Tag Archives: Elecraft KH1

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

QSO Party, POTA, and a Touch of Winter: Bob and Alanna’s Radio Adventures on the Outer Banks

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Radio Adventures on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

by Bob K4RLC & Alanna K4AAC     

February 2025

My YL Alanna K4AAC had been advocating for a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for some time. She had never been there to see its incredible natural beauty, and I had not been in decades. In planning, we needed to go in the off-season, especially when it was a bit chilly, as she is a “bug magnet” and that can ruin her vacation. Not being totally unselfish, I wanted our visit to coincide with a radio event.

We first tried for Winter Field Day at the end of January, but Eastern North Carolina was socked in with five to seven inches of snow in places where it never snows. We rescheduled the trip for a month later at the end of February, to coincide with the North Carolina QSO Party. Just so happens, Eastern North Carolina got another freak snowstorm of several inches, but we only had to put the trip off one day. Even then, parts of the roads going down east were still covered in snow and ice.

1585 Map by Governor White
Current Map of Outer Banks

The drive is only a bit over 3 hours straight down US Highway 64 to the Outer Banks, where it dead ends in a T intersection with infamous North Carolina Hwy 12. Locals call the intersection “Whalebone Junction.” Going either north or south of this intersection, within a few miles one can explore lots of really beautiful natural areas, including six (6) POTA sites! Eight miles south of the intersection is the Oregon Inlet Campground on Bodie Island, part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (US-0682), where we camped. That time of year, the campground was really deserted with only a few other campers including a few brave souls tent camping. It is a flat area campground that backs up to huge dunes, separating you from some of the most beautiful but austere beaches on the Atlantic coast. A word of caution though, there are no trees or light poles to secure a mast for an antenna.

Alanna K4AAC enjoying the beach
Antenna at Oregon Inlet Campground

We took our Winnebago Solis again. The Solis is a wonderful camper van on a Dodge ProMaster chassis that sleeps three, has a propane powered furnace and two burner stove, and a refrigerator that can be powered either by propane or by the 140 W solar panels on top of the van, loading up two 100 amp hour AGM batteries.  You can boondock for days, or enjoy the luxury of “shore power.”

As the North Carolina QSO Party was Sunday, we wanted to explore the islands Saturday. About 20 miles north of the campground is the incredible Wright Brothers National Memorial, commemorating the first flight ever, and also POTA site: US-0797.  This is part of the National Park Service, on 428 acres with an interactive Visitor Center whose exhibits include a full-scale reproduction of the Wright Brothers 1903 flyer. We particularly enjoyed climbing to the Wright Brothers Monument standing 60-feet tall atop Kill Devil’s Hill, a 90 foot high grass-stabilized sand dune. The original runway is there with First Flight Boulder and Markers charting the short distances of the first four flights. Incredibly, a few yards over and parallel is an actual 3000 foot First Flight Airstrip where pilots from all over the world fly in to celebrate their flying heritage. I decided to take the KH1 up to the top of the Monument, a steep but accessible walk for almost anyone. The day was clear and sunny; the white granite monument was gleaming against the Carolina blue sky.

Wright Brothers Monument
Bob K4RLC & Elecraft KH1 w/AX1

It was a beautiful day to set up on the wall around the monument. Unfortunately, the temperatures were in the 40’s, and I didn’t realize there would be a 20-25 knot wind blowing. The beautiful thing about the KH1 is that it is so easy to deploy. Some have complained about the stock key in cold weather, but for me the problems are not the key but old, cold fingers. To help a little bit, I set up the AX1 on a small camera tripod and threw one 13 ft radial over the wall into the field. This modification worked really well when I operated at a Greek Navy lighthouse in the Aegean Sea. For some reason, the KH1 was fussy that day, and would not hold a tune consistently on 20 CW. Nevertheless, I pounded away until I got the minimum number of contacts about the same time my fingers just wouldn’t work anymore.

