My buddy Ara (N6ARA) shares another incredible innovation:
Xiegu X6200: CW Keyer Timing Issues Addressed
Some of you might recall that I tested both an early prototype and a production model of the Xiegu X6200—both arranged to be sent to me on loan by Radioddity.
One of the biggest issues I had with the X6200 was that the keyer timing was off. These keying issues were most noticeable when operating in iambic mode, especially when forming letters like C, R, or K by squeezing the paddles—something I often do. For example, when I tried sending a “C,” as in “CQ,” the keyer would produce a “B” instead.
I last mentioned these keying issues on September 20, 2024, here on QRPer.com while testing firmware version 1.0.1.
New Firmware
On October 14, 2024, Xiegu released firmware version 1.0.3, which some readers told me addressed the keyer timing. But, of course, my life changed on September 27 when Hurricane Helene swept through the mountains of North Carolina. Testing firmware was the last thing on my mind, and frankly, it just slipped through the cracks.
On January 15, 2025, Xiegu published yet another firmware update: version 1.0.6.
This past Wednesday morning, I realized that I had never updated the firmware on my X6200 loaner and tested the keyer timing in real-world conditions. So, I downloaded the update, installed it, and packed up the X6200 for a POTA outing at Lake James State Park (US-2739) that afternoon.
I actually recorded this activation and will publish a full field report and video in a couple of weeks.
In the meantime, I wanted to get the word out early: the keyer timing issues are pretty much resolved!
Why do I say “pretty much”?
Before Xiegu addressed the keyer timing, making contacts was tedious due to the number of times it would miskey a character.
On Wednesday, that was no longer the case. The keyer responded as it should and worked very well.
That said, I did note three minor anomalies:
1. Occasional Miskeying of “C”:
About three times over the course of my activation, when I sent a “C” by squeezing the paddles, it produced a “B.” So, roughly 3% of the time, this happened. I plan to reach out to Xiegu and see if they can tweak this further. In truth, though, I suspect this might be a nuance of my own sending style. I may even try shifting from Iambic B to Iambic A mode to see if it resolves the issue. Either way, I don’t consider this a major concern.
2. Inaccurate Keyer Speed Indicator:
The displayed keyer speed is off. When I set it to 18 WPM, it was actually sending at 22 WPM. Likewise, 20 WPM was closer to 25 WPM. This is easy to compensate for once you’re aware of it, but it’s worth noting.
3. One Keying Pause:
Once, when I sent my callsign rapidly three times in a row for a QRP DX contact, the keyer paused briefly, as if the buffer had filled, then resumed. It was a bit odd, but it only happened once. I’m not sure if this was related to the keyer itself or another element in the radio software that needed time to catch up. Regardless, it didn’t hinder my activation.
Of course, I’ll be sending these observations to Xiegu.
Summary
Before firmware update 1.0.3, I couldn’t recommend the X6200 to operators who primarily planned to use it for CW—it would have been a frustrating experience.
Now that Xiegu has addressed the keying issues (with the few exceptions noted above), I believe CW operators won’t encounter significant problems using this radio.
That said, I’m not done with the X6200 yet. I plan to take it to the field and use it in the shack for a few more weeks before shipping it back to Radioddity (who, at this point, have probably written off this poor radio!).
Look for my full X6200 field report and activation video in the coming weeks!
PS: If you’re a Patreon supporter, keep an eye on your inbox! I’ll be sending out an audio dispatch this morning–an addendum to this post–where I share more detailed thoughts about the X6200 and discuss the key characteristics I look for in a transceiver as a CW operator.
PSS: Many thanks to Radioddity for sending me this X6200, which has amounted to a very extended loan. Radioddity is a supporter and affiliate of QRPer.com. If you use this affiliate link you’ll save 5% off your purchase.
