From QRO minded to QRP power
This story is about how I became an enthusiast QRP radio amateur, although the plan was: Build a 10 watt CW transceiver, perhaps I could make some QSO's with it and then build a RF amplifier of at least 100 watt, the more the better. And indeed, a few weeks after obtaining my HF license, the transmitter for 80, 40 and 20 m was under construction. I tested the driver (0.5 W output) for its stability by connecting the collector of the driver transistor to a few meters of wire hanging in the shack. It looked OK and just for fun I transmitted 2x CQ. |
The general coverage shortwave receiver used for my first QSO in QRP. |
The whole weekend I was impressed by the fact that it was possible to make QSO's over 2000 km
with such low power, a new QRP'er was born. Well, the 10 watt amplifier gave not more than 5 watt but was accepted as the final stage. The 100 watt TS520 (it looked so nice) is never used a lot. Simple QRP equipment technology is my hobby now and I am astonished about what you can do with that. But I do admit, although it is not my interest, I have respect for the hams making very big stations with enormous antenna mast. I do surely not have enough energy to make such a station. |
My second barefoot technology QRP rig for 20 and 40 meter. Many QSO's were made while camping in the middle of nowhere. |