N3TFM
Amateur Radio Station
QRP and QRSS
Basically, QRP means operating with low power, generally 5 watts or less.
Why do I like operating at QRP?
I find that it takes a lot more patience and waiting for the right moment to get a contact at QRP. It is a challenge that is very exciting to me. To make a contact half way around the planet at 5 watts or less is a huge thrill.
There are other benefits to QRP operation as well.. Because you're using much less power on a QRP rig, the current draw is very small compared to a standard tranceiver which means longer operating time on a battery. You can take the whole setup to a picnic table or hotel room and make contacts for hours.
QRSS is very slow speed CW. QRSS beacons can be heard (seen) worldwide even using extremely low power. Special software is used to see the faint signals on a waterfall display.
PSK31
PSK31, designed by G3PLX, is a very narrow bandwidth digital mode for keyboard to keyboard communications. PSK31 offers excellent weak signal performance and is great for QRP (low power) operation.
- PSK31 Info Page All about the wonderful new digital HF mode
- BPSK31.com Another great PSK31 information site including a forum, wiki, and polls
- N3TFM Argo Grabber Live (Sometimes) 30 meter QRSS Monitoring page
- WB3ANQ's Website My father's amateur radio website with info about his 30 meter MEPT
- I2PHD's Argo Software QRSS/DFCW viewing software
- Propagation Beacons NCDXF Beacon monitoring page. (Not currently active)
- International Beacon Project Everything you need to know about NCDXF Beacon monitoring