I’m a SPOTA activator too. In Japan, many SOTA summits are located inside POTA parks. I’m planning to activate SPOTA again tomorrow!
44 is just a generic good luck/best wishes sent to and from outdoor scheme operators. Perhaps those who send it are all WWFF chasers but that doesn’t mean they are expecting an upload.
You seem to have missed the whole point of amateur radio.
That’s so old fashioned.
I’ve got apps.
After eight hours of Teams meetings from my ergonomic executive office suite (the bed), I retire to the living room to decompress.
Working genuine virtual international HF contacts on my phone is the perfect remedy.
No faff.
Just Wi-Fi and my iPhone.
Then I do a 47-mile Zwift ride. My trainer is powered by a 3kW electric motor.
I travel 14 feet.
I have to switch the motor on and off myself — it’s not app-controlled yet.
Strava congratulates me on my “KOM”.
All without leaving the postcode.
Why would I?
Then I order a takeaway.
The DeliverWho? app is excellent.
A delivery bloke arrives on an e-bike looking distressed.
He’s wearing three hi-viz jackets.
He’s travelled an additional 20 miles because his app has apparently decided that the scenic route is quicker.
He has the stare of a man whose battery is at 4%.
I take the food.
He looks at me.
I look at him.
We don’t speak.
He’s wondering whether his battery will get him home.
I’m wondering whether my battery will get me through the evening.
Two men.
Two batteries.
One app.
Neither has any intention of going outside ever again.
Back inside, I pour a Bucky and post a photograph of cyclists I’ve never met on MyFace:
“Cracking ride lads.”
I give the delivery rider five stars.
Someone likes my post.
I send my virtual QSL cards and move straight on to dessert - Candy Crush.
I defeat three sweets.
It’s only Tuesday, and I’ve achieved more than most people could in a week.
Are you going to suggest I should go outside, put up an antenna and actually speak to another human being?
Honestly, It’s 2026. Have a word with yourself.
Life has never been better.
Back on-topic:
POTA/SOTA - Summit to Park, or Park to Summit. They’re valid contacts anyway - why not add a carrot to encourage a bit of cross-working. You never know - a POTA operator might be tempted to try SOTA, and vice versa.
Anything that celebrates the outdoors is positive in my opinion - regardless of whether you walked 10 miles or 10 yards.
The best radio operator is the one having the most fun.