More Dogs for the POTA Babe
By Teri KO4WFP
Spring has arrived in Savannah bringing great POTA weather. There are still parks within a two-hour drive of my home QTH that I have yet to activate. To check one more off the list, Daisy and I headed to Di-Lane Wildlife Management Area (WMA) this past Wednesday, March 26th.
Di-Lane WMA (US-3744) is located just south of Waynesboro, Georgia. You may recall this town because I mentioned it in a previous article. It is known as the Bird Dog Capital of the World. Why? The town hosts the Georgia Field Trials – a competition that evaluates a bird dog’s ability to find and point flocks of quail. Waynesboro is well suited to the sport given the layout of land and large numbers of quail in the area.
By now you are probably wondering what the heck bird dogs have to do with POTA. The land Di-Lane WMA occupies was formerly owned by Henry Berol, heir to the Eagle Pencil Company in New York. (A side note: he named the plantation for his two daughters Diane and Elaine.) Mr. Berol was an avid bird dog supporter and developed the plantation to host the trials. After Mr. Berol’s death, the land was eventually purchased by the Army Corps of Engineers as wetland mitigation for Lake Richard B. Russell. It is currently managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with a focus on bobwhite quail.
There are several entrances to the Di-Lane WMA. The one I chose off Herndon Road is flanked by a brick wall and iron bird dogs atop the two pillars which pay homage to the plantation’s past. Just inside the gate is a large barn and check station for hunters.
I drove past this area and found a quiet spot at the edge of Dove Field 1. Despite sunny skies, the temperature was quite comfortable in the mid-seventies.
Everywhere I looked, spring was evident. Flowers were prevalent – bluish and yellow wildflowers, white flowers on wild blackberry vines, and big clusters of flowers on a large bush. Not to be outdone, the sides of the roads were edged with lush, bright-green grass.
There were several trees beside this road of a sufficient height for the end-fed random wire I prefer to use. What I didn’t realize is that instead of a POTA activation, I was actually here to practice throwing my arbor line as it took me ten or so tries to snag a branch at the height I preferred.
I posted on the CW channel of the Discord POTA server the day prior that I would activate this park. I received a request from Cainan N9FZ that I use a frequency to assist regional hams working to hunt all the Georgia parks. Hence it wasn’t a surprise that Cainan was the first to work me when I called CQ on 40 meters. He was followed by five ops before I moved to 20 meters. Continue reading More Dogs for the POTA Babe
Pairing the Elecraft K1 and AX1 for low-profile, low-impact portable POTA!
Friday, February 28, 2025, felt like another “rinse and repeat” day—a pattern I’ve grown used to over the past few weeks.
That morning, I woke up early, published a post on QRPer.com, and by 7:30 AM I was outside with my chainsaw, preparing piles of tree debris for the skid steer operator we hired to move it to the roadside.
As you might imagine, he can collect debris much faster than I can cut and prepare it, so my goal has been to stay ahead of him. I worked steadily all morning and, combined with what I had cut the previous day, managed to prepare enough to keep him busy for the rest of the day. That was fortunate because I needed to help my daughters with activities in town all afternoon.
Finding POTA time
I’ll be honest—after grabbing a quick lunch and a shower, I was pretty worn out. Part of me wanted to use any spare time to sneak in a nap. But I also knew I could use a little POTA therapy, and the weather was unseasonably gorgeous—almost spring-like.
Looking at my schedule, I realized I had about an hour to spare, enough time to detour and activate Pisgah National Forest (US-4510) at the Sycamore Flats Picnic Area. It was the most convenient spot along my route that afternoon.
As for radio gear, I already had my Elecraft K1 packed from an earlier activation that week (which I also recorded and will post soon—obviously, out of chronological order!).
For variety, I didn’t want to use the same antenna as the previous activation. Instead, I grabbed one of my favorite compact antennas to see how well it would pair with the K1: the Elecraft AX1.
If you’ve followed QRPer for long, you’ll know I often use the AX1 during both POTA and SOTA activations. Despite its extreme size compromise, it has always performed well for me.
