Is anyone planning on participating in the NPOTA operating event? There are over 400 National Park locations to choose from. It sounds like a fun thing to do and a good way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park system.
Some of us locals are very interested and planning on operating. Unfortunately there are some downsides. ARRL HQ has not done a good job of coordinating with NPS and getting an MOU that would provide guidance to local park rangers. NPS apparently has not sent anything out to the parks. So we have run into some issues. It won't be a problem with large parks but with small parks in SC like Cowpens and Ninety Six, any operation setup would be obvious. So the rangers so far are talking about requirement for Special Use permit, no generators, etc.
On the ARRL side it is extremely disappointing that repeater QSOs don't count. In spite of my emails to HQ and my Division Director, ARRL won't budge on this. Makes no sense as there are many small sites or hard to get to like Fort Sumter where a handheld for repeater QSOs would be a good way to go. Maybe if more hams continue to raise the issue ARRL HQ will make a change, but I haven't seen any pigs with wings yet.
Regardless, for those of us with travel plans it could be an interesting thing to do along the way or a reason to go visit some parks.
73,
Jerry
K7UPJ
National Parks on the Air
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