Alanna, with freezing extremities after fully exploring the monument and taking pictures of me operating, hiked off to explore a bronze sculpture garden which recreates the scene of the historic 1903 flight. This included a sandy plot with a life-size bronze replica of the original Wright Brothers airplane (being piloted by Orville laying on his stomach), along with bronze sculptures depicting the guys from the Hatteras Life Saving Station who were there to support Orville and Wilbur, help them launch their flyer, and capture a photo of the First Flight. The memorial was gifted by the State of North Carolina to the NPS,  and dedicated at the Centennial of the First Flight in 2003, by then Governor Mike Easley. Alanna and I were both really cold and tired after hiking in the chilly weather at the park, so we sought out one of the few open seafood restaurants there and were treated to an incredibly tasty buffet.

Full size replica of original aircraft
Full size bronze replica of aircraft

Weather Sunday morning was milder so with a strong cup of coffee from the French press coffee maker our daughter gave us, I set up on the picnic table with my trusty old ICOM IC – 706MkIIG at about 60 watts on 20 CW. I do have a trailer hitch mount for the Solis that can hold a 30 foot fiberglass mast, but I knew we were going to be traveling that day. So I set up my trustee default of a 17 foot whip on a 4 x 7′ piece of aluminum screen wire from Lowe’s. With one CQ, the calls started coming in, with the first one being from HA9RE in Hungary. Continue reading QSO Party, POTA, and a Touch of Winter: Bob and Alanna’s Radio Adventures on the Outer Banks →

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

QRP by the Sea: Dan’s POTA Rove Along the Oregon Coast

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Oregon Coast POTA Rove

by Dan (N7CQR)

Last December (2024), I was planning a trip with friends to Tucson, AZ, while my wife was traveling abroad. I enjoy the opportunity to go somewhere warm during the winter if possible. Alas, the trip fell apart, and I decided to take the opportunity to spend a week traveling on the Oregon coast and activating as many parks as possible. My plan was to start on the central coast around Newport and travel as far south as time permitted. Sometimes we get a nice stretch of warmer weather in this region in December and January. The coast is blessed with many small and medium-sized state parks, and many are oceanside, so I would have plenty of options for daily activities within a relatively short distance from where I would be staying.

I picked four towns to stay at as I drove south: Yachats, Coos Bay, Bandon, and returning north to Newport. I compiled a list of about 25 potential POTA sites between Newport and Bandon on the southern end of my route. Obviously, I wouldn’t be likely to activate all of these for various reasons such as temporary closures, weather conditions (especially as related to exposure to rain or wind—very common on the coast), access to a good area to set up, or other unforeseen circumstances. And there’s always variable propagation to deal with.

Here on the West Coast, we just don’t have the population density and thus fewer active hams than the rest of the country. My goal was to activate three parks per day. Sometimes it was a very short distance to do this, but often I had to drive a fair amount to get to some of the more remote locations.

The other challenge was planning what gear to bring, as I might be operating in a couple of different conditions depending on the weather. Ideally, I wanted to set up outdoors when possible, but realistically, I had to have a plan for also operating in my car. Since I’m a dedicated portable CW/QRP operator, I don’t have any permanent radios or antennas mounted in my car.

My two main portable radios are my KX2 and KH1, which are small enough to use in the car without taking up a lot of space. For an antenna, I had a Diamond K400 door/hatch mount that I mounted on the rear hatch of my Kia Sorento, and I had a telescoping whip that would extend to a quarter wavelength on 20 meters and could be adjusted for 17, 15, and 10 meters depending on which band I was using. I had to get an adapter (McMaster Carr hardware) from the 3/8×24 thread of the mount to the M10 metric thread of the whip.

The tuner in the radios would make up any mismatch. I ran RG 316 to the front seat and attached a couple of 13-foot counterpoises to the antenna mount for good measure. The mount was grounded to the car body through the mounting bracket as well. I almost always got a very good match, so SWR wasn’t a problem, especially since I only ran 5 watts.

For outdoor operation, I had the KH1 with the whip, the KX2 with the AX1/AEX1, my Chelegance MC-750 vertical, and my K6ARK end-fed random wire with the 9:1 balun built into the BNC connector.

Here, particularly in western and coastal Oregon, we have an abundance of trees, but they’re often Douglas Fir with very thick foliage that makes it tricky to toss a line into a tree. Especially at the coast, it’s often quite steep and rocky, such that you don’t have a long stretch of level ground to toss and retrieve a line. Or, if it’s an open wayside, there might not be any trees close by to use. Options are always a good idea.

