POTA/QRP = Hard Mode and Im here for it. The challenge in operating POTA with only 5w (on 10m) is immense and therefore so are the rewards. I wont stop using QRP when calling an activator as a Hunter but I rarely use it as an activator for similar reasons to those you stated, I love hearing the Hunter's amazement when I tell them the power I am running in the park. Thanks for having a discussion about standard use of suffixes like this. This was enlightening for me and I hope it is for others as well. POTA ON!
Speaking personally as an M7 who is sometimes accused of using more than licensed power (not true I patiently wait for and hunt favorable conditions and have refined my antenna tuning and audio for efficiency) I sometimes use QRP to emphasize that I am running 10 or less watts. Far more "annoying" for me are the stations that automatically run 100 or 400 watts even when conditions are favorable, thus swamping everyone else. Just sayin ;-) .
Hi John.. I'm also 100% QRP foundation licence holder, and have great success with 5W or less. It's what I really enjoy doing, and it's the best way of learning about propagation, optimising antenna set ups, searching out good locations to operate from, developing good.operating skills and so on. Absolutely love it. 73 and best wishes, M3KXZ
@@hfvhf987 It tells those who know how UK callsigns work. If you just got your Technician License in America and can use 200W on 10 metres, or 1500W on VHF, you may not know that.
@hfvhf987 read the bit about occasionally being accused of running more power. That's the nature of propagation - sometimes you can sound next door even with 10 or less Watts. 73
Ok, I’m guilty. And usually only emphasize when I’m trying to reach DX with QRP, and I can’t compete with a Yagi at 1KW. I can only hope the guy can just make my QRP out in the mud and he gives me a shout “QRP station first” so yeah, that’s why I do it. It has worked at times during an impossible pileup. 73
The other issue with with QRP are the ops who fail recognize the antenna system of the station they worked that pulled their weak signal out of the mud. Most QRPers should give thanks for the patience and set up of the station they work.
I'm a QRPer. I totally agree. I don't add /QRP. I don't want pity contacts, I don't want to cut the line in a pile-up. I just want to make a contact like everyone else and get an honest signal report. It's more rewarding for me to break through a pile-up when I just send my callsign like everyone else. QRP for CW is always 5W. For SSB, there's a lot of debate about whether it is 5W or 10W. However, most contest rules say it's 5W.
This is a bit unfair to SSB, because the difference in signal strength needed is more than 2S, 13-16 dB. That is approx. 10x (!!!) more. But if applied, IC-7300 would be QRP rig and taking 4 kg rig up to the summit is really not what I want :D (Here in Central Europe, 100 W is called "italian QRP", why? yesterday I got -6 report from I station I sent +23 report and IC-705 was overloading.)
Everyone has there own way of enjoying the hobby, I don't ever think pity or sympathy is on peo0les minds when on the radio just look any contest pile-up its dog eat dog.
I'm primarily a QRP op and I couldn't agree more with you, Cal. Well-said. In my opinion, the way VK3YE, Peter, operates in his videos is a prime example of what QRP ops should do, and it's just as you describe. Use your skill and optimized station to make the contact with low power, and after that, if you want to describe your station and/or power, go for it. QRP ops should never expect special treatment or priority simply for being QRP. Respect and prioritization in the pileup is by through skilled operating , patience and respect for other operators, and effective communication.
Stolen from the G-QRP club website: In 1974 the power levels to qualify for QRP was three Watts input. In the mid 1980's, by general agreement throughout the world, the power level of five Watts output (for CW) became the acceptable limit. Note, this level is at the transmitter, NOT at the antenna! For SSB 10 Watts PEP is regarded as QRP.
And another thing! ..... A lot of QRPers seem to pat themselves on the back when they work a station "Didn't I do well?" Er, no. You chose to run QRP to deliberately make your signal weaker. All the heavy lifting was done by the other station. He deserves the pat on the back for receiving you. It's a lot easier to run low power than it is to hear a station running low power. I'm also 'amused' by some reports given out. If most stations running say 100W are 9 + 20, don't be amazed if a station running 5 watts is also over S9. It's not a miracle. 5W is 13 dB down on 100W. So if you would have been 9 + 20 on 100W, you'll still be S9+7 dB on 5W..... I have on occasion dropped my power to the same level as the QRP station I'm working claims to be running. And .... they can't hear me. Go figure......
Perfect on the maths! When I hear a DX station and he's genuinely S2 with QSB and I listen for 10 minutes to the pile up, you will periodically hear the station say "Yes, genuine 59" in which case, I don't have a hope. I need to wait until his signal comes up to at least S7.
I disagree with your "all the heavy lifting". Most times there's no heavy lifting involved, and if the op feels the lifting is too heavy for them they are not obliged to do it. It's down to both ops to make the QSO and I appreciate every single one.
I’m a bit on the fence with this one. As someone who operates with a 10W max radio and a speaker-wire antenna I, more often than not, find it a daunting challenge to overcome what seems like broadcast-class stations with monster Hex Beam antennas who cause the neighborhood’s lights to dim when they key up the mic. On the other hand, more modest stations have to compete with those very same stations as well, waiting in line like the rest of us. Maybe we can learn a lesson here from the world of sports or boxing where distinctions are made by male/female and weight classes. Like someone mentioned in another comment, set aside some time as the CQ station to give everyone out there what YOU think might be a fair chance at achieving QSO.
Erm.. You haven't gopt the wrong end of the stick on this one? I don't care if you are 1W or 1,000W - it's the sympathy vote and the demands that the whole world shout stop because some geezer is on 2W or something. That's his choice, don't blame me for it! (Not you, it's just the debate about how THEY like to be treated).
On the other hand as (more often than not) a QRP operator I am sometimes grateful that the DX station I am having a QSO with has a powerful beam antenna.
According to many, including the RSGB, QRP is up to 5W on CW and up to 10W on SSB. Btw, I rarely hear any SES or contest station ask for QRP stations. I think there are much worse practices than adding QRP to Your callsign for the initial call. What about those who only shout their suffix in a pileup, or those, who tune on a pileup?
Nailed it there, Callum. As someone who operates at QRP levels most of the time, I never add /QRP to my callsign. Why would I? You don't add /QRO to yours... I'll quite happily exchange information about power levels etc once I've received a signal report. I do wish people would stop shouting QRP , like it's some sort of blue badge. Throw your full callsign out there, without any silly add-ons, and enjoy the fishing. That's what it's all about. The generally accepted absolute maximum power levels for QRP are 5W CW and 10W SSB although most of us will use less, particularly on CW.
As someone who runs QRP often, I could not agree more. Making QRP SSB voice contacts is rewarding and the cherry on top is the reaction on the other side when I tell them I am only running 5 watts. And a big "Thank you" to those ops who, while working their own pileup, will occasionally ask for QRP stations only.
Before becoming a licensed amateur operator I was a listener (SWL) using a Par End-Fedz SWL wire antenna thrown up in a tall cottonwood tree with a proper ground in eastern Washington state. I heard a stateside operator communicating with someone who had a definite brogue. The stateside chap asked the other what his QTH was and he was calling from Ireland! He was running only 12 watts. I was duly impressed. That was 10 years ago, the previous sun cycle peak. I velieve that overheard call contributed to my desire to join this great hobby and all you amateur operators out there.
