Many thanks to Jeff (VE7EFF) who shares the following guest post: Off The Beaten Path – Campbell-Brown Ecological Reserve, CA-3925 by Jeff (VE7EFF) This is the 2nd backpacked-in POTA activation outing that my wife and I have done this summer.  I’m the 2nd person to have ever activated the Campbell-Brown Ecological Reserve (CA-3925).  Last year was the … Continue reading Jeff’s Backcountry POTA Adventure: Campbell-Brown Ecological Reserve Activation →

Our friend Alan (W2AEW) has just posted a video showing the process of building, adjusting, and aligning the CFT1 5-band CW portable transceiver. If you’ve been thinking about building a CFT1 kit, this video will help guide you [update: see note from Alan below]: Click here to view on YouTube. Thank you for making this … Continue reading Video: Alan (W2AEW) Builds the CFT1 5-Band CW Field Transceiver →

Many thanks to Rod (VA3MZD) for sharing the following guest post: Operating POTA from the interior of Quetico Provincial Park CA-0359 with a (tr)uSDX By Rod Murray (VA3MZD) In a previous guest post here on QRPer I gave a brief history of my introduction to Ham radio and specifically POTA and my experiences activating local … Continue reading Navigating Quetico: Rod’s POTA Adventure with the (tr)uSDX →

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! →

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 →

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 →

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! →

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 →

Many thanks to Gavin (GM0WDD) who notes that ML&S have posted a product page for the new Yaesu FTX-1F.  I was curious what new product announcements might come out of the Tokyo Ham Fair 2024–this is exciting news, indeed.  The following specs and details all come from Martin Lynch and Sons: The new FTX-1F will … Continue reading The Yaesu FTX-1F Portable HF Transceiver: Yaesu’s replacement for the venerable FT-818 and FT-817 →

Many thanks to Micah (N4MJL) who shares the following guest post: Activating W7U/SL-022 on a Layover by Micah (N4MJL) As an airline pilot, I’m always on the lookout for POTA/SOTA sites that are near me when I have long layovers in different cities across the country. Salt Lake City, Utah is no exception. I always … Continue reading Maximizing a Layover: From the cockpit to the summit of W7U/SL-022 →

Many thank to Bob (K4RLC) who shares the following guest post: Marconi Revived – Activating the Marconi sites in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia by Bob K4RLC VE1/K4RLC Alanna K4AAC and I just returned from a wonderful trip to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. It was a bucket list trip. One goal was to visit and … Continue reading Chasing Marconi’s Legacy: Bob and Alanna’s POTA Adventure in Cape Breton →