Re: [Elecraft] New to QRP
Great poem, Wayne. But I must say: life's too short for QRO =!8^} The thought of the hunt and time testing/perfecting one's operating skills = longevity. --- 73 de W3AB/GEO __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to QRP
It has been interesting to read the responses to my post about being new to QRP. I have been reminded that one of the magnificent things about our hobby is that it has something to interest almost everyone. If you like digital, fine, if you like slow can tv, fine; if you like ssb, fine; if you don't have time for QRP, that is fine also. All of us can't have stacked monobander for 40 through 6 meters even though it might be nice to dream but during all of my 50 years as an amateur I always felt that if you need an antenna, put it up. I might not be conventional in the estimation of some one else but some wire is better than no wire. Don't be constrained by the "I don't have room" or "I can't". Where there is a will there is a way. That is my reason for a vertical and qrp. I have found I can have fun with that combination and that is what the hobby is all about. 73 and thanks for all the comments. KG7V cu in CQWW this weekend. __ 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
[Elecraft] new to qrp too
I started QRP a couple years ago with the NAQCC Sprints and my 756PRO at 5 w. This year I bought a used K2/100 and use it all the time. I check into my CW nets at 25w or less so not to interfere with the TV (my Uverse box sits next to the rig). and for my morning SSB traaffic net I bump it up to 50! of course I still run the sprints at 5. am looking forward to the 160m sprint in January Bill W4EDN __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to QRP
Marv, Glad to see you found a solution to keeping ham radio after downsizing. I'm in similar situation when traveling by RV (no appreciable real estate for antennas). I am using a KX3 for my mobile/portable operation (HF probably more likely when parked at the end of the day's travel). The KX3 works very nicely with the KXPA100 if you decide you want more power (and its affordable for you). I made that decision two years ago. I install my KXPA100 under backseat of my crewcab pickup and have a coax line run for remote input of the KX3 from the 5th wheel. From an apartment or small home adding the KXPA100 is pretty easy (does not take up space and can be set on a closet shelf out of site with just coax and RJ45 control line going to the amp). I upgraded mine with the KXAT100 to make use of a vertical easier. But the KX3 with 15w and internal atu can do fine on its own. I plan to make a 76-day road trip this coming summer so will tell how that went. Still on the fence on antenna choice (simple/fast setup is a deciding factor so it may be a mobile screwdriver vertical). One thing I am puzzling on my setup is keeping the cable run to the RV simple (would like it to just be two coax lines: HF/6m and 2m). But keying the KXPA100 is an issue without either control line or PTT line. I'm thinking to make a RF sense ckt to key the PTT on the KXPA100. This more a question to Wayne. 73, KL7UW Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2017 10:13:29 -0800 From: To: Subject: [Elecraft] New to QRP Message-ID: <01d36486$c43d18d0$4cb74a70$@nwlink.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Since becoming licensed in 1967 I have always had better than average antennas with ample power. Since I have become older (now 80) my wife and I have downsized and I now longer have a location suitable for a large antenna system and have had to resort to a vertical. At first I thought that was a bad thing. Then I ran across a used KX3 and after having used it for a short while I have again discovered the anxiety and joy of making a contact with 12 watts. I have discovered a lot of being able to work the station is technique rather than brute power. Yes, high power will work but lacks the true joy is found when you can log the contact using a tin cup and a wet string. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubus...@gmail.com __ 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
[Elecraft] New to QRP
QRP builds not only patience, but persistence, and prowess, too. Have a look at http://www.qrpdx.com You don't always get them, always have to "wait your turn," but it is astonishing what can be done. It's a lot like dating, a constant mix of hopes, dreams, perpetual striving, mistakes, disappointments, despair, missed opportunities, interspersed with an occasional triumph. 73 Jim Allen W6OGC Sent from my iPad __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to QRP
