Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Hey, friends!
When I first got into ham radio in 1997, choices for field-portable QRP radios were limited. Fast forward to today, and wow… we are absolutely spoiled for choice. From affordable kits to feature-packed, high-performance rigs, there’s something out there for every operator and every budget.
I just wrote a post on QRPer.com about how I believe we’re living in the golden age of QRP radios. I even compared radio prices back in the day to what we have now, and let me tell you—it’s eye-opening.
I’d love for you to check it out and let me know what you think! Are we truly spoiled for choice? What’s your dream field radio if it doesn't already exist?
Check out the post here: qrper.com/2025/01/are-we-spoiled-for-choice-why-th…
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
106 - 2
🎉 Happy New Year! 🎉
Here's wishing you all the best as we start 2025. I’ve just published a New Year’s message on QRPer.com that includes some important updates, especially if you’ve tried reaching me via YouTube comments or email recently.
Check it out here: qrper.com/2025/01/happy-new-year-a-fresh-start-and…
Thank you so much for your kindness and support this past year—it means the world to me and my family. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead filled with joy, peace, and plenty of QRP!
Best & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
100 - 6
Happy Friday Everyone! Just a quick note to say that I've just dropped a new post-Helene update on QRPer.com: qrper.com/2024/11/helene-aftermath-update-insuranc…
Check out the full archive of updates here (starting with the latest post first): qrper.com/tag/helene-aftermath/
Thank you all again for hanging in there while I'm putting all of my energy into getting my family and community back on our feet.
I do plan to start posting a few activation videos from my backlog (prior to Helene) starting this upcoming week. Also, we've a number of excellent guest field reports in the works on QRPer.com.
Have an amazing weekend!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
53 - 3
Hello Everyone! Just a quick note to say that I'm continuing to publish post-Helene updates on QRPer.com. I just posted a new update this morning, in fact. Check out the full archive of updates here (starting with the latest post first): qrper.com/tag/helene-aftermath/
Thank you all again for hanging in there while I'm putting all of my energy into getting my family and community back on our feet. We're getting there and things improve daily.
Expect a new video from me within the week! :)
Cheers,
Thomas
PS: The photo was taken yesterday. That's (Left to Right) me, Dan (K2DMG) who was net control of the Mt Mitchell repeater during the first 10 days of Helene recovery, Ed (N4EDX) a local ham who's been an amazing community and resource organizer post-Helene, and Randy (N2GE) who is the owner of the Mount Mitchell repeater. So great hanging with them yesterday!
146 - 8
Many of you have been checking in with me and passing along your kind messages and support. Thank you so much! Note that I continue to publish regular post-Helene updates on QRPer.com here: qrper.com/tag/helene-aftermath/?swcfpc=1
Conditions are slowly improving here, but we’re still focused on repairing our property, dealing with an overwhelming number of downed trees, and helping our neighbors and the wider community. Even though our mountain community was hit hard, some who lived anywhere near creek and riverbeds have lost everything. We were so fortunate in comparison.
I feel like I will start posting videos again here in a week or so. I could definitely use some POTA or SOTA radio therapy soon—such a nice escape—but all of my local parks are closed after Helene, and many summit trails are covered in blow-downs. Still, I’ll find a way to get on the air.
Again, a huge shout out to Vince (@VE6LK), who has been posting and curating the numerous article contributors on QRPer.com!
My apologies for being out of touch during this time—my focus hasn’t been on replying to email and comments. It’ll take me weeks to catch up at this point. Know that I read every one though and appreciate them all!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
140 - 5
Many of you have asked about our solar power system, so in this latest post-Helene update, I detail the size of our system and how we've managed to have no interruption in power at our house so far: qrper.com/2024/10/helene-aftermath-update-solar-po…
Note that you can follow all of my updates via this link: qrper.com/tag/helene-aftermath/?swcfpc=1
Thank you all for your kind support and for understanding why I've had to temporarily stop my POTA/SOTA videos. We're just a little too busy on this end at present digging out of our post-Helene situation
Wishing you all the very best and with gratitude,
Thomas (K4SWL)
57 - 0
Good Morning, Radio Friends,
Many of you have been asking how we're doing post-Helene. I've just posted a new update this morning: qrper.com/2024/10/helene-aftermath-update-egress-f…
Thank you again to everyone for your kindness and support!
Best & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
130 - 7
Hi everyone,
Just a quick message to let you know that Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage to our community in western North Carolina. My family and I are safe, but we’ve been cut off from town and have had to deal with downed trees, washed-out roads, and other challenges.
I’ll be posting detailed updates on QRPer.com as I can, so please check there for more information. qrper.com/tag/helene-aftermath/?swcfpc=1
I appreciate your understanding and support during this time.
Thank you, and I hope to be back soon.
Best & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
173 - 37
Good Morning, Subscribers! Do you have any questions about the new Xiegu X6200? If so, I'll attempt to answer them. I plan to take a prototype I received to the field for a POTA activation this morning.
Important: Please leave you comment/question on QRPer in this post where I give a little more info: qrper.com/2024/05/xiegu-x6200-first-activation-wha…
I may not see the YouTube comments as quickly, so leave comments on QRPer.
Thank you & look for a POTA spot from me later today!
Thomas
K4SWL
63 - 13
Quick note to POTA (Parks On The Air) activators and hunters: POTA admin is in the process of changing country prefixes in their system. In fact, many countries already have new prefixes--Canada used to have a VE- prefix, but is now CA-, for example. The USA has always been K- but will soon be US-. For more information and details, check out this post on QRPer.com: qrper.com/2024/03/pota-is-changing-park-prefixes-a…
72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
78 - 9
This channel is devoted to real-time, real-life, no-edit park and summit field activation videos. I also feature shortwave receiver receiver reviews and comparisons.
My videos have no advertisement interruptions as I've turned off YouTube monetization.
Thank you & 73,
Thomas, K4SWL / M0CYI