How to Activate Parks on the Air Like A Boss

Man, this is one of the best, most exciting videos I've watched in at least a year! You've definitely convinced me that POTA is for me, too! Just a couple tweaks to my pickup, and I'm going to start activating in Texas. I'll use a QRP (G90) and 20m Shark hamstick to start. I love the way you shot this video. It was like being in the car with you and sharing the excitement. GREAT stuff! Hope to work you sometime! Congrats on a super channel. 73, John N5JVO

Sweet work Mike! I look forward to working a contact with you from another Texas State Park once I get licensed.

Great video! de W2CSI

POTA and SOTAs are my coolest part of the HAM radio hobby. Outside of the city noise and interference, breathing fresh oxygen and playing radio. Priceless!
BTW, what apps are you using for logging your POTA contacts ?

What a great activation! Way to go Mike!

I'm going to need a follow-up video for a deep dive explainer about the difference between "out-betters" and "fars. I'm now totally confused. Bryan KH6LOL

73 de WA5SAT

Hi Mike, would a Wolf River Coil and whip screwed into a car mount work similarly to your Tarheel set up here? Would you need to put out counterpoise wires like you do when using the WRC out on the ground? Thanks so much for any thoughts/advice here.

Hi Mike. My name is Denis VA3DCB Northern Ontario Canada. I was listening to you on POTA. Yes you sure are the king of POTA. Nice contacts on the David Crockett Park. You really got me interested in the POTA. I have the Yeasu FT 891 and I also have the Little Tarheel ll and also the American SDC-102 all three items are still in their boxes for about 4 years now. Time to take them out I guess. Lol. I’ll probably install them in my truck and do like you did. This is awesome. Might be going to Dayton Hamvention this year and maybe pick up the Buddypole Pro also. I saw that video also. I have 2 questions for you. What app are you using on you Apple IPhone to put register the call signs I see you doing after every qso. And also those Yellow little poles that you used for the radial wire where can I purchase those. Mike Thanks a Million for doing all these videos and showing all what you use.
73 Mike.
Denis VA3DCB. Northern Ontario Canada.

Good lord!

like a boss!

Just watched your video and loved every minute. Straight forward excellent. I’m a newish tech license holder, studying for my General. Glad you got Alaska. Many thanks and 73, KJ7ZTI

Great into edits!!!! I sure am enjoying being a hunter, your video are inspiring me to get out to a park here in Central Texas! Way to go Mike!!! You are the boss of POTA!

Mike were you using an antenna tuner with the 891 on this activation?

It's videos like this that really motivate me to get out there and POTA. Keep it up Mike. I've been enjoying hunting you lately.

Great activation. I am originally from San Angelo. I have used Various Heil Headsets (preferable on Vox) for over 30 years of mobile rag chewing, County activations, and some serious SOLP contesting from Wyoming. Hands free operation frees up both hands for faster keyboard logging, and BONUS...You won't look like one of the "Professional Driver" types (Hi Hi) that are in love with their hand mics. Recently got the POTA app and hope to start activating during my camping and ADV motorcycle travels around WY and our family property near Wolf Creek, MT. Love every video that I have seen of yours. Keep up the good work! November Seven Many Zebras Walking. Chuck in 'Ol Cheyenne. 😎

Get more FARS. All the FARS!

Awesome video, the last contact was as fun as the first.

I don't understand how you can pick out those calls signs like you do???? W4SEX

Great Activation @Mike.

