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Author Topic: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.  (Read 1205 times)

N2RRA

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What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« on: March 25, 2021, 04:40:01 PM »

So what is QRP and why did I decide to write briefly about this topic?

Too many people are misinformed, or uneducated on the subject so let’s clarify a few things. When you buy that G90, G1M, Discovery TX500, Elecraft KX3, or any alike that’s capable of over 10watts it is NOT qrp. If you’re running 15-20 watts you are not QRP. I don’t think it’s cool to enter a contest as a QRP’er ripping off the guys that struggled actually running QRP weather to win a contest, or earn that QRP certificate. While the real QRP’er is working harder to boast about and be proud of making that difficult rare DX contact while you’re running 20watts doing the same is not something to be proud of.

I’ve been a ham for over 30 years and an avid hard core QRP’er and I had to have a number of QSO’s where I’ve had to debate with another what is QRP. I’ve been told that’s just my opinion, because CHINA calls their radios QRP radios. How asinine is that?

Here are a couple of links about QRP. One of them being a little history and story telling of how far back true QRP is rooted in this wonderful culture of ours. So please, think about the ethical and respectful aspect of QRP. Have a little dignity and moral value next time you’re running 20 watts claiming QRP.

This hobby is about having fun, but there are guidelines and fairness to all is what being an “Ambassador of Good Will” as an amateur radio operator is all about to one another. Besides! True QRP is challenging and challenges push’s you to becoming a better individual when you over come those challenges cause you earned it and you can wear that with a badge of honor and pride.

73!

https://www.n5dux.com/ham/files/pdf/QRP%20History%20-%20The%20Five-Watt%20QRP%20Movement%201968-1981.pdf

https://wd8rif.com/what_is_qrp.htm
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AG7BX

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2021, 04:43:18 PM »

Of course, just because a rig is capable of 20 watts, doesn't mean you have to run it at 20 watts...
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N6MST

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2021, 04:57:07 PM »

Of course, just because a rig is capable of 20 watts, doesn't mean you have to run it at 20 watts...
Came to say the same thing. Hell, my K1 will do 7 watts and by the OP's definition it's not a QRP radio! Apparently it doesn't matter that I run it at 1W  :-\
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WB8VLC

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2021, 05:01:17 PM »

Is that 5 watts qrp defined as power out of the transmitter or power at the antenna input?

What if you have that 10 watt radio and 3 db coax loss then that's 5 watts to the antenna.
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KA1VF

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2021, 05:12:26 PM »

I belong to a few online QRP clubs, and I’ve read that the proper definition of QRP is 5 watts max (CW) and 10 watts max (Phone).

              72, and take care
« Last Edit: March 25, 2021, 05:15:17 PM by KA1VF »
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KM1H

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2021, 05:49:35 PM »

Of course, just because a rig is capable of 20 watts, doesn't mean you have to run it at 20 watts...

Of course the OP knew that but just wanted to add to his post count.

I have used an OHR WM2 for close to 40 years, even with 100W rigs that I cranked way down to start with along with any number of low power rigs.
The only true 5W rigs Ive used were the Radio Kit QRP 80 to 15M series in the 80's which MFJ later copied.

One of my favorites is a 1939 Meissner Signal Shifter modified for the US Army along with their monster 150B TX. Fully overhauled and temperature compensated for VFO stability it is fun to use.
http://w3np.com/meissnerpage2.htm

I refuse to use crystals, the bane of too many QRPers who soon lose interest.

Carl
Ham since 1955
« Last Edit: March 25, 2021, 05:56:52 PM by KM1H »
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KM1H

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2021, 05:54:13 PM »

Quote
I belong to a few online QRP clubs, and I’ve read that the proper definition of QRP is 5 watts max (CW) and 10 watts max (Phone).

That "Phone" is so a 50-60's version when accurate and affordable wattmeters werent available yet.

Carl
Ham since 1955
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KX4OM

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2021, 05:58:26 PM »

I belong to a few online QRP clubs, and I’ve read that the proper definition of QRP is 5 watts max (CW) and 10 watts max (Phone).

              72, and take care
For contests, one needs to be sure about the PEP output power limit for QRP. The ARRL International DX Contest Rules (Version 1.03 – 12 Oct 2020) states in the Definitions and Glossary section:

"QRP: 5 watts PEP output or less"

However:

For QRP ARCI contests:

"QRP operation for QRP ARCI purposes is defined as operation with a transmitter power output equal to or less than 10 W PEP output for single-sideband or double-sideband phone (suppressed or full-carrier) and equal to or less than 5 W PEP output for other modes (e.g. CW, FM, AM, digital).

