I’ve been looking for a better way to get to POTA activations, and this might be it. In this video I review the Urlife T18, a 16 inch fat tire electric bike with a 48V 15.6Ah battery, and look at it through the eyes of a ham radio operator. I cover the full specs, what I like, what I don’t, and how an ebike could fit into Parks on the Air activations, portable operating, and emergency communications.
The Urlife T18 has a 48V brushless motor rated at 2000W peak with up to 165 Nm of torque. Its 750Wh lithium ion battery is rated for about 40 miles on throttle alone and up to 80 miles with pedal assist. It rolls on 16 x 4.0 fat tires that handle gravel, dirt, mud, and snow. Other features include a Shimano 7 speed derailleur, front and rear disc brakes, a four spring suspension system, a front light, rear light, turn signals, a horn, a rear rack, a front storage compartment, and an IP54 weather resistance rating. The high carbon steel frame supports up to 120 kg (about 265 lb) and weighs about 83 lb. Charging uses the included 54.6V 2A charger and takes 7 to 8 hours.
For ham radio, the big question is whether a fat tire ebike makes a good POTA vehicle. Many parks have trails, campgrounds, and greenways where a bike can reach spots a car can’t. The rear rack and front storage give room for a portable HF rig, a battery, an antenna, and a small go kit. I talk through how I would pack the T18 for an activation, and why a 750Wh battery on wheels is interesting for off grid and EmComm use.
I also share two upgrades I’m planning. First, solar charging the ebike, so it can be recharged in the field with portable solar panels or a power station. Second, mounting a 2 meter mobile radio on the bike for APRS, local repeaters, and emergency communications while riding. If you want to see either build, let me know in the comments.
Whether you’re a POTA activator, an EmComm or ARES volunteer, a prepper, or just curious about budget fat tire ebikes, this review will help you decide if the Urlife T18 belongs in your plans.
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Urlife T18 - https://link.amazon/B03nVCunY
https://urlifebike.com/
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