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The Q-signal **QRP** signifies a request to reduce power, and in amateur radio, it defines operating with 5 watts or less for CW and 10 watts or less for SSB. This article addresses common inquiries from new hams regarding the practice, its benefits, and implementation methods. It explains how a 5-watt QRP signal, compared to a 100-watt signal, typically results in only a 13dB drop in signal strength, equating to about two S-units, still providing solid copy under most conditions. Hams choose QRP for various reasons, including seeking a greater challenge in DXing or contesting, reducing band interference, or enabling portable field operations with lightweight, battery-efficient equipment. A modern single-band CW transceiver, key, and antenna can fit into a pocket, offering receiver performance comparable to commercial rigs and extended operation on a small battery. This portability facilitates operations in remote locations where higher-power setups are impractical. Operating QRP can involve simply reducing power on an existing commercial HF rig or building a dedicated QRP transceiver from a kit, such as the **Wilderness Radio SST** with its 2-watt output and 15mA receive current draw. While SSB is viable, CW remains the most popular and efficient mode for QRP due to its superior signal-to-noise ratio. The article lists common QRP calling frequencies across 160m through 10m bands for both CW and SSB, and highlights organizations like QRP ARCI and NorCal that support the QRP community.

Windows remote control for Yaesu or Icom. Displays the current transceiver settings frequency, mode, and others on the PC in an old-fashioned way that corresponds to the look of receivers in 70's. DX-Cluster Watch (DCW) is an application that automatically refreshes a web page with the dx-cluster content, parses spot lines from it, keeps a consolidated list and inserts the spots to VLR as frequency markers by OK1FIG

This is the schematic of asolid-state 7 MHz QRP CW transmitter by VU2NAN

21st Century telegraphy paddles, software defined telegraphy paddles by 9A5N. Following global trends in the application of the latest technology, HAM 9a5n has made a significant technological breakthrough in the field of CW paddles

John Lemay’s (G4ZTR) review of the Yaesu FT-847 offers a practical look at this all-mode transceiver, spanning 160m to 70cm, including 4m. While it falls short in dynamic range and sensitivity, its "shack-in-a-box" design shines for VHF DXing and multi-band use. Lemay shares hands-on tweaks, like calibrating 70cm with beacons and integrating footswitches for SSB and CW. The TX Inhibit feature simplifies sequencing with external gear. Despite minor flaws, the FT-847’s versatility and mod-friendly nature make it a solid pick for amateur radio enthusiasts craving flexibility.

DXLog.net Cluster functions as a dedicated client application designed to enhance DXLog.net contest logging operations. It facilitates simultaneous connections to multiple DX cluster nodes, providing a consolidated view of DX spots. The software also supports integration with local CW skimmers, enabling real-time reception of CW signals and their automatic decoding into spots. The utility broadcasts UDP data across the local area network, allowing DXLog.net to receive and process these spots efficiently. A key feature includes CAT control integration, which automatically QSYs connected CW skimmers to the frequency of interest, optimizing spot acquisition. The system also incorporates duplicate spot filtering to reduce redundancy and offers blacklist management for unwanted callsigns or frequencies. Programmable commands and dynamic skimmer bandwidth control further refine its operation, adapting to varying band conditions and contest strategies. Automatic reconnection capabilities ensure continuous operation, maintaining reliable access to DX information crucial for competitive contesting.