QRP Club

QRP Station => Transceivers => Topic started by: ve3lyx on December 31, 2013, 02:43:39 UTC

Title: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ve3lyx on December 31, 2013, 02:43:39 UTC
I am curious what the rigs are, commercial, homebrew, kits or vintage.
I'll start with mine. I use a 3 transistor homebuilt I got from some of Lew McCoy's articles about 30 years ago. I upgraded it to a NTE128  final . Today I added absorbtion loop modulation which gives me AM phone if I like with no active components. I also have and use three vintage homebuilt rigs with tubes. One is a TNT, One a MOPA and one a 4 tube transceiver, all under 5 watts. The mopa is also a transceiver. All have AM capability as well a CW.
What is on your shelf?
Don Ve3LYX
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: UA9OTW on January 03, 2014, 14:28:12 UTC
I use FT-817ND with a 500 Hz CW filter + Youkits HB-1B MK2 + Elecraft T1+ END FEDZ EF 20, EF10/20/40 + LW.

In shack Icom IC-7200 + LDG IT-100 + CITY WINDOW (CW40100) + G5RV/ZS6BKW from W8AMZ.


Power 1-5 watt


72! 73! Valery UA9OTW/QRP
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: NS7E on January 03, 2014, 19:21:48 UTC
I run ATS-3B 6 band digital transceiver 5 w  fits in an altoids tin 5 Oz  than I have the H1-B1 from youkits  4 bander 5w  the best receiver I have heard .
also my ic-756 pro2 goes down to 1 watt  QRP is the most fun you can have with your close on. HI HI
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: N9EGT on January 06, 2014, 17:12:32 UTC
I am using a newly acquired  HB-1B with a 250 foot loop wire antenna. So far it has worked great. I am working on my CW proficiency and speed.

73's

Wayne  N9EGT
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: SM2IUF on January 06, 2014, 18:57:18 UTC
I have a few QRP rigs but the best is my KX3 with a small ackumulator and solarpanels with regulator. For antenna I am using the old original VS1AA antenna (Windom like) since the ATU are capable of matching it on all the bands the antenna is capable of. I use two radials for each band and have had great fun with it.

I have both a full size VS1AA and a half size for different needs and both works very nice with the ATU. The antennas is light weight since I don't need any coaxial cable so it's great for backpacking.

I am mostly operating CW but KX3 really shines on SSB if the TX audio equalizer it set correct by enhancing high tones and suppressing low tones. I have very aggressive settings for the EQ and with the excellent compressor I get real good signal reports from overseas.
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: YV5IUA on January 06, 2014, 18:58:43 UTC
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/07/y4amuhag.jpg) this is my QRP station, FT 817ND, mini paddle CW (YV5EN), battery 12 V- 7A/h, antenna Buddipole And AA-52 analyzer antenna.  Best Regards from Caracas, Venezuela YV5IUA John


Enviado desde mi iPhone con Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ON6ZK on January 08, 2014, 18:48:49 UTC
I use a Kenwood TS120V  Max 10 watt out PEP CW - SSB
Also have a K1 Elecraft MAx out 7 watts PEP CW
MFJ Cub tranceiver on 14 Mhz CW 0,8 watts out CW

Antenna's : 1/4 verticals on 30 / 40 / 8O meters
                   4 element yagi on  12 / 15 / 17 / 20 meters   all monoband yagi's
                   8 element monoband yagi on 10 meters
                   Windom antenna for 10 to 80 meters
                   modified CB vertical for 10 meters & 12 meters : Antron 99

99 % CW operator !
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ve3lyx on January 08, 2014, 22:20:51 UTC
YV5IUA
That is a real neat mini paddle!
Don
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: SM5JAB on January 15, 2014, 13:27:09 UTC
The KX-1 is a portable favourite. It contains the battery and has a cute paddle attached. For antenna a 6 m fishing rod is enough.

Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: IZ5ZCO on January 15, 2014, 14:11:48 UTC
YV5IUA
That is a real neat mini paddle!
Don


http://youtu.be/S5fafqrLwN4 (http://youtu.be/S5fafqrLwN4)
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: G0BVZ on January 15, 2014, 15:03:29 UTC
Shack - FT450D  ( I know it can QRO but is always set at 5W. Good for CW with good (IMHO) digital signal processing, plays nicely with Ham Radio Deluxe v5 (The last free version) . The rig control via HRD is fast and convenient, saves wear & tear on the rig controls!! ;D I don't use the fairly limited range  internal ATU much, prefer to use external matchbox. Internal keyer is fine but not used because I'm determined to get my straight key work up to standard first.