Shore Acres State Park (US-2581)

When I had to activate from my car, I found that using the KH1 was easier than wrestling with the KX2 on my lap or the console, especially for CW. I could hold it in my hand and log using the tray with the little log sheets. However, I know there are some good solutions for using trays or shelves that mount in the vehicle for larger radios. Still, most of my operating is outdoors whenever possible.

As expected, sometimes I’d arrive at a park and encounter situations that made it difficult to activate. In a couple of cases, the parks (actually more like small waysides off the highway—usually on the coastal side) were closed due to maintenance issues or, in a couple of cases, flooding.  Continue reading QRP by the Sea: Dan’s POTA Rove Along the Oregon Coast →

Field Reports, Guest Posts, News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, POTA, QRP

The Power of Elevation: Scott’s POTA Experiment

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Texas Tower of Power

by Scott (WE5J)

February 14, Valentine’s Day. I’m off work a bit early, so what else better to do than slip off for a POTA activation! I had high hopes of making it to the park, but had to wait on the delivery service to drop off a work package so I could complete my tasks for the day. As luck would have it, they delivered just before 1pm then I was off to my client’s office then headed to Sheldon Lake State Park, US-3056.

(Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife/Wikipedia)

I’ve activated here a few times, most recently at the top of the John Jacob observation tower. The tower overlooks the park, Houston skyline, and the San Jacinto monument from a height of 82 feet above ground. Four days prior, on the top platform using a KH1 with the stock whip and counterpoise dropped between floorboards.  The results were amazing! I expected the activation would be okay, but 12 contacts in 18min is one of my fastest activations!

The KH1 is a 5 watt output transceiver at best, with a compromised antenna. No, it wasn’t power or a fancy antenna.  This caused the hamsters to start spinning the wheels; why was this so successful? Propagation? Elevated radial? Height over terrain? It’s time to test!

Fast forward 4 days, I’m back atop the Tower of Power! This activation was planned to start at the top platform to, (a) get at least 10 contacts for a valid activation then (b) move to ground level to continue.  Nothing like a little a/b pseudo-scientific testing to spice up an activation!

Unfortunately, it was (a.5) and (b) testing; a group was setting up for a surprise marriage proposal on the top platform, to give them space and be respectful I moved down to the middle level. I estimate this is 40’ above surrounding terrain which is still significant in Houston.  As per the last activation, set up on the west side, drop the counterpoise wire (~20’) through the floorboards, and start calling CQ on 20m.

Two cycles of CQ and a Katy bar the door! 12 contacts in 13 minutes, the majority of RST’s 559 or 599. It was a madhouse! No major pileup, but the hunters just kept coming. I wanted to stay in the tower but was running short on time, during a lull I called QRT to move down to ground level.

Once on ground level about 400 yards from the tower, I respotted and started calling CQ. After about 5 minutes the first hunter was a nice surprise from Alabama, not a common state for me. No follow-on callers, so I called CQ again. And again. And again. After roughly 10 more minutes, a fine gentleman from Kansas called. I resumed a few more minutes of calling CQ before going QRT for the day.

While on the ground level, I moved to different locations within the picnic area, tried elevating the radial, holding the radio straight up or a 45* angle, all with no noticeable change in RBN spots or hunter activity. It was painfully obvious that ground level in Houston is not the most conducive for QRP plus a small, compromised antenna.

It was a great day to be out, great to play radio, and it was even more fun to scratch that scientific itch! I can say emphatically, without a doubt, height is might with QRP especially if you live in a low and flat elevation like Houston.

Now that I think a bit, more questions come to mind!  Was the tower acting as some sort of reflector? Will it make a difference if I move to the Eastern platform? Is there another all-wood platform I can try? Looks like we have more testing to do!

Y’all be good! 72!

Scott (WE5J)

P.S. – If you drop a mechanical pencil from 30’ on to a hard surface, all your lead will shatter. Rendering the pencil useless. EDC Mini-Space Pen to the rescue!

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

Glen Explores Utah with the KH1: Seven Parks in Six Days

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Seven Parks, Six Days in Utah with the KH1

by Glen (KC8LA)

In November 2023, the YL had the chance to go to Salt Lake City to collaborate with professional genealogists at the Family Search Library to assist with her family tree. It proved to be a very productive week for her, filled with tips, tricks, and new search areas. Normally, I wouldn’t take a trip like this since I’m still working, but this is something she’s passionate about. I then realized I’ve never been to Utah; they have parks, I have a KH1, and I enjoy exploring. For a few extra dollars and a rental car, I’m going.