Nicely said, Wayne. 73, Gary KA1J > marvwhee...@nwlink.com wrote: > > > Yes, high power will work but lacks the true joy found when you can > > log the contact using a tin cup and a wet string. > > > I couldn´t agree more, Marvin. QRP works on multiple levels > (challenging, amenable to home-brew, great for portable operation, > etc.). > > My feelings on the subject are summarized in the poem below, written > over 20 years ago. Under the circumstances, it´s not even OT. > > Happy Thanksgiving to all. > > Wayne > N6KR > > * * * > > > Q.R.Oscar and Q.R.Pete > by Wayne A. Burdick, N6KR > > It happened in September, on a cold and stormy day; > The mother of all contests was now nearly underway. > Before the day was over, ears from Bonn to Surinam > Would hear a battle rage between two different breeds of Ham. > > Oscar, a distinguished man of wisdom (and of wattage), > Lit his pipe and surveyed his substantial shortwave cottage. > "Let the games begin!" he cried, aglow with pride and power; > And with a grin he swung his twenty-ton rotating tower. > > Not far away a man named Pete crouched low inside a tent, > His sleeping bag was soggy and his penlight made him squint, > Yet as he worked he smiled, twisting wires, tweaking pots, > And soon his rig was bristling with two hundred milliwatts. > > Just after zero, zero, zero, zero (UTC), > Both men tuned up on twenty and they listened carefully, > But neither could believe his ears, and both began to pray: > On 14020 they heard "DE Zed-A-1-A". > > Now Oscar moved up five Kc with dignity and class; > He gripped his paddle deftly and prepared to pound some brass. > The heterodynes were screeching, hungry birds caged in a zoo, > But he could snag Albania in one call--maybe two. > > Pete took quite a different tack. He scanned for open space, > Listening to the bedlam with a frown upon his face; > He tugged his random wire to improve its ERP, > And finally he found a place to sign "slash QRP." > > Well Oscar's monster, fire-breathing signal was the best, > But Zed-A-1-A knew him, and felt sorry for the rest. > With this in mind he listened for the meager and the brave, > And ignored the QRO boys (who began to rant and rave). > > Soon the DX station heard a wimpy "QRP"; > He fired off a "599" and waited patiently. > But Pete was eating trailmix, now, and feeling quite dejected; > Being called by rare DX was not what he expected. > > Oscar heard the call and moved in closer for the kill, > Yet when he thought his turn had come the Q-so lingered still: > "So how much are you running?" "A quarter watt or less." > "A homebrew rig?" "My own design, or mostly, I confess." > "Well I'm a QRP fan, too; good attitude to foster," > Then ZA1A signed and said, "OK, it's your turn, Oscar." > > On Sunday Pete packed up his gear, his low-watt mission done. > (Birds who'd perched upon HIS wire would live to tell their young.) > Pete surveyed the hills and fields, a wondrous sight to feast on; Then > he stuffed himself into his trusty, rusty Nissan. > > And Oscar? He had ruled the night with clear, demonic vision; > Slicing QRM with his unleashed atomic fission. > But near the stroke of twelve, he cut his drive by two dB, > Then worked some rare DX and said, "Not bad for QRP!" > > > > __ > 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 g...@ka1j.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to QRP
Thanks for sharing, Wayne. I vaguely recall a piece of a long poem published in QST many years ago that I read at my Elmer's house, noting everything he did, before going home to my trusty nth hand National NC-125 receiver and homebrew am/cw transmitter (how I envied his DX-100, the "Benton Harbor Kilowatt"). I know the attempted quote below is not accurate. Been trying to find it in my QST digital collection, but need to look harder. I do recall that the author had noted "...written in tribute to Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven'". "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, lying on my shackroom floor, Came a burst of static from the attic, then a silence, nothing more..." I know that that second line does not flow properly, as in Poe's poem; needs another phrase. But, hey, I am old; and they do say the memory is the second thing to go. Not envying anyone's rig anymore (K1, K2, K3, KX3 in the shack); but I do wish I had one of them (any one!!) back then. Cheers, and Happy Thanksgiving to you folks in the US (hope you consulted with the turkey for his views on the whole business first). Alan VP1AS (then). V31FA (now) On Thu, Nov 23, 2017 at 12:52 PM, Carl Yaffey wrote: > Great poem, Wayne. But I have to say: life’s too short for QRP :) :) :). > Can’t hardly wait for my KPA1500! > > 73, K8NU > > > On Nov 23, 2017, at 1:34 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > > > marvwhee...@nwlink.com wrote: > > > >> Yes, high power will work but lacks the true joy found when you can log > the contact using a tin cup and a wet string. > > > > > > I couldn’t agree more, Marvin. QRP works on multiple levels > (challenging, amenable to home-brew, great for portable operation, etc.). > > > > My feelings on the subject are summarized in the poem below, written > over 20 years ago. Under the circumstances, it’s not even OT. > > > > Happy Thanksgiving to all. > > > > Wayne > > N6KR > > > > * * * > > > > > > Q.R.Oscar and Q.R.Pete > > by Wayne A. Burdick, N6KR > > > > It happened in September, on a cold and stormy day; > > The mother of all contests was now nearly underway. > > Before the day was over, ears from Bonn to Surinam > > Would hear a battle rage between two