Portable - FT817ND with 300Hz cw filter, which is a revelation. It transforms the rig and it really helps protect my ears from excessive white noise/ general racket.  (I'm fairly deaf and very interested in preserving what remaining hearing I have.) Can wind the power right down.

Guerilla QRP - Youkits HB-1B 4 bander. An amazing little rig for the money. Variable filtration is effective. Only way to control output power I've found so far is to reduce power supply voltage a little.  Unfortunately this also reduces audio gain.  I switched to a pair of Sennheiser HD219 headphones and their sensitivity compensates nicely for this. If it is a really noisy environment, I switch my hearing aids to 'Loop' and they couple electronically to my phones and background noise is pushed a lot further into the background!!

Various heaps of home brew crud, none of which approaches the rigs above. Also becoming much too quiet!!

I regret parting with
Shimizu Denshi SS-105S max 10w of joy, all analogue dials and reliable to nth degree
TS130V  Why did I sell this rig?  Great receiver, qrp,narrow  crystal filter... regret, regret...   :-[

That's all folks.

Vic
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: KB3WEY on January 16, 2014, 22:13:00 UTC
I use a IC-7000 dialed down to 5 or 3 percent (5 or 3 watts) but I am wondering if there is any RF output on the 0% setting like maybe 1/2 a watt. beside that I am working on a 38'special.
 
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: PG4I on January 17, 2014, 08:22:47 UTC
I am trying to use all homebrew equipment, although some of them may be kits or derived from kits. So far I build a BITX20 and rockmite20 (designed the PCB myself). I am trying to go even smaller, now working on a PIXIE for 20 meters.

The keyer, SWR meter and antenna tuner are also homemade. Homebrew combined with QRP makes maximum fun! Here is a picture of my rockmite...
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: NY4G on January 17, 2014, 19:20:40 UTC
Both my rigs are QRP capable down to 100 milliwatts - K2 and KX3.  I had a KX1 and an FT817.  My first ever long distance contact at over 2000 miles per watt is with the FT817 to Australia on phone.  The heavy lifting was done at the other end by VK6LC on his 20m beam.  My most recent is to Guam on the KX3 with an inverted L cut for 80m with 500 feet of radials and my most miles per watt is to Indiana at 100 milliwatts for 5370 miles per watt on a ZS6BKW antenna. 

73 de NY4G
Ariel
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: VE2TH on January 17, 2014, 21:25:01 UTC
Hello all,

Here I use the FT-817ND, ICOM IC-703+ FOR 10 & 6 METERS AND THE KX3.

My ever long distance contact was on 30 meter with VK3IO who is using only extended double zepp at 100 ft = 30 meter high between 2 GUM Trees.

Which gives me 3371 KM/WATT. Here I use only simple wire antennas and monoband vertical, hooked up to my chain link fence, which is 183 ft long around my lot or 55 meters long.

You never know who you can work running QRP, that is the biggest fun of QRP power.

See you on the air Ariel,

72 Michel VE2TH QRP & QRPp



Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: VK6MB on January 19, 2014, 04:54:08 UTC
Hi, my station is a KX3. I have an 80m OCF dipole, a 40m Moxon and 5bd H/d Spiderbeam still in the box  :-[

I do have a KXPA100 on order for when I want to QRO.
Although I do get thru on the WICEN net on 12W on 3.600kHz, the other members sometimes struggle to hear me clearly from 300km away.

73 Mike VK6MB
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ea5blp on January 22, 2014, 14:30:26 UTC
Hello,
If you want to see a dozen of qrp transceivers in action, (mostly kits), I invite you to take alook to my QRP channel in youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ea5blp (http://www.youtube.com/user/ea5blp)

Best regards,
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ik8yfw on January 22, 2014, 18:20:41 UTC

My working conditon qrp side:

Commercial: fr 817 nd + cw 500hz narrow
Kit build: small Wonder lab swl-40, foxx3 rtx Cw
Homemade: ps, tuner zmatch, long wire + 4:1 bal., rybakoff Vertical bamboo, keyer

That`s all.
Vy 73 de Giuseppe, ik8yfw



Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: IZ5ZCO on January 24, 2014, 10:48:00 UTC
- Yaesu FT-817ND (with a 300 Hz Collins CW filter)

- Rockmite ][ 20m Transceiver (200 mW)
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: M5AML on February 01, 2014, 19:01:47 UTC
Hi all,

Here I have a Kenwood TR-751E which I mainly use for 5W SSB into a homebrew indoor 5 element beam on 2m.  I use an Alinco DX70TH with loft-mounted inverted vee for the higher HF bands. 

