开云体育

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
  1. Qrparci
  2. Topics

Love me some OLD QRP

 

开云体育

I was messing around in the garage last night and found my old SMK-1 transceiver from 2001.? So I bought it in to my office and connected a battery, a speaker, antenna, and a key and was pleasantly surprised that it fired up, and was putting out about 300 milliwatts on 7040+/- !

The SST was going on last night so I answered a call from Illinois and worked AD9CA Mike in Newton IL.? He heard me.? He asked me to repeat my call so I did, and we had an exchange.? I got 449 for 300 milliwatts, and he was a solid 579 here.

So that was about 145 miles from the old attic dipole antenna, and I was very happy.? See for more details.

Then tonight I pulled my old K1 (Ser #1250) and tuned it up on 40m.? My battery must be low because I can only get about 3w out on 7052.5 and the attic dipole.? I heard WA9WFV calling CQ from up in Wisconsin so I answered him and we had a great 20 minute QSO.? He was at a park with his FT 897 and running 20w with a battery powering the station...but NOT POTA.? Mike was just there in a park enjoying the great weather....60 and sunny.? While here is was cloudy and 55 with rain on the way.

I built this K1 in? May 2002 right after I got home from Dayton with it.? It's been a great little radio.? Maybe my almost 50 yr old HW-8 will get tried next.

You all have fun at the Hamvention and FDIM next week!? I hope to get back there in 2026.

de KB9BVN
Brian Murrey




--
72 de KB9BVN
 

Brian,

I'm pretty sure I remembered when you bought that K1. Time flies. Was FDIM down the road south of Dayton that year?

I still have a K1 along with a K2 (#524) that I built in 1999. I need to push both of those back into service for a month this summer.

Old QRP is the best QRP!

--?
Jeff, KE9V

On Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 6:18 PM, Brian KB9BVN via groups.io <kb9bvn@...> wrote:

I was messing around in the garage last night and found my old SMK-1 transceiver from 2001. So I bought it in to my office and connected a battery, a speaker, antenna, and a key and was pleasantly surprised that it fired up, and was putting out about 300 milliwatts on 7040+/- !

The SST was going on last night so I answered a call from Illinois and worked AD9CA Mike in Newton IL. He heard me. He asked me to repeat my call so I did, and we had an exchange. I got 449 for 300 milliwatts, and he was a solid 579 here.

So that was about 145 miles from the old attic dipole antenna, and I was very happy. See for more details.

Then tonight I pulled my old K1 (Ser #1250) and tuned it up on 40m. My battery must be low because I can only get about 3w out on 7052.5 and the attic dipole. I heard WA9WFV calling CQ from up in Wisconsin so I answered him and we had a great 20 minute QSO. He was at a park with his FT 897 and running 20w with a battery powering the station...but NOT POTA. Mike was just there in a park enjoying the great weather....60 and sunny. While here is was cloudy and 55 with rain on the way.

I built this K1 in May 2002 right after I got home from Dayton with it. It's been a great little radio. Maybe my almost 50 yr old HW-8 will get tried next.

You all have fun at the Hamvention and FDIM next week! I hope to get back there in 2026.

de KB9BVN
Brian Murrey




--
72 de KB9BVN

 

开云体育

Hi Jeff,

FDIM 2002 was at the world famous Ramada Inn.? The sounds, the sights, THE SMELLS...Hamvention was at the trusty and rusty Hare Arena.

I bought my K2 from Don sometime around 2004 I think.? So I have a K1, K2, and a KX-2 I use for POTA.? Good goods to last this long.

I have a Norcal 40A I built in 1998, that still works 100%.? Good for a solid watt, with the KC-1 keyer.? I bust it out a couple times a month to keep it warmed up.

Time flies when we're having fun.

de KB9BVN
Brian Murrey



On 5/5/2025 8:20 PM, Jeff, KE9V via groups.io wrote:

Brian,

I'm pretty sure I remembered when you bought that K1. Time flies. Was FDIM down the road south of Dayton that year?

I still have a K1 along with a K2 (#524) that I built in 1999. I need to push both of those back into service for a month this summer.

Old QRP is the best QRP!

--?
Jeff, KE9V

On Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 6:18 PM, Brian KB9BVN via groups.io <kb9bvn@...> wrote:
I was messing around in the garage last night and found my old SMK-1 transceiver from 2001. So I bought it in to my office and connected a battery, a speaker, antenna, and a key and was pleasantly surprised that it fired up, and was putting out about 300 milliwatts on 7040+/- !

The SST was going on last night so I answered a call from Illinois and worked AD9CA Mike in Newton IL. He heard me. He asked me to repeat my call so I did, and we had an exchange. I got 449 for 300 milliwatts, and he was a solid 579 here.

So that was about 145 miles from the old attic dipole antenna, and I was very happy. See for more details.