I began my research on parks located within an hour of Salt Lake City (SLC). On a whim, I reached out to Forrest KI7QCF for suggestions, and he was happy to help. I ultimately chose five parks in and around SLC: This Is The Place Heritage Park (US-5950), East Canyon State Park (US-3068), Great Salt Lake State Park (US-3075), Antelope Island (US-3062), and Jordanelle State Park (US-3080). Unsure of what to expect from the TSA, I decided to simply bring my Elecraft KH1 Edgewood package charger and spare key. All my activations would be PM. Let’s see what happens; I’ll still enjoy exploring.

This Is The Place Heritage Park (US-5950)

This is the Place Heritage Park (US-5950)

Day one took me to This Is The Place Heritage Park (US-5950). After checking out all the attractions, I set up in a parking lot at the base of a mountain and made twenty contacts, all on 20m. One down. The plan was to activate one park per day. As I was logging my activation, I discovered that Pony Express National Trail (US-4578) runs through US-5950.

Pony Express National Trail (US-4578)

New plan! I returned to the park on day two for my first twofer. Standing under the Pony Express Monument, I made thirteen contacts between heavy snow squalls—running for the car whenever needed! All on 20m.

East Canyon State Park (US-3068) and East Canyon WMA (US-10564)

East Canyon State Park (US-3068)

Day three took me to East Canyon State Park (US-3068). The hour-long drive was scenic and beautiful, winding through the mountains. While en route, I discovered East Canyon WMA (US-10564).

East Canyon WMA (US-10564)

Guess what I did on the way back? I managed eleven contacts in each park within the available time. Four down!

The next morning, I noticed my radio’s charge light was still on. I didn’t think much of it, as I had plugged it in later in the evening.

Great Salt Lake State Park (US-3075)

Great Salt Lake State Park (US-3075)

Day four brought me to Great Salt Lake State Park (US-3075). The lake, mountains, and islands were stunning. It was a bit hazy, but just being there and exploring was great. After taking in the scenery, I set up and got fourteen contacts on 20m. Five down! However, I noticed my battery indicator was only showing half charge—unusual after just an hour’s use.

After the activation, I went exploring. There’s a large square black rock about 200 yards out in the lake that settlers once used as a diving platform. I wanted a closer look. Just a big rock that rolled off the mountain sometime in the last 100,000 years—very much out of place. On the way back, I discovered that the California National Historic Trail ran close to the park. With my battery in question, I decided against another activation.

Antelope Island State Park (US-3062)

Antelope Island State Park (US-3062)

Day five took me to Antelope Island—my favorite park of the trip. The drive over the seven-mile causeway was breathtaking. I opted to activate first. Just inside the park, I found a driveway winding up a hill to what looked like a seasonal restaurant. There was a 250-foot rise above the parking lot, which I climbed for my activation. The 360-degree view was incredible.

During my activation, a Korean student on a field trip asked what I was doing. He was very interested as I explained amateur radio and its possibilities. I suggested he investigate it further when he got home. He thanked me and rejoined his group. We are ambassadors to the world!

I continued my activation and made thirteen contacts—before my radio died. ?!?!? Six down. Would I get another? Had I worn out my battery in just seven months? Long story short, a couple of components in the charging unit had failed, limiting it to 10V. Elecraft repaired it under warranty.

For the next few hours, I explored the island, encountering bison, deer, waterfowl, cattle, grasslands, mountains, and a working ranch from the early 1800s. It was a wonderful day. I think of this park often.

Jordanelle State Park (US-3080)

Jordanelle State Park (US-3080)

Day six took me to Jordanelle State Park (US-3080). The drive was exhilarating for a flatlander from Ohio—mountain passes, sweeping curves, and 75 mph speeds! Had I dared to blink, I’m sure the scenery would have been even more amazing.

The park was beautiful, with a lake, campground, beach, walking trail, and boating areas. If we return, I’ll park the RV there. I decided to set up at the beach for my activation. To conserve power, I turned off everything unnecessary and set the radio to low power—1W with a 1:1 SWR. Could a 1W PM activation be done? Yes! It took over an hour, but I made twelve contacts using 20m, 17m, and 15m.

