Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation:

1. Propagation and Band Activity.
When you operate QRP portable you want to work as many people as possible so the band conditions must be good.
This means that you have to keep track of the propagation conditions before planning an operation. I check the DX Cluster or RBN’s for activity.
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.

2. Weather Conditions
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
3. Honey Doo Items.
Always check the XYL's honey doo list and make sure you are clear for the day and have a happy home coming.

4. Location and Road Conditions.
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 branches.

5. Equipment Readiness
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.
6. Vittles
I take water, lunch and my VHF HT in a fanny pack.
7. Operating Announcements:
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.
8. Prep Your Vehicle
Put gas in your tank!
9. Initial set up:
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.
10. Safety
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
| VE3CUI | 2022-06-16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| Although I personally don't especially go out of my way to operate QRP myself these days, I recall --- with considerable fondness --- the first 3 years, or so, of my fledgling days as a Ham, when all I ran was an 8-watt input 6T9 compaction tube transmitters, & a half-wave dipole on 40-meters (crystal-controlled, of course!). I guess that's why I NEVER EVER ignore the siren call of somebody calling "CQ QRP" on CW to this very day, on any band...! :o) Reply to a comment by : W0RW on 2022-05-22 Pictures in the article are: 1. Pikes Peak, CO, 14,115 feet. Cold and windy, PRC319 50 watts with 10 foot whip, on 20M CW. 2. St. Elmo, CO, Ghost Town, 11,000 feet, Cold and Snowy, PRC319 50 watts on 20M CW. 3. Independence Pass, CO, 12,000 feet, PRC319 50 watts on 20M CW. 4. W0D, Paraset D-Day operation, 40M CW with 5 Watts. 5. On the Beach, Siesta Key, FL, Elecraft KX-1, 20M CW with 5 Watts. The salty water gives a 3dB boost. Even the surfers have drag wires. Paul w0rw | ||
| W0RW | 2022-05-23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| This article is also available in Chinese, Thanks to BG4HRM. https://www.hellocq.net/forum/read.php?tid=350086 Paul w0rw Reply to a comment by : W0RW on 2022-05-22 Pictures in the article are: 1. Pikes Peak, CO, 14,115 feet. Cold and windy, PRC319 50 watts with 10 foot whip, on 20M CW. 2. St. Elmo, CO, Ghost Town, 11,000 feet, Cold and Snowy, PRC319 50 watts on 20M CW. 3. Independence Pass, CO, 12,000 feet, PRC319 50 watts on 20M CW. 4. W0D, Paraset D-Day operation, 40M CW with 5 Watts. 5. On the Beach, Siesta Key, FL, Elecraft KX-1, 20M CW with 5 Watts. The salty water gives a 3dB boost. Even the surfers have drag wires. Paul w0rw | ||
| W0RW | 2022-05-22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Ten Steps for Successful Portable QRP Operation: | ||
| Pictures in the article are: 1. Pikes Peak, CO, 14,115 feet. Cold and windy, PRC319 50 watts with 10 foot whip, on 20M CW. 2. St. Elmo, CO, Ghost Town, 11,000 feet, Cold and Snowy, PRC319 50 watts on 20M CW. 3. Independence Pass, CO, 12,000 feet, PRC319 50 watts on 20M CW. 4. W0D, Paraset D-Day operation, 40M CW with 5 Watts. 5. On the Beach, Siesta Key, FL, Elecraft KX-1, 20M CW with 5 Watts. The salty water gives a 3dB boost. Even the surfers have drag wires. Paul w0rw | ||