Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Length of POTA activation  (Read 592 times)

AE5X

  • Member
  • Posts: 1755
Length of POTA activation
« on: August 21, 2022, 05:13:50 AM »

Those of you here who frequently activate POTA sites, I'm curious how long your activations typically last. And is that amount of time determined by battery life, weather (heat/cold) or something else?

My own last about 2 hours, based on battery life (12AH powering a 100W radio or a 3AH battery with a QRP rig).
Logged

GRUMPY2021

  • Posts: 280
    • HomeURL
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2022, 05:47:34 AM »

Well... there are 7146 activators listed.   I would say you will get 7146 different answers.   The only rule to activation is you have to have 10 contacts to activate a park, the rest would be a myriad of personal preferences.    Just my opinion.   
Logged

K0UA

  • Member
  • Posts: 9589
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2022, 05:48:08 AM »

Two hours is the longest one we have done.   Summer heat stress is the limiting factor. We shall see this fall. The battery, (20 amp hours) seems to last longer than we do.
Logged
73  James K0UA

AE0Q

  • Member
  • Posts: 414
    • AE0Q Amateur Radio
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2022, 08:19:51 AM »

My wife and I sometimes operate for 4 or 5 hours.  Use a 40AH LiFePO4 battery, 100w SSB (or me on CW), and we carry our own "porta-potty".  It usually gets to be dinner time and the dogs get hungry.
When I go to parks on Wednesdays for CW I stay for 3 hours, calling CQ the whole time, also 100w.  The battery is never the issue.
Glenn AE0Q
Logged
NSGA Edzell 1974-77  CTM2  GM5BKC : NSGA Rota 1972-74   ZB2WZ, SV0WY
https://radioandtravels.blogspot.com/
http://www.qsl.net/ae0q/

AE5X

  • Member
  • Posts: 1755
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2022, 10:20:35 AM »

The reason I'm asking is because I'm trying to imagine the characteristics that might make for an ideal, non-QRP POTA rig. Almost any QRP rig is good for the purpose but with 100W radios getting smaller and batteries having higher capacity for less weight, it's now quite convenient to operate portable with 100 watts and therefore put less burden on those hunting.

The FT-891 is currently my POTA rig when I'm not QRP. I use it with an external LDG autotuner just to make sure my temporary (and often less than ideal) antenna is matched - and to cheat at times, getting on 17m with a 20m antenna. I've just pre-ordered an FT-710 - it has a built-in tuner and is not much larger than the '891 at 9x9x3 inches. It might be the ideal POTA/mobile/home rig. At any rate, it'll eliminate the external tuner, 8 AA batteries that power it and two patch cables.
Logged

AE0Q

  • Member
  • Posts: 414
    • AE0Q Amateur Radio
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2022, 10:49:00 AM »

it's now quite convenient to operate portable with 100 watts and therefore put less burden on those hunting.

Ahh, there are the park activators that make 10 Qs for THEIR activations, and then there are people that make a hundred or more so OTHER people get to work the parks :-)  We/I always use 100w to make as many as possible..

Quote
I've just pre-ordered an FT-710 - it has a built-in tuner and is not much larger than the '891 at 9x9x3 inches. It might be the ideal POTA/mobile/home rig. At any rate, it'll eliminate the external tuner,

Sounds like it will be a good POTA / WWFF radio!!  I use a TT Eagle (100w) with built-in tuner and 600Hz roofing filter.  Typical activation is on 20m using a 32 ft 20m EFHW on 32 ft mast, but the Eagle tuner tunes it on 17m, too, so I try that band first every time I go out.  Usually make over 100 contacts on CW.

I use a QRPworks SideKar Extreme for CW and logging, it is smaller than a laptop and can be positioned  so my wife can see who I am logging when we operate SSB together.

« Last Edit: August 21, 2022, 10:57:14 AM by AE0Q »
Logged
NSGA Edzell 1974-77  CTM2  GM5BKC : NSGA Rota 1972-74   ZB2WZ, SV0WY
https://radioandtravels.blogspot.com/
http://www.qsl.net/ae0q/

KQ4KK

  • Member
  • Posts: 83
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2022, 11:10:23 AM »

I usually stay 1-1.5 hours. Try to work 60-100 contacts per park. I work out of my SUV using a ICOM 7100, Full size Tarheel Screwdriver antenna and a 20amph or 100amph lipo4 battery.
With the 20ah battery, I can work 3 parks in one day, on one charge. I have worked as many as 5 parks on one charge with the 20ah battery. Still averaging over 50 contacts a park.
Logged

K0UA

  • Member
  • Posts: 9589
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2022, 06:42:30 PM »

It is amazing how many contacts you can make with 100 watts on SSB with a 20 amp hour LiFePo battery.
Logged
73  James K0UA

N2TO

  • Posts: 106
    • HomeURL
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2022, 12:18:43 PM »

I usually work 60+ to 90 minutes when activating.

I have never operated at 100W, run 10W on IC-703, the max output. I have an FT-857D and have messed with the idea of that rig at 50W output with the Bioenno 12V 15Ah battery. Just returned from vacation in Maine and I worked POTA stations that had quite a pileup going on CW and SSB. It's time to get a 15Ah or larger battery.

