Q R P

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Q R P

• Its how to spell Fun!

Shel Radin KF0UR
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Tonights Agenda

• What is QRP?
• Why would I use it?
• What are some options?
• What else should I know?

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What is QRP?

• Its not just low power
• QRP is defined as
• 5 watts or less on CW
• 10 watts PEP or less on SSB
• QRPp is 1 watt or less

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Why Use QRP?

• Its an adventure
• Its different
• Its a challenge
• Its something new to try
• Its fun
• slogan "Power is no substitute for skill

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QRP Rigs

• Whats a QRP Rig?
• Youd be surprised at the variety

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There are big rigsfor home use
Yaesu FT-9000
Icom 7800
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There are medium rigs typical for home or
portable use
Yaesu FT-897
Icom IC-735
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There are small rigs typical for home or
portable use
Elecraft K2
Kenwood TS-50
Yaesu FT-817
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There are really small rigsknown as trail
friendly
Oak Hills Research OHR 500

• Elecraft K2

Sierra Wilderness
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And then there are tiny rigsvery trail friendly

• Tuna Tin

Yepthat is a Chicken of the Sea tuna can (tuna
removed, hopefully )
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Or if you prefer Altoids over Tuna

• KD1JVs
• ATS-3

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And for antennas

• There are big antennas

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There are smaller, portable antennas

• Buddipole

Force 12 Sigma 5
Par End fed Zepp
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• PAC 12

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Portable Homebrew HF Vertical
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Its whats inside that counts
Each extends to 6 feet
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And if you put it together
12 when fully extended
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QRP Suppliers

• Include
• Elecraft
• Oak Hills Research
• Small Wonder Labs
• Wilderness Radio
• Northern California QRP Club (Norcal)
• Hendricks
• Buddipole
• Pacific Antenna
• Force 12

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What can you do with these?

• Just about anything you want.
• The bigger rigs have all modes and bands
• The medium rigs usually have them all, as well
• The small rigs trade features for size
• Elecraft KX-1 20M, 30M, 40M, 80M CW only, 4
  watts
• Very attainable goals
• Worked All States (WAS)
• DX Century Club (DXCC)
• Contesting (QRP entry)

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QRP Organizations

• Adventure Radio Society
• Share triumphs and tribulations
• Sponsors contests
• Flight of the Bumblebee
• Awards for miles per watt
• QRP Amateur Radio Club International
• Northern California QRP Club (NorCal)
• Colorado QRP Club
• American QRP Club
• More

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ButI wont be heard!

• Oh yes you will!
• Math class is now in session
• Consider
• One S unit on your receiver is 6 dB.
• Halving your power is only a 3 db loss.
• Quartering your power is 6 dB loss and therefore
  a one S unit difference.
• Let me repeat that using ¼ of your power reduces
  your signal only 1 S unit.

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More Math (sorry)

• If a 100 watt signal is received as an S9, then
• A 25 watt signal (¼ of 100 watts) will be S8 (-6
  dB)
• A 6.25 watt signal (¼ of 25 watts) will be S7
  (-12 dB)
• A 1.5 watt signal (¼ of 6.25 watts) will be S6
• A 5 watt signal will be just under S7

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There are QRP Calling Frequencies(where to hang
out to improve your odds)
Band CW SSB
160 1.810 1.910
1.843 Europe
80 3.560 3.985
3.710 US Novice
40 7.030 7.285
7.030 Europe 7.060
7.110 US Novice
30 10.106
20 14.060 14.285
15 21.060 21.385
10 28.060 28.385
28.110 US Novice
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One more QRP difference

• Some QRPers sign with 72 instead of, or in
  addition to 73 when signing
• To acknowledge the QSO using QRP power
• Kinda like a not-so-secret hand shake.

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In Summary

• Try it from home by simply turning down your
  power
• Try it from a park bench with your portable rig.
• Try it from your car, if you have a mobile
  set-up.
• Enjoy another wonderful facet of our hobby!

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Thanks for your time! C U on the air 72, Shel
KF0UR