Ape, I must say,for a minute I thought you were serious, then I laughed and laughed and laughed. I sat and thought for a minute, took a look again, and said "Wait is he serious?" I honestly don't know at this time and that's a wonderful thing. Keep it up Ape.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I’m not sure if I am serious or not either 😮

@johnwest7993

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe, there is indeed a very silly side to serious pursuits. Catch 22 described it all too well. The more serious people get, the more silly they get. I strictly follow the FCC regs, but everything else I will take pretty lightly. I find RF to be a fascinating hobby that I put a lot of time into. I build and experiment because I'm very curious about RF. I've built a 30 foot tall LowFER antenna with 2 miles of hand-wound wire in it, yes, 2 miles, and with a 3 foot diameter loading coil with 35 pounds of 8 gauge copper wire wound on it. That's pretty serious, but also quite silly. And I keep in mind that radio is still just a hobby.

Next time we'll talk about Crossfit.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

You must have read my mind 😮

@GSWEAR66

2 ай бұрын

Exactly what I was thinking! And vegan......

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

😳

@houseofhamradio

2 ай бұрын

That is the first thing that crossed my mind too.

@KH6WI

2 ай бұрын

How do you know that someone is a QRP Vegan CrossFitter? They tell you every five minutes

Honestly, I usually run QRP in the field because the radios are tiny and light. It has nothing to do with WANTING to run QRP per se, and has everything to do with not wanting to carry a 100w radio and a big battery around on my back LOL

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I do the same thing sometimes, makes total sense 👍

@bassmanjr100

2 ай бұрын

💯

The first rule of QRP Club is we do not talk about QRP Club!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Right 👍

Been a ham since the early 80's I have found that the antenna makes as much if not more difference than adding watts.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I would totally agree 👍

@ON6KE

2 ай бұрын

So it took you 45 years to figure that out.

@keithhawkins4641

2 ай бұрын

@@ON6KE no just made a comment. figured that out first week!

@ON6KE

2 ай бұрын

@@keithhawkins4641 OK then. Take care.

@chublez

2 ай бұрын

3db is 3db doesn't matter if you get it from the antenna or the radio if you can hear the other side of the conversation. Biggest advantage to antennas is you get that gain on the RX end also, second biggest is they can be cheaper than a radio upgrade and you're gonna need a better antenna eventually either way since you can't radio yer way out of a bad antenna. Still a bit silly to start QRP if yer not up for a challenge.

You know what I do? I jump on a Kiwi SDR that is where I want to make contacts, I start at low power, then if my waterfall trace is blue I bring the power up until it's orange and red.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

That’s a great tip 👍

This video is great, and the only thing I love more is that there are people in the comments who are falling for some of the quips.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching AFR

Very entertaining. Was smiling the entire time.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Awesome David, glad you liked it 👍

Well done Ape. I personally like to oil my insulators and wax my coax for a better IMD and spectral purity. 👍

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Good tip! Thanks for watching Hollywood 👍

@mewintle

2 ай бұрын

Make sure you use gold contacts, Monster cables for your Ethernet and a dedicated power drop from your utility. Optical cables for your external speakers. I assume you’re using a tube-amp.

I enjoy working QRP because it brings *me* enjoyment in the hobby. I'm pragmatical about it. My antenna is a cloud warmer for the most part, my coax probably dissipates 1/2 of my 5 W output, and I'm totally reliant on exceptional ionospheric conditions to get anywhere (the other end having a massive HF beam array to make up for my deficiencies helps also,) but when the stars align - I have a boat load of fun. Oh did I mention I like to run FT8 and occasionally CW - LOL. Thanks for the video.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey MrBTc, I do operate QRP and enjoy it… my thing is that I don’t subscribe to some of the QRP dogma that seems to be floating around. Thanks for the comment 👍

lol. I was rolling. Small battery. Change the scale. Nobody in that part of the country anyway. It’s in the water anyway.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it jwilly, thanks for watching…

After this video I checked my rig and turned ON the "punchy signal" and "clean 5W" options in the menu; I really don't know why the default was OFF, but now life is so much better and I am really enjoying QRP Lifestyle 😁

@TheSmokinApe

27 күн бұрын

Sounds like you are well on your way!

