I thought I would look through the high power QSOs in my log for
Los Gatos, CA to find what I do, instead of what I think I do. I
found that I use high power for:
The Elecraft SSB net: I frequently need a relay to reach Chicago.
DXpeditions: Minimizing the time for my QSO lets others make
their QSOs
Contests: Particularly when entering the contest to work DXCCs
FT8: I have a number of Rx -24 DB contacts. My only 3W QSO
has -17dB from @800W.
At the other end of the power spectrum, I have a QSO with a V3
at 1.4W and 5W contacts around the world. (Many of these were
back when there were sun spots.) All my contacts from New
Hampshire were with 10W or less, most 5 or less. These contacts
include a useful number of DXCCs. I do play QRP as well as QRO.
I also admit that when I got my amp, I was a kid in a candy
store. I used it, perhaps at times when I didn't strictly need it.
It is obvious from this data that I clearly think that all's
fair in love and DX. Also, I should take a careful look at my
transmit antennas. I also act as if I believe that using enough
power to make the QSO is a valid way for a ham to operate.
I will close with the thought that working EME is certainly a
weak signal mode, and that it frequently takes a kilowatt to
play in that league.
73 Bill AE6JV
On 1/2/19 at 2:56 PM, [email protected] (Carl J. Denbow) wrote:
While it's legal to run maximum power on FT8, or any other weak
signal mode, it's certainly not in the spirit of the weak
signal mode ethos Most weak-signal mode enthusiasts pride
themselves on the worldwide contacts they can make with low
wattage. Many feel that 100 watts is QRO on these modes.
Personally, I usually run about 35 watts, but I've had QSOs
with stations in far-flung regions running power in the
milliwatt range with a dipole up 20 feet. That's the real
attraction of these modes to many. And, until the advent of
FT8, you heard very few stations running more than 100 watts on
these modes. FT8 seems to have attracted a whole different
crowd. Some of these, I think, view FT8 as a "the new RTTY"
and operate according to the accepted operating procedures of
that mode. I view this trend as very unfortunate.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | I don't have high-speed | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506 | internet. I have DSL. | 16345
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com | | Los Gatos,
CA 95032
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