Category Archives: Morse Code

Morse Code, News, Portable, QRP, QRP Radios

The Return of the Venerable Elecraft K1!

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Some of you might recall that back in the summer of 2022, I performed a POTA activation with my buddies Eric (WD8RIF) and Miles (KD8KNC) at Hawks Nest State Park (K-1813). Here’s the field report, and video:

You might have also noticed that I recently performed an activation with my own Elecraft K1. Here’s a bit of the back story on this particular radio:

My K1 Journey

I originally owned an Elecraft K1 from around 2010 to 2013. It was a four-band version (40, 30, 20, and 15 meters) with the optional ATU. I loved that little radio, but at the time, I wasn’t as dedicated a CW operator and hadn’t yet discovered programs like WWFF and SOTA—POTA didn’t even exist back then! Those programs would’ve given me a perfect excuse to take a lightweight, portable radio to the field regularly.

Eventually, I sold my K1 to help fund the purchase of an Elecraft KX3.

I mentioned in my 2022 K1 field report that I’d been keeping an eye out for a deal on another K1. That Hawks Nest activation reminded me just how much I enjoy operating this simple QRP kit radio.

Not an Easy Search

Finding a good K1 isn’t easy, for a few reasons.

First, there are quite a few K1 variants out there, since Elecraft offered a number of optional packages. The K1 supported up to four bands, but the default kit only included two. Optional modules included an ATU, a battery pack, and a noise blanker.

Most of the K1s I’ve come across have only two bands and no ATU. I’ve been on the lookout specifically for a four-band version with the ATU.

K1s—regardless of configuration—rarely show up on the used market. When they do, the good ones are snatched up almost instantly.

And perhaps most importantly: all K1s started life as kits. There was never a factory-assembled option. So, your K1 is only as good as the person who built it. Building one yourself is no longer an option, either—at least, in the past ten years, I’ve never seen an unbuilt K1 kit at a swap meet, in person or online.

Then Came a Tip…

On July 19, 2024, my buddy Eric (WD8RIF) sent me a message about a K1 for sale.

I skimmed the message on my phone and immediately noticed that it belonged to Joe White (WA4GIR), one of the founding members of the Knightlites QRP Association. It was a four-band K1 with the ATU and the internal battery pack—asking price: $550 shipped.

I ran to my computer and fired off an email expressing my interest.

Soon after, I learned from Gary (N3GO) that this was actually an estate sale to benefit Joe’s widow. Somehow, I had completely missed the /SK in Eric’s original message. Joe had become a Silent Key in July 2023, and I had missed the news due to our summer travels that year.

Suddenly, $550 didn’t feel like too much at all. I had been hoping to find a K1 closer to $400–$450, but this one had two valuable options I wasn’t even counting on. On top of that, it was built by someone I knew of—and had even met before.

Totally worth it, in my book.

Not a Shelf Queen

This K1 isn’t going to sit on a shelf. I plan to take it to the field and put it through its paces with both POTA and SOTA.

In fact, I’ve already completed two activations with it—the one I posted out of order a couple of weeks ago, and another–my first outing–I’ll be sharing soon.

Noise Blanker vs. Battery Pack

Eric reached out last month and asked if I needed a noise blanker module for my K1. Honestly, I hadn’t even checked to see if mine had one installed.

Turns out, the internal battery pack and the noise blanker are mutually exclusive—you can’t install both. The smaller speaker used with the battery pack conversion kit occupies the same physical space as the NB module.

That’s fine by me. I very rarely need a noise blanker in the field anyway and I’ve no plans to mount this in a vehicle.

That said, I am considering replacing the AA battery holder with a small Li-Ion pack—maybe even one I can charge internally, like Elecraft’s KXBT2.

I’m curious: have any other K1 owners done this mod? Had Li-Ion packs been commonplace back when the K1 was released, I imagine this would’ve been a standard option.

Fine Tuning

This radio is in excellent shape—impressive considering it was built in 2001 (serial number 420!).

The only maintenance I’ve done so far is calibrating the frequency—it was about 500 Hz off. I do eventually need to look at the button contacts, which are a bit finicky.

K1 Bail or Stand?

If you own a K1, I’d love to hear what solutions you’ve found for propping it up in the field.

I’m thinking about adding a small fold-out laptop foot, like the one I installed on my TR-35, to give it a better viewing angle. I don’t want anything bulky—just a little elevation to make operation more comfortable. Please comment if you have a suggestion!

