When I set out to activate a park today, I didn’t know where, but rather, only how I wanted to do it. I have been using FT8 so much lately that I got to missing my little CW only radios.

The Penntek TR-35 CW QRP radio is perfect for POTA

Today saw the re-emergence of the Penntek TR-35 and all the little widgets I made to go with it. I really love this little radio and now I have built an actual travel kit around it so if I wanted to take it somewhere on a plane, the kit will fit in my carry on baggage.

The travel kit doesn’t include the s-meter module or power pack/speaker, but those are “luxuries” anyway. The kit does have everything needed to get the radio on the air and making contacts and that is all that it has. Anyway, let’s get to today!

Pictured above is the radio and the “S meter” I built to go along with it. This meter works really well and makes using the radio just a little more fun for me. Is it needed? No, not at all, but that isn’t the point. This needle bouncing around while I copy code somehow is soothing for some reason and I can see how strong the signal is visually as well. I wrote about how I built in in this blog post.

Another thing of note is that this tiny little N6ARA key works REALLY well. Way better than something this simple should work… It actually works so well that it is worth using as a regular key. It is that good. Now to be fair, I dont know what the life of the key would be as it is PC board material so the contact thickness isn’t that much, but these keys do work really well. It takes a while to get it dialed in (read that as adjusted to your sending feel and style) but once you do, it is amazing how well it works. I should have gotten the larger variant, but I had this silly idea about minimalism and because of this, I got the little one.

Getting the key adjusted correctly and then some practice using it and this thing is amazing. Take it from me, if your not super concerned with every gram of weight, then get the bigger unit. It gives you so much more to hold onto that it isn’t even a option for me now. I still have the small one, but I do plan at some point to get the larger case for it.

Getting a spot on the POTA website

I posted this screen shot, of my spot on the POTA website, because I wanted to thank David- WA2OTC for going to the trouble of spotting me on the website while I was at the park without good cellular signal. He even came back to me and let me know that he had gotten the spot on there before moving on with his hunt. Thank you David!

It was really nice to not have to worry about getting on the website and getting myself spotted. You are probably thinking, then how did you get the screen shot? Well, I didn’t have a total black out, but just weak signal, so I simply loaded up the website and waited the 5 minutes or so for it to populate (seriously, I thought it would never load) so I could grab a screen shot for the blog. It would update EVER SO SLOWLY if I left it on the page. This location is a geographical oddity, it is close to the city but in a particular spot where there is terrible cellular coverage for some reason.

Welcome to fall and winter in the south. I have realized over the years that we get most of our water in the winter and I have planned accordingly. Things like the tape on the coax connector below to keep the rain out during an activation… Don’t forget to keep a roll of electrical tape in your car. Another trick I learned in working electrical maintenance over the years is that if you wrap the tape inside out (sticky side to the outside) then it wont leave residue on the cable and it works just as well for this purpose. We used it on factory motor connections so the rubber insulating tape would not stick to the connectors and it make changing the motors so much easier.

This exact weather event is what drove me to build the truck-tenna mount and figure out a power source for inside the truck cab to start with. POTA in the rain can still be fun as long as you plan for it.

The Inside-Out Electrical Tape Trick (From 20 Years of Electrical Maintenance)

I learned this trick working electrical maintenance over the years and it's perfect for POTA rain operations. The standard method that most people use is wrapping electrical tape with the sticky side to the connector, and this works fine for permanent installations where you're never going to take it apart again. But here's the problem for POTA: it leaves sticky residue when you remove it, it attracts dirt and moisture over time, and it's a pain to clean off in the field when you're trying to pack up and get home!

The inside-out method is way better for portable operations. You wrap the tape sticky side OUT, which sounds completely backwards but hear me out! The first wrap still sticks to itself even though it's reversed. It forms a perfect… well, close enough… waterproof barrier just like normal tape would. But here's the magic: when you peel it off after the activation, there's no residue on your connector! You can do this multiple times without any sticky buildup.

So how did I learn this? We used it on factory motor connections in industrial settings so the rubber insulating tape would not stick to the connectors and it made changing the motors so much easier. Motors would run for years in dusty, dirty environments and when it came time to replace them, the tape would peel right off without leaving any mess behind. The connectors underneath would be clean and ready to reconnect immediately.

For ham radio applications, I wrap coax connectors sticky-side-out, cover BNC connections between the radio and coax, and protect any exposed metal from rain. It works perfectly! Here's the actual process: Connect your coax normally first. Start the tape wrap with the sticky side facing OUT (this feels weird at first!). Wrap it around the connector 2-3 times, overlapping each wrap by about half. Press the tape to itself as you go so it forms a good seal. And that's it! You're done and it's completely waterproof…for a little while (long enough to complete the activation).

