All posts by Thomas Witherspoon

Field Reports, Morse Code, News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, POTA, QRP, Travel, Videos

Cape Lookout Activation: A Family Adventure and Saltwater Experiment

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Last Sunday, my family set out on a trip across North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast. Our destination was Beaufort, a charming coastal town I hadn’t visited in 17 years. This quick pre-Christmas getaway was a surprise for my daughters—and for Hazel, our dog, who loves adventure just as much as we do.

Planning for the Trip

Since our Subaru Forester was destroyed during Hurricane Helene, we’ve been relying on our Volvo C40 Recharge. While it’s a fantastic car, its limited cargo space made packing for this trip a challenge. I initially planned to squeeze in luggage, food, and radio gear for the five of us (including Hazel).

However, the logistics got tricky. Everyone packed light, but it would have been a tight fit, especially since we’d need to bring Hazel’s portable (folding) kennel. To complicate things further, we would have to stop for at least one full charge each way during the 13-hour round trip, adding 30–50 minutes to each leg of the journey.

When I learned the level 2 charger near our rental house in Beaufort might be out of service, I decided to rent a minivan instead. Thanks to our insurance provider, AMICA, the process was easy and straightforward. The added space made the trip much more comfortable.

Even with the roomier minivan, I stuck to my original plan for radio gear, bringing only my Elecraft KX2 and KH1, both neatly packed in my EDC backpack.

Arriving in Beaufort

We arrived in Beaufort on Sunday afternoon. Our AirBnB rental was perfectly situated within walking distance of the historic downtown. The home was cozy, and the location couldn’t have been better for exploring the area.

On Monday, we spent the day wandering through Beaufort, soaking in the town’s charm and history. Then, on Tuesday, December 17, we headed to Harker’s Island for a short ferry ride to Cape Lookout National Seashore and its iconic lighthouse.

The Ferry Ride

Spotting Cape Lookout Lighthouse with a low, thin ceiling

Hazel turned out to be a huge fan of ferry rides—she couldn’t get enough of speeding across the water in a small boat (and the attention of the eight others on the boat with us)!

Since it was the off-season, the island was nearly deserted, with maybe a dozen other visitors in total.

The weather was ideal: light winds, and temperatures that made it feel like pure bliss.

A Saltwater Ground-Plane Activation

You might recall from a previous post that I’d been looking forward to trying something new: a POTA activation with my antenna’s counterpoise wire dangling directly in the ocean.

[Many thanks to my daughter Neva (K4TLI) for some of these photos!]

Although I’ve activated several POTA sites near saltwater—Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore (on the Pamlico Sound and at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse) to name a few—this was my first time actually standing in the water with my counterpoise submerged.

Cape Lookout, with its stunning lighthouse and pristine beaches, provided the perfect setting for this experiment.

The Activation

While my wife, daughters, and Hazel explored the beaches near the lighthouse, I headed to the calm waters of Lookout Bight with my Elecraft KH1. Since we arrived at the island around 10:30 AM and needed to catch the return ferry by 1:30 PM, I limited my activation to under an hour to maximize family time.

Standing at the water’s edge, I let the KH1’s counterpoise wire dangle into the saltwater while operating pedestrian mobile. Did it make a dramatic difference in signal propagation? I can’t say for certain, other than the results were amazing!

Gear

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Radio and Antenna System

Camera and Audio Gear

On The Air

I had scheduled this activation before leaving that morning, assuming I wouldn’t have mobile coverage on the island. Surprisingly, we had excellent signals there.

My plan was straightforward: start on 17 meters, move to 15 meters, and finish on 20 meters. Since I didn’t bring my AXE 40M coil or the longer counterpoise, I planned to skip 30 and 40 meters. With limited time, I doubted I could fit those bands into the activation anyway. Continue reading Cape Lookout Activation: A Family Adventure and Saltwater Experiment →

Articles, Guest Posts, News, POTA, Travel

Bryce and Joe’s Triple-State POTA Activation

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A Triple-State POTA activation!

by Bryce Bookwalter (KD9YEY) and Joe Ladwig (W9NVY)

It’s finally winter here in Southern Indiana, which, for many, brings a time of cozy indoor activities and quiet radio time in the comfort of a warm shack. For Joe and me, however, this means it’s winter POTA time!

