QRP Portable Session 2

Undeterred by yesterday’s lack of success, I decided to try again today but shift my tactics a bit.

Last night I remembered that Thunderbird Park is not far from me, and there is an elevated spot with a covered ramada (shade!) that you can drive right up to and park.  No shlepping gear up a trail! I also decided to take both the KX-1 and the TS-590. My 7Ah gel-cell would provide a couple hours of operation  of the 590 and I could do a quick comparison of the two radios.

I left the hours at about 6:15am and by 6:45 was set up and operating.

Lesson 1: This non-huffing-and-puffing version of QRP operation is a lot more enjoyable.

Once again however, I could hear but know one could hear me.  I answered several CQs.  I called CQ myself several times. I tried both CW and SSB with the same (lack of) result.

I alternated between the TS-590 and the KX-1. Both rigs seemed to hear just as well. As long as the band is not crowded I think either rig will work just as well. Of course if the band is crowded or there is a lot of QRM the TS-590 with it’s DSP will run circles around the KX-1.

Lesson 2: I have a lot of learning to do. THis Saturday AZ ScQRPions are putting on a QRP conference in Flagstaff.  I think I will go.

Lesson 3: My CW speed needs to get to about 20wpm.