[UK-CONTEST] CQWW SSB G3UFY - An expedition into QRP

[Steve Knowles]

I don't much like SSB, and I have no chance of matching the big guns on this mode so I thought I'd try QRP this year.  Decided to use the FT817 so I couldn't succumb to temptation to turn the wick up if things got difficult - as it was I spent too long chasing some of the rarer stations.  Semi-serious effort (just 20 hours operating) with most satisfactory results:

Band        QSOs        Points        Mults
1.8            20                19            15
3.5            53                54            29
7               50                72            38
14             81               145           47
21             47                87            31
28              5                  5             5

Total        256               382          165                    Claimed Score = 63060

Equipment
FT817
Tribander at 14m (HF) + loop (40) + half-loop (80 & 160)

Comments:

Best DX:
40m ... 6W, 8P
20m ... JA, PY
15m ... VU

QRP station (usually used for vhf) runs off station 12v bus, which is normally powered by solar cells buffered by a lead-acid battery ... weather so dull that I had to spend some time on Sunday finding and connecting a conventional charger.
FT817 filters not really up to the job.  Ran the whole contest with IPO selected and the attenuator in, but still had problems.  Also, silly microphone connector meant I had to use the fist mike as opposed to the combined headset.  Tuning rate of 3kHz/rev also not helpful either.
Despite everything, had more fun than for many years - seriously considering same sort of thing for CW leg

Steve  G3UFY