I have always preferred hiking in the winter—there are fewer bugs, less humidity, and typically much better views since the leaves aren’t in the way. It makes sense that my passion for outdoor radio also increases in the colder months. With work and school (Joe is a teacher) slowing down for the year, we decided it would be a good time to fit in another POTA trip.

Over the last two years, we have been checking states off our “activated” list, and lately, we have had to travel farther and farther away to find a state we haven’t activated. Joe had the lofty goal of traveling to the Minnesota (MN), North Dakota (ND), South Dakota (SD) tri-corner and catching Iowa (IA) on the way, but once we looked at the total travel time (27 hours!), we decided there might be other opportunities that are closer and less prone to winter mayhem.

We have set our sights on the corner of Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. One of the perks of being in “the crossroads of America” is that there are many places within a day’s drive. This intersection of three states is no exception. With a mere 6.5-hour drive, we will be able to activate three states in one day. We plan to overnight in Wheeling, WV, and then start our triple-state POTA adventure the next day.

Our first destination is US-0704 Fort Necessity National Battlefield in PA. With 68 activations already on record here, it seems like it will be a great place to activate. I have always enjoyed history, so this site is one that I am particularly excited to see. Activating at National Parks can have its challenges, so we will be sure to plan our equipment accordingly.

Our journey continues into Maryland, where we will try to activate at US-6400 Youghiogheny Wild River State Natural Area. This area is part of the Mississippi watershed that stretches from the western slope of the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Rockies in the west. Based on the topography I see on the map, this spot has the potential for some beautiful views. This site has 46 reported activations, with 45 of them being successful, so we anticipate victory!

Our final state to activate this day will have us traveling back into West Virginia. We will stay another night in Wheeling before heading home the next day, and US-5585 Coopers Rock State Forest is conveniently on the way. Coopers Rock is another site with some amazing topography, at least according to the map, and I am very excited to see it! According to the website, “Coopers Rock State Forest boasts some of the most iconic views in Almost Heaven.” I’ve been to West Virginia several times, and the views never disappoint.

With our destinations selected, the next step is to pick the proper gear. With a trip of this scale, and this far from our ham shacks, it’s important to plan carefully. I always like to have backups when I go to activate, but in this case, I think having a few extra will be a good idea. Since this is a trip for POTA, we really have the entire vehicle to pack gear into, so why not bring all the toys?! Another important consideration is the parks we have chosen. One of them is a historic battlefield and a National Park… I can’t imagine throwing heavy lines into trees and hoisting antennas into the air will be tolerated, so having an antenna system that doesn’t require that will be an important consideration.

With these factors in mind, we have selected the following gear:

Radios

    • Yaesu FT-891 w/ tuner: This workhorse always delivers exceptional performance and I’m not saying anything new to speak of its POTA capabilities. Due to its size (especially with tuner) and weight, this isn’t a first choice for me as a backpacking radio. But with a car to carry it, and not having to carry a full camping loadout along with it, this radio is a go-to for our POTA escapades.
    • Xiegu G90: If you’ve watched any of my YouTube videos you know that this is my typical POTA rig. It relatively lightweight, has an internal tuner, and isn’t a huge battery draw with it’s 20W max output. I typically run it at 10W to give myself the QRP challenge and it consistently performs very well.
    • QRP Labs QMX: This little beauty is my backpacking radio of choice. It is incredibly lightweight and versatile. Currently, as far as I am aware, it still only runs CW and Digital modes. Eventually it will have the capability to run SSB and I am very excited for when that day comes. Until then, I use it for FT8 in the field and it does a great job. I am still learning CW so I haven’t used it to make contacts that way yet, but I will soon!
    • Yaesu FT-60: This is my HT of choice, which I always like to have with me when I travel. Before I leave, I will have the local repeaters programmed into it and it will be fun to try and reach a 2m/70cm contact via simplex while at the parks as well.
    • Yaesu VX-6: This is Joe’s HT of choice and another great radio from Yaesu. With it we can also try and get a 1.25m simplex contact…if band operators are out there.

