Parks on the Air (POTA) vs. Summits on the Air (SOTA)?

Amateur radio is a fantastic way to explore the outdoors while honing your communication skills and meeting fellow hams. Two popular outdoor radio programs are Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA). Both involve venturing outside to a designated location and accumulating contacts, but there are a few differences that might make one (or both) appeal more to you. In this article, we’ll break down what they have in common, how they differ, and which radios you might want to bring along.

Similarities Between POTA and SOTA

1. Outdoor Adventure
   Both POTA and SOTA encourage you to step away from the shack and experience nature up close—whether that’s a scenic national park or the peak of a mountain.

2. Designated Locations
   You’ll need to operate from specific spots recognized by the respective programs. POTA sites are listed on the Parks on the Air website, while SOTA summits are listed on the Summits on the Air website.

3. Contacts Required
   The main goal is to log contacts (QSOs) while transmitting from your chosen outdoor spot. You can’t use repeaters for actual QSOs, but it’s common practice to use them to let other hams know where you’re operating simplex.

4. Cross-Over Activations
   Some locations qualify for both POTA and SOTA. If you find a summit located inside a recognized park, you can claim activations in both programs at the same time.

Key Differences

1. Location Rules

• POTA: You must operate within the boundaries of a designated park or similar protected area. These areas are often national parks, state parks, and other government-managed lands.
• SOTA: You must operate within a certain vertical distance from the summit’s highest point. The rules can be strict about how far from your vehicle you can be and whether you can operate from inside the vehicle.

2. Minimum Contacts

• POTA: Requires a minimum of 10 contacts in your activation log to be considered successful for that UTC day.
• SOTA: Only requires 4 contacts, making the threshold lower—though SOTA activations can be more physically demanding because you might be climbing or hiking to reach the summit.

3. Activation Frequency

• POTA: You can successfully activate and get credit for a given park once per UTC calendar day. If you return the next day (UTC time), you can activate the same park again for new credit.
• SOTA: You only earn points for a particular summit once per calendar year, although you can still “activate” it multiple times within the same year for credit toward certain awards—it just won’t add to your yearly point total more than once.

4. Accessibility

• POTA: More accessible to individuals who may have mobility challenges or just prefer not to do strenuous hikes. You can set up near or even inside your vehicle as long as you’re within the park boundary.
• SOTA: Typically requires a hike or climb. You can’t operate from inside the vehicle, and you need to be within the activation zone near the summit, per SOTA rules. This makes SOTA more physically demanding, but also quite rewarding for the adventurous.

5. Log Submissions

• POTA: Only the activator is required to upload a log. Hunters automatically receive credit when the activator’s log is confirmed.
• SOTA: Both the activator (the one on the summit) and the chasers (those who contact the summit) need to submit their logs to get full credit. It’s an extra step, but ensures accurate scorekeeping for each summit activation and chase.

Choosing the Right Radio Gear

POTA (Parks on the Air)

• Because you can operate close to or inside your vehicle, you can get away with larger or more power-hungry rigs. It’s common to see hams using mobile radios, or even desktop-class radios like an ICOM IC-7300 if they have access to power.
• Battery concerns are minimal if you’re near your car, as you can rely on its battery or a portable power pack.

SOTA (Summits on the Air)

• Weight and portability matter much more. You’ll likely be carrying everything in a backpack.
• Low-power (QRP) setups are popular. Many SOTA activators also use Morse code (CW) because CW transceivers can be very small and efficient.
• If you want higher power, consider something like the Yaesu FT-891. It’s compact for a 100W HF radio and relatively lightweight compared to many base stations.
• Another favorite is the ICOM IC-705, an all-band QRP rig that’s incredibly lightweight and perfect for hiking.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned ham or just getting started, Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA) both offer unique ways to enjoy amateur radio while exploring the great outdoors. The main differences boil down to where and how you operate:

• POTA is more accessible, often involving straightforward setups in established parks. You’ll need 10 contacts for a valid activation.
• SOTA can be more physically demanding, requiring a hike to a recognized summit, but only requires 4 contacts.

Both programs have strong, supportive communities and countless opportunities to learn new operating strategies, meet fellow hams, and enjoy nature. Many operators end up participating in both—especially if they find that sweet spot where a summit overlaps with a park!

Radio Summary

• For POTA: You have lots of freedom to use bigger, higher-powered radios (like the ICOM IC-7300) or something more portable if you wish. You can power your station from your vehicle or portable batteries.
• For SOTA: Look for lightweight gear that’s easy to carry up a summit. The Yaesu FT-891 is a solid 100W option in a smaller form factor, while the ICOM IC-705 is a favorite for QRP and CW ops due to its size and features.

Whichever radio and program you choose, remember to stay safe, follow all rules and guidelines, and most importantly—have fun making contacts from the great outdoors!