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Beyond The Shack: Exploring The World of POTA and SOTA

Taking part in Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA) is a great way to bring the mostly indoor hobby of Amateur Radio to the great outdoors. Operating from designated locations, amateur radio enthusiasts can satisfy their technical interests while enjoying the natural beauty of the UK landscape.

In this article, we offer some guidance on how to get started and list the Icom radios best suited for POTA and SOTA activities.

What are the differences between POTA and SOTA?

Parks On The Air

Summits On The Air

Focuses on national parks and nature reserves. It is generally more accessible, with parking and camping friendly areas. This gives participants the ability to use battery powered radio equipment and operate from their vehicle (where permitted). With lower entry requirements and longer operating sessions, POTA is an attractive option for newcomers, people with disabilities or anyone wanting a convenient outdoor amateur radio experience.

Focuses on mountain peaks and usually involves hiking or climbing. It also has stricter rules (no operating from motor vehicles) defining it as more of an expedition activity where all equipment must be carried to the location. The combination of self-sufficiency and portable operation makes it both a physical and technical challenge, rewarding careful planning, a lightweight station design and efficient operating methods.

How To Activate

For safety and success, some preparation is needed before you take to the great outdoors. As the saying goes, proper planning prevents poor performance!

Choose your role: If you are leaving the shack, you will likely play the role of an Activator. Activators must be portable, use battery/ solar power and follow specific rules regarding location. They earn points based on summit height or simply by activating. Chasers contact the portable stations, requiring no special equipment or outdoor location and earn points for each unique activation worked.

Pick your spot: Use the dedicated POTA or SOTA apps and websites to find a nearby valid park or summit of your choice. Once you have selected your location, consider how you will travel and any safety regulations associated with the location (e.g. fire & camping restrictions, trail adherence or vehicle use). It is also worth remembering that you can cross over between programmes if you are in a location that contains a park and a summit.

Pack the essentials: Radio, battery, antenna and writing materials to log your activities. Plenty of drinking water and food supplies are also recommended, especially for longer operating sessions or vigorous hikes.

Spot yourself: Use the dedicated POTA or SOTA apps, websites or spotting networks to let chasers know you are on the air. Posting a spot with your callsign, operating frequency, mode and reference number alerts other operators in real time - helping them find you quickly and increasing your chances of building a strong, steady run of contacts. It is also a good idea to take a photo of the park name plate and/ or summit trig point to further verify your activation and celebrate your achievement.

Exchange info: Usually, a signal report and your location (park or summit reference) is all that's needed.

Entry Requirements

Aside from a valid Amateur Radio Licence issued by Ofcom, you will need:

Parks On The Air

Summits On The Air

Location: You must be within the legal boundary of a POTA recognised park (e.g. Peak District, South Downs or smaller local reserves). Equipment: Unlike SOTA, you can operate from a vehicle or use a generator, provided you are within the park boundary and following the park's rules. Contacts: You need at least 10 contacts for successful activation, though you can still upload fewer just to give out points. Registration: Sign up for a free account from www.parksontheair.com.

The Activation Zone: To activate a summit, you and all of your equipment must be within the top 25 vertical metres of the summit. No Engines: You cannot use a fossil-fuelled generator or stay inside a motor vehicle. You must hike/ bike/ climb to the location. Contacts: To get points for an activation, you must make at least 4 contacts (QSOs). These can be on any band (FM, SSB, CW or Digital). Registration: Create a free account on www.sota.org.uk to upload your logs.

The Icom Advantage

Icom Amateur radios have features and designs perfectly suited for POTA and SOTA activities. Some popular models include:

IC-705 HF/VHF/UHF Mobile Transceiver

Portable & Powerful: Nicknamed the ‘shack-in-a-rucksack’, the IC-705 is lightweight with an internal battery, yet capable of up to 10W output with external power, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.
All-Mode/All-Band: The IC-705 also provides HF, VHF and UHF simultaneously. Having this flexibility to switch bands and modes (including SSB, CW, AM, FM and digital) allows adaptive operating strategy to suit current band conditions, time of day and available antennas.
Accessories: Compatible with the AH-705 antenna tuner, which is designed specifically for portable use.

IC-7300MK2 HF/50/70 MHz Transceiver

Efficiency: The IC-7300MK2 has a lower RX current draw, ideal for battery-powered, solar or off-grid operation.
Antenna tuning: It also includes a Includes a built-in antenna tuner with an Enforced Tuning function for emergency, non-resonant antenna matching.
Power on the go: The 100W power, built-in speaker and large, intuitive touch screen make it ideal for setting up at a picnic table for pileup generating activation.
Portable Decoding: The MK2 includes a built in CW decoder, allowing operators to decode Morse code directly on the screen without needing an external PC.

IC-52E PLUS or ID-50E

Rugged design: IPX7 waterproof rated and operational within a temperature range of -20°C to +60°C, both the IC-52E PLUS and the ID-50E are ready for any weather.
Built-in GPS: Automatically identifies your precise location, allowing you to quickly find nearby repeaters, plot your path and share your coordinates with other operators.
USB / Type C charging: Convenient for outdoor adventure as it allows for charging via a power back or solar setups and eliminates the need for a fixed mains outlet.

Other Useful Tips

Lastly, here are some essential things to consider before and during your outdoor activities:

Leave No Trace: Always respect the environment no matter where you are. Taking your litter with you or putting it in a designated bin is rule number 1, but it also worth remembering that digging up plants and gathering wood or fungi can be damaging and are even forbidden in some areas.

Safety First: Especially for SOTA, ensure you have the right hiking gear and first aid supplies just in case. Checking the weather and adequately preparing for it ahead of your trip will also keep you safe, so that you can focus on the exiting stuff.

Battery Management: Efficient power use (specifically low power QRP rather than high power QRO) is recommended for POTA and SOTA. By minimising current draw, activators can extend operating time, carry lighter power sources and simplify their overall setup. QRP also encourages careful band selection, precise tuning and disciplined operating practices, making each successful contact feel more rewarding.

Whether you choose to visit a quiet park or hike to a breath-taking summit, Icom radios have everything you need for your POTA or SOTA adventures.
So start exploring, stay safe and above all, have fun!

If you want to know more about the IC-705 for POTA activities, watch our video: Icom IC-705 for POTA (Parks on the Air) with David Owen G0OES

Or if you would like more information on our Amateur range, you can call us on 01227 741741 or email us at sales@icomuk.co.uk.

POTA is a trademark of Parks on the Air Community Inc and SOTA is a trademark of the Radio Society of Great Britain. This article is for informational purposes and is not endorsed by POTA or SOTA.