Antennas

 

    • PackTenna!: The first thing going into my kit is the PackTenna! This antenna has proven itself to be incredibly capable and super easy to use. I have the 40m extension that goes with it as well and between its performance and the weight…it has quickly become my favorite antenna.
    • SOTABeams Bandhopper 3: This antenna is a 20m, 30m, and 40m dipole and works wonderfully, especially when paired with the Tactical Mast from SOTABeams. The only drawback to using this antenna is that to change bands, you must lower the antenna to the ground and connect or disconnect the alligator clips along the wire. Other than that, this antenna does great work.
    • K9EI Antennas: Joe and I both use K9EI antennas and they work great. Not only is K9EI a local in our area but he also makes great products. The 20m EFHW is always in my kit as a reliable backup and has saved my activation on numerous occasions. Joe has a 40mEFHW that is incredibly useful and has a unique design. With its rugged construction and versatility, it is Joe’s antenna of choice for POTA.
    • Wolf River Coil SOTA Special: Yes, yes, yes…another antenna. This vertical antenna has been fun to experiment with. It’s the only vertical I own, or have used for that matter, and it’s done the job each time. I used it for my first ever SOTA, which you can see on my YouTube channel. These types of antennas are great to have along with you when you are unsure of the area you are trying to activate in. If there aren’t trees, or if you aren’t allowed to utilize trees, or put stakes in the ground for guy lines, these verticals are a low-impact solution that will usually get the job done. I picked this one up at Hamvention 2024 and it’s been a great addition to the fleet.

Masts

Masts are a great solution for wires-in-the-air without having lines in trees. I have two masts and will be bringing both.

      • The SOTABeams Tactical 7000H has been a great addition to my kit and has served me well for a couple years now. It is a bit on the heavy side, but it stands tall and strong in many configurations and has accomplished every task I’ve asked of it.
      • The POTA20 is my newest addition which I picked up at the Huntsville Hamfest. This lightweight mast is my backpacking mast of choice. It is super bendy and can have trouble holding up a ton of weight, but it remains incredibly useful and one I carry on all my POTA trips.

Other Gear

Since we have the luxury of a vehicle, and not everything having to go into a backpack, we can bring along all the comfort items.

      • Table
      • Chairs
      • Laptop (though I still like to log with pen and paper)
      • Camera gear (for filming YouTube videos)
      • Bag of connectors, adapters, fuses, wire, alligator clips, tools, etc. (Very Important)

Needless to say, we are both looking forward to this trip very much. The parks mentioned above are the parks we will for sure be going to, but there are also other parks in the area and if time allows, we will try and add more to our list.

You can also see a video of our adventure at @backpackingbooky on YouTube. You can also search for Bryce Bookwalter / KD9YEY on YouTube to find the channel.

Thanks for reading and thank you to Thomas for sharing his platform and I’ll see you down trail!

Antennas, News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, POTA, QRP, Travel

Saltwater Activation: Always Wanted to Try This…

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I finally got to try something I’ve always dreamed of: proper QRP saltwater ground-planing!

This week, we’ve been in Beaufort, North Carolina—a charming coastal town that I can’t recommend enough. As I mentioned in a post last week, I brought along my Elecraft KX2 and KH1 for the trip.

Turns out, Hazel loves riding in speedy boats!

On Tuesday, we hopped on a small boat/ferry to Cape Lookout National Seashore (US-0683). Since it’s off-season, the island was nearly empty—there were maybe a dozen other visitors there. The weather? Absolutely perfect. It felt like pure bliss.

Naturally, I couldn’t resist scheduling a POTA activation. I packed the KH1 in my backpack and set off to explore.

For the activation, I went pedestrian mobile, standing right at the edge of the saltwater at Lookout Bight. Holding the KH1, I let the counterpoise wire dangle directly into the calm Atlantic waters.

Does submerging a counterpoise in saltwater make a dramatic difference in signal propagation? Honestly, I can’t say for sure—but I can confirm this: it works. The experience was incredible, and the activation felt like a huge success.

The view behind me during the activation.

I’ll be posting the activation video in the next few days, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you: has anyone else experimented with putting a counterpoise wire directly into saltwater? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts—please share in the comments!

News, Travel

Similar ETA: Rediscovering Navigation Skills in the Age of GPS

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If you don’t mind, indulge me in something that’s slightly off-topic.

I’ve always loved maps—especially paper maps. Even in an age of GPS and sat nav, I still keep a North Carolina Gazetteer in my car.

I love the detail, the elevation lines, and the fact that a Gazetteer doesn’t need a charge.