73 Kevin N2TO
Logged

AE5X

  • Member
  • Posts: 1755
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2022, 02:09:42 PM »

I have an FT-857D and have messed with the idea of that rig at 50W output with the Bioenno 12V 15Ah battery.

My 12AH Bioenno battery lasts for two hours of constant use (CW/SSB) with the FT-891. When I ordered the battery I actually ordered the 9AH but Bioenno was out of them at the time. They gave me the option of waiting or just getting the 12AH battery at the 9AH price. Of course I couldn't wait - if they're going to dangle a battery in front of me, I'm gonna snap at it like a Nile croc.

Lately I've been attaching Bioenno's 100W folding solar panel to it as I operate - even after 3 hours, I return home with a fully charged battery.
Logged

K0UA

  • Member
  • Posts: 9589
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2022, 03:33:19 PM »

I usually work 60+ to 90 minutes when activating.

I have never operated at 100W, run 10W on IC-703, the max output. I have an FT-857D and have messed with the idea of that rig at 50W output with the Bioenno 12V 15Ah battery. Just returned from vacation in Maine and I worked POTA stations that had quite a pileup going on CW and SSB. It's time to get a 15Ah or larger battery.

73 Kevin N2TO

I have been running this one on the Ft891 with good results. $100. About half the price of the bioenno. and has all the same features.


https://www.amazon.com/ECI-Power-Rechargeable-2000-5000-Applications/dp/B0973LL679/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1065TGPQIAOTQ&keywords=20+amp+hour+lithium+battery&qid=1661293707&sprefix=20+amp+hour%2Caps%2C3684&sr=8-6


Logged
73  James K0UA

N2TO

  • Posts: 106
    • HomeURL
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2022, 08:20:03 AM »

Great info, thanks guys!

73 Kevin N2TO
Logged

AE0Q

  • Member
  • Posts: 414
    • AE0Q Amateur Radio
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2022, 11:35:42 AM »

I have an FT-857D and have messed with the idea of that rig at 50W output with the Bioenno 12V 15Ah battery.
My 12AH Bioenno battery lasts for two hours of constant use (CW/SSB) with the FT-891.

I have some power usage numbers from 22 park activations this year.

All CW, all on Wednesdays for 2.5 to 3 hours, TT Eagle at max output (90w on battery voltage, 1.2A rcv, 15A xmit).  I call CQ the whole time I'm at a park at 24-25 wpm (slowing down when answered by slower ops), and for 1 hour (1900-2000z) I operate the CWops CWT, which is constant CW at 30 wpm.  All these park activations have been between 130 and 226 CW contacts.

I have one of those inline DC power monitors BUT I only use it for charging the battery at home.  It has Powerpole connectors and since every connection makes a slight voltage drop, I don't use it when on the air.  A heavy 4 ft DC cable connects the radio to a 40 Ah LiFePO4 battery.

The most power it has taken to CHARGE the battery after an activation is 21.0 Ah, the least has been 17.0 Ah.  The lesser Ah was a 2.5 hour outing, still CQing the whole time.  Sometimes during the 1 hour CWT I have worked as many as 112 stations (twice), usually it is around 90, and sometimes 70 or so.

A 20 Ah LiFePO4 battery would be near or at it's limit for most of my park activations.

Glenn AE0Q
« Last Edit: September 29, 2022, 11:46:36 AM by AE0Q »
Logged
NSGA Edzell 1974-77  CTM2  GM5BKC : NSGA Rota 1972-74   ZB2WZ, SV0WY
https://radioandtravels.blogspot.com/
http://www.qsl.net/ae0q/

W1MOW

  • Member
  • Posts: 269
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2022, 09:37:25 AM »

I usually work 60+ to 90 minutes when activating.

I have never operated at 100W, run 10W on IC-703, the max output. I have an FT-857D and have messed with the idea of that rig at 50W output with the Bioenno 12V 15Ah battery. Just returned from vacation in Maine and I worked POTA stations that had quite a pileup going on CW and SSB. It's time to get a 15Ah or larger battery.

73 Kevin N2TO

I have been running this one on the Ft891 with good results. $100. About half the price of the bioenno. and has all the same features.


https://www.amazon.com/ECI-Power-Rechargeable-2000-5000-Applications/dp/B0973LL679/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1065TGPQIAOTQ&keywords=20+amp+hour+lithium+battery&qid=1661293707&sprefix=20+amp+hour%2Caps%2C3684&sr=8-6




I also use this battery when operating portable. I use a FT-450D, FT-891, or a Xiegu G-90 at 5 - 10 watts. Have yet to have to stop because of the battery.

Gary W1MOW
Logged
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt - Bertram Russell (1935)

So not much has changed in almost 90 years!

AB7R

  • Posts: 254
    • HomeURL
Re: Length of POTA activation
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2022, 01:03:50 PM »

Hi John!

My last outing at Deer Flats the park rangers had to kick me out since they were locking the gates!  :)  I think I operated around 3 hours using the IC705 and 40M EFHW.

For power I use a 15AH PowerBox.  If I want a bit more power then I connect the HR50.  I used a laptop last time with N1MM and afterwards edited the adif with ADIF Master.  I just like how N1MM manages the messages.  I did pick up a Sidecar Extreme to use for my next outing.  I will still bring the laptop "just in case".

If I want to keep things lite weight, it will just be the 705 with an AH705 tuner and the sidecar Ex.

73
Greg
AB7R
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up