Our radio crew in TOG have really gotten into Parks on the Air over the last few months. We’re a little bit hooked.
For anyone new to it,Parks on the Air, or POTA, is an amateur radio activity where operators head out to recognised parks and make contacts from the field. It is a great mix of radio, portable operating, problem solving, and getting outdoors. It also has plenty for SWLs and curious newcomers, so it is not just for the people behind the mic.
We have already had great days out at Bull Island, the Botanic Gardens, and Ticknock outings, and now we are setting our sights on something a bit more ambitious.
On Sunday, 31st May, TOG Hackerspace and South Dublin Radio Club are planning a POTA Rover Day around Dublin.
The plan is simple enough on paper and a bit mad in practice: activate five parks in one day. If all goes to plan, that should qualify for the POTA Rover Warthog award, which is given for activating five unique references in a single UTC day.
We will be starting at 8am at IE-0213 — The Grand Canal Way Conservation Area, right by TOG Hackerspace, and then moving on to:
IE-0229 — Phoenix Park National Park/ IE-0250— Farmleigh Estate Historic Site
IE-0164 — Merrion Square Park National Historical Park
IE-0226 — Iveagh Gardens National Park
Because this is a rover day, we cannot promise exact times for each park. A lot will depend on how each activation goes, how travel works out, and how much chat we get dragged into along the way.
This could be a great idea, or it could totally fall apart, but that is all part of the fun. Amateur radio has always had that experimental side to it, and a day like this has a real sense of adventure.
Part of the fun of the day is that it overlaps with some of the regular Sunday radio activity too. We hope to make use of the South Dublin Radio Club weekly 40m net, which gets going from 08:30 local time and the IRTS Weekly News goes out nationally at 11:00 on 7.123 MHz SSB and in Dublin at 11:45 on 145.525 FM.
Some of our members are even hoping to complete the rover by bike, which feels very on-brand for us, but you do not need to cycle to take part. You are very welcome to join us for the whole day, or just drop in for one of the parks if that suits you better.
You will also be able to track our rough location live on APRS.fi by searching for EI0TOG.
What we really like about POTA is that it gets radio out into the world. It brings together portable antennas, operating skills, experimentation, a bit of fresh air, and plenty of chances for curious passers-by to ask what on earth we are up to. It also makes space for SWLs and newcomers to come along, listen, learn, and get involved without any pressure.
So if you fancy a day of parks, radios, and a slightly over-ambitious plan to bag five activations in one go, get in touch. We would love to have company for all or even just part of the route.