I go with GQRP rule that CW QRP is 5W or less. I frequently operate QRP. Although I never add /QRP to my call sign, I do sometimes add QRP at the end of a CQ so that other stations know I am QRP. This lets fellow QRP ops know I am QRP. Also, it lets other (e.g. QRO) stations know I am QRP and that my signals may be more prone to fading. It may even allow QRO stations revulsed or simply bemused at the concept of QRP from being "hoodwinked" into having a QSO with a QRP station 😂.
There’s some validity to this whole discussion, sure, but the way I see it, at the heart of the QRP movement and spirit is experimentation (of various flavors) and portability (operating in the outdoors, in unique locations and with setups that make the most of a given situation)-both of which should no doubt be celebrated in amateur radio. I think it’s valid to let people know that you’re doing the thing.
I concur. I love low power, but I don't feel the need to say "QRP" when calling. I used to tell them how much power I'm using after giving my report, but I don't even do that any more. It is irrelevant.
Use /P when portable. Usually QRP :) /P at legal limit that would be impressive! When it comes to SSB I think 10W goes as QRP. Data or CW it's 5W definitely. Have no problem activating parks on FT8 with 2W.
@@N2YTA penalty of using SSB is somewhere around 12-18 dB, so technically, SSB QRP would be 100 W :D With 10 W you are still in severe disadvantage against 5 W CW. (And of course, if 5 W is CW QRP, FT8 should be far less than that - detection limit is 24 dB under noise level, CW is approx. at noise level. So it is not like one value fits all if you would like to have really comparable results, that means QRP definition based on SNR.)
I’m a QRP as my rig is a mcHF portable 5W. The novelty for me with QRP is making contact without them knowing.. What I really want to do is use a spineless DXC hung up a tree in a cage antenna configuration.. the ultimate portable QRP antenna..
Your second line makes this for me.. I have sometimes had the socks blown off me when I find out they are on 3W and got a better signal than the fella with a crappy piece of wire on 100W!
QRP has (sadly) become a "listen to me because I'm special" card that is supposed to magically put you at the front of the line. I agree Cal, let the station know your QRP AFTER he acknowledges you. Yes, real QRP is in mw. 73 OM
I'm with you. Re UK stations specifically, if the Ofcom proposals go through (section 4.32 of the proposal) then operators will be allowed to use /QRP if they want, in fact they could use /KEBAB if they wanted whilst having a QSO getting their Saturday night takeaway. I still won't use /QRP though for reasons you mentioned and others like screwing up log matching in LotW etc.
Agreed with most all except here we generally accept 10w SSB and 5w CW as QRP.. Only thing worse is calling Park to Park constantly but with no call sign.
I did the same a few weeks ago while portable, proper embarrassing, suffice to say i wont do it again although it does work a treat..Thanks for hitting the nail on the head.
Kind of inclined to agree Callum. While I'm not overly bothered if they say QRP on the initial call to try to break the pile-up (and I might even be inclined to give them a crack if I hear a QRP station), it does really wind me up if they continue to use QRP after they've broken the pile-up. Either way, I DON'T log them with the QRP suffix. I only log their callsign. As for stations shouting "QRP, QRP, QRP" without giving a callsign or only giving a partial callsign (another one of my pet hates), they tend to get ignored. As for what constitutes QRP, that's another debate that rages on! I was always told that "10 watts or less" is considered QRP, although I occasionally hear people say 5 watts or less. Like you, I have absolutely zero time for people who claim to be QRP but they are actually running 20 watts or more. I guess we all have our own ideas!!!
I work QRP but never, every say "callsign/QRP..." I never ever call CQ callsign/QRP. When I am trying to call a station that is calling CQ I just give my call sign and then add QRP to let the station know that I may be weak, but only because I am using only 5 watts. I do not add QRP to my call sign after they reply. Many times in a contest, or a during a rare opening, the station calling CQ will give a bit of priority to mobile, portable, or QRP stations. I see nothing wrong in that... Why just take the stations with a tall tower, huge Yagi and running a kilowatt or more. Some of us can't afford to do that, or just like the thrill of seeing what we can do with a modest antenna and 5 watts.
QRP is what I run 95% of the time. CW is 5w and SSB is 10w. I normally will let the operator know my power once a qso has been in progress as well as my antenna setup for the flavour of the day.
The RSGB define QRP as "QRP is a way of operating that involves using low power transmitters, that are no more than 5 Watts for Morse or data modes, or 10 Watts pep for voice." In addition the proposed amendments of Ofcom do include a clause that any added suffix will be allowed including /QRP etc.
I also agree that stating QRP too much is a poor practice and then trying to break into a pileup getting your callsign heard is more important than what power you are using.
Maybe they're taking it in the literal form, of reduced power. If they have a 100w radio, and they're on 25w low power mode. Technically they could conceive that they're doing QRP. Q codes and using them as a non-standard prefix is a bit like giving someone a report including your radio setup details but omitting your antenna information.
I have a icom 703 QRP radio. Wouldn’t swap it for any radio, but will do 10w that I use mobile. So doing 10w out of the set, with extra long coax loss, much less at the feed. I think that deserves QRP recognition for DX. I am only mobile, and the antenna is located purposely at the rear of my van roof. I park facing the way I want to propagate, getting up to 5s points from sides to bonnet. A mobile Yagi! I also once copied the same USA station, in 3 countries, Scotland Wales and England, and each occasion got a pattern going down from 10w to 1w to him on the set. Less at the feed.
Agree. Just send your call and work stations as you are able. If you’re weak because you’re QRP no point in making it harder for the other guy to copy you by adding bunch of extra stuff to your call. I’ll put “qrp” in my POTA spot to let hunters know they may looking for a somewhat weaker signal, but I don’t use it on-air. Besides 5 watts CW does just as well as 100 watts phone, maybe even better.
I am almost exactly the same age as you Callum, it is reassuring to see that I am not the only one afflicted by grumpiness. More seriously in poor conditions the suffix does nearly double the length of their callsign.
The FT-818ND mode of operation running portable on internal Eneloop AA cells (~2 watts transmission) and decked out with the filters and such is like the pinnacle of radio. Speaking of cheating, I view digital DXing in the same light. Sure, it's a great tool in the box should the need arise, but it isn't nearly as satisfying as SSB or CW.
What I like to do, once I'm in a QSO and assuming that the reports are decent at 100 watts, is suggest that we both reduce our power to 5 watts and see how we do. The other day, I was chatting to an LZ2 station on 10 metres and we both reported S9+20 to 40, so we tried 5 watts both ways, and continued with S9+5 to 10. Neither of us had the preamp on. I find this highly entertaining. 😁
/qrp behind the call is like angling or begging for a contact. If the qrp doesn't work, due to the weak propagation, just increase the power or use better antennas. I've noticed that some stations, pretending to be qrp, have a signal, too high and are too loud.
How can you assess someone's signal as being too high or too loud for QRP and therefore conclude they are pretending to be QRP? I am 100% QRP, running 5W or less of CW, and pretty regularly put a comparable or stronger signal than into VK and ZL from my operating locations in the UK than many QRO stations. I've also worked QRP ops in VK and ZL who are stronger here than QRO ops. There are so many variables contributing to signal strength, probably the most important being the propagation path. A couple of weeks back while working ZL3XDJ, Brian swapped to his QCX rig and I backed power down to 1W from 5W and we were still stronger signals to each other than many QRO ops on the band. I think if there's a local op who you receive via groundwave then certainly you can tell what sort of power might be in use, but once the ionosphere is involved then I'm not so sure. 73 M3KXZ
What I laugh about more often when I hear stations saying QRP, but when they are asked what power they have, they say stuff like 300W 😂. How in the world is that QRP ? Maybe compared to those with 1KW output yes... but they must stop using QRP for sure. I am always QRP and I rarely rarely say QRP... usually when asked only. 73, YO6DXE.