Loaded verticals like the AX1 typically have a high Q (narrow bandwidth) and benefit from an ATU or capacity hat to help with impedance matching. Luckily, my new-to-me Elecraft K1 has the optional built-in ATU, meaning I could attach the AX1 directly to the back of the radio.
I’ll save the full story of how I acquired this particular K1 for my next field report, but let’s just say I’d been hunting one for a long time—and this one showed up locally. It’s a four-band version (40, 30, 20, and 15 meters) with both the ATU and internal AA battery pack options.
Sycamore Flats Picnic Area
I arrived on site around 13:35 local time and had about 45 minutes to play radio.
I started the activation video and walked through the picnic area until I found a good table. Truthfully, though, the beauty of using the AX1 is that almost any flat surface will do—it’s that low-profile and low-impact.
Once I found a table, setup was super quick: I placed the K1 on the table, connected a battery, attached my Palm Mini paddle (its maiden POTA voyage!), and plugged the AX1 directly into the back of the radio. I wasn’t in a hurry–and it truly shows in the video–but I’m confident I could have deployed the entire station in about 60-90 seconds if required. That’s the magic of the AX1—minimal setup time.
With everything connected, it was time to hit the airwaves!
Gear
Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.
Radio
- Elecraft K1 (four band version with optional ATU and internal AA battery pack)
Key
- Palm Mini Paddle with new connection cord
Antenna
- Elecraft AX1with 3D-printed Bipod (clip and knob by K6ARK and bipod legs by KE8PTX)
Pack and Case
Logging Supplies
Battery
Camera/Audio Gear
- DJI OSMO 4 action camera with Joby Telepod Sport Tripod
- DJI Wireless Microphones
On The Air
Once on the air, I was thrilled to have no problem collecting hunters for the logs. Continue reading Pairing the Elecraft K1 and AX1 for low-profile, low-impact portable POTA!
The New KM4CFT KX2 and KX3 Iambic Paddle Kit
My friend Jonathan (KM4CFT) recently sent me a neat little prototype paddle he designed for the Elecraft KX2 and KX3 field transceivers.
He wanted my feedback, so he generously sent me a set to evaluate at no charge.
Lately, I’ve been tied up with the final stages of debris cleanup here at the QTH, leaving little time for field activations. While I haven’t had the chance to take these paddles out into the field yet (stay tuned!) I’ve thoroughly tested them on both my Elecraft KX3 and KX2. In the meantime, Jonathan has made the kits available for purchase on the HamGadgets website.
The price? $49.97 — a solid deal for a simple, functional paddle designed to plug directly into the front of the KX2 and KX3.
Assembly is quick and straightforward, taking around 15-20 minutes. There aren’t many parts, and the mechanics are refreshingly simple. If you’re curious, you can check out the kit assembly manual here (PDF).
My Impressions
I think it’s an excellent little key for the price. The paddle action is light — the 3D printed material keeps them featherweight, making keying effortless.
For field use, they should perform brilliantly. The light touch required keeps things stable on a table, with the KX2 or KX3 providing more than enough weight to prevent the paddles from shifting as you operate.
The operating angle works well for me too. I know Jonathan put a lot of time into getting this right during the design process — and it shows.
Any Downsides?
The biggest drawback, in my opinion, is that the two thumbscrews securing the paddles to the front of the radio aren’t captive.
This means they can be easily lost during transport. I recommend storing the paddles in a thick poly bag to keep everything together in your pack.
Additionally, because the screws aren’t captive, you need to be a little careful when installing the paddle. I’ve found it easiest to place the radio on its back, so you’re screwing the thumbscrews downward.
I lightly plug in the paddle, then start threading both screws before fully tightening either one. This gives me better control and helps avoid dropping the screws — something that could be a real headache in the field, especially if they hit the ground.