After the activation when you're packing up, peel off the tape and toss it in the trash.

Just like the tape on the coax connector below to keep the rain out during an activation... Don't forget to keep a roll of electrical tape in your car! This simple trick has saved countless activations from rain-related failures. I'm serious about always having a roll in the truck because you never know when weather is going to change on you!

Another thing that has happened at this location is that someone has cleaned it up… I am guessing the park service since there were chainsaws used…a lot. The cut all of the dead trees out as well as cleaned up all the dead-fall and then mowed the entire site! This is the first time I have seen this happen since doing POTA! The photo below was take just a month or so back.

The Joy of CW-Only Operations

There's something special about CW-only rigs like the Penntek TR-35 that's hard to explain until you've actually used one for a while.

The first thing you notice is there's no mode confusion. It's CW and that's it! You don't sit there thinking "should I try SSB instead?" or "maybe FT8 would work better in these conditions?" You just do CW all the time and you stop second-guessing yourself. That simplification is actually really freeing!

This leads to simplified operating in general. There are fewer controls to fiddle with. There's no mic gain to adjust, no audio levels to mess with(other then the obvious AF Gain knob for your headphones), no VOX settings or anything like that. It's just frequency and volume and you're done. You send code, you receive code, and that's the entire operating experience. No menus, no submenus, no functions buried three levels deep in software!

Here's something I didn't expect when I first started using CW-only radios: it actually forces you to improve! You can't fall back on voice modes if CW is hard. You actually have to learn the code better. You have to build your speed and confidence because there's no other option. And you know what? This makes you a better CW operator! When you go back to radios that have multiple modes, your CW skills are way better than they were before.

There's also this Zen quality to CW that's hard to describe. The rhythmic sending and receiving, the meditative quality of copying code, the direct brain-to-brain communication without any voice involved... it's pure information transfer! No misunderstood words, no voice characteristics, just the message itself getting through. I know that sounds kind of woo-woo but it's real!

After using FT8 (which is great!), phone modes (also great!), and other digital modes (all great!), sometimes I just want the simplicity of CW. One mode, one band (20 meters on the TR-35 is a good safe bet), one purpose which is to make contacts! No computer required, no sound card interface, no USB cables, no software updates. Just the radio, the key, and propagation.

This is exactly why today's activation was so satisfying for me. No menus to navigate, no mode switching to think about, no computer to set up and troubleshoot. Just me, the key, the radio, and the other operators on the other end. Simple! And after almost an hour of non-stop contacts, I realized this is what I really love about ham radio. The simplicity and the direct connection to other people through Morse code. I really love this little radio!

So after getting the radio setup and checked for SWR, I hopped on 20 meters right away. I wanted to be sure to get the activation fairly quickly as I didn’t a long time to stay and I also was using my Penntek TR-35 radio which is QRP power too. This gives me the best possible chances at activating…well, I underestimated the capability of the radio a little as you can see from the log. LOL. I first hunted AC4BT to just see if I could get through, this is because lot’s of activators today use 100 watt radios so just listening to the other stations no longer gives you an idea of how strong your signal will be. I make my point with the signal reaport I got back. He was booming into my radio and I was a 339 to him. 339 is workable so I moved to a clear spot, called QRL a few times, then called CQ and that is when things took off!

For almost the next hour, the bands were on fire! The only time there was a significant time between contacts was when I tried to reply to KM3STU and couldn’t get him. He came in strong and then vanished. Shoot, at one point I worked Germany! He was closer to the noise than the other stations but I was able to dig his call out after a minute. It is ALWAYS awesome to work another continent with a QRP radio!!! Alas, after about 45 minutes of non-stop contacts, the band just fell silent for me and after calling CQ for a few minutes, I called QRT and shut down the station as I needed to pack up anyway. This was a great POTA activation for me and one where I look back fondly at how much fun a tiny little radio can be.

I will say it again, if you have thought about activating a park, just do it. If you have hunted, then you know the exchange. Just write the park number at the top of the page for when you work another activator and the want to exchange park numbers with you. You can see that I paper log in the field then enter it into a computer when I get home to submit it to the POTA site so the hunters get credit. I will be honest here, if the hunters didn’t get credit for the contacts as well, I wouldn’t bother uploading the logs at all. For me it is about the experience and not the awards, this is why I have never submitted anything for awards from any organization. I just like operating on the air. So those logs upload are for you, not me… you see, without the hunter, this would not be a huge hobby like it is today, so I want them to get the credit they deserve. Anyway I will stop rambling and until next time, get your radio out and talk to someone on it!

Frequently Asked Questions About CW POTA and QRP Operations

Can you do POTA activations in the rain?