In-Fn-Credible Mike. I can see why you were so stoked. Great activation.
73s
Bob
WV7W

Liking your videos. Your one of the coolest ham guys out there. I will be a life long subscriber from now on. Been a ham since 1996 , extra class and I have never seen anyone have so much fun with ham radio. Keep it up !!!! Awesome brother !!!
Marc
Kf4imv

"I thought that was the state bird!" :D

That's my deal, Mike. Mobile mobile mobile. I love it. Using a SharkHF mini right now but I'm about to grab a yaesu atas 120a for the mobile.
I love going to a park and just getting at it. Right now I swap out and put on my M1ECC Slidewinder DX Coil and 6 ft whip for POTA and it has been fantastic. 73

my first activation i made 150 contacts.. was stoked! 4 hours. Then you were my first qso when i activated one of your old parks here in michigan, made 100 qso's in 2.5 hours. was happy! 891 and a wrc mini with a 213" whip. worked very well!

Great job Mike! This looks like it was a blast!

Nice job! I use a Scorpion on my little VW. I recently replaced my MFJ-1924 with a TuneMatic TM-1. It's been fantastic, almost completely automatic! I recently published a Scorpion video and have footage for the TuneMatic in the works. You got me thinking about "Top Activator" status. I live near K-0016 and drive through it almost every day. I'm the #2 activator with just three activations. I didn't even think about topping that list at some point. HAHA! It'll happen, though. I'm on the hunt for you, but I'm never sure of when I might find someone specific. Maybe some day. 73, -Scott, KE4WMF

I wish I could have nice things in my car. Up here in Portland that setup would be gone in five minutes.

I'm confused on the game? Doesn't the rules of activating sota peaks state it must not being attached to the car in any way?
Emergency situations I could see not caring about rules of vehicle attachment but for the Activation of Sota peak game having rules makes since for emergency realism.
No idea what you all are doing anyways? If in emergency couldn't you just call 100 people on the radio that day?

Great video!!!! what logging app do you use?

Mike....you re really a lucky guy !!! OMG, what a pile up !!! 309 contacts, because you are a really very talkative guy !! ha ha ha ha !! you should have make many more contacts !!!...... hope to be in one of your videos one day, activating french parks !! awesome...Pascal f5pnp

Get double stick squares from the hardware store to paste the spkr on top of controller. Easier and better than screws.....trust me

That was awesome! I'm so glad Eric, KJ4YZI, turned me on to your channel oh so long ago. Kudos, brother!

Nicely done Mike!! 🤘⚡️📻

HA HA . I missed myself on the first go of this video. KD2UBJ two parks for you. You type fast enough. BTW I was 10w into EFHW sloper for that QSO from WNY.

I’m fixing to hit that thumbs up button..

Outstanding Mike! Envious. Enjoyed watching your reaction to Alaska contact. 73 NM5SP

Hey Mike! You just did what I do almost always... run the mobile set up. Just wanted to mention something to you... West Mountain Radio's Epic Powergate is something you should look at. I have mine set up charging a 30 AH Bioenno Batter... the Powergate gets hooked directly to the car battery from the Powergate to the Battery.... with that setup, when I get to my destination, I can shut the car off and operate till the cows come home and it doesnt touch my car battery while the key is off... I've never even come close to running that 30 AH battery down, but I never have to worry about needing a jump in the middle of nowhere... Good vid...keep up the good work ...

Very cool pota video, thanks for sharing

Nice baritone voice, brother!

Damn, and I missed a late shift contact, but I'm in the log!

Its not just calling CQ. Its mostly internet spotting.

I got a big tarheel amd cant get it to hold tune.
Im not sure if propogation is affecting my swr. I would think that it would not, as the swr depends on the impedance of the radiating element. But

Figured id give you a shot amd see if youve had any similar experience.

My antennea is mounted on a truck, and it does see alot of abuse(live in rural area). It has held up extroardinarily well. It gets the snot beat out of her and she keeps tickin.

I have made a full length 40 meter dipole with a 30 foot pole with kenwood ts 570 ,looking forward in doing a pota later this summer ,thanks for the vid

Awesome accomplishment! Loved the video, Hope to contact you on the air someday!

Hey Mike! You should have stopped by the house on your way to Ratcliff! Anyway, nice video.
73, Calvin KI5OUP, Lovelady Texas

Jesus