This is great, I had a lot of fun listing on the band with you are podcasting on

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Duane, glad you liked it 👍

Fantastic video, so true. I always enjoy your content!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Keith, glad you liked it 👍

It's the 800 watt guys on FT8 that are annoying. The QRP guys are rock stars.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

💯

@DominicMazoch

2 ай бұрын

800w on FT8 is like duck hunting with patriot missiles!

@davidc5027

2 ай бұрын

800 is QRP compared to my 1.5kw!

@QRPSchool

2 ай бұрын

@@davidc5027Going from 800 watts to 1,500 watts gets you 1/2 of an S-Unit on the receiving end. Because math.

@ON6KE

2 ай бұрын

800W on FT8 is the bare minimum !

The roller coaster of emotions seeing that elusive POTA state activating, then noticing qrp.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Thomas, thanks for watching 👍

Thanks for the detailed information, Ape!

@TheSmokinApe

26 күн бұрын

Thanks for checking it out 👍

Great, now I gotta get my QRP on and learn FT8. Love the grey line interaction.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

lol, thanks for watching Mr K 👍

I'm all of 3 minutes in, but this is funny as hell. Love it!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Glad you like it DS 👍

Entertaining and informative. I like it.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Daniel 👍

There is an important point to share. Radio modes that we listen to with our ears are subject to these logarithmic power changes because our ears are log curve sensors. We can barely hear a 6db change in power. But - for those modes where the listener is a device - all the data modes, television, etc, are linear and far more efficient of bandwidth. That is why a (tr)uSDK system running wspr protocol on a few watts into a loop antenna can be "heard" by another similar machine 11,000 miles away but can't be heard in the next county by a human.

@TheSmokinApe

Ай бұрын

Great point, thank you LGITW 👍

Great video. Anyone can buy an amp with 10BKW and work the world with ease. Where is the fun in that. Just an easy ride. QRP is a skill and more satisfaction when you make that long QSO. Just enjoy the radio with what you have. 73 mate

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Agreed, work with what you have and do what you like 👍

You’re a funny guy!!!!! Love it.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks bduff, glad you liked it 👍

I would like to congratulate you for coming out of the QRP Closet. (Edit: LOL)

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

😮

Thanks for a great chuckle Ape. Once again you make it real. I do both 100W and QRP. Mostly only QRP out in the field. there is a noticeable difference between the two. I can get away with QRP a lot of the times on CW but I know I would get more contacts with 100W. They are both fun and have their place. 73 Bob WV7W

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I agree and I even operate QRP sometimes 😮

Sonnnn 100w is QRP these days ;)

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

lol 🍻

A few moments listening to the IARU beacon project will instantly show you the massive difference between 100, 10, 1 watt and 1/10th of a watt. 73.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Great point Les, thank you 👍

It's more about the antenna than the amount of power. That goes for all of ham radio. Try running a linear when the power has been out for a week or longer. QRP is where it's at!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Exactly, it’s all about the antenna…

@johnwest7993

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe, I used to say that too, but after 1 good sunspot cycle I realized that it was even more about conditions, be it height up the mountain, atmospherics, or sitting out on the plains 9 miles away from the nearest power-line. I remember back in the early 1970's talking to the same group of Aussies and not missing a word, every evening after about 8:00 pm for a month or more on 27 MHz till about 11 pm when they would fade out. I was running a SSB CB putting out 18 Watts from my car in Colorado Springs, Colorado. When conditions are that good you hardly have to turn your radio on to get through.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I totally agree that band conditions, antenna and power all play a role in making contacts 👍

@mewintle

2 ай бұрын

“Nothing goes over my head. My reflexes are too fast”

The antenna is like the shape and position of a light bulb and the transmit power is its brightness. Why do I like QRP? 🤔 I tend to prefer the technical experimentation side of the service over the communication side as a pastime. Cheers. 😁🍻

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

That’s what is awesome about the hobby, something for everyone, thanks for watching 👍

That's what I like, empirical evidence and real world results! People can say what they want but results speak for themselves! Good job Ape!😁😁 73

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Chuck, glad you liked it 👍

Another good one Ape! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 QRP is like all those New Miracle Antennas that get released and bragged about Loud and Proud when the sun spot numbers are high. BUT when the sun spot numbers bottom out, SILENCE! QRP rigs and New Miracle Antennas get mostly shelved or sold and the 100 watt rigs and long term proven design antennas replace them. (my observations since '76) 73 -mike

