Ramsey Electronics QRP30 Instruction Manual - page 7
QRP30
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use of some 10db gain antenna such as a beam or quad by either station
could move the S7 for .625 watt up to S8, and that a similar antenna used at
the other station could give the under 1 watt signal a further boost over S9!
On the other hand, if you hear a 1000 watt station producing a moderate
signal such as S4 or S5, you can reasonably assume that you will not have a
lot of luck over that path right now with the theoretical S1 signal level of your
QRP transmitter.
While these figures also can be used to show how nice it is to have a power
amplifier and beam antenna, they indeed serve to show that reasonable signal
levels indeed are achievable with low power and a dipole antenna.
"QRP" enthusiasts have their own rituals, jargon, strategies, QRP operating
contests, magazine columns and books, and convention get-togethers. They
constitute a vital segment of the amateur radio community, because they
consistently demonstrate the feasibility of low-power communication. In fact,
the most avid QRP enthusiasts would not regard communication with a
Ramsey transmitter especially challenging, since they prefer the new world of
milliwatt operation, known as "QRPp"! And, yes, the ones who have
conquered the "milliwatt" world ARE setting records with "milliwatt" tests. With
the world record set in 1970 between Alaska and Oregon on ONE microwatt,
think about it this way: your Ramsey QRP transmitter is almost one million
times more powerful than the transmitter used in that historic test!
WHO SHOULD USE A "QRP" TRANSMITTER?
There is a philosophy that "Novices" should not get started with a very low
power transmitter. The reasoning is that most newly-licensed amateurs need
to build up the confidence that comes with actually making contacts and that
they do not need the additional challenge and pressure of low-power
operation. There is some wisdom in this view, but that opinion should not
make newcomers apprehensive about trying a Ramsey QRP transmitter, IF:
1. This is where your budget is.
2. You can count on somebody to help you with assembly.
3. You can count on somebody to listen to your signal during initial
tests.
4. You have a reasonably good receiver.
5. You have space for a normal, no-compromise antenna for the band
you wish to operate, either a standard dipole, or the "inverted V"
dipole, or quarter-wave vertical.