A possible early departure for the TAT/QRP motorcycle ride

Since my initial posting a few weeks ago, I've heard from half a dozen other ham/off-road motorcyclists who have ridden or are planning something similar to what I'm hoping to do. It's great to know that there are others reading this who can relate!

I'm working toward my planned ride of the Trans-America Trail on several fronts:

Departure Date

I'm keeping a close eye on the Colorado passes and noting reports from locals in that area regarding snow in the high elevations. It seems the passes are expected to open earlier than usual this year, having received lighter-than-normal snowfalls. As I type in mid-April, Engineer Pass is currently open - something that doesn't usually happen until July.

Portion of the Colorado TAT

 

There are two options for the Colorado TAT - one goes over Engineer Pass, the other over Ophir Pass. I've ridden over Engineer (10 years ago) but Ophir was my nemesis. I dropped my heavy Suzuki DR650 three times trying to reach the top, having to pick up the 400lb beast at 12,000 feet, huffing and puffing in the thin air.

Ophir is steeper than Engineer Pass and, as one approaches the top, the trail consists almost entirely of grapefruit-size rocks. That, combined with a carbuerated engine's lack of horsepower at that elevation, made forward momentum an iffy commodity; thus the fall-downs.

Mentioned previously: my new bike is lighter in weight and fuel-injected.

Departing sooner than the anticipated late June date is something I'm hoping for; May means less heat in Oklahoma and Utah. By July, those states are hotter than the hinges on Hell's front door. 

The Radio 

Half a dozen recent POTA activations with the mcHF, QMX, Currahee and KX2 have confirmed what I already knew - that modularity is King. Despite it being the most expensive rig with the most to lose if I screw it up, the KX2 is, and will remain, the Rig of Choice.

 

With the KX2 having a built-in ATU, mic and battery there will be fewer items to keep track of and a more compact over-all package.

I currently have a KXUSBC2 on the way and that will eliminate the bulky wall-wart needed to charge the internal battery and the long (6m/20ft) DC cable that the other rigs need to power them from the bike's lead-acid battery. With the KXUSBC2, I'll be able to fully charge the KX2's internal battery from any USB-C jack, including while I ride.

Also powered/charged by USB-C on this ride will be the Garmin Montana GPS/in-Reach, my phone, Neo 2, and Insta360. It just makes sense to add the KX2 to the list of items using this charge format.

The antenna will be a 5m/17ft telescoping whip mounted to a rack above the bike's rear tire. It retracts to 53cm/21". Two radials of the same length, a 6m/20ft piece of RG-316 and a set of eBay paddles complete the kit.

I have, but won't be taking, a 40m coil for the antenna. I've never had good results with it and it's not worth its weight on a trip like this.

So all activity will be 10-20m, mostly (all?) CW. 

Georgia TAT - click for larger

Riding and Navigating

Whatever date I choose, I'll be hauling the bike in a pick-up from here in Florida up to my sister's house in Canton GA, then leaving the next morning from the closest point on the TAT to that location, somewhere near Chatsworth GA. 

I'm shooting for 150-200 miles a day for the eastern portions of the TAT, stopping to smell the roses and tickle the ether with small amounts of RF. 

There are numerous parks along the way and I may camp in some of them. I'm not a fan of camping in hot and humid weather but, for more pleasant forecasts in beautiful locations, I'll have a tent/sleeping bag along. This will primarily be in the western parts of the TAT.

I have all the GPS tracks downloaded into my Garmin, a Montana 700i model that also includes inReach functionality so that I can text my lovely bride from time to time, even w/o cellular coverage. It also plots my QTH on a map every 10 minutes. I may make that link public...not sure about that yet.

Photos, Video?

I have a helmet cam, a 360d camera - and a very unique drone. One of these days when I'm an old man and have learned how to act like one, I'll be able to say "This is what I did when I was 65".

The drone is a very tiny DJI Neo 2. It flies a pre-determined route without needing a controller of any type, though I can fly it with a controller in the normal way, or even via an app on my phone out to 150m.

I've been testing it for a few weeks now, motorcycling on local trails as the drone automatically follows or leads me, dodging trees and any other obstacles like magic.

I've always enjoyed photography and am looking forward to the photo opportunities this ride will provide. 

Other than water and a few snacks, I won't be taking food or cooking gear. This helps justify the electronic gadgetry. On nights that I camp, I'll buy a sandwich in whatever town was previous to my camping location and sup on it as the stars come out.

The Two Oft-Asked Questions

No, I won't be "packing heat". But I will be taking bear spray. UDAP bear spray, ie, the good stuff. Anyone who thinks a mere spray isn't effective on a bear hasn't seen it in action.

I have and I'm a believer.

And, although it may be tough to coordinate, anyone who wants to ride along for a portion is more than welcome to join me. If you live along the TAT, I can let you know when I expect to be passing through, maybe a day in advance. 

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