So, while this post has little to do with QRP, POTA, or SOTA, it has everything to do with navigation.

The Modern Navigation Revolution

There’s no denying that tools like Google Maps have revolutionized the way we travel. I use Google Maps regularly:

  • For long trips
  • When I’m traveling to a new address or exploring an unfamiliar town
  • When I’m finding local hot spots—like that BBQ joint everyone’s raving about during an overnight stay
  • And, of course, for POTA parks and SOTA trailheads.

But here’s the thing: as a rule, I don’t use GPS for hometown travel. Lately, though, it’s been a necessity. In western North Carolina, the post-Hurricane Helene landscape is filled with washed-out bridges and detours. Traffic jams are frequent. Google Maps’ live traffic updates and re-routing have been lifesavers, so I’ve been using it daily.

The Trade-Off: Are We Losing Navigation Skills?

As amazing as GPS tools are, I can’t help but wonder if they’re eroding our ability to store directions in our heads.

That’s why, as I teach my daughters to drive, I don’t allow them to use GPS around town. They need to learn the roads and build that mental map. Some of their friends (and even a few adults I know) rely so heavily on navigation apps that they can’t find their way across town without them.

(Golly, this is starting to sound like an 80-meter rant, isn’t it? Ha!)

Maybe this is on my mind because we’re on a family trip to the North Carolina coast. Out here, I’ve been deliberately trying to navigate in my head rather than defaulting to Google Maps. There’s no traffic, and we’re on no schedule, so it’s the perfect time to rely on the sat nav between my ears.

I’ve always felt uncomfortable when I don’t “understand” the layout of a place—the proverbial lay of the land. So I enjoy the challenge of piecing it together mentally.

The Genius of “Similar ETA”

That said, there’s one feature I love about navigation tools like Google Maps: Similar ETA.

You know what I mean. You’re driving along, and Google Maps suggests an alternate route, labeled “Similar ETA” or “2-3 Minutes Slower.”

I have a rule: if I’ve never taken that road before, I take it.

It’s brilliant.

I remember once driving back from Philadelphia with my buddy Mark, who was visiting from Australia. We were on a familiar two-lane highway when Google Maps started offering alternate routes, each only adding a few minutes. With Mark’s enthusiastic approval, we took almost every one.

And wow—what a treat! On one route, we passed a convoy of Amish families in horse-drawn carriages. On another, we crossed a beautiful covered bridge. Mark was elated—two quintessential American sights checked off his bucket list.

Even at home, Google Maps’ “Similar ETA” feature has taught me a few surprising shortcuts. I’ve realized that some routes I thought were long detours are, in fact, efficient alternatives when a main road is jammed.

The Takeaway

So what’s the point of all this?

Honestly, it’s just something on my mind this morning, and I thought I’d share it. Maybe there are others out there who, like me, get a little thrill out of exploring “Similar ETA” routes.

I’d also encourage you to turn off GPS navigation when you don’t really need it. Navigation is a skill—one that’s easy to lose if we don’t use it regularly.

Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about understanding the big-picture layout of a place. Paper maps offer that wide-angle view of the world around us, and the mental maps we build reinforce it.

Off to the Ferry…

In an hour or so, we’re heading to a ferry terminal. I’ve already mapped the route in my head. Here’s hoping there’s good signage so I don’t have to cave and use GPS like a big, fat hypocrite!

72,
Thomas (K4SWL)

Field Reports, News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, POTA, QRP, Videos

Twofer: Impromptu Trail & Parkway Activation with the Elecraft KH1

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As I’ve mentioned countless times, what I love most about the Elecraft KH1 is how it has become my EDC (Everyday Carry) radio. It’s the perfect companion for those impromptu activations I manage to squeeze into my daily routine.

Take Thursday, December 5, 2024, for example.

Around 3:00 PM, fresh from a physical therapy session (working on that shoulder!), I found myself rerouting due to a washed-out bridge on Highway 70—a lingering reminder of Hurricane Helene. The quickest path home took me along a short stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. And, as any POTA enthusiast knows, you must seize the chance for an activation if you’re on the Parkway anyway!

Time was tight—just 25 minutes from start to finish—but that’s all I needed.

2-Fer Time!

