Finally getting licensed and planning my first Parks on the Air activation next weekend at the local state park. I've been looking at the Icom IC-705 and Xiegu G90 for portable QRP radios, but I'm really confused about batteries. Everyone talks about LiFePO4 being the way to go, but they're pretty pricey.

For QRP operation (10W or less, CW/SSB): A good starting point is a 6 Ah LiFePO4. It's relatively small and will keep you going most of the day. Would something like this work for a 4-5 hour activation? I don't want to get stranded with a dead radio!

Not only is an equivalent Lithium Iron Phosphate battery cheaper than a lead acid battery now, but it's also 3 to 5 times lighter. For your first activation, a 6Ah LiFePO4 will be perfect - I regularly get 6-8 hours of QRP operation from mine. Just make sure to get one with Anderson Powerpoles!

Don't overthink the battery choice for your first activation. The 12V 12Ah lithium battery, when paired with a small solar panel, offers a lightweight, off-grid solution if you want some backup charging. But honestly, 6Ah should be plenty for QRP work.

Welcome to POTA! You need to make 10 contacts for a successful activation, and it's good practice to upload the logs even for an unsuccessful activation because this way you reward the hunters. Your battery choice sounds fine - focus on having fun and getting those contacts!