Colorado is one of the best states in the country for portable radio operations. With 58 fourteeners, hundreds of POTA parks, and stunning landscapes from the plains to the alpine tundra, there’s no shortage of places to set up an antenna and make contacts. LARC members are active in both Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA).

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🏕️ POTA — Parks on the Air

Parks on the Air is a program that encourages amateur radio operations from national parks, state parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands. To count as a valid activation, you must make at least 10 contacts while operating from within a designated park boundary.

How It Works

• Activators go to a park, set up portable equipment, and make contacts
• Hunters call POTA stations from home to log the park
• All contacts are logged at pota.app
• No paper QSL cards needed — all digital via the POTA app

POTA Parks Near Longmont/Boulder

Park Ref	Park Name	Distance from Longmont	Notes
K-2131	Rocky Mountain National Park	~25 mi	Iconic; multiple entry points. Elk Meadow near Fall River entrance is popular for activations.
K-4404	Roosevelt National Forest	~15 mi	Huge area; good HF propagation from higher elevations
K-7614	Boulder County Open Space	~10 mi	Check POTA app — Boulder County has multiple designations
K-2555	Arapaho National Recreation Area	~40 mi	Grand Lake area; beautiful summit options nearby
K-0065	Barr Lake State Park	~20 mi SE	Easy flat activation; good for newer POTA operators

Getting Started with POTA

1. Create a free account at pota.app
2. Schedule your activation (optional but helpful — hunters will know to look for you)
3. Spot yourself on the POTA map when you arrive
4. Operate on your favorite bands (20m and 40m FT8 are highly productive for POTA)
5. Upload your ADIF log after the activation

Recommended Gear for POTA

• Radios: Elecraft KX2/KX3, Icom IC-705, Yaesu FT-891, Xiegu X6100
• Antennas: Chameleon MPAS Lite, EFHW wire, SOTAbeams Band Hopper, or a simple dipole
• Power: LiFePO4 battery (Bioenno, Jackery) — 10Ah is plenty for 5W QRP
• Logging: HAMRS app (iOS/Android) or Fast Log Entry (FLE) on laptop

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⛰️ SOTA — Summits on the Air

Summits on the Air challenges operators to activate summits with at least 25 meters of topographic prominence — and Colorado has more qualifying summits than almost any other U.S. state. SOTA points are awarded based on summit height; peaks above 14,000 feet earn the maximum 10 points.

Colorado SOTA Highlights

• Colorado has 58 fourteeners — most are 10-point summits
• The Front Range offers dozens of accessible activations from the Denver/Boulder area
• Summer activations (July–August) are easiest; avoid afternoon thunderstorms
• Always be off the summit by noon — Colorado afternoon lightning is deadly

SOTA Summits Near Longmont (Sample)

Summit Ref	Summit Name	Elev (ft)	Points	Notes
W0C/FR-001	Longs Peak	14,259	10	Closest 14er to Longmont! Strenuous but iconic.
W0C/FR-010	Mt. Audubon	13,223	8	Accessible from Brainard Lake — great beginner SOTA
W0C/FR-056	South Arapaho Peak	13,397	8	Brainard Lake area; 4th of July trailhead
W0C/FR-100	Green Mountain	8,144	1	Easy Boulder activation — great for first SOTA!

Full summit database at sotl.as — filter to W0C/FR for Colorado Front Range summits.

SOTA Operating Tips

• Use SOTAwatch to spot your activation in advance (self-spotting via SMS is also available)
• 2m/70cm FM with an HT works for lower summits; HF is needed for 10-point activations
• A 10W QRP rig + EFHW wire antenna can easily make 4 contacts from a 14er
• Log contacts with the SOTA activator log after the activation

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📣 Join a LARC Activation!

LARC organizes group POTA and SOTA activations throughout the year. These are excellent learning opportunities for new operators and experienced hams alike. Watch the LARC Calendar for upcoming activations, or contact us at info@w0eno.org to get involved.