A real POTA field story from Ålesund, Norway

Portable radio operations are all about flexibility. Whether you’re activating a park, climbing to a summit, or setting up a quick field station, even the best-prepared plans can change once you arrive on location. In those moments, the right equipment — and a bit of improvisation — can make all the difference.

Recently we received a great field story from a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation at Aksla by Fredrik LB1YK, part of the Parks on the Air program and listed as NO-3254.

A Field Setup That Didn’t Go as Planned

The team had planned to operate using a JPC antenna, a popular and reliable choice for portable setups. However, during installation, the ground spike was accidentally damaged, making it impossible to mount the antenna properly.

Anyone who spends time operating in the field knows that situations like this happen. Equipment gets dropped, parts bend or break, and sometimes the terrain simply doesn’t cooperate.

But experienced operators always have a backup plan.

Improvising with What’s Available

Luckily, the team had a few spare components in the car that could help them build a quick alternative antenna system:

• RF choke

• 1:9 balun

• Sotabeams antenna wire

Using approximately 17.5 meters of wire, they assembled a simple end-fed antenna directly on site. Portable radio operators are known for their creativity, and this quick solution turned a potential problem into a workable setup within minutes.

Fast Antenna Tuning in the Field

This is where RigExpert MATCH proved its value.

Once the antenna was installed, the operators used MATCH to:

• Measure SWR

• Adjust the antenna length and configuration

• Find an optimal match quickly

Instead of relying on guesswork or trial-and-error tuning through the radio, they were able to see accurate measurements immediately and make precise adjustments.

For field operations — especially during Parks on the Air activation — time and efficiency matter. The faster you can tune your antenna, the more time you have to operate.

The Result: A Successful Activation

Despite the unexpected antenna issue, the activation turned out to be a success:

• 🌤 Perfect weather

• 📡 Great operating conditions

• 📞 52 QSOs completed

What could have easily become a frustrating situation instead turned into another great portable radio experience.

Confidence in Your Backpack

For radio amateurs who enjoy POTA, SOTA, or other portable operations, equipment reliability and flexibility are essential. The ability to quickly analyze and tune an antenna in the field can save valuable time and keep an activation running smoothly.

RigExpert MATCH continues to prove that it’s more than just a measurement tool — it’s confidence you carry in your backpack.

A big thank you to Fredrik LB1YK for sharing this real-world story with us and for demonstrating once again how preparation, creativity, and the right tools help make every activation a success.