I parked at the Folk Art Center, grabbed the KH1 from my EDC bag, and hiked a short stretch of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST). This lucky spot scored me and my hunters a 2-fer: US-8313 (MST) and US-3378 (Blue Ridge Parkway).

I had the parking area all to myself.

In addition to the KH1, I actually had my camera with me because I’ve been planning a video to showcase the gear I carry in my EDC backpack. No doubt, when I eventually produce that video, I’ll reference this activation as an example of why it’s so nice to have an Everyday Carry radio.

Gusty Winds

It was a gusty day, and unfortunately, my wireless mics (with wind screens) were still in my full radio bag at home. Without them to combat wind noise, I opted to record the video intro and summary from the relative calm of my car.

I only walked, perhaps, 50 meters down the MST.

For the activation itself, I used audio piped directly from the KH1 into my digital recorder—clean, crisp, and wind-free. The downside? No narration during the activation.

Ironically, setting up the camera took longer than setting up the KH1. The radio was ready in a breezy 15 seconds, while the camera setup stole a couple of precious minutes.

Gear:

My KH1 in the M40 Pelican case with my Tufteln angle adapter on top. This was my entire field radio kit.

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Radio Gear

Camera/Audio Gear

On The Air

I hopped on the air and called CQ POTA. Fortunately, the RBN picked me up right away, and since I’d announced the activation just minutes before, I was spotted on POTA.app in no time. Continue reading Twofer: Impromptu Trail & Parkway Activation with the Elecraft KH1 →

News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Travel

The Eternal Question: Which Radio Should I Pack?

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It’s a question as old as time itself:

“What radio should I take on vacation?”

This month, we’re heading out for a short vacation, and while I think I’ve already answered this question for myself, it’s always fun to explore the possibilities a bit further.

As you probably know, I’ve accumulated a fair number of QRP radios over the years—so many, in fact, that it’s borderline embarrassing. When people ask me how many radios I own, I tend to dodge the question. It feels a bit like admitting to an addiction! It’s the same feeling I get after the holidays when I finally total up how much I spent on gifts. Sometimes, it’s better not to know the number.

Less is more

Honestly, I’d be a happy camper with just my $125 TEN-TEC R4020 two-band, CW-only radio.

I told a friend recently that I’d honestly be content with just one radio from my collection.

I know that might sound surprising, especially since QRPer.com often showcases my radio “addiction.” But the truth is, aside from radios, backpacks, and books, I don’t accumulate many things. We intentionally live in a small house (by American standards), and we like to keep it uncluttered.

That said, most of the radios in my collection are ones I genuinely enjoy using. Any one of them could be my only radio, and I’d be happy. So choosing one radio for a vacation should be easy, right?

Not quite.

Almost every time I face this decision—“Which one should I take?”—a couple of radios consistently rise to the top of the list. I’ll share those choices in a moment, but I’d love to hear your thoughts: would you make the same choices, or would you pick something else?

Vacation Parameters

Before diving into my choices, here are a few details about this particular vacation:

  • It’s short—just four nights.
  • I haven’t been to this area in 17 years. (The destination is a surprise for my daughters, so I’m keeping it under wraps for now!)
  • This is a road trip. Since our beloved Subaru is out of commission and not yet replaced, we’ll be taking our Volvo C40, which has much less cargo space.
  • With four people and Hazel (our dog), the trunk/boot will be crammed. I won’t be able to squirrel away extra radios like I’ve been known to do on longer trips.
  • I’ll likely only have time for two POTA activations. The focus of this trip is family time, so any activations will be short.
  • I’ve never visited the POTA sites we’ll likely visit, so I don’t know if wire antennas are allowed or what the conditions will be. One site is a historic/archeological area, so I’ll need a low-impact setup.

The Contenders

Given the tight space and limited time, I’ll only bring one radio. It needs to be versatile enough to handle unknown conditions and compact enough to fit with our packed gear.

The Mountain Toper MTR-3B

It’s hard to beat the MTR-3B for size. This ultra-compact, lightweight, self-contained kit is both impact and waterproof.

However, it lacks an internal ATU, so I’d be limited to wire antennas. Since I won’t have room for my MC-750 vertical, I’d need to rely on finding parks that allow wires in trees. I could call ahead to confirm, but this adds complexity.

The Penntek TR-45L.

