Sharing this to ODV in case another Division receives an inquiry about why amateurs should have to pay for Special Use Permits to activate a National Park location. Sean did an excellent job of culling out the most important parts of the guide for a response. The full guide is located at: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/On%20the%20Air/NPOTA/NPOTA-Activator-Guide.pd f Thanks & 73, Doug Doug Rehman, K4AC Director Southeastern Division ARRL-The National Association for Amateur RadioR <mailto:doug@k4ac.com> doug@k4ac.com <http://www.arrlse.org/> www.arrlse.org <http://www.facebook.com/arrlse> www.facebook.com/arrlse From: Kutzko, Sean, KX9X [mailto:kx9x@arrl.org] Sent: Friday, February 5, 2016 5:53 PM To: Rehman, Doug, K4AC <doug@k4ac.com> Subject: RE: Fort Desoto update

From the Activator's Guide:

6. Do I need a special use permit to operate my Amateur Radio station in an NPS unit? This will vary from unit to unit. A lot will depend on your operating style. If you plan on operating strictly from your vehicle with a mobile antenna on the roof, or with a small station in a campground, you may not need a special use permit. If you are planning a large operation with big antennas, or want to operate from an NPS unit we have deemed as "sensitive," the odds you will need a special use permit increase dramatically. Do not expect to roll in to an NPS unit with a tower trailer and a kilowatt HF station without prior approval. If you have any doubts, ask in advance. Best Practices as an NPOTA Activator 1) Cooperate with NPS staff at all times As an Activator, it is absolutely critical that you communicate honestly and openly and cooperate with all NPS staff, rangers, and volunteers. We are visitors to their site, just like any other person or group, and we do not receive special consideration or priority because of our role as Amateur Radio operators. NPS reserves the right to enforce their rules as they deem appropriate. Despite ARRL's best efforts, it is possible you will encounter an NPS staff member who is not familiar with the NPOTA event. We have provided a one-page handout you can download for free on the NPOTA web page to help explain to NPS staff what NPOTA is and where they can get some of their questions answered. Emphasize that this is a way the Amateur Radio community is helping NPS celebrate their Centennial, and that amateurs worldwide are eagerly trying to make a radio contact with all 483 NPOTA units. Be friendly and engage with all NPS employees you encounter, not just the ones at the Ranger Station or visitor's office. Invite them to visit your site to show them what you are doing. 2) Do not disrupt the enjoyment of non-amateur visitors Part of this event is to help showcase Amateur Radio to the general public. However, not everybody will be interested in what we are doing at NPS units. It is not in the best interest of Amateur Radio to disrupt other visitors to NPS units. Please avoid setting up in high-traffic areas (unless this has been arranged in advance) and be mindful of your noise. Consider other visitors when setting up your station. 3) Leave nothing but footprints This is an old saying among people who enjoy the outdoors. We are all stewards of NPS units. Do not build, erect, or install anything that damages the land or property of the unit or would have a negative impact on wildlife or visitors in that unit. Pick up your trash. If you bring something in, bring it out. Leave your operating site in the same condition you found it, or better. Sean Kutzko, KX9X Media and Public Relations Manager ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0328 <mailto:skutzko@arrl.org> skutzko@arrl.org web: <http://www.arrl.org> http://www.arrl.org Twitter: @ARRL_PR _____ From: Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 5:49 PM To: Kutzko, Sean, KX9X Subject: RE: Fort Desoto update Sean: Excellent-I'll copy the text from the Guide and put that in an email to them along with the link to the full guide. Thanks, Doug K4AC From: Kutzko, Sean, KX9X [ <mailto:kx9x@arrl.org> mailto:kx9x@arrl.org] Sent: Friday, February 5, 2016 5:35 PM To: Rehman, Doug, K4AC < <mailto:doug@k4ac.com> doug@k4ac.com> Subject: RE: Fort Desoto update Hi Doug- Whether a park issues a special use permit is entirely up to the individual park. On the NPS Communications Group conference call I was on a couple weeks ago, the general feeling among the 40-50 participants was a small operation (1 or 2 people) with a low profile probably wouldn't require a Special Use Permit; anything larger than that, with multiple stations and a lot of visibility, probably would require one. This is all mentioned in the NPOTA Activator's Guide. If they're talking about a 3-4 station operation, I wouldn't be surprised if they were told they'd need a special use permit, especially at a park with as small a footprint and limited parking as DeSoto. Sean Kutzko, KX9X Media and Public Relations Manager ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio (860) 594-0328 <mailto:skutzko@arrl.org> skutzko@arrl.org web: <http://www.arrl.org> http://www.arrl.org Twitter: @ARRL_PR _____ From: Rehman, Doug, K4AC Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 5:27 PM To: Kutzko, Sean, KX9X Subject: FW: Fort Desoto update For your situational awareness. The below email chain is the only info I have. Doug K4AC From: George K5KG [ <mailto:georgek5kg@aol.com> mailto:georgek5kg@aol.com] Sent: Friday, February 5, 2016 4:54 PM To: Ed Gansen < <mailto:edgansen@gmail.com> edgansen@gmail.com>; <mailto:gulfrader@verizon.net> gulfrader@verizon.net Cc: <mailto:denspiess@comcast.net> denspiess@comcast.net; Doug Rehman < <mailto:doug@k4ac.com> doug@k4ac.com> Subject: Re: Fort Desoto update Ed and Bill, I suggest you contact Doug, K4AC, our ARRL SE Division rep. Doug can be reached at doug@k4ac.com <mailto:doug@k4ac.com> . Geo... On 2/5/2016 2:04 PM, Ed Gansen wrote: Hmmm. Bill, think we need to check this out with ARRL. Do not think special use permits were part of the deal. George, suggestions on how to proceed with the League? Maybe, the ARRL was thinking it would be just a couple operators at a time activating these places? Ed On Feb 5, 2016, at 1:58 PM, Bill Franklin <gulfrader@verizon.net <mailto:gulfrader@verizon.net> > wrote: Ranger Kyle called me back and said if we use the park we have to apply for a special event permit. 75.00. He did say we could use a bordering park next door but it really has no place to set up. I googled maped it and there is nothing there. Thinking three or four stations. What do you all think. Bill -- George Wagner, K5KG Sarasota, FL 941-400-1960