[Elecraft] OT: dummy load antenna

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Yep, guys, that's how we get hooked on QRP. Thanks for the stories! 

My first transistor rig used two (very expensive for the time) 2N53A
germanium transistors that barely oscillated at 3.5 MHz in an MOPA
arrangement, but making a contact running a few mW output made a QRPer out
of me. That was in the late 1960's. 

Next came the venerable HEP51 from Motorola, which put out darn near a watt
on 40 meters! QRO! 

That is, of course, the history of Elecraft,  remembering Wayne's roots
designing some of the most popular QRP rigs of all time. 

There are many ways to enjoy our hobby, and micro and milliwatt contacts
around the world are one of them. 

I suspect such operation is every bit as much exciting for a QRPer as
winning contests is for those who love contesting. 

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
Last sunspot peak (on its way up) I worked Italy with a tuna tin 
transmitter (330 mw). Nearly fell out of my seat when he came back to my 
call.

Thats when I decided to get a K2 (at the time the 100 watt amplifier 
wasn't available yet). I'm still running the same K2 with 12W max. Did 
decent in this years ARRL DX Contest, lots of EU, and AK/HI from here in 
NJ. QRP. Don't sell it short.
--Lenny W2BVH


Dan Allen wrote:
> Hi Ron,
>
> During the last sunspot cycle, I was playing around with my K2 trying 
> different things with the rig.  I think I was on 20 meters, but I can't 
> remember for sure.  I heard an "F" calling CQ (SSB) and I answered him.
It 
> turns out that it was a fire fighters club station in France.  We had a
nice 
> and long QSO, and he gave me a 59+.  After the QSO ended, I noticed I had 
> turned the power all the way down while I was playing with the rig, adnd
had 
> forgotten to turn it back up!  I checked, and I was running less than a 
> watt!  If I remember correctly, it indicated around 300 milliwatts!  You
are 
> right!  Milliwatts will cross oceans when the conditions are good!
>
> Dan Allen
> KB4ZVM
> K2 S/N 1757
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <ron at cobi.biz>
> To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 3:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: dummy load antenna
>
>
>   
>> Heh, heh... Some years ago I was tuning around on 40 meters and heard a
CQ
>> so I answered it. Turned out to be a Novice and I noted he was not in the
>> sub-band he was supposed to be in.
>>
>> He disappeared.
>>
>> A few minutes later my phone rang. It was the Novice, in a PANIC!!! He
had
>> looked me up to ask what was happening. He was on 15 meters and I was on 
>> 40.
>>
>>
>> Turned out we were about a mile apart and I was hearing his rig's xtal
>> oscillator on 40 that was tripled into 15 meters, and he was copying my
>> third harmonic.
>>
>> A nice eyeball QSO and some checks confirmed we were both entirely legal,
>> but it's a reminder that a few mW ERP can be heard.
>>
>> Ron AC7AC
>>
>>
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>
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