so i finally did my first solo activation last weekend at a state park about 45 minutes from my house, K-4567 if anyone knows it. been hunting from home for a few months and kept telling myself id get out there and actually do one, and i finally just did it. threw the EFHW up between two trees, ran 100w on FT8 for a little while then switched to SSB because i wanted actual contacts not just computer contacts if that makes sense.

got my 10 pretty quick on digital and then spent another hour on phone picking up maybe 8 or 9 more which honestly surprised me, i expected it to be harder. a few people gave me signal reports and then just disappeared without logging which was a little frustrating but whatever.

my questions are -- does it matter what order i put the park reference in when i call on SSB, like do i say the K number before my callsign or after? i've been saying it after but someone on the air told me i was doing it wrong. also is there a way to know if my activation will actually show up on the POTA website, like is there a delay or do i need to submit something first?

congrats on the first one, it's kind of addicting isnt it. regarding the park reference on SSB, there's no strict rule honestly, most activators just work it into their exchange naturally. something like "you're 59 here at K-4567, thanks for the call" works fine. the person who told you you were doing it wrong was probably just being picky, ive heard it done a dozen different ways and as long as the hunter hears the park number youre good.

for the logging -- yes you do have to upload your log yourself through the POTA website. it doesnt happen automatically. you go to your account, hit upload log, and it takes an ADIF file. if your logging software can export ADIF youre pretty much set. usually shows up within a day or two after you submit it, sometimes faster. make sure the park reference is in there correctly or it wont credit right.

yeah the log upload thing got me too on my first activation, i was checking the site for like two days wondering why nothing was showing up lol. you have to do it manually. i use HAMRS app in the field which is pretty solid for POTA, exports ADIF no problem and has a spot for the park reference built right in so it ends up in every log entry automatically.

also 18 contacts on your first solo activation is really solid, i only got 11 on mine and i was running 50w more than you, so good job getting out there and doing it