Took my first shot at QRP from a park at the top of Reseda Bl. in the LA area. I set up a SOTABeams dual band antenna rigged for 40M and checked out the SWR. It was all in the 1.69 or lower range without a tuner. I hooked up my kit QRP-Labs QCX kit 5W transceiver and I could instantly hear all sorts of traffic. I wasn't, however, able to make any contacts. I don't know if anybody heard me but didn't bother replying or whether I just wasn't getting out. I am new and SLOW on CW. Still, it was kind of a magical experience. Great fun!
Welcome aboard! You can always use a websdr to listen to your own signal. And there is the Reverse Beacon network, as well. CW is the way to go for QRP these days, for sure. Enjoy the hobby. 73, Al
Just worked yv5iua in Venezuela on 5w, 30 meter band. Excellent signal. There seems to be a RTTY contest on 40m so that band is intolerable at the moment.
Check out EA5IW's youtube channel. Lots of QRP CW action: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdqWV0nPVEeso6uth7uRk6Q
Worked an hour or so of the Ohio QSO Party today via CW. Used a 110' inverted V up 35' and was able to work just about any calling station first try. Fun! It was the shake down ride of the Multus Proficio I recently acquired. It integrated well with logging software and was a lot of fun on the air.
Answered KG4WAE's CQ last night on 40M, as he had a nice 589 signal. Received a 559. Turns out the QSO was 2xQRP: my HW-8's 2 watts and his K1's 5 watts -- wire antennas on both sides of the link. Same thrill as my first QRP contact nearly a half-century ago. The mystique lives on.
Did my second car side portable outting of 2019 Saturday morning til late afternoon... all CW Was running other than QRP but please forgive me.... I worked QRP with the few who were. Learned alot about my solar charge and battery setup... 2 100w panels, full sun, 33ah battery. 100w for 5 hrs didn't reduce the battery one little bit. Good to know... Ran shirtless for at least three hours, got a semi-burn, now I have a nice tan! Much fun and many QSO's... Left my gear in the car for next weekend!
