[Elecraft] KPA1500 and FT8

[Jim Brown]

On 3/3/2018 12:09 PM, Chuck Milam, N9KY wrote:
> I see we are about to enter the dead horse beating ceremony over FT8 power
> levels, as I’ve seen on other groups ad naseum.  Suggest checking the FT8
> developers’ comments on the difference between  “low power” and “weak
> signal” modes,

Exactly right. WSJT modes are designed for WEAK SIGNALS, NOT QRP. 
Signals can be weak because of poor antenna(s), low TX power, and poor 
propagation. FT8, JT65, JT9, are designed to pull signals out of noise. 
If the other station has a high noise level, we may need to run more 
power for him to decode us.

If I'm calling EU on 160 from NorCal, I'm running close to legal limit. 
On 6M, I run my KPA500 at full power on all modes, including WSJT modes. 
Yes, it IS good practice to use no more power than necessary, and on 
some bands, especially higher bands, for a path with decent propagation, 
10W may be plenty.

Although I often operate legal limit, I also have 170 countries 
confirmed QRP, a few hours ago worked 3C3W with 5W on 17M CW, and it 
took less than 10 minutes. It took an hour on 20M RTTY at 1400W.

73, Jim K9YC