Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is my first attempt at backcountry bicycling for any reason, so naturally I decided to chase a POTA ATNO at the same time!
Visit qrper.com/2025/08/first-time-bicycle-backcountry-activation for a written version of this story along with lots of still photos.
The staging area (Little Elbow PRA) is half an hour from cellular service, and I'm heading deeper into backcountry on this solo adventure.
Ten Essentials article from REI rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
🫵🏻 I'm interested in your feedback on what you'd have done differently with the same gear set I had. Please leave your comments below.
Radio gear list that I brought along: (✅ indicates used)
✅ Elecraft KX3 and hand mic
✅ FT8 cable kit for lightning to KX3; used with iFTx
✅ Charmast USB-C PD battery
✅ USB-C PD to 12v cable
✅ Palm Pico Paddle
✅ Leadsound speaker
✅ Gigaparts POTA Explorer 20 CF mast
✅ Packtenna EFHW 20m (w/40m extension)
Packtenna EFRW 20m (w/40m extension)
N6ARA Tiny CW Key
16' RG-316 feedline with BNC
✅ 25' RG-174 feedline with BNC
✅ Tufteln inline choke
N6ARA Tiny choke
N6ARA Tiny SWR
a variety of BNC to SO-239 adapters
Like and Subscribe!
☞ Tips for learning CW ve6lk.com/learning-morse-code
🫵🏻 Morse Tutor kits for sale ve6lk.com/morse-tutor-kits
🫵🏻 Follow me on Twitter twitter.com/VE6LK
🫵🏻 Follow me on Mastodon https://mastodon.hams.social/@VE6LK
🫵🏻 See my website ve6lk.com
🫵🏻 Follow my adventures on QRPer.com qrper.com/author/vince
☞ Subscribe to Thomas K4SWL on YouTube @ThomasK4SWL
☞ Drop by the New CW Operators Roundtable hosted by @AA0Z and Subscribe!
#cw #pota #parksontheair #QRP #hamradio #amateurradio #qrpportable #morsecode #LICW #sota #cwinnovations #CWAcademy #efhw #endfedhalfwave #hamradioantenna #qrp_antenna #antenna #CW_copy_practice #call sign copy practice #CW_copy_practice #subtitles #elecraft #yaesu #alberta #VE6LK #ssb #HamRadioWorkbench #HRWB
This is my first attempt at backcountry bicycling for any reason, so naturally I decided to chase a POTA ATNO at the same time!
Visit qrper.com/2025/08/first-time-bicycle-backcountry-activation for a written version of this story along with lots of still photos.
The staging area (Little Elbow PRA) is half an hour from cellular service, and I'm heading deeper into backcountry on this solo adventure.
Ten Essentials article from REI rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
🫵🏻 I'm interested in your feedback on what you'd have done differently with the same gear set I had. Please leave your comments below.
Radio gear list that I brought along: (✅ indicates used)
✅ Elecraft KX3 and hand mic
✅ FT8 cable kit for lightning to KX3; used with iFTx
✅ Charmast USB-C PD battery
✅ USB-C PD to 12v cable
✅ Palm Pico Paddle
✅ Leadsound speaker
✅ Gigaparts POTA Explorer 20 CF mast
✅ Packtenna EFHW 20m (w/40m extension)
Packtenna EFRW 20m (w/40m extension)
N6ARA Tiny CW Key
16' RG-316 feedline with BNC
✅ 25' RG-174 feedline with BNC
✅ Tufteln inline choke
N6ARA Tiny choke
N6ARA Tiny SWR
a variety of BNC to SO-239 adapters
Like and Subscribe!
☞ Tips for learning CW ve6lk.com/learning-morse-code
🫵🏻 Morse Tutor kits for sale ve6lk.com/morse-tutor-kits
🫵🏻 Follow me on Twitter twitter.com/VE6LK
🫵🏻 Follow me on Mastodon https://mastodon.hams.social/@VE6LK
🫵🏻 See my website ve6lk.com
🫵🏻 Follow my adventures on QRPer.com qrper.com/author/vince
☞ Subscribe to Thomas K4SWL on YouTube @ThomasK4SWL
☞ Drop by the New CW Operators Roundtable hosted by @AA0Z and Subscribe!
#cw #pota #parksontheair #QRP #hamradio #amateurradio #qrpportable #morsecode #LICW #sota #cwinnovations #CWAcademy #efhw #endfedhalfwave #hamradioantenna #qrp_antenna #antenna #CW_copy_practice #call sign copy practice #CW_copy_practice #subtitles #elecraft #yaesu #alberta #VE6LK #ssb #HamRadioWorkbench #HRWB
