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

[Charles Greene]

Dave and All,

At 11:29 AM 12/5/2002 +0000, Dave Sergeant wrote:
>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.


You need to call it something.  QRO/QRP is not enough.  As far as I know, 
there are 4 power levels:  QRPP, QRP, Low Power and High Power.  Legal 
Limit is also used in some circles.

Here's an interesting take.  I am experimenting with an EH antenna.  Among 
other things, it's noise floor is consistantly 8 to 10 dB lower than a 
good, low noise hertz antenna, giving a S/N ratio improvement of 8 to 10 dB 
or more.  I can now hear dozens of signals on PSK31 that are well into the 
noise on a hertz antenna.  If we all used an EH antenna, we all could 
reduce our power level 8 dB or so.  Here's a web site for EH antennas, if 
you want to check it out.

http://eh-antenna.com/amateur.htm

>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


Good work!





73, Chas, W1CG
K2 #462