[SECC] Power level for NAQP?

[Gary Breed]

I think the 150 watt power level is a historical artifact from
the era of rigs with two 6146 finals which could put out as much
as 125 watts on some bands.

Today, the FT1000 (plain and "D"), IC-781, JRC245 and the new 
FT1000 Mark V all are 150 or 200 watt radios.

The rules were re-written to restore the original intent of the
NAQP as a "barefoot rig" contest. The new rules clearly say "no
amps" but are carefully written to allow unique situations like 
an external 100 watt PA for a QRP rig.

Joe, Ben et al -- It is my experience that cheap wattmeters are most
often overly generous!  I was quite amazed to see the difference
after I finally bought a Bird 43.  The internal wattmeter in my old
rig said 100 watts, but was only about 80-85 watts. An RF detector 
measurement of voltage at the dummy load confirmed that the Bird 
meter was right.

Gary


> I always thought some of the off-shore rigs maxed at 150 watts,
> until I scanned the ads in QST magazine.  The ads I saw said 100
> watts, USA rigs included.  Knowing that, why in the world would a 
> contest committee set a power limit at 150 watts?   It's beyond me.
> From the comment by Larry, it seems some fellers would throw in
> the amp to get 150w,  and rightly so.  Why not?  Then there's these
> old stubborn meters that need 250 watts to show a 150 watt output.
> A little edge maybe?  No one would do that, eh?
> 



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