5 watts QRP?? That's QRO!!! I don't tell anyone I am QRP until the end if they ASK. And just yelling "QRP!" With NO CALLSIGN will get you on the "never log you" list. Thanks for the hard work!!! 73! de KE5ES
Exactly! I have SO MUCH respect for the guy that waits patiently, times his call right when the QSB pops it's head down - then tell me they are 2 Watts or something.. That is skill.
I just got a G90 last weekend. My first contact with it was from Michigan to New York on 1 watt... Granted, I didn't know I was only 1 watt at the time LOL. I don't mind stations calling CQ mentioning that they're QRP. If its a marginal signal quality and I am just barely hearing them, I may go for it if I know they're QRP, but otherwise might not spend the time if I assume they're running 100 or more watts and I can barely hear them.
I've hunted a POTA entity at least once every day this year at 10w or less SSB, and very rarely add QRP to my call. Especially after I heard a fellow club member using it while QRO just to bust pileups. It takes some time and patience to bust a pileup, and I agree is more satisfying to me letting the activator know after my signal report what wattage I'm running! Propagation has been favorable lately, so I've turned my 991 down to 5w since 01 OCT and will try to finish the last QTR at that level. I know there's not a special QRP Bailey-Sprott award, I just do it because I like to Ham Harder! 73, KN8PPY
I use CW mode only and 5 watts or less QRP. Cal I agree with you 100? I mean who cares if you are running 5 watts or less, just put in your own log that you made such and such contact with 4 watts or whatever for your own records to look back on and to tell yourself that is a good achievement, no one else cares and rightly so, and yes shouting QRP when answering a CQ is just what you said a sympathy request. A lot of times a QRP signal is just as strong as a 100 watt signal.
I'm a relatively new on HF and I used QRP with my 5W rig because I've heard other people on air use it and lots of Ytubers too.When I was studying for my exam I learned that Q signs are used mostly by CW operators, yet I hear QRZ, QSL QRT on voice al the time...
I was told that my Foundation in VK (at my Foundation course) was 10w, not 5w or 20w. Compared to the US, our current 400w max seems like QRP anyway so maybe QRP here is really 400w!🤠🇦🇺
Great video. Aside - amazes me there are folks out there on FT8 or experimenting with WSPR that actually advertise the fact they are on 1kW !! On something that is supposed to be QRP! Never get that. I have played with
Great words Callum. I agree. I run a ft817 5w and by the time the power is out of the end of the antenna it's probably like 3w. I use QRP, sometime when people hear me they will say hold on just the QRP then I will probably get a 3-5 or 4-5 lol😂 i dont continue to use qrp after ive made contact. Great work 73
To solve all of these issues I wish, not that it would ever happen, the bands were divided by allowed power output. That way those who wish to run legal limit every time they turn their radio on could do so to each other. That actually goes against the rules in the US if I'm not mistaken. Also those that wish to run very low power could enjoy a much quieter band during operation.
No worries. Just in good fun. It sounded sort of like you were speaking another langue for a little bit there. Honestly, I was caught off guard and entertained by it, not thinking anything less of you or meaning to be condescending or anything like that. It is difficult to convey the meaning behind words in text format sometimes. Cheers.
Didn’t QRP start out in the 1960’s as anything under 100 watts. Qrp radios were for sale in the 70’s or 80’s like the Yaesu FT-7 which was marked as a qrp radio with 70 watts. Then it was later suggested qrp should be 5watts cw or 10watts ssb. Unless this is a DXcommandment I’ll probably still use qrp occasionally thanks Cal. Great customer service by the way 10/10 couldn’t ask for more on that front.
Yes, you are right - but when you are calling me and shouting QRP QRP, I might as well let you know why I'm not responding to you because I need a callsign!
Sometimes I will say qrp qrp in the hope station will hear me,in UK you should NOT sign /qrp just callsign qrp.and yes it's 5 watts CW and 10 watts ssb,and usually Callum it's the rx'ing stations antenna that makes the QSO possible!!!
When youre mobile, with limited battery life. You need to get the contact logged and spin the dial. Let the OM with QRO and the comfy chair connected to mains work the pileup at his leisure.
If I'm in a park, I'll always put park to park stations first. I rarely hear the QRP tag, most hunters are at home and running 100w or a linear. Must not be a VK thing.
Lot's of things fascinate me about this new to me hobby, QRP(voice) definitely is one of them, harking back to the 80's when as a teenager I made a couple of dx contacts accidentally on the devils band (c b) with around 5w. Had my foundation just over a week and I'm not set up for HF as yet, but when I do I'm determined to make contact with you on one of your streams. Just want to thank you for putting out calls for M7's only to give us new users a chance on 10w. (Not QRP I know) Thanks for being around 23% responsible for getting me on the air! Bex, M7EZS
@@DXCommanderHQ I thought I'd give CB a go for the first time in 35 years earlier in summer, started watching Lewis (Ringway) and he introduced me to the foundation license (I didn't know it even existed) so he's 7%. The 70% belongs to my friend Paul (M0GET) he's a radio warrior, determined to get people into the hobby, ham or CB, and works tirelessly to encourage local nets, on 2m and 11m. He promotes the mental health benefits of being able to talk. I love your curiosity and experimentation, I am following the same path when it comes to home brewing things that are a bit out of the ordinary just to see how they work. I'm on the ASD spectrum too, perhaps that's what leads to this commonality. Anyhoo, ludicrously long post, apologies and thank you again for demystifing many aspects in a way that is easy to understand. Bex M7EZS
Well I’m going to go against the grain here, I run QRP when out and about. I’m not after sympathy vote either and most of my friends like me run 5 watts as we are limited by battery power and the fun of achieving any contacts. I think you’ve made a few assumptions Callum. Good operators give us a chance by asking for QRP stations as quite obviously they are drowned out by the 100 plus watt users. Conditions vary and as you cannot hear how good you are being received I don’t take offence when operators say QRP as that maybe an indicator of them being a more difficult copy. One of the great things about this hobby is that it caters for many, high power, low power, mobile and those perched on a windy hilltop. Regards Mike
I got my license in 1963. "QRP?" meant "shall I reduce power". Without the question mark it meant "reduce power (please)" (which, particularly, net control might ask of you). It didn't mean any particular power level. When some contests started introducing classes or bonuses the each defined their own power limit to qualify. And what power category you were in was rarely part of the exchange (and wasn't typically sent by saying "QRP". And on phone there was no reason to say it anyway since you could easily say "I'm low power" or "I'm running12 watts", unless conditions were so bad that you were resorting to phonetics ("Quebec Radio Papa"). Largely, Q signals are for CW, or for RTTY if you can't type well. While I disagree that "QRP" means 5W, I do agree that most folks today will assume you mean 5W. But I wholeheartedly agree that it has no place in responding to a CQ. You are either heard or not. Saying "QRP" just wastes air time. And I don't think that the CQer should reward this behavior. If you feel kindly toward those with limited power then occasionally say "CQ low power stations only", but realize that not everyone who answers will be running less than a kilowatt (particularly on CW where they may not have copied your specification). If you really feel the need to tell others that you are running low power, yes, do it later. And on CW, Tom, K4SWL has a way to do it that only takes one extra dit time, by sending 72 instead of 73. If there's a pile up to be worked, don't waste air time saying, in effect, "I'm more deserving".
