by Thomas (K4SWL) If you’ve been a QRPer.com reader or subscriber to my YouTube channel for long, you’ll know I’m quite the fan of super-compact, low-profile antennas like the Elecraft AX1 and AX2. In fact, I just checked, and my Elecraft AX1 activation video playlist alone includes 36 videos as of this post. Although AX […]
Register for Contest University 2025 Today—Only a Couple of Days Left!
If you haven’t signed up for the 2025 edition of Contest University (CTU), there’s still a chance to participate in a day of learning that will leave you with valuable insights to improve your station and on-air skills. Registration is open through May 2 (if space is available at that time), so click here and […]
Conrad Tests the Elecraft AX3 at Silver Sands State Park
Elecraft AX3 Field Report By: Conrad Trautmann (N2YCH) My new Elecraft AX3 antenna arrived in the mail. The weather when it arrived was 73° F and sunny with a slight breeze. Space weather was calm. It seemed like the perfect recipe for a POTA expedition to the unofficial antenna testing range at Silver Sands State […]
Youth Ham Radio Insights: How I Learned CW & What I Like About It
CW is quite a paradox among young amateur radio operators. On one hand, some hams find it to be their favorite mode and think it’s the best part of the hobby. On the other hand, some feel that it’s miserable and consider learning CW a complete waste of time. Like many aspects of the hobby […]
The Versatile EA4TX AS2X2 Antenna Switch: Two Radios and One Amp—No problem (Review)
The EA4TX 2×2 Antenna Switch (AS2X2) is basically a coax switch featuring two inputs and two outputs. The device boasts more than 60 dB of port isolation (82 dB on 40M; 69 dB on 10M) and can be used in a number of different ways, including switching two radios and two antennas, an amplifier, a […]
Three Generations of CW Ops: Battleship North Carolina Activation and a Family Legacy
by Micah (N4MJL) It’s not every day that I get the chance to do a POTA activation from the radio room of a battleship. But thanks to the Azalea Coast Amateur Radio Club, I was able to do a POTA activation of US-6831 from the radio room of (BB-55) USS North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. […]
It’s All in the Cards! QSL Cards from DXCC Entities on the Air in May 2025
Don’t Miss the Rare Activation of Prince Edward & Marion Islands Greetings DX chasers! The DXpedition calendar heats up in May with some superb opportunities to log ATNOs, fill bands, and add some interesting IOTA conquests thanks to activations of locations spanning the globe, from an ultra-rare operation from a small subantarctic volcanic island in […]
Evacuation Packing: A Wildfire at Our Doorstep
by Thomas (K4SWL) I want to start by saying: if you’ve tried contacting me by email lately, you’ve probably noticed I’m far behind. This winter and spring were always going to be busy, but Hurricane Helene increased everything by orders of magnitude. I’m struggling to keep up with correspondence, fitting in POTA activations, and finding […]
Amateur Radio Contesting 101: Contest Clubs and Search & Pounce
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. *** Hello again and welcome back to […]
QRP with Friends: Brian (K3ES) Joins Me for a Two-Fer POTA Activation!
On the activator side of things, Parks On The Air is often a solitary pursuit for me. I typically squeeze in activations as my schedule allows—usually at random times during the day in parks that happen to be along my daily route. But every once in a while, the stars align and I get the […]