2838	2009-04-02 13:18:46	Ashhar Farhan	end of qrp? really!
Message	Date	From	Subject
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm?list830785 i have heard the local net discuss this, saying the propagation conditions are not going to return back in our lifetimes. is there any truth to this? - farhan
2840	2009-04-02 14:09:42	Corey Minyard	Re: end of qrp? really!
Ashhar Farhan wrote: > http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm?list830785 > > i have heard the local net discuss this, saying the propagation > conditions are not going to return back in our lifetimes. is there any > truth to this? > I don't think that's what the article says. Near the end it says: "Modern technology cannot, however, predict what comes next." I think that's the definitive statement :). And I can do QRP right now. I can easily reach all of the US from Dallas with 5 watts, and with a good antenna (not the one I have installed in my attic) I can get farther. But we may not see much on 10 meters for a while. -corey
2841	2009-04-02 14:14:03	JT Croteau	Re: end of qrp? really!
I still have 30 years left in my ham lifetime (I hope). I'd expect to see some propagation improvements in that time period. :-) QRP will live on. I just bought a bunch of new test equipment to start building again, it better! grin -- JT Croteau, N1ESE
2842	2009-04-02 14:20:53	nv1b_andrew	Re: end of qrp? really!
Propagation or not, QRP won't end. It may not get out as far but the challenge and the fun will still be there. Just more local. That's like people saying CW will die. It's always going to be there.
2845	2009-04-02 20:37:12	Stan	Re: end of qrp? really!
160, 80 and 40 will still be around even at 0 sunspot level. Just change your operating habits. Learn how to put up a 80 meter wire or 40 meter dipole and have fun. 40 meters is open a lot to europe and south america and we have 30 meters which is world wide even at QRP levels. I have worked rare DX expeditions on 30 qrp. Also we have Es propagation. It starts usually in late April and you will see opening on 15 and 10 meters. Watch around noon and again about 7 PM in the evening. cu
2847	2009-04-02 21:46:11	cwfingertalker	Re: end of qrp? really!
End of QRP? I worked a ham 300 miles away on 160 meters at night a week ago. He was running 5 watts. His signal here was perfectly readable and peaked at S9 during the slow rolling QSB. 160, 80 and 40 are very good bands at night under low sun spot numbers. Bill N7EU
2848	2009-04-03 02:02:59	Stewart Bryant	Re: end of qrp? really!
Ashhar Farhan wrote: > http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm?list830785 > > i have heard the local net discuss this, saying the propagation > conditions are not going to return back in our lifetimes. is there any > truth to this? > > - farhan I am deeply suspicious of the publication date. Stewart/G3YSX
2849	2009-04-03 05:37:07	Ashhar Farhan	Re: end of qrp? really!
i am pretty sure about the report. not sure at all about the implications that it has for our work. i have read this from a number of sources that the 11 yearly solar cycle is disrupted this year. for the first time in about 100 years. http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/ the conditions in the tropics (i am in south central part of the indian peninsula) haven't been very spectacular of late. we were expecting to come out of the solar cycle sooner. the propagation in the tropics is probably more effected by solar activities than elsewhere. for instance, the 80 meters which was quite 'dead' here was quite open in sweden last year's winter. in all, i guess you are all right. qrp is a relative thing and will always remain so. bad conditions only mean that we have to sharpen our tools of trade. look for better antennae, cleaner receivers and better modes. - farhan
2867	2009-04-04 09:43:22	Jim Kearman	Re: end of qrp? really!

2872	2009-04-06 07:39:11	Pat Bunn	Re: end of qrp? really!
I just worked WAS from SC