The World of QRP

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The World of QRP The Fun of Low Power Ham Radio Loren C. Singh, AE7CG Prescott Valley, Arizona What is QRP? — Amateur radio communication using 5 watts or less — Any operating mode: CW, AM, SSB, FM, PSK31, etc. — Smaller, less expensive, more energy-efficient equipment — Homebrew, kit, or manufactured gear QRP in a QRO World — Work the world, 24 x 7 x 365? — “Life is too short for QRP!” — Develop operating skills: patience, skill, determination — Awareness of changing band conditions — Surfing: “Ride the wave of QSB” Results can be surprising! My first receiver, 1958: My first QRP rig, 1960: 5 watts, AM, 6M — My first HF QRP CW rig, 1970s & 1980s: My first 2M FM rig, 1980s & 1990s: Current gear at AE7CG: Tuna Tin Transmitter: Tuna Tin Transmitter: Altoids can form factor: Altoids can transmitter: There are many QRP clubs and contests: 6J6 Crystal-controlled Oscillator Transmitter: 40M & 30M transceiver, 1-watt: N1AW Homebrew 80M Transceiver: N5EM/M, Elecraft K2: QRP Picnic Table: QRP HF Station: Tri-band Beam Antenna: Low 20M Dipole Antenna at AE7CG: Yaesu FT-817: “Please increase your power.” “I can’t. I’m QRP.” “Well, THIS is what you sound like!” [QRO station decreases power to 2 watts.] “Sounds pretty good to me.” “Thanks for the QSO. I’m QRU.” “Sorry. No copy. You’re very weak.” “Your RST is 559.” “72” This presentation about QRP has just touched upon a few areas. Amateur radio should be fun, and QRP operation can open many avenues for joy, learning, and friendship. The world of QRP shows that the hobby need not be overly complicated, expensive, or beyond comprehension. More can be less, and simplicity can be its own reward — certainly ideas to be considered. 72 & 73, AE7CG .

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QRP Notes and Definitions Page 1 Philosophy Practice QRSS
QRP notes and definitions Page 1 QRP operation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In amateur radio, QRP operation means transmitting at reduced power levels while aiming to maximize one's effective range while doing so. The term QRP derives from the standard Q code used in radio communications, where "QRP" and "QRP?" are used to request, "Reduce power", and ask "Should I reduce power?" respectively. The opposite of QRP is QRO, or high-power operation. Philosophy Most amateurs use approximately 100 watts on HF and 50 watts on VHF/UHF, but in some parts of the world, like the US, they can use up to 1500 watts. QRP enthusiasts contend that this is not always necessary, and doing so wastes power, increases the likelihood of causing interference to nearby televisions, radios, and telephones. A lot of Amateurs subscribe to the idea, use "the minimum power necessary to carry out the desired communications". The current record for a QRP connection is 1 µW for 1,650 miles on 10m. Practice There is not complete agreement on what constitutes QRP power. While most QRP enthusiasts agree that for CW, AM, FM, and data modes, the transmitter output power should be 5 watts (or less), the maximum output power for SSB (single sideband) is not always agreed upon. Some believe that the power should be no more than 10 watts peak envelope power (PEP), while others strongly hold that the power limit should be 5 watts. QRPers are known to use even less than five watts, sometimes operating with as little as 100 milliwatts or even less.
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QRP Contesting and Dxing K6UFO - Mark “Mork” Aaker
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World of QRP
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NAQCC Newsletter
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Mfj-971 Qrp Portable Antenna Tuner
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In This Issue
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June, 2021 Volume 73, Issue 10
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Radio Amateur News & Views the Official Journal of the Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont
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