Friends, This has been a difficult week, and it’s taken me until now to share this with you. My sweet furry companion and POTA/SOTA dog, Hazel, passed away last Friday. If you want to know what happened, keep reading--and please forgive me in advance for this diversion from our normal content. I consider everyone here part of my radio family--you are my support community--and I know how many of you loved Hazel because you sent her letters and treats and regularly passed along greetings in CW exchanges.

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Saturday, November 8, 2025, we had an afternoon planned with the family in the Raleigh area. But that morning, my wife and daughters had other plans, which meant I could sneak away for a little radio therapy. After dropping my daughter off at a meeting, I realized I was only about 20 minutes from William B. Umstead State Park (US-2755)--so I hit the road!

I’m excited to share something I’ve been working on behind the scenes: the 2026 QRPer.com calendar is now live on Zazzle. They happen to be running sales right now, so it’s a good moment to grab one. Each month features a QRP field radio I’ve used and loved over the years, presented with a full photo and a short write-up.

By Steven Krumm (KV4AN) The Gulf Coasts of Florida and Alabama are one of my favorite places to visit. Not only does the area have great natural beauty, but the coastal lifestyle is appealing. The area also has a number of state parks, natural areas, and historic sites where you can do POTA activations. The last time I was in this area, I activated Gulf Shores State Park in Alabama and Perdido Key State Park in Florida.

It’s Thanksgiving here in the US, and I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for this wonderful community. QRPer.com has become such a special place because of the friendship, encouragement, and shared curiosity you all bring to it. Wherever you happen to be in the world today, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving—and I’m grateful for each and every one of you. 72, Thomas (K4SWL)

Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) who shares the following guest post, which was originally posted on his blog.  Note that I (K4SWL) will be posting my field report for this activation in the coming days! Thanks for sharing this, Scott: November 14, 2025: Dogback Mountain, NC, (SOTA W4C/EM-066, POTA US-3378) by Scott (VA3EKR/KK7TMS) The second day of my visit to North Carolina, Thomas (K4SWL) and I visited Vlado (

Every year, we record a Holiday Shopping Show for the Ham Radio Workbench podcast. Most of us on the crew absolutely love that episode because it’s pure fun—just talking about gear, why we like it, and sharing little tips we’ve picked up. Without fail, I end up buying at least one thing someone else recommends. I especially enjoy funneling my holiday purchases toward the small mom-and-pop manufacturers and suppliers in our hobby.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025, was a gusty, cold, rainy day. Not exactly the kind of weather that puts me in the mood for outdoor radio, but that’s what was on the menu. The day was packed with errands and projects, but I spotted a small window of time that afternoon--about one hour--that I could use for a quick activation. Here in my area, there aren’t many POTA-friendly spots that offer shelter when the weather turns ugly.

by Thomas (K4SWL) Two days ago, I received this message from my friend Eric (WD8RIF): Are you planning to write up a report for your 2025-09-21 activation of Carl Sandburg NHS? I notice you’ve not done so and I have to think your set-up at a smaller POTA unit there might be fun to read about. I suppose Eric heard me talk about this activation on the…

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, my wife and I were driving back from visiting our daughter in Greensboro, North Carolina, when we decided to swing by Fort Dobbs State Historic Site (US-6839) for a quick POTA activation. This was actually my second activation of the day. Earlier, I had activated Guilford Courthouse (click here to read that field report…

You’ve likely heard me talk about what I call "boomerang radios"-radios that have such an odd, undeniable appeal that I own one, sell it, then eventually buy it again. To me, this is perhaps the ultimate compliment for a radio. Quite often, I let a radio go because I’m funding the purchase of another one. But if a rig has enough charm, capability, or nostalgia built in, I eventually hunt down another and welcome it back into the fold--my more permanent collection.

By Scott Nacey (KK6IK) October 10, 2025 / November 9, 2025 It’s a little-known fact outside the San Francisco Bay Area, but fall is really our summer – don’t tell anyone. The weather is warm and sunny, perfect for hiking and being outdoors. Although we are blessed with many coastal parks near San Jose, Wilder Ranch State Park is one of my favorites because an outing there can include a coastal hike or an inland hike to a vista point with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

by Adam (KD9ZAB) Sometimes radio isn’t just about the contacts — it’s about the excuse it gives us to put life on pause, breathe some fresh air, and disappear into nature for a bit. Friday, November 14, 2025, was one of those days. I slipped away from work for about two hours and headed to Fults Hill Prairie State Nature Preserve (US-4124) in the little river town of Fults, Illinois.

