Checking Off a Bucket-List Park: Pedestrian Mobile at the North Carolina State Capitol! by Thomas (K4SWL) On Thursday, January 15, 2026, I finally set aside time to activate a park that had been on my bucket list for a very long time: the North Carolina State Capitol State Historic Site (US-6852).…

KB2PIZ: Pairing the SGC 2020 and CHA LEFS 4010 at Fort Boggy State Park by Mark (KB2PIZ) After the snowstorm on the 26th of January, my work took me up the road to College Station, Texas and then to Dallas, Texas for one day. Looking at the map, I saw that if I headed west from College Station, I…

Two Marks POTA at W. Goodrich Jones State Park! by Mark (KB2PIZ) Every year, when I go to Houston for a conference, I manage to squeeze in an amazing eyeball QSO with Mark Tyler (K5GQ). Mark is my CWOPS Instructor and mentor, instrumental in bringing my CW skills up to speed. We had originally…

Heavy 40 Meter Morning Pileups from a Quiet North Carolina State Forest by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday morning, January 14, I decided to squeeze in another Parks on the Air activation while spending a few days in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. This time, I set my sights on Clemmons…

Alan’s Elecraft KX2 Field Kit in a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack My friend Alan (W2AEW) has just posted a video of his new Elecraft KX2 field kit built into a Hidden Woodsmen Haversack M55: Click here to view on YouTube. I love your field kit, Alan! I especially appreciate the number of antenna…

W7MDN: Trail-Running SOTA with the LNR Mountain Topper MTR-3B by Matt (W7MDN) The Perfect Combination When my work schedule allows, I try to marry up trail running with a SOTA activation, which adds to the adventure aspect of Summits on the Air. I’ve been tweaking my ultralight SOTA kit recently,…

Pairing the KX2 & AX1 for a Quickie Activation at Falls Lake State Recreational Area by Thomas (K4SWL) On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, I was in Raleigh, North Carolina for the week, trying to fit in as many Parks on the Air activations as possible while my wife and I ran errands and worked through a…

Trying to Choose Between the Elecraft KH1 or Elecraft KX2? Here Are Some Questions You Should Ask Yourself. By Thomas (K4SWL) One of the question I’m asked often by readers—especially those looking for a highly capable, do-it-all field radio—is this: “Which radio should I buy: the Elecraft KH1 or…

Tested: “The Surprising Flaws in 18650 Lithium-Ion Batteries” Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) for sharing this recent episode of Adam Savage's Tested, where he and his guests (Alex Hao and Andreas Bastian of Lumafield) take a close look at CT scans of 18650 lithium batteries, uncovering battery…

KB2PIZ: Greenhalgh Trail BLM — A Lightly Activated POTA Site by Mark (KB2PIZ) After finishing one of the most amazing, serendipitous activations in Jerome State Historical Park, our journey had us heading up 89A towards Kanab, Utah. Looking at the map, five minutes from where I was going to work…

Hidden Woodsmen Haversack: First POTA test of my new FT-818 field kit by Thomas (K4SWL) Earlier this month, my wife and I dropped our daughters off at their universities to start their spring terms, then decided to spend a week in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. While we did have a few…

KI5OEB: Two POTA Activations with the Xiegu G90 by James (KI5OEB) It has been a few months since I have written about my adventures. I acquired a Xiegu G90 from my friend, Steve, KM9G, AKA Temporarily Offline from YouTube. It was a bargain, and for years I had recommended people purchase one if…

A Coastal Finale: Pedestrian Mobile POTA at Fort Fisher State Historic Site! by Thomas (K4SWL) You might recall that during my recent field reports, I was on the coast of North Carolina with my family for a pre-Christmas winter vacation. We spent about a week based in Carolina Beach, and it was a…

WR7D: A Football Championship and Some POTA! by Ken (WR7D) A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I had the chance to go to the FCS Championship Football game in Nashville, TN. The reason we made the trek was because our daughter is in the marching band for Montana State. We try to go to every event…

Video: W2AEW Shows How to Install a Mechanical Filter in the Yaesu FT-857D Our friend Alan (W2AEW) has posted an excellent how-to video for those wishing to install a mechanical filter in the Yaesu FT-857D: Click here to view on YouTube.

