11/26/2007 | NX9T After going back and forth about whether to try another QRP effort or return to HP, I elected to return to QRP for the second year in a row. While many of my buddies say I must be nuts, I find it a lot of fun to add a twist to my contesting from time to time. QRP, especially with current conditions as they are, is surely a "twist."

I wanted to better my last years effort of approximately 350 Qs and am pleased to report success. This year, 536 qsos/76 sections/81,472 points. Thankfully, the score is holding up pretty well in the QRP category. For those who have ventured into the world of QRP, you know that every contact is a prize and often much effort is involved. I have an amplifier and often go the high power route...it's a totally different world then commanding a frequency, sitting there for hours on end and running, running, and running. The life of the QRP op is running from frequency to frequency...trying to get a short run here and there before losing the frequency, S/Ping for hours, etc... It's all part of the challenge!

After the contest we traveled to PA to visit relatives...during our visit we ventured over to Gettysburg. An amazing time...and extremely moving when you stop to think about what happened there in those three days (51,000 americans died on the battlefield). Anyway, while there I took some photos two of which I include with this summary. The small handgun represents the QRP operators weapon as he attempts to charge into the madness of the QRO filled bands (represented by multiple cannons!).

Seriously, I had a great time and sincerely appreciate all the encouragement and patience demonstrated by many of the operators who hung in there to work me and other QRP folks. Thank you!!!

73 and Happy Holidays,

jeff -- NX9T