The Great Ham Radio Slumber Party: 24 Hours of POTA Madness

What happens when three passionate ham radio operators decide to make history with the first-ever 24-hour Parks On The Air activation? The Live Free and Ham crew unveils their ambitious plans for a September 2025 event at Greenfield State Park that promises to combine radio operation, camping, community building, and possibly even fundraising for ham radio causes.

Todd shares his journey of radio removal and reinstallation as he upgrades to a new hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The surprising amount of dirt accumulated around his mobile installation serves as both a cautionary tale and a reminder of the real-world challenges facing mobile operators. His contemplation about whether to upgrade from his FT-300 to the FT-500 sparks a thoughtful discussion about radio features that make a meaningful difference for real-world operating conditions.

Meanwhile, Eric celebrates a ham radio milestone that was years in the making - receiving his QSL card confirmation from Antarctica, completing his all-continent collection nearly three years after making the contact via FT8. The Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition's card arrives with a charming misspelling that only adds to its collectible value. For DXers, this moment resonates as the sweet culmination of patience and persistence.

The hosts also explore Paul's continuing skydiving journey, with detailed insights into the progression through AFF levels and the value of wind tunnel training. His experience demonstrates how skills developed in controlled environments translate to real-world performance - a principle that applies equally well to developing ham radio expertise.

Whether you're interested in joining the 24-hour POTA activation, contemplating your next mobile installation, chasing DX confirmations, or simply enjoy the camaraderie of fellow radio enthusiasts, this episode offers something for every ham. Visit livefreeandham.com/24hour-poda to learn more about participating in what could become a new tradition in the Parks On The Air program!

To pre-register for the 24-Hour POTA Campout, use this link

https://livefreeandham.com/24h-pota

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Eric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR
Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch
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