[Elecraft] re:Dreaming...a challenge for the Elecraft team (or the joys of QRP)

Thu Dec 5 06:28:02 2002

I read with interest the comments on Julian's posting.

There is another reason why some of us choose to operate QRP. For 
many years with my FT101ZD (100W on a good day) I suffered from TVI 
which limited my operation on hf considerably - what dx I did work 
was with short calls now and again, quivering for that knock on the 
door. Since getting my K2 I have not had a single complaint from my 
neighbours and I can work just the same dx as I did before. Amateur 
radio for me is now a pleasure and I can go on as and when I want 
without having to worry, and it is a long time since I had so much 
fun on the bands.

5W is the internationally agreed QRP limit for the various QRP awards 
which GQRP and other QRP societies issue, and also for the QRP 
section of many contests. I therefore run my K2 always at the 5W 
level. I amuses me that 100W (or even 150W) is considered 'low power' 
in some quarters. I do not add /QRP to my callsign as that is not 
within the UK licencing conditions (although many do send it). My 
signal may be weak in the pile ups, but judging what I do work it is 
not a limitation. A good operator should also be looking for the 
weaker signals, and when I do get through it gives me that extra bit 
of satisfaction.

It gave me a little thrill when I received a batch of QSLs from the 
bureau yesterday. Among them was a SWL card - I normally do not pay 
much attention to those, but that was from a VU listener who had 
heard my QRP signals while working an OH0 station on 15m. Quite a 
surprise to get that!!

Yes, it is perhaps unfortunate that the K2 is now longer seen as a 
QRP rig, but that doesn't mean that those of us who are now QRP only 
operators should change.

73s Dave G3YMC
K2 #2498
160 DXCC countries in 8 months

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