A very nice, thought-provoking piece...
At 10:11 AM 3/10/97 -0800, you wrote:
>For years I considered myself to be a QRPer; that is, one
>who operates on the amateur bands, using no more than 5 watts
>CW, or 10 watts SSB. However; it now appears that what
>constitutes one being considered a QRPer has - in my opinion -
>changed. And Although I still operate within the long
>established power limitations; and still believe in and adhere
>to the motto that "power is no substitute for skill", It has
>become clear to me that my beliefs and operating practices are
>no longer sufficient to support my previous claim of being a
>QRPer.
I would like to think that I'm a "QRPer" albeit a *NEW* one, but
then again I'm a *LOT* of things, not the least of which an individual.
>Based upon the Contemporary Philosophy of QRP; I am convinced
>that where once the motto "power is no substitute for skill"
>was appropriate to describe the philosophy of QRP, it is today
>inadequate. Based on the trends of the contemporary QRPer, I
>think the motto "doing more with less" is probably more
>appropriate. After all, the contemporary QRPer is one who is
>not only concerned with developing and maintaining superb
>operating skills, and limiting his output power; he is also
>concerned with ensuring that his equipment is of the smallest
>possible size, lightest weight, lowest power consumption, and
>lowest cost. A causal inspection of my equipment, would reveal
>that it does not meet any of the above design requirements. My
>equipment is not lightweight, it is not - by the standards of
>todays QRP rigs - small, it is not power efficient, and it was
>not inexpensively priced. I also believe that to truly be a
>QRPer, one must also be a Kit Builder, and/or Homebrewer.
>( Perhaps this was always the case, and somehow I simply missed
>these requirements in the past! ) Therefore, I am of the opinion
>that a contemporary QRPer would have a station that is primarily
>comprised of kit or homebrew equipment. And Again, a casual
>inspection of my station would indicate that it is comprised of
>primarily commercial equipment.
Yes, and I've been confused by those who buy a new, commercial rig
(perhaps called by the manufacturer QRP) which has high current demands
if not relatively large size and weight?
Does building a kit count? Scratch only? Who exactly is keeping score?
>So where does all of this discussion leave me, and those
>like me? Well, I believe that a distinction should be made
>between those who adhere to the old standard of "power is
>no substitute for skill", and those who adhere to what
>appears to be the newer standard of "doing more with less."
>For those like myself, who adhere to the old standard, it is
>my opinion that we should no longer consider ourselves to
>be QRPers. Instead, I think it would be more appropriate if
>we considered ourselves to be Low Power operators. This is
>not to say that we Low Power operators are inferior or
>superior to QRPers. On the contrary; Low Power Operators
>and QRPers share a great deal of common experience, and
>operating philosophy, so both groups benefit when they
>seek to appreciate the similarities and differences of the
>other.
These distinctions are somewhat artificial to me and here's why:
1) every ham is an individual and hopefully brings his own approach
(individuality and personal creativity)
2) amateur radio is a *LARGE* and *DIVERSE* hobby, there is room for
everyone to participate in their own way
3) to me, "QRP" seems like another specialty within the hobby (and fun!)
4) labels based on stereotypes (in general) are wrong
>As a Low Power Operator, I recognize and appreciate those
>things that make QRPers an elite group within the Amateur
>Radio Community, and I believe that what I have previously
>stated in this post supports my statement. However, I also
>feel that it is fair to commend some of the qualities and
>practices of the Low Power Operator. For example; the Low
>Power Operator adheres to the same power limitations that the
>QRPer adheres to, so the Low Power Operator is subject
>to the same natural and man made operating obstacles. One
>might even make the claim that it takes a tad more
>discipline to operate at these power levels as a Low Power
>Operator; in that the Low Power Operator often times uses
>commercially manufactured equipment, which may be easily and
>quickly increased above the 5/10 watt power level. Furthermore,
>since the Low Power Operator usually uses commercially
>made equipment; which often times incorporates modern, if
>not state of the art technology, the Low Power Operator is
>likely to demonstrate that Low/QRP power levels can be used
>to communicate via more advanced transmission modes; like
>Pactor, or through one of the LEO SATS like RS12/13, or APRS
>on 30 meters, or even 10 meter FM.
This all seems a bit dichotomous to me... Every individual is
comprised of a collection of interests and traits. For example,
one can be a fly-tier and QRPer with no conflict. One is not
QRPing when fishing (maybe), but there is no conflict.
Similarly, one can be a VHF EMEer (etc) and QRPer albeit not at
the same time. It *IS* possible to have more than one interest
in life (or amateur radio).
Some people operate microwave frequencies only, others visit on
occasions, but enjoy 160m as well. Same is likely true for QRPers!
Some operate homebrew "QRP" rigs at times and the latest DSP marvels
at others. At those times when running QRP on the homebrew rig, the
"QRP Hat" is on. Other times one may have the "Digital Hat" or
"Satellite Hat" or "Contest Hat" or "DX Hat." Combinations are
*interesting* too, i.e. sometimes one can wear more than one hat at a
time (and possibly synthesize *new* ideas).
A *PERSON* is no more a "Low Power Operator" than "Toilet Flusher."
Nearly everyone must flush at one time or another, but that does not
limit them to that one pursuit and I at least would hate to be "labelled"
by one activity. Everyone is different!
All I know is that when I solder together a $25 kit and then get on the
air with it and talk to someone far away, it seems like QRP to me and could
care less about someone else's pre-conceived notions or stereotypes.
>In conclusion, I would like to say that it was not my intention
>to create factions or fights here on the list. We Low Power and
>QRP types have much in common, and I think we can benefit from
>and appreciate each other more by recognizing and understanding
>our differences.
Personally, I am at times amazed at how little "cross-fertalization"
exists WITHIN amateur radio. Each group (at times) seems to be a
closed society or clique. I beleive there is *SOMETHING* that can be
learned from *EVERYONE*.
Others have pointed out in past that "VHF Guys" make good "HF Operators"
since they are accustomed to pulling weak ones out and are attentive to
propagation enhancement. Similarly, others have said that "HF Guys" make
good "VHF Operators" as they are accustomed to working stations at high
rate. What can *EVERYONE* learn from the QRP discipline?
As a QRP newbie, I was myself wondering today while operating the 38s
what "Operating Techniques" make the QRP operator stand out? I was working
W6XF and having a nice QSO explaining my new 4w HB $25 rig. He was so
impressed with my signal that he turned his Onmi down to 4w, too! Was he
a QRPer/Low Power Operator AT THAT TIME? I think so! Preaching dogma may
"turn off" this sort of natural curiosity, though.
I have just been operating my 38s as though it were a QRO rig (which is
itself a technique), but would be curious what the more experienced
practitioners of the art can offer a neophyte in the way of "technique"?
I have found many resources on WWW relating to QRP rigs, kits, accessories,
etc, but where can one *learn* about "operating techniques"?
(Or am I just a doomed "Toilet Flusher"?)
End of Soap Opera
*** Hi, my name is Brian and I'm a powerholic... ***
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