Field season energy is still humming as we track a Xiegu X6200 back into the woods for some QRP CW, then swing indoors for amplifier shopping and antenna optimization. There's homebrew ingenuity from Italy, a fresh Imaginary Stations lineup for the shortwave crowd, and enough practical wisdom to keep your soldering iron warm. Grab your coffee and dig in.

In today’s roundup

• The Xiegu X6200 Returns to the Field: QRP CW from William B. Umstead State Park (US-2755) — QRPer
  K4SWL squeezes an early-morning US-2755 activation between family moving-day duties, proving once again that a little QRP CW fits any schedule.
• Guide to Amateur Radio Amplifiers 2026: Part 6, Toptek UHF, VHF, UHF/VHF Power Amplifiers — OnAllBands (DX Engineering)
  Part 6 of OnAllBands' amplifier series turns to Toptek's VHF/UHF options, handy if you're weighing more power for the higher bands.
• Classical, Vermont and Jams via the shortwaves — The SWLing Post
  This week's Imaginary Stations schedule serves up classical, Vermont, and jams on WRMI, a reminder that shortwave still rewards a tuned dial and open ears.
• Giuseppe’s Homemade “Cassettone Pomodori Loop Antenna” — The SWLing Post
  Giuseppe (IZ0GZW) from coastal Formia shares another homemade loop antenna, the kind of resourceful homebrew that keeps the hobby grounded and fun.
• Optimizing the 4 Square Antenna for Enhanced Performance — The DXZone
  Chasing 4-square gain without four towers? This piece covers elevated radials, design principles, and installation tips for better performance.

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