Why the K1 Still Shines in the Field

After spending time with this K1 again, I’m reminded why it’s such a superb field radio—especially when fully loaded. With the internal ATU, it easily matches my random wire antennas, making setup in the field quick and painless. I love that the K1 is a complete field radio system in one compact package.

The receiver and audio characteristics are truly impressive: it has a low noise floor, smooth QSK, and brilliant, mellow audio that’s easy on the ears during long CW sessions. Keying is clean and responsive—just what you want when you’re trying to work a pileup or snag that weak signal.

And while it’s not pocket-sized like some modern QRP rigs, for a tabletop-style radio, the K1 is remarkably small and lightweight. It slips into a field pack without taking up much space, yet delivers performance that holds its own against much newer gear.

Since the K1 was a kit radio, it’s also easy to repair and incredibly well-documented. I’ve always believed that kit radios are ideal for emergency preparedness. If something goes wrong, it’s much easier for a non-radio-tech to trace a fault and potentially fix it. That peace of mind—knowing you can service your own gear—is a huge bonus.

In short, the K1 may be over two decades old, but it still ticks all the right boxes for avid field operators!

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

Ham Radio Workbenches On The Air Field Report: Part 1

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Many of you likely know that I’m on the crew of the Ham Radio Workbench podcast and that, in December 2023, we hosted the first Ham Radio Workbenches On The Air (HRWBOTA) event.

Unfortunately, I had one scheduling conflict I couldn’t change, which meant starting the event with my KH1 in a downtown Asheville parking lot before heading to Lake James State Park for a couple of hours of solid pileups with my Icom IC-705. I posted a field report and video of the event—it was a blast! Click here to check it out.

On March 16, 2025, we held our second HRWBOTA event, and this time, I was better prepared with a clear schedule and a plan to operate for the full four hours!

Zebulon Vance Birthplace (US-6856)

Of course, even the best-laid plans can run into hiccups, and mine did. I was delayed due to some chainsaw work I wanted to complete before leaving home. As a result, I arrived at US-6856 just as the event was starting (14:00 local).

No worries, though! I turned on the camera and wasted no time deploying my antenna and setting up my radio gear.

The Spooltenna!

For this activation, I used a prototype of the Spooltenna, designed by Rob (KO4HUI).

Rob, a fellow North Carolinian, had been in touch with me about his antenna idea for months. Back in February, when my daughter interviewed for a scholarship at NC State University (which she was later awarded!), I met up with Rob on campus, and he handed me an early prototype of the Spooltenna. He had just completed the build that very morning.

It’s a unique design based on his own needs for a field antenna. From his website:

SPOOLTENNA is a compact, lightweight antenna designed for portable amateur radio operations like Parks on the Air® (POTA) and Summits on the Air™ (SOTA). Its innovative spool form factor is intended to ensure efficient deployment, teardown, and storage, providing a frustration-free operating experience that doesn’t compromise performance.

The design is also Open Source under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The Spooltenna he gave me is a 40-meter end-fed half-wave (EFHW). Before this activation, I had only set it up at home to check resonance on 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. I deployed it as a sloper, with the transformer at the highest point.

The Spooltenna is quick to deploy–by placing a pencil, tent stake, or screwdriver in the center hole–and the spool design ensures a tangle-free wind-up. The components feel very high-quality. Rob is also producing high-quality cable assemblies, which were included in the package he gave me.

Rob has rapidly turned this idea into a side business involving his whole family. In just two months, his wife Christi has launched a website, ordered inventory, and—just a week ago—even set up an affiliate program and coupon code offering free shipping to QRPer.com readers.

Rob will be at the Raleigh Amateur Radio Society hamfest this weekend. He plans to attend FDIM and Hamvention in Dayton next month with inventory.

UPDATE: Rob tells me that he will have some inventory at RARSfest this weekend and will even temporarily open up his website for Spooltenna orders tomorrow (Saturday, April 4, 2025) during the RARSfest. 

Again, I’m most impressed with all that he and his wife have accomplished in a few months.

Deploying the Spooltenna was easy, though I had to adjust my setup. I originally planned to support the transformer with a tree next to the picnic shelter, but that tree had been blown down during Hurricane Helene.

No worries! I set it up as a sloper with the transformer close to the ground—similar to many of my EFHW deployments.

My HRWBOTA Activation Plan

I planned to use two radios during this activation—first my Elecraft KX3, then my Penntek TR-45L on the lower bands.

To maximize the chance for HRWB listeners to work me:

  • I did not spot myself on POTA.app, even though I was giving all contacts POTA credit. I knew that if I spotted myself, the normal weekend POTA pileups might make it harder for HRWBOTA participants to contact me.
  • I started on 10 meters and slowly worked my way down.
  • If time allowed, I planned to work SSB on at least one band (spoiler alert: CW kept me too busy!).