Absolutely! POTA in the rain can still be fun as long as you plan for it. This is exactly what drove me to build the truck-tenna mount and figure out a power source for inside the truck cab to start with. Here's what you need:

Waterproofing:

Electrical tape on coax connectors (keeps rain out!)
Pro tip: Wrap the tape inside out (sticky side to the outside) so it won't leave residue on the cable and it works just as well
Keep a roll of electrical tape in your car at all times
I learned this trick working electrical maintenance over the years

Operating from the vehicle:

Truck-tenna (receiver hitch) mount lets you operate from inside
Power source in the cab (battery or power supply)
Stay dry and comfortable
Still counts as a valid POTA activation as the whole station is inside the park boundry.

Welcome to fall and winter in the south! We get most of our water in the winter, so I've planned accordingly. Don't let weather stop you from activating parks!

What is QRP and why do you use it for POTA?

QRP means low power operation, typically 5 watts or less. My Penntek TR-35 is a QRP radio, and honestly? I love using it for POTA! Here's why:

Why QRP is awesome:

Small, lightweight radios (easy to carry)
Lower power consumption (batteries last longer)
Challenge and satisfaction (you worked them with 5 watts!)
Proves propagation is good (if you can get through at QRP, conditions are solid)
Fun factor (there's something special about making DX contacts on 5 watts!)

Reality check: The signal report I got from AC4BT was 339 (readable but weak). But you know what? It's workable! I hunted him first just to see if I could get through, because lots of activators today use 100-watt radios so just listening to other stations no longer gives you an idea of how strong your signal will be. At one point I worked Germany with this little radio! It is ALWAYS awesome to work another continent with a QRP radio!!!

QRP isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy the challenge and the simplicity of small radios, it's incredibly rewarding!

What's the advantage of CW over voice or digital modes for POTA?

CW (Morse code) has some real advantages for POTA activations:

Narrow bandwidth:

Gets through noise better than voice
Can copy weak signals that would be unreadable on SSB
Works in poor conditions

Lower power required:

QRP CW is more effective than QRP voice
5 watts CW = 20+ watts SSB in terms of effectiveness
Better battery life

Faster exchanges:

CW POTA exchange can be quick and efficient
Less time per contact = more contacts per activation
Usually people can make clean contacts in poor operating conditions with CW where voice would fail or require many repeats.

Personal preference: I have been using FT8 so much lately that I got to missing my little CW only radios! There's something meditative about copying code and sending with a straight key. The rhythm, the simplicity, the direct connection to the other operator. It's just fun!

That said, use whatever mode you enjoy! POTA is about getting on the air and having fun, whether that's CW, SSB, FT8, or anything else.

How do you activate a POTA park without good cellular signal?

This is a real challenge! At this particular location (a geographical oddity), I'm close to the city but in a spot where there's terrible cellular coverage for some reason. Here's how to handle it:

Before you leave:

Download offline maps of the park
Have your POTA park number written down
Know the exchange you'll use
Pre-plan your frequency and mode and schedule them on the POTA website ahead of time

At the park:

Self-spot if you can get any signal at all (even slow!)
Ask another station to spot you (like WA2OTC did for me!)
Just start calling CQ and hunters will find you eventually

The WA2OTC story: I wanted to thank David WA2OTC for going to the trouble of spotting me on the website while I was at the park without good cellular signal. He even came back to me and let me know that he had gotten the spot on there before moving on with his hunt. Thank you David! It was really nice to not have to worry about getting on the website and getting myself spotted.

Getting screenshots with weak signal: I didn't have a total blackout, but just weak signal, so I simply loaded up the website and waited the 5 minutes or so for it to populate (seriously, I thought it would never load) so I could grab a screenshot for the blog. It would update EVER SO SLOWLY if I left it on the page.

The ham radio community is great about helping activators get spotted. If you can't self-spot, just ask on frequency!

What is the Penntek TR-35 and why do you like it?

The Penntek TR-35 is a tiny QRP CW-only transceiver for 20 meters. It puts out about 5 watts and is incredibly simple. I really love this little radio! Here's why:

What makes it special:

CW only (no distractions, just Morse code)
20 meter monoband (one band, done well)
QRP power (5 watts, battery-friendly)
Small and portable (travel kit friendly)
Simple to operate (no menus, just tune and send)

My travel kit: Now I have built an actual travel kit around it so if I wanted to take it somewhere on a plane, the kit will fit in my carry-on baggage. The travel kit doesn't include the S-meter module or power pack/speaker, but those are "luxuries" anyway. The kit does have everything needed to get the radio on the air and making contacts and that is all that it has!

