Episode 18: Has POTA Peaked? Campfires, Community, and the Future of Parks on the Air
Published: June 11, 2026
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKMKYlSsglY
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438895/episodes/19328548
Summary
Has Parks on the Air hit its peak? Fresh off the Third Annual Michigan POTA Meetup, where about 70 enthusiasts camped, activated, and swapped stories at Hartwick Pines State Park, the crew digs into POTA's explosive growth, what the declining solar cycle means for QRP and portable operators, and why CW and FT8 may matter more than ever as band conditions toughen. Is POTA in its twilight, or just entering its golden years?
In This Episode
The Everyday Ham merch store is live
Around the shack: Jim's Diamond X300 install, Rory's camper setup with the Yaesu FT-891 and FT-8900, and James flashing alternate firmware on his FX-4CR
Shout-outs to Penn AC8XI and Rob N1RWJ
A Hamvention attendance stat correction
Michigan POTA Meetup recap: what makes a regional meetup worth the drive
How to find or start a POTA meetup in your area
POTA board member Mark Torigian K8MST and the volunteers keeping the program running
Has POTA peaked? Growth curves, the solar cycle, and why CW and FT8 matter more as conditions decline
Chapters
0:00 Welcome and Intro
0:51 The Everyday Ham Merch Store Is Live
3:13 Around the Shack: Jim
7:32 Around the Shack: Rory
8:54 Shout-Outs: Penn AC8XI and Rob N1RWJ
10:20 Around the Shack: James
11:40 Hamvention Attendance Stat Correction
15:50 Michigan POTA Meetup Recap
23:36 What Brings Hams Together
39:20 Has POTA Peaked?
51:58 Band Conditions and the Solar Cycle
55:29 Stadium Cups and Wrap-Up
Mentioned in This Episode
Third Annual Michigan POTA Meetup at Hartwick Pines State Park (POTA US-1503): https://www.michiganpotameetup.com
Parks on the Air (volunteer-run; consider donating): https://parksontheair.com
Mark Torigian K8MST, POTA board member
Penn AC8XI and Rob N1RWJ
Diamond X300 antenna
Yaesu FT-891 and FT-8900
FX-4CR alternate firmware