What exactly is a “POTA”?

Parks on the Air (POTA) is an international radio sport award program that encourages licensed amateur radio operators to visit, enjoy and operate portable equipment in a variety of parks and public lands, always respecting other park users and local regulations. POTA issues awards to participants based on a wide range of criteria including the total number of radio contacts made, number made on each amateur radio band, and for different modes of communication including voice, Morse code or FT8.

GARS has a POTA weekend scheduled on the third weekend of each month, usually Saturdays.