The TR-45L is an excellent choice. It has a large internal battery that can easily handle 10 activations, an internal manual ATU, brilliant audio, and it’s nearly self-contained. Add a key and almost any antenna, and you’re good to go.

I’ve even used the AX1 antenna with the TR-45L, for low-impact setups. But like the MTR-3B, it’s CW-only, which eliminates SSB as an option. It’s also a bit larger than my other QRP radios, and I need to prioritize space.

It would also be nice to have a radio small enough to fit on my folding kneeboard.

The Elecraft KX3

The KX3 is an incredibly capable radio. It handles SSB, CW, and even digital modes like PSK-31 and RTTY without extra gear. It has an excellent internal ATU and pairs beautifully with the AX1 or a simple wire antenna. It’s small enough to fit on my folding kneeboard, too.

That said, there’s one radio that offers nearly the same capability as the KX3 but is even smaller and has an internal battery:

The Elecraft KX2

The KX2 is my go-to travel radio. It’s compact, versatile, and so capable it feels like the Swiss Army Knife of QRP radios.

Every time I travel, I try to talk myself out of bringing the KX2 just to mix things up, but it’s hard to argue with its convenience and reliability. For this trip, where time and space are limited, the KX2 is the clear winner.

I’ll pair it with a random wire antenna, the AX1, and a minimalist throw-line kit. This setup will allow me to adapt quickly to park conditions, even if wires aren’t permitted.

What about the KH1, Thomas?

Okay, I may sneak a second radio onto this trip.

The KH1 is so compact it can fit in my Pelican M40 case, which slides under the seat or into the glove compartment.

It’s my EDC radio, and I like having it on hand for impromptu pedestrian-mobile fun or when I want to work a friend who’s activating a park on the other side of the continent. Who knows?

What do you think?

The IC-705 might be a great choice, too. I’ve even paired it with the AX1 using a capacity hat.

While I know I could make any radio in my arsenal work, the KX2 takes the guesswork out of the equation. When time is limited, that means more time on the air!

Would you choose the KX2 for this mini-vacation, or do you think another radio would be better suited for the job? Please comment.

Morse Code, News

From Competition to Communication: BBC World Service Explores Morse Code

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Many thanks to David (K2WNW) and Pete Polanyk, who share this brilliant documentary from the BBC World Service:

Morse code: Ready to transmit

The Documentary Podcast

At the world Morse Code championships in Tunisia, competitors must battle to be the fastest and most accurate at sending and receiving Morse code.

Antennas, Articles, Field Reports, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, Travel

K3ES: Stealth Activating with the AX1 Antenna System

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Activating on the Road:  Stealth Activating with the AX1 Antenna System

by Brian (K3ES)

The AX1 Antenna is on the air from the Profile View parking area at Mount Rushmore National Monument.

As I prepared my radio gear to do Parks on the Air (POTA) activations across the states of the American West (Six Weeks and 7300 Miles:  Activating on the Road), I knew that I would need to operate in a wide variety of different park environments.  This need was primarily connected with differences in topography, vegetation, population, and regulatory environments.

A selection of wire antennas, a throw line kit, and some collapsible mast options would serve many of my needs well.  However, I also expected that our travel schedule might require me to activate quickly or unobtrusively, from less-optimal locations.  Since I do not have an HF rig or antenna system installed in my truck, any vehicle-based operations would need to use equipment from my portable POTA kit.

For these occasions, I intended to use either a wire antenna supported by a telescoping mast attached to back of the truck, or my diminutive Elecraft AX1 base-loaded vertical antenna system.  During the trip, I found that I could use the AX1 to complete rapid, and extremely stealthy, activations.

My AX1 kit is kept in a Maxpedition Fatty pouch.
AX1 components are organized inside the pouch, and counterpoise wires are located in a hidden zippered pocket.

I had ordered the AX1 antenna system from Elecraft early in 2024, and took delivery in March.  I used it in a variety of configurations, gaining experience and confidence in its ability to make contacts (K3ES Travels: Ten Days of QRP with Compromised Antennas).

In early May, I also ordered an AM1-2 clamp-on antenna mount from ProAudio Engineering, and it had proved its versatility in deploying the AX1.  All of this equipment and more found its way into a Maxpedition Fatty pouch, to become part of the stealth antenna kit packed for our trip across the country.

