I haven't been able to get on the air much in the last year, but I found a way
around it - a 40m hamstick on the car with my K2 at 10 Watts (I figure it's QRP
with the hamstick's efficiency) to and from work and occasionally in the
evening. Just about everytime I've gotten on the air, I've managed to squeek
out a contact. Sunday night was my first contact - California on 40m! Yesterday
I had a lunchtime contact with Chicago, and after work - another Chicago. Last
night - Missouri. This morning - Minnesota. Just about everyone has given me Q5
copy (I usually report Q3-4 because of engine QRN). Two of them even gave me s7
reports!
This has been a refreshing experience - and a reminder that any antenna is
better than no antenna. Oh, and - for what its worth - my hamstick isn't even
tuned for 1:1 on the low end of the band (it's more like 4:1 - but I let the
KAT2 handle it). So, even after everything that's NOT supposed to help (bad
SWR, short radiator, engine noise, sorta-QRP) ... I'm still getting out and
having a blast.
Sorry - just had to share the renewed enthusiasm for QRP.
Oh - and copying in your head isn't easy while driving - but it gives your
brain a good work out.
73,
Daniel AA0NI/M in OKC
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