First up was the Elecraft KX3! I set up the radio and wasted no time getting on the air.

Gear:

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, Spooltenna, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Radio

Antenna System

Battery

Key and Accessories

Logging

Packs/Cases

Camera and Audio Gear

On the Air

Since this was a long activation and I needed to submit electronic logs to HRWBOTA admin (Mark, N6MTS), I skipped paper logging. Instead, I logged directly to AC Log on my Microsoft Surface Go, just as I would during Field Day. Continue reading Ham Radio Workbenches On The Air Field Report: Part 1 →

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

Pairing the Elecraft K1 and AX1 for low-profile, low-impact portable POTA!

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Friday, February 28, 2025, felt like another “rinse and repeat” day—a pattern I’ve grown used to over the past few weeks.

That morning, I woke up early, published a post on QRPer.com, and by 7:30 AM I was outside with my chainsaw, preparing piles of tree debris for the skid steer operator we hired to move it to the roadside.

As you might imagine, he can collect debris much faster than I can cut and prepare it, so my goal has been to stay ahead of him. I worked steadily all morning and, combined with what I had cut the previous day, managed to prepare enough to keep him busy for the rest of the day. That was fortunate because I needed to help my daughters with activities in town all afternoon.

Finding POTA time

I’ll be honest—after grabbing a quick lunch and a shower, I was pretty worn out. Part of me wanted to use any spare time to sneak in a nap. But I also knew I could use a little POTA therapy, and the weather was unseasonably gorgeous—almost spring-like.

Looking at my schedule, I realized I had about an hour to spare, enough time to detour and activate Pisgah National Forest (US-4510) at the Sycamore Flats Picnic Area. It was the most convenient spot along my route that afternoon.

As for radio gear, I already had my Elecraft K1 packed from an earlier activation that week (which I also recorded and will post soon—obviously, out of chronological order!).

For variety, I didn’t want to use the same antenna as the previous activation. Instead, I grabbed one of my favorite compact antennas to see how well it would pair with the K1: the Elecraft AX1.

If you’ve followed QRPer for long, you’ll know I often use the AX1 during both POTA and SOTA activations. Despite its extreme size compromise, it has always performed well for me.

Loaded verticals like the AX1 typically have a high Q (narrow bandwidth) and benefit from an ATU or capacity hat to help with impedance matching. Luckily, my new-to-me Elecraft K1 has the optional built-in ATU, meaning I could attach the AX1 directly to the back of the radio.

I’ll save the full story of how I acquired this particular K1 for my next field report, but let’s just say I’d been hunting one for a long time—and this one showed up locally. It’s a four-band version (40, 30, 20, and 15 meters) with both the ATU and internal AA battery pack options.

Sycamore Flats Picnic Area

I arrived on site around 13:35 local time and had about 45 minutes to play radio.

I started the activation video and walked through the picnic area until I found a good table. Truthfully, though, the beauty of using the AX1 is that almost any flat surface will do—it’s that low-profile and low-impact.

Once I found a table, setup was super quick: I placed the K1 on the table, connected a battery, attached my Palm Mini paddle (its maiden POTA voyage!), and plugged the AX1 directly into the back of the radio. I wasn’t in a hurry–and it truly shows in the video–but I’m confident I could have deployed the entire station in about 60-90 seconds if required. That’s the magic of the AX1—minimal setup time.

With everything connected, it was time to hit the airwaves!

Gear

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Radio

  • Elecraft K1 (four band version with optional ATU and internal AA battery pack)

Key

  • Palm Mini Paddle with new connection cord

Antenna

Pack and Case

Logging Supplies

Battery

Camera/Audio Gear

On The Air

Once on the air, I was thrilled to have no problem collecting hunters for the logs. Continue reading Pairing the Elecraft K1 and AX1 for low-profile, low-impact portable POTA! →

Accessories, Kits, Morse Code, New Products, News

The New KM4CFT KX2 and KX3 Iambic Paddle Kit

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My friend Jonathan (KM4CFT) recently sent me a neat little prototype paddle he designed for the Elecraft KX2 and KX3 field transceivers.

He wanted my feedback, so he generously sent me a set to evaluate at no charge.

Lately, I’ve been tied up with the final stages of debris cleanup here at the QTH, leaving little time for field activations. While I haven’t had the chance to take these paddles out into the field yet (stay tuned!) I’ve thoroughly tested them on both my Elecraft KX3 and KX2. In the meantime, Jonathan has made the kits available for purchase on the HamGadgets website.