I Wonder if this Will Work…

A view from the truck…  The AX1 antenna mounted on the fender, is seen with a great landscape from Badlands National Park.

Badlands National Park (US-0005) was one of the most spectacular parks that we visited on our cross-country adventure.  I plan a future report with full coverage of the park and the activation, but the conditions in the park led me to make my first attempt at a truck-based activation.  Shade was almost non-existent, the sky was cloudless, the air temperature was over 90°F, and the ground was too hot for POTA Dog Molly’s paws.

We pulled into a parking space at a roadside overlook, so that Becky could take some pictures, and I decided to try for a quick activation from the truck.  After I set out a bowl of water in the back of the truck for Molly to drink, I pulled out my radio gear, and looked over my antenna options.  I could have put up a mast and used a wire antenna, but I did not want to block access for other visitors, so my thoughts turned to the AX1 system.

The small size of the parking lot made it important to keep my operating footprint within the confines of my own parking space, both to avoid inconveniencing others, and to minimize the risk of damage to my antenna components.  I decided to try attaching the AM1-2 clamp to the cylindrical base of my 2m/70cm mobile antenna, which is mounted on the front fender of the truck.  The AM1-2 clamped on securely, and provided firm support for the the AX1 coil and whip.  I also attached a counterpoise wire to the ground screw of the AM1-2, then tossed the wire under the truck to keep it on the ground, hidden, and out of the way.

That left two questions:  could I get the antenna to tune, and would it radiate well enough to get contacts?  I connected my feedline to the AX1, ran it in through the open driver’s window to the KX2, and quickly got answers to both questions:  yes and yes. Continue reading K3ES: Stealth Activating with the AX1 Antenna System →

News, QRP

Affordable, Last-Minute Quality Gifts for the Field Radio Enthusiast in Your Life

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I’ve received eight messages from people who would like to give a special ham radio person—their spouse, partner, parent, child, or friend—a gift but don’t know what.

I get these messages every year, and while I’m typically busy in December, I enjoy answering them because it means that I can take a gift decision in a significantly positive direction for someone. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy being Santa’s helper, am I right?

No one who contacted me was looking for a radio suggestion–they were looking for accessories that maybe the other person wouldn’t spend the time or money on themselves. We talked about this in the latest Ham Radio Workbench episode. In fact, sometimes the best gift is a high-quality accessory that one might not buy for oneself.

Below, I’ve included the list of things I’ve been suggesting this year.

Remember that most of these ideas assume that a special person in your life likes to play radio outdoors (i.e., Parks On The Air or Summits On The Air).

We’ll also keep the price at or below $150 (roughly).

Note that many of these links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com. Since this post is somewhat time-sensitive, I will not link to an affiliate site if its price is higher or its shipping status (at the time of posting) is more extended. Here we go:

A quality pre-built antenna

There are hundreds of varieties of antennas on the market, so if you’re unsure if the gift recipient has an antenna tuner, it’s best to stick with a resonant antenna like the super-popular End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW).

A quality cable assembly

Many hams will not spend their hard-earned money on a high-quality cable assembly. Instead, they will buy something cheap from Amazon, eBay, or AliExpress. I love ABR cables because they are super high quality and will last much longer and perform better than cheaper options.

If you buy one of these cables from ABR, use our coupon code ABR10QRPER at checkout to save an additional 10%.

Field tools and EDC accessories

I like to take these items to the field when activating or camping.

  • Leatherman Signal Multitool ($140): I use this tool more than any other and carry it by clipping it inside my left pocket. It has good pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, blades, and even a whistle and flint for starting fires. I never leave home without it.
  • Nitecore NU25 Rechargeable Headlamp ($40): I don’t think a field kit is complete unless it includes a headlamp. If you’re out on a trail and are running late as the sun sets, a good headlamp will save your bacon. It also frees up your hands when packing field gear in the dark. I even use mine when working on soldering projects requiring good lighting.
  • Weaver arborist throw line/weight ($30) and storage bag ($18): a good arborist throw line is the best way to deploy a wire antenna in a tree. I use this particular line, weight, and bag more than any other. If you buy this combination for someone, send them to this article, which explains how to pack up the throw line with ease.
  • Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Camping Lantern: I love this rechargeable lantern. It’s not backpack-friendly, but it is the perfect companion for late-night park activations or simply camping with the family. The lamp has a warm light that can be pretty bright. It even has a hand-crank to recharge it in an emergency. (See this lantern in the photo above.)

