Why QRP?

QRP or low power operations are quite popular abroad, especially for portable operations like Parks on the Air. I was also a regular QRP operator when I started way back in 1985 as I had no other options. There were so many of us on the popular homebrew VU2VWN QRP which was CW/AM only. VU2UCY (SK) had operated on a homebrew SSB QRP of his own design and I had received the circuit from him as well. But I found it too complex for me as no PCB or kit was available for simplified assembling at that time. QRP enthusiasts go by the “the minimum power necessary to carry out the desired communications” which is part of amateur radio regulations in most regions including ours.

Having expertise in QRP operations has a special role in emergency communications during disaster recovery when you have to limit the use of available battery power and generator fuel! You may wonder why my new interest in QRP operations. I have homebrewed an Easy BITX SSB dual band 40/20m kit recently. Though the nominal output is mentioned as 5W in the QRP range, I could get only about 0.32W with my crude tests. That comes in the QRPp range, being less than 1W! I am in the brainstorming process of how to improve that by checking and rechecking my build. HF net controls in our region quite happy to give priority to QRP operators for their great effort. QRP operations generally requires a well tuned antenna so that the whole signal will be radiated out and not reflected back due to high SWR. Of course there are also many who do say that ‘Life is too short for QRP!’.