As the only North American retailer of high-performance tube and solid-state RF power amplifiers from the team at ACOM, DX Engineering is always excited to let our customers know the latest innovations from this highly respected amateur radio manufacturer relied on by contesting and DXing stations around the globe. Rod, K8RR, DX Engineering RF amplifier […]
Contesting 101: Dealing with QRM
Editor’s note: OnAllBands is pleased to post a series of articles written by accomplished amateur radio contester and DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist Kirk Pickering, K4RO. The articles, originally published in the National Contest Journal and updated with current information, offer valuable insights for both contesters new and old. Dealing with QRM Anyone who has spent some […]
Hot Day, Cool QRP: Scott’s Twofer Activation at Iroquoia Heights and Bruce Trail
Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) who shares the following guest post which was originally posted on his blog: June 22, 2025, Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area (CA-1447) by Scott (VA3EKR) It was a very hot day, and a lovely time to go into the woods, and I thought I would try out this POTA spot. It is a 2-fer, […]
New Products Spotlight: DX Engineering Dummy Load & Low-Power Feedline Choke
As we mentioned in our last post about the DX Engineering Window Feed-Through Panel, the team at DXE has been hard at work developing new products to improve your amateur radio experience. Here are two more: DX Engineering 1,500W Dry Dummy Load The DX Engineering DXE-DL1500U dummy load features a lightweight slotted black aluminum chassis, […]
POTA QRP: A Mid-Week Reset with the FT-818 and Spooltenna!
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 […]