Whether you are looking to work Parks on the Air (POTA) or one of many special event stations, DX hunting, or are a contester. You may find just what you are looking for!
POTA, SOTA & Special Events
Get outdoors and activate parks, summits, and special event stations.
- Parks on the Air (POTA) — The official POTA portal — find parks, log activations, track awards, and spot activators.
- ParksontheAir.com — POTA information hub with rules, getting-started guides, and the POTA book.
- Summits on the Air (SOTA) — International mountain-topping programme — summit database, rules, and activation guides.
- ARRL Special Event Stations — Calendar of special event stations, commemorative operations, and QSL/certificate details.
Public Service & Emergency Communications
Amateur radio plays a critical role during emergencies and community events. These organizations coordinate volunteer operators who provide backup communications when it matters most — during severe weather, natural disasters, and public service events like marathons, parades, and bike rides.
- SKYWARN — NWS Severe Weather Spotters — The National Weather Service’s trained volunteer spotter program. Ham radio operators play a key role by reporting severe weather directly to NWS offices via amateur radio nets. Free 2-hour training classes are offered each spring — no license required to participate, but licensed operators can report via radio.
- SKYWARN Recognition Day — Annual on-air event (first Saturday in December) celebrating the partnership between amateur radio operators and the National Weather Service.
- ARES — Amateur Radio Emergency Service — The ARRL’s volunteer emergency communications program. Licensed amateurs register their qualifications and equipment for duty when disaster strikes. Any licensed amateur can join — contact your local Emergency Coordinator to get involved.
- ARES / RACES FAQ — Understand the difference between ARES (ARRL-sponsored, activated before, during, and after emergencies) and RACES (government-sponsored, activated during declared emergencies). The ARRL recommends dual membership in both.
- ARRL Public Service Resources — Training courses, the ARES Manual, forms, equipment guides, and the monthly Public Service Honor Roll recognizing volunteer operators.
DX Resources
Tools and references for chasing DX contacts around the world.
- DXWatch / DX Summit — Real-time DX cluster spots from worldwide reporting stations — the go-to for DX hunters.
- NG3K — Announced DX Operations — Upcoming DXpedition schedules, announced operations calendar, and contest operation tables.
- ARRL DXCC Program — The DX Century Club — entity list, rules, LoTW credit, and how to apply for the world’s most prestigious DX award.
- Club Log — Upload logs, check DXCC standings, OQRS for QSLs, and the most-wanted DXCC entity list.
- 425 DX News — Weekly DX news bulletin covering upcoming DXpeditions, special callsigns, and QSL routes.
- DX Code of Conduct — Operating guidelines for DXers — pileup behavior, split operation, and courtesy standards.
Contests
Radiosport — test your station and skills against operators worldwide.
- WA7BNM Contest Calendar — The definitive amateur radio contest calendar — dates, rules, and log submission links for every event.
- ARRL Contests — ARRL-sponsored contest schedule including Field Day, Sweepstakes, DX, VHF, and more.
- CQ WW DX Contest — The world’s largest amateur radio contest — CQ WW SSB and CW. Rules, records, and results.
- CQ WPX Contest — Work as many prefixes as possible — one of the premier global contests on SSB and CW.
- ARRL Field Day — Annual emergency preparedness exercise and ham radio’s biggest on-air event (4th full weekend in June).
DXpeditions
Track current, upcoming, and planned DXpeditions to rare entities worldwide.
- NG3K Announced DX Operations — The most comprehensive announced DX operations table — continuously updated with callsigns, dates, entities, and sources.
- DX-World.net — Real-time DXpedition news, on-the-ground updates, audio clips, and photos from active expeditions.
- DXNews — DXpedition Calendar — Upcoming and active DXpedition listings with IOTA references, QSL info, and operator details.
- Northern California DX Foundation — Major DXpedition funding organization — also operates the NCDXF/IARU beacon network.
- Club Log Most-Wanted List — Live ranking of the most-wanted DXCC entities based on Club Log data — see which entities need activating.
- INDEXA — Intl. DX Association — International DXpedition funding and support organization. Membership includes the DXer newsletter.