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QRP: More fun than a barrel of microphones
23 September 2013 | by This is an article I wrote for LIMARC here on Long Island, and also posted at my blog Fofio!. Some of it is targeted to beginners in the hobby, so I apologize for the elementary nature of some of it. Many of the kit references can also be found at my list of radio-related kits RadioKitGuide.com
I have been slowly getting into QRP these days (low-power for you beginners). Being an outdoorsy kind of guy, it mixes well with my outings. What has really surprised me lately
though, is how well you can do with some inexpensive equipment, and a simple antenna.
though, is how well you can do with some inexpensive equipment, and a simple antenna.Most of my portable setup is relatively inexpensive. For a radio, I am using a Xiegu X1M. I paid around $300 for the radio, which is shipping in a newer version now (theplatinum model) from Import Communications for $349. The Xiegu is a general coverage receiver (100Khz-30MHz) with the ability to transmit 5 Watts SSB & CW on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10. It will transmit on other bands, but not cleanly without some external low-pass filters. It’s also far from a perfect rig, being in the early stages of development. It seems at times that the early adopters are actually beta-testing this rig
Xiegu X1M – Emtech ZM-2
for the manufacturer. Most of the problems though can be corrected through some self-alignment using the menus, and those that cannot be corrected yet are all related to CW mode, which I am not currently using. Even with the shortcomings though, I have had a lot of fun with this little radio. I’m not here to necessarily recommend this model to everyone, but the tinkerers among us, looking for a TINY rig with these capabilities will enjoy the Xiegu. There are other choices, which I’ll cover later, but first the rest of my setup.
For a tuner, I did a lot of reading and research. I wanted something light, small, inexpensive, and with lots of positive reviews. The Emtech ZM2 fit the bill perfectly. This little tuner seems to be able to quickly tune up anything from my wire-in-the-trees setup, to a 4-drawer file cabinet. It handles up to about 15 Watts, and is available with either SO-239 or BNC connectors, and in kit form ($65), or assembled ($90). Either model also has binding posts for balanced input. Available from http://emtech.steadynet.com/zm2.shtml.
For power, I’m currently running the radio off of the car. I have a nice coiled extension, and I just plug in to the rear 12V jack in our Kia Soul. I am planning on getting something more portable. The radio seems to be sensitive to low-voltage and has issues with anything under about 11.5 volts, so I’ll probably go with a 24V dual-battery setup with a regulator. For now, I’m happy just tailgating.
My antenna is a stiff piece of solid wire, about 7 feet long, which is attached to about 50 feet of stranded 16 gauge wire. I raise the antenna vertically in a tree using the water-bottle-and-cord method. I tie the cord to the water bottle, which is about ⅔ full, and heave it at the top of a sturdy tree, allowing it to fall down the other side, and draw the cord up into the tree. I then pull the cord back until the water bottle is at its highest point, attach the wire, and let gravity raise the wire into the tree. When finished you just untie the cord from the bottle and pull it all back out from the antenna end. I usually have a 10-20 foot counterpoise heading in an opposite direction from the ZM-2 tuner. This setup allowed me to tune up on 10, 15, 20 Meters, as well as 17, and 12, but as I mentioned earlier, the Xiegu needs some extra filtering there.
I have a small straight key, just for tuning up, a small amplified speaker (the volume is a bit weak on the Xiegu for outdoor use), stock microphone, and I usually keep the laptop nearby feeding off the WiFi hotspot on my phone for QRZ lookups, and logging. Most of this fits into a foam lined case that I picked up at a yard sale recently for $1.
How does it perform? This was the way I setup the rig this past Saturday up in back parking lot in West Hills Park, off of Highhold Drive, which is near the highest point on Long Island (Jaynes Hill). The Parking lot sits at about 360 feet above sea level (as determined by an app on my phone, so I wouldn’t use that number for surveying). I worked stations in Denmark, Germany and the UK on 15M, and another Denmark station on 20M. Not bad for 5 Watts.
What options are there in QRP Sideband rigs? Well, for you big spenders, there are the current popular models. The Yaesu FT-817nd, the Elecraft KX3, and the TenTec Argonaut IV. The Yaesu can be had for $650 after rebate right now, which is a pretty good deal. The Elecraft and the TenTec are both around $1000, depending on accessories. The Elecraft is a personal favorite of mine. I hope to own one at some point.
The Xiegu, as I mentioned is currently around $350. There are a couple of new options coming in the next month or two that are similar in size and performance to the Xiegu. TheYouKits TJ-2B MK II is due the end of this month. The MK II is an updated version combining the best bands of the two separate MK I models. The MK II will cover 60, 40, 20, 17, and 15 Meters with 5 Watts, and costs $329 assembled on a special pre-order deal, with a free battery. I’m thinking that I might have waited for one of these if I had known. They usually offer a kit version with all SMD parts finished for $50-$75 less.
LNR Precision, the company that currently owns the excellent Par EndFedZ antenna line, is about to release it’s QRP sideband rig, the LNR-FX4. This rig will transmit on 40, 30, 20, and 17 Meters with 5 Watts. It looks TINY in the photos. LNR says that it will sell for less than $500.
For those of you that like to say “I built this rig, and have the burn scars to prove it!”, there are a few other options as well. Hendricks QRP kits offers the BitX20A, BitX17A, and Survivor 75 Rigs. Hendricks radios are always highly regarded and sell for between $100 and $200 depending on options.
RadioKits.com in the UK offers the MKARS80 SSB Transceiver. This kit is based on the same design that is used in the BITX20 from Hendricks, but modified for 80 meter use. Covers from 3.5 to 3.8 Mhz with about 5 Watts output. Ranging from a basic no-case kit for £55.00 shipped to the USA, to full kit with connectors, knobs, and an undrilled case for £68.50 (Pounds)
CR Kits from China, sells the KN-Q7a for $120 plus shipping ($45 more assembled). 5 Watts output, available in several 40 and 20 meter ranges.
Walford Electronics in the UK, sells several SSB and DSB (SSB compatible) kits in various level of difficulty. I like this guy’s website, as he explains each rig in depth. Check it out!
EA3GCYvfrom Spain sells the ILER line of SSB kits. These rigs have been reviewed well, and are inexpensive, and expandable. Available in a couple of frequency ranges in 40 and 20
meters, they sell for €77.50 (Euros). This might be my next project. Looks fairly simple, thru-hole construction.
There’s also the SDR kits from Tony Parks, although at 1 Watt output, they would be more of a challenge. Tony is selling them assembled too these days (when available) on his website FiveDash.com, as well as a nice little enclosure.
These kits, as well as others can always be found at my Radio Kit Guide directory atRadioKitGuide.com
Enjoy all. 73.
–Neil W2NDG
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