Many thanks to Alan (W2AEW) for the following guest post: Trapped EFHW antenna story (it’s all Vince’s fault) by Alan (W2AEW) One of my favorite antennas to use for POTA activations is a 40m EFHW wire.  When properly tuned and deployed, it can be used on 40, 20, 15 and 10m without the use of … Continue reading W2AEW’s Trapped EFHW Antenna Tutorial: Building a Smaller, More Versatile Solution for Portable Operations →

If you’ve followed my field reports in the past couple of years, you’ll know that I predominantly use Rite In The Rain notepads and mechanical pencils. When I first started my POTA journey in 2019, I would print out log sheets for each activation just like I did during the National Parks On The Air … Continue reading The Write Stuff: My pencil/paper weatherproof logging combo! →

Many thanks to Scott (VO1DR) who shares the following guest post: Construction Notes – VO1DR Antenna Mount for Camera Monopod by Scott Schillereff,  VO1DR Further to my article about radio during trip to Portugal, a number of readers asked for details on how I mounted my whip antenna system to my camera monopod for /P … Continue reading Construction Notes: VO1DR Monopod Antenna Mount →

When our family needs a change of scenery without a long drive, Mount Mitchell State Park is our go-to destination. I’ve mentioned before that it’s my “happy place” here in North Carolina. Mount Mitchell is only about 6 miles from our home as the crow flies, but it takes about 50 minutes to drive there, … Continue reading Tabletop QRP POTA: A Father’s Day Getaway to Mount Mitchell State Park →

Many thanks to Shane who writes with the following question: I really need some advice. I know you have produced many videos on the Icom IC-705, and I am wondering if there is a way to directly enter frequencies on this rig, without using the touchscreen. Being totally blind, I really need to know this … Continue reading Eternal Keypad for the IC-705? Shane is visually-impaired and seeking advice. →

We’re excited to welcome Bryce Bookwalter (KD9YEY) as a guest contributor on QRPer.com! I had the pleasure of meeting Bryce at the 2024 Hamvention, where he shared his plans for an ambitious hiking adventure next year. Knowing he wanted to incorporate radio into his journey, I asked if he’d be willing to bring us along … Continue reading Guest Post: Preparing radio and trail gear for a once-in-a-lifetime, epic through-hike →

After 126 Days, A Long-Awaited Unboxing: The KH1 Arrives! by Emily (NI1Q) If there was one thing being in a physical rehab facility for 4 months taught me it was friends and families were a comfort.  They brought encouragement, broke the boredom and were helpful in bringing hope when I wasn’t sure if I would … Continue reading NI1Q’s Long-Awaited Elecraft KH1: Worth the Wait? →

Our good friend Alan (W2AEW) has just posted a video on his excellent YouTube channel showing how to build the VK3IL pressure paddle. He also explains how the key works using the schematic and gives tips for working with the surface mount components. This paddle is an exceptional key and quite inexpensive to build! Click … Continue reading Build Your Own VK3IL Pressure Paddle: Alan’s (W2AEW) Step-by-Step Video Tutorial →

On Tuesday morning, May 14, 2024, I hopped in my car and headed north to Athens, Ohio. It was in Athens, back in 1997, that my ham radio journey truly began, and where I met my friends Eric (WD8RIF) and Mike (K8RAT). For over 14 years, Eric, his son Miles (KD8KNC), and I have made … Continue reading POTA Activation at Strouds Run State Park: A Rainy Morning and Ham Radio Memories! →

Many thanks to Mike (KE8PTX) who shares the following video as a follow-up to his previous post about the new Explorer POTA 20 telescoping mast (which I have on order via GigaParts). In this video, Mike shows just how quickly he’s able to deploy the Explorer using his 3D-printed tent stake holder: Click here to … Continue reading Video: Mike shows just how quickly he can deploy the Explorer mast →

Last week, I ran into my good friend Mike (KE8PTX) at Hamvention, and he was bursting with excitement over a new product he’d just purchased: the Explorer POTA20 Carbon Fiber Mast at GigaParts. Mike is a massive fan of the SOTAbeams Carbon 6 telescoping pole and has been through two of them over the years … Continue reading Mike compares the new Explorer POTA20 with the venerable SOTAbeams Carbon 6 Mast →

Many thanks to Bruce (N7RR) who writes: Hi Thomas – Since I’m a licensed radio amateur, I always carry ham gear into the backcountry. However, I also carry my Garmin Mini 2 satellite communicator, since that is usually the most reliable way to get an emergency message transmitted. It will also send a one-way message … Continue reading Bruce notes a sale on the Garmin InReach Mini 2 →

Many thanks to Gordon (KF5JWL) who writes: Tom, I’ve been thinking about this for a while and finally tried it. I attached an alligator clip to the AM-801 [window antenna mount] so it could be used to connect a counterpoise. Turns out alligator clips (at least the Mueller version I had lying around) have a … Continue reading Gordon’s Simple AM-801 Alligator Clip Mod →

Many thanks to Mike (N2HTT) who recently reached out: Hi Tom, I recently treated myself to a Penntek TR-45L, and I think it’s the perfect field CW rig, except for one thing: the viewing angle sitting on a table is too vertical. I made myself a tilt cradle that holds the rig at a 15 … Continue reading N2HTT’s Tilt Cradle for the Penntek TR-45L →

(Note: I cut my Florida POTA trip short as I needed to take care of some personal business. I apologize for the change of plans and the inability to communicate that to y’all. I appreciate everyone’s support of the trip and the QSOs of those who hunted me. Articles will be forthcoming for those activations … Continue reading Planning a POTA Babe Trip – Part 2 →