OnAllBands will be winding down 2025 with QSL card articles featuring a couple of DXCC entities we’ve never covered before: French Guiana and, later this month, Lakshadweep Islands. If you’ve never reached French Guiana, an overseas department of France on the northern coast of South America bordering Suriname and Brazil, here’s an excellent opportunity. The […]
Month: December 2025
Starting a Multi-Park Day Right: Lake James State Park (US-2739) with VA3EKR
On Monday, November 17, 2025, my buddy Scott (VA3EKR) was still visiting us here in Western North Carolina. You might recall that the previous Friday, Scott, Vlado (N3CZ), and I activated Dogback Mountain together. After that activation, Scott and I plotted out a full day of Parks on the Air for Monday. Vlado would have […]
A First SOTA Attempt: K1PAP Shares Hard-Earned Lessons
Many thanks to Paolo (K1PAP) for sharing this very honest and thoughtful field report from what was meant to be his first SOTA activation. I especially appreciate Paolo’s willingness to be so open about a non-ideal situation–one that could have become serious very quickly–and to share it publicly so others can learn from the experience. […]
QRV: A Mac/iOS Mobile-Friendly Operating Companion for the Field
Many thanks to Adam (K2CAT), who recently reached out to let me know about a new iOS/macOS app he’s developed for amateur radio operators called QRV. Adam designed QRV as a sort of Swiss Army Knife app for operating, with a strong emphasis on mobile and field use — quick in, quick out, and all […]
Ham Radio Operating Accommodations for Seniors Part 2: Retirement Communities
We aren’t getting any younger—according to the ARRL, the average age of ham members is 68. It’s likely many of us are retired and will eventually consider downsizing. This might mean a move to a smaller space such as a condo, apartment, retirement community, or assisted-living facility. For many amateur radio operators, moving into a […]
A Quick Update on the QRPer.com 2026 Calendar
Many thanks to everyone who ordered this year’s QRPer.com calendar — 53 copies have already shipped out! Unfortunately, Zazzle has now removed the calendar from their marketplace after flagging one of my photos for a supposed trademark issue. Just to be clear: there was no violation on my part. My calendar design and field photos […]
Learning CW on an iPad: Any Suggestions for Joel?
Many thanks to Joel (KR4GEL) who reached out to me over email with the following question. He’s very kindly allowing me to share it here on QRPer.com so the wider community might share advice that could help him on his CW journey: Hi Thomas, I need your advice please. I am trying to learn CW […]
How My Wife Became a Ham…and Advice on Getting Others Onboard
Here’s one of the common threads I hear from operators: “I wish my spouse/significant other would operate with me.” In any relationship, it’s natural to want to share our hobbies with our partner. But, in my opinion, we go about it all wrong. Often, the way we try to entice them into the hobby is […]
The New KM4CFT Straight Key Kit
Many thanks to Jonathan (KM4CFT) who notes that his new straight key kit is now available for purchase at HamGadgets. Here’s the description: Straight Key KIT, easy to build and FUN to use, very lightweight (1.3 oz). with embedded rubber strips on the bottom to hold better on smooth surfaces or just hold in your […]
SOTA with Friends and First Activation for Scott on Dogback Mountain!
On Friday, November 14, 2025, my friend Scott, VA3EKR (a.k.a. KK7TMS State side), was visiting western North Carolina during his travels. He had contacted me ahead of time, asking if we could meet up for some field radio, and–because he happened to choose a week that was strangely wide open for me–I jumped at the […]