Foreword
Amateur radio has a long tradition of portable operating, and two of the most popular organized ways to take your rig outdoors are Summits on the Air (SOTA) and Parks on the Air (POTA). Both encourage getting outside, exercising portable skills, and making contacts that earn awards — but they have different emphases, rules, and community practices. This article explains each activity, how people typically operate (including commonly used frequencies and bands), where to find official resources, and some dos-and-don’ts for smooth activations. This article was generated in part with AI and prompting created by Joe Sammartino, N2QOJ. Some editing was applied for clarification, readability, accuracy, and to provide a more region-friendly narrative.
What is SOTA?
Summits on the Air (SOTA) is an international award scheme that rewards amateur operators who go to officially-listed summits and make on-air contacts from those high points (called activators), and the hams who work them from elsewhere (called chasers). The program is point-based: summits are assigned point values (higher summits generally give more points), and activators/chasers accumulate points toward certificates and awards. SOTA is intentionally portable-focused: equipment must be carried to the summit and powered by portable sources (batteries/solar), and repeater contacts do not count.
Key SOTA rules to know
• To activate a summit and receive points you must make contacts from the summit. The general expectation is at least one contact is required to “activate” a summit and four valid, different-station QSOs are required to score activator points (so most activators aim for ≥4 distinct contacts). Repeaters are not allowed for SOTA credit.
• SOTA has regional associations, a database of summits, and online spotting/alert systems (see SOTAwatch) to coordinate who’s operating where and on what frequency. sotawatch.
Typical SOTA operating styles
• Many activators use QRP HF setups (low power, lightweight radios and wire antennas) to work long-distance chasers, especially on SSB, CW, and digital modes.
• VHF/UHF (most commonly 2 meters) is also popular for activations that are within local range of chasers — think quick FM simplex contacts from the hilltop.
What is POTA?
Parks on the Air (POTA) is a broadly similar concept but focused on parks and public lands rather than mountain summits. Activators set up portable stations inside designated park units (national, state/provincial, regional parks, and certified trails) and make contacts; hunters work those activations from home or portable locations. POTA emphasizes outreach, emergency preparedness, and public-facing demonstrations of amateur radio, and it also maintains an extensive database of parks and an active spotting/score system.
POTA rules & operating guidance (practical highlights)
• POTA does not mandate a specific required exchange — many activators send callsign, signal report, and park reference — but it does expect activators to log contacts and to follow good on-air etiquette. POTA’s official documentation explicitly states the program does not maintain a list of recommended frequencies; instead activators should find a clear frequency within their license privileges and self-spot on the POTA spotting page so hunters can find them.
• POTA encourages using the POTA spotting pages (pota.app / pota.app spots) and uploading logs to the POTA system so both activators and hunters get credit.
________________________________________
Frequencies & bands — How People Actually Use Them
Important: Neither program globally enforces a single calling frequency. Both rely heavily on spotting tools (SOTAwatch for SOTA, POTA spotting pages) and on local/common conventions. That said, the ham community has developed accepted practices and popular places on the bands where activators often call CQ. Below are the commonly used bands/frequencies reported by operators and by program guidance — with a reminder to listen first, spot yourself, and avoid stepping on existing conversations.
SOTA — common habits
• HF (most international SOTA activity): 40 m and 20 m are heavily used for SOTA HF activations (40m is a staple in many regions; 20m is very common for longer-distance contacts). Regional community pages and activator reports often point to places like 7.090–7.100 MHz (40 m SSB) and 14.285–14.313 MHz (20 m SSB) as starting areas where activators and chasers tend to congregate — but exact choice depends on propagation and local band plans that day. Always check SOTAwatch spots to see where an activator has self-spotted.
• VHF (2 m): For local simplex SOTA contacts, the 2-meter simplex calling frequency (146.52 MHz in North America) is often used as a fallback — but many activators prefer to move slightly away (e.g., 146.55/146.50/146.58 depending on local regional use) if the calling frequency is busy, following the ARRL band plan and local custom. In short: try 146.52 if you’re in range, but be ready to QSY (move) to a clear simplex frequency.
POTA — common habits
• No single “POTA frequency” — but common bands: POTA activators operate across HF, VHF, and increasingly on digital modes. The most used HF bands mirror general portable practice: 40 m and 20 m are frequently used for SSB activations, and 30 m and FT8/FT4 on 20/40/30 are common for low-power digital activity. POTA’s official guidance explicitly does not list recommended frequencies and urges activators to pick a clear frequency and self-spot on the POTA web pages so hunters know where to listen.