@TheSmokinApe

Ай бұрын

Hey Mike, thanks for watching 👍

Corollary to shooting RAW in photography. Surely there's an "I run QRP" tee like the "I shoot RAW" tee some photographers wear. Great vid, Ape!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks M J, glad you liked it 👍

voacap seems interesting, when setting my locale way down yonder, 10w on the bands I prefer (40/15) are like watching that last tiny ripple blip on a scope, 100w and it lights up like xmas, thats using prop chart and wheel, not sure how you got your screenies, I'll keep playing and find that part, however, its tell me right now there is no way I should be getting anything on 15, yet I'm hearing Spain and Germany, thats at 0130 utc. its nice but yes some of its results are subjective, espesh with thew qrp v 100w+ ;) Nice tool tho Ape, thanks for making us aware of it.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Ressy, I got my maps with the REL button on the bottom of the screen 👍

What’s the max bandwidth for tx on the 705?

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Ya know, I’ve never checked 😮

I remember using a 25 watt HTX 10 meter rig in 89/90 and I regularly made contacts around the US, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia from Oregon with just a simple homemade compromised dipole. No baluns or tuners. I did what I could afford as a high school student. If I had to have a 100 watt rig, I would have made zero contacts because I would have never been able to afford one. You do with what you got. That’s the real spirit of ham radio.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Work with what you got and and have fun, that’s for watching FW 👍

As a QRP operator I was digging this video. Then I thought to myself I do need a shirt or hat or something to represent my lifestyle. And then you started talking about buying merch etc. I then realized the satire intended and I felt like I was the joke. I am the joke. Thanks Ape, this was a hilarious take. I’m not a regular viewer but I’ll be watching now for sure. Well done.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

👀 Yeah, I was joking a little bit. Thanks for watching 👍

I think you should challenge yourself. My financial situation means that I have to improvise a lot of stuff. As a result I make my own transformers, baluns and antennas. Some people like the challenge of QRP. Others do pota/sota. Keep it fresh, lift each other up and don't be asshats.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Daniel. I do operate QRP and do enjoy doing it, what I don’t do is subscribe to the QRP dogma if it wasn’t obvious 👍

@QRPSchool

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe Can I gingerly ask what the "QRP dogma" is? I'm a big QRP nerd, but I've got three 100 watt HF radios on my desk. - Cliff

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Cliff. First, thanks for watching... I have watched many of your videos and respect the work you do to educate hams. You actually produce content that helps people be better hams vs the countless unboxing / affiliate link stuff that seems to be so popular. I tried to outline the QRP dogma behavior in my video but I'd be happy to expand, please keep in mind that I have three QRP radios on my desk... 1. Why the need to announce that you are operating QRP? I don't say "CQ 50 watts 20 meters 50 watts CQ" when calling? QRP operators are quick to say "it's about the antenna" when asked about why they do QRP. Why don't they announce "Dipole antenna, CQ dipole CQ"? No other group of operators choose to announce power level when calling CQ. It seems that there is some level of importance attached to the fact they are operating QRP... why? 2. Why the confusing rhetoric shifting between power measurement scales? It seems like QRP folks want to take a liner scale used for watts and translate it to db, which makes sense but they leave out the distinction of how exponential graphs work and their purpose. Then they take logarithmic derived values and apply them to a linear s-meter value. I appreciate the effort, but it feels like I am being sold a used car. 3. Why is it when a QRPer has a successful activation it is attributed to; skill, patience and antenna wizardry and when the activation is unsuccessful it's attributed to poor band conditions? Personally, I enjoy operating QRP to verify my operating skill and antenna building understanding. But I have ZERO desire to tell people that I am operating QRP when I do, it would seem that I am asking for a handout that I can later say I earned with expertise. If I choose to operate QRP, why would I want to make that known to the world unless I was looking for some form of validation? You see, I'm not against operating QRP, I just don't want favorable or special consideration for doing so.... I hope I haven't said anything upsetting and again I appreciate all you do to advance the hobby. Ape

