Anyone do QRP ?

dorton

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For those interested in ham radio QRP is operating at reduced power, while trying to maximize the effective
range. Usually 5 watts or less, with some folks operating at tenths of a way or less. I've gotten as far as Russia on 5watts.

For those are longer in the game as hams, I'm curious on who all enjoys this mode besides me?
It seems like folks either love QRP, or hate it.

If you do, what's your setup?

Radios:
Yaesu Ft-817
Elecraft KX3

Antennas:
LNR Precision EndFed Trail Friendly antenna
AlphaLoop Jr antenna
Home-brew dipole(s)
Yo-Yo-Vee antenna
 
I’ve never really tried going low power. Don’t really feel a need to, but it would be fun to see what you can do. Of course you can use a directional antenna with gain and go modes like weak signal digital or CW. An efficient antenna would help too.

I’ve got a homebrew off center fed dipole antenna, like the one reference design from Balun Designs with an LDG tuner and an FT991a.
 
I usually only do QRP, even though I have a Kenwood TS-570DG. All my other radios are homebrew or kit. I did the pcb layout for the Knightlites SMiTe. Norcal NC-40A, Steve Weber MS-15, used to have a PSK-80, stuff like that. Playing with some SDR. Antennas? Had an inverted vee at my last house. Used to have a random wire. I have a couple of portable antennas that I made - homebrewed a PAC-12, and a Black Widow supported vertical.
 
MFJ-9440
MFJ-9475
Kenwood T50S - configured down to low power

End-fed mono-band and multi-band antennas typically in an NVIS configuration.

I do QRP to practice bare bones regionalized emergency communications with limited power supply conditions, i.e. batteries. I'm not looking for DX on QRP.
 
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Last field day, in amongst the noise I heard a QRP station calling CQ. They were announcing that they were QRP. I responded and they seemed genuinely happy to log a contact. I believe QRP gets a lot of bonus points during that contest. I felt like I was probably blasting their socks off when I responded with 75W.
 
I can barely hear anything that comes through normal. Trying to sift through low power folks, tried it, and as fun as it was I just have a hard time picking up anything that isn’t coming in clear
 
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