Well I don't SHOUT OUT QRP. But I included it in my call when working HF. A good opt with a pile up. Will call for QRP, Mobiles and Portable stations about every 15-20 minutes. I like working harder stations. You know 1/1 or 2/2 in the dirt.
No pity for someone calling QRP. If I hear you, I'll work you. It's that simple. Chirping "QRP" makes me want to ignore you, rather than contacting me on the merits of your skill and radio system.
When I work ft8 I like to sometimes use 5 watts or less and I am surprised to see my signal reported on psk reporter thousands of miles away. It is fun to make those very low power contacts.
I don't want pity but call QRP at 10w cause trying to get anywhere with 100w plus others is tough. Taken 3 days to get some people, found people to be happy with the QRP
Take that cranky gatekeeping crap to 80M and cry about it there. If I have to put my 5W up against your amp then I'm gonna say whatever I think will get the other operators attention. If you don't like it then spin the dial. This is a hobby I participate in for my own enjoyment and entertainment. You can complain if I break the rules, but as long as I'm following the rules, you don't get to dictate my operating style. Don't like it? Spin the dial.
Used correctly someone shouting QRP at you is a request for YOU to reduce power! After all the licence says you should not use any more power than required to make the contact. .... 73 Ed
The history has already shown the purpose of QRP. It's all about establishing communication between a smal group and a base like "man cub and papa bear". The law of conservation of energy stays on charge. If you want to transmit with low power you want to communicate with well developed receiving station. It can be advanced to many developed receiving stations to restore your weak signal by comparing their records. Yes, weak signals are hard to read. QRPer shouldn't torture other hams with his "heroic" attempts to whisper under pile up/strong QRN confitions. It's all under DX command. If he wants to make a QSO with QRP station then he asks them to call him while QRXing the rest of spotters, but if he doesn't want to ... "would you be so kind to find another DX" or like this.
A station doesn't have to answer a QRP station if he finds it difficult to copy him. It's their choice. I've worked fellow QRP'ers a few times on c.w. with a 2.3.9. report each way but most are stronger than that, but if both stations are agreeable then a QSO takes place. G4GHB.
Most HF nets on this side of the pond ask for QRP,LP, Mobiles at the beginning of the net. Maybe a call for at least QRP/LP at say, top of the hour might help. What would help is for QRP/LP stations to speak in a slow, clear fashion. Not talk as on a cell. POTA is not a contest in a sense of a restricted period of time. Speed is important. Accuracy is Paramont!
I have a Xiegu G90 only 20 watts and while it's not 5 watts it's still not 100 or 1000 and I never say qrp and I make qsos from Michigan to Russia! I agree shock me after you make a qso!
Hmmm, I guess I don't fully agree. Every contact I made in the past 5 years is portable, yet I do not announce as such. I also (recently) run QRP 5 watts . My take on this is during gray line and other times with changing propagation, and if I say QRP, that is me saying I might not be able to be heard with the hams running 1500 watts all over the top of my call. It is often said that QRP is like fishing and I just changed my lure to make my contact more attractive to the fishes. Just one more contact in the logbook. N6WJA/7/PORTABLE/QRP. 73 Callum.
Yes qrp is less than 5watt and don't say you are doing qrp and using 25 watt😔 the same is if your using 1 kw. 1 kw why? If you want to use 1 kw Become a Dj at your local radiostation
I will give my call and qrp if the dx station I am trying to work is fading. It is in hope that the op will pick me out before I am unable to work them. If the dx station is strong and holding, I will just give my call sign without announcing I am qrp.
some say that on SSB, QRP is 10w or less....unless you're an M3/6/7 in the UK.....then it's nothing less than 100w and they just lie to their fello operators when asked.
Always makes me laugh when people are shouting /QRP /QRP in my pileup and say they're only using 10/20W, yet I'm only putting out about 4W and they give me 59.
POTA/QRP = Hard Mode and Im here for it. The challenge in operating POTA with only 5w (on 10m) is immense and therefore so are the rewards. I wont stop using QRP when calling an activator as a Hunter but I rarely use it as an activator for similar reasons to those you stated, I love hearing the Hunter's amazement when I tell them the power I am running in the park. Thanks for having a discussion about standard use of suffixes like this. This was enlightening for me and I hope it is for others as well. POTA ON!
Totally agree Cal. A good operator running a pile up could always ask."Any foundation licence holders or QRP stations like to call?"
Yeah.. I do that quite often.. AFter all, I was WAS that 10W guy once..
Speaking personally as an M7 who is sometimes accused of using more than licensed power (not true I patiently wait for and hunt favorable conditions and have refined my antenna tuning and audio for efficiency) I sometimes use QRP to emphasize that I am running 10 or less watts. Far more "annoying" for me are the stations that automatically run 100 or 400 watts even when conditions are favorable, thus swamping everyone else. Just sayin ;-) .
Hi John.. I'm also 100% QRP foundation licence holder, and have great success with 5W or less. It's what I really enjoy doing, and it's the best way of learning about propagation, optimising antenna set ups, searching out good locations to operate from, developing good.operating skills and so on. Absolutely love it.
73 and best wishes, M3KXZ
You don't need to say it. Being an M7 tells us you're QRP!
@@hfvhf987 It tells those who know how UK callsigns work. If you just got your Technician License in America and can use 200W on 10 metres, or 1500W on VHF, you may not know that.
@hfvhf987 read the bit about occasionally being accused of running more power. That's the nature of propagation - sometimes you can sound next door even with 10 or less Watts. 73
Completely true, g stn the other day running 350w ssb 40m to talk to his mate just down the road.
Ok, I’m guilty. And usually only emphasize when I’m trying to reach DX with QRP, and I can’t compete with a Yagi at 1KW. I can only hope the guy can just make my QRP out in the mud and he gives me a shout “QRP station first” so yeah, that’s why I do it. It has worked at times during an impossible pileup. 73
We'll let you off - it the guy on 40m 200 miles away who does it..!
@@DXCommanderHQAll DX Commander owners shall get unlimited QRP callouts. 😂
The other issue with with QRP are the ops who fail recognize the antenna system of the station they worked that pulled their weak signal out of the mud. Most QRPers should give thanks for the patience and set up of the station they work.
are you serious?
a small car on the highway should go on it's knees and they thanks that the big car is willing to accept him on the highway as well?
Other way round I think, praise to the qrp,er for having a good ant to get contacts with low power.
I'm a QRPer. I totally agree. I don't add /QRP. I don't want pity contacts, I don't want to cut the line in a pile-up. I just want to make a contact like everyone else and get an honest signal report. It's more rewarding for me to break through a pile-up when I just send my callsign like everyone else.
QRP for CW is always 5W. For SSB, there's a lot of debate about whether it is 5W or 10W. However, most contest rules say it's 5W.
Beautiful!
My QRP rig is 6W. Am I a QRP-er? :)
This is a bit unfair to SSB, because the difference in signal strength needed is more than 2S, 13-16 dB. That is approx. 10x (!!!) more. But if applied, IC-7300 would be QRP rig and taking 4 kg rig up to the summit is really not what I want :D
(Here in Central Europe, 100 W is called "italian QRP", why? yesterday I got -6 report from I station I sent +23 report and IC-705 was overloading.)
would love to have an Italian amp :)@@tulenik71
Everyone has there own way of enjoying the hobby, I don't ever think pity or sympathy is on peo0les minds when on the radio just look any contest pile-up its dog eat dog.