The price? $49.97 — a solid deal for a simple, functional paddle designed to plug directly into the front of the KX2 and KX3.

Assembly is quick and straightforward, taking around 15-20 minutes. There aren’t many parts, and the mechanics are refreshingly simple. If you’re curious, you can check out the kit assembly manual here (PDF).

My Impressions

I think it’s an excellent little key for the price. The paddle action is light — the 3D printed material keeps them featherweight, making keying effortless.

For field use, they should perform brilliantly. The light touch required keeps things stable on a table, with the KX2 or KX3 providing more than enough weight to prevent the paddles from shifting as you operate.

The operating angle works well for me too. I know Jonathan put a lot of time into getting this right during the design process — and it shows.

Any Downsides?

The biggest drawback, in my opinion, is that the two thumbscrews securing the paddles to the front of the radio aren’t captive.

This means they can be easily lost during transport. I recommend storing the paddles in a thick poly bag to keep everything together in your pack.

Additionally, because the screws aren’t captive, you need to be a little careful when installing the paddle. I’ve found it easiest to place the radio on its back, so you’re screwing the thumbscrews downward.

I lightly plug in the paddle, then start threading both screws before fully tightening either one. This gives me better control and helps avoid dropping the screws — something that could be a real headache in the field, especially if they hit the ground.

Lastly, these paddles don’t have the “precision key” feel of more expensive options. But to be fair, they’re designed as an affordable alternative to Elecraft’s KXPD2 paddles, which retail for $169.95. Even the KXPD2 — while smaller and sturdier — doesn’t feel particularly “precision” in use. The KX3 paddles come closer to that, but they also cost $239.95.

At $49.95, it’s hard to complain — these paddles do exactly what they’re supposed to do without breaking the bank!

If you’ve held off buying front-mounted paddles for your KX2 or KX3 because of the cost, I’d highly recommend giving these KM4CFT paddles a try.

Click here to check out the KM4CFT KX2/KX3 paddles on HamGadgets.

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

QRP POTA with Vlado: Elecraft KX1 in Pisgah National Forest (Part 1)

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On February 9, 2025, my good friend Vlado (N3CZ) and I headed out to Pisgah National Forest (US-4510) near Looking Glass Falls for a joint POTA activation.

This is Part 1 of our activation — and while I typically write much longer field reports, I’m still in the final stages of Hurricane Helene debris removal around our property.

To keep things moving, I’ll keep this one short and sweet–a postcard field report length. I truly appreciate everyone’s understanding!

Pisgah National Forest (US-4510)

The weather couldn’t have been better for our outing — crisp, cool air with bright sunshine filtering through the trees. It was one of those perfect days where you feel lucky just to be outside, let alone playing radio with a great friend.

Our activation video below captures the entire activation from Vlado deploying the antenna, to setting up the radio gear and both of our activations.

Vlado kicked things off with his trusty Elecraft KX1 hooked up to an end-fed half-wave he built himself.

After he wrapped up his activation, he handed the controls over to me. I logged 41 contacts in 39 minutes — the bands were lively, and the little KX1 was working like a charm. (Golly I love this radio!)

We stopped the video there to wrap up Part 1, but we weren’t quite finished yet. We switched to a different radio and kept the POTA fun going for a while longer — stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we dive into a new setup and share more of the adventure!

Gear:

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Radio

  • Elecraft KX1

Antenna System and Throw Line

Key

Battery

Accessories

Camera and Audio

Logs

QSO Map

Here’s what this five-watt activation looked like when plotted out on a QSO Map. Please note that all of the blue lines are the QSOs from this activation on 20 meters.Click on the map image to enlarge.

Activation Video

Here’s my real-time, real-life video of the entire activation.  As with all of my videos, I don’t edit out any parts of the on-air activation time. In addition, I have YouTube monetization turned off, although that doesn’t stop them from inserting ads before and after my videos.

Note that Patreon supporters can watch and even download this video 100% ad-free through Vimeo on my Patreon page:

Click here to view on YouTube.

Thank you

Thank you for joining me during this activation and for understanding why I’m keeping the field report portion on the short side! 🙂

I hope you enjoyed the field report and my activation video as much as I enjoyed creating them!

Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.

As I mentioned before, the Patreon platform connected to Vimeo makes it possible for me to share videos that are not only 100% ad-free but also downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account also serves as a third backup for my video files.

