Posted: 8/4/2026 10:13:33 AM EDT
[Last Edit: RED_5][Edited]
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hasn't been any threads about QRP in some time.. please share what you got, how you started or other QRP items of interest I started out in the earlier days of the QRP craze, back in the 90's.. Being a member of Norcal QRP Club was a lot of fun back then, with the club activities and particularly the monthly swap meets and group lunch afterwards I loved building my rigs.. still love to do it, just don't seem to have (make?) the time to do that stuff anymore.  Anyway, I just bought my first new/commercially made QRP radio*, the QRP Labs QMX+ 160-6m @ 5 watts at a very attractive price point. Even though the back orders on pre-built ones is months long, I've been procrastinating so long that if I'd just have ordered one back when I first had the interest, I'd be using it already  sample of the QMX+ (have a while to wait for mine)  I also got in-line for a new paddle as well, the "Nameless" from Modern Morse a sample of the Nameless:  IF money wasn't an issue, I'd go with the KX3 from Elecraft Speaking of Elecraft, these two have ties back to what would be it's foundation, the Norcal 40a and Sierra.   I've already shared these pics in another thread ( Telegraph / CW / Morse Code Keys and Paddles) *G90 isn't exactly a "QRP" radio |
MIA: M/SGT James W. Holt USSF 2-7-68 SVN
"Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you."
-A. Wilkow
"Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you."
-A. Wilkow
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I've never actually worked in QRP mode, my lowest power rig (not counting HT's) was an HW-16 (about 90 watts as I recall). But I've purchased a few kits from QRP labs and they're good quality. I bought their GPS clock kit and their WSPR kit (does that count as QRP?)  As far as keys go, I've never used an iambic, I just use an original Vibroplex like this one (but not chromed):  I designed my own keyer years ago, but now most rigs come with them built in, like my current ICOM 7300. . |
Gun control is not the answer. Gun control is the question. The answer is NO.
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CW is King for QRP operation. Nice looking rigs and keys posted here. I use about 500 watts for my QRP CW station. 
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“Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways, men can be immortal. “ - Ernest Hemingway
QMX operator, here. I pair Ham Radio Duo's Just Okay Mini antenna with it doing mobile/backpack ops with it. I've stuck with digital and CW mods with it, mostly. Worked Portugal and Alaska doing digital, and some good 1,000-2,000 mile hopes with it. It is really reliant of propagation, background noise, and the opetator.
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705 here, still working on my copy speed for Morse. Just moved and don't have a full time antenna setup. I use a 28.5 speaker wire, 20m dipole, Packtenna random wire, trail friendly 10/20/40. Digital, Morse is what I mainly am into. I've got a Begali sculpture mono and a N0SA paddle. |
IC705 and a FX4C here. I don’t do CW but do phone and FT8 and have a great time at it. I’m a glutton for punishment so I love behind the curve for conditions  . I really like building antennas and kits that can be packed down small so QRP is a lot of fun for me.
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“ Well, it feels like someone took a rubber band and snapped it right on the edge of your anus.” -JThompson
Non Solis radios sed Iovis fulmina mitto
Glock and Colt Certified Armorer
Non Solis radios sed Iovis fulmina mitto
Glock and Colt Certified Armorer
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Two IC-703+ (one in the repair queue), a TS-660 (15-12-10-6M "all mode" minus LSB), TS-130V (10w version of the TS-130S), FT-726R w/ HF, 6, 2, 432 and 440 modules are what's in the shack inventory at the moment. Want List: TS-430V, TS-440V, TS-670 (w/ Gen Coverage option) and a G90. |
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I have a Venus SW-3B which covers 40M, 30M, and 20M that will easily do more than 5W output and will run 3 watts out via a 9V battery. I have a bit more experience with my MFJ Cub on 40M. A couple of houses back I took the Cub, a 12 V battery, my EMTech ZM-2 tuner and tossed a line over the single story house and a counterpoise out on the ground. I called CQ QRP and worked a station in PA from MO. I had done some mods to improve the stability and maybe something for the "keying thump". It's over 20 years back so the details are a bit sketchy. I've always wanted to do more portable work but could never seem to work out getting wire in the air. 73, Rob |
Sic semper tyrannis!
