[TenTec] Portable QRP/SOTA

[Reed]

I see several on the list are interested in QRP, in general, plus 
operating portable.  I've been in QRP for over 40 years, mostly on CW  
then digital.  I don't do contest or go looking for DX, but that is just 
me. Others love it, which makes Ham Radio so much fun. Something for 
everyone!  I call myself a professional rag chewer no matter the mode.  
Love talking to new & old hams.  Now that I have retired & able to 
operate portable more I am enjoying the phone bands!  Great mode, but 
QRP doesn't work as well on this mode in the current sun spot cycle.  
When, if, 10 meters opens up then yeah 5 watts works pretty good, but 25 
to 40 watts on phone seems to be the best low power for good 15 to 30 
minute QSOs into a GOOD resonant antenna.

A short vertical or random piece of wire you'll probably need more 
power.  Please don't do that! You'll enjoy the hobby much more using a 
good resonant antenna.   A fan dipole is really easy to build for 40 & 
20 meters & don't cost much to build if money is tight.  A center fed 
zepp also works great for multiband, but expect some noise from the feed 
line as on some frequencies it will act as a vertical antenna.

I used this antenna back in the 70s running about 500 milliwatts from a 
Heathkit HW-8.  Back then we called it QRPp.  QRO was above 5 watts!  
Probably little harder to do that today with band conditions up/down & 
also not as good as they were then, but boy it sure was fun.  Had a ham 
in Spain say, "Bet you will never believe how much power I'm running?"  
I said, "How much?"  He said, "5 watts out."  I said, "Well, I'm only 
running 500 milliwatts."   He never came back to me. :(   I guess I 
shouldn't have busted his bubble!

There is a little quarterly magazine, Amateur Radio Club International 
(ARCI) http://www.qrparci.org/  that has a world of information on QRP & 
portable operations.  You get 4 magazines per year & they even have 
contest for those interested in that part of the hobby.  I've subscribed 
since the 70s and really have learned a lot of useful information that 
has helped me over the years.

There are other QRP organizations & also on portable too.  Just Google 
and you should find them. Here is one off the top of my head.  
http://www.fpqrp.org/

73,
Reed  W4JZ