Thanks for spending part of your day with us! Have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)

PS: Consider joining our QRPer.net discussion board! It’s an active community of radio operators who enjoy helping and supporting each other. It’s also the best place to ask any questions you might have about radios, field activities, antennas, or pretty much anything amateur radio. Click here to join.

Field Reports, Guest Posts, Morse Code, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, Travel

POTA, Landmarks, and Unexpected Wonders: Brian, Becky, and Molly’s Journey Home

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Activating on the Road:  Gems Along the Way – Part 2

by Brian (K3ES)

Welcome to Pennsylvania, the Land of Road Construction!

This article continues my series from our 2024 road trip across the United States (Six Weeks and 7300 Miles:  Activating on the Road).  I hope to wrap up the series with one or two more articles (not yet written) over the next few weeks.  In this report, I plan to cover some of the parks and places we found during the trip that were interesting and spectacular beyond our expectations.

As we traveled across the country from Pennsylvania to California and back, we spent a lot of time looking for parks to activate, and sights to see.  While we tried to keep the sights and parks interesting, some of them were unexpectedly amazing, and I would like to share a few of those here.  Part 2 covers our east-bound trip homeward to Pennsylvania.

Tehachapi Loop, CA

Historical Marker for the Tehachapi Loop.

The Tehachapi Loop is a railroad wonder constructed from 1874 to 1876 to ease the grade for the Southern Pacific rail line, as it crosses over Tehachapi Pass.  The Loop is located on the western side of the pass, near Bakersfield, CA, and it consists of a helical track section that enables the head of the train to pass over the trailing end as it moves up the grade.  This is, of course, reversed for a train headed down the hill.  Through the ¾ mile loop, the train gains or loses 77 ft of elevation, and the loop’s extra distance along the grade permits the train to ascend or descend a more gradual slope.

On the first day of the homeward leg of our journey, we drove away from the main travel route to stop at an overlook that gave a great view of the Tehachapi Loop.  The Loop is not a POTA entity, so I made no attempt to activate it.  Thankfully, an east-bound Union Pacific mixed-freight train came along for its own type of activation.  As a railroad buff, married into a railroad family, I greatly appreciated watching the loop in action.  If you are ever in the area, it is well worth a short detour away from California Route 58 to see this iconic railroad engineering marvel.

Winslow, AZ

One of the high points of the entire trip for Becky was a chance to stop in Winslow, AZ.  Becky is a fan of music, almost any type of music, but the music of her youth really gets her toes tapping.  So, being the one standin’ on the corner in Winslow, Arizona was really meaningful for her.  She loves the Eagles, and can sing along with Take It Easy without missing a beat.  Of all the places we went, things we saw, and memories we made on this trip, Winslow, Arizona will always hold a special place in her heart.  Sadly, like the Tehachapi Loop, this particular corner is not a POTA entity.

Becky is standing on the corner with the “troubadour” statue, which resembles Jackson Browne.
Becky with Glenn Frey.
Take it Easy.

Fort Union NM, NM

The first facilities at Fort Union National Monument (US-0933) were built in 1851, following the annexation of New Mexico by the United States after the Mexican-American War.  Rough log structures housed and defended the troops and supplies for protecting the Santa Fe Trail.  Over the years, the facility became increasingly important as a regional transportation hub and supply base for United States Army troops.

Early in the Civil War, Fort Union was moved to a occupy a commanding hill top, and rebuilt as a star-shaped earthen structure to make it defensible against troops with longer-range arms and artillery.  It was hoped that this would allow the fort to better defend against Confederate Forces moving into New Mexico.  Before the fort’s defenses could be tested, the attacking Confederate army was defeated and turned back by Union troops at the Battle of Glorieta Pass, so they never reached Fort Union.

This Civil War-era artillery piece now guards the Visitor Center at US-0933.

The fort was rebuilt again by 1869, incorporating a large complex of adobe brick structures.  The Fort Union garrison’s responsibility to protect the Santa Fe Trail involved escorting traffic along the trail during periods of conflict with Native American tribes.  As the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad was expanded across the southwest, the mission to protect the Santa Fe Trail became less and less important.  Fort Union was finally abandoned in 1891, until its preservation as a National Monument in the early 1950s.

Jails are usually stoutly constructed.  The post guardhouse has withstood many of the ravages of time.

