[Elecraft] Taken the plunge!

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Back in the 50's and 60's, signing /QRP was promoted as a way to encourage
QRP operation. 

I suspect that is the reason it's still used today.

Of course back in the 50's "QRP" was 50 watts d-c input (typically 30 watts
or so output) but many Hams had the idea that operating outside the Novice
bands was pretty useless without at least several hundred watts if not the
full legal limit. The QRP movement was unabashedly pointing out that was not
necessarily true. 

People who have followed the QRP movement know there was a lot of discussion
and considerable disagreement about reducing the power levels in the
subsequent years. 

Of course many Hams today seriously consider anything less than several
hundred watts to be QRP, but I don't think the QRPers ever intended to
convert everyone, just those interested in a different challenge. 

Amateur radio is a big hobby. There's room for everyone. 

73,

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----

There is no 'have to' about it. Many, in fact probably most, QRP 
operators do not add /QRP to their callsigns....

73 Dave G3YMC

On 30 Jan 2011 at 9:49, Jerry Muller wrote:

> What I just don't understand is why QRP operators have to sign "/QRP"
> after their callsigns when in a contest...

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