Lastly, these paddles don’t have the “precision key” feel of more expensive options. But to be fair, they’re designed as an affordable alternative to Elecraft’s KXPD2 paddles, which retail for $169.95. Even the KXPD2 — while smaller and sturdier — doesn’t feel particularly “precision” in use. The KX3 paddles come closer to that, but they also cost $239.95.
At $49.95, it’s hard to complain — these paddles do exactly what they’re supposed to do without breaking the bank!
If you’ve held off buying front-mounted paddles for your KX2 or KX3 because of the cost, I’d highly recommend giving these KM4CFT paddles a try.
Click here to check out the KM4CFT KX2/KX3 paddles on HamGadgets.
Diamond Achievement at Fletcher Creek: VA3EKR’s 50th POTA Activation!
Many thanks to Scott (VA3EKR) who shares the following field report which was originally posted on his blog:
March 23, 2025, Fletcher Creek Ecological Reserve, Puslinch, ON (CA-5363)
by Scott (VA3EKR)
Today was a nice day to walk around, though still a little chilly at around 0°C. Fletcher Creek Ecological Reserve is part of the Hamilton Conservation Area network, and is in Puslinch Ontario, about 51km from my house.
Activated from the parking lot, that is fairly close to some hydro transmission lines, so I was worried about interference, but I thankfully did not experience any. This is the entrance to the paths from the parking lot.
The bands were quiet but propagation seemed to be pretty good. It took me a while to get 12 QSOs in about an hour. So somewhat slow. This weekend seems to be blessed with propagation to Idaho and Washington!
After the activation, I walked around the trails.
This is a map of the park. It loops around an old abandoned quarry, that has been rehabilitated.
Here’s the audio. Still terrible for the transmitting side. I’m working on it.
Here’s a map of the QSOs, all 20m CW.
This park was my 50th, and so I got a Diamond Activator Certificate from the Parks on the Air website.
My Most Embarrassing Field Radio Fail (What’s Yours?)
Many thanks to Dale (N3HXZ) who writes:
“Thomas, Great response to your post [regarding the toughest CW paddles for field use]. What if we consider another idea: collecting the “Greatest Bloopers while Activating” shared by your readers?
I can think of several I did, but what takes the cake is a buddy of mine who forgot to attach his 50′ coax to the antenna. He worked for over an hour trying to make contacts with the coax just lying on the ground radiating. He ended up with three before he realized his setup error! But in those three contacts was Cristopher (F4WBN) from France.”
That’s funny, Dale! I remember not so long ago, I did something very similar. In my case, I forgot to attach the coax to my radio! I can’t remember if this was captured in an activation video or not.
One blooper, in particular, that stands out in my mind happened during the 2021 W4 SOTA campout.
While I didn’t make a video of that SOTA activation, I did document this mishap in a field report. Here’s the excerpt, starting from when our hiking party finally reached the summit of Standing Indian after a long, exhausting hike:
“By the time we reached the summit, it was about 14:30 local and I didn’t want to hang around for long. We had a decent hike back to the campground on a new-to-us trail.
My hiking friends (Christie and Patricia) wanted to hear me play a little Morse Code, so instead of taking the (much easier) VHF path to activating the summit, I pulled out the Discovery TX-500, Elecraft T1, and my Chameleon CHA TDL.
I’d packed the Chameleon Tactical Delta loop believing we’d be hitting a bald summit and I wanted to test the TDL on 20 meters to see if it could achieve a DX take-off angle.
The true summit, however, was not a bald so I had to set up the TDL among trees.
As I deployed all of my radio gear, I attracted a mini crowd of hikers: three more day hikers, and two AT tru-hikers. I was distracted and made a big error: I assembled the CHA TDL components, and tried to drive the steel spike into the ground while talking with a hiker. But turns out I wasn’t driving the spike into the ground at all, I was driving one of the telescoping antennas into the ground!
