CERN Amateur Radio Club – CARC

SOTA and POTA activities

Peaks, Parks, and Propagation: SOTA & POTA Adventures Near CERN

For ham radio operators who love fresh air, stunning scenery, and making contacts from the edge of the world, there’s nothing quite like SOTA and POTA. These two vibrant programs combine the thrill of amateur radio with the serenity of nature, turning every hike or park visit into a chance to work the bands and activate rare locations. And if you happen to live or work near CERN, nestled between the Jura and the Alps, you’re sitting on an absolute goldmine of activator opportunities.

What Are SOTA and POTA?

  • SOTA (Summits on the Air) encourages licensed operators to climb hills and mountains, activate their portable stations, and make QSOs from registered summits.
  • POTA (Parks on the Air) brings the same spirit to forests, reserves, and protected lands, giving points for operating from designated parks and natural areas.

In both programs, you earn points by operating from or contacting these special locations. It’s portable ops meets field day—with a healthy dose of hiking and HF thrown in.

Why the Jura and Alps Are a Ham’s Paradise

If you’re located near Geneva or CERN, you’re perfectly positioned for some of the most scenic and accessible SOTA/POTA sites in Europe. Whether you’re heading up a snow-dusted ridge in the Haute-Savoie Alps or operating beside a crystal-clear lake in the Jura Regional Nature Park, every activation comes with postcard-worthy views and crystal-clear propagation paths.

Some local highlights include:

  • Mont Salève (SOTA F/AB-349) – A classic activation right outside Geneva with a cable car and panoramic views.
  • Crêt de la Neige (F/JU-001) – The highest point in the French Jura, with VHF line-of-sight into multiple countries.
  • Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura (POTA FFF-0215) – Quiet trails, perfect QRM-free zones, and diverse flora and fauna.
  • Lac de Joux and Vallée de la Brévine – Borderline spots that combine SOTA and POTA potential with low-noise environments and open skies.

The Joy of Portable Ops

SOTA and POTA aren’t just about points—they’re about freedom and simplicity. Pack a lightweight HF rig, a wire antenna, and a battery into your backpack, and you’ve got everything you need for a serious field station.

Popular gear choices for activators:

  • Yaesu FT-817/818, KX2, or IC-705 – lightweight, rugged QRP rigs
  • Linked dipoles or EFHW antennas strung between trees or trekking poles
  • LiFePO4 battery and logbook app or paper log
  • For VHF/UHF activations: a dual-band handheld and a simple Yagi or roll-up J-pole

Thanks to the high elevation and low noise floor, even QRP signals can travel surprising distances—especially during gray-line or sporadic-E conditions.

Community, Logging & Chasing

Even if you’re not up for climbing, there’s fun to be had as a chaser—making contacts with activators in remote locations. Both SOTA and POTA have active online databases where you can track activations, log contacts, and earn awards.

Key community hubs:

There’s also a strong community of activators near CERN, including operators from France, Switzerland, and Germany who regularly activate summits on weekends, often coordinating through Telegram or Discord.

Final Thoughts

SOTA and POTA offer something magical: a way to combine radio, hiking, and exploration into one beautifully simple experience. You get to unplug (ironically, by plugging in), operate from some of the most breathtaking locations in Europe, and be part of a global community of adventurous operators.

Whether you’re chasing a summit in the shadow of Mont Blanc or logging contacts lakeside in the Jura, there’s always another peak to climb, another park to explore, and another QSO to log.

So grab your boots, sling your rig, and hit the trail. The airwaves are wide open—and the mountains are calling.