On my way back from visiting my father--driving through heavy, unrelenting rain--I decided to stop for a reasonably quick POTA activation at Lake James State Park (US-2739). It was the sort of day where windshield wipers struggle to keep up. I chose Lake James specifically because I knew they had a solid, roomy picnic shelter that would let me escape the weather and still play a little radio.

If you’ve been following my field reports lately, you may have noticed that I’ve been using the Elecraft K2 quite a bit. Part of that is because I took it along on a recent trip where I completed several activations, and I’ve been posting those activations over the past couple of weeks. But the truth is, there’s a little more to it.

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, we were in Greensboro, North Carolina, on our way back home to the mountains after visiting my daughter at college. We decided to stay overnight in Greensboro mainly because I wanted to fit in a POTA activation the following morning. Usually, when we pass through the area, it’s only for a brief stop—a couple of hours.

Many thanks to Dan (N7CQR) who shares the following guest post: Pacificon QRP by Dan (N7CQR) I had the good fortune to attend the Pacificon hamfest over the weekend of October 10–12, 2025, in San Ramon, CA, in the East Bay Area. What made this special was the outstanding QRP events organized by the CalQRP group, headed up by Doug Hendricks, (KI6DS).

By Steven Krumm (KV4AN) Cumberland Mountain State Park (US-2939) is a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era Tennessee State Park on the Cumberland Plateau near Crossville, Tennessee.  Interestingly, Sergeant Alvin York (WWI Medal of Honor recipient) was the first Superintendent of the park from 1938-1940.  The park is 1,720 acres and has a small lake, golf course, camping, cabins, and a restaurant (the last two were of particular interest to me).

by Thomas (K4SWL) On Monday, September 22, 2025, I visited my father in Hickory—in the foothills of North Carolina—and on the way home, I found myself with about an hour to spare. Naturally, that meant one thing: Parks On The Air (POTA) time! I first thought about stopping by Tuttle Educational State Forest since I hadn’t been there since June. Unfortunately, this time of the year, they’re closed on Mondays.

by Bob K4RLC & MM/K4RLC But Mousie, thou art no thy lane, In proving foresight may be vain: The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men, Gang aft a-gley, An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy. -Robbie Burns, National Bard of Scotland “To a Mousie” 1785 Thanks to my friend Vince, VE6LK, I learned the value of hyperlinks for adding additional content if the reader is interested.

On Monday, November 3, 2025, I had a handful of afternoon errands to run. I’d scheduled them so I could move from one to the next without issue. After leaving the house and finishing my first appointment at 1:00 p.m., I decided to double-check the time for my second. I had it in my head that it was scheduled for 3:00, but when I contacted the person I was meeting, it turned out our appointment wasn’t until 4:00.

On Monday, October 20, 2025, I was still in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. That morning, I dropped by NC State University for a brief visit, and afterward, I had the rest of the morning free to play a little radio. I’d spent my previous few activations at Clemmons Educational State Forest (US-4853), so I decided to change things up this time and head back to William B.

Many thanks to Dave (KO4YLZ) who writes: Hey Thomas, I created some generic mounts for the KX2, TR-35, and QMX that can be 3D printed. They're generic in the sense that I haven't added any specific provision for how the basic mount mates up with another object/surface. I leave it up to the user to use as is or modify in their 3D/CAD package.

Please note that the following field report was originally published on the SOTA Reflector: by George (M1GEO) On the weekend of September 13 and 14, 2025, Dan M0WUT and I took an impromptu trip to activate all of the G/TW summits as part of my casual quest to complete England. I managed to talk Dan into coming with me. Dan had recently purchased an Elecraft KX3 on eBay and was keen to try it out since he hadn’t had it on air in the month or so since purchasing it.

by Thomas (K4SWL) As many of you know, I’m a certified pack geek. I love exploring different packs, pouches, and bags--whether for organizing radio gear in the field or everyday carry. I’m always on the lookout for high-quality designs that fit my needs and might work well for other operators too. Back in September, I received a newsletter from Blue Ridge Overland Gear (BROG), a Virginia-based company you’ve seen mentioned here…