July 1, 2025 - Central Okanagan, BC
The Orchard City Amateur Radio Club had plans to do some maintenance on the Little White VE7ROC repeater (146.82- T88.5). Mike VE7KPZ joined in on the fun - a 6 km return, 400 m elevation gain hike. The plan was to assist as a pack mule and then activate for both SOTA and POTA while at the summit. Little White mountain, SOTA reference VE7/OK-001, is located in Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, POTA reference CA-3863.
The group gets ready at the trailhead cut block parking.
Following Gary Cooper VE7GCP's great instructions, Mike drove to the trailhead the day before and camped out. At 8:30 AM the main group arrived and hiking commenced 9 AM.
The group stopping for a break just exiting the forest section.
Continuing up to the col.
A lovely trail.
Along the ridge to the summit top right.
Sandra packed the two new solar panels all the way to the top like a Nepalese sherpa.
Bug-covered Mike happy to arrive.
The group gained the summit just after 11 AM. The maintenance team, led by Chris Walter VE7EQN, got to work while Mike set up for both VHF and 20/40m HF operation.
Mike's operating position.
This was the first field test of Mike's new QRPLabs QMX. Mike had forgotten to bring headphones/speaker so HF operation could only be via FT8 using iFTx on his phone. 40m FT8 gave only one QSO with Steve Maidment VE7DBS in nearby Kelowna. Conversely, 20m FT8 was jam packed and a bit of a challenge to get heard at QRP power level. Over the next hour the QMX's 5 watts of RF power was able to make 8 more contacts with folks all over North America plus one notable contact in Japan, Kazuhiro "Kaz" Idenuma 7N1FRE.
Mike operating in the shade.
VHF FM operation yielded 11 contacts. Wilf Mulder VE7OHM was the farthest QSO north in Vernon while Orin Beebe VE7BEE was the farthest south in Keremeos. Many Kelowna locals were also added to the log.
SOTA Goat app confirmed the SOTA activation zone.
With a total of 20 QSOs the activations were sufficiently complete so Mike tore down the station and headed over to other repeater site to see if any assistance could be rendered. Mike assisted with a bit of fibreglass work on the comm shell before loading up some of the maintenance supplies to carry for the trip down.
The group heads down.
The group made it back to the vehicles at the trailhead in just over an hour. Down is always easier than up, especially for Mike as he was 4.5 litres of water lighter for the return trip. Mike decided to camp out at the trailhead another night before heading home to Vernon the next day.
July 2 sunrise heading home.
You can see the official OCARC report (with more details of the service work done) for this event here: https://www.ocarc.ca/node/624
It was a great hike with a great group,
Mike VE7KPZ
Ps: if you are interested in mixing amateur radio with hiking, shoot Mike an email via his QRZ email address.
Pps: big thanks to Rob Smith VA7MF and Anton North VE7NRT for picture contributions.