Final Thoughts

We had a great trip. The YL received invaluable help and information, making breakthroughs in her family tree. I had fun exploring, taking pictures, and successfully completing seven activations. As a bonus, we attended a Wednesday night practice session of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir—an amazing experience.

As I mentioned in my last post, the KH1 has pushed me to explore more. Without it, I may never have visited SLC and the surrounding areas. I’m 67 years old, and while I won’t be climbing mountains anytime soon, the portability of this radio has taken me to places I’d never been before. Hopefully, there will be many more to come!

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

Time Crunch: A QRP POTA Activation Challenge and Impromptu Two-Fer!

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February has been a whirlwind of a month. Between juggling projects and my daughters’ incredibly busy senior year of high school, free time has been in short supply.

That said, I’ve made it a goal (for the sake of my own sanity—ha!) to squeeze in as much radio time as possible.

Super Portable POTA

Before October 2023, my go-to radio and antenna combo for quick POTA or SOTA activations was the Elecraft KX2 paired with the AX1 or AX2 antenna.

My trusty KX2/AX1 combo!

Even now, I rely on that setup when I want to minimize gear deployment and maximize on-air time. As long as I have a surface to set the radio on—be it a picnic table or my kneeboard–I’m good to go.

But in October 2023, the Elecraft KH1 changed the game. Designed for handheld operation with virtually zero setup time, this radio has made quick activations even more accessible. Given my current busy schedule, the KH1 has been an absolute lifesaver.

It stays packed in my EDC backpack at all times, ready for an impromptu activation or some portable POTA/SOTA hunting.

A Spontaneous Challenge: 45 Minutes to Activate!

Thursday, February 4, 2025, was a perfect example of this radio’s convenience.

My wife and I had a long list of errands, including dropping off donations at various thrift stores and hurricane relief centers. My wife loves thrift shopping (and volunteering), especially when it comes to browsing clothing sections. As we stopped at one of her favorite large thrift stores to drop off donations, she turned to me and said, “I’d like some time here. Could you do a really quick POTA activation and be back in 45 minutes?”

Without hesitation (I do love a challenge), I said, “Heck yeah!”

Mental Math

I quickly mapped out my plan:

  • The nearest POTA entity was the Blue Ridge Parkway (US-3378), about a 5-6 minute drive away.
  • I already had a mental spot in mind where I could park and get on the air fast.
  • Filming the activation would add at least 3-4 minutes for setting up my camera and audio recorder.

Breakdown of the time constraints:

  • Round-trip drive: ~10-12 minutes
  • Camera/Audio setup: ~4 minutes
  • KH1 setup: ~20 seconds
  • Scheduling the activation: ~1 minute
  • Remaining activation time: ~29 minutes

Totally doable—as long as nothing went sideways!

A Two-Fer Bonus!

When I arrived at my planned activation spot, I needed only one thing: a place to park. Since the KH1 is fully handheld, I could operate anywhere.

The red pin is roughly the location where I parked.

I recalled a small pull-off near the Mountains to Sea Trail (US-8313)—a place I’d used before for a quick hike. If the parking spot was close enough to the MST, this might count as a two-fer.

You can see the Mountains to Sea Trail on the left and the short path leading to it from my parked car on the right.

After arriving on site, I confirmed that I was within 20 feet of the MST. POTA rules require that an activator must be within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a trail for it to count as an activation–obviously, I was well within those limits.

Although I could have operated directly from the trail, the MST is a busy single-track trail, and I didn’t want to block hikers. So, I opted to activate from the parking spot instead.

Next, all I had to do was grab the KH1, set up my camera gear, and hop on the air!

