Field Reports · US-1540 · June 19, 2026

First Field Outing with the Index Laboratories QRP Plus — Sleepy Hollow State Park

Sleepy Hollow State Park, MI

22 QSOs
57m Duration
5W Power
CW Mode
POTACWQRP PlusQRPMichigan40m30m20mActivated

Photos

First Field Outing with the Index Laboratories QRP Plus — Sleepy Hollow State Park photo
First Field Outing with the Index Laboratories QRP Plus — Sleepy Hollow State Park photo
First Field Outing with the Index Laboratories QRP Plus — Sleepy Hollow State Park photo

It’s been a while since I had the chance to really sit down and plan a filmed activation. Most of my recent outings have been quick, impromptu affairs — no camera, no frills. But this one had to be documented. I recently got my hands on an Index Laboratories QRP Plus — many thanks to Jay, W6JY, for lending it to me — and I wanted to take it out to Sleepy Hollow for a proper shakedown. Where better to break in a new radio than my trusty proving grounds?

I also brought along my K8CES Zippy paddle — my own design — to pair with it. There’s something satisfying about putting a handmade key next to a vintage classic.

Setup

I landed at a different spot than where I am used to at Sleepy Hollow State Park. I ended up at the horse staging area of the park. It was quiet and no one was around. Regardless, the park continues to be one of the most RF-quiet locations I’ve found in Michigan, which makes it ideal for testing new gear and really hearing what a radio can do.

  • Antenna: KM4CFT Linked EFHW, configured for 30m with the add-on link for 40m. Fed with a 15-foot run of ABR Industries RG-316.
  • Radio: Index Laboratories QRP Plus running 5W, powered by a Bioenno 12V 3Ah LiFePO4 battery.
  • Key: K8CES Zippy Paddle — my own design.
  • Logging: Trusty Rite in the Rain notepad with a Rotring 600 0.7mm mechanical pencil.

Spotted myself on 20 meters shortly after 22:00 UTC and began calling CQ.

20 Meters

20 meters was rough. For a late afternoon/evening session, this wasn’t all that surprising — 20m tends to fade out here in the Midwest as the day wears on, and conditions during this period were further complicated by solar activity. I snagged a few contacts but the band wasn’t cooperative. Time to move.

30 Meters

30 meters showed some improvement. It wasn’t the stellar 30m session I’ve had here before, but hunters were getting through and the noise floor was manageable. The QRP Plus handled it well — the radio’s audio is pleasant to operate on. I worked it until the contacts started thinning out, then dropped down to 40.

40 Meters

40 meters was the band of the evening. As soon as I QSY’d over and got spotted, the pile-up started building. Living in the Midwest is a real advantage on 40 — the ham density here means you can almost always find someone to work, and tonight was no exception. Worked through the pile-up steadily and wrapped up 22 QSOs total over 57 minutes.

Wrap-up

Called QRT after the 40m pile-up wound down. 22 QSOs, activated, and the QRP Plus got its first POTA outing on record. The Zippy paddle felt right at home next to that little cube of a radio.

Total time on air: 57 minutes.

Notes for Next Time

Get out earlier or pick a day with better cooperation from the bands. 20m and even 17m or 15m could be a lot of fun with the QRP. This evening the low bands were clearly where the action was.

Overall

A successful outing and a great first field test for the QRP Plus. Sleepy Hollow delivered as always. Looking forward to getting this radio out again when the higher bands have something to offer.

72, Zeus K8CES