100w vs. 5w: PART 2 (SSB)

In this video, I show an example of transmitting SSB at 100 watts and then turning down the power while listening to the results. A nice ham (Bryan, WZ5DX) gave me some audio feedback from 466 miles away.

I also discuss some philosophical concepts about QRP and the unreliable nature of propagation that makes it hard to predict where your signal will be strong on any given day.

[ralphnunn]

This video also underscores the difference between SSB and CW. At QRP levels, code is easier to copy than is the human voice. So, if you want to be heard long distances, consider learning the code.

[norbertstepien]

You're spot-on on all points. Ignore the trolls and negative comments, I do.

[carlospallares]

Qrp is going fishing, sometimes you get something, sometimes not. Qro is buying fish at the supermarket.😊 I love both. I'm a subscriber and I've really missed you.

[briannielsen]

QRP is a wonderful challenge of skill and knowledge and there is lots and lots to learn about all sorts. Please keep teaching us🔥Love it

[forthy]

You are so right! Small Radio, QRP power, small battery and a (random) wire in a tree...this is real Ham radio. I am a licensed ham since 1978 and I work below 10 watts for most of that time... 😊 73, Stephan, DF6PA

[bill-]

I used to run 100 Watts for about 15 years, sold it, moved QTH, then later made my 4 Watt h/b ssb/cw tcvr about 30 years ago.
For the last 8 years I couldn't do much because of internet QRM on 160m to 20m. Hooray, it cleared up in January when it went to fibre optic cable. I've got my hobby back. 5 Watts and less now, so I'm really just getting back into it.
The beacons are good and there's a lot on 28.200 to around 28.300 MHz in various countries.
Mainly used c.w. on 17m and 10m with 5 Watts into Europe, with 1 Watt getting 1400 miles to Sicily and Bulgaria..
An ssb QSO to Sicily, 1400 miles using 5 Watts.
Nobody in 35 years of living here has ever asked what is the purpose of my wire in the sky.
G4GHB.

[simcizx]

3.5 year old ham here. Love QRP!
3 watts, 53' wire to Russia. Felt like a kid on Christmas day!
Gary
KO4LGM

[frankartieta]

I have become a diehard cw qrp operator decades ago !
QRP works great to conserve power !
Perhaps maybe remember when we were supposed to conserve electricity ?
Conserve just went away !
There also used to be the type of fella who was a listener !
I think a QRP operator puts a bit of effort into being a listener !
A half a watt works for listeners !

[KIDDO]

Glad I saw till the end. Learned something new about the beacons.. I’ve used WWV and websdr to hear conditions on bands but didn’t know about beacons doing the 100w to 1w beeps. I’ll add that to the tool box. Thanks!

[trig]

Excellent someone with sense .. my record is I worked Zimbabwe on 250 Milli Watts HW8 BFY51 PA ...inverted Vee dipole centre up about 30 feet up on a tree

[Yunesieh]

I love this topic ❤. Please record more video. Thank you very much

[VKTO]

Greetings from Tasmania :) . When out with my Mountain Topper it's not uncommon to contact mainland US stations, so I don't think distance is the issue. I would suggest it's more a numbers game for you to get us in the log; despite a vibrant local amateur community, there would only be a handful of active CW operators. P.S. It's great having you back making videos.

[betterbprepared]

Love the video and loved part 1. Great points and great example on both videos transmitting to an SDR and seeing the results. It has always amazed me when I am pushing 100W and lucky to make contacts and I hear these guys out there making the trip on 5 and 10W. I recently purchased a QRP rig, Lab599 TX-500, and made a 10W contact to stations 600 miles away, and that was on SSB. I purchased the rig as my CW rig, which I am learning now. I am very excited about CW and the low power world. New subsciber, love the videos.

[owlcricker-kulm]

Cliff, practical real-time testing and experience is the most important testing to me. How to attain the best results on any given day and conditions is the challenge and fun ham radio. QRP helps test your limits.

[martinvanek]

The coolness factor increases as the power output decreases. Making a DX contact on 100mW would be a "mike drop" moment for me. Of course I'd drop my cheapest mike. 73 Cliff

[dirkesterline]

I’m a qrp weirdo too. Nice video series Cliff!

[rjpara]

I am studying now and enjoyed both of your videos. Thank you for sharing. 👍

[justawfulgamer]

I've learned in ham radio, 99% of Answers to questions are "it depends".

[pvdk]

I have a item in my log where I talk to a W7 station west coast from Belgium using an SunSDR QRP radio 5 watts and a dipole for 20 meters at 60 feet in the air. Sometimes those gods help you out ;-) Great channel and videos. 73 Phil ON4VP

[EssexCountyPhoto]

Greetings from Essex County, England.
I'm still learning the basics, but last weekend, I spoke to a station in Italy (678 miles away) using my IC-705 on 5w.
All I've got is a Chameleon MPAS mounted on a 2.5m tall wooden pergola in our tiny garden, with 3 x 10m and 3 x 5m elevated radials.
I could hear him very clearly, and so could he.
Power is a very fluid concept...
Keep up the great work.
73 de 2E0HJN
(Manny)