Oscar M7OJA

Amateur Radio Station

Category: Radio News

  • POTA by Motorcycle – OE2BRO

    POTA by Motorcycle – OE2BRO

    If you have read any of my previous blog posts, you will know that I have an affection for the E7POTA group of radio amateurs. Their work has always been innovative, creative and showed the best that portable radio can offer. With Parks on the Air (POTA) an ever-growing scheme within the hobby, it’s great to have a group of keen operators who are a perfect example of how to participate and enjoy the outdoors while winning awards.

    I was speaking with Husein, E75HZ, who drew my attention to the activities of another member of the team. Dino (OE2BRO) has recently modified his trusty Kawasaki motorcycle specifically for portable radio activations and the result is impressive. Husein writes:

    “From the very beginning of the E7POTA story, colleague Dino (OE2BRO) surprises us again and again with his creativity and passion for radio amateur activations. His latest idea – to combine his love for motorcycles and POTA activations – has resulted in a unique project that could set new standards in mobile activations.

    Dino converted his old but reliable Kawasaki into a real little POTA rig. Along with the carefully crafted mounts, he mounted a modified pole for the Rotary Dipole antenna, while on the handlebars he installed a practical mount for a QRP radio (Xiegu G90 or similar). The power supply is provided by self-modified batteries, designed precisely for such off-road challenges.

    Dino used a Rotary Dipole fitted to a modified mount.

    The preparations took several days, mostly due to waiting for the delivery of certain components, but the result was worth every moment of the invested work. Dino successfully and stylishly activated two Austrian POTA parks – AT-0334 and AT-0335 – (the first activation) using the call sign OE/E7POTA.

    The smile on his face speaks volumes. The activations were more than successful, and for some of these parks they were the first recorded activities. His moto-approach attracted attention both among hams and beyond, as a great example of how passion, technical ingenuity and a spirit of adventure can come together in an unforgettable experience.

    Is Dino the first to activate POTA destinations in this way? Maybe he is, or maybe not – but one thing is certain: his project is unusual, innovative and inspiring.

    73 and 44 from the E7POTA community – and congratulations, Dino!“

    Often in amateur radio, the perfect solution isn’t readily available and requires some creativity. This is the best example of that, and this proactive and innovative approach to portable activating by Dino and the other members of E7POTA is exactly why I love the group and the POTA scheme as a whole.

    If you haven’t already watched my recorded interview with Esad E77PY, another member of the E7POTA group, you can can check this out HERE (link opens in new tab). If you would like to work E7POTA on the air, keep an eye on the POTA Cluster and follow the group on Facebook HERE (link opens in new tab) for info on upcoming activations and activities.

    73 and 44 de Oscar M7OJA.

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  • Support Your Parks Weekend – Spring

    Last weekend (19-20th April 2025) was the Spring edition of the “Support Your Parks Weekend” event. This is a quarterly event run by the Parks on the Air (POTA) team encouraging radio amateurs to “get on the air” from/to a park to support the program.

    I was pleased to be able to make contact with Riso OM6RT in his activation of Rumanovský park. Luckily for me, this meant I was issued with the special award for the event, which you can view below.

    I continue to support the Parks on the Air program, and I am pleased that such events exist to support the portable community within the hobby. Some of my best contacts have been while activating a local park/beach, and the proximity to the sea in my local area boosts signal propagation.

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  • New Article – Interview with Esad E77PY

    I had the pleasure of talking to Esad E77PY for a recorded conversation about the E7 POTA special event callsign for Parks on the Air (POTA) activations. You can watch the interview HERE.

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  • Radio News – Expedition to Bouvet

    3Y0K - Expedition to Bouvet

    A never-before-seen scale expedition is planned to Bouvet, the most remote island in the world. Planned for February 2026, the 3Y0K team of 18-24 operators are planning to operate on the island for around 3 weeks. The group has a budget of approximately $1.6 million dollars funded by various DXpedition groups and corporate sponsors.

    The group plans to arrive on the island by helicopter (by the Norwegian Polar Institute) before sailing on an icebreaker for around a week. Two camps are planned to be setup, one focusing on North American contacts and the other on the rest of the world. SSB and CW will be prioritised, with some operation on digital modes such as FT8 and RTTY and via the QO-100 satellite.

    The DXpedition will participate in various awards schemes, with the following references:

    Parks on the Air (POTA) –BV-0001

    Islands on the Air (IOTA) – AN-002

    World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) – LAFF-0044

    Summits on the Air (SOTA) – BV-001

    QSL cards will be offered for any contacts during the expedition. Currently, a PayPal Online QSL Request (OQRS) and Logbook of the World (LOTW) confirmation will be $15, with bureau requests priced at $3. Direct cards will also be answered, with a suggested minimum contribution of $5 or more. For those unable to make a financial contribution, a free bureau QSL card option will become available after the expedition and when other requests are processed.

    QSL requests will be available via Charles M0OXO at his website HERE (link opens in new tab).

    Further information about the expedition is available at the 3Y0K dedicated website, accessible HERE.

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