I'm primarily a QRP op and I couldn't agree more with you, Cal. Well-said. In my opinion, the way VK3YE, Peter, operates in his videos is a prime example of what QRP ops should do, and it's just as you describe. Use your skill and optimized station to make the contact with low power, and after that, if you want to describe your station and/or power, go for it. QRP ops should never expect special treatment or priority simply for being QRP. Respect and prioritization in the pileup is by through skilled operating , patience and respect for other operators, and effective communication.
Patience and Respect (and experience). First class..!
Stolen from the G-QRP club website: In 1974 the power levels to qualify for QRP was three Watts input. In the mid 1980's, by general agreement throughout the world, the power level of five Watts output (for CW) became the acceptable limit. Note, this level is at the transmitter, NOT at the antenna! For SSB 10 Watts PEP is regarded as QRP.
Interesting!
And another thing! ..... A lot of QRPers seem to pat themselves on the back when they work a station "Didn't I do well?" Er, no. You chose to run QRP to deliberately make your signal weaker. All the heavy lifting was done by the other station. He deserves the pat on the back for receiving you. It's a lot easier to run low power than it is to hear a station running low power. I'm also 'amused' by some reports given out. If most stations running say 100W are 9 + 20, don't be amazed if a station running 5 watts is also over S9. It's not a miracle. 5W is 13 dB down on 100W. So if you would have been 9 + 20 on 100W, you'll still be S9+7 dB on 5W..... I have on occasion dropped my power to the same level as the QRP station I'm working claims to be running. And .... they can't hear me. Go figure......
Perfect on the maths! When I hear a DX station and he's genuinely S2 with QSB and I listen for 10 minutes to the pile up, you will periodically hear the station say "Yes, genuine 59" in which case, I don't have a hope. I need to wait until his signal comes up to at least S7.
I disagree with your "all the heavy lifting". Most times there's no heavy lifting involved, and if the op feels the lifting is too heavy for them they are not obliged to do it.
It's down to both ops to make the QSO and I appreciate every single one.
I find that there is a better way of getting through a contest pileup. I say my call sign then yell CRIPPLE! Works every time. 😊
Deceased for me !
@@mikelenahan9253 Yeah that's it, sign /SK !!!
Deceased... Or "knackered" (English expression).
@@mikelenahan9253 Yes, Silent Key would probably work too!
What about "My dog died" if going for the sympathy vote?
I’m a bit on the fence with this one. As someone who operates with a 10W max radio and a speaker-wire antenna I, more often than not, find it a daunting challenge to overcome what seems like broadcast-class stations with monster Hex Beam antennas who cause the neighborhood’s lights to dim when they key up the mic. On the other hand, more modest stations have to compete with those very same stations as well, waiting in line like the rest of us. Maybe we can learn a lesson here from the world of sports or boxing where distinctions are made by male/female and weight classes. Like someone mentioned in another comment, set aside some time as the CQ station to give everyone out there what YOU think might be a fair chance at achieving QSO.
Erm.. You haven't gopt the wrong end of the stick on this one? I don't care if you are 1W or 1,000W - it's the sympathy vote and the demands that the whole world shout stop because some geezer is on 2W or something. That's his choice, don't blame me for it! (Not you, it's just the debate about how THEY like to be treated).
On the other hand as (more often than not) a QRP operator I am sometimes grateful that the DX station I am having a QSO with has a powerful beam antenna.
Someone throwing a gazillion watts into a wet noodle probably won't copy you, but a resonant wire and a real mode more than likely will.
There is nothing wrong with doing what make you happy, regardless.
According to many, including the RSGB, QRP is up to 5W on CW and up to 10W on SSB. Btw, I rarely hear any SES or contest station ask for QRP stations. I think there are much worse practices than adding QRP to Your callsign for the initial call. What about those who only shout their suffix in a pileup, or those, who tune on a pileup?
Ah.. the "whole call" debate.. Yeah, I made a video about that too :)
Isn't it the case that some contests have more points for a QRP contact? I'm sure I've seen that.
Nailed it there, Callum. As someone who operates at QRP levels most of the time, I never add /QRP to my callsign. Why would I? You don't add /QRO to yours... I'll quite happily exchange information about power levels etc once I've received a signal report.
I do wish people would stop shouting QRP , like it's some sort of blue badge. Throw your full callsign out there, without any silly add-ons, and enjoy the fishing. That's what it's all about.
The generally accepted absolute maximum power levels for QRP are 5W CW and 10W SSB although most of us will use less, particularly on CW.
Blue Badge.. Yep.
As someone who runs QRP often, I could not agree more. Making QRP SSB voice contacts is rewarding and the cherry on top is the reaction on the other side when I tell them I am only running 5 watts. And a big "Thank you" to those ops who, while working their own pileup, will occasionally ask for QRP stations only.
Lovely!
Before becoming a licensed amateur operator I was a listener (SWL) using a Par End-Fedz SWL wire antenna thrown up in a tall cottonwood tree with a proper ground in eastern Washington state. I heard a stateside operator communicating with someone who had a definite brogue. The stateside chap asked the other what his QTH was and he was calling from Ireland! He was running only 12 watts. I was duly impressed. That was 10 years ago, the previous sun cycle peak. I velieve that overheard call contributed to my desire to join this great hobby and all you amateur operators out there.
Great story!
I go with GQRP rule that CW QRP is 5W or less. I frequently operate QRP. Although I never add /QRP to my call sign, I do sometimes add QRP at the end of a CQ so that other stations know I am QRP. This lets fellow QRP ops know I am QRP. Also, it lets other (e.g. QRO) stations know I am QRP and that my signals may be more prone to fading. It may even allow QRO stations revulsed or simply bemused at the concept of QRP from being "hoodwinked" into having a QSO with a QRP station 😂.
There’s some validity to this whole discussion, sure, but the way I see it, at the heart of the QRP movement and spirit is experimentation (of various flavors) and portability (operating in the outdoors, in unique locations and with setups that make the most of a given situation)-both of which should no doubt be celebrated in amateur radio. I think it’s valid to let people know that you’re doing the thing.
I concur. I love low power, but I don't feel the need to say "QRP" when calling. I used to tell them how much power I'm using after giving my report, but I don't even do that any more. It is irrelevant.
Stirring the pot! (I'll say QRP for the pity vote, I admit it)
OK Steve!
Use /P when portable. Usually QRP :) /P at legal limit that would be impressive! When it comes to SSB I think 10W goes as QRP. Data or CW it's 5W definitely. Have no problem activating parks on FT8 with 2W.
I always thought that QRP was 5 watts or less, but it seems that today 10 watts SSB is also considered QRP.
@@N2YTA penalty of using SSB is somewhere around 12-18 dB, so technically, SSB QRP would be 100 W :D
With 10 W you are still in severe disadvantage against 5 W CW.
(And of course, if 5 W is CW QRP, FT8 should be far less than that - detection limit is 24 dB under noise level, CW is approx. at noise level. So it is not like one value fits all if you would like to have really comparable results, that means QRP definition based on SNR.)
Sence 1926 QRP has been used as an identifier so calling stations can work he QRP station before they fade away.
I’m a QRP as my rig is a mcHF portable 5W.