Then tonight I pulled my old K1 (Ser #1250) and tuned it up on 40m. My battery must be low because I can only get about 3w out on 7052.5 and the attic dipole. I heard WA9WFV calling CQ from up in Wisconsin so I answered him and we had a great 20 minute QSO. He was at a park with his FT 897 and running 20w with a battery powering the station...but NOT POTA. Mike was just there in a park enjoying the great weather....60 and sunny. While here is was cloudy and 55 with rain on the way.

I built this K1 in May 2002 right after I got home from Dayton with it. It's been a great little radio. Maybe my almost 50 yr old HW-8 will get tried next.

You all have fun at the Hamvention and FDIM next week! I hope to get back there in 2026.

de KB9BVN
Brian Murrey




--
72 de KB9BVN



--
72 de KB9BVN
 

There need to be a special place? in heaven for those QRP'ers who, for whatever reason, must used attic antennas.
Good on you...
?
KI4IO
Jerry
Warrenton, VA
 

开云体育

Jerry,

I got my ticket in 1987...because I was interested in Packet.? Also the same year eldest son joined the Cub Scouts.? Also the same year my wife and I became Cub Scout leaders...in 1991 my son crossed over to the Boy Scouts.? Wife retired from Cub Scouts, and I became a Boy Scout leader.? In the meantime, ham radio had to take a back seat...between raising kids, working, and scout leading there was not much time for radio.? In 1995 first son earned Eagle, in 1999 other son earned Eagle.? (yes I'm bragging) BUT in late 1998 a buddy stopped by, he had just passed his General and was getting into CW with a Ten Tec Scout.? I was still licensed, and I had passed the 5 wpm test back in 1987...the idea of HF CW seemed like a good thing to do...so I bought a Norcal 40A kit, a ZM-2 tuner, and made a antenna of sorts and got on the air.? QRP seemed less expensive, building my own antenna was cheap, so I went that way.? Put the attic dipole up in 1999 after discussing it with my QRP Elmer Mac AF4PS at length.? He had a pretty successful attic dipole so I followed his plans.? Luckily my house is 58 feet wide in the attic.? So my 40m dipole is up there with 4 feet on each end turned 90 degrees.? That crazy antenna helped me WAS in 1999 on the Norcal 40A.? Insert hook in mouth...QRP CW had me.? It's been up there ever since and when I am operating from home it's usually what I use.?? Most of my operating these days is with my KX-2 and doing POTA.?

Now I will say...1999-2002 or so we had some GREAT band conditions.? It helped.? Attic dipole was installed not because of HOA...but Mrs. BVN said NO WAY to an external antenna in her yard.? We've been married for 46 years this month.? I do have 67 confirmed DXCC entities on that antenna...over 26 years.? May never get to 100.

de KB9BVN
Brian
?



On 5/6/2025 9:39 AM, Gerald KI4IO via groups.io wrote:

There need to be a special place? in heaven for those QRP'ers who, for whatever reason, must used attic antennas.
Good on you...
?
KI4IO
Jerry
Warrenton, VA


--
72 de KB9BVN
 

Brian:

Always keep trying. The XYL's antenna restrictions here make an HOA pale by comparison, but my "invisible" EFHW works, but I have dead zones to South America and Japan. I'm reminded of the Japanese QRP-er who used 500 milliwatts to get DXCC. What most people have forgotten, however, it that he was using a dipole draped out of his window on the 66th floor of a high-rise in Tokyo. Still, if you're having fun, who cares?

Jack, W8TEE-

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 12:12:00 PM EDT, Brian KB9BVN via groups.io <kb9bvn@...> wrote:


Jerry,

I got my ticket in 1987...because I was interested in Packet.? Also the same year eldest son joined the Cub Scouts.? Also the same year my wife and I became Cub Scout leaders...in 1991 my son crossed over to the Boy Scouts.? Wife retired from Cub Scouts, and I became a Boy Scout leader.? In the meantime, ham radio had to take a back seat...between raising kids, working, and scout leading there was not much time for radio.? In 1995 first son earned Eagle, in 1999 other son earned Eagle.? (yes I'm bragging) BUT in late 1998 a buddy stopped by, he had just passed his General and was getting into CW with a Ten Tec Scout.? I was still licensed, and I had passed the 5 wpm test back in 1987...the idea of HF CW seemed like a good thing to do...so I bought a Norcal 40A kit, a ZM-2 tuner, and made a antenna of sorts and got on the air.? QRP seemed less expensive, building my own antenna was cheap, so I went that way.? Put the attic dipole up in 1999 after discussing it with my QRP Elmer Mac AF4PS at length.? He had a pretty successful attic dipole so I followed his plans.? Luckily my house is 58 feet wide in the attic.? So my 40m dipole is up there with 4 feet on each end turned 90 degrees.? That crazy antenna helped me WAS in 1999 on the Norcal 40A.? Insert hook in mouth...QRP CW had me.? It's been up there ever since and when I am operating from home it's usually what I use.?? Most of my operating these days is with my KX-2 and doing POTA.?