• Digital modes: POTA actively supports digital modes (FT8, PSK, WSPR) and has documentation and community groups for CW/digital operation; many activators use the RBN and POTA spot gateways to ensure their frequency and mode are shown on the spot page.
What the community commonly does (short rules of thumb)
• Listen first. Always monitor the frequency for a minute or two to ensure you don’t interrupt a net or an existing contact. This guidance is strongly emphasized in both SOTA and POTA operating advice.
• Spot yourself. If you have internet access, post a spot (SOTAwatch or POTA spot) with the band/frequency and mode. Hunters will tune to your announced frequency.
• Use local calling frequencies only as a last resort. In VHF SOTA the national simplex calling frequency (e.g., 146.52 MHz in the U.S.) is handy to raise local chasers; but if it’s crowded, move to a clear simplex channel.
________________________________________
Practical activation checklist (quick)
1. Plan & check rules: Confirm summit/park eligibility and any park permits or restrictions. Register your activation on SOTA/POTA portals if required or recommended.
2. Pack lightweight gear: radio, batteries, quick antenna (end-fed, dipole, or small beam for VHF), logging method (paper/app), safety gear, and leave-no-trace materials.
3. Before transmitting: listen, choose a clear frequency, self-spot, and announce your callsign, mode, park/summit reference (optional but helpful).
4. Logging: Record each QSO (UTC), band, mode, and the station you worked. Upload per program rules after you get home.
________________________________________
Etiquette, safety and legal reminders
• Follow your license privileges (bands and power limits) for the country you’re operating in. POTA’s activator guide reminds operators to find a frequency within their license privileges. Parks on the Air Documentation
• Don’t use repeaters for SOTA credit (repeaters are explicitly excluded). POTA allows use of whatever’s legal and acceptable locally, but credit rules and good practice favor simplex and direct contacts when possible.
• Respect parks and summits: minimize impact, pick spots that won’t block trails, pack out all gear and trash, and check with park staff if you plan a large setup. POTA documentation includes a station footprint guide and park permit suggestions. Parks on the Air Documentation ________________________________________
Where to learn more (official & useful resources)
• Arizona POTA – Great Group, Admin Rob Monsipapa – AK7RM https://www.facebook.com/groups/399293225621827
• Summits on the Air (SOTA, official): SOTA program pages and online resources, including SOTAwatch for alerts and spots.
• Parks on the Air (POTA, official): program home, POTA spotting page, and the POTA documentation site (Activator Guide, CW/Digital Guides).
• ARRL guidance: articles on portable operating and SOTA/POTA-style activity. Useful for general band plans (e.g., 2-meter simplex calling frequency).
• Community reports and blogs: operator writeups (K0NR, ParksnPeaks, etc.) capture the practical frequency habits and tips that vary region to region. These are great for learning local conventions.
SOTA & POTA Field Checklist
1. Pre-Trip Planning Confirm summit/park reference (SOTA/POTA) Check access rules, permits, trail conditions Post alert/plan on SOTAwatch or POTA Spots (if desired) Review band plan and current solar/propagation forecast
2. Essential Gear Radio (HF and/or VHF/UHF) Batteries (charged), power cables, spare power bank Antenna: end-fed, dipole, vertical, or VHF whip Coax/feedline & adapters Mast/supports, guy lines, stakes Headphones or earbuds Logging method: notebook/pencil or logging app Watch/phone for UTC time Spotting method: phone/tablet with data Spare fuses, small tool kit, tape, paracord
3. Safety & Comfort Map/GPS, charged phone First-aid, kit Water, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing Sunscreen, hat, gloves Emergency whistle/light
4. On-Site Pre-Flight Checks Choose a safe, low-impact operating position Assemble antenna away from trails/visitors Verify SWR and connections Listen before transmitting—ensure frequency is clear. Self-spot (if possible) Announce callsign, reference, mode, frequency
5. Commonly Used Frequencies (Guideline Only) 40m SSB: 7.090–7.100 MHz 20m SSB: 14.285–14.313 MHz 20/40/30m Digital (FT8/FT4): Standard FT8/FT4 sub-bands 2m FM Simplex (US): 146.52 MHz (call), plus nearby simplex channels
6. Logging Requirements Record UTC time, band, mode, callsign Confirm at least 4 QSOs for SOTA activator points Upload logs to SOTA/POTA after returning
Common SOTA / POTA Frequencies in U.S. & Canada VHF — 2 m (FM / Simplex)
• 146.52 MHz — This is the national 2m FM simplex calling frequency. It is very commonly used by SOTA activators as a first contact point.
• 146.58 MHz — Known in the SOTA community as the “North America Adventure Frequency” (NAAF). Many activators use this as an alternate to 146.52, especially to avoid congestion.
