Mark, There are two ways to look at QRP, portable/SOTA operation and fixed/base station operation. The one thing they both have in common is that they need to radiate a signal to talk to others.
This may seem obvious, but there is a conflict between the two. The portable guys need to face a practical issue of weight and ease of installation. The fixed guys have few restrictions on a practical level. Let's face it the Alex Loop may be a fine antenna, but it well never compete with a full sized antenna installed to maximize its performance. To show this, a friend of mine, NA1DX owns a KX3 that he operates QRP from his base. His antenna farm is not modest. He works all over at 5 Watts. Most of the time he just responds to CQs with out employing any other procedure than what is normally used in good operating practice. The QRPer who plans to operate out of a tent should put a lot of thought into his antenna. It is here that he can make the most difference. Additionally, using CW or PSK31 makes those 5 Watts most effective. Lastly, it really pays to listen and not chase stations that are just above the noise that may be running 100 Watts or more; go for the stronger signals. 73, Barry K3NDM ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Tellez" <aar...@gmail.com> To: "elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Sunday, January 4, 2015 1:34:41 PM Subject: [Elecraft] getting started with QRP Hello all and happy 2015! I am not new to amateur radio but I am new to the world of QRP. I recently received a KX3 and would like to try it out. I live in Colorado and I have access to both a Buddipole and an Alexloop antenna. I have a few questions as a QRP newbie: 1) what are the most popular QRP bands for monitoring and what are the main calling frequencies (day and night)? 2) is there a book or website that will give a QRP newbie some background info on the do and don'ts of QRP? 3) I am looking for an antenna that can be left attached to the KX3 that will provide decent HF reception so that I can monitor frequencies during the times when my other antennas are put away. Any suggestions? 4) I am considering buying a PAR end fed antenna. Any comments on the PAR vs my other options (Alexloop, Buddipole)? Thanks, Mark ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to k3...@comcast.net ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
