by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, I had another opportunity to squeeze in a POTA activation during a late morning drive back to the mountains after visiting my father, who was in the hospital at the time. Once again, I chose one of my favorite POTA sites that I don’t get to visit […]
Toilets on the Air (TOTA) @ HOPE_16
At the upcoming HOPE_16 in NYC, Todd (KE2AEQ) is launching a brilliantly fun, tongue-in-cheek radio activity called Toilets on the Air (TOTA) — inspired by Georg (DH5GH) and the German hacker scene. Yes, Toilets on the Air. But before you flush the idea entirely (sorry!) read on… Much like POTA and SOTA, TOTA is about […]
Are EMPs a Real Threat to Ham Radios?
When someone mentions electromagnetic pulses (EMPs), we conjure visions of nukes, terrorists, Starfish Prime, and Armageddon. Would your ham radio be in danger? Statistically, your radio is more likely to be damaged by lightning, power surges, high SWR, and dumb mistakes. Think about the last time you let the smoke out of your radio or […]
Family Camping/POTA in Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA
by Micah (N4MJL) I strategically suggested to my family a camping trip to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia (US-2169). It is located in northwestern Georgia, just south of Chattanooga, TN. I sold the idea to the family under the premise that it was centrally located for everyone. Cloudland Canyon State Park was about six-ish […]
Ham Radio Tech: What Does a Common-Mode Choke Do?
You’re hosting a party and someone arrives who probably wouldn’t have made your invite list. Maybe someone brought them along, your XYL said you had to invite them, or they asked themselves. Do you try to ignore them? Tolerate them? Get them to leave? Common-mode current (CMC) is much like that unwanted guest and just as […]
Putting the New Radioddity HF-009 Portable Vertical Antenna on the Air — QRP Style!
by Thomas (K4SWL) The day before I left on my week-long FDIM/Hamvention trip, I received a package in the mail from Radioddity containing their soon-to-be-released HF-009 vertical antenna. In the spirit of full disclosure: Radioddity is not only a sponsor of QRPer, but we’re also an affiliate—meaning that if you purchase items via our affiliate […]
New Product Spotlight: DX Engineering Window Feed-Through Panel
As DX Engineering celebrates 25 years of service to the amateur radio community, OnAllBands will be showcasing the company’s team of product developers and engineers—hams like you who are always looking for ways to smartly upgrade your stations, operate with greater efficiency, and have more fun on the air. DXE’s ability to design, test, and […]
Youth Ham Radio Insights: My Experiences at YOTA Camp Ottawa
As a young ham, it can be challenging to know how to get more involved with the hobby. Even if you’re interested in exploring unfamiliar aspects of the amateur radio world, it often feels hard to break into each specific realm. Youth On The Air (YOTA) is a group that aims to help young people […]
New Summer, New Radio: Field Testing the Thunderbird
by Sam Duwe (WN5C) I really like homebrew radio. I’m also seeing a pattern: I build through the winter and the spring, get rusty at CW, and then spend the summer operating POTA until my ears bleed. So it’s good to be back! Here’s a quick report of a new radio I built and its […]
Take Advantage of 6 Meter Season: Learn What 6-Meter Antennas Other Hams Are Using
Hams have described 6-meter operating the same way Forrest Gump waxed folksily about life’s parallels to a box of chocolates: “You never know what you’re going to get.” OnAllBands blogger Mark, K8MSH, compared sudden and unexpected 6-meter flurries to a “flash mob.” And that’s what intrigues and excites operators about this most unpredictable of VHF […]