The visitor center has great information about the history and significance of Fort Union, along with a gift shop.  Becky and I took turns exploring the visitor center, as one of us needed to stay outside with Molly.  The site itself is beautiful, with well-interpreted layout and ruins from the 3rd Fort Union.  You can see the remains of officer quarters, troop barracks, stables, a large hospital, and associated facilities.  If you are ever in the area, the Fort Union National Monument is well worth visiting. Continue reading POTA, Landmarks, and Unexpected Wonders: Brian, Becky, and Molly’s Journey Home →

Announcements, Morse Code, News

QSOFinder: Making It Easier to Connect Over CW

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Many thanks to Becky (N4BKY) and Mike (N4FFF) who share the following announcement:

A New Way to Connect On the Air with CW

by Mike (N4FFF) and Becky (N4BKY)

Hi everyone! Mike and Becky here, (aka the HamRadioDuo) and we are excited to share a brand new tool to make it easy to find people for CW QSOs. If you love Morse code and ham radio as much as we do, you know how thrilling it is to sit down at your rig, ready for a QSO, only to find yourself calling CQ into the void. Wouldn’t it be great if there were an easier way to tell the world that you’re here and ready OR or to look at who else is out there looking for the same type of QSO as you.

Meet QSOFinder.com, a simple yet powerful tool designed to help CW operators connect in real time. Whether you’re brand new to CW and just looking for a quick exchange or an experienced operator who loves a long ragchew, QSOFinder makes it easy to find like-minded hams on the air.

Our Inspiration

If you’ve ever done a POTA activation, you know how helpful the POTA spotting page is – it’s like shouting from a bullhorn to let others know you’re on the air. We wanted something similar but tailored for everyday QSOs. That’s how and why QSOFinder was created!  Learning Morse Code is enough of a challenge, so we wanted to try to make getting on the air and having that first or hundredth QSO a little easier.

How It Works

The idea is simple:

  1. Post Yourself as Available – Enter your callsign, frequency, preferred CW speed, and what kind of QSO you’re looking for. Maybe you’re in the mood for a quick and casual exchange, or perhaps you’re hoping for an in-depth conversation – you get to decide!

    Click to enlarge image.
  2. Find Other Operators – Browse active listings from fellow hams and tune in to their frequencies to answer their CQ and start a QSO.  They may already be connected with someone, but what a great way to find a conversation and work on your decoding skills.
  3. Leave Comments – If you try to reach someone and don’t hear them, you can leave a comment on their listing to let them know you tried.   It’s a great way to keep the community engaged and informed.
  4. Get Notifications – Want to know when a new operator posts? Enable notifications to stay updated without having to constantly check the site if your browser is open to QSOFinder.com.
  5. Filter by Band – If you’re working with a monoband antenna or just prefer a certain band, you can filter posts to match your setup.

Built by CW Hams, for CW Hams

We’ve been testing QSOFinder with our friends, and it’s already making a difference. It’s been a fantastic way to get people on the air, and we hope it inspires more operators to jump in and enjoy the magic of CW.

This is the first tool we’ve released, but if you like it and want to see more, let us know! We’d love your feedback – whether you have suggestions, run into any issues, or just want to tell us it’s working great, there’s a feedback feature built in. You can also drop us a comment on our YouTube video.

HamRadioDuo – QSOFinder YouTube Intro Video

Our main goal with HamRadioDuo has always been to inspire and encourage others to get on the air, have fun, and build their skills. QSOFinder is just another way we’re trying to make that happen.

Give it a try at QSOFinder.com, and let us know what you think!  The more people posting to make themselves available and the more operators answering those already on the site, the more fun this will be.

Happy QSOs!!!

73 Mike N4FFF es Becky N4BKY

P.S. If you haven’t already, subscribe to our channel – it’s a free and easy way to support us, and we’d love to have you along for the adventure!

Accessories, Field Reports, Morse Code, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Videos

Should It Stay or Go? A POTA Activation with the Ten-Tec Argonaut V

25 Comments

On Wednesday, January 5, 2025, I planned a trip to Hickory to pick up my father and take him to lunch. With our family’s hectic schedule, I hadn’t been able to spend any meaningful time with him in weeks, so I was looking forward to catching up.

Of course, as is tradition, I also planned a POTA activation en route.

That morning, before leaving the house, I debated which park to activate: South Mountains State Park, Tuttle Educational State Forest, or Lake James State Park?

It had been a long time since I’d activated South Mountains, so I considered heading there. However, after checking their website, I was surprised to find the entire park still closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. I hadn’t realized the storm had impacted the foothills that severely—though with miles of trails, it made sense that they were still working to clear blowdowns.

Next, I checked Tuttle, only to discover it was still closed as well. Wow…

I knew the Catawba River access at Lake James was open because I had activated it a few weeks prior. Sure enough, their site confirmed that the Paddy’s Creek area—the park’s largest section—remained closed. Wow.

