2 November – One pack, any condition: building a versatile QRP field radio kit by Thomas, K4SWL/M5SWL

The presentation

Frequent field operating demands more than a radio, antenna, and battery. In this session, Thomas, K4SWL/M5SWL will walk you through his approach to building a versatile field kit – one that adapts to the conditions the field presents and even provides a few creature comforts. It will cover packing methodology specific to POTA/WWFF, and SOTA activations, with particular emphasis on why summit and park operations might require different gear considerations despite similarities. Thomas will share practical examples from his summer travels in the UK, where one 20L backpack carried everything needed across a wide range of situations, and details the decision-making process behind those selections. Drawing on his experience as a lifelong field operator—including mishaps and mistakes that taught him the most— Thomas hopes this presentation will offer newcomers a useful starting point while perhaps giving seasoned ops a few fresh ideas as well.

About the presenter

Thomas, K4SWL/M5SWL has been a radio amateur since 1997 and has been licensed in the UK since 2000. During that time, he has made most of his contacts from the field, with a particular passion for QRP, portable operation, and operating from parks and other interesting locations. He is the owner and curator of QRPer.com, a website devoted to field radio. Thomas also has a YouTube channel where he publishes ad-free, real-time, real-life field activation videos—which is says is a proven cure for insomnia, with no known side effects.

In 2023, Thomas was inducted into the QRP Amateur Radio Club International (ARCI) QRP Hall of Fame.

Watch live

Tonight@8 webinars are live-streamed on our YouTube channel and special BATC channel, allowing you to watch the presentations and ask questions online.

Category: Tonight @ 8