Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation:

Before I pick a date to operate, I monitor the bands at the same time that I plan to operate.
The Absorption Index is also a key factor, I never operate when the "A" Index is above 10, Which is probably most of the time these days.
Radio stations ‘Trenton Military’ (15034 kHz) or ‘CHU’ (14670 kHz) for 20-meter propagation checks are good for real time propagation.
Coastal stations might use WWV/WWVH.
20 meters is best for daytime country wide propagation.
40 and 80 meters are good for nighttime operation.
I always try to avoid contests and other busy periods. Checking the QST Contest Calendar helps to ensure the band is going to be clear.
Check your desired frequency in advance, you don't want to pick a frequency that is used for nets, traffic handling or RTTY.
The weather forecasting is really good these days, so this is easy.
Try http://www.wunderground.com/
I look for warm temperatures and no wind.
Check your local web cam. Even Pikes Peak has a weather station and a Panoramic HD web cam.
See http://www.springsgov.com/units/pikespeak/index.asp
Always check the XYL's honey doo list and make sure you are clear for the day
and have a happy home coming.
National Parks or State Parks are great places to operate from: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm, If you are an Old Timer you can get a lifetime Pass.
Always check the road and site conditions before going out in the field.
You don't want to drive hundreds of miles to find out that the Capulin Volcano road is closed by snow. Canyon roads can have snow or land slides,
Even Pikes Peak can be closed or have a delayed opening and prevent you from getting to your desired operating location on time.
Pick an open space operating site, canyons are not good for QRP operating.
You might need trees for hanging an antenna or if you are going to operate Pedestrian Mobile with a whip you will want to find trails that don't have a lot of over hanging, antenna eating braches.
You need to check out your equipment right before you head out to your operating site.
This prevents leaving behind some critical item.
Needless to say, you should have your antenna all pre-tuned before you leave.
My radio is always mounted to a backpack and is always ready to go.
The LiIon battery is always charged but I always take a spare.
I just need to put the backpack into the car, with the antenna and counterpoise.
The accessories are also checked: microphone, earphones, key, SWR meter, pen, log, watch, hat, gloves, coat, etc.
Make an equipment checklist.
It is good to have a spare accessory batteries (9V), a spare radio and duct tape for contingencies.
I take water, lunch and my VHF HT in a fanny pack.
I try to post my operations on the reflectors a day before the operation.
When you post too far in advance, people forget and when you post right before the operation, some people don't get the notice until after you are finished.
I always try to be on my exact posted frequency (or alternate) at the exact time so people don't get stood up.
Posting your operating times gives you more Q's. It is no fun running your battery down calling CQ with no responses.
QRPspots, HFnow, QRP-L, qrpARCI, SOTA Spots are good places to list your operation, as appropriate.
Post your schedule in GMT (Universal Time/Zulu time) as well as your local time.
Also post details about your operating location, links to pictures, trail maps, QSL Information, will be helpful, etc.
Put gas in your tank!
When I arrive at my operating site, I set up my rig, attach the antenna, and check power and my operating frequency.
When operating Pedestrian Mobile, I tune my whip and dragwire, put on my backpack and I am ready for the trail.
Always be prepared for adverse conditions.
You might need rain gear, snake proof boots, etc.
Always give someone your travel plans. Take your cell phone or an HT that will hit a repeater.
For more detailed Pedestrian Mobile information get
WA3WSJ's Amateur Radio Pedestrian Mobile Radio Handbook.
See http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/amateur-radio-pedestrian-mobile-handbook/16364181
Or Amateur Radio And The Great Outdoors, by Edward Breneiser
Paul, w0rw

| KM1H | 2021-03-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| Weak cars = weak performance, My first trip up there was in 1971 in a 63 Chevy Impala SS convertible with a 327 and a 2 speed Powerglide transmission! Passengers were my wife and 6 month old son. The only radio gear was a CB for directions, radar alerts and in case of difficulty. Reply to a comment by : KC6RWI on 2021-01-14 How does the car run getting up to the peak?, it must loose some power at the end. Are there some activities as far as eating, hiking, that are affected at that altitude? | ||
| W0RW | 2021-01-16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| How to check your antenna using the CW RBN... The CW Reverse Beacon Net is always listening for your signal. If one of the receiving stations hears you it is automatically posted on the web. Here is a link to one of my recent operations: Go to http://www.reversebeacon.net/dxsd1/dxsd1.php?f=0&c=w0rw&t=dx (Copy and paste this link into your browser). You have to use the lower part of the CW band and send CW at about 10 to 20 wpm in this format: "CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ DE YOURCALL YOURCALL K" Then go to http://www.reversebeacon.net/main.php and click on Search Spot By Call Sign... Enter you call and allow 100 lines to be displayed. You will see everyone who recorded your signal with the frequency, time and signal level. If you change your antenna and change your frequency they will all send a new report. You can also send "Test Test Test DE YOURCALL YOURCALL K". No need to wait for skeds or propagation to change. You can run a test with your new portable antenna and then compare it to another. If there is QSB you will have to average your reports. There are other RBN's for RTTY/PSK/Data, etc. Paul w0rw Reply to a comment by : W0RW on 2021-01-14 Yes, there are High Altitude hazards on Pikes Peak. It can be 30 degrees colder at 14,000 feet than down below in the city. Here are some great travel links: https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/outdoors/scenic-drives/pikes-peak-highway/ https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/outdoors/scenic-drives/pikes-peak-highway/ https://coloradosprings.gov/pikespeakcameras The summit house is being rebuilt so the facilities are not open yet, (Jan. 2021). Check those links for new information. There are lots of hiking opportunities but altitude sickness can stop you like hitting a wall. You should plan a hike at 10,000 feet first. Automobiles do loose power and burn excessive fuel, some overheat going up or loose their brakes going down hill. It is all fun. 73 Paul w0rw Reply to a comment by : KC6RWI on 2021-01-14 How does the car run getting up to the peak?, it must loose some power at the end. Are there some activities as far as eating, hiking, that are affected at that altitude? | ||
| W0RW | 2021-01-14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| Yes, there are High Altitude hazards on Pikes Peak. It can be 30 degrees colder at 14,000 feet than down below in the city. Here are some great travel links: https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/outdoors/scenic-drives/pikes-peak-highway/ https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/outdoors/scenic-drives/pikes-peak-highway/ https://coloradosprings.gov/pikespeakcameras The summit house is being rebuilt so the facilities are not open yet, (Jan. 2021). Check those links for new information. There are lots of hiking opportunities but altitude sickness can stop you like hitting a wall. You should plan a hike at 10,000 feet first. Automobiles do loose power and burn excessive fuel, some overheat going up or loose their brakes going down hill. It is all fun. 73 Paul w0rw Reply to a comment by : KC6RWI on 2021-01-14 How does the car run getting up to the peak?, it must loose some power at the end. Are there some activities as far as eating, hiking, that are affected at that altitude? | ||
| KC6RWI | 2021-01-14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| How does the car run getting up to the peak?, it must loose some power at the end. Are there some activities as far as eating, hiking, that are affected at that altitude? | ||
| WI4P | 2021-01-12 | |
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| Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| Thanks, good information, JP | ||