Yesterday morning, around 12:00, I picked up a DHL parcel containing the Venus SW-6B. I was so eager to test it in the field that I dropped my lunch plans, took the SW-6B home, opened the box, and quickly attached Anderson Powerpole connectors to the supplied power cable. I didn’t have time to do anything … Continue reading The New Venus SW-6B QRP Transceiver: First POTA Activation and Field Test! →

As always there are lots of links within the article. Click one! Click them all! Learn all the things! ? by Vince (VE6LK) In August and September 2024 I was travelling around Southern Ontario for some family matters and naturally I brought my radio kit with me to squeeze in some radio therapy stops along … Continue reading CW Three Band Activation Among the Giant Timbers →

Many thanks to Christian (IX1CKN) who shares the following field report: How the Red Corners uSDR+ Performed on Its First Field Test by Christian (IX1CKN) 24 QSOs in 104 minutes at 5 watts—how would you rate that? The answer isn’t exactly scientific, as it depends on personal opinions, habits, and the unique propagation conditions during the activation. … Continue reading Christian takes his new “Red Corners” uSDR+ on a POTA shake-out activation →

Many thanks to Jeff (VE7EFF) who shares the following guest post: Hiking and Activating the Backcountry  – Two Activations on one Day Trip by Jeff (VE7EFF) Today’s field report, and three more to come, outlines the outdoor hiking/activation adventures of Jeff – VE7EFF and his wife, Alexis – VE7LXE in the backcountry of south-central British … Continue reading Jeff activates two POTA ATNOs in one day trip! →

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve received messages and comments from several readers asking about the X6200 and whether I would recommend it. For those planning to use it in CW mode, I suggest holding off for now. I discovered early in testing that there is a keyer timing issue, especially when operating in … Continue reading Xiegu X6200: Quick note about keyer timing →

I woke up around 6:45 on Saturday, August 24, 2024. That’s late for me, but I tend to sleep well when camping and it must have helped that the previous evening POTA activation by the campfire was pure bliss. There were some noises in the campground that woke me up during the night (probably other … Continue reading Morning on the Trail and On the Air: A Relaxing K2 QRP POTA Activation from the Campsite →

As always there are lots of links within the article. Click one! Click them all! Learn all the things! by Vince (VE6LK) In August and September 2024, I was travelling around Southern Ontario for some family matters and naturally I brought my radio kit with me to squeeze in some radio therapy stops along the … Continue reading Summer evening activation with a buddy →

As always there are lots of links within the article. Click one! Click them all! Learn all the things! by Vince (VE6LK) In August and September 2024 I was travelling around Southern Ontario for some family matters and naturally I brought my radio kit with me to squeeze in some radio therapy stops along the … Continue reading Cross-border activation between friends →

Many thanks to Micah (N4MJL) who shares the following guest post: Activating Grandeur Peak (W7U/NU-065) by Micah (N4MJL) Emboldened by my successful activation of W7U/SL-022 (7,500ft MSL) a week earlier, I decided to up my SOTA game and try to activate Grandeur Peak (W7U/NU-065). Grandeur Peak is located in the Wasatch Range (POTA Entity US-4398) just to … Continue reading Climbing Grandeur Peak: Micah’s SOTA Adventure in Utah’s Wasatch Range →

Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) who shares the following field report which was originally posted on his blog: August 4, 2024, HMCS Haida National Historic Site (CA-4870) by Scott (VA3EKR) I wanted to try out a new park, and so I visited the HMCS Haida National Historic Site (CA-4870). Band conditions were simply awful, so thankfully … Continue reading Scott Activates the HMCS Haida →

by Teri (KO4WFP) After a fun POTA for K2D the previous week, it was time to resume the pursuit of my 2024 goal – 60 new valid POTA activations. Friday, August 30th, I headed to Fort McAllister State Park (US-2175). Though I have lived in Savannah most of my life, I’ve never visited this park … Continue reading The POTA Babe Goes Back in Time →

Friday, August 23, 2024, was packed with activities, but I was looking forward to the evening to wind down and relax. That morning and afternoon, my wife and I ran numerous errands around town. I played chauffeur to my daughters, taking them to their volunteer jobs and Shakespeare classes. The day wrapped up around 5:00 … Continue reading Testing My C6 Rooftop Tent During an Overnight POTA Camping Trip! →

Many thanks to Micah (N4MJL) who shares the following guest post: Fort Point (3-Fer POTA activation) San Francisco 1 June 2024 by Micah (N4MJL) What do you do with 24 hours off in San Francisco? Well, as a card carrying FCC certified nerd, I hit the streets and headed off to Fort Point with my brand new … Continue reading 24 Hours in San Francisco: Three POTAs in One Activation! →

by Teri (KO4WFP) After a one-month hiatus, it was time for the POTA Babe to get back in the saddle. Tuesday, August 13, Daisy and I dropped off my son and headed out for an adventure. Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve (US-3913), across the Savannah River in South Carolina, is a 45 minute drive from … Continue reading The POTA Babe Gets Skunked →

Many thanks to Conrad (N2YCH) who shares the following field report: Activating Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania August 21, 2024 By: Conrad Trautmann, N2YCH I recently took an overnight trip from Connecticut to Philadelphia via Amtrak and before I left, I checked to see what parks in Philly I might be able to activate. Conveniently, Independence … Continue reading Philly: Conrad Activates Independence National Historical Park →

Many thanks to Paul (KE4SC) who writes: Hi Thomas. I thought I would pass along this idea for your readers. I was using my KX2 on PSK31(and cw!) this weekend at the lake QTH. I felt the rig getting warm. I remembered that my wife bought several of these battery powered personal fans (Cold Sky) … Continue reading Elecraft KX2: Paul’s a fan of this “cool idea” →

Many thanks to Len (W8VQ) who writes: I have been working CW a bit in my upstairs QRP station. Last night, 40 meters was alive. Lots of POTA and general QSOs and a few SKCC. I used my new straight key. I thought you’d enjoy a critique. I used the new key for two SKCC … Continue reading Len Tests a Signet Spring Straight Key →

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, I planned to drive to Hickory, NC to spend part of the morning helping my father with a few tasks. I planned to stay for only three hours, leaving the afternoon open for a SOTA (Summits On The Air) activation of Bakers Mountain. Bakers Mountain is one of the most … Continue reading Finding Joy in the Journey: A Missed SOTA Hike Leads to a Relaxing POTA Activation →

Introduction by Matt (W6CSN) In early August, my family and I had occasion to take a road trip totaling nearly 2800 miles (4500 km) across six different U.S. states. The title of this posting might lead you to think that this trip was dedicated to doing Parks On The Air activations, but that was not … Continue reading Western States POTA Roadtrip Summary →