Topband: ARRL 160CW Contest QRP Portable Op

[Brian D G3VGZ]

I was running low power to an inefficient antenna due to planning
restrictions. I felt a lot of stations took their time to complete QSOs with
me, to only get a multiplier of 1.5 for the qso, when IMHO they deserves the
full 3 for a QRP station.

Perhaps have categories (for 160) based on maximum antenna height multiplied
by transmitter power, being easier to work out than ERP, and effectively
giving a bonus for stations who go for more efficient small antenna.

An estimate of my antenna efficiency is about 5% but have WAC on 160 with
200w max TX power (limited by auto ATU at base of antenna). I would reckon
that is equivalent to QRP WAC wit ha 1/4 wave vertical over a salt water
ground plane.  



kolson at rcn.com wrote:

> What would be much more fair is to go by ERP. 5 watts from one of tho se
> sophisticated antenna farms may very well be stronger than 100w or even
> 600w from, let's say, a Butte rnut with a vestigial radial field. T he
> Butternut guy gets no consideration (in fact, generally he gets derision)
> but the (often louder) 5 watt guy is hailed as  a great big QRP hero (hi
> hi) . Somehow, r unning a compromise antenna marks us as not caring but
> running QRP is "noble".
> 
> To me, the weird thing is that, at least for most of us running compromise
> antennas, our choice is made out of the necessities of real life, that is,
> we do what we can do from a small lot or an antenna restricted development
> or where zoning laws are especially hostile to amateur antennas. In some
> cases , it's may even be a concession to a neighbor that be insan e (don't
> ask me how I know). The decision to use 5 watts, on the other hand,  is
> basically whim. M ost of our radios output 100w out of the box, so one
> operates at 5 watts because he wants to, not because he has to.  A nd
> there are plenty of reasonably priced used  600w+ amps available if one
> wants even more power that basically only  take desk space, no zoning
> required.


-- 
Brian D 
G3VGZ