Q R P

1. QRP It’s how to spell “Fun”! Shel Radin KF0UR

2. Tonight’s Agenda • What is QRP? • Why would I use it? • What are some options? • What else should I know?

3. What is QRP? • It’s 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

4. Why Use QRP? • It’s an adventure • It’s different • It’s a challenge • It’s something new to try • = It’s fun • slogan: "Power is no substitute for skill”

5. QRP Rigs • What’s a QRP Rig? • You’d be surprised at the variety…

6. There are big rigs…for home use Yaesu FT-9000 Icom 7800

7. There are medium rigs…typical for home or portable use Yaesu FT-897 Icom IC-735

8. There are small rigs…typical for home or portable use Elecraft K2 Kenwood TS-50 Yaesu FT-817

9. There are really small rigs…known as “trail friendly” Elecraft K2 Oak Hills Research OHR 500 Sierra Wilderness

10. And then there are tiny rigs…very trail friendly Tuna Tin Yep…that is a “Chicken of the Sea” tuna can (tuna removed, hopefully )

11. Or if you prefer Altoids over Tuna… KD1JV’s ATS-3

12. And for antennas… • There are big antennas

13. There are smaller, portable antennas Buddipole Force 12 Sigma 5 Par End fed Zepp

14. PAC 12

15. Portable Homebrew HF Vertical

16. It’s what’s inside that counts Each extends to 6 feet

17. And if you put it together… 12’ when fully extended

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

19. 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)

20. 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…

21. But…I won’t 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.

22. 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

23. There are QRP Calling Frequencies(where to hang out to improve your odds)

24. 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.

32. 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!

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