QRP News

1. Turning Half a Watt and the Tiny AX1 Antenna into a Proper POTA Adventure!

   On Friday, November 15, 2024, a window of opportunity opened up for me to fit in a POTA activation—and I couldn’t be happier I took it! Life in Swannanoa is gradually normalizing after Hurricane Helene, but free time remains scarce. I imagine my neighbors would echo this sentiment, especially since so many of our local … Continue reading Turning Half a Watt and the Tiny AX1 Antenna into a Proper POTA Adventure! →

2. Videos: Mike’s Insights on the POTA20 Ground Spike and a Clever Tripod Antenna Hack!

   Over the past few weeks, my buddy Mike (KE8PTX) has quietly made several YouTube videos I thought I’d share here on QRPer.com. By the way, Mike is the fellow behind the new Explorer POTA20 Carbon Fiber Mast Ground Spike. You may have seen me use this in a recent field report and activation video. Ground … Continue reading Videos: Mike’s Insights on the POTA20 Ground Spike and a Clever Tripod Antenna Hack! →

3. Choosing the Perfect Vanity Callsign: Tips for CW Operators

   Yesterday morning, I replied to a message from a reader planning to obtain a vanity callsign. He asked, “Which [suffix] letters would make an easy callsign to send [in CW] and copy in your experience?” This is a great question. I do have a few suggestions. My previous call I suggest avoiding ending your callsign … Continue reading Choosing the Perfect Vanity Callsign: Tips for CW Operators →

4. Field Radio Kit Gallery: KM4CFT’s CFT1 Field Kit

   Many thanks to Jonathan (KM4CFT), for sharing the following article about his portable field radio kit, which will be featured on our Field Kit Gallery page. If you would like to share your field kit with the QRPer community, read this post.  CFT1 Field Kit by Jonathan (KM4CFT) I thought I would supply my own field … Continue reading Field Radio Kit Gallery: KM4CFT’s CFT1 Field Kit →

5. The POTA Babe Reconnects With Her Past

   By Teri KO4WFP Fall weather has finally returned to Savannah, Georgia so it is time to get out for more Parks on the Air. Monday, November 18, I headed to a park I had yet to activate – the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (US-0522). This park and I have history together prior to my involvement … Continue reading The POTA Babe Reconnects With Her Past →

6. Xiegu G106: From Unboxing to Your First POTA Activation (Beginner-Friendly Video!)

   Earlier this week, I mentioned that I purchased a Xiegu G106 in September. Its delivery was delayed because I had it shipped to my local post office, which, as you likely know, was flooded during Hurricane Helene. With all the post-Helene chaos, I haven’t been able to do as much POTA as I’d like, so … Continue reading Xiegu G106: From Unboxing to Your First POTA Activation (Beginner-Friendly Video!) →

7. 2024 Black Friday Deals: Roundup from Leading Ham Radio Retailers

   All of the large ham radio retailers are offering Black Friday specials in 2024. Click the following links to go directly to their Black Friday pages: US DX Engineering Gigaparts Ham Radio Outlet R & L Electronics MTC Radio Canada Radioworld GPS Central UK Martin Lynch & Sons Waters and Stanton Most Black Friday sale … Continue reading 2024 Black Friday Deals: Roundup from Leading Ham Radio Retailers →

8. John’s Rainy Day Antenna Project Notes

   Many thanks to John (N3AAZ), who shares the following notes from a recent antenna project: Hi Thomas For what it’s worth, here’s an easy, cheap, very lightweight, multi-band, no counterpoise antenna for portable ops. This build took place on a rainy day at a campground in an 18ft RV and was inspired by an article … Continue reading John’s Rainy Day Antenna Project Notes →

9. From Bluffs to Barges: K3ES’ CW Adventures at Pikes Peak State Park (in Iowa)!

   Activating on the Road:  Pikes Peak State Park is Where??? by Brian (K3ES) During our road trip across the country and back (Six Weeks and 7300 Miles:  Activating on the Road), Becky and I planned our route to enable me to complete at least one Parks on the Air (POTA) activation in each state across … Continue reading From Bluffs to Barges: K3ES’ CW Adventures at Pikes Peak State Park (in Iowa)! →

10. Elecraft 2024 Early Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale

    I just received an email announcement from Elecraft noting that their holiday sale has already started.  They’ve discounts across their entire product line with some special pricing for bundles (like their KX2 shack-in-a-box and KH1 Edgewood package). Click here to read through the full list of items on sale.