I pulled the telescoping antenna out of the ground and discovered the tip broke and the top three sections were damaged–I couldn’t extend them. I was forcing it into rocky ground after all.
Undeterred, I deployed the lop-sided TDL, hit “TUNE” on the T1 ATU and got a 1:1 match on 20 meters.
The 20 band was incredibly quiet. I thought for sure I wasn’t receiving a thing since one side of my loop was completely compromised.
I started calling CQ and within a minute EA2IF answered with a 559 report (bless you, Guru!).
Spain. With a broken antenna and 5 watts of power.
I worked four more stations in rapid succession all in the 1 region of the US, then I powered off the radio before I could hear anyone else calling me. I had achieved a valid activation and packed up quickly: we had more miles to log before sunset!
We hit the return trail…”
Reading through my field notes, though, I’d forgotten that my first contact was my friend Guru (EA2IF). Guru was an amazing member of the SOTA community and a friend to all. He passed away a couple years ago from cancer complications, and our community felt his loss in no small way. It brightened my day to remember that he was the first contact I made that day with my mangled antenna.
Good times. We miss you, Guru!
How about your field bloopers?
What is it they say — “misery loves company?” Let’s all share our mishaps and bloopers in the field!
Please comment!
QRP POTA with Vlado: Penntek TR-45L “Skinny” in Pisgah National Forest (Part 2)
On February 9, 2025, my good friend Vlado (N3CZ) and I headed out to Pisgah National Forest (US-4510) near Looking Glass Falls for a joint POTA activation.
This is Part 2 of our activation — if you missed Part 1, you can check it out here!
While I typically write much longer field reports, I’m still in the final days of Hurricane Helene debris removal around our property, which has been my main focus.
As with Part 1, I’ll keep this one short and sweet–a postcard-style field report. I truly appreciate everyone’s understanding!
Pisgah National Forest (US-4510)
After wrapping up Part 1 with the Elecraft KX1, we decided to switch things up for the second half of our activation.
We swapped the KX1 for the Penntek TR-45L skinny and replaced my paddles with the TouchPaddles Model P1. The antenna setup remained the same: the QRPGuys Portable No Tune End Fed Half Wave, which continued to perform like a champ.
The weather, again, was amazing — sunshine, cool air, and the peaceful sounds of the forest surrounding us.
Vlado added more QSOs to his log, making the most of the lively bands.
When it was my turn to jump back in, I logged 18 contacts in 19 minutes before we had to call QRT for the day.
It felt like one of those activations you never want to end. As always, the TR-45L was a pure pleasure to operate.
Gear:
Note: All Amazon, CW Morse, ABR, Chelegance, eBay, and Radioddity links are affiliate links that support QRPer.com at no cost to you.
Radio
- Penntek TR-45L “Skinny”
Antenna System and Throw Line
- QRPGuys Portable No Tune End Fed Half Wave Antenna
- ABR Industries 25’ RG-316 cable assembly with three in-line ferrites (Use Coupon Code ABR10QRPER for 10% Discount!)
- Weaver arborist throw line/weight and storage bag
Key
- TouchPaddles Model P1 (discontinued)
- Key cable: Cable Matters 2-Pack Gold-Plated Retractable Aux Cable – 2.5 Feet
Battery
Camera and Audio
- DJI OSMO 4 action camera with Joby Telepod Sport Tripod
- DJI Wireless Microphones
QSO Map
Here’s what this five-watt activation looked like when plotted out on a QSO Map. Please note that all of the orange lines are the QSOs from this part of the activation on 30 meters.Click on the map image to enlarge.
Activation Video
Here’s my real-time, real-life video of the entire activation. As with all of my videos, I don’t edit out any parts of the on-air activation time. In addition, I have YouTube monetization turned off, although that doesn’t stop them from inserting ads before and after my videos.
Note that Patreon supporters can watch and even download this video 100% ad-free through Vimeo on my Patreon page:
Click here to view on YouTube.
