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"QRP for Beginners"
by Victor Brand G3JNB, QRPDXCC, G-QRP Master
(Notes from a presentation to Shefford & DRDS.)
G3JNB opened the evening by looking back fifty years to the first ISWL QRP Research Society, run by John Whitehead and his family from their home in Walton-on-Thames. An original copy of their QRP Magazine and associated memorabilia was passed round together with photographs.
The activities of the modern day G-QRP Club were discussed and copies of the magazine Sprat given to all thirty members present.
QRP activity world-wide is on the increase and new rigs such as the Yaesu FT817 and new QRP friendly modes such as PSK31, will ensure the continuing popularity of low power operation on both HF and VHF.
It was pointed out that QRP is a sure remedy for boredom with the hobby and the challenge to those with a full house of world prefixes to repeat the exercise, on five watts or less, is responsible for the recruitment of many of the older hands!
Virtually the total answer to TVI and BCI, desperate users have swiftly become ardent converts to the QRP cause.
SECRETS OF QRP
Among the secrets revealed by G3JNB, the most potent is the rule that it is wise to reveal your low power AFTER your report. Stations are amazed to find that a 5 watt signal still reads around S7 to the 100 watt S9!
As always, the aerial is everything, the other station's aerial! It is often overlooked that their stacked monobanders at 40 metres, looking straight at your dipole, are a big help to all concerned. They are frequently so pleased to work your 2 watts to their kilowatt, that they will chat away for ages and actually enjoy working at their receiver controls to maximise your report.
Call QRO stations who are looking for a contact. If you are not too worried about a realistic report, then do sign it <M3ZZZ QRP> (no forward slash) and be amazed how often proceedings are halted to bring in the station signing QRP. If a powerful station is very weak, then you are probably wasting your time, particularly if they are only interested in strong stations.
However, a weak station who has a poor aerial and has no takers, will probably hear better than he is transmitting. You will be surprised how often you QSO at 559/439, we have all become so accustomed to "5 and 9 OM"!
Of course, you need to work up a little skill at this type of operating. You must know your rig and its usable signal levels and a familiarity with your favourite band is a great asset. QRP is not really the ideal mode for total beginners. However, your operating skills will dramatically improve with CW or SSB QRP.
A point that you must keep in mind is that you cannot afford to have any losses in your ATU or aerial feeder. A ten percent loss in an auto-tuner is tenable when running QRO but out of the question at 2 watts.
Be sure that your signal is exactly on the frequency that your target station is listening on, not always exactly his own frequency. Zero on the station he has just worked as his IRT and filters will be there and your low power will be heard. Remember, you cannot blast your way through his system from off frequency.
Why use QRP? Because radio amateurs are human and humans need challenges! There is no need to go in for 'hard-core' QRP (200 milliwatts to a piece of damp string). At first, just turn down your power to 10 watts to get the fell of it all and then down again to 5 watts or less.
PRACTICAL QRP OPERATING
Operating on HF with 5 watts to a good dipole, you can expect to work Russia, all EU, and across the pond to the Americas once you have master the techniques.
Remember S7 at 5 watts is a good signal if local QRM/N is low. 1.5 watts CAN present S6 signal. But you must have an efficient station and good technique. No long rambling overs unless you have a solid path. Crisp calling and fast TX/RX are essential. On CW keep the speed down unless you are sure the other station is a fast operator and you are belting in with him!
Always work to maximise your power to the aerial. A good match is vital and although 1:1 SWR is desirable, a 'maximum smoke' RF field indicator is a boon.
Do not be afraid to call stations anywhere in the band. It is usually best to get your feet wet by working other enthusiasts on the dedicated QRP channels. There, the more experienced stations will love to assist your initial steps and they are MOST skilled in to weak signal operating.
QRP calling frequencies are listed in the Rad Com's annual UK RADIO AMATEUR BAND PLAN and in most of the operating handbooks. To get started in the EU area, go on 80 metres after dark on 3560 for CW and 3690 for SSB. If you are already into PSK31 you will be familiar with running a few watts to work South America, so you will be confident as you try the old fashioned modes. HI!
DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR & FORGET THAT YOU ARE ON QRP! It will bolster your confidence and you will come to expect a reply, although maybe after a few more calls than before.
KITS, COMMERCIALS and HOMEBREW
There have never been so many simple kits for the low power market. Just look at the advertising and you will see MFJ Cub, Kanga, Howes (from The QRP Component Co) and Walford all in the UK. From the USA a whole selection including the Oak Hills range and the already legendary K1 and K2 from Elcraft.
Most ham magazines regularly carry designs and instruction for homebrew QRP rigs and the required components are usually easily obtainable, if your junk box is too slim to cope. At these power levels, ugly construction is good and will not be noticed once inside a nice box.
Commercial rigs abound. The hot favourite is the Yaesu FT817. SGC's 2020 has a strong reputation as a big talk power SSB rig and the series of MFJ single banders are popular.
The used gear market offers the fine QRP Plus (V2 is best): the old time Ten-Tec range of Argosy and Argonaut transceivers are great starter rigs and the vintage HW7/8/9 series from Heathkit are still viable if now somewhat an acquired taste.
Books on QRP are legion. Just check the adverts and your Society bookshop listing. Mostly they are written in easy to follow terms but there are publications for the advanced technology types.
Join one of the international clubs you will find in the magazines. I have belonged to both of the British organisations, the original and the present day and outstanding G-QRP Club. You will find them all on the Web (see the SADARS link to G-QRP).
SO...JOIN IN. IT IS GREAT FUN, EASY TO DO. IT REALLY DOES WORK and IS GUARANTEED TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR YOUR PERSONAL 'RADIO' LIFE!
G3JNB/SADARS/APRIL2002 |
Victors talk on QRP