Clearly, I had underestimated the damage these parks sustained after Helene.

So, I set my course for Lake James, hoping that, by spring, the other parks would reopen. No doubt, park staff were working hard to make that happen.

Another mission

I had a specific radio in mind for this activation: my TEN-TEC Argonaut V.

I bought this radio used almost four years ago and have been very pleased with it. I’ve always been a big fan of Ten-Tec, and to me, the Argo V embodies the super-simple design I loved from their late 1990s/early 2000s radios. It features a big LED display, a prominent encoder, and a proper fold-out bail underneath—a solid legacy field radio.

What I love most about the Argo V (and Ten-Tec radios in general) is its superb audio, low-noise receiver, and silky-smooth QSK.

The Argo V wasn’t built to be a power miser—the audio amplifier is beefy and a bit current-hungry (I believe it draws around 500mA in receive, and more with audio output). But the tradeoff? Outstanding audio quality. It’s the perfect radio for Field Day or long operating sessions when you want to avoid listener fatigue. It’s also a fantastic shack radio.

That said, because of its bulk—and my tendency to grab smaller radios for field use—the Argo V has primarily lived in my shack.

The Argonaut VI

Last year, I acquired a Ten-Tec Argonaut VI, the last Argonaut model Ten-Tec produced—one I helped beta test back in the day.

When I bought the Argo VI, I told myself I might let go of the Argo V at some point. I’ve been debating this ever since.

Lately, I’ve been actively downsizing my shack. I need to sell, trade, or give away radios I’m not using. I don’t like harboring “shelf queens”—I want my radios to get regular airtime. But since bringing the Argo VI into the shack, the Argo V hasn’t seen much action.

My friend Vlado (N3CZ) and I plan to sell gear at the Charlotte Hamfest in a couple of weeks. I figured this POTA activation might help me decide whether to sell or keep the Argo V.

So, with my Argonaut V and my Tufteln linked 40M EFHW packed, I made my way to Lake James!

Lake James State Park (US-2739)

That morning, Lake James was incredibly quiet. There were very few visitors—even though this was the only section of the park open.

Then again, it was early on a Wednesday morning, not exactly prime time!

I chose a picnic table near the parking lot since I was carrying the Argonaut V and gear in a storage box rather than a backpack.

My high-visibility ABR cable assembly.

I quickly deployed my End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) antenna and set up the Argonaut V.

Testing the TouchPaddles

Next, I hooked up my new-to-me TouchPaddles, a generous gift from a kind subscriber/supporter.

These keyers were originally sold as kits and have been discontinued for at least a decade. Though a bit bulky, it’s a fantastic CW accessory!

It uses capacitive touch paddles instead of mechanical parts. The added bulk and weight keep it stable while keying.

The unit also has built-in CW message memory. I haven’t programmed it yet (if you have experience with this model, let me know how!), but I plan to experiment with it soon.

The paddle has two output modes:

  • Standard paddle output (for radios with built-in keyers, like the Argo V).
  • External keying mode (for radios without built-in keyers or those with poor internal keying).

I used the standard paddle output since the Argo V’s internal keyer works brilliantly.

With everything hooked up, it was time to hit the air!

Gear

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Radio

  • TEN-TEC Argonaut V

Antenna system

Key and cable

Logging

Camera

On The Air

Since I was using a 40-meter EFHW, I had access to 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters without needing an ATU.

I started calling CQ POTA on 40 meters. Continue reading Should It Stay or Go? A POTA Activation with the Ten-Tec Argonaut V →

Accessories, Morse Code, News, Portable

The Toughest CW Paddles for Field Use: What’s Your Pick?

23 Comments

Many thanks to Dale (N3HXZ), who writes:

“It would be nice to hear from your listeners/subscribers about which is the most robust paddle! I have not met a paddle yet that has not failed in the field at some point. Thanks for all your good work.”

This is a great question.

I feel that almost all of the paddles and keys I regularly take to the field pass muster.

Some of my picks

Note that some of the following links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com.

I’m a big fan of CW Morse’s $45 US 3D-Printed Pocket Paddle. I find it to be remarkably robust. I toss it in my backpack without any extra covers or protection, and I’ve never had one break. I also appreciate how easily adjustable it is in the field.

Similarly, the KM4CFT paddle seems to hold up well, though I haven’t owned one as long.

The CW Morse CNC Machined Aluminum Paddle is one of the most rugged paddles I own. This key is CNC-machined (except for the 3D-printed top cover), making it virtually bulletproof. A solid choice!