• Other Simplex Options:
o 146.55 MHz and 146.49 MHz are sometimes used by VHF mountaintop operators to spread out and reduce congestion. ham14er.groups.io o In some local groups, 146.550 MHz is used (for example, in parts of California) as an alternate frequency.
HF Common SSB / Phone Frequencies (Guidance for POTA Activators)
According to the Considerate POTA Operator’s Frequency Guide (USA general-license mapping): atlantahamradio.org Band Suggested / Typical POTA Calling Frequency (SSB) 20 m ~ 14.285 MHz (QRP SSB calling) 40 m ~ 7.285–7.290 MHz (7.285 MHz QRP, 7.290 MHz AM calling in their condensed guide)
What Current (2024–2025) Trends Suggest for U.S. / Canada (“Real-World” Frequencies)
2 m FM / VHF
1. 146.58 MHz (“Adventure Frequency”)
o Many activators, especially SOTA, are using 146.58 MHz FM regularly. This is often referred to as the North American Adventure Frequency (NAAF).
o According to the Adventure Radio Protocol, this frequency is deliberately used for “outdoor activity,” including SOTA and POTA, to reduce congestion on 146.52.
o There is also a recommended CTCSS tone of 88.5 Hz for SOTA/POTA use under that protocol. Q R P e r o Some newer operators report (on Reddit) that they hear a lot of activators on 146.58 and consider it their first choice: “I see on SOTAwatch that many activators use 146.58.” reddit.com 2. 146.52 MHz (National Simplex)
o This remains in use as a calling frequency, though activators sometimes choose 146.58 first to avoid tying up the 146.52 simplex. k0nr.com
o The strategy many use: start on 146.58, then move (QSY) to 146.52 or another clear simplex channel if needed. SOTA Reflector+1 Takeaway for VHF / 2 m: For recent SOTA / POTA activity, 146.58 MHz FM is very common in the U.S./Canada among field activators. It’s not guaranteed that all activations start there, but it’s a strong, currently trendy “go-to” in the community.
HF (POTA / SOTA) — Phone, CW, Digital
• According to the POTA Activator Guide (2025), activators should pick a clear frequency within their license-allowed bands and self-spot. The guide does not prescribe fixed calling frequencies*. Parks on the Air Documentation
• Because of that flexibility, there’s no formal mandated “most used frequency” for POTA on HF, and usage can change significantly depending on band conditions, propagation, and activator preference. • Community reports (from activators) suggest 20 m and 40 m remain very active for POTA: e.g., in one POTA activation write-up, about 40% of QSOs were on 40 m, the remainder primarily on 20 m.
• For CW, the POTA CW Guide mentions that Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) skimmers pick up activators’ CW calls and reflect those on the POTA spot page. Parks on the Air Documentation • Because activators self-spot, the spot page shows their “freshest frequency”, rather than a standardized one — this helps hunters tune to where activators are actually calling. Parks on the Air Documentation ________________________________________
Analysis & Interpretation
• The strongest recent signal (so to speak) in U.S./Canada for activator frequency choice is on 2 m FM: 146.58 MHz is very widely used (and growing in popularity) for outdoor “OTA”-style activity like SOTA and POTA.
• On HF, the variety is wider, and activators are spread out more, using different bands and modes depending on conditions, their station, and how they spot. There’s less of a single “go-to” that dominates in recent aggregated data (at least in publicly visible spot-data).
• Because self-spotting is central to modern operation, many activators do not rely on default calling frequencies: they pick a clear frequency, self-spot, and that is where chasers go to work them. ________________________________________
Limitations & Why “Aggregated Frequency Data” Is Hard to Obtain
• There is no public, centralized “frequency histogram” for SOTA or POTA spots (at least that is up-to-date and openly published) showing how often each frequency is used in 2024–2025.
• Many activators rely on self-spotting via POTA.app, SOTAwatch, or tools like SOTAmāt, so spot data is distributed and not always captured in aggregated statistical reports.
• Even if RBN/CW skimmers pick up CW activators, they may not catch all activations (especially SSB or other modes), so RBN-based data has bias.
• Reddit and community reports help, but they are anecdotal — not a formal data set.
________________________________________
Conclusion / Recommendations for Activators & Hunters
• As an activator in the U.S./Canada: It makes sense to announce (via self-spot) on 146.58 MHz FM for 2 m operations. For HF, choose a clean frequency in your preferred band, self-spot, and you’ll more likely reach hunters.
• As a hunter: Monitor 146.58 for VHF activations. On HF, keep an eye on the POTA/SOTA spot pages and be ready to tune around based on what activators report. Consider using apps/tools like SOTAmāt to both spot yourself and see where others are operating.