KB2PIZ’s Serendipitous Activation of Jerome State Park (US-10516) by Mark (KB2PIZ) Wow, the magic of Ham radio! As part of my work, I was driving from Tucson, Arizona, to Kanab, Utah. Route 179 passes right through Sedona, so my wife and I decided to take a 5-day mini vacation on the way to Kanab.…

Two Wires, Five Watts, and a Cold Afternoon at Carolina Beach State Park by Thomas (K4SWL) On December 15, during our family’s weeklong vacation together at Carolina Beach, North Carolina, we set out that morning for a day trip to Southport. My hope was to squeeze in an activation of the Brunswick…

Luca’s Accidental QRPp experience by Luca (IW2EPE) Hello, all QRP enthusiasts. What I'm going to tell you about is my experience with HF radio and how great it is to do QRP. One night earlier this month, I planned a short radio activity for my lunch break the following day. I had decided to use my…

How the Field Radio Landscape Has Changed and Why There’s Never Been a Better Time to Jump In! Over the past few months, I’ve received a steady stream of emails and comments that have all landed in the same place in my mind: just how much the field radio space has changed, especially in the last…

Elecraft KH1 Firmware Version 1.27 Adds SOTAmat Functionality and Morse Audio Feedback Many thanks to Steve (KV4AN) and Dan (N7CQR) who note that Elecraft has just issued a firmware update that adds new functionality to the Elecraft KH1.  Steve notes: Thomas, Elecraft has released Firmware Version…

Century 22: Mike’s “Barn Find” Radio! by Mike (VE3MKX) A ham radio "barn find" is discovering vintage piece of amateur radio gear (transmitters, receivers, test equipment) in barns, garages, attics or closets ! This story isn't anything out of the norm, just a fluke. It was a regular day at home,…

Dating Your Vintage Bug Made Easy: A New Tool from W6JSV Many thanks to Jay (W6JSV), who recently created a useful tool for those of us with vintage bugs. He notes: I also wanted to write you about a website I made that you might find useful: I got tired of looking up serial numbers on a PDF and…

A Window of Fine Weather: Early Morning Pedestrian Mobile on the Beach at Fort Fisher SRA by Thomas (K4SWL) As I mentioned in recent field reports, my family and I took a weeklong, off-season vacation on the North Carolina coast a couple of weeks before Christmas. I’ve already published two field…

I was going to write a field report this morning… …but instead, I’ve decided to hit the field! I’m in Raleigh, NC today and had planned to spend the morning putting together a field report and activation video. Instead, I looked outside, saw the sun (after quite a lot of driving in the rain…

VU3GLJ’s First POTA Activation in Tadoba National Park (IN-0067) Many thanks to Bharath (VU3GLJ), who kindly shares the following field report, originally published on his ham radio blog: My First POTA by Bharath (VU3GLJ) 31 December 2025 A wonderful way to end the year and a year of many firsts…

Vacation POTA: Pedestrian Portable at Carolina Beach State Park by Thomas (K4SWL) On Saturday morning, December 13, 2025, we had just begun a week-long vacation in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. That morning, we were getting ready to head into Wilmington to visit friends and do a bit of holiday…

W3HN & NI4K: Trying to Enjoy an Ice-Cold, Holiday Six-Pack in the Woods of Pennsylvania  By John Hartzell (W3HN) and Zach Hartzell (NI4K) Every other year, we host our family for Christmas in Pennsylvania, and 2025 was one of those years.  Having three hams in the immediate family – W3HN, NI4K,…

A Coastal Break and Field Kit Reality Check at Carolina Beach State Park by Thomas (K4SWL) After my daughters finished their fall term at university, my wife and I picked them up and headed to the coast of North Carolina for a week together before the Christmas holiday season kicked into full…

EI3LH’s “Frivolous CW Superproject” Many thanks to Ian (EI3LH), who shares the following post, originally posted on his blog: My frivolous CW superproject (and how it nearly broke me). by Ian (EI3LH) During the Autumn of 2025, I acquired my first proper vintage transceiver, the much lauded Yaesu…

Gear Talk: Choosing Earbuds and Audio Recorders by Thomas (K4SWL) Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2025 is off to a great start for you. As is often the case, a recent field report sparked some excellent follow-up questions. Many thanks to Hamilton (KD0FNR) for the comment he left in response to…

Impromptu POTA: A Cold, Windy Activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway with the KH1 by Thomas (K4SWL) Yesterday--December 29, 2025--I had a few errands to run in town. The plan was simple: make my appointments, grab groceries, and head straight home. I had projects waiting for me there, including…

Quickie Activation: Nine Minutes of Radio Therapy at the NC Transportation Museum by Thomas (K4SWL) On Monday, December 1, 2025, I managed to squeeze in a last-minute, impromptu--and very speedy--activation of the North Carolina Transportation Museum State Historic Site. It was a short activation,…

KD9ZAB: QRP POTA and SOTA From the Top of Missouri by Adam (KD9ZAB) Last Saturday (December 20, 2025) was one of those activations that remind you why QRP is addictive. I activated US-1788 for Parks on the Air and W0M/SF-001 for Summits on the Air from Taum Sauk Mountain State Park, running my…

What QRP Has Taught Me About Slowing Down by Thomas (K4SWL) It’s Christmas Eve as I write this, sipping my first cup of morning coffee, the house is still quiet, and I’ve had a few thoughts on my mind that I’d like to explore--if you’ll indulge me for a moment. One of the things I love most about…

