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Mommy, I don’t want to be a QRPer!
8 September 2013 | by This should have been a piece about my adventurous adventures in radio land. But alas, last week during the reception of a Wefax image the display of my not-very-trusty TS-440S went completely blank. It is not the first time this 23 year old rig is going cold on me and – yes, I know – if I want reliability I should buy myself a new rig. No problemo! I have money in the bank and could buy the new IC-7100 right away. But that is money we put in the bank for our first house, the kids tuition, a new second hand car and what not. It’s not easy being a poor ham, but I won’t bother you with my misery. Time for ACTION! If I really want that new rig then I have to make some extra money on the side. So I dug out my investment portfolio details, but…..no win, no loss. So, I took an extra hour of teaching English, but that is only making me 10 dollars per week. By the time I have enough money for a new rig the next solar maximum is already upon us.
Then I stumbled onto this video by VK3YE, Peter Parker in Melbourne, Australia. If you never seen any of his videos, then it is heartily recommended you check them out. His unique presenting style, clever video editing and outdoor QRP operations make them very entertaining and interesting. And this video is especially unique in that he is wearing a suit! You don’t see hams in suits often, so grab the opportunity.
But….making money with ham radio? I don’t think it is for me. So, after a deep sigh I dug out my TS-130V and also put the FRG-7 back on my desk. The TS-130V is only putting out 15 Watts so it feels like I am working QRP right now. But….but….I don’t want to be a QRPer! I want my 440 back!! MOMMY!!!!!
2 Responses to “Mommy, I don’t want to be a QRPer!”
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- Matt W1MST, Managing Editor
Good morning Hans, some time ago I was “forced” at the time to get into QRP. It was due to the fact I had to be low profile. I did not want to announce my radio hobby on any neighbors electronics. So it was low power and low profile for me. Now having doing this for years I will not go back to higher power. I have been amazed with how a QRP signal gets out. For me it added a new angel to the hobby.
Mike
VE3WDM
I don’t have anything against QRP per se. Not having a decent, stable general coverage receiver is more what I miss. The TS130V is drifting, so not good for WSPR or other modes that need stability. No worries, I ordered new FETs for the TS-440, so when they get in I hope I’ll be able to fix the rig, again.