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Author Topic: Asking permission for parks  (Read 1824 times)

AC9QC

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Asking permission for parks
« on: October 25, 2021, 07:43:59 AM »

Do you guys do anything of the sort or just kind of set up and go? If some times what makes you ask or not? In particular I'm thinking about the observation tower at this park, it looks like it'd be fun to work off of.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapham_Peak_Unit%2C_Kettle_Moraine_State_Forest
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K9DEG

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2021, 07:54:24 AM »

Howard, I live near this park, about 4 miles away. This time of the year now that it's cold you'd have no problem on the tower but a week or two ago it was jammed with "leaf peepers". Probably best to ask if you had any cables etc in the way. I hear other people doing POTA from there. Probably do fine from a picnic table unless you were doing UHF/VHF. 73
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W1VT

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2021, 08:00:59 AM »

I used to write a permission letter to operate from Mt Greylock every year to operate the 10GHz contest.

It came in handy one year when their were two dueling bridezillas on the mountain at the same time as the 10GHz contest!
The park personal extended my written permission to my radio friends who were also there.

Zak W1VT
« Last Edit: October 25, 2021, 08:06:23 AM by W1VT »
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WA9AFM

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2021, 08:05:56 AM »

I coordinated the 2016 ARRL Parks On The Air operations for the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

You should get permission for the appropriate agency to do any substantial operations at a public facility.  Small, portable ops probably wouldn't be a problem.  If you do ask for formal permission, get it in writing in case a park ranger or LEO questions your setup; they might have not gotten the 'memo'.

If you can get some ARRL literature promoting amateur radio, have that handy to present to visitors.

Finally, if you are operating, even with permission, and a range/LEO asks you to leave, do so without question as there might be a situation they don't have time to explain.

« Last Edit: October 25, 2021, 08:08:05 AM by WA9AFM »
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NO9E

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2021, 10:57:47 AM »

I operated from zillions of parks. Only one problem when I used a thick wire to top of a tree in a very public area, as no object could be attached to a tree. There would no problem if I used a thin wire suspended by a fishing line.

I would ask for permission if the operation is large in a crowded area. Otherwise it is not more engaging than cooking on a grill for which we need more permission. 

Ignacy NO9E
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AC9QC

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2021, 12:41:20 PM »

Howard, I live near this park, about 4 miles away. This time of the year now that it's cold you'd have no problem on the tower but a week or two ago it was jammed with "leaf peepers". Probably best to ask if you had any cables etc in the way. I hear other people doing POTA from there. Probably do fine from a picnic table unless you were doing UHF/VHF. 73

I'll be living about 6 miles north of it in a few weeks. Just gotta get there first!
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KQ4KK

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2021, 02:04:56 PM »

I did 2016 National Parks on the Air and never asked for permission. However I operated from my parked SUV using 100 watts and a full size TAR Heel antenna on the trailer hitch.
I have been doing POTA with the same setup. No issues. Just have to make sure the parking lot is within the real park boundaries. The state park rangers are a little more friendly with using their parks.
I know that most National Park rangers do not want you to string ropes/wires in any of "their" trees.
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SWMAN

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2021, 03:05:42 PM »

I say just do it, go for it !
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K2WPM

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2021, 07:22:22 PM »

Great thread.  Yes, this is, unfortunately, a question I ask myself every activation. 
If you ask permission (good boy), you risk an ignorant CYA bureaucrat-type shutting you down, just because that's easy.  Been there.  But there are other times when we should realize there exists a legitimate concern.  Such as: (1). Hundreds of feet of wire and coax in a crowded park, near where lots of people are; (2). Operating that might go after hours when the park is supposed to be closed ... even if you're only in a parking area; (3) Using a structure like a fire tower, as if it's yours alone to use ... ouch this one hurts the most. 
Generally, I look for an inconspicuous location, and don't ask permission.
GL and 73, David K2WPM
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KC6RWI

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2021, 08:49:21 PM »

I'd probably go for it, if its cold the parks can be empty.
But if you have Karens around or police with a bad reputation,
wouldn't it be nice to have permission?
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K9DEG

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2021, 09:51:21 PM »

I'll be living about 6 miles north of it in a few weeks. Just gotta get there first!


 Great, good luck with the move. You'll have 2 great repeaters within 6 miles of you. A powerhouse on VHF and a linked UHF system. And maybe when your new address data downloads to QRZ it will be correct this time. It says your present location is 366 miles from me.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2021, 09:55:26 PM by K9DEG »
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W9FIB

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2021, 01:55:13 AM »

Back in the 80's, W9HHX, the MSOE radio club had field day up there. Put a Mosley TA-33 on top of that tower.

At that time, the park was not open to the public and the club got special permission to use the sight. Had to bring our own ladder as the bottom set of stairs were removed at the time.

The 80M sloper worked quite well too.

Too crowded to do that now! Ah the college memories.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

AC9QC

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2021, 04:42:51 AM »

And maybe when your new address data downloads to QRZ it will be correct this time. It says your present location is 366 miles from me.

QRZ shows the correct address, it's about 150 miles from there based on what I'm seeing. It should be Joliet, are you sure you have the right call?
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K3XR

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2021, 04:55:59 AM »

I have never participated in POTA but do spend 4-5 weeks a year camping and operating in mostly (Pa) state parks.  I've always felt that paying for the use of my campsite includes attaching my push up fiberglass mast with vertical wire to the rear of my travel trailer.  Park rangers have never questioned the antenna in about 15 + years of operation. .  It might not be a bad idea if your not paying for a site to stop by the park office and ask if there are any restrictions on your operation in other areas of the park. 
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W1MOW

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Re: Asking permission for parks
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2021, 08:43:06 AM »

The only time I ask for permission before hand is at National Parks. They have a tendency to get nervous about such things.

I use a minimum setup, just an Alpha Antennas FMJ vertical, radio, battery, and laptop. I always use a headset as to not bother people who are not used to the noise of a radio. (I learned early on, that some people don't appreciate the sound, and complain to whoever would listen.)

The only issue I ever had was from a "Soccer Mom" who got nervous when she saw me, and called the Police. The responding Officer was very friendly asked a couple of questions, and I even had him make a QSO, and he left. The "Soccer Mom" just spent the next hour staring at me.

Go out and operate!

Gary W1MOW
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The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt - Bertram Russell (1935)

So not much has changed in almost 90 years!
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