The novelty for me with QRP is making contact without them knowing..
What I really want to do is use a spineless DXC hung up a tree in a cage antenna configuration.. the ultimate portable QRP antenna..
Your second line makes this for me.. I have sometimes had the socks blown off me when I find out they are on 3W and got a better signal than the fella with a crappy piece of wire on 100W!
QRP has (sadly) become a "listen to me because I'm special" card that is supposed to magically put you at the front of the line. I agree Cal, let the station know your QRP AFTER he acknowledges you. Yes, real QRP is in mw. 73 OM
Ah! You hit the nail on the head (that might be an English expression, I apologise)!
I'm with you. Re UK stations specifically, if the Ofcom proposals go through (section 4.32 of the proposal) then operators will be allowed to use /QRP if they want, in fact they could use /KEBAB if they wanted whilst having a QSO getting their Saturday night takeaway. I still won't use /QRP though for reasons you mentioned and others like screwing up log matching in LotW etc.
Indeed, there is NO LAW about the suffix. I quite like /RIBEYE
Agreed with most all except here we generally accept 10w SSB and 5w CW as QRP.. Only thing worse is calling Park to Park constantly but with no call sign.
I did the same a few weeks ago while portable, proper embarrassing, suffice to say i wont do it again although it does work a treat..Thanks for hitting the nail on the head.
Oh heck, it works..
Kind of inclined to agree Callum.
While I'm not overly bothered if they say QRP on the initial call to try to break the pile-up (and I might even be inclined to give them a crack if I hear a QRP station), it does really wind me up if they continue to use QRP after they've broken the pile-up. Either way, I DON'T log them with the QRP suffix. I only log their callsign.
As for stations shouting "QRP, QRP, QRP" without giving a callsign or only giving a partial callsign (another one of my pet hates), they tend to get ignored.
As for what constitutes QRP, that's another debate that rages on!
I was always told that "10 watts or less" is considered QRP, although I occasionally hear people say 5 watts or less. Like you, I have absolutely zero time for people who claim to be QRP but they are actually running 20 watts or more.
I guess we all have our own ideas!!!
I suppose it's etiquette - and what can your ego stand I suppose, yes :)
I thought it was QPR , what Stan Bowles still playing.
I work QRP but never, every say "callsign/QRP..." I never ever call CQ callsign/QRP.
When I am trying to call a station that is calling CQ I just give my call sign and then add QRP to let the station know that I may be weak, but only because I am using only 5 watts. I do not add QRP to my call sign after they reply.
Many times in a contest, or a during a rare opening, the station calling CQ will give a bit of priority to mobile, portable, or QRP stations. I see nothing wrong in that... Why just take the stations with a tall tower, huge Yagi and running a kilowatt or more. Some of us can't afford to do that, or just like the thrill of seeing what we can do with a modest antenna and 5 watts.
QRP is not part of the callsign. Drives me crazy too. It also sounds really desperate, like a teenager trying to attract a girl for the 1st time!
QRP is what I run 95% of the time. CW is 5w and SSB is 10w. I normally will let the operator know my power once a qso has been in progress as well as my antenna setup for the flavour of the day.
Beautiful!
The RSGB define QRP as "QRP is a way of operating that involves using low power transmitters, that are no more than 5 Watts for Morse or data modes, or 10 Watts pep for voice."
In addition the proposed amendments of Ofcom do include a clause that any added suffix will be allowed including /QRP etc.
YOu can use what ever you want as a suffix if you wish, but they'll still think you are a bit weird (not you).
I also agree that stating QRP too much is a poor practice and then trying to break into a pileup getting your callsign heard is more important than what power you are using.
If I made contacts on HF with just 5 watts, I'd be looking for all the bragging rights I could get.
Maybe they're taking it in the literal form, of reduced power. If they have a 100w radio, and they're on 25w low power mode. Technically they could conceive that they're doing QRP.
Q codes and using them as a non-standard prefix is a bit like giving someone a report including your radio setup details but omitting your antenna information.
I have a icom 703 QRP radio.
Wouldn’t swap it for any radio, but will do 10w that I use mobile.
So doing 10w out of the set, with extra long coax loss, much less at the feed.
I think that deserves QRP recognition for DX.
I am only mobile, and the antenna is located purposely at the rear of my van roof.
I park facing the way I want to propagate, getting up to 5s points from sides to bonnet.
A mobile Yagi!
I also once copied the same USA station, in 3 countries, Scotland Wales and England, and each occasion got a pattern going down from 10w to 1w to him on the set.
Less at the feed.
That 705 is a lovely piece of kit..
Agree. Just send your call and work stations as you are able. If you’re weak because you’re QRP no point in making it harder for the other guy to copy you by adding bunch of extra stuff to your call. I’ll put “qrp” in my POTA spot to let hunters know they may looking for a somewhat weaker signal, but I don’t use it on-air. Besides 5 watts CW does just as well as 100 watts phone, maybe even better.
Nice
Worked Austrailia twice this morning with 5W from a 705. Is it QRP? No. not really, it was on FT4 where 5W is like fishing with dynamite! 😊
I am almost exactly the same age as you Callum, it is reassuring to see that I am not the only one afflicted by grumpiness. More seriously in poor conditions the suffix does nearly double the length of their callsign.
Affliction!
The FT-818ND mode of operation running portable on internal Eneloop AA cells (~2 watts transmission) and decked out with the filters and such is like the pinnacle of radio. Speaking of cheating, I view digital DXing in the same light. Sure, it's a great tool in the box should the need arise, but it isn't nearly as satisfying as SSB or CW.
Yeah, I’ve have “qrp” stations that were very sus when everyone else is barely over the noise then they boom in with /qrp 😮
I thought QRP was 100 W or less 😆
Italian QRP = under 1 kilowatt ☺️
In the early days it was 100 watts. Now it's 5 or less.
I am sure that I have seen contest rules that class Low Power as 100W or less.
What I like to do, once I'm in a QSO and assuming that the reports are decent at 100 watts, is suggest that we both reduce our power to 5 watts and see how we do.
The other day, I was chatting to an LZ2 station on 10 metres and we both reported S9+20 to 40, so we tried 5 watts both ways, and continued with S9+5 to 10. Neither of us had the preamp on. I find this highly entertaining. 😁
Oh yes!" That is good fun - and quite educational for listeners!
/qrp behind the call is like angling or begging for a contact. If the qrp doesn't work, due to the weak propagation, just increase the power or use better antennas. I've noticed that some stations, pretending to be qrp, have a signal, too high and are too loud.
How can you assess someone's signal as being too high or too loud for QRP and therefore conclude they are pretending to be QRP? I am 100% QRP, running 5W or less of CW, and pretty regularly put a comparable or stronger signal than into VK and ZL from my operating locations in the UK than many QRO stations. I've also worked QRP ops in VK and ZL who are stronger here than QRO ops. There are so many variables contributing to signal strength, probably the most important being the propagation path. A couple of weeks back while working ZL3XDJ, Brian swapped to his QCX rig and I backed power down to 1W from 5W and we were still stronger signals to each other than many QRO ops on the band.
I think if there's a local op who you receive via groundwave then certainly you can tell what sort of power might be in use, but once the ionosphere is involved then I'm not so sure.
73 M3KXZ
What I laugh about more often when I hear stations saying QRP, but when they are asked what power they have, they say stuff like 300W 😂. How in the world is that QRP ? Maybe compared to those with 1KW output yes... but they must stop using QRP for sure. I am always QRP and I rarely rarely say QRP... usually when asked only. 73, YO6DXE.
