I am looking for a seamless logging approach that ties software and hardware together for POTA operations. I have seen some of the WRL POTA features and I am enthusiastic about the modern approach. However, I am not sure WSL is there yet so when I ask about seamless POTA operation, I am looking for, at a minimum, the following software system:
Rig control for my IC-7100 that not only reads the frequency and mode of the radio but also allows use of function keys to send messages in sideband and CW. Many loggers do this but do not have WRL POTA features.
Allows use of online POTA spotting where I can click on the spot and have the radio go to that frequency and mode and sets the call in the appropriate entry box.
Shows me where nearby parks and other POTA features offered by WRL
Logs QSO’s and provides for easy upload of POTA QSO’s.
WRL does all of the above with the exception of the use of function keys to send messages in sideband and CW.
There is an integrations app that can used in conjunction with with web app to handle rig control (cat control) as well as streaming contacts from WSTJX/JTDX into your WRL logbook.
The desktop app has cat control built in that will allow you to double click on spots from the spotting tab within your logbook and handle rig control for the frequency changing (the same way the rig control works in the integrations app).
Setting up a pota logbook (or sota, iota, wwff, and soon to be MANY more OTA activities) is as easy as setting the activity and adding your park reference. Once your activation is complete you can simply use the ‘Export US-XXXX ADIF’ option to export your logbook in the correct pota (or sota, wff, etc) format and upload your logbook to the pota site for credit.
While the documentation is still a work in progress there are many details documents available at: Documentation - World Radio League that can help you get started.
There is also a mobile app that can be downloaded from the app or play store (iOS/android) on your mobile phone or tablet that will work offline (like the desktop app) for the times you may be at a park location that does not have an internet connection.
Let us know if you have any additional questions and we’re happy to help walk you through it.