Gear

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Radio and Antenna System

Camera and Audio Gear

On The Air

Knowing that 20 meters would likely be the most productive band, I still wanted to experiment on the higher bands first. I started calling CQ POTA on 15 meters and planned to work my way down through 17 meters before finishing on 20 meters. Continue reading Time Crunch: A QRP POTA Activation Challenge and Impromptu Two-Fer! →

Field Reports, News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, QRP, Travel

Pedestrian Mobile at Pullman: Tim’s Sunrise POTA Activation in Chicago

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Sunrise Activation in the Windy City

by Tim (W8TMI)

I was recently traveling for work to Chicago, IL. I wouldn’t think of a big city as the first place for one of my radios to go, but the KH1 doesn’t take up much room and it’s a new toy I’ve been wanting to play with. I took a train from my home in Michigan to Union Station in Chicago where I was staying downtown. Taking a look at the POTA map there aren’t many opportunities to activate a park.

The map feature on the POTA.app

I don’t always sleep well away from home and Illinois is one hour behind Michigan. I woke around 5:30 AM local time which fits my normal routine. I was wide awake and I didn’t have any appointments until much later in the morning. Time to take a look at the local train system.

METRA Electric Line

I found the METRA Electric Line that ran from Millennium Station downtown to well past the stop I was looking for, 111th St Pullman.This stop brought me to a former factory that built train cars from 1881-1968 and was turned into a national monument.  Pullman National Monument (US-7917) which is owned and operated by the National Parks Service.

Finding this route I suited up, packed my bag, and headed out into the early morning dark. I was aiming to make Millennium Station by 6:35 and it was about a mile from my hotel. The sun wasn’t providing much light once I ventured out and the temp was around 23° F°/-5° C°. I stopped a few times to snap some quick pics while trying to make it to the station on time. The color from the sunrise appears much better in the pictures than to the naked eye.

The Chicago river from the Michigan Ave bridge

I made it to the station by 6:25. Plenty of time to buy my ticket and make it to the train. The 6:35 train would make it to 111th St around 7:04 depending on how late it ran. My plan was to make the 8:24 return train giving me an hour and twenty minutes to operate and secure the activation. There was an earlier departure from 111th at 7:34, but that seemed ambitious. If I made a later train at 9:36 I would be delayed an additional 30 minutes due to construction on the line. 7:04-8:24 sounded like plenty of time to activate the park.

Pullman National Monument at 7:08 AM

Given the time in the morning I decided to give the AXE a try on 40m. My KH1 field kit contains a 20’ counterpoise extender of 26 awg silicone wire to add to the 13’ standard counterpoise that I use for 15m-20m. Deployment took under a minute and I was able to find a frequency and lock my VFO in so I don’t bump it while operating pedestrian mobile.

The Elecraft KH1 with AXE operating pedestrian Mobile on 40m

I had the activation scheduled and began calling CQ. I noticed the RBN picked my station up almost immediately based on the POTA spotting page. My PoLo app (Portable Logger) was set up and ready to copy. I do a hybrid method of logging, I copy callsigns via the paper sheets in the logging tray and then enter them with my free hand into the app. This keeps the time sync easier when going to upload the log.

According to the app my first contact was in the log at 7:14 and the final (13th) was logged at 7:31. I had walked into the park 23 minutes prior and had 13 contacts after setting up my station. This also meant that I didn’t need to wait for the 8:24 train, the 7:34 train should work. I packed my gear up and dashed to the station. Thankfully trains have a tendency to run a little later than scheduled and I was easily able to make it. Back to the hotel where a hot breakfast waited.

I don’t believe this activation would have been possible if it weren’t for the KH1. Which is exactly why I have it. Easy to always have on me and bring pretty much anywhere. The deployment speed coupled with the activation speed is unmatched in my experience. The radio is a premium niche product that I am glad I don’t have to live without. I’m looking forward to many more activations with it.

Here are a few other photos from the trip down south.

Accessories, Field Radio Kits, News, Portable, QRP

W8TMI’s Elecraft KH1 Field Kit

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Many thanks to Tim (W8TMI), who shares 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.

W8TMI’s Elecraft KH1 Field Kit

by Time (W8TMI)

My Elecraft KH1 field kit is split into two parts: the bag provided with the Edgewood package and a separate bag for added functionality. The Elecraft bag is set up to venture out by itself without anything else required for an activation. The additional bag provides a longer random wire antenna and the ability to get it up into a tree, which increases its gain over the stock whip antenna.