Agreed. Thanks for bring this up. Well said Callum.
5 watts QRP?? That's QRO!!! I don't tell anyone I am QRP until the end if they ASK. And just yelling "QRP!" With NO CALLSIGN will get you on the "never log you" list. Thanks for the hard work!!! 73! de KE5ES
Exactly! I have SO MUCH respect for the guy that waits patiently, times his call right when the QSB pops it's head down - then tell me they are 2 Watts or something.. That is skill.
I just got a G90 last weekend. My first contact with it was from Michigan to New York on 1 watt... Granted, I didn't know I was only 1 watt at the time LOL.
I don't mind stations calling CQ mentioning that they're QRP. If its a marginal signal quality and I am just barely hearing them, I may go for it if I know they're QRP, but otherwise might not spend the time if I assume they're running 100 or more watts and I can barely hear them.
That G90 looks great fun!
Totally agree. Well put
I've hunted a POTA entity at least once every day this year at 10w or less SSB, and very rarely add QRP to my call. Especially after I heard a fellow club member using it while QRO just to bust pileups. It takes some time and patience to bust a pileup, and I agree is more satisfying to me letting the activator know after my signal report what wattage I'm running! Propagation has been favorable lately, so I've turned my 991 down to 5w since 01 OCT and will try to finish the last QTR at that level. I know there's not a special QRP Bailey-Sprott award, I just do it because I like to Ham Harder! 73, KN8PPY
Satisfying.. Yes, that's it.
I use CW mode only and 5 watts or less QRP. Cal I agree with you 100? I mean who cares if you are running 5 watts or less, just put in your own log that you made such and such contact with 4 watts or whatever for your own records to look back on and to tell yourself that is a good achievement, no one else cares and rightly so, and yes shouting QRP when answering a CQ is just what you said a sympathy request. A lot of times a QRP signal is just as strong as a 100 watt signal.
Glad it's not just me..! Anyway, good considered comment. Thanks.
I agree 100%...I got behind on your videos so im playing catch up, I have been on a photography trip so no time for CZcams,..
Don't worry - I have just started again after laying off for the summer..
Hi Cal,
How is Wendy? I consider 5W CW and 10W SSB as QRP. Those milliwatt guys are QRPp. 🙂 Stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Wendy on the med.. Not 100% yet.
I agree. I understand that people say it to have priority, but also the /qrp /p /m just make the callsign harder to understand most of the time.
I'm willing to bet there are people shouting QRP in a pileup running 1kw just so they get chosen.
Probably!
Here there coming Calum with their lit torches, you've had it now. LOL
Never :)
I'm a relatively new on HF and I used QRP with my 5W rig because I've heard other people on air use it and lots of Ytubers too.When I was studying for my exam I learned that Q signs are used mostly by CW operators, yet I hear QRZ, QSL QRT on voice al the time...
Yes
I was told that my Foundation in VK (at my Foundation course) was 10w, not 5w or 20w.
Compared to the US, our current 400w max seems like QRP anyway so maybe QRP here is really 400w!🤠🇦🇺
I worked All States on 4.5w. 30m cw.
Great video. Aside - amazes me there are folks out there on FT8 or experimenting with WSPR that actually advertise the fact they are on 1kW !! On something that is supposed to be QRP! Never get that. I have played with
I LOVE SHOUTING Q R P!!!!
Great words Callum. I agree. I run a ft817 5w and by the time the power is out of the end of the antenna it's probably like 3w. I use QRP, sometime when people hear me they will say hold on just the QRP then I will probably get a 3-5 or 4-5 lol😂 i dont continue to use qrp after ive made contact.
Great work
73
Cool!!
Sorry Callum Disagree... How does the QRP station know that he is going to come into your shack at 59? Give this one a break...
Read the comments :)
To solve all of these issues I wish, not that it would ever happen, the bands were divided by allowed power output. That way those who wish to run legal limit every time they turn their radio on could do so to each other. That actually goes against the rules in the US if I'm not mistaken. Also those that wish to run very low power could enjoy a much quieter band during operation.
There's always a way!
There are QRP frequencies. Not too many I suppose because we are a minority so don't need many.
G4GHB.
Wow, that intro is awesome. I didn't know you were multilingually talented like that! 😆
I'm not. I speak half French. I think you might be trying to be "clever" but I don't get the joke.
No worries. Just in good fun. It sounded sort of like you were speaking another langue for a little bit there. Honestly, I was caught off guard and entertained by it, not thinking anything less of you or meaning to be condescending or anything like that. It is difficult to convey the meaning behind words in text format sometimes. Cheers.
Didn’t QRP start out in the 1960’s as anything under 100 watts. Qrp radios were for sale in the 70’s or 80’s like the Yaesu FT-7 which was marked as a qrp radio with 70 watts. Then it was later suggested qrp should be 5watts cw or 10watts ssb. Unless this is a DXcommandment I’ll probably still use qrp occasionally thanks Cal. Great customer service by the way 10/10 couldn’t ask for more on that front.
The history was way before 60s.. Now QRP on FT8 seems to be 400W
@@DXCommanderHQ sure when everyone can have 1kw 400 watts will be QRP 😁
Thank you for your comments sir....... but this falls under the catagory of "live and let live".
Yes, you are right - but when you are calling me and shouting QRP QRP, I might as well let you know why I'm not responding to you because I need a callsign!
I had to check my translator there in the beginning 🙂
As an M7 on handhelds I think of QRP as less than 5 watts, really under 1.
73 M7TUD
Sometimes I will say qrp qrp in the hope station will hear me,in UK you should NOT sign /qrp just callsign qrp.and yes it's 5 watts CW and 10 watts ssb,and usually Callum it's the rx'ing stations antenna that makes the QSO possible!!!
When youre mobile, with limited battery life. You need to get the contact logged and spin the dial. Let the OM with QRO and the comfy chair connected to mains work the pileup at his leisure.
If I'm in a park, I'll always put park to park stations first. I rarely hear the QRP tag, most hunters are at home and running 100w or a linear. Must not be a VK thing.
Lot's of things fascinate me about this new to me hobby, QRP(voice) definitely is one of them, harking back to the 80's when as a teenager I made a couple of dx contacts accidentally on the devils band (c b) with around 5w.
Had my foundation just over a week and I'm not set up for HF as yet, but when I do I'm determined to make contact with you on one of your streams. Just want to thank you for putting out calls for M7's only to give us new users a chance on 10w. (Not QRP I know)
Thanks for being around 23% responsible for getting me on the air!
Bex, M7EZS
23%? That's funny..!
@@DXCommanderHQ I thought I'd give CB a go for the first time in 35 years earlier in summer, started watching Lewis (Ringway) and he introduced me to the foundation license (I didn't know it even existed) so he's 7%. The 70% belongs to my friend Paul (M0GET) he's a radio warrior, determined to get people into the hobby, ham or CB, and works tirelessly to encourage local nets, on 2m and 11m. He promotes the mental health benefits of being able to talk.
I love your curiosity and experimentation, I am following the same path when it comes to home brewing things that are a bit out of the ordinary just to see how they work.
I'm on the ASD spectrum too, perhaps that's what leads to this commonality.
Anyhoo, ludicrously long post, apologies and thank you again for demystifing many aspects in a way that is easy to understand.
