What exactly is QRP?
If you are new to ham radio, QRP is the operation of equipment that produces a power output of relatively low power. Generally 5 watts or less. Some enthusiasts actually consider 5 watts QRO (high power), but for sake of argument, 5 watts or less output from your transmitter will generally grant you a pass to the QRP catagory.

While QRO operators may enjoy firing up the linear amplifiers and pumping 1.5 kilowatts to the 3 element beam at 200 feet to grab some rare DX, QRP operators generally thrill to a different set of criteria. For the QRP operator, the challenge of bagging the rare one while running under 5 watts of power output, freqently to a modest antenna, is the thrill. It is the quest to see how far you signal can go with how little power. With HF frequencies, and a modest antenna, QRP operators have worked the world. More often than not with QRP, it is OPERATOR SKILL - NOT RAW POWER that dictates success.

There is another aspect to QRP Operating that is very rewarding and that is building your own equipment. There are many manufacturers that provide kits to allow you to build your own radio equipment (see our links page for links to these manufacturers). There is definately a sense of satisfaction that any QRP operator will tell you when you make a contact on a radio that you build yourself.

We, in the CQrp Club, enjoy this thrill of QRP operating and radio equipment building. If you doubt the thrill would be there for you - imagine this:

You have just spent 2 weeks enjoying the building of your first ham radio HF QRP kit - a fine 5 watt output rig with a built in keyer, a headphone jack, and the most TLC you could muster as you melted in the solder! You chose the 40 meter band for your first kit - yes, some come with multi bands, but you chose to go with a single band rig for the first kit project. You were amazed at how much fun "homebrewing" was. Well, the smoke test cleared - everything checked out, the alignment is done, the antenna (a simple dipole up about 20 feet) is attached, and you slip the headphones on to listen to the magic...

WOW! The rig actually sounds good! Nice selectivity, a good filter for a little rig, and the tuning knob feels perfect for "picking out the weak sigs". OK, you hear a station calling CQ, he is about a 579 (merely a guess since you have no meter) and is solid copy. It is a W6 station. He finishes and you give him a call. To your utter amazement, he answers you. You sit there in awe as you hear your callsign comming back to you! Wow! You just built a radio that someone heard in California (quite a hop from Central Ohio) with only 5 watts of power output! From a rig YOU BUILT! To an antenna made up of wire that YOU BUILT! You are really amazed when he gives you a 559. You think to yourself -"Either band conditions must be astronomical, or this guy is nuts!" What really amazes you is that when you are done, another operator with a DL call frantically calls you and tells you that you are 549 in Bremen, Germany! As you conclude the contact, you think - "man, that was fun!"

Now, if you are a ham radio operator and this story does not excite you, call your cardiologist, and have him stand by. Tell him you have lost your passion for amateur radio - if he is a QRP fan - he may recommend a new Kit, a field day event, or a 4 hour sprint contest to get the old ticker going again!!

See you on the bands!!!