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Additional Photos

2mm bullet adapters for counterpoise wires

Primary KH1 bag

Storage setup

Antenna bag

Guest Posts, News, Pedestrian Mobile, Portable, POTA, QRP, QRP Radios, Reviews

Living the QRP Life: Glen’s Thoughts on Eight Months with the Elecraft KH1

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Many thanks to Glen (KC8LA) who shares the following guest post:

New QRPer and Eight Months with the Elecraft KH1

by Glen (KC8LA)

Let me introduce myself—I’m Glen, KC8LA. I’ve been a ham for 30 years, but I only started hunting POTA activators in mid-to-late 2023. Before long, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to activate parks myself?”

Of course, YouTube was the place to learn how to get started. I saw that I’d need a portable radio (like the FT-891), a tuner, a power source, a multiband antenna, and a way to hoist it into a tree. Whew! It all sounded like a lot of lugging gear for just a couple of hours of radio fun. Was it worth it? Back to YouTube I went, searching for an easier way.

Over the years, I’d never thought much about QRP. Then, I stumbled across videos of Thomas, K4SWL, beta-testing a new self-contained Elecraft radio: the KH1. I watched every KH1 video I could find—so many that I joked Thomas became my “best friend” through the screen.

“This is it,” I thought. “I’ll get the KH1!” But when I checked the price, I had to pause and think. After a couple of weeks, I finally decided to order it on November 22, 2023, figuring it would arrive in early December, just in time to prepare for my first activation in January.

Nope. The wait time was three months, pushing the delivery date to February. I could wait, though! In the meantime, I set up my FT-891 in the Jeep using alligator clips to the battery, hamsticks, and a laptop table between the seats for my key and notepad. It worked, but I was just sitting in the Jeep. Come on, KH1!

Due to parts delays, the wait stretched to five months. While I waited, I practiced activating parks with the FT-891 and figured out the basics to be ready for the KH1’s arrival.

Finally, on April 18, 2024, the KH1 arrived. I was sitting on the porch when the mail carrier handed me the box. I opened it right then and there, assembled it, and made my first contact on 20 meters. My hands tremble a bit, so it was challenging, but I did it. Over time, I practiced and now comfortably run 18–20 WPM.

My first activation with the KH1 was on April 26, but it didn’t go as planned—only four contacts. Undeterred, I tried again the following weekend. Eight contacts. Still not a success. Thomas made it look so easy in his videos!

I began researching what I was doing wrong. I learned that a 5-watt activation takes longer than one at 100 watts (obvious in hindsight). Time of day, solar conditions, and operating on QRP-friendly frequencies all make a big difference. Once I adjusted my approach, my third activation was a success, and they’ve been going well ever since.

In the meantime, Hamvention rolled around, and since I live nearby, I put activations on hold. At Hamvention, I made a beeline to Wayne from Elecraft, shook his hand, and thanked him for dreaming up the KH1. We swapped some war stories—I even shared how I’d worked 3G0YA split on 15 meters from a park!

Anytime, Anywhere Radio Is So Much Fun!

Fall at Kiser Lake State Park (US-1966)

Since the KH1 arrived, I’ve completed 70 activations across 23 parks in three states, including seven parks in Utah over five days (a story for another time). Of those, 60 were with the KH1, with only four failures—two due to learning the radio and two from running out of time. I’ve logged around 1,000 activation contacts with the KH1 so far.

The KH1 goes everywhere with me, and I use it 95% of the time in its portable, self-contained configuration. Occasionally, I deploy my homemade “chalk line” EFHW antenna, which consists of 33 feet of 2mm throw line and 41 feet of 26-gauge wire. It’s compact, tunes well, and clips nicely to the KH1’s ES-20 case.

Pool mobile at Grand Lake Saint Marys State Park (US-1953)

I’ve done activations at a variety of locations: tire shops, birthday parties, weddings, bike paths, and even my living room chair. The KH1 makes HF portable operation so easy that I’m contemplating buying a second one as a backup.

Picnic table my home park, Sycamore State Park (US-1995)

The built-in key has been a mixed bag—I’m already on my second one, and I’ve had to use my backup key a few times. But the radio’s battery life has been excellent, easily lasting four two-hour activations before needing a charge. The tuner works flawlessly, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the built-in speaker performs in quiet environments.

