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Author Topic: milliwatt QRP activity?  (Read 1386 times)

F8WBD

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Re: milliwatt QRP activity?
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2021, 12:26:32 AM »

For those interested in QRPp, I would suggest reading the blog of PA1B. Bert operates QRPp cw almost exclusively and is quite knowledgeable. The blog is in English and highly recommended.
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KA5NLY

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Re: milliwatt QRP activity?
« Reply #16 on: August 25, 2021, 10:13:39 PM »

Who here is experimenting with milliwatt QRP?

I've been transmitting milliwatt and sub-milliwatt WSPR signals from my Hermes Lite 2 SDR by generating low IQ signal levels with customized SDR code.  I then measure the Vpp of the Tx output into a dummy load with my oscilloscope to confirm the output wattage.

The WSPR format seems to not have an encoding for Tx levels below 0 dBm, so I have to annotate test signals below 1 mW in my Tx log.  So far, I regularly get multiple spots at 0 dBm.  But have limited success at -6 dBm and lower, getting only a few spots very occasionally, mostly from contest stations with monster antenna farms.  But I'm not only running mW QRP, but only using a simple wire (vertical) antenna.

The standard FT8 frequencies seem to be filled with more and more stations operating QRO and saturating the bandwidth.  Is there any organized separate FT8 wateringhole and day for experimenting with milliwatt QRP FT8?  Or enough interest to propose one?  For example, for CW, there's the NAQCC mW sprint on 12/16.

I plan to do some milliwatt & microwatt CW operating just for the challenge of it.  I picked up some HP Agilent 355B&D 120 dB step attenuators and a Boonton 42CD Microwattmeter ; using them I want to see how low I can go in power out and maintain a QSO over various distances and bands.  I plan to operate old fashioned QRP CW, rather that FT8 or other modes.  EuGene
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F8WBD

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Re: milliwatt QRP activity?
« Reply #17 on: August 29, 2021, 08:49:50 PM »

I occasionally run my Heath HW-8 rigs at milliwatt levels. Milliwatt being just a tad under one watt. CW of course. And, 2.2 watts is the max I can output anyway. Never made a milliwatt transatlantic contact though I am spotted on the RBN. I would do a lot more QRPp if a had a beam and a tower...which will never be.
72 GL
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KM1H

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Re: milliwatt QRP activity?
« Reply #18 on: September 05, 2021, 05:02:33 PM »

Sunspots are coming back, try for 10M DXCC during the ARRL 10M contest.
One superb contest opening a few cycles ago 100W worked 142 DXCC and WAZ; CW of course, FT8 wasnt around to destroy the fun back then.

K1JT himself has decried what has happened and had no intention of that..
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W4KYR

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Re: milliwatt QRP activity?
« Reply #19 on: September 06, 2021, 01:17:11 AM »

Sunspots are coming back, try for 10M DXCC during the ARRL 10M contest.
One superb contest opening a few cycles ago 100W worked 142 DXCC and WAZ; CW of course, FT8 wasnt around to destroy the fun back then.

K1JT himself has decried what has happened and had no intention of that..

You mean Joe Taylor regretted  FT8?  I wasn't aware of that
« Last Edit: September 06, 2021, 01:21:08 AM by W4KYR »
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