EMRFD Message Archive 2838

Message Date From Subject
2838 2009-04-02 13:18:46 Ashhar Farhan end of qrp? really!
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