TavaOne // Activate — How to Use

TavaOne // Activate is a free, browser-based POTA activation logger. No app store, no install — open it on your phone and start logging. This guide covers everything from setup to submitting your first activation.

Getting Started

1. 1
   Open activate.tavaone.com on your phone or desktop
   Works in any modern browser. No download needed.
2. 2
   Tap "Sign in with Google"
   You'll be asked to allow Google Drive access for automatic ADIF log backups. This is optional — you can skip Drive and download logs manually.
3. 3
   Open Settings and enter your callsign and grid square
   Tap the Settings tab (gear icon). Enter your callsign and 6-character grid (e.g. EN52ab). Used in ADIF exports and P2P distance calculations.
4. 4
   Connect Google Drive (optional but recommended)
   In Settings, tap "Connect Google Drive." Your ADIF and field notes are automatically saved to a TavaOne folder in Drive at the end of each activation.

Starting an Activation

Go to the Field Notes tab, tap one button to go live, then fill in your details.

1. 1
   Go to the Field Notes tab (clipboard icon)
   This is where you set up and manage your activation session.
2. 2
   Tap "+ New activation"
   Your session goes live immediately. The Logger tab is now active and ready to log contacts.
3. 3
   Search for your park
   Start typing a park name or reference (e.g. "K-0001" or "Shenandoah"). Activate searches 88,000+ POTA parks and fills in the name and reference automatically.
4. 4
   Set the activation type and fill in rig/antenna
   Choose POTA, SOTA, WWFF, or General. Rig and antenna are optional but appear in your field notes export.
5. 5
   Switch to the Logger tab and start logging
   QSO counter starts at zero. You can return to Field Notes anytime to update your details.

Logging Contacts

The QSO entry form is designed for fast one-handed use in the field. Most fields fill themselves — you mainly type callsigns.

1. 1
   Type the callsign
   Activate looks up the callsign as you type and auto-fills the operator's name and grid square.
2. 2
   Dupe detection
   If you've already worked that callsign, a red DUPE badge appears showing the previous band and mode.
3. 3
   Set band and mode
   Frequency auto-fills when you change band or mode.
4. 4
   Enter RST and exchange
   RST defaults to 59/599. The exchange field captures P2P park references.
5. 5
   Tap "Log QSO"
   Contact saved instantly with UTC timestamp. Form clears for the next contact.

Conditions Tab

Check the Conditions tab before you leave the house. It combines real-time weather and solar/propagation data to give you a plain-English activation outlook.

Spotting

Browse live POTA activations pulled from the POTA API. Tap any spot to pre-fill the QSO form with callsign, frequency, band, mode, and P2P reference.

Your activation is automatically spotted to the POTA network on your first logged QSO — no manual action needed. Use the Respot button on the Logger tab to re-spot after changing frequency or mode.

Heard By Tab

Shows stations that have received your FT8/FT4 signal via PSKReporter. Enter your callsign, choose a time window (15, 30, or 60 min), and tap Fetch. Each row shows the receiving station, grid, band, mode, SNR, and distance. Switch to map view to see reports plotted globally.

Photos Tab

1. 1
   Tap "Take Photo" or "From Library"
   Take Photo opens your rear camera directly. From Library lets you pick multiple existing photos.
2. 2
   Photos appear in the grid immediately
   ⏳ = waiting to upload. ☁ = safely on Drive.
3. 3
   Tap × to remove a photo
   Removes from the session and deletes from Drive if already uploaded.
4. 4
   Photos upload when you submit
   All session photos upload to the same Drive folder as your ADIF and field notes when you tap Submit & Export Files.

Submitting Your Activation

1. 1
   Go to the Field Notes tab
   Add any comments, notes, or observations about the activation.
2. 2
   Set "Will Return?"Saved in your field notes for future reference.
3. 3
   Tap "Submit & Export Files"
   Generates your ADIF log and a markdown field notes file. If Drive is connected, both files and photos save automatically. Otherwise a download dialog appears.

History Tab

Shows your last 20 activations. Tap the waveform icon to push any activation to TavaScope. Tap the trash icon to permanently delete an activation and all its QSOs.

Install as an App

Installing Activate puts it on your home screen like a native app and enables offline logging. No app store required.

iPhone / iPad (Safari)

1. 1
   Open activate.tavaone.com in Safari (must be Safari, not Chrome)
2. 2
   Tap the Share button (box with arrow pointing up) in the toolbar
3. 3
   Tap "Add to Home Screen" → Add

Android (Chrome)

1. 1
   Open activate.tavaone.com in Chrome
2. 2
   Tap the three-dot menu → "Add to Home Screen" or "Install App"

Settings Reference