[Elecraft] K2 power setting for SSB QRP?

[David Yarnes]

Most QRP contests have a QRP limit of 5 watts for both CW and SSB.  I know 
the ARRL does that.  ARCI, and I think GQRP, had QRP on SSB limited to 10 
watts, I think in an attempt to account for the disparity between the two 
modes.  Actually, I think they have it right, but to be safe in a contest 
you should probably observe the 5 watt limit on SSB as well as CW.  But you 
won't get any flack from me about running 10 watts and claiming to be QRP, 
or even 20 watts for that matter, in a QSO situation.  At those slightly 
higher power levels you are still observing the rule of moderation in my 
view.

In a way, it seems to me that if we really were to get "picky" about what 
QRP really is, we should adopt a rule similar to what they used to do for 
repeaters, and use ERP.  The antenna you are using plays such an important 
role in what you are really pumping into the ether.  If one 5 watt station 
is using a random wire, and the other is using a 3 element beam at 65 feet, 
it's hard to say they are equivalent!  People with marginal, or at least 
"non-gain" antennas, are always at something of a disadvantage.  But it's a 
disparity that could actually be accounted for to a degree in contests if 
they really wanted to make the playing field more level.  It's probably 
heresy to even suggest this, but on Field Day for example, you could allow 
stations using non-gain antennas to increase power somewhat, or have 
stations using gain antennas reduce power based on the "standard" DBd rating 
for the antenna being used.  There wouldn't be anything precise about it, 
but it would sure get things closer.  Maybe to simplify things you could 
just say a station using a non-gain antenna could run 10 watts.  That would 
be a bit more fair at least.  But I realize "it ain't gonna happen"!  And, 
of course, you have the same issue with the QRO folks.

The point is that the rules are very strict about power limitations, but 
they let people go nuts as to what antennas they use.  That effectively 
makes the power limitation moot!  And, as we all know, some stations do go 
to incredibly elaborate lengths as to their antenna systems.  But I'm just 
out there for the fun of it anyway, so I say more "power" to them!  How's 
that for a play on words!

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <ron at cobi.biz>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 12:47 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 power setting for SSB QRP?


>it is whatever the rules say it is (which may differ from one contest /
>award to another.)

Yeah, it's generally around 5 Watts for CW and some allow it to go up
to 10 Watts for SSB, but some stay at 5 Watts even for SSB.

------------------

The 'normal' (if anything is normal about Ham radio) QRP power level has
been defined over the past half century by the QRP Amateur Radio Club
International or "QRP ARCI".

Their bylaws, Article 1, section B states:

"QRP operation for QRP-ARCI purposes is defined as operation with a
transmitter power output of 5 watts or less for CW (Continuous Wave - A1)
and 10 watts PEP or less for SSB (Single Side Band - A3J).  QRP-ARCI awards
are based on these output levels."

Many contests and other organizations have followed these guidelines.

Bear in mind that what's considered QRP has changed over time. Back in the
1950's QRP was defined as 50 watts input to the final amplifier. That
normally resulted in between 30 and 40 watts RF output for a "legal" QRP
transmitter.

Times change, Hi!

The organized QRP movement began in the 50's as a rebuttal to the idea that
several hundred watts, perhaps even a kilowatt, was needed to really enjoy
Ham radio. A great many Hams ran 50 watts or less, and the organization
recognized their ability and the fact that they didn't need more power to be
very successful communicators.

In more recent years, my personal interest in QRP has not been in the low
power itself, but because that's where the bulk of today's homebrewers,
technicians and tinkerers hang out.

Ron AC7AC



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