Now I will say...1999-2002 or so we had some GREAT band conditions.? It helped.? Attic dipole was installed not because of HOA...but Mrs. BVN said NO WAY to an external antenna in her yard.? We've been married for 46 years this month.? I do have 67 confirmed DXCC entities on that antenna...over 26 years.? May never get to 100.

de KB9BVN
Brian
?



On 5/6/2025 9:39 AM, Gerald KI4IO via groups.io wrote:
There need to be a special place? in heaven for those QRP'ers who, for whatever reason, must used attic antennas.
Good on you...
?
KI4IO
Jerry
Warrenton, VA


--
72 de KB9BVN

 
Edited

I guess I was lucky, with my partner that is.
Her rules were easy, nothing that will dim the street lights
and no guy wires.??
?
The first was due to my affection for big iron computers.
The second was for towers (ok, better with morning glories).
?
That and decent yard to grow things and towers.? ;)
?
First radio 6M QRP (4W) SSB, now in the mobile
with a home brew Solidstate brick for 60W.
?
--
Allison
--------------------------
Please, private email goes to bit bucket
 

I sold the K1 and K2 (#568) I built back in the day. I would love to have them back!

Paul K4FB


On Thu, May 8, 2025, 3:50?PM kb1gmx via <kb1gmx=[email protected]> wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

I guess I was lucky, with my partner that is.
Her rules were easy, nothing that will dim the street lights
and no guy wires.??
?
The first was due to my affection for big iron computers.
The second was for towers (ok, better with morning glories).
?
That and decent yard to grow things and towers.? ;)
?
First radio 6M QRP (4W) SSB, now in the mobile
with a home brew Solidstate brick for 60W.
?
--
Allison
--------------------------
Please, private email goes to bit bucket
 

开云体育

Paul,

I hope you can!!? They are treasures!

How are things down your way??

Did you get the Norcal 20 on the air?

de KB9BVN
Brian


On 5/8/2025 6:22 PM, Paul K4FB via groups.io wrote:

I sold the K1 and K2 (#568) I built back in the day. I would love to have them back!

Paul K4FB


On Thu, May 8, 2025, 3:50?PM kb1gmx via <kb1gmx=[email protected]> wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

I guess I was lucky, with my partner that is.
Her rules were easy, nothing that will dim the street lights
and no guy wires.??
?
The first was due to my affection for big iron computers.
The second was for towers (ok, better with morning glories).
?
That and decent yard to grow things and towers.? ;)
?
First radio 6M QRP (4W) SSB, now in the mobile
with a home brew Solidstate brick for 60W.
?
--
Allison
--------------------------
Please, private email goes to bit bucket


--
72 de KB9BVN
 

Hi Brian,
?
I’m not trying to brag but I have a K1, K2/100, KX2, and KX3. If the boss said I can have only one, it’s the K1 without a second thought. If I manage to convince her that “2 is 1 and 1 is none” then it’s the K1 and K2.
?
Not that the KX2 & 3 are not amazing technology, they are, but as a 99.9% CW op who wears headphones 100% of the time, the DSP rigs seem to be more fatiguing to listen to over extended periods of time.
?
But this is one guy’s opinion and it’s worth what you paid for it…lol
?
73 de John K2ZA
 

For a little bit of old-time QRP, you may want to watch the video I did a few?years ago for the Long Island CW Club- Odyssey of the Argonauts-??


On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 6:18?PM Brian KB9BVN via <kb9bvn=[email protected]> wrote:
I was messing around in the garage last night and found my old SMK-1 transceiver from 2001.? So I bought it in to my office and connected a battery, a speaker, antenna, and a key and was pleasantly surprised that it fired up, and was putting out about 300 milliwatts on 7040+/- !

The SST was going on last night so I answered a call from Illinois and worked AD9CA Mike in Newton IL.? He heard me.? He asked me to repeat my call so I did, and we had an exchange.? I got 449 for 300 milliwatts, and he was a solid 579 here.

So that was about 145 miles from the old attic dipole antenna, and I was very happy.? See for more details.

Then tonight I pulled my old K1 (Ser #1250) and tuned it up on 40m.? My battery must be low because I can only get about 3w out on 7052.5 and the attic dipole.? I heard WA9WFV calling CQ from up in Wisconsin so I answered him and we had a great 20 minute QSO.? He was at a park with his FT 897 and running 20w with a battery powering the station...but NOT POTA.? Mike was just there in a park enjoying the great weather....60 and sunny.? While here is was cloudy and 55 with rain on the way.

I built this K1 in? May 2002 right after I got home from Dayton with it.? It's been a great little radio.? Maybe my almost 50 yr old HW-8 will get tried next.

You all have fun at the Hamvention and FDIM next week!? I hope to get back there in 2026.

de KB9BVN
Brian Murrey




--
72 de KB9BVN



--
Anthony Luscre

K8ZT
Ohio Section Section Youth Coordinator & Education Outreach
ARRL - The National Association For Amateur Radio?
?
K8ZT Radio Website-

Amateur Radio Resources for Students/Youth -

1 - 11 of 11