RULES

RULES

Updated: October 10, 2026

SCPOTA HUNTERS
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South Carolina Parks on the Air (SCPOTA) Event Rules

Objective: To encourage Parks on the Air (POTA) amateur radio operations from South Carolina’s state park entities.

1. Seasonal Event Schedule & Activity Weekends

This event happens seasonally on the 3rd full weekend of the month (Saturday & Sunday UTC). These are designated “activity weekends” where the primary purpose is to get out in the parks and have as much fun as possible.

  • Autumn: 3rd Full Weekend of October (October 17–18, 2026)
  • Winter: 3rd Full Weekend of January (January 16–17, 2027)
  • Spring: 3rd Full Weekend of April (April 17–18, 2027)
  • Summer: 3rd Full Weekend of July (July 17–18, 2027)

Statewide Event Period: 1200z (8:00 AM EDT) Saturday through 2359z (7:59 PM EDT) Sunday during the specified event weekend.

2. Locations

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

3. Modes, Bands, and Exchange

  • Modes & Bands: 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.
  • Digital Modes: FT8, FT4, PSK, RTTY, and other digital modes are permitted. Each distinct mode (FT8, FT4, RTTY, etc.) counts as a separate contact.
  • Band Plans: Observe all standard band plans. WARC bands are strictly not to be used.
  • Exchange: Use the standard POTA exchange format:
    • Activators: Transmit a signal report, with or without the park identifier (e.g., “You are 59 in park K-1034” or “UR 599 BK”).
    • Hunters: Transmit a signal report and state (e.g., “You are 59 in Texas” or “599 TX TX BK”). Foreign stations use “DX” for the location.
    • Park-to-Park: Contacts should include the park identifier, especially if located in another South Carolina park.
    • FT8/FT4: Use standard signal strength and grid square exchanges.

4. Operator Entry Classes

Activators (In South Carolina)

  • Single Operator – Single-Park: Operating from only one park during the event.
  • Single Operator – Multi-Park: Making successful activations (10 or more contacts) from more than one listed park during the contest period.
  • Club: Any club activation.

Single Operator Protocol: If two single operators are operating together, they are considered two separate “single operators.” They must use standard POTA technique: the first station makes a contact, states “Stand by for a second operator…”, and then the second operator makes the contact.

Hunters

  • In-South Carolina Hunter: Single operator class (individual or club).
  • Out-of-South Carolina Hunter: Single operator class (individual or club).

5. Special Rules for Club Entries

  • Call Signs: Club stations must use one unified call sign (club call sign or a 1×1 special event call sign) for all operations during the entire event.
  • Individual Credit: You may not claim contacts or activations completed while operating a club station for an individual entry. Separate individual submissions require completely separate contacts/activations.
  • Multiple Stations: Clubs may run multiple stations simultaneously, provided all stations comply with the chosen entry parameters (e.g., all stations must use QRP power levels for the club to enter the QRP category).
  • Band/Mode Restrictions: No more than one station is permitted on a given band/mode combination at any given time.
  • Physical Boundary: All club stations must operate within a 1,000-foot diameter circle of each other inside the same park boundaries.
  • Roster: Clubs are not required to submit an operator list, but it is recommended for credit on the results page.

6. Power Classes (Honor System)

  • Low Power: Less than 100W maximum.
  • QRP: Less than 5W for CW/Digital; less than 10W for Phone (SSB). Note: QRP classification requires that all contacts across all parks meet QRP power limits.

7. Scoring

Activator Scoring (SC State Parks)

  • 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.

8. Award Categories

Certificates will be awarded to top scores in seven categories:

  1. SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Single-Park – Low Power
  2. SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Single-Park – QRP
  3. SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Multi-Park – Low Power
  4. SCPOTA Activator – Individual – Multi-Park – QRP
  5. SCPOTA Activator – Club
  6. In-South Carolina Hunter (Individual or Club)
  7. Out-of-State Hunter (Individual or Club)

9. Log Submission

  • Format: Standard POTA ADIF format.
  • Email: Send logs to submissions@scpota.org.
  • Deadline: All logs must be submitted by 0400z (12:00 AM EDT) 1 week following the event season. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Dual Entries: If operating as both an activator and a hunter, you must submit separate logs. They are scored and awarded independently.

10. Rules & Disclaimers

  • General Rules: All standard POTA rules and FCC regulations apply. Repeaters, digipeaters, and internet gateways are prohibited.
  • Spotting: Spotting networks are encouraged (e.g., pota.app).
  • Park Etiquette: Obey all local, state, and federal laws, park regulations, and ranger instructions (e.g., noise, shelter reservations, lighting).
  • Public Outreach: Be polite and take time to educate park visitors about amateur radio and POTA!
  • Disclaimer: Neither SC State Parks on the Air nor its organizers assume responsibility for injuries, property damage, or liability incurred during the event. Event rules are subject to update prior to the start of any activity period.