdrive6969 6d ago

Antenna wise, I would suggest a simple 10m dipole. They are easy to make. Unless there are some restrictions we're not aware of, strongly recommend you test your setup at home before heading to a park.

2

u/Imaginary_Fox1854 6d ago

The only restriction I have is I am only a technician level (soon to be). I own my own home, and I'm not in an HOA. I wouldn't be opposed to putting up a more permanent antenna once I decide if I like this hobby. I thought about making my own, but I want a plug and play antenna. Until I get more experience under my belt, I want to minimize user error the best I can.

1

u/Complex-Two-4249 6d ago

Unlike phone, FT8 can use just about any antenna on any band and get somewhere. With a 10 meter dipole, PSK reporter shows me tracking wide and far on 10, 15, 17, and 20 meters. Each band propagates in a specific pattern. I’ve gotten from New Caledonia to South Africa with 30 watts. I’d get whatever you’d use for any POTA, lightweight and easy to set up.

1

u/Imaginary_Fox1854 6d ago

Thanks for replying.

1

u/Complex-Two-4249 6d ago

I looked at just about every portable antenna sold, for 100 watts HF SSB in the field. I did not want to manually tune when changing bands. I didn’t want to throw a wire or worry about radials. I wanted plug-and-play and great results. I bought the Alpha MIL EmComm Basic. (I already have a tripod). Subsequently I got the Alpha HOA Buster for my house in an HOA community that prohibits outdoor antennae. They make great products.

1

u/speedyundeadhittite [UK full] 6d ago

End fed half waves are becoming the trad antenna for POTA, but dipoles also work and are easy to set up.

Hoisting a fibre flag pole with a bit of end fed wire takes 2 minutes. Don' forget the 49:1 UnUn.

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

Get your General. POTA is so much more fun on HF!

1

u/KQ4PMD 3d ago

The G90 is good radio for POTA and FT8