[Elecraft] QRP in the novice subbands

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

KD1E wrote:
Buy I still wonder why we QRP duded didn't decide to have the QRP
frequencies in the low power section of the band.  I suspect it is because
there aren't any signals there ;-)

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7,050 and 14,060 have been "QRP" frequencies for at least 30 years now that
I'm aware of and probably longer than that. 

So, I'm sure the frequency choice had nothing to do with the Novice band.
Thirty years ago Novice band was just that: a place for new operators to get
some on-air experience. Others were encouraged to work Novices regularly but
it was understood that one expected shaky fists, frequently poor overall
operating skills and the need to QRS. After all, that was why the Novice
band was there. QRP operators, on the other hand, often ran QRQ and were
looking for skilled operators as much as any other non-Novice station might
be. 

I'm not sure just when QRP became defined as 5 watts output. When I was
active in the QRP-ARCI, "QRP" was defined by the club as 50 watts d-c input
to the final plate, or between 30 and 40 watts output for most rigs. In any
case, the original QRP movement was meant to encourage and demonstrate to
the great General/Extra classes of Amateurs just what QRP could do as a
"typical" power for most Amateur communications. The "QRP" frequencies were
supposed to be "calling frequencies" for those looking for the weak signals.
But many QRP operators simply QSO'd with QRO stations to show them that
running 50 watts input was often undetectable from the signal their higher
powered station ran. 

Ron AC7AC