eric pfeifer 4/21/25 eric pfeifer 4/21/25

A Fun and Fulfilling Parks on the Air Activation with GSARA

This past weekend, our Granite State Amateur Radio Association (GSARA) had the pleasure of hosting a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation—a special event that turned out to be a true testament to the spirit of amateur radio, despite some pretty challenging band conditions!

The day started off on a high note, with the rain holding off until about 12:30 PM. By then, most of our club members had already begun packing up, mainly because the bands were just not cooperating. It was a tough day for making contacts—conditions were quite horrible, to say the least—but that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm or the overall vibe of the event.

In fact, the challenges only highlighted the resilience and camaraderie of our club members. We took the opportunity to support POTA during a special weekend, known as SYP (Support Your Parks), and to enjoy some much-needed social time with fellow amateurs—both those we’ve known for a while and some new faces we were excited to meet for the first time. It was wonderful to see everyone sharing stories, asking questions, and exchanging tips—all in the spirit of ham radio.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was working with our newer GSARA members. Several of these newcomers had never activated a park before, and they spent over an hour walking from station to station, soaking in the experience, asking questions, and engaging socially. Seeing their enthusiasm and curiosity reminded us all of why we love this hobby so much—there’s always something new to learn and new friends to make.

Despite the rain and less-than-ideal band conditions, the day was a true success in my eyes. It was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the club and the hobby I love most. Moments like these reinforce the value of community, learning, and sharing the magic of amateur radio.