The QRPer Board

I tried using solar and bicycle power for a while. I found unless you're going to be out doing lots of radio for few days, it wasn't worth it. It's a lot easier to use low power and carry an extra set of "AA" batteries. And I don't carry them if I'm out for only 1 or 2 days. I just realiz...

I don't have a lot of experience, but I do use a cheapo 100-W solar panel from time to time and it's really surprising to me what a nice complement it can be, especially operating QRO. During a recent POTA "sprint" contest, over the course of 4 hours operating QRO (mixture of 60W-CW and 90...

Thanks. Very interesting read. Many years ago, in a place far, far, away, I used a PRC-25 radio. If I ever find one I can buy at a relatively reasonable price, it's my intent to get one and go "pedestrian mobile" like this guy. Well, not exactly like him. There aren't many 13,000+ ft peaks...

I don't think that's right. It depends on the antenna, but if I recall correctly, he's never used a counterpoise with an EFHW (with any radio); several of the random wire antennas he uses have their own counterpoises (which would be deployed for all radios); his Chelegance antenna has its own radial...

Like Jim K0RGI, I also use a Rigrunner for my POTA battery box (see picture below), but the Rigrunner might be bigger and heavier than you want for hiking and/or SOTA-type activations. There are smaller distribution boxes with individual fuses, like this one for example: https://www.hamradioworkbenc...

I use 25' of RG-316 in my POTA (QRP) setups and I can tell you that it works just fine. (Of course, as one of my professors once said, someone's personal experience is a statistical argument based on a sample size of one. :D ) So, if you need something more scientific, there are various online coax ...

I just made one. The KX2 power plug is a standard 5.5/2.1mm jack. I bought 20 of 'em (I guess I need 19 more KX2s) for $10: https://www.amazon.com/CENTROPOWER-Connectors-Pigtail-Adapter-Security/dp/B0BTHSDF4S?th=1 . Then just crimp the PowerPoles onto the ends of the leads. Powerwerx also makes them...

OK, as long as everyone is piling on about the SW-3B, I jump on too. The SW-3B was my first QRP CW radio. I eventually upgraded to a KX2, but I kept the SW-3B in my truck as my spur-of-the-moment activation radio, and I still pull it out from time to time because it's just fun to use. I power it wit...

So, I got my QMX and I've started playing with it. So far, though, it's a challenge. I've gotten it working with CW and actually did an activation with it yesterday. But I still have more work to do to get it the way I like. For example, I need to figure out how to narrow the filter width--right now...

I agree with the comment above -- it all depends on how you operate. The only time I've seen anyone (Thomas K4SWL, mostly) use his KXPD2 paddle is when he's sitting on a fold-up backpacking chair, or a rock at a summit, or some such thing, and he's got his KX2 attached to a kneeboard on his leg. In ...