Brucee,
I invite you to go sign on the QRP-L email reflector for a week or two.
You will see again the enthusiasm of those who came into ham radio in the
highpoint of the best solar cycle to date, 1957. Then you could take 1 watt
AM and work the world on 10M or other bands up to 20M, and for most of the
day.
The reflector is made up of QRP folks who both build their own transceivers
and who find that the 100 watt radio turned down to 5 watts will get out just
as well given decent sun spots and an efficient antenna.
Consider if you are 5,9 at 1000 watts, you will be 5,5 to 5,6 at 5 watts.
There is only 13 dB difference there. Thus, with good sunspots and the "big
boys" running beams and coming in 20 dB over S9, I would STILL be 7 dB over S9
at your QTH, running QRP to my beam.
You will find a comradeship and willingness to help their fellow ham, over on
that reflector that is somewhat lacking in many ham communities today. It is
a mutual bond much like that of the Ten Tec owners and collectors.
QRP-L is found as <qrp-l@lehigh.edu>
73, Stuart K5KVH
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
Submissions: tentec@contesting.com
Administrative requests: tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
|