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You rang? I became a ham in 2000, joined the North Georgia QRP Club when I moved to Atlanta later that year. I have built the NoGA twin tube 80, the NoGAnaut, and even managed a few QSOs on each. I cut my building teeth on kits from small wonder labs. Now I own and operate some QRP Labs gear, including a couple of QCX+s, and a QDX when it works. Once I owned a Yeasu FT-817, the night before packing up to move from Atlanta to Orlando, I kafe a SSB QSO at night on a speaker wire antenna called the W3EDP. I got 55 signal report from my 5 watts, and the operator on the other end didn't believe me. Now I mostly chase POTA on 40 and 20. |
Started out as a Novice in '53 with this: It's a crystal controlled 6AG7 putting out about 5 Watts on 40 Meters. From eastern NC I worked as far as Wyoming and the Caribbean. This is a reproduction, the original was on wood from an old orange crate. Below is my receiver, a two-stage 'ginny (regenerative) using a 6C8 twin triode. I later moved up to a BC-455 WWII surplus receiver.  I now have an Elecraft K1 transceiver and this homebrew 6AH6/5763 rig:  All of my operating is CW with an Elecraft K3 or Icom 7300 turned down to 5 Watts for QRP and feeding a homebrew 80/40/30/20/15 trap/fan dipole 35' AGL. I only use straight keys or a bug.  If I was 20 years younger, I'd have me a pack goat and be working SOTA.  
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"...Capitalism...shares its blessings unequally; ...Socialism...shares its miseries equally."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
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Originally Posted By Mauser556: QMX operator, here. I pair Ham Radio Duo's Just Okay Mini antenna with it doing mobile/backpack ops with it. I've stuck with digital and CW mods with it, mostly. Worked Portugal and Alaska doing digital, and some good 1,000-2,000 mile hopes with it. It is really reliant of propagation, background noise, and the opetator. Same here but just digital modes. I have a mic for it, but haven't tried real hard to make any voice contacts yet. Also have a "sparkplug" EFHW to use as well. |
“An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." - Lt.Col. Jeff Cooper
It's not rocket science, but it's close!
It's not rocket science, but it's close!
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I built my first rig from ARRL Handbook. A mighty half watt on 80 meters. Then, on to OHR100A, SW40 +, then K1 1-4 and K2-100. I apparantly enjoy the kits more than operating, though I did take part in cw events. The OHR rig is still my favorite, just for the sidetone alone. Ok , I am a little nerdy! |
Runs with scissors
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I bought a Lab599 TX500. I only used it a few times. It’s a very nice little machine. I have a local ham that is way deeper in the hole than I and he trades radios all the time. He had two Elecrafts, the Yaesus, and the 705. He sold them all after he got the TX500 and used it for a year. His words were that it just hears better and produces a much better output product after processing. I kind of agree but I’m no expert. |
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Attached File True story. I have been happy with both my KH1 and KX2. The KH1 has been a game changer for a quick activation after a long hike. Throw out the counterpoise, extend the whip and start calling. Or if you have time and space, toss up a wire antenna. What I like best about them is the tuner, battery and key are all self-contained. Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By SteelonSteel: Lab599 TX500 It'd be great if they'd make a 25 watt version (or more). |
This is...a clue - Pat_Rogers
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
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I found this from DIY599.com. DIY599.com |
Sic semper tyrannis!
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Today is the weekly QRP net livestream on youtube. I used to have a thread on it but gave up when I was the only participant. Check in with 10w, and see how low you can go. My shitty chinese radios can usually check in with less than 1 watt, and I was the qrp king one week with 100mw. You can hear yourself on the livestream, but it is better to listen after you check in. Net control is in Iowa and South Carolina, so you should be able to be heard by one of them.  Sunday QRP SSB Net Livestream (Aug 16) |
World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
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1k euros is a lot of money for a 60w amp. |
World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
Case in point for the KH1. Wasn’t gonna let the rain rob me of my ten point summit after hiking to 12,000’…and first QSO was to Japan A specialized radio for sure but the only one I know of that can knock out an activation that fast Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Bluedog1971: Case in point for the KH1. Wasn't gonna let the rain rob me of my ten point summit after hiking to 12,000' and first QSO was to Japan A specialized radio for sure but the only one I know of that can knock out an activation that fast https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/359275/IMG_2359_jpeg-3817316.JPG |
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