QRP ARCI awards and contests are based on these output levels."

www.qrparci.org/qrp-update

Ted, KX4OM
« Last Edit: March 25, 2021, 06:03:32 PM by KX4OM »
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KM1H

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2021, 06:03:04 PM »

Quote
"QRP operation for QRP ARCI purposes is defined as operation with a transmitter power output equal to or less than 10 W PEP output for single-sideband or double-sideband phone (suppressed or full-carrier) and equal to or less than 5 W PEP output for other modes

10 W PEP output for single-sideband or double-sideband phone (suppressed or full-carrier) sounds like AM DSB with full carrier to me

Carl
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K6AER

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2021, 06:16:54 PM »

QRP is an operational output level.

Before you QRP operators get to proud making your WAS at 5 watts please give credit to all the stations you worked who bought good transceivers, located their stations in low noise areas and spent big bucks putting up efficient antennas to hear your puny signal and then bought amplifier so you could hear their signal with your minimalist, endfed wire, tossed over the tree.

Coming out of the last sun spot cycle I contend 100 watts to be QRP.
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WA6BJH

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #10 on: March 25, 2021, 06:59:43 PM »

K6AER is absolutely correct!  Many years ago I used less than one watt and a long wire to work stations in Japan on 15 meters.  I always thought how good their stations must be.
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W1VT

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2021, 07:15:35 PM »

I remember it took years to find a Japanese station running 5 watts for my two way QRP Worked All Continents.

Africa was easy because I was able to work Med 7X4AN several times when he ran his Argonaut 509 barefoot.   :)

Zak W1VT
« Last Edit: March 25, 2021, 07:19:30 PM by W1VT »
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N6MST

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #12 on: March 25, 2021, 08:44:11 PM »

Before you QRP operators get to proud making your WAS at 5 watts please give credit to all the stations you worked who bought good transceivers, located their stations in low noise areas and spent big bucks putting up efficient antennas to hear your puny signal

Yeah, you guys better not participate in a hobby the way you want and actually ENJOY it!
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AG7BX

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2021, 07:16:09 AM »

QRP is an operational output level.

Before you QRP operators get to proud making your WAS at 5 watts please give credit to all the stations you worked who bought good transceivers, located their stations in low noise areas and spent big bucks putting up efficient antennas to hear your puny signal and then bought amplifier so you could hear their signal with your minimalist, endfed wire, tossed over the tree.

Coming out of the last sun spot cycle I contend 100 watts to be QRP.

On the other hand, imagine how much easier it would be to have two way qrp contacts without the noise and splatter created by people unnecessarily running thousands of watts...
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N2RRA

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Re: What is QRP? Is a 20watt rig QRP? NO, it’s not.
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2021, 07:31:44 AM »

QRP is an operational output level.

Before you QRP operators get to proud making your WAS at 5 watts please give credit to all the stations you worked who bought good transceivers, located their stations in low noise areas and spent big bucks putting up efficient antennas to hear your puny signal and then bought amplifier so you could hear their signal with your minimalist, endfed wire, tossed over the tree.

Coming out of the last sun spot cycle I contend 100 watts to be QRP.

There’s always a jerk in the bunch. Spare me the sarcasm. That’s what ruins the hobby.

The last few years in this “poor” solar cycle running QRP I’ve been able to work many DXpeditions and all over the world breaking pile ups to work those stations. I spent the entire 2019 year strictly QRP 24/7 7days a week 365 days of the entire 2019 year period and I managed to work the world and documented it taking video. Grant it, not easy to do and difficult indeed, but choosing the right antenna systems and working portable in the right locations was a strategic move and it paid off. Sometimes I get them in the first call, maybe third and sometimes the 15th call, but contact was made.

Weather I was running 5watts from my Yeasu FT817, or running 100 watts using the same exact antenna system the only difference was a weaker signal, but that’s a choice. Had nothing to do with only specifically the antenna systems the DX was using. Had everything to do with the antenna systems I put up. That’s running a yagi, or my EFHW. Where and how you install your antennas properly is all part of the game.

Anyway, every QRP’er has every right to be proud of running, enjoying and experimenting with QRP and being successful at it while those who like everything easy and dull continue to use their 100watts.

73
« Last Edit: March 26, 2021, 07:34:13 AM by N2RRA »
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