Issue #7: For the Love of QRP

For anyone who can read German, the article we're discussing has been published in Germany by the German Amateur Radio Club (DARC). Let me know if it's the same -- I had to approve it despite not being able to read it, Dave W7DGJ

 

New to CW and HF here. Tech for a while, only on 2m and 440. Got the bug again and decided to start learning CW. First HF radio is a truSDX. Have started getting on the air on 40m and 80m. Have made four contacts, all domestic, at 0.5W... yes, 0.5W. VA to GA, NJ, NC, and western part of VA. Everyone has put me at 589 or 599 with the minuscule wattage I'm running. Could be the solar cycle, could be luck, but I'm enjoying it immensely. I'll be really excited to get my first DX on this thing. It can run up to 5W. So far, I have no burning desire to run "normal" levels of power.

 

Hi Jason -- nothing wrong with the approach you're taking! I love QRP operations, and keep a Mountain Topper for such purposes. May I ask what radio you are using to put out that measly little .5 w signal? Also, something fun to do, try WSPR someday and then look at a map after you've run it for a few hours or overnight. Incredible the distance you can reach. Read about the WSPR transmitter by ZachTek here on T&E. Dave

 

hey thanks! I’m using a truSDX five band. Great kit radio with a lot of features for a small package. Got my general last week and made some contacts this weekend with the Marconi day special event station and the K4S shark tooth special event station on SSB at 5 watts with the same rig.

 

I had a TS590S & took it to the dealer as a part exchange, He offered pennies saying the power transistors were shot.
The radio got used around 1 watt or less with the power & carrier set to zero.

I had forgotten to reset them.
Problem soon sorted with one red faced dealer!
Or one busted scammer, Not sure which!