different breeds of Ham. > > > > Oscar, a distinguished man of wisdom (and of wattage), > > Lit his pipe and surveyed his substantial shortwave cottage. > > "Let the games begin!" he cried, aglow with pride and power; > > And with a grin he swung his twenty-ton rotating tower. > > > > Not far away a man named Pete crouched low inside a tent, > > His sleeping bag was soggy and his penlight made him squint, > > Yet as he worked he smiled, twisting wires, tweaking pots, > > And soon his rig was bristling with two hundred milliwatts. > > > > Just after zero, zero, zero, zero (UTC), > > Both men tuned up on twenty and they listened carefully, > > But neither could believe his ears, and both began to pray: > > On 14020 they heard "DE Zed-A-1-A". > > > > Now Oscar moved up five Kc with dignity and class; > > He gripped his paddle deftly and prepared to pound some brass. > > The heterodynes were screeching, hungry birds caged in a zoo, > > But he could snag Albania in one call--maybe two. > > > > Pete took quite a different tack. He scanned for open space, > > Listening to the bedlam with a frown upon his face; > > He tugged his random wire to improve its ERP, > > And finally he found a place to sign "slash QRP." > > > > Well Oscar's monster, fire-breathing signal was the best, > > But Zed-A-1-A knew him, and felt sorry for the rest. > > With this in mind he listened for the meager and the brave, > > And ignored the QRO boys (who began to rant and rave). > > > > Soon the DX station heard a wimpy "QRP"; > > He fired off a "599" and waited patiently. > > But Pete was eating trailmix, now, and feeling quite dejected; > > Being called by rare DX was not what he expected. > > > > Oscar heard the call and moved in closer for the kill, > > Yet when he thought his turn had come the Q-so lingered still: > > "So how much are you running?" "A quarter watt or less." > > "A homebrew rig?" "My own design, or mostly, I confess." > > "Well I'm a QRP fan, too; good attitude to foster," > > Then ZA1A signed and said, "OK, it's your turn, Oscar." > > > > On Sunday Pete packed up his gear, his low-watt mission done. > > (Birds who'd perched upon HIS wire would live to tell their young.) > > Pete surveyed the hills and fields, a wondrous sight to feast on; > > Then he stuffed himself into his trusty, rusty Nissan. > > > > And Oscar? He had ruled the night with clear, demonic vision; > > Slicing QRM with his unleashed atomic fission. > > But near the stroke of twelve, he cut his drive by two dB, > > Then worked some rare DX and said, "Not bad for QRP!” > > > > > > > > __ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:El
Re: [Elecraft] New to QRP
Great poem, Wayne. But I have to say: life’s too short for QRP :) :) :). Can’t hardly wait for my KPA1500! 73, K8NU > On Nov 23, 2017, at 1:34 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > marvwhee...@nwlink.com wrote: > >> Yes, high power will work but lacks the true joy found when you can log the >> contact using a tin cup and a wet string. > > > I couldn’t agree more, Marvin. QRP works on multiple levels (challenging, > amenable to home-brew, great for portable operation, etc.). > > My feelings on the subject are summarized in the poem below, written over 20 > years ago. Under the circumstances, it’s not even OT. > > Happy Thanksgiving to all. > > Wayne > N6KR > > * * * > > > Q.R.Oscar and Q.R.Pete > by Wayne A. Burdick, N6KR > > It happened in September, on a cold and stormy day; > The mother of all contests was now nearly underway. > Before the day was over, ears from Bonn to Surinam > Would hear a battle rage between two different breeds of Ham. > > Oscar, a distinguished man of wisdom (and of wattage), > Lit his pipe and surveyed his substantial shortwave cottage. > "Let the games begin!" he cried, aglow with pride and power; > And with a grin he swung his twenty-ton rotating tower. > > Not far away a man named Pete crouched low inside a tent, > His sleeping bag was soggy and his penlight made him squint, > Yet as he worked he smiled, twisting wires, tweaking pots, > And soon his rig was bristling with two hundred milliwatts. > > Just after zero, zero, zero, zero (UTC), > Both men tuned up on twenty and they listened carefully, > But neither could believe his ears, and both began to pray: > On 14020 they heard "DE Zed-A-1-A". > > Now Oscar moved up five Kc with dignity and class; > He gripped his paddle deftly and prepared to pound some brass. > The heterodynes were screeching, hungry birds caged in a zoo, > But he could snag Albania in one call--maybe two. > > Pete took quite a different tack. He scanned for open space, > Listening to the bedlam with a frown upon his face; > He tugged his random wire to improve its ERP, > And finally he found a place to sign "slash QRP." > > Well Oscar's monster, fire-breathing signal was the best, > But Zed-A-1-A knew him, and felt sorry for the rest. > With this in mind he listened for the meager and the brave, > And ignored the QRO boys (who began to rant and rave). > > Soon the DX station heard a wimpy "QRP"; > He fired off a "599" and waited patiently. > But Pete was eating trailmix, now, and