RULES

RULES

Updated: October 22, 2023

SCPOTA HUNTERS
Please Read this Special Page explaining Your Role in the South Carolina POTA Event!
Click Here

Objective: To encourage Parks on the Air amateur radio operation from South Carolina’s state park entities.

Statewide Event Period: 1200z (8:00am EDT) March 15th, 2025 through 2359z (7:59pm EDT) March 16th, 2025

Disclaimer: SC State Parks on the Air nor any of its members are responsible for injury or any other damages that occur during this event. Standard safety measures should be observed, and all local, state, federal, FCC, and park rules and laws should be observed at all times. These event rules are subject to change any time before the start of the event.

Locations:

Qualifying South Carolina State Parks as shown on the list found at scpota.k4knj.com. Stations must be located within the park in accordance with standard POTA rules.

Modes, Bands, and Exchange:

  • All modes of operation are permitted. Each band/mode/operator counts as a separate contact. Example: Contacting K4AAA at K-2906 Little Pee Dee State Park on CW and then again on SSB counts as two contacts. Likewise, contacting K4AAA at K-2171 and K4BBB at K-2171 counts as two contacts.
  • Observe all standard band plans.
  • FT8 and other digital modes (PSK, RTTY) are permitted. Each mode (FT8, FT4,RTTY, etc.) counts as a separate contact
  • Exchange. Use the standard POTA exchange.
  • Activators will transmit merely a signal report, with or without the park identifier. E.g., “You are 59 in park K-1034” or “UR 599 BK” Hunters should transmit a signal report and state. E.g., “You are 59 in Texas” or “599 TX TX BK”. Foreign stations use “DX” for the state.
  • Park-to-park contacts should include the park number, especially if in another South Carolina park.
  • For FT8/FT4, use the standard exchange of signal strength and grid.
  • Please Understand that WARC bands are not to be used.

Operator Entry Classes:

  • For activators in South Carolina, there are separate classes for single operators as either “Multi-Park” or “Single-Park.” There is also a class for activations by radio clubs.
  • Club. Any club station must use the same call-sign during the entire event. If two single operators are operating together, they are considered two separate “single operators” and should use the standard POTA technique of having the first station make a contact, then say, “Stand by for a second operator…,” and then have the second operator make the contact.
  • Single Operators. Single Operators can be either “Multi-Park” or “Single-Park” classes. A “Multi-Park” activator is one who makes successful activations (10 or more contacts) from more than one listed park during the contest period.
  • For hunters in South Carolina, there is only one operator class.
  • For hunters outside of South Carolina, there is only one operator class.
  • Location. There are two location classes: In-South Carolina (activator or hunter) and out-of-South Carolina(hunter). 

Special Rules for Club Entries:

  • You may not claim any contacts or activations completed while operating a club station for an individual entry. You may enter a separate submission as an individual, but with separate contacts and activations.
  • Clubs may run multiple stations, but all stations must comply with the parameters of the desired entry category. (Example: All stations must use QRP for all contacts to claim the QRP category)
  • No more than one station is permitted on a given band/mode combination at any given time.
  • All stations should be located within a 1,000 ft diameter circle of each other inside the same park boundaries.
  • Club stations should use one unified call sign for all operations during the entire event. This can be a club call sign or a special event (1×1) call sign.
  • Clubs are not required to submit a list of operators, but it is recommended so that we can give those operators due credit on our results page.

Power Classes:

  • There are two power classes: Low Power (less than 100W max) and QRP (less than 5W CW and digital; less than 10W phone). “QRP” means that all contacts at all parks meet the QRP power limits. Both designations are honor system.

Activator Scoring:

  • For South Carolina park activators:
  • Base Score = (number of parks activated) x (sum of the scores from each park), with the score from each park being 1 point for each QSO, plus an additional 5 pts for each QSO in each distinct SC park.
  • Examples:
  • K4AAA operates from one park, makes 40 SSB and 10 CW contacts, of which 6 were with distinct South Carolina parks. Base Score= (50) + (6 x 5) = 80 points.
  • K4AAA operates from a different park on the second day, where he makes 75 contacts, of which 12 were with distinct South Carolina parks. Base Score = first day score (50) + (6 x 5) = 80 plus second day score = (75) + (12 x 5) = 135 times number of parks activated 2 x (80 + 135) = 430 points

Hunter Scoring:

  • For South Carolina park hunters:
  • Base Score = (number of state parks hunted) x (total number of contacts with South Carolina parks).
  • Note – some parks may have multiple activators. Every combination of band/mode/activator counts, even at the same park. E.g., contacting K4ABC on CW, K4ABC on SSB, and K4DEF on SSB, all at the same park, counts as three contacts.
  • Example: K1XYZ makes 45 contacts in various modes with 28 South Carolina Parks.
  • Base Score = (28 x 45) = 1260 points.
  • Two-Day Bonus: Hunt South Carolina Parks on both UTC days for a 100 point bonus.

Submission:

  • All logs must be submitted by 0400z (12am EDT) April 1st, 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • If, during the event, you operate as both an activator and a hunter, you must submit these logs separately. They will be scored separately, and awards will be given separately.
  • Logs must be submitted in standard POTA ADIF format to submissions@scpota.k4knj.com by the deadline given above to qualify for credit.

Awards:

  • Top scores in each category will receive a certificate indicating the award. As described above, there are SEVEN award categories:
  • SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Single-Park — Low Power
  • SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Single-Park – QRP
  • SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Multi-Park – Low Power
  • SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Multi-Park — QRP
  • SCPOTA Activator — Club
  • In-South Carolina Hunter (whether individual or club)
  • Out-of-state Hunter (whether individual or club)

Miscellaneous.

  • All standard POTA rules apply.
  • Use of spotting networks is permitted. In particular, South Carolina parks will be spotted on the pota.app website.
  • Contacts through repeaters, digipeaters, internet gateways, etc., are not permitted.
  • By participating in this Event, you agree to the use of your name, call sign,score, and all other publicly available information in connection with the coordinator otherwise.
  • Observe all park rules. If you intend to use a park pavilion, be sure to follow the park’s requirements for reservations, payment, etc.
  • Obey all instructions from park officials. If a park ranger asks you to relocate,keep the noise down, turn off the lights, whatever, please comply.
  • Be courteous to all visitors and take time out to explain the POTA program and
    how ham radio operates. This is a great opportunity to promote our hobby and if
    history holds true to form, lots of people will wonder what you’re doing and will
    want to talk about it.