[Elecraft] K1, calling CQ, 2x QRP QSO.

[Tom Althoff]

When I was testing my KPA-100 to see how hot the heat sink would get during
contest level CQ'ing and didn't yet have my 300W dummy load  I set up the K2
with an automated CQ on the low end of 10M around 28.013.    I figured it
was a safe time of day on a dead band that wouldn't bother too many people
(and not bother me with having to stop my tests to have an actual QSO).

It was about 8AM ET and I had been testing for about an hour when a VP8 (who
also happened to be using a K2/100) answered one of my calls.

So the "dead" band came alive long enough to get me a new country on 10M at
the bottom of the solar cycle.

I hear people say that you need to listen more than CQ when you are QRP.
But believe me...there are a bunch of us people who's ear's perk up when we
hear a faint CQ in the noise.  The weak signal is the one that attracts my
attention although I have to admit to a slight letdown when a K1 with a K1
is not the VU7 I'd been hoping for.

Good luck and keep CQing!    Don't be afraid to get on at 3AM on 15M and
call CQ.   You just might find a kindred spirit who is not able to sleep
either and have a great QSO.

Tom K2TA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sandy W5TVW" <ebjr at i-55.com>
To: "Darwin, Keith" <Keith.Darwin at goodrich.com>; "Elecraft Discussion List"
<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 3:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K1, calling CQ, 2x QRP QSO.


> A lot of people nowadays don't understand HF propagation.  One MUST
> remember that the propagation programs are not necessarily correct!
>
> Many times bands are really open, but there isn't any activity.  A lot of
> folks make a quick check, listen a minute or two and assume the band
> is dead.  ALWAYS listen and ALWAYS call a few "CQ's".  You never know!
>
> A classic example of this is assuming 10,12,15 meters are beyond help.
> this part of the sunspot cycle.   Many times it will be dead for East-West
paths
> but open for North South paths, especially to South America from the USA.
>
> This is the great advantage of "beacons" in various places on 20-10
meters.
> Also weird anomalies will exist in propagation no computer program
> will predict.
>
> 73,
> Sandy W5TVW
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Darwin, Keith" <Keith.Darwin at goodrich.com>
> To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 9:31 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] K1, calling CQ, 2x QRP QSO.
>
>
> | I rarely call CQ - especially when running QRP.  But sometimes, a fella
> | has to do what a fella has to do.
> |
> | Fired up the K1 on 20 meters, dialed up 14040 (or was it 14060 - can't
> | recall) and called CQ.  Got an answer from a station in NM which sure
> | made me smile (I love NM).  He was running an Argo 509 and we exchanged
> | 449 sig reports.
> |
> | Hmm, 5 watts to a vertical, call CQ and work a guy a couple thousand
> | miles away.  Sunspots, who needs sunspots when you have mojo :-)
> |
> | - Keith KD1E -
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