@QRPSchool

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe Upsetting? No! I think I agree with everthing you're saying!!! (and thanks for the kind words) I NEVER use /QRP at the end of my call sign. I did many years ago and then I realized that some people are put off by it. If propagation is good between us, the receiving station might not even know I'm running QRP. Of course, a 100 watt (or even 1,500 watt) signal can be weak to the receiving station. When my signal is weak to the receiving station, maybe they'll have the patience to copy me. But, if I tell them I'm QRP up front, some percentage of those operators may be quicker to "turn the big knob" on me. Not pointing fingers... sometimes I don't have the patience to try to dig a weak signal out of the noise either. Fact: the one time I will absolutely "turn the big knob" is when someone with a straight key is sending poorly-spaced code! Life may not be too short for QRP but life is too short for me to sit here and try to figure out if you're sending an "A" or an "E" followed by a "T"! I know some may think I'm being unkind when I say that, but we all learned Morse Code by listening to perfectly formed code... so we are used to that rhythm (dot/dash ratio). Let's just stick with that instead of getting creative with longer than normal dashes, etc. Successful QRP-ing requires favorable band conditions. I don't really buy into the "special skill" thing. When conditions are good, anybody who tries can make some QRP contacts. When conditions aren't good, it's not much fun. Of course, some people have a higher tolerance for frustration than others. I don't really consider it a failure if I don't make many contacts. It was still fun to put the hook in the water and watch the bobber with anticipation. Sometimes the fish aren't biting. As far as antennas, I use a SOTABEAMS linked dipole 90% of the time. If propagation is good, my trusty half-wave dipole is all I need. I built a hex-beam a long time ago (made a video on it). At the end of the video, I tell people that a hex-beam antenna only gets you about an extra 1/2 S-Unit (3dB) over a dipole... so is it really worth dragging all those parts out into the field over a dipole??? (not to me) I'm not a fan of FT8, although it seems to have taken over most HF traffic. Live and let live. But, I have to say that I miss being able to have actual conversations like we used to be able to have regularly when PSK-31 was popular. It was good to type with you. Keep doing your thing! You have a lot of great videos. - Cliff

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Sounds like we are on the same page, thanks for checking out the video Cliff 👍

At my advanced age I like to get out and enjoy the fresh air and hunt pota........carrying my ic705 with it's internal battery (only) and the bare necessities of a 20 meter half wave whip on a wolf river coil tripod base is about all i can manage! After about an hour of having a fantastic time hunting I can pack up and head home before wetting myself. Keeping it light and simple enables me to enjoy the hobby more.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Sounds awesome, thanks for watching NWH 👍

QRP is the Arch Linux of HAM Radio lol I love this video "I Operate QRP btw" should probably be a T-Shirt ;)

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Haha

This is great. Do it again using SSB, AM, FM. And etc.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I’m pretty sure they will be more VOACAP videos 👍

@KA4UPW

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe Love your no nonsense approach and your damn good on man video production techniques. 👏

If you're not causing a brownout when transmitting, you still have watts to spare. 👌

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

lol, right 👍

I'll take every db i can get. Cable, antenna, transmitter. For me its about making the contacts not how challenging it is.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Fair point 👍

I use Bluetooth transmission line, (no loss) feeding a 400 ft rhombic at 1 watt giving me 100w ERP, only when the sunspot number is at 275.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I need some of that BT line 🤔

Honestly, I did a couple spit-takes from this video! Damn funny stuff!

@TheSmokinApe

18 күн бұрын

lol, thanks for checking it out 👍

Hey Ape! You wouldn’t happen to be the station along Grand Ave in Surprise? There is a tower and beam that gives me a serious case of “I want it” every time we come down there from Bullhead City to visit our son. De n7kme (and Pam, Kb7ryb)

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Not me

@n7kme

2 ай бұрын

Well shucky darn. That antenna setup is HUGE

As a newb deciding between a G90 and a FT-891 as my first rig, I appreciate your sobering take. Without much real-estate or budget, I’m leaning towards the G90, just in hopes that it’ll be good enough. Not because it’s “QRP” :)

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

The g90 is a great and fun radio 👍

@DeepBlueWaves

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe thnx for the vote of confidence. Thinking I was wishful not hitting 100W.

@bassmanjr100

2 ай бұрын

I don't think you can go wrong with the G90. Just don't think it will be your last radio. Buy it and have fun. Then save up for a 7300 or similar and keep the G90 for portable. Put the 7300 in the shack.

You're KILLING ME... STOP... 🤣😂🤣... NICE VIDEO.... QRP over and OUT and roger beep....