The BaMaKeY TP-III is another solid paddle. It’s not inexpensive, but I’ve never regretted purchasing one. When paired with the Senrog Bench Block, it becomes a stable tabletop key that won’t move as you operate. During transport, I use the Tufteln protective cover, though I feel this key could survive in a backpack with minimal extra protection.

While the VK3IL Pressure Paddle V2 doesn’t feel substantial in the hand–it’s a touch paddle built on a circuit board–it’s incredibly robust due to its lack of moving parts. It’s easy to protect in a pack, and there’s little that can go wrong with it. If you’d rather not build one yourself, Vince (VE6LK) has some excellent options.

At 298 Euro, the Begali Traveler is the most expensive paddle on this list. It’s also the heaviest. But if you’re looking for a larger, precision field key that’s robust, it’s hard to beat. The Traveler has folding wings that protect the finger pieces during transport and open when you’re ready to operate.

I love this key and take it with me when size and weight aren’t major concerns. Pair it with a Tufteln protective cover for ultimate protection in your field pack.

Your suggestions?

I’ve limited this list to keys I’ve taken to the field numerous times and have owned for at least a year. Of course, my experience is limited to the keys I own—there are so many others on the market!

In your real-world experience, what do you consider the most robust field keys? Please share your suggestions in the comments!

Field Reports, Morse Code, New Products, News, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Videos

Chilly Morning, Hot Pileups: Testing the New MTR-3B “Currahee”

12 Comments

In late December, I received a much-anticipated package from LnR Precision: my new MTR-3B V4 “Currahee.”

Life has been hectic, so I didn’t get the opportunity to take it to the field until Thursday, January 9, 2025, when I carved out some time in my schedule.

It was a chilly morning, with temperatures hovering around 20°F (-7°C). Still, I wanted the full field portable experience with the new Currahee, so I bundled up in my winter gear and headed out.

Pisgah National Forest

Rather than doing another activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I checked the Pisgah National Forest website and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Lake Powhatan recreational area was open.

When I arrived, the park employee at the entrance gate informed me that I was the only guest that morning. And what a morning it was! Despite the cold, the clear skies and full sunshine made it a glorious day.

The best part? No competition for picnic tables! Woo hoo! (We must embrace the positives, right?)

Quick field kit

About 10 minutes before leaving the house, I hastily put together a quick field kit for the Currahee in my Pelican Micro M50 waterproof case.

This was a trial run to see how I might organize a fully self-contained kit for the Currahee, similar to what I’ve done for my other MTR-3B radios. While I didn’t have time to finalize all the kit components, I wanted to gauge the space available and determine what antenna, throw line, and other accessories would fit best.

Tufteln Cover

Joshua (N5FY), a good friend, sent me a package over the holidays containing some of his latest Tufteln protective radio covers. To clarify, these were gifts; I didn’t pay for them. Among the covers was a brand-new design specifically for the Currahee.

Like all of his covers (you’ve probably seen the ones I use for my KX2, KX1, CFT1, QMX, and others), this one fits brilliantly. In fact, it might be my favorite! The Currahee cover provides a durable, low-profile solution that complements the radio perfectly. Makes it a very durable little package.

Break-In Activation

In the near future, I plan to create a more in-depth video about the Currahee, but my goal for this outing was to get it on the air and give it a solid break-in.

Although the Currahee features built-in capacitive touch paddles, they require contact with bare skin. I wasn’t keen on exposing my fingers to the cold, so I opted to use my trusty TP-III paddles instead. By the end of the activation, my fingers were still getting sluggish, but I managed to log plenty of QSOs.

For audio, I paired the Currahee with my Anker Soundcore Mini speaker and connected it to a 40-meter End-Fed Half-Wave antenna. This antenna is an ideal match for the Currahee since all three of its bands—40, 20, and 15 meters—are resonant. Kudos to LnR and Steve for these excellent band choices!

For power, I used my 9V Bioenno battery. While the Currahee can handle over 13VDC (making it compatible with a “12V” LiFePO4 battery), I prefer running my Mountain Toppers with 9V, which yields about three watts of output power.

Gear:

Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.

Radio

Key and Accessories

Antenna, Throw Line, and Cable Assembly

Battery

Case and Pack

Logging

Camera, Mics, Speaker, Gloves and Other Accessories

On The Air

I started the activation on 20 meters, which turned out to be a fantastic choice. Continue reading Chilly Morning, Hot Pileups: Testing the New MTR-3B “Currahee” →