Exploring the Outdoors

Davey Woods State Nature Preserve (US-9403)

What I love most about the KH1 is how it’s transformed my radio journey. It’s encouraged me to get outdoors, discover new places, and revisit sites I haven’t seen in decades. My home park, US-1995 Sycamore State Park, is just 20 minutes away, and I’ve activated it 27 times, logging 594 contacts toward my Kilo award.

Reading a field report on QRPer.com, I saw that Thomas had activated US-9410 while walking a 0.6-mile boardwalk with the KH1. That park is only an hour away, so I thought, “If he can do it, so can I!” And I did. It’s a cute little wooded park, perfect for a portable activation.

I’m still working, so I need to plan activations carefully for parks that are more than an hour away. But with the KH1, I’m always ready for an adventure.

Final Thoughts

North Country Trail National Scenic Trail (US-4239)

I would have never believed that a tiny radio with a 45-inch antenna could reliably make HF contacts, but the KH1 amazes me every time I pull it out. It’s my radio of choice for almost all CW contacts now—I’ve probably made fewer than 20 CW contacts on my FT DX10 and FT-891 since getting the KH1!

Yes, there are plenty of other portable radios out there, but for me, the KH1’s convenience, low “lug factor,” and quick setup time are unbeatable. I can be on the air in under a minute.

If you’re on the fence about trying QRP or the KH1, I say go for it. It’s a radio that has truly enhanced my life, and I can’t imagine my portable adventures without it.

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

Portable POTA Hunting in Beaufort: A Relaxing Back-Yard Session with the Elecraft KH1

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Wednesday, December 18, 2024, was a full but wonderful day. My wife, daughters, Hazel the dog, and I spent it exploring Beaufort, Morehead City, and Atlantic Beach, North Carolina—coastal towns all within a ten-minute drive of one another.

The KX2 and AX1 earlier that day at Fort Macon State Park.

We started the morning at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. While my wife and one of my daughters enjoyed some shopping later, I managed a quick activation at Fort Macon State Park. (You can read that report and watch the activation video here.)

Afterward, we returned to our Airbnb vacation home around 2:00 p.m. for a late lunch. My daughters, still busy despite the holidays, were working on scholarship essays. With their fall term completed online due to Hurricane Helene’s damage in Asheville, they were determined to tackle deadlines before the new year.

While they worked, I felt the pull of POTA (Parks on the Air). However, I wasn’t in the mood for another car ride—especially not a 25-minute drive to the next site. Instead, I decided on a low-key radio session in the backyard, followed by some quiet time with a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

Before dinner, we planned to stroll through Beaufort’s historic district and waterfront. The constant low fog that day had transformed the scenery into something almost magical—perfect for an evening walk. (I’ve included some photos below for those interested!)

Portable POTA Hunting

Hazel, of course, wanted to participate!

I’d already discovered during the previous day’s hunting session that the Airbnb’s backyard had an impressively low noise floor for an urban area.

I suspect it was because many vacation homes in the neighborhood—including the one next door, which was vacant and on the market—were unoccupied during the off-season. Whatever the reason, it was a pleasant surprise for this QRPer.

KH1 Makes it Easy

My Elecraft KH1 has become my go-to radio for backyard sessions. Not only is it incredibly quick to deploy, but it’s also designed for handheld operation. No need to set up an antenna or find a place to sit—I can simply walk around, optimizing received signal strength and avoiding potential noise sources.

For this session, I grabbed the KH1, its whip antenna, and a 13-foot counterpoise. At the last minute, I also decided to bring my camera to record the experience. Though less action-packed than an activation, I thought it might still be worth sharing.

I kept things simple, using only the KH1’s internal speaker. While it’s not the best performer, I appreciate that Elecraft managed to include it—it’s a feature I wish my vintage KX1 had!

Gear

My full KH1 kit built into a Pelican M40 case.

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On The Air

All screenshots from my action camera (I forgot to take photos with my iPhone!)

POTA hunting is a completely different experience from activating—and I love it.

As an activator, you’re in the spotlight, managing pileups and logging contacts as fast as possible. As a hunter with a handheld 5-watt radio and a 4-foot whip antenna, the challenge is flipped: you have to make yourself heard amidst louder stations, all with the goal of practicing good operating etiquette. Continue reading Portable POTA Hunting in Beaufort: A Relaxing Back-Yard Session with the Elecraft KH1 →

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 →