N1JI - Concord, NH

QRP Works!

Now that 100% of my ham radio activities are QRP, I'm finding it much easier to make contacts than I thought it would be. Typically, I receive an RST of two S-units lower than I send a QRO (high power) operator.

For example, if I'm in a QSO with someone transmitting at 100 watts and I send him a report of 589, usually I will receive a 569 in return. 569 translates to:

5 - Perfectly readable
6 - Good signals
9 - Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind

Whereas the 589 translates to:

5 - Perfectly readable
6 - Strong signals
9 - Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind

Not bad for 5 watts and a dipole compared to 100 watts!

QRP Every Day for Over a Year

Inspired by John, K3WWP, I set a goal at the end of 2014 to have at least one QRP CW QSO every day during 2015. I accomplished that goal and was able to continue until mid-July 2016 when a family emergency required me to make a 24-hour non-stop drive home to New Hampshire. This "streak" of daily QSOs ran from December 28, 2014, through July 16, 2016, for a total of 567 days. If you think that's impressive, check out K3WWP's page; He has made a daily QRP CW QSO every day for over 21 years!