Some may know, John is an OFCOM licensed Amateur Radio operator, which allows him to use certain transmitting radio equipment to communicate with people within the UK and overseas.
Whether you’re chasing the coastlines of Cornwall, navigating the Scottish Highlands, or winding through the Welsh valleys, there’s something undeniably thrilling about taking your home with you wherever you go. For licensed amateur radio operators, this freedom can be enhanced even further by combining travel with a dose of radio activity, especially through programs like Parks on the Air (POTA) and Bunkers on the Air (BOTA).
In this post, we’ll explore how amateur radio can become a fantastic companion for your motorhome adventures around the UK, and how programs like POTA and BOTA can add community, and a sense of purpose to your travels.
Why Combine Amateur Radio with Motorhoming?
If you’re an amateur radio enthusiast, travelling in a motorhome opens up a whole new world of operating opportunities. Here’s why ham radio and motorhoming are a perfect match:
- Portability: Modern radio equipment is increasingly compact and efficient, meaning you can easily store and deploy your gear wherever you park up.
- Elevated Locations: Many scenic spots in the UK also offer excellent radio propagation due to elevation, lack of interference, and open horizons.
- Off-Grid Capabilities: With solar panels, battery banks, and sometimes even generators, motorhomes are naturally suited to off-grid living, which pairs perfectly with field radio operations.
- Community and Socialising: Through activations and contacts, you’ll meet a welcoming community of fellow operators who share your love for travel and radio.
- A New Dimension to Your Travels: Instead of simply ticking off towns and attractions, you’ll find yourself hunting for parks, summits, or historic bunkers, adding a layer of adventure and discovery to your journey.
Parks on the Air (POTA): Making Every National Park a Radio Opportunity
What is POTA?
Parks on the Air (POTA) is a global program that encourages amateur radio operators to operate from designated national and regional parks. In the UK, POTA has become particularly popular among mobile and portable operators. Each park has a unique designation and activators can earn awards for operating from different parks, while chasers earn points by contacting them.
Getting Started with POTA in a Motorhome
One of the best things about POTA is its simplicity. You don’t need permission from the POTA organisation to activate a park—you just pick one from the list, drive there, and set up your station. Here’s how it works:
- Choose Your Location: Use the POTA website (parksontheair.com) to find participating parks in your area. In the UK, these include National Parks, AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), and some historic sites.
- Check Access and Parking: Use OS maps or local resources to ensure the site is accessible by motorhome and that you can set up without violating any local rules.
- Setup Your Station: Depending on your radio, you might work directly from the motorhome using a roof or magnetic antenna, or set up a portable station nearby with a telescopic mast and wire dipole.
- Spot Yourself: Use the POTA app or website to self-spot your activation. This helps other operators find you quickly.
- Log Your QSOs: You need a minimum number of contacts for an activation to count. Log them digitally and upload your log via the POTA portal.
Benefits of POTA for Travellers
- Adds Purpose to Your Travel: Rather than simply driving to a scenic location, you’re there with a goal—to activate and communicate.
- Great Icebreaker: POTA activations attract attention and can lead to interesting conversations with locals or fellow campers.
- Built-In Community: There are thousands of POTA activators and chasers across the world, creating a shared sense of community and friendly competition.
- Flexible and Low-Pressure: You can operate as much or as little as you like, on your own schedule.
Bunkers on the Air (BOTA): Exploring the UK’s Military Heritage via Radio
What is BOTA?
Bunkers on the Air is a UK-centric program that combines the fun of amateur radio with a fascination for military history. Activators operate from or near historic bunkers, ROC posts (Royal Observer Corps), and other cold war or WWII-related sites.
Why BOTA is Perfect for the Curious Traveller
The UK is peppered with hidden bunkers, pillboxes, listening posts, and radar stations, many of which are accessible to the public. With a bit of research and a sense of adventure, your motorhome can become a mobile base for historical exploration and radio activation.
Here’s how to get involved:
- Browse the BOTA Database: The BOTA community maintains lists and maps of known bunkers and ROC posts across the UK.
- Plan Your Visit: Many of these locations are on public land or visible from roads or trails. Do your due diligence to ensure access is permitted.
- Activate Safely: Unlike POTA, BOTA doesn’t necessarily involve protected parkland. Be mindful of your environment, some sites could be private, are in remote areas or involve climbing fences or rough terrain.
- Document Your Activity: Photos and logbooks help preserve the activation. Many BOTA enthusiasts also enjoy sharing their findings on social media or YouTube.
Why BOTA Appeals to Motorhome-Based Hams
- Historical Exploration: BOTA adds a fascinating historical angle to your travels.
- Unusual Locations: You’ll find yourself in places you would never normally visit, down country lanes, in windswept fields, or next to overgrown pillboxes.
- Low Noise Floors: Many of these remote sites are blissfully quiet on the bands, allowing for better reception and longer contacts.
Real-World Travel Ideas for Ham Operators
Here are a few UK-based travel ideas where you can combine scenic motorhoming with POTA or BOTA:
1. The Lake District (Cumbria)
Dozens of POTA-eligible sites like Lake District National Park, along with elevated locations for excellent HF/VHF propagation.
2. Snowdonia (Eryri)
Stunning mountains, remote sites, and the opportunity to combine POTA with SOTA (Summits on the Air). Great for operators who enjoy hiking.
3. East Anglia Bunker Trail
Explore cold war bunkers, ROC posts, and radar sites near the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts, a great BOTA destination.
4. South Downs National Park
POTA-friendly and rich with wartime bunkers and coastal defences. Great for a long weekend of mixed activations.
5. Scottish Highlands
Remote and quiet, with stunning landscapes and low QRM. Excellent for those looking to escape and focus on longer-range DX contacts. Great for SOTA Summits On The Air too.
Final Thoughts
Amateur radio and motorhoming are great match. With programs like POTA and BOTA, your travels gain a deeper sense of connection, not just to the places you visit, but to the global ham community at large. You’re no longer just passing through; you’re engaging, communicating, activating, and contributing to something bigger.
So next time you’re planning a trip in your motorhome, if you are not licenced already, why not think about becoming a licenced Amateur Radio operator? Essex Ham do easy training for your exam, and is free of charge – HamTrain.
73 and safe travels!
Vintage RV Adventures 