How Do I Get Started?
Sign up for accounts on http://pota.app, https://wwff.co, and https://www.cqgma.org/.
In North America, no sign-up needed but be sure to check out the program pages for [POTA] http://parksontheair.com, [KFF]-https://wwff.us, and [VEFF]-https://veff.ca.
Whether you already enjoy POTA, or have been considering it, take some time to become familiar with BOTH Park programs. Use their resources, their similarities, and their differences, to provide yourself with a more enjoyable operating experience while out playing Ham Radio Operator.
Where Do I Hunt?
Bookmark http://pota.app and https://www.cqgma.org/ log into both Dashboards and find who has activations scheduled and follow as the action unfolds or as your time allows.
Try to work the Activators that you can hear and get yourself into their logs. Look for some SOTA, GMA, and IOTA spots while you are logged in and remember to throw them a QSO for just being out there too.
Now you are well on your way to earning fabulous Amateur Radio prizes from multiple organizations. Attention Park Chasers/Hunters – Please consider spotting KFF or VEFF Activators + their KFF or VEFF Reference Number to any DX Cluster, when Dual-Activators are only found spotted to POTA with their POTA Reference Number.
DXC Spots to the general Ham population provide name recognition for the KFF and VEFF Park Programs and help the Activator create additional QSO and Award opportunities for the Amateur Radio community.
Much like the POTA infrastructure and ancillary systems built to support that park program, spots made to the DXC as described [Ex: DX 21245.0 N3KAE KFF-#### TU 44!] are picked up by GMA and echoed (re-spotted) into the GMA ecosystem.
This is useful for those who are looking for new KFF and VEFF spots. However, spots made to GMA are not echoed outside of the ecosystem and fail to provide promotion to the programs and the additional effort being made for Amateur Radio.
How Do I Spot My Dual-Park Activation?
On location and with cell coverage is a beautiful thing.
It levels the playing field for the SSB-Only Activators and opens the door to other options and methods. POTA Spots – https://pota.app – Use the “US” number, WWFF Spots – https://www.cqgma.org/wwff/smartwwff/ – Again, use the proper KFF or VEFF Reference number.
Think about using SOTA and CQGMA when applicable – And not just because SOTA and POTA rhyme either.
For USA, consider https://CountyHunter.com – Because it continues to bring in the QSOs.
Become familiar with https://www.reversebeacon.net – Save it to your phone or laptop and use it to see how you are being heard on a particular band.
Where Do I Schedule My Dual-Park Activations?
Should you decide to “Dual-Activate” a location, you should begin Scheduling and/or Spotting in at least two places… And maybe more!
POTA Scheduling – https://pota.app – Be sure to use the “US” or “CA” Reference number and be mindful of your activation period for RBN spots.
WWFF Scheduling info – https://wwff.co/agenda – Login>Select “Extended”>Enter the “KFF” or “VEFF” Reference number and activation period for RBN spots.
Create the appropriate shortcuts on your phone’s home screen – Trust me on this and use it whenever possible.
So How Do I Dual-Activate a Park for POTA and WWFF?
I recommend that you “Run the Dual- Activation like POTA” – Why?
1.) You can call CQ POTA or call CQ PARKS [I much prefer the latter] on CW and SSB. Both of these statements are widely understood, neither are considered offensive, and neither will earn you a free POTA wrist-slap or a lifetime ban either.
2.) The majority of your “NA P2Ps” will be looking for the POTA number anyway. Your Scheduled Activation, Self-Spotting, and the Re-Spotting by others, makes it known that you are activating a US-Park for some and a KFF-Park for others – Ying and Yang!
3.) These CQ methods involve far less effort than having to explain and re-explain what WWFF is and how two programs exist. Save the education sessions for select post-activation emails should you be interested in spreading the word about WWFF and the additional awards that may be waiting for a fellow Ham to claim.
What About When The Activation is Over?
Be sure to upload your .adi log(s) to POTA in a timely manner.
Check out the Call Area Managers on https://wwff.us/wwff-log-submission/
Simply attach the very same POTA .adi log(s) in an email addressed to your Call Area Manager – No file modification – No additional effort. Nothing more than an email with log attachment(s).
Should your reference(s) exist in the POTA and WWFF databases, your log(s) will be reviewed, converted, and uploaded with feedback provided by return email.
Rinse and Repeat the next time you head out – Bring more fun to your “Ham Radio /p” operating.
Email your WWFF Call Area Manager and discuss submitting previous 2024 POTA logs for additional WWFF credit. Logs that do not cross-reference will need to be discarded, but those that do cross-reference will be converted and uploaded for even more credit and fabulous prizes!