The Xiegu X6200 Returns to the Field: QRP CW from William B. Umstead State Park (US-2755)
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Saturday, August 15th, 2026, I had a full day ahead with family—most notably, moving a...
Category: K4SWL
Morning POTA at Umstead: Low Battery Forces One-Watt CW with Poor Bands
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Friday, August 14th, 2026, I was in Raleigh, North Carolina with my family, preparing both...
One Planted Mast, Two Countries: A Unique POTA Rove Across the Scotland–England Border
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Sunday, July 12, 2026, I woke up knowing exactly the type of POTA activation I...
SOTA, POTA, and Pepper-Assisted Rapid Antenna Removal at Leith Hill
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Saturday, July 18, 2026, my friend Nick (M5NCW), his sweet dog Pepper, and I jumped...
A Much Lighter Backpack: Activating Dirrington Great Law (GM/SS-225)
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Friday, July 10, 2026, I woke up fairly early, had breakfast, and packed my Savotta...
From Alnwick to the Airwaves: Activating Ros Castle (G/SB-009) with the KH1!
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, my family visited one of our favorite places in Northumberland: Alnwick....
A Brilliant Morning of QRP with Gavin (GM0WDD) at John Muir Country Park near Dunbar, Scotland
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Monday, July 6, 2026, I left our cottage that morning and drove to John Muir...
Travelogue: Gusty Winds, Fickle Bands, and Stunning Views in Tay Forest Park
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Thursday, July 2, 2026, my family and I set off on an overnight trip that...
St Abb’s Head Travelogue: A Five-Watt Pedestrian-Mobile POTA Activation
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, I woke up pretty early to fit in an activation along...
QRP Along the River: A POTA Activation along the Tweed Estuary
by Thomas (K4SWL) I woke up relatively early on the morning of Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with a mission...
Meeting Friends on the Summit: A Special SOTA Activation at North Berwick Law
by Thomas (K4SWL) Tuesday, June 30th, 2026, was a very special day during our trip to the UK. Before...
Hunting Fossils and POTA Contacts on Cocklawburn Beach in Beautiful Northumberland
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Monday, June 29, 2026, my family and I decided to spend the afternoon out on...
Travelogue: Walking the England-Scotland Border for a QRP POTA Activation
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Saturday, June 27, 2026, I woke up knowing we had a full day planned. My...
Roman History, a Family Day Out, and a CW ATNO: A Travelogue & POTA Activation in Melrose, Scotland
by Thomas (K4SWL) One of the greatest joys of spending an extended period of time in southeastern Scotland this...
Along the East Lothian Coast: A Barns Ness POTA Adventure & Travelogue
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, after completing an activation at Berwick Castle and Castle Vale Historic...
Park Bench POTA with the Elecraft AX4: A Beautiful Morning at Castle Vale Historic Site
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, my family and I planned to spend the day exploring the...
CQ from Lindisfarne: A Holy Island POTA Activation & Travelogue
by Thomas (K4SWL/M5SWL) On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, my wife, daughters, and I took the advice of just about...
A Father’s Day & Birthday POTA Activation at Flagstaff Park (GB-4364)
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Sunday, June 21, 2026, I woke to one of those beautiful mornings that makes you...
Siccar Point: A POTA Activation at the Birthplace of Deep Time
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Saturday, June 20, 2026, my wife and I decided to spend the day exploring one...
The New Elecraft AX4: First-Ever POTA Activation on the Beautiful Berwickshire Coast!
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Friday, June 19, 2026, I woke to overcast skies but otherwise beautiful weather. The temperature...
/PM: An Impromptu Pedestrian Mobile Two-fer in Berwick-upon-Tweed
by Thomas (K4SWL / M5SWL) On Friday, June 26, 2026, our family spent the day together in the wonderful...
First UK POTA Activation: Cheswick Sands Nature Reserve (GB-5716)
by Thomas (K4SWL / M5SWL) On Thursday, June 18, 2026, my family and I made the short trip to...
A Tour and Review of my Savotta Niukka 20L Radio Backpack
This summer, my family and I are spending several weeks in the United Kingdom, and naturally, I’m fitting in...
A Formula 1 Field Test: Pairing the Mountain Topper MTR-4B and Markus’ Legendary TP-III Paddle!
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Monday, June 8, 2026, I headed to the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge...
Testing the New Tufteln Reel Antenna!
by Thomas (K4SWL) On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, I headed out late in the morning for a quick Parks...