[CQ-Contest] History of Low Power Category

[Stan Stockton]

>Can anyone explain the history of the ARRL selection of 150W?  The slightly
>higher power level can be reached by some radios, but it also encourages
>"low power" stations to run an amplifier to gain that extra db between 100W
>and 150W. 

I am only guessing at one time it was 150 watts input, when input power was the measure outlined in FCC rules, and rigs that had a pair of 6146 finals ran about 150 watts input.  If the number was not changed when output became the measure the low power limit was essentially doubled.

73...Stan, K5GO



Sent from my iPad

> On Sep 16, 2014, at 6:38 AM, "Randy Thompson K5ZD" <k5zd at charter.net> wrote:
> 
> Can anyone explain the history of the ARRL selection of 150W?  The slightly
> higher power level can be reached by some radios, but it also encourages
> "low power" stations to run an amplifier to gain that extra db between 100W
> and 150W.