How to Take Backpack Portable Radio to the Next Level

I know many hams like to operate from inside the comfort of their vehicles. I do too, but only in the depths of winter. Winters in Canada and most of the northern states can often be very challenging so some form of shelter becomes essential. But, in the warmer months (both of them, hi hi) … Continue reading How to Take Backpack Portable Radio to the Next Level →

3 Days, 3 Activations, 3 Antennas

My wife and I enjoyed a short early fall vacation to take advantage of a period of warm, sunny weather. I used the opportunity to attempt some POTA activations and compare the performance of three of my field antennas in challenging propagation conditions. I had several parks on my radar and too little time to … Continue reading 3 Days, 3 Activations, 3 Antennas →

David (QMX) versus Goliath (IC-705) – Let Battle Begin!

A fellow club member is the proud owner of an Icom IC-705 QRP transceiver. I am the proud owner of a QRP Labs QMX QRP transceiver. He spent CDN$2000 to buy his radio. I spent CDN$200 to buy my QMX (including factory assembly charge and shipping from Turkey). That's a 10:1 cost ratio! I challenged … Continue reading David (QMX) versus Goliath (IC-705) – Let Battle Begin! →

Running the Amazing HamClock on the inovato Quadra HamPC

Ham radio and computers are inextricably linked these days. I don't carry a computer out into the Big Blue Sky Shack when I operate portable, but even there I have my phone and use it to access the POTA app and check propagation conditions. I could also log my QSOs directly into HAMRS, but I … Continue reading Running the Amazing HamClock on the inovato Quadra HamPC →

Cutting My Losses

I experienced a very rare event this past weekend. I had set up my QRP field portable station at a very busy Lake Huron beach on a hot, sunny July afternoon. The scene was idyllic; blue sky, calm water, thousands of happy people. Deep beneath our feet lay the huge underground caverns of the world's … Continue reading Cutting My Losses →

Magically transform a single band ground plane into a multiband antenna – instantly

I call it "electromagnetrickery". You can learn a lot by building your own antennas, much more than if you buy commercial ones. But beware, it becomes addictive - I have a drawer full of empty wire spools to prove it. Sometimes the behaviour of those pesky electromagnetic wavicles delivers unexpected surprises. Here is the story … Continue reading Magically transform a single band ground plane into a multiband antenna – instantly →

A Radio Road Trip with the QRP Labs QMX – lessons learned!

The XYL and I took a short break from routine and drove up to Ontario's Muskoka region for 4 days of recreation and radio activity. I packed my QRP Labs QMX transceiver and a selection of antennas hoping to complete a couple of POTA activations. Tour boats moored at Gravenhurst wharf on Lake Muskoka Muskoka … Continue reading A Radio Road Trip with the QRP Labs QMX – lessons learned! →

How to Really Up Your POTA Game (and why you shouldn’t)

Propagation conditions are tough. It used to be so easy to set up in a park and make your minimum 10 QSOs for a valid activation in as little as 10 minutes. I know, I have done it many times. Now we are at, or near, the peak of solar cycle 25; the Sun is … Continue reading How to Really Up Your POTA Game (and why you shouldn’t) →

The Sinatra Method for DIY Ham Radio Projects

I recently watched G0UPL Hans Summer's presentation at Hamvention 2024 on YouTube. Hans talked about 10 of his junk box projects. As you probably know, Hans is the owner of QRP Labs, a small company that makes excellent QRP radios and accessories and sells them for an unbelievably low price. I really enjoyed the presentation, … Continue reading The Sinatra Method for DIY Ham Radio Projects →

Surviving the Great Solar Storm of May 2024

We just can't win when it comes to propagation conditions. When the Sun is quiet during the bottom of the 11-year solar cycle, HF propagation conditions are challenging. So we all look forward to the days when the Sun is active and the bands are open again. But when we hit the top of the … Continue reading Surviving the Great Solar Storm of May 2024 →