Fun Times, Fun Rigs

摘要

There is no doubt about it, friends; life in the QRP lane is good. We may be using low-power gear and simple antennas, but we are having a barrel of fun, staying within our budgets, and maintaining a low profile amidst ever-increasing CC&Rs. Recently, for example, I answered a CQ from Alan, W4MQC, and learned that he was hamming from a restrictive Florida island while using an Argonaut V and Hustler 6BTV vertical hidden on a boat dock behind his house (photos A and B). Checking further revealed his antenna was actually lower in altitude than his house, but he was contacting stations near and far with a mere 5 watts of power. Then, too, Monty, N5ESE/M, and I frequently cross paths and chat on 40 or 30 meters in the morning as he mobiles to work (photo C). Monty's rig is a little Elecraft K1 running 5 watts to a HamStick antenna mag-mounted on his Olds-mobile. Did you think that mobiling required a 100-watt transceiver and a fancy screwdriver antenna? No, it doesn't.