Real-world performance: For almost the next hour after I started calling CQ, the bands were on fire! I worked Germany! The only time there was significant time between contacts was when I tried to reply to KM3STU and couldn't get him. After about 45 minutes of non-stop contacts, the band just fell silent for me.

This was a great POTA activation and one where I look back fondly at how much fun a tiny little radio can be!

What is the N6ARA key and how well does it work?

The N6ARA key is a tiny straight key designed for portable operations. I have the small version, and honestly? This tiny little N6ARA key works REALLY well. Way better than something this simple should work!

Why it works:

Simple PCB construction (printed circuit board material)
Adjustable contacts and “spring” tension
Compact size (fits in tiny kits)
Surprisingly good feel when dialed in

The adjustment process: It takes a while to get it dialed in (read that as adjusted to your sending feel and style), but once you do, it is amazing how well it works! Getting the key adjusted correctly and then some practice using it and this thing is amazing.

My regret: I should have gotten the larger variant, but I had this silly idea about minimalism and because of this, I got the little one. Take it from me, if you're not super concerned with every gram of weight, then get the bigger unit. It gives you so much more to hold onto that it isn't even an option for me now. I still have the small one, but I do plan at some point to get the larger case for it.

Longevity question: To be fair, I don't know what the life of the key would be as it is PC board material so the contact thickness isn't that much, but these keys do work really well. It actually works so well that it is worth using as a regular key. It is that good!

Why did you build an S-meter for the Penntek TR-35?

The Penntek TR-35 doesn't come with an S-meter, and I wanted one! I built a simple S-meter module that works really well and makes using the radio just a little more fun for me. I wrote about how I built it in this blog post.

Is it needed? No, not at all, but that isn't the point! This needle bouncing around while I copy code somehow is soothing for some reason and I can see how strong the signal is visually as well.

Why I like it:

Visual feedback (see signal strength)
Satisfying to watch (needle bouncing with code)
Helps tune in weak signals
Just makes operating more enjoyable

It's one of those "luxuries" that isn't necessary but adds to the fun factor. And isn't that what ham radio is all about?

Should you upload your POTA logs even if you don't care about awards?

Yes! I will be honest here, if the hunters didn't get credit for the contacts as well, I wouldn't bother uploading the logs at all. For me it's about the experience and not the awards. This is why I have never submitted anything for awards from any organization. I just like operating on the air.

Why upload logs:

Hunters get credit for their contacts
Without the hunter, this wouldn't be a huge hobby like it is today
Those log uploads are for you, not me
It's the right thing to do for the community

My logging process: I paper log in the field then enter it into a computer when I get home to submit it to the POTA site so the hunters get credit. You can see my paper log in the photos!

I want hunters to get the credit they deserve. Without them, POTA wouldn't be what it is today!

What should a beginner know before attempting their first POTA activation?

Just do it! If you have thought about activating a park, just do it. Here's what you need to know:

If you've hunted, you already know the exchange:

Your callsign
Signal report
Park number (write it at the top of your log page)
If working another activator, exchange park numbers

Start simple:

Pick a mode you're comfortable with (CW, SSB, FT8, whatever!)
Bring a paper log (you can log electronically later)
Start on 20 meters (most activity)
Call CQ and see what happens!

Don't overthink it: I underestimated the capability of the radio a little as you can see from the log, LOL. I first hunted AC4BT just to see if I could get through, then moved to a clear spot, called QRL a few times, then called CQ and that is when things took off!

The hardest part is just getting started. Once you make that first contact, you'll realize it's not scary at all. It's fun!

What power source do you use for in-vehicle POTA operations?

I figured out a power source for inside the truck cab specifically for rainy day operations. Options include:

Battery options:

Bioenno LiFePO4 batteries (lightweight, efficient)
Sealed lead acid (cheaper but heavier)
Cigarette lighter adapter (if your vehicle supports it)

QRP advantage: Since the Penntek TR-35 only uses 5 watts, battery consumption is minimal. You can operate for hours on a small battery!

Rain operations: Having power inside the vehicle means you can operate comfortably in any weather. The truck-tenna mount lets me set up the antenna outside while I stay dry inside. POTA in the rain can still be fun as long as you plan for it!

BONUS QUESTION: What's your favorite part about POTA activations?

The experience! For me it's about the experience and not the awards. There's something special about:

Taking radios to beautiful parks
Making contacts from random locations
The challenge of QRP and CW
Meeting other operators on the air
Just being outside with radio gear

Today was a great POTA activation for me and one where I look back fondly at how much fun a tiny little radio can be. The bands were on fire, I worked Germany on 5 watts, and I spent almost an hour making contacts in the rain from my truck!

That's what ham radio should be: fun, challenging, and rewarding. So get your radio out and talk to someone on it!

Rainy day CW POTA is the best...for me.