Thank you
Thank you for joining us during this activation and for understanding why I’m keeping the field report portion on the short side! 🙂
Of course, I’d also like to send a special thanks to those of you who have been supporting the site and channel through Patreon, and the Coffee Fund. While not a requirement, as my content will always be free, I really appreciate the support.
As I mentioned before, the Patreon platform connected to Vimeo makes it possible for me to share videos that are not only 100% ad-free but also downloadable for offline viewing. The Vimeo account also serves as a third backup for my video files.
Thanks for spending part of your day with us! Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers & 72,
Thomas (K4SWL)
PS: Consider joining our QRPer.net discussion board! It’s an active community of radio operators who enjoy helping and supporting each other. It’s also the best place to ask any questions you might have about radios, field activities, antennas, or pretty much anything amateur radio. Click here to join.
QSO Party, POTA, and a Touch of Winter: Bob and Alanna’s Radio Adventures on the Outer Banks
Radio Adventures on the Outer Banks of North Carolina
by Bob K4RLC & Alanna K4AAC
February 2025
My YL Alanna K4AAC had been advocating for a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for some time. She had never been there to see its incredible natural beauty, and I had not been in decades. In planning, we needed to go in the off-season, especially when it was a bit chilly, as she is a “bug magnet” and that can ruin her vacation. Not being totally unselfish, I wanted our visit to coincide with a radio event.
We first tried for Winter Field Day at the end of January, but Eastern North Carolina was socked in with five to seven inches of snow in places where it never snows. We rescheduled the trip for a month later at the end of February, to coincide with the North Carolina QSO Party. Just so happens, Eastern North Carolina got another freak snowstorm of several inches, but we only had to put the trip off one day. Even then, parts of the roads going down east were still covered in snow and ice.
The drive is only a bit over 3 hours straight down US Highway 64 to the Outer Banks, where it dead ends in a T intersection with infamous North Carolina Hwy 12. Locals call the intersection “Whalebone Junction.” Going either north or south of this intersection, within a few miles one can explore lots of really beautiful natural areas, including six (6) POTA sites! Eight miles south of the intersection is the Oregon Inlet Campground on Bodie Island, part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (US-0682), where we camped. That time of year, the campground was really deserted with only a few other campers including a few brave souls tent camping. It is a flat area campground that backs up to huge dunes, separating you from some of the most beautiful but austere beaches on the Atlantic coast. A word of caution though, there are no trees or light poles to secure a mast for an antenna.
We took our Winnebago Solis again. The Solis is a wonderful camper van on a Dodge ProMaster chassis that sleeps three, has a propane powered furnace and two burner stove, and a refrigerator that can be powered either by propane or by the 140 W solar panels on top of the van, loading up two 100 amp hour AGM batteries. You can boondock for days, or enjoy the luxury of “shore power.”
As the North Carolina QSO Party was Sunday, we wanted to explore the islands Saturday. About 20 miles north of the campground is the incredible Wright Brothers National Memorial, commemorating the first flight ever, and also POTA site: US-0797. This is part of the National Park Service, on 428 acres with an interactive Visitor Center whose exhibits include a full-scale reproduction of the Wright Brothers 1903 flyer. We particularly enjoyed climbing to the Wright Brothers Monument standing 60-feet tall atop Kill Devil’s Hill, a 90 foot high grass-stabilized sand dune. The original runway is there with First Flight Boulder and Markers charting the short distances of the first four flights. Incredibly, a few yards over and parallel is an actual 3000 foot First Flight Airstrip where pilots from all over the world fly in to celebrate their flying heritage. I decided to take the KH1 up to the top of the Monument, a steep but accessible walk for almost anyone. The day was clear and sunny; the white granite monument was gleaming against the Carolina blue sky.
