1 Jan 2024
QRP radios
There’s a wide choice these days in QRP radios unlike years ago . I expect this is, in part, due to the popularity of SOTA and POTA activations where small size and weight are important. One example is the transceiver shown in the photo.
20 Nov 2023
QRP portable
29 Sept 2023
One transistor transceiver
My immediate thoughts were than the TX would be fine, but the RX very deaf. For local QSOs and experiments fine, but it could not be seriously used as the RX would not be able to hear who is on the channel. If the other station TXed first, you would know the channel was clear.
See https://semara.org/tech-talk-a-one-transistor-marvel-transceiver/ .
12 Mar 2023
CDARC talk on my website
I think this file is now shared. If you have problems getting it, please discuss with me. I created it in (free) Open Office and saved it in Powerpoint.
Open Office is totally free and every bit as good as Microsoft equivalents in my view.
There is a link on this page below.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/cdarc-talk-march-2023 .
17 Dec 2022
Extreme QRP?
In my emails today was the Elecraft Newsletter.
One of the articles was about "extreme QRP". This looks interesting I thought, only find out it was about 1W. To my mind extreme QRP is microwatts, not watts. I would have been more impressed if this person had got spots with 100uW rather than 1W!!
From my own tests years ago, well below 1W can get spots.
I know of at least one person who has been spotted across the planet with 20mW on 30m.
27 Nov 2022
10m QRP transceiver
It is hard to think this is 10 years old! It seems like only yesterday. Maybe you can get some ideas from it. It was called the "Lesser Chirpy" as the original version chirped badly.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-lesser-chirpy .
29 Sept 2022
How simple can you make a transceiver?
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-xbm80-2 .
23 Sept 2022
Different challenges
Next year, assuming I am still around (!), I should have some new QRP challenges. I hope to be active on 23cm and on 4m. Both are quite different, but should be fun.
10 May 2022
The joy of QRP
In our hobby we all have different interests, and that is only right: it would be a sad world if we were all the same. Some like ATV, others chasing DX, others just talking with old friends on 80m. I cannot say how you get fun. Neither would it be correct.
My own "thing" is QRP (low power). Now, I freely admit that at times more ERP helps. However, especially on bands like 10m in the better solar years, the world can be worked with low power and simple antennas. This is even more true with modern modes like FT8.
Perhaps my G3XBM website may give you some ideas. Whatever, the next few years could be the time to give QRP a go. You might be surprised.
6 Feb 2022
Classic QRP transceivers
The challenge is often trying to make the simplest rig that actually works. Often it is receiver that is the weakest link. With modern rigs, mW signals can often be dug out of the noise.
One classic is the Pixie and its predecessor the Micro80. Pixie kits can often be bought from China at stupid prices. These work and allow real QSOs, but they are let down by the RX. The challenge is to get a rig where the RX is up to the job. Often I do not call CQ in case a weak signal I cannot hear is already there. With QRP, calling others is often a better approach.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/8040m-pixie-and-micro80-transceivers .
22 Dec 2021
Operating outside
13 Dec 2021
10m WSPR QRP TX
At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. So far just local spots from G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 1143z: Still just spots from G4KPX.
UPDATE 2145z: QRT now. Just 2 Gs spotted me all day.
3 Dec 2021
Best ever QSO?
22 Nov 2021
ICOM IC-703
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/icom-ic-703 .
What is the best QRP transceiver ever?
Many of us enjoy the challenge of getting the most from the least. Some define this as the fewest number of parts or the lowest cost.
What do you reckon is/was the best QRP radio design ever? Tell us all what you think and why, and leave some links if possible.
Most designs are compromises. Ideally, I am looking for a rig that really holds its own on TX and RX. As an example, the Pixie and Micro80 had dreadful receivers. I am wondering if anyone has come up with a rig with a decent receiver?
17 Nov 2021
10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)
As the 10m antenna was free, I put my W5OLF stand-alone WSPR beacon on using 500mW. So far, just a local spot from G4KPX (14km).
16 Nov 2021
10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)
At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW from my stand-alone W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. So far, (at 0930z) 3 spots only from local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 0955z: 15 spots so far of me with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).
UPDATE 1024z: 36 spots of me so far today. EA8BFK has been getting me as strong as -3dB S/N.
UPDATE 1926z: QRT. 3 unique spots today.
13 Nov 2021
10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)
At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW from my pack of cards sized W5OLF stand-alone 10m WSPR TX beacon. So far at 0957z, 9 spots by local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 1322z: 6 stations spotted so far today.