So... On last Sunday (2016-10-16) there was a little ham radio contest called the "Illinois QSO Party". Yes, I am a licensed amateur radio operator, and have been continuously since 1983. Since then I have talked to folks all over the world from my car or home office, completely without this new-fangled thing they call the internet.
Anyway, my wife and I went to the Peoria Ham Fest several weekends ago and I bought a late 1970's Yaesu FT-7. Sure, I would have preferred my favorite, an Icom IC-706, however my play-budget is currently quite limiting. The Yaesu was only $200; the Icom runs around $700. Add another $100 for antennas and other accessories, and the Icom will simply cost far too much right now. At any rate, for $300 I purchased a rig and enough wire and coax to make antennas for the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands.
One thing... The FT-7 is considered a QRP rig; that means 'low-power' for you non-hams out there. Generally, this radio uses less power than a computer monitor.
Since tossing a 20M dipole up into the trees, I have been making regular contacts with mobiles on the County Hunter Net (14.336 MHz) and a few special events stations. Signal reports are 'ok' but not outstanding. This is how it works... The other station "calls CQ" and is specifically listening for other stations to call them on a certain frequency. They are listening. So, when I call them with my little low-powered rig, they hear me and call me back. It works.
I remember reading somewhere a long while ago that QRP stations really shouldn't call "CQ" (i.e. is anyone there). It will be a waste of time. Other hams tuning around the band might hear your puny little signal but move on to a louder signal because it is easier to make a contact with them.
Absolutely. I wasted an hour on Sunday calling CQ with my little QRP radio during the Illinois QSO Party and made exactly zero contacts.
So, the common thought holds... When running QRP, don't call CQ... It's like a mouse peep in a snow storm.
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