A Morse Code Key

If you know that the ham radio operator in your life is a Morse Code or CW operator, you really can’t go wrong by buying a key. There are multitudes of keys out there, but since we’re so close to the Holidays, you will need to purchase something that can be shipped and received in time. Please check out the delivery times for these. Again, I’m attempting to keep the price point below $150 US.

Have you run out of time to buy your gift? No worries—I have a great idea.

My backpack is one of the most essential items I take to the field. People often ask me which brand, model, and size they should buy, but it’s tricky because proper hiking backpacks must fit the person wearing them.

My suggestion is to make a certificate for your loved one, telling them you’ll take them to an outdoor supply retailer like REI (US), SAIL (Canada), Decathlon (UK), or, perhaps better yet, your locally owned camping supply store and help them select a backpack.

The important part is that you want to take them to a shop where they can be properly fitted for a backpack. They should also bring some of their radio gear to ensure it fits inside.

Keep in mind that quality backpacks are costly. A good daypack can cost between $100 and $250.

Happy Gifting!

Thoughtful gifts like quality antennas, durable cables, field tools, or Morse code keys can make a big impact for the ham radio enthusiast in your life. These practical accessories show your support for their passion. I hope these suggestions help you find the perfect gift to make their holiday season special. Happy gifting!

Field Reports, Morse Code, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRPp, Videos

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

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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 businesses—lifelines for the community—are gone.

One example: Our post office

Take our local post office, for instance. Severely damaged by flooding, it operated from a temporary mobile unit for about a month.

Our mobile post office. The shipping container next to it held parcels for pickup.

Unfortunately, as cold weather settled in, the mobile post office was shut down, and operations were moved to a facility 40 minutes away—a location entirely out of my regular travel routes.

The staff there have been working tirelessly under challenging conditions, but receiving both mail and parcels has become an unreliable ordeal. Parcels are delayed, letters are misplaced, and some items—like our insurance check and my daughters’ university acceptance letters sent in October—have yet to arrive.

Thankfully, in this digital age, we’ve found workarounds. Most communications can be routed online, and we are now having our parcels sent to my friend Vlado’s QTH for safekeeping. Thank you so much, Vlado!

We’re sorting it all out, but we know that some items will simply be lost in the confusion and shuffle.

An Unexpected Activation Window

On this particular Friday, I planned to pick up two FedEx packages from Vlado after dropping my daughter off at her Shakespeare rehearsal. When I called to confirm the delivery time, Vlado and I discovered that the packages wouldn’t arrive for several more hours.

Suddenly, I found myself with a two-hour window—just enough time for a quick POTA activation!

Pisgah National Forest (US-4510)

The closest POTA site to my daughter’s rehearsal spot was Sycamore Flats in Pisgah National Forest, about a 20-minute drive away. Factoring in setup, teardown, and round trip drive, I’d have roughly an hour for the activation.

Shaking things up

As I drove, I pondered how I could make this activation unique.

I rarely stick to the same setup, preferring to experiment with different radios, antennas, and configurations. This time, though, my SOTA pack and EDC bag contained the same gear I’d used in previous activations: my Elecraft KX2, KH1, an EFHW antenna, and a few other field accessories.

Then I remembered the AX1 in my LowePro Case—it had been a while since I used this compact antenna in the field.

Inspired to make things even more challenging, I decided to attempt the activation with only one watt of power.

That would turn a routine activation into something a wee bit more adventurous.

When I arrived on site, I chose the picnic shelter as my location since it wasn’t occupied and it had some of the only picnic tables still in place after Helene flooding.

Setup was quick, and in no time, I was ready to hit the air!

Gear:

Note: All Amazon and eBay links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Radio

Antenna

Pack/Case

Camera/Audio Gear

On The Air

If you watch my activation video (see below), you’ll notice that after tuning up, I remembered to lower my power before calling CQ. (My KX2 always defaults to 5 watts, which is typically my maximum output power.) As I adjusted the power level to one watt, I thought, “Why not lower it a bit more?” Continue reading Turning Half a Watt and the Tiny AX1 Antenna into a Proper POTA Adventure! →