feeling quite dejected; > Being called by rare DX was not what he expected. > > Oscar heard the call and moved in closer for the kill, > Yet when he thought his turn had come the Q-so lingered still: > "So how much are you running?" "A quarter watt or less." > "A homebrew rig?" "My own design, or mostly, I confess." > "Well I'm a QRP fan, too; good attitude to foster," > Then ZA1A signed and said, "OK, it's your turn, Oscar." > > On Sunday Pete packed up his gear, his low-watt mission done. > (Birds who'd perched upon HIS wire would live to tell their young.) > Pete surveyed the hills and fields, a wondrous sight to feast on; > Then he stuffed himself into his trusty, rusty Nissan. > > And Oscar? He had ruled the night with clear, demonic vision; > Slicing QRM with his unleashed atomic fission. > But near the stroke of twelve, he cut his drive by two dB, > Then worked some rare DX and said, "Not bad for QRP!” > > > > __ > 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 cyaf...@gmail.com Carl Yaffey K8NU Recording studio. cyaffeyno_s...@gmail.com 614 268 6353, Columbus OH http://www.carl-yaffey.com http://www.grassahol.com http://www.bluesswing.com __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] New to QRP
marvwhee...@nwlink.com wrote: > Yes, high power will work but lacks the true joy found when you can log the > contact using a tin cup and a wet string. I couldn’t agree more, Marvin. QRP works on multiple levels (challenging, amenable to home-brew, great for portable operation, etc.). My feelings on the subject are summarized in the poem below, written over 20 years ago. Under the circumstances, it’s not even OT. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Wayne N6KR * * * Q.R.Oscar and Q.R.Pete by Wayne A. Burdick, N6KR It happened in September, on a cold and stormy day; The mother of all contests was now nearly underway. Before the day was over, ears from Bonn to Surinam Would hear a battle rage between two different breeds of Ham. Oscar, a distinguished man of wisdom (and of wattage), Lit his pipe and surveyed his substantial shortwave cottage. "Let the games begin!" he cried, aglow with pride and power; And with a grin he swung his twenty-ton rotating tower. Not far away a man named Pete crouched low inside a tent, His sleeping bag was soggy and his penlight made him squint, Yet as he worked he smiled, twisting wires, tweaking pots, And soon his rig was bristling with two hundred milliwatts. Just after zero, zero, zero, zero (UTC), Both men tuned up on twenty and they listened carefully, But neither could believe his ears, and both began to pray: On 14020 they heard "DE Zed-A-1-A". Now Oscar moved up five Kc with dignity and class; He gripped his paddle deftly and prepared to pound some brass. The heterodynes were screeching, hungry birds caged in a zoo, But he could snag Albania in one call--maybe two. Pete took quite a different tack. He scanned for open space, Listening to the bedlam with a frown upon his face; He tugged his random wire to improve its ERP, And finally he found a place to sign "slash QRP." Well Oscar's monster, fire-breathing signal was the best, But Zed-A-1-A knew him, and felt sorry for the rest. With this in mind he listened for the meager and the brave, And ignored the QRO boys (who began to rant and rave). Soon the DX station heard a wimpy "QRP"; He fired off a "599" and waited patiently. But Pete was eating trailmix, now, and feeling quite dejected; Being called by rare DX was not what he expected. Oscar heard the call and moved in closer for the kill, Yet when he thought his turn had come the Q-so lingered still: "So how much are you running?" "A quarter watt or less." "A homebrew rig?" "My own design, or mostly, I confess." "Well I'm a QRP fan, too; good attitude to foster," Then ZA1A signed and said, "OK, it's your turn, Oscar." On Sunday Pete packed up his gear, his low-watt mission done. (Birds who'd perched upon HIS wire would live to tell their young.) Pete surveyed the hills and fields, a wondrous sight to feast on; Then he stuffed himself into his trusty, rusty Nissan. And Oscar? He had ruled the night with clear, demonic vision; Slicing QRM with his unleashed atomic fission. But near the stroke of twelve, he cut his drive by two dB, Then worked some rare DX and said, "Not bad for QRP!” __ 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
[Elecraft] New to QRP
Since becoming licensed in 1967 I have always had better than average antennas with ample power. Since I have become older (now 80) my wife and I have downsized and I now longer have a location suitable for a large antenna system and have had to resort to a vertical. At first I thought that was a bad thing. Then I ran across a used KX3 and after having used it for a short while I have again discovered the anxiety and joy of making a contact with 12 watts. I have discovered a lot of being able to work the station is technique rather than brute power. Yes, high power will work but lacks the true joy is found when you can log the contact using a tin cup and a wet string. __ 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
