QRP?


What is "QRP?"?


Amateur Radio has, for the purpose of on-the-air brevity, three-letter combinations all beginning with the letter "Q" to represent commonly used phrases in radio communication. They are called Q-Signals. They were originally used to facillitate ship-to-shore communications and primarily useful for CW (Morse Code.). For example: QRA means "The name of my station is_____" and QTH "My location is____"
QRA KD7REM QTH ELLENSBURG WA is less time consuming and easier on the carpel tunnel syndrome.

When the Q-Signal is followed by a question mark, the meaning is translated to a question (e.g. QTA? would be "What is your station name?" and QTH? "What is your location?")

QRP is the Q-Signal for "Lower your power" or simply "Low Power."
Hence QRP? "Can you lower your power?" or, and I know you're catching on,

"Can you Low Power?"


QRP has become known to Hams as the fine art of transmitting using milliwatts of power. There are numerous clubs and organizations who concentrate soley on the ability to communicate using these small signals.

Why is this so interesting? I will tell you why for me.
Low Cost: A transmitter that uses this small of a signal is realatively easy to build with easily aquired parts. I have many of these parts laying around my shack, so if the hankering hits me, I can throw one together in an evening.
Less Power required: Since the signal used for transmission is low, conversely the power required to run the station is low. Most QRP rigs can be operated from AA batteries. Although D cells would provide longer QSO's. I operate using a 12 volt lantern battery for portable use and my bench power supply from my shack.
Transportable: For those who like to backpack or camp, one of these rigs could easily be carried to the top of a mountain for extended range. The largest piece could well be the antenna!
More efficient: The key to any good radio transmission is matching the antenna to the transmitter. High-powered rigs, though equally as crucial to match the antenna for mininum power loss, are more forgiving since there are more watts to waste. When a QRP rig has a finely tuned antenna it can often reach distances a higher powered, mismatched transmitter may not. When you are only dealing with .250 to 5 watts it requires much closer attention to antenna construction.
More rewarding: A QSO (I can communicate with_____) from a small battery, or signal, can often give a greater sense of accomplishment. Especially if it's accomplished with a transmitter made with your own hands. Anyone can hit the airwaves with a thousand watt factory rig and make a contact.
Emergency Preparedness: The ability to communicate in a time of emergency is paramount. Being outfitted with a small transportable, low power means such as QRP appeals to me. Especially during these times.
To see my dabblings in QRP click here.