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching KT0ODW, glad you liked it 👍

This is the qrp ham version of not a Rubicon 😂😂😂😂 someone is engagement farming 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I’m just taking about what I love, and that’s QRP!

@Mo_feezy

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe as a QRPer, I approve of this comment.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

@@Mo_feezy 👍

ROFL 😂 who killed your dog and left a QRP calling card? Very fun video!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching hax, glad you liked it 👍

nice ! when a solar storm hits and band is closed. does not matter if you have 1 watt or a KW. not getting DX. when the bands are super 1 watt seems like a KW . all comes down to the SUN. some times the best antenna not doing DX and times any wire will do DX . for a few days in NY 10/11/12 meters been way down . today really hopping . does not matter if you are QRP or QRO most hams have MFJ stuff ! 73's

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the comment Robert 👍

TX power is only half the equation. A good antenna helps both TX and RX. I was testing my FT8 (hehe) into a dummy load and a nearby ham's rig heard it and automatically spotted me on the Internet. Dummy loads attenuate the signal but do not eliminate it.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Don’t forget solar conditions! Thanks for watching and the comment Mike 👍

Just out of curiosity what is a QPR'er? typo? Good job on this video as always 73.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

A QRPer is someone who operates their radio at low power levels 👍

@johnwest7993

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe, but they asked what a QPR'er was.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Oh, I must have been typing at QRP levels and made a typo 😮

@tomstrum6259

2 ай бұрын

Someone who "Creatively" improves their antenna earth Ground plane resistance.....

@miketaylor6700

2 ай бұрын

Yeah.. and I like calling QC QC.. just to keep people on their toes!

Honestly hilarious 😂 especially the "I have a small battery" declaration !! .....Regardless of power level used, Technically for Identical atmospheric Propagation Conditions, operational mode & equipment capability, 10x Transmitter power increase Tripples range Distance for same Receiving S/N readability.....That seems like a significant performance difference....

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I agree and thanks for the comment Tom 👍

I prefer my 705 over all other radios. Qrp needs patience and propogation condition understanding. My best was a station from Moscow 5 watts and 817nd. Thanks for the video 🎉

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

The 705 is a fantastic radio. Thanks for watching and for the comment 👍

I've operated 5 Watts and less for 30+ years, mainly c.w.. Solar power and battery so minimal power drain. I look at VOACAP. Get on the QRP frequencies for QRP ti QRP contacts. Better to not say QRP on calling CQ because some people are biased and won't answer you. I use resonant dipoles 20m to 10m and a resonant inverted vee for 60m at 5.262 MHz. For other h.f. bands I made a copy of a Joystick with tuner. G4GHB.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Bill, thanks for watching the video 👍

How the hell were you able to make it through the entire video with a straight face? It must have been from exceptional editing... you forgot to include in the QRP mech list... the proverbial illuminated shack sign. "Some of this looks pretty impressive with contacts getting across to Asia and Europe... but they're probably asleep at this time, so it doesn't really count".... LMAO

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

It was hard to no laugh 👍

Was just thinking you let the FTHaters get away scott free and but then as if by magic, you slapped one in there at the end.. Funny as.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Let the ft8ers get away? Not on my watch!

There’s a qrp channel that did the 10 vs 100 watts using a radio connected to a dummy load and the other using the regular antennas, both on the same desk… ignoring noise level, etc… then people pointed that out and he did the same test on a web sdr 250 km away. In his mind he proved that 10w delivers the same signal that 100 does. The worst is that it’s actually a big channel, which influences many new hams.. hindering their experience. You should also do a video about the “Amazon link in the description “ KZreadrs. 73!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey ve2zdx. You simply can believe everything you see on YT. I should do that video 🤔

@bassmanjr100

2 ай бұрын

Do tell. Which video? Don't be shy...

No one with a ham radio lives out there in the middle of nowhere where our propagation is great.. so it doesn’t really matter. Bahahaha

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Right 👍

QRP4L!! Here's your T-shirt design

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Haha! Thanks for the comment 👍

Ape please do one about contesters XD

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Paul, it’s on the list 👍

@bassmanjr100

2 ай бұрын

Don't forget the 200 year old technology CW lovers, Uuugh. Seriously, I'm trying to learn. 😂

You cracked me up Ape! You do it well with a straight face. You should go into politics! 😂 I'm only allowed to do QRP anyway.😊💪

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I should go into politics 🤔

I once told a guy on air that I operate a qrp radio because I only had enough money for a g90. He laughed at me and told me qrp is 5 watts or less and he operates at 3 watts and goes out of state daily....no big deal. 😂

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Whatever you are doing, a QRP guy will say you are wrong.