It was a beautiful day to set up on the wall around the monument. Unfortunately, the temperatures were in the 40’s, and I didn’t realize there would be a 20-25 knot wind blowing. The beautiful thing about the KH1 is that it is so easy to deploy. Some have complained about the stock key in cold weather, but for me the problems are not the key but old, cold fingers. To help a little bit, I set up the AX1 on a small camera tripod and threw one 13 ft radial over the wall into the field. This modification worked really well when I operated at a Greek Navy lighthouse in the Aegean Sea. For some reason, the KH1 was fussy that day, and would not hold a tune consistently on 20 CW. Nevertheless, I pounded away until I got the minimum number of contacts about the same time my fingers just wouldn’t work anymore.
Alanna, with freezing extremities after fully exploring the monument and taking pictures of me operating, hiked off to explore a bronze sculpture garden which recreates the scene of the historic 1903 flight. This included a sandy plot with a life-size bronze replica of the original Wright Brothers airplane (being piloted by Orville laying on his stomach), along with bronze sculptures depicting the guys from the Hatteras Life Saving Station who were there to support Orville and Wilbur, help them launch their flyer, and capture a photo of the First Flight. The memorial was gifted by the State of North Carolina to the NPS, and dedicated at the Centennial of the First Flight in 2003, by then Governor Mike Easley. Alanna and I were both really cold and tired after hiking in the chilly weather at the park, so we sought out one of the few open seafood restaurants there and were treated to an incredibly tasty buffet.
Weather Sunday morning was milder so with a strong cup of coffee from the French press coffee maker our daughter gave us, I set up on the picnic table with my trusty old ICOM IC – 706MkIIG at about 60 watts on 20 CW. I do have a trailer hitch mount for the Solis that can hold a 30 foot fiberglass mast, but I knew we were going to be traveling that day. So I set up my trustee default of a 17 foot whip on a 4 x 7′ piece of aluminum screen wire from Lowe’s. With one CQ, the calls started coming in, with the first one being from HA9RE in Hungary. Continue reading QSO Party, POTA, and a Touch of Winter: Bob and Alanna’s Radio Adventures on the Outer Banks
2025 Charlotte Hamfest Recap: Radios, Bargains, and Good Friends
On Friday, March 7, 2025, Vlado (N3CZ) and I made our way to the Charlotte Hamfest — and what a fantastic trip it was!
We hit the road Friday morning and arrived in Concord around lunchtime, where we met up with our dear friend Phil (W9IXX) at Captain Steve’s Family Seafood Restaurant. The food was outstanding — honestly, it must be the best bargain in seafood in all of North Carolina. If you’re ever in the area, it’s worth a stop.
After lunch, we headed over to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center – Gold Hall to set up our tables. The doors opened at 3:00 PM, and much to our delight, the Friday crowd was lively and active. It was great to see so many people there early, checking out the gear and chatting with fellow hams.
That evening, Vlado and I treated ourselves to some authentic Cuban cuisine at Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar in downtown Concord. The food was phenomenal — a perfect way to cap off the first day of the hamfest.
Saturday morning came quickly, and we were back at the arena bright and early. The event was incredibly well attended. I had the pleasure of meeting a number of QRPer.com readers, YouTube subscribers, and supporters. Many folks also mentioned they’re listeners of the Ham Radio Workbench podcast — it’s always a treat to connect with so many amazing people. Thank you all for stopping by to say hello!
By the time things started winding down around noon, I had sold or given away about two-thirds of the items I brought along — definitely a success in my book.
After packing up, Phil, Vlado, and I grabbed lunch at Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers in Concord. We all went for one of their specialty burgers — absolutely worth it.
All in all, it was an incredibly successful trip. More than anything, it was wonderful to spend time with friends and meet so many amazing people in the community.
Below is a gallery of photos showcasing some of the gear that was available at the hamfest. Many of these were taken before the doors opened on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy!
Click on the following link to view the photo gallery: Continue reading 2025 Charlotte Hamfest Recap: Radios, Bargains, and Good Friends