I also have a Yaesu VX5-R which I used to use on 2m FM before I got my 751 but still sometimes take this out /P.  A half-modified Brendon DSB TRX is gathering dust somewhere in the shed alongside many other half-finished/half-dismantled homebrew circuits!

Farhan's latest offering looks interesting as does the BITX but I would probably build one for 17m or 15m.

73
John
M5AML
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: GM0LVI on February 01, 2014, 21:28:41 UTC
I had an FT-817 for several years and took it on on holiday with me and enjoyed lots of QRP QSOs from Greece and British Virgin Islands. At home I used an FT-1000.
I sold the FT-817 to help finance an Elecraft KX3 which I just love. It is a far better rx than my FT-1000 and also much better then the 817 which I found quite wasn't that great at selectivity despite a narrow cw filter. When the KXPA100 arrives in the UK I'll trade in the FT-1000 as I want the extra power for 50MHz E's in the summer.
At home the antennas are a 5 band 2 element quad for 10-20m, a 30m GP stuck 5m up a pear tree, a HF2V for 40 & 80m with lots of buried radials and a 5 element yagi for 6m.
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: VK6MB on February 02, 2014, 00:47:09 UTC
I have my KXPA100 coming this week, but will only use it for when I "need" to e.g. ensuring good comms for WICEN nets etc. Otherwise I can do most QSO's  with the barefoot KX3 - 12W, remembering VK6 to VK2 is the same as London to Moscow  :))

73 Mike VK6MB heading down to the Tavern  for a "Sunday Session"
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ve3lyx on February 15, 2014, 04:37:01 UTC
spurred on by recent success with my vintage TNT rigs contact (had a long qso with it tonite) I dug out and went over another homebrew low power rig I built a few years ago. It is a transceiver and works not bad. I have it tuned up on 80M right now (3725)and it has AM and CW function. It is built in a 1920s radio cabinet. I have had some successful QSOs with it but not many.. I have reworked the tank circuit coupling and hope the extra stomp I found will pay dividends. It covers both 80M and 40M without band switching
Don
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: K5TTE on February 19, 2014, 04:32:24 UTC
I've really had great fun with the LNR Mantiz fx2.
It's a shirt-pocket 40/30 mtr rig with about 3w out.
With their end-fed half wave wire, it's been a fine rig.
It's a shame this rig has been sold-out over a year.
If production resumes, it's worth another look by
portable operators.
Randy  K5TTE.   Austin
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: W4RQ on February 21, 2014, 01:13:09 UTC
Using a KX-3. My Ten Tec Jupiter has been collecting dust ever since the Elecraft arrived last August!
Rich-W4RQ
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: m0jha on February 21, 2014, 20:19:28 UTC
In the shack , main rig 817 and has been for a few years running 2 watts out , have a TT Argosy I use on 30m this was a cheap buy and fix project . Portable HB1B and EMTECH ZM2 tuner .. just got a GQRP club sudden line up as well as homebrew pixie II  and homebrew atu's paddles etc

billy
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: VE2TH on February 22, 2014, 02:44:29 UTC
Hello Billy,

Very nice and fun set-up. My XYL VE2RH is using a FT-817ND, and I have the KX3 and an Icom IC-703+
for 10/6 meters.

In the past I had an Argosy TEN-TEC, for over 15 years, which is a really good transceiver, simple to operate, I had the 500 Hz Crystal filter, + the audio filter which was superb to cut the QRM, very good selectivity.

Do you have this audio filter ? if not,  try to find one, you won't regret it.

I often operate at the 2 watts level, and below into the milliwatt. With the KX3 it is really easier to go down as 100 milliwatts, and every time I have good amazing surprises, as I how often I can go.

Thanks Billy for sharing,

See you on the air someday,

72, Michel VE2TH QRP & QRPp

Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: PD5L on August 20, 2014, 13:57:59 UTC
I use:
Icom ic775dsp
Icom ic765
Elecraft k2/100 full option
KLM KT34A
Rigs 5 to 10watts SSB

73' Edwin PD5L
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: N8XEE on February 26, 2015, 03:50:56 UTC
I picked up an elderly Heathkit HW-7 a few days ago.  I won it on eBay.  It's in great shape, and relatively unmolested except for the addition of a dial light switch.  It's actually a pretty nice rig, and it's fun to operate.  Yes, it's primitive by modern standards, but that's part of its charm.  If I want modern, I'll use my Icom.....

This little rig really benefits from an outboard audio filter.  The selectivity is really wide, so the filter is almost a necessity.  Other than that, it's a nice rig.
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ha7nb on April 30, 2015, 20:04:17 UTC
Hello!

My QRP transceiver X1M Pro platinium, use it more then one year.