Bex M7EZS
Well I’m going to go against the grain here, I run QRP when out and about. I’m not after sympathy vote either and most of my friends like me run 5 watts as we are limited by battery power and the fun of achieving any contacts. I think you’ve made a few assumptions Callum. Good operators give us a chance by asking for QRP stations as quite obviously they are drowned out by the 100 plus watt users. Conditions vary and as you cannot hear how good you are being received I don’t take offence when operators say QRP as that maybe an indicator of them being a more difficult copy. One of the great things about this hobby is that it caters for many, high power, low power, mobile and those perched on a windy hilltop. Regards Mike
Now.. There's a difference.. Me ASKING for low power stations (which I do) is a courtesy which I enjoy.
I got my license in 1963. "QRP?" meant "shall I reduce power". Without the question mark it meant "reduce power (please)" (which, particularly, net control might ask of you). It didn't mean any particular power level. When some contests started introducing classes or bonuses the each defined their own power limit to qualify. And what power category you were in was rarely part of the exchange (and wasn't typically sent by saying "QRP". And on phone there was no reason to say it anyway since you could easily say "I'm low power" or "I'm running12 watts", unless conditions were so bad that you were resorting to phonetics ("Quebec Radio Papa"). Largely, Q signals are for CW, or for RTTY if you can't type well.
While I disagree that "QRP" means 5W, I do agree that most folks today will assume you mean 5W. But I wholeheartedly agree that it has no place in responding to a CQ. You are either heard or not. Saying "QRP" just wastes air time. And I don't think that the CQer should reward this behavior. If you feel kindly toward those with limited power then occasionally say "CQ low power stations only", but realize that not everyone who answers will be running less than a kilowatt (particularly on CW where they may not have copied your specification).
If you really feel the need to tell others that you are running low power, yes, do it later. And on CW, Tom, K4SWL has a way to do it that only takes one extra dit time, by sending 72 instead of 73.
If there's a pile up to be worked, don't waste air time saying, in effect, "I'm more deserving".
Ah. Good history, thanks.
Not really on topic. But it drives me nuts when a American CB SSB operator is calling "CQ DX" to talk to someone else in America.
Well I don't SHOUT OUT QRP. But I included it in my call when working HF. A good opt with a pile up. Will call for QRP, Mobiles and Portable stations about every 15-20 minutes. I like working harder stations. You know 1/1 or 2/2 in the dirt.
There's two debates there. A good pile up OP might ask for QRP but there's no reason to use it. My ten cents..
I agree. To he honest im often running 10w and i never put /qrp on the end. It would muck up my QRZ/LOTW and online DXCC.
My G90 plus the DXC Classic work my 20 watts pretty well. Not QRP, just feel like it some times on the outside of a big pileup. Lol
Nice combination.
I will not answer, someone proclaiming,QRP, simple as!
No pity for someone calling QRP. If I hear you, I'll work you. It's that simple. Chirping "QRP" makes me want to ignore you, rather than contacting me on the merits of your skill and radio system.
When I work ft8 I like to sometimes use 5 watts or less and I am surprised to see my signal reported on psk reporter thousands of miles away. It is fun to make those very low power contacts.
I don't want pity but call QRP at 10w cause trying to get anywhere with 100w plus others is tough. Taken 3 days to get some people, found people to be happy with the QRP
It's about timing and waiting for propagation.
I only work QRP ft817nd and I have a G90 set at 5watts have a great weekend cal 73s
Me too, and I never append QRP to my callsign.
Take that cranky gatekeeping crap to 80M and cry about it there. If I have to put my 5W up against your amp then I'm gonna say whatever I think will get the other operators attention. If you don't like it then spin the dial.
This is a hobby I participate in for my own enjoyment and entertainment. You can complain if I break the rules, but as long as I'm following the rules, you don't get to dictate my operating style. Don't like it? Spin the dial.
Mr Angry :)
Used correctly someone shouting QRP at you is a request for YOU to reduce power! After all the licence says you should not use any more power than required to make the contact.
....
73 Ed
Well... Why anyone would want to shout QRP at another station! I don't know :)
The history has already shown the purpose of QRP. It's all about establishing communication between a smal group and a base like "man cub and papa bear".
The law of conservation of energy stays on charge. If you want to transmit with low power you want to communicate with well developed receiving station. It can be advanced to many developed receiving stations to restore your weak signal by comparing their records.
Yes, weak signals are hard to read. QRPer shouldn't torture other hams with his "heroic" attempts to whisper under pile up/strong QRN confitions. It's all under DX command. If he wants to make a QSO with QRP station then he asks them to call him while QRXing the rest of spotters, but if he doesn't want to ... "would you be so kind to find another DX" or like this.
Er fine.. That's not the point of this video though :)
A station doesn't have to answer a QRP station if he finds it difficult to copy him. It's their choice.
I've worked fellow QRP'ers a few times on c.w. with a 2.3.9. report each way but most are stronger than that, but if both stations are agreeable then a QSO takes place.
G4GHB.
Most HF nets on this side of the pond ask for QRP,LP, Mobiles at the beginning of the net.
Maybe a call for at least QRP/LP at say, top of the hour might help.
What would help is for QRP/LP stations to speak in a slow, clear fashion. Not talk as on a cell. POTA is not a contest in a sense of a restricted period of time.
Speed is important. Accuracy is Paramont!
Indeed, I often call out for "5W or less please"..?
My thoughts exactly.
Well said
lol i remember your first version of this video a couple of years back that got you into a spot of bother. it was funny though :)
Oh yes.. The "disabled" version.. What a woke..
I run 1 kw and scream QRP with all my knobs turned to the right,,,,, works every time.
Yeah! :)
I have a Xiegu G90 only 20 watts and while it's not 5 watts it's still not 100 or 1000 and I never say qrp and I make qsos from Michigan to Russia! I agree shock me after you make a qso!
Yep.. Shock and awe AFTER the event. Perfect!
Hmmm, I guess I don't fully agree. Every contact I made in the past 5 years is portable, yet I do not announce as such. I also (recently) run QRP 5 watts . My take on this is during gray line and other times with changing propagation, and if I say QRP, that is me saying I might not be able to be heard with the hams running 1500 watts all over the top of my call. It is often said that QRP is like fishing and I just changed my lure to make my contact more attractive to the fishes. Just one more contact in the logbook. N6WJA/7/PORTABLE/QRP. 73 Callum.
Well, that's different..! My gripe is the 20W guy on 40m who is 200 miles away and he's 5 and 8! And CONTINUES to sigh /QRP...!
I bet QRP at 100w happens more often than not.
Yes qrp is less than 5watt and don't say you are doing qrp and using 25 watt😔 the same is if your using 1 kw. 1 kw why? If you want to use 1 kw Become a Dj at your local radiostation
HAHA
Joined the Radio police then?
If you are being sarcastic then you ought to try harder :)
@@DXCommanderHQ sorry attenuation was on.......
I will give my call and qrp if the dx station I am trying to work is fading. It is in hope that the op will pick me out before I am unable to work them. If the dx station is strong and holding, I will just give my call sign without announcing I am qrp.
Very good points, Cal. Well stated.
some say that on SSB, QRP is 10w or less....unless you're an M3/6/7 in the UK.....then it's nothing less than 100w and they just lie to their fello operators when asked.
They do..!
Always makes me laugh when people are shouting /QRP /QRP in my pileup and say they're only using 10/20W, yet I'm only putting out about 4W and they give me 59.