[Elecraft] QRP, DX ops, RFI, K2/100

[Wallace, Andy]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Sergeant [mailto:dsergeant@connectfree.co.uk]

> 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. 

I have a similar situation and find QRP makes things better.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to improve my antenna situation...
I've installed a highpass filter on the affected TV, which is so
old it still has a rotary switch for channels. But in browsing the
ARRL website for RFI info, I found that it may be a better idea
to make a common-mode choke by winding some of the CATV coax around
a ferrite. See figure 7.11 at:

http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/catvi/index.html

Apparently a lot of ham TVI flows on the outside of the coax.

> I do not add /QRP to my callsign 

In a DX pileup, there is hardly any time to send the extra characters!
I do sometimes send QRP after the obligatory 599 report to the 
DX station. ;-)

> A good operator should also be looking for the 
> weaker signals,

I have had debates with people about that. I agree with you -- it would
be nice to have the DX station listen for the QRPers -- but on the other
side of the pileup, with the prospect of logging thousands of contacts,
I am sure the pressure is on and they listen for mostly just the loud ones.
It's understandable. 

>  and when I do get through it gives me that extra bit 
> of satisfaction.

Absolutely! Our forefathers were using QRP level rigs so many years
ago, and made contacts thousands of miles away. The difference now, I
think, is the hash and noise levels nowadays are tremendous and pose
a challenge to anyone who lives in any kind of populated area. Right now
I am trying to track down a wandering signal which is 5 kHz wide and
appears on 40 and 30m here -- fairly regular on 10.112. It's nothing
in my place. It wanders up and down at random, sounding like a swooshing
wind through an opening. Does not sound like light dimmers or switching
supplies or like anything I'd heard before.

Anyway when I make it through all that it really is nice!
 
> 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.

I don't see a problem. After all, if the K2 is such an excellent QRP rig,
why is it so horrible that they made an excellent matching amp to attach
to it? "All in the family."

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

Great job, Dave. I'm sitting at 95 with my K1, all with randomwires
and probably at least 80 using the 35' random at home. 

If anyone's sitting on the fence about giving it a try, just GET SOME
KIND of wire up and get on! 

-Andy