Welcome to QRP ARCI

QRP Amateur Radio Club International, an organization begun in the early 60s has grown to over 10,000 members.  The club is international in nature with members all over the world.  Club members like to build and/or operate small, low powered rigs.  Most of our members are not against high power and as a group we have never advocated the elimination of amplifiers or high powered contacts.  We simply enjoy operating at low power levels - lower than we were used to operating.  Why?  Because it's FUN!

We have found that there is a real thrill associated with low power contacts.  Because low power rigs are relatively easy to build, we have also found that an even greater thrill results from operating a rig that we have built ourselves.  Accordingly, there are a lot of technical folks in the club who enjoy talking about new ways to build small transceivers/receivers/transmitters.  Finding parts and sharing sources with others is a way of enjoying QRP as well.  In fact, most all of our members get very excited about helping others who may be new to building or operating QRP.  We answer some questions here and more on our FAQ page.

Why join our club?  Here are some of the benefits of being a member of QRP ARCI:

1. The QRP Quarterly - This journal is published each quarter in an 8 1/2 x 11 format and is usually 60-70 pages in length.  It is packed with technical content but also has something for everyone from rank beginner to seasoned veteran.  If you would like to see some of what we've published in past issues of QQ, take a look at the Tables of Contents of Past Issues  or to o see a list of 1995-1999 QQ articles in Title order - click here or a list of QQ issues in Author order- click here.

2. QRP Awards program - Numerous awards are offered by the club.   By the way, these are available for non-members as well as members.  The most popular is the 1000 miles per watt.  Simply take your output power and divide by the miles between the two stations.  If it is greater than 1000, you WIN!  For more info on this and other awards, simple check out our Awards Page.

3. QRP Contests - Again, you do not have to be a member to enter out contests.  If you are a member, you send your club number.  If not, send your power output instead.  The standard exchange of the RST and State/Province/Country precedes this information.  The contests are very informal and you won't find much in the way of "hogging" frequencies and that sort of thing.  They may be thought of as a way to test out your rigs and antennas with other QRPers.  Don't own a QRP rig?  Well, simply turn your power down on your "big" transceiver as much as you can and have a go at it.  Check out our Contest Page.

4. Local club support - We try to help local/regional clubs with their programs by promotion and assistance.  We also try to have our officers and board members at as many hamfests per year as possible.  We bring along or send out a box of materials and promo items for use at hamfests as well.  Is there a club in your area?  Check out our Club Page.

5. Dayton Four Days In May - The club sponsors a huge event each year in conjunction wit the Dayton Hamvention.  We actually add a full day of seminars before the hamfest and we have a whole program of activities each evening of the hamfest.  You'll find almost a QRP Hamfest at the Days Inn South Dayton motel where we take over most of the facility.  Check out our FDIM page.

6. QRP Forum - A place to ask questions, trade ideas, seek information, make friends, in short - have fun! Check it out.

There are many more reasons to join.  Take a tour of our web site.  Thank you for visiting us and "try QRP, you'll like it!"  THE THRILL IS BACK!

Our Goal - To increase our membership and help you have fun - to experience the thrill of amateur radio.  To do that we invite you to join us.  The cost?  $15USD per year(*) - a real bargain.  You can go to the "Invitation to Join Page" for details on how to become a member of QRP ARCI.   *Canada - $18USD, Other Countries - $20USD