[Elecraft] SSB QRP

[Jessie Oberreuter]

Ron,

      Admittedly, I'm mostly a cw op, and really only operate during the 
summers, but nearly every time I've decided to scare up a contact, I've 
succeeded.  A few weeks back, I was sitting in a friend's van waiting for 
him to do something in the house and had a nice 2m FM simplex contact over 
about 50 miles on 20w -- just had to call CQ 4-5 times.  A few months 
earlier, I was playing with an MFJ 40m ssb adventure radio (stock mike, 
radio's built in compression), and had a nice chat with a fellow in Texas 
from my Washington QTH at ~10w.  My antenna was a trap dipole on the roof 
at about 30'.  It probably took 20 minutes of listening and tuning around 
between other tasks until I found a conversation; as it was winding down, 
I gave a call and we were off!  My club operates Field Day QRP, and I used 
to take the Sunday morning 20m SSB slot with great success.  Rig is a K2 
with a Heil #4 element; the antenna is typically a hamstick dipole up 15'. 
Dunno if I was using any compression.
      From my experiences, the challenge is usually in getting the 
conversation started.  I don't know how much of a practical difference QRO 
makes when calling CQ, but once you find someone to talk to, power doesn't 
seemed to be much of a problem :).
      The other thing I can say is that technique and awareness of what 
things might be like at the other end is important.  I generally give my 
call three times for both cw and phone, and on phone, I usually use the 
phonetics twice and the third time use just the letters, but keep them 
well separated (on CW, I tend to send the call at different speeds, both 
for intelligibility and as a hint to the other op that I'm happy to work 
across the range).  When I'm talking to the other person, I automatically 
repeat key words, figures, and any word that isn't part of casual 
conversation, and keep the exchanges short so the other person can 
immediately report lost words and changing conditions.  Habits that make 
communication easy in spite of power or conditions keeps it fun for 
everyone.  -kb7psg.



On Tue, 17 Apr 2012, ron wrote:

>
> I realize many here are in the QRO group as evident by K3 mail (smile)
> but here's to hoping there are some QRP'ers in the mix.
>
> Can you share your experiences using QRP SSB. Whether they be rag
> chewing, contesting or working a net. Do you use a speech processor or
> specific mikes. Things like that.
>
> I wud like to know of any specific freqs, nets groups or websites
> dedicated to this faucet of our hobby that you may also share.
>
> (I am aware of QRP Amateur Radio Club International and their listed SSB
> freqs)
>
> Thank you for sharing,
>
> you may also reply direct so as to keep the list uncluttered ....
>
> 72
> Ron, wb1hga
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