@bassmanjr100

2 ай бұрын

​​@TheSmokinApe And a non-QRPer will follow him to do the same. 😂 I don't QRP, but I think I've heard 'life is too short for QRP' a hundred times. Usually followed by FT8 isn't ham radio and telling me how CW is the best. Wires X isn't radio or real operators HF DX. All of this junk is too prevalent in thr hobby.

Ape this cracked me up, I have an old ten-tec and old I-com 703 both QRP only radios on my desk and I enjoy Pota hunting and activations with them. My wife sets 2 feet away from me using the FT-DX10 at 100 watts and along with that YL voice of hers she steals my contacts every time, but I do enjoy QRP, and if you cant laugh at this or yourself then to quote one of my favorite youtubers you should go watch a cat video it will make you happy :) also I liked the science behind this very cool keep the videos coming 73 KE8OUO

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Jeff, glad you liked it and thank you for watching 👍

That's funny shit right there Ape!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Brian, glad you liked it 👍

Most of my best qrp contacts were by complete accident because i forgot to turn the power back up 😂

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Haha 😂

I always choose the higher wattage.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

The way the good lord intended!

People who are running 100 watts are just adding QRM which is getting in the way of my QRP QSO's honestly

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Am I falling for the quip?

@AllFouRoux

2 ай бұрын

​@@TheSmokinApein the words of Tom Petty, "Free Fallin'"

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Ah

This is awesome and hilarious! Qrp, CQ!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Jeff, glad you liked it bro 👍

😂 so good... "another myth busted" Gotta love big opinions. No matter which side of the fence you lean towards, it still feels the same when you fall and hit the dirt.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey paaao, thanks for watching 👍

Congratulations, I think you were able to piss off all ham operators in under 10 minutes. Impressive! 😂

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

It was hard work but I got it done 👍

@chublez

2 ай бұрын

Just the sad ones. Most of us know when we're being silly and lean into it.

@bassmanjr100

2 ай бұрын

​@chublez It was a joke. I agree, sad hams have no sense of humor. Fortunately, I rarely meet one. Most hams are pretty nice folks.

Okay, I’ll do the FT891 instead of there G90.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

The g90 is a pretty sweet radio, I really miss the one I sold

"Appeal to authority is a logica lfallacy" - TheSmokinApe Your QRP bias is based on you being a CB guy. I do find 10W on FT8 to be pretty good.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

But FT8 isn’t real ham radio 😮

It’s not the size of the wand it’s the magic of the magician

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

💯

TNX ES 73 DE KM9G/QRP

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

QRP QSL QRP

YOU ARE GUILTY of talking QRP smack and promoting felonous activities and if they are .... Monkey talk.. Tanks for the chuckle. Next up, Baofeng Myths BUSTED? Spurious are not a problem outside of city limits and hey most folks aren't affected... Love it. That should tease some ham cronies. Trash talk aside, I have always enjoyed your videos. Thanks.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks dreupen, glad you liked the videos 👍

If you do this test on Easter Island you will see that there is no difference between 0.1W and 1000W, just water.

@TheSmokinApe

Ай бұрын

LOL

Hilarious !!.. Sooo funny.. thx for the laugh!! I bet you didn’t know I operate QRP QRP k0klb QRP QRP, but I like to keep it a secret.. so, Shhhhh (just like my signal) keep it between us.. lol

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching K0KLB, glad you liked it 👍

Ok.. I’m sitting here laughing and also trying to figure out what the myth is that got busted! Bahahaha

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Mike, when you figure it out can you let me know?

