QRP success........go figure

[KL7AJ]

Couple weeks ago, I bought an unbuilt* 40 meter Rockmite from a Zedizen and threw it together in 3 hours, beginning at 9 PM. (I don't USUALLY build kits that late at night!) Anyway...I already know how good the Rockmite's ears were...the sort of low noise clarity that only a DC receiver can deliver.

Anyhoo.....Field Day was one of those "Life's too short for QRP" weekends....as is every Field Day up here. Day AFTER field day, I worked gobs of stations with my 1/2 watt Rockmite and a "tatty bit of wire" I have out in the back yard.

I've come to the conclusion that the ionosphere can only handle a certain number of signals....which is why it never works on Field Day.


Now you know.

Eric

*No...he didn't UNBUILD it....he just never built it. Just so ya know.

[NA7U]

Yeah, it's definitely more difficult to break through the pile-ups and QRM with lower power.

[KO6WB]

A problem with low power? I had a very tough time getting contacts with 500W. Admittedly I was on my really bad backup antenna. That just proved what a bad antenna it was. Did get some contacts at 3AM on 75 and 40.
Eric, kits can be fun but once you start building it you can't leave it until it's done. Kind of like a good book. Don't try that with any of the Heathkit's larger kits. Ask me how I know.
73
Gary

[WB2WIK]

Couple weeks ago, I bought an unbuilt* 40 meter Rockmite from a Zedizen and threw it together in 3 hours, beginning at 9 PM. (I don't USUALLY build kits that late at night!) Anyway...I already know how good the Rockmite's ears were...the sort of low noise clarity that only a DC receiver can deliver.

Anyhoo.....Field Day was one of those "Life's too short for QRP" weekends....as is every Field Day up here. Day AFTER field day, I worked gobs of stations with my 1/2 watt Rockmite and a "tatty bit of wire" I have out in the back yard.

I've come to the conclusion that the ionosphere can only handle a certain number of signals....which is why it never works on Field Day.


Now you know.

Eric

*No...he didn't UNBUILD it....he just never built it. Just so ya know.

I have it on reasonable authority the ionosphere can only handle 5,459,857 contacts simultaneously and that's pretty much it.

I wanted to be the 5,459,858th one and got a message saying "Full, wait a while." Hmm.

[KE4YOG]

I operated QRP on field day on 15 meter phone. I made around 20 contacts before my old friend Mr. Migraine showed up. Most were in California but also VT and ME.

[KL7AJ]

A problem with low power? I had a very tough time getting contacts with 500W. Admittedly I was on my really bad backup antenna. That just proved what a bad antenna it was. Did get some contacts at 3AM on 75 and 40.
Eric, kits can be fun but once you start building it you can't leave it until it's done. Kind of like a good book. Don't try that with any of the Heathkit's larger kits. Ask me how I know.
73
Gary

I know....I build a Heathkit Stereo. I think it had 16 pounds of solder in it when I was done.

[W5MMT]

I love building. Kits or homebrew. I built two Elecraft K2's and work like champs. Took one to the RAST (Radio Amateur Society Thailand) meeting and opened it up and felt real good when everyone said it looked like a factory build. I was told 10 years ago when I built the first one that I'd never get a kit certified in Thailand, but I did. I built about 7 kits including several DSW mono band CW kits. I ordered two Elecraft KX3's already build because I kind of felt that the new Elecraft "no solder" kit, were hardly kits. Talked to Eric at the Plano hamfest and ordered a 3rd KX3, this time a kit. Now it I could JUST GET one of them. It's going to cost me an additional $930 dollar to get the first one "certified" here in Thailand. At least they will let you certify a rig with 6 meters now. You still can't get a rig with 450 mhz transmit certified.

Paul
W5MMT / HS0ZAC

[W4HAY]

I know....I build a Heathkit Stereo...

The AR-15 perchance? That was a nice kit. I finished mine and one roommate wanted one for his own. Then the other roomie wanted one. By then, I'd just occasionally check the manual.