Last year in march working K0TT op:Danny 21MHz ssb. Antenna Rybakov power out 3watts (backyard). Almost the all qso made with QRP in ssb and some sstv.

Last summer more then 50 qso made in SSTV mode, mostly Europe, and one South America (Brasil) the Jasta contest with PY4BL op: Arnaldo.
Antenna multiband doublet in inverted V mode, rig: X1M Pro power 3watts.

72/73!  Janos HA7NB/QRP
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: W5WIL on May 20, 2015, 02:13:51 UTC
Hi,
Well I had been using an IC-703 for home and an LNR MTR for trips outside. For the 3rd time in 2 years I blew up the 703. First two times was antenna problems and now I think I reversed red to black power connectors - smoke and smell. It sucks to get old. Anyway, 703 off for repair again and down to just MTR rig for a couple months. I got 3.7v AA LiIon batteries in a box thru 3.5mm power connector - hard to hook backwards.

I like making wire antennas and testing during lunch hour in the park (efhw, dipole, ocf, random wire, etc).

Field Day with the MTR only should be interesting.

72, Dennis W5WIL
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ON6KZ on July 21, 2015, 08:48:29 UTC
I use a FT817ND for QRP.
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: sm5mek on July 21, 2015, 09:50:51 UTC
A tip, always use Anderson power pole 30A, red and black for power and blue for antennas. Foolsafe ;-)
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: ve3lyx on July 28, 2015, 02:18:08 UTC
Had a little smoke here today too. Lost a centre tapped12v transformer in my HB bench supply. Not sure why.
don
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: 5B4AJG on September 13, 2015, 07:47:28 UTC
Hi all,
I've just upgraded from the FT-817nd to a beautiful red Elad FDM DUO (the 817 will remain as a spare qrp rig).
Worked a F4, IZ, as well as a M0/p on my first use from 5B land all at 0.3w that's qrp. This little SDR is without doubt the start of the future and it's got knobs, buttons and a display and at a lot less £'s of the KX3's price.
Looking forward to playing/p with a 7.5a 12v battery and my Transworld Traveller once our heat eases off somewhat....
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: sm5mek on September 13, 2015, 09:24:02 UTC
Quote
Hi, well I had been using an IC-703 for home and an LNR MTR for trips outside. For the 3rd time in 2 years I blew up the 703. First two times was antenna problems and now I think I reversed red to black power connectors - smoke and smell. It sucks to get old. Anyway, 703 off for repair again and down to just MTR rig for a couple months. I got 3.7v AA LiIon batteries in a box thru 3.5mm power connector - hard to hook backwards.

I like making wire antennas and testing during lunch hour in the park (efhw, dipole, ocf, random wire, etc).

Field Day with the MTR only should be interesting.

72, Dennis W5WIL

Reversing the polarity not good, :-\  use Anderson Power Pole connectors and the problem is over.  ^-^ Look at Ebay for good prizes.
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: YV5EN on December 19, 2015, 23:27:35 UTC
YV5IUA
That is a real neat mini paddle!
Don


[url]http://youtu.be/S5fafqrLwN4[/url] ([url]http://youtu.be/S5fafqrLwN4[/url])


Thanks Nicola for posting my video (YV5EN Mini-Paddle)
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: IZ5ZCO on December 20, 2015, 17:16:48 UTC
YV5IUA
That is a real neat mini paddle!
Don


[url]http://youtu.be/S5fafqrLwN4[/url] ([url]http://youtu.be/S5fafqrLwN4[/url])


Thanks Nicola for posting my video (YV5EN Mini-Paddle)


Merry Christmas, Edwin.  :)
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: m0ser on February 17, 2016, 23:46:49 UTC
I'm currently enjoying using the MTR-03 for /p QRP. Doing some experimenting powering it with 18650 batteries - does anyone have any experience using them for radio?
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: PA1FJ on February 20, 2016, 14:39:19 UTC
I use for QRP my already existing transceiver FT-950, FT-897, TS-480SAT and portable FT-817.
Just last week participated with 5 watts QRP the PACC contest, with my FT-950!

72 Fred PA1FJ
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: DF5WW on February 21, 2016, 17:02:16 UTC
Meanwhile using an old Icom IC-735 with a 240 Hz CW filter for QRP. Rig was switched down to half power (internal switch on the mainboard) and modified that it can be used between 500 mW and 50 W in that half power range. In Full power range it works from 1 - 100 W but i don´t use this HP range.

This modification (down to 500 mW) i have done last week but now i can play a bit with QRPP too  ;D ;)
Title: Re: What are the rigs being used for QRP?
Post by: KE9AJ on November 30, 2016, 23:19:42 UTC
HW-8 !   Love QRP

KE9AJ