I run whatever power level I want to to have fun. Usually it's low power, as I have fun figuring out how to send info with ever lower power levels. I'm playing with chirp modulation and Meshtastic lately. It works quite well. In the past I played with BPSK, crystal ovens, and very slow bit gathering rates on longwave. It's fun to drive 800 miles while copying your 7 mW beacon all the way, day or night. I also experimented with using clockwise phase rotation for a digital '1' and counter-clockwise for a '0'. I built 4 helical antennas, modified 4 identical old radios, and built the interfaces to make it all work. It didn't work very well. But for me it's a lot more fun than working rare DX, because I had an idea, then I learned how to do it, then I built my gear, then I put it on the air, and it either worked, or I learned why it didn't. It's just a hobby, but that kinda fun is hard to beat.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

That’s awesome, and you are 100% correct it’s got to be fun 👍

Omg I’m dead. This is awesome

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it Matt 👍

As someone new to ham radio (just studying), I am a little confused. Was he making fun of QRP and "anti" QRP, or just QRP? Edit: I miss heard which was 10W and 100W.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I was kinda making fun of QRP

I thought you only had a g90 😮

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I had one but traded to a buddy some time ago...

This is why I love the g90. First cause I can't afford anything better then there's the fact I don't fit in anywhere. No standard 100w so I'm not breaking pileups and too much to call qrp.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

The g90 is a great radio for people to experience HF

Funny! I'm near the Ocean and would be exploiting that as well as the Grey Line Terminator and several other variables, that's what makes QRP interesting. Not awake in Asia? Wake them up.

@TheSmokinApe

6 күн бұрын

lol, thanks for watching Robert 👍

I run my Icom 7100 QRP, which means I have it wide open. At least, that's what the full legal limit guys tell me... :)

@TheSmokinApe

12 күн бұрын

Haha

Now I'm sad because I only have a 20 watt radio. Also I must admit that I guess I kinda fell for the myth myself....

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

You can still have fun with a 20w radio but it’s a shame some channels over sell the QRP lyfe 👍

@eliezercohen2205

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe look i still get ft8 and varac into the usa (according to pskreporter, but have still to make a contact) on 20w and in a compremised antenna deployment (apt. building). hey ape you like ft8 maybe we can try and make a contact sometime?

@eliezercohen2205

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe i still get ft8 and varac into the USA at least according to pskreporter. That is with my g90 and a pretty compromised antenna setup (apt. building stuff).

@bassmanjr100

2 ай бұрын

Keep that G90 and use it portable or mobile. Its a good little radio. Save up for the 100w shack radio. Next thing you know you will be looking for an amp. It never ends.

Is anyone els having progress bars flashing while wathing this or other channels? Some channels are flash and some are not.....?

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

?

@Ezzell_

2 ай бұрын

Like I have a dirty phone screen but I don't. I can go to another channel and all is good. Watching yours tonight the play progress bar and paid promotions warning flashes about twice a second. Driving me ape shot crazy...... .see what I did there...

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

I do see. It should only pop up in the beginning, I’ll go back a double check the settings. Thanks for the heads up 👍

As a dedicated "Hundred Watter", I have to say that with a "tuner", getting your SWR down 1.0.1 is no challenge and alleviates a LOT of frustration. -Especially when you're trying to work HF from an apartment with an antenna mounted to the balcony railing and you're only 2 floors up! KD8EFQ/73.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey KD8EFQ, thanks for watching 👍

FT8 rules the world with QRP as your dirty 100W just fills the ocean.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

lol, thanks for watching Mark 👍

@ON6KE

2 ай бұрын

That's why I with a 100 or 100+W have 300+ DXCC confirmed on HF while you are chasing counties.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Do you have a punchy signal?

The internet spotting network doesn’t help my qrp results at all but I use it anyway since it’s actually another form of radio. 🙄

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Haha

5w are 37 dBm and 100w are 50 dBm, so the difference is 13 dBm, right? Or two Smeter signal bars... it really is a difference but not so much as people think... Unfortunately many hams have antennas that are poor performers, specially on low bands, so they have to rely on power (of others too) Give me a pair of 300 ft towers and I will be QRP for life.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, 13db. Thanks for watching David 👍

Congratulations, you've done it. I'm mad.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

lol, thanks for watching 👍

I prefer WQRP

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

who doesn't?

FT8 isn’t really Amateur Radio… Ah, another ham who really understands. Right-on! In Amateur Radio you’re supposed to actually talk to-or converse with (maybe using Morse Code) the person on the other end. No, it doesn’t count if your computer is making a contact (with the other person’s computer) and you look at the monitor to determine if it was successful. FT8 is to Amateur Radio as batch processing is to computing.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Right! We need to have established rules of what ham radio is and isn't! 🤔

Obviously, a bit of tounge in cheek... Yes, I know that QRP enthusiasts tend