[Elecraft] KPA100 recommended max power for digital modes?

[Bill Frantz]

When I went back to New Hampshire last Christmas, I decided that 
the trip would be a rag chew trip. Since the only radio I had 
was the Small Wonder Labs PSK-20 -- The K3 is too big to carry 
and I don't yet have a KX3 -- it had to be rag chewing on 20M 
PSK. I found a number of people to chat with and had a good time 
on the radio.

I have a few thoughts on how to encourage rag chewing. Since 
people are used to the "5NN QRZ" type of interchange, start 
chatting early in the QSO. I use macros for the boiler plate -- 
name, QTH, and call signs and use the keyboard for everything 
else. I'm lucky that after 40+ years as a computer programmer, I 
can type quite rapidly. Don't worry about typing slowly however. 
Rag chewing isn't a contest or a DX pileup.

In my first exchange after exchanging call signs, I try to give 
meaningful signal reports, I'll start with:

Hi OM, you are 569 569 569
and then run my QTH macro. If the other OP has already sent a 
name I'll use it in place of "OM". Later in the QSO, if the 
other OP has already described the station, I'll try to include 
something about his station when I describe mine. By then we 
should be ready to branch out and talk about ARES/RACES, 
contesting, DX, WX, family, Christmas dinner -- anything that 
might come up.

It doesn't always work, but then just move on and do/answer 
another CQ.

As to being overpowered by strong stations, the K3 with a 250 Hz 
filter works wonders. However, for me, the real problem stations 
have been local running well under 50 watts. When you're in the 
target of a beam 1/4 mile away, it doesn't take much power to 
overload the A/D converter driving the computer.

The PSK-20 doesn't have any narrow filters like the K3 does, but 
in New Hampshire there aren't any close by PSK operators either. 
I rarely see any New England stations on my waterfall. (20 
meters is that way. I had a devil of a time working Nevada from 
the Los Gatos too.)

Now there are times and places for rag chewing. Contests, DX 
pileups, and rare opening aren't them. At times when it is 
appropriate, try to encourage it.

Cheers - Bill, AE6JV

On 2/23/14 at 2:46 PM, vk4jrc at gmail.com (Jack Chomley) wrote:

>I go hide on the WARC bands for PSK31 these days :-) Too many 
>big guns on the other bands,  I have a hard time trying to 
>filter them out, my receiver always gets swamped!

On 2/22/14 at 2:41 PM, kc6cnn at gmail.com (Gerald Manthey) wrote:

>I agree with Don! I like to chat, learn about the op or Qth. It is a major
>draw back to Jt 65 or Jt9.
>
>On Feb 22, 2014 4:26 PM, "Don Wilhelm" <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Doug,
>>
>>...
>>
>>While I do use [PSK] occasionally, that factor and the preponderance of
>>"hello, brag sheet, goodbye" QSOs has soured me on the mode.  It used to be
>>a lot of keyboard to keyboard ragchew QSOs, but that is rare these days.
>>No opportunity to get to know something about the ham you are in QSO with.

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Bill Frantz        | I like the farmers' market   | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506      | because I can get fruits and | 16345 
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