11/25/2009 | KB3KOC Having been bitten by the QRP bug I have worked the last 2 ARRL 10M Contests running QRP. I decided to try my hand at QRP in this year's SS. My goal was to try to make 100 QSOs in 40 sections. I didn't really know how realistic this would be given the fact I had recently moved to a new QTH and have only actively used a 20m dipole from my new place.

What would I do for antennas? The dipole would be used on 20m. I used 18 guage wire a friend had given me and ran a random wire antenna that looked more like a half square into a MFJ 941E. The antenna was installed just as darkness fall in the Maryland\DC area.

The long wire was good for 46 contacts on 40/80 with contacts made mostly in the eastern part of the country. My remaing 54 contacts were made using the 20m dipole.

100 QSOs - 54 sections. I could have kept going but with about 9 hours to go in the contest I need to get to my other things that needed to get done around the house.

I can't wait till next year. But for now I am thinking about the 10M contest in a few weeks.

Thanks for everyone's patience working with my QRP station in the contest. -- KB3KOC