Ending Our POTA Rove on the Right Foot: South Mountain State Park with Scott VA3EKR While Scott (VA3EKR) was visiting western North Carolina, we decided that Monday, November 17, 2025, would be devoted entirely to a three‑park POTA rove. Our first stop was Lake James State Park (you can read that…

KD9YEY: Planning a Winter POTA Rover Run in Indiana A Warthog and a Rhino by Bryce (KD9YEY) Winter has settled firmly over Indiana. As the temperatures drop and daylight fades, most people retreat indoors to enjoy the cozy activities neglected during warmer months. For this crew of two, however,…

Brian’s Journey to a Kilo on the North Country Trail A Long Kilo on the North Country Trail by Brian (K3ES) The North Country Trail (NCT), US-4239, is the longest National Scenic Trail in America.  It stretches 4800 miles across eight states, from Lake Sakakawea State Park in North Dakota to its…

Pedestrian Mobile at Its Best: An Impromptu KH1 SOTA Activation at Anderson Mountain Yesterday, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, I managed to squeeze in a very impromptu Summits on the Air activation. My wife and I had been away from the QTH for nearly two weeks. One of those weeks was spent on the…

Still Roving: Our Second POTA Activation at Table Rock Fish Hatchery On Monday, November 17, 2025, Scott (VA3EKR) and I decided to do a small POTA rove in western North Carolina. Our first stop was Lake James State Park (you can read that field report here). As I mentioned in that post, we truly…

From Attempt to Activation: K1PAP’s Second SOTA Outing Pays Off Many thanks to Paolo (K1PAP) for sharing the following field report--a follow-up to this one--which was also published on his blog: Second Attempt to Activate SOTA for the First Time by Paolo (K1PAP) Well, 2nd time lucky! As always, I…

Starting a Multi-Park Day Right: Lake James State Park (US-2739) with VA3EKR On Monday, November 17, 2025, my buddy Scott (VA3EKR) was still visiting us here in Western North Carolina. You might recall that the previous Friday, Scott, Vlado (N3CZ), and I activated Dogback Mountain together. After…

A First SOTA Attempt: K1PAP Shares Hard-Earned Lessons Many thanks to Paolo (K1PAP) for sharing this very honest and thoughtful field report from what was meant to be his first SOTA activation. I especially appreciate Paolo’s willingness to be so open about a non-ideal situation — one that could…

QRV: A Mac/iOS Mobile-Friendly Operating Companion for the Field Many thanks to Adam (K2CAT), who recently reached out to let me know about a new iOS/macOS app he’s developed for amateur radio operators called QRV. Adam designed QRV as a sort of Swiss Army Knife app for operating, with a strong…

A Quick Update on the QRPer.com 2026 Calendar Many thanks to everyone who ordered this year’s QRPer.com calendar — 53 copies have already shipped out! Unfortunately, Zazzle has now removed the calendar from their marketplace after flagging one of my photos for a supposed trademark issue. Just to…

Learning CW on an iPad: Any Suggestions for Joel? Many thanks to Joel (KR4GEL) who reached out to me over email with the following question. He's very kindly allowing me to share it here on QRPer.com so the wider community might share advice that could help him on his CW journey: Hi Thomas, I need…

The New KM4CFT Straight Key Kit Many thanks to Jonathan (KM4CFT) who notes that his new straight key kit is now available for purchase at HamGadgets. Here's the description: Straight Key KIT, easy to build and FUN to use, very lightweight (1.3 oz). with embedded rubber strips on the bottom to hold…

SOTA with Friends and First Activation for Scott on Dogback Mountain! On Friday, November 14, 2025, my friend Scott, VA3EKR (a.k.a. KK7TMS State side), was visiting western North Carolina during his travels. He had contacted me ahead of time, asking if we could meet up for some field radio,…

Welcome Breaking News: Our 60-Meter Band Just Got Bigger! by Thomas (K4SWL) The FCC just handed us a new gift, and we're keeping the one we already had, too. Keep in mind, this is my interpretation of the following FCC Report and Order FCC 25-60, released December 9, 2025 (click here to read the…

POTA Sites Deactivation in Virginia: Wildlife Management Areas and Fishing Lakes Many thanks to a number of you who have reached out to share some unfortunate news about POTA sites in Virginia that have been removed from the POTA network. This news was posted by Sean Pyne (W4BKR) who is the…

N3HXZ: Trans-Atlantic SOTA S2S Event from W3 land by Dale (N3HXZ) In the spring and autumn, there is a Trans-Atlantic SOTA summit-to-summit event. The autumn event was held on November 1-2, 2025. This event is open to all amateur radio operators and focuses on summit activating and chasing …