QRPer is a personal website administered by me, Tom Witherspoon – K4SWL. I created the site in order to have a fun, dynamic space to connect some of my favorite external QRP web sites. There are a lot of QRP websites on the internet–some with amazing content–and I especially like those sites that give first-hand accounts of QRPers, in the field or at home, using their QRP equipment. The goal of my site is to promote all things QRP–especially articles and sites which celebrate QRP in action. More specifically, my site will focus on portable operations. Something I love to read about is how an innovative radio operator has created a portable grab-and-go set up for their QRP station. Each time I contemplate purchasing a new QRP radio, I scour the internet for sites where people have created such a set-up. will receive enough support that people will actually submit photos and descriptions of their own grab-and-go set-ups. With this attention to portability, you will also notice that I post a lot of articles related to small radio kits and accesories.

Perhaps the unique thing about QRP radios and accesories is that, by and large, they are manufactured by “Mom and Pop” organizations.  Indeed, many are designed and manufactured by QRP clubs and members. When you buy QRP equipment, you are supporting QRPers and their innovations–a grassroots R&D method that seems to be working for the QRP community very well. I was first licensed as KC8GLI in 1997 while living in Athens, OH. dslr backpack costcoA couple of years later, I upgraded my license to a General Class while living in North Carolina and my call changed to KF4TZK. costco hydration backpacksAfter learning CW, I realized that KF4TZK was a fist full, so I changed my call to K4SWL to reflect my other passion for shortwave radio.amphora backpack

In 2000, I moved to the UK for 3 years and held the call M0CYI. Working in IT for Corning, Inc., I traveled extensively throughout Europe though I had very little time to play radio. As an expatriate, my work kept me quite busy. I took a career change in late 2002 and worked on my MSc. in Social Anthropology (of Religion and Economics) from the London School of Economics. I did find some time to attend a few ham radio club meetings with the Dorking Amateur Radio Club–what a great set of guys!vera bradley laptop backpack call me coral After my wife and I moved back to Asheville, NC, I started playing radio again and realized quickly how much I had missed it. backpack fumigatorSince then, I have been very radio active!trv backpack

It was the promise and challenge of operating QRP that really energized me to get my ticket in 1997. I remember being hooked the moment one of my Elmers told me about an HF transceiver that was so small it could fit in an Altoids tin–and about how it was challenging, yet very possible to work DX with it. My continued interest in QRP probably also has a lot to do with the fact that, very early on, I became a member of the Southeast Ohio Radio Adventure Team (SEORATs–or, “Rats”)–a group of hams who enjoy operating QRP in the field. backpack tottoThere is nothing I like more than taking a rig outside and working a QRP contest.  This ads a whole new dimension to the radio hobby and, best of all, prepares you for emergencies. Even though I live in North Carolina, I still keep in touch with my fellow Rats through QRP CW scheds each week and I usually make it to at least one SEORAT field event each year.

My radio philosophy is, “less is more.” I focus on obtaining fewer pieces of high quality radio equipment rather than purchasing (and not using) a lot of redundant, lower quality radios.  This is a convenient philosophy since my radio budget is limited! I have three HF transceivers: I am currently directing a project called “Ears To Our World”–a humanitarian effort to distribute self-powered shortwave radios to rural classrooms in the developing world. If you would like to help with this effort, please contact me. Click here to view the Ears To Our World website. Another important hobby to me is Shortwave Radio listening. I operate a popular educational website called SWLing. The site is specifically designed for the newcomer to SWLing–my hope is that it will encourage parents to teach their children about the world of international broadcasting.  Based on the feedback I have received, it seems to be working! Click here to view the SWLing website. Again, this is a personal website and I can certainly use your help to make QRPer better for everyone. 

If you have any suggestions for links, or if you would like to write an article for QRPer, please don’t hesitate to contact me through the Contact page.Welcome to RadioSet-GO, your source for innovative QRP radio designs portable, outdoor, trail friendly, low power HAM radio transceivers and kits for sale RSG converted YouKits HB-1B MK3 5 band QRP transceiver Whether you want to communicate across town, or across the ocean, RSG can help you with a radio that is easy and fun to use - at home, or even better, outside; at a park, hiking or camping. Take your HAM shack in a backpack! RSG designs are ideal for casual enjoyment, but are also suited for emergency situations as 'go-kits.' The enclosures used are water resistant and solar charging can be integrated. A built-in touch keyer makes it possible to send code accurately and fast. I know from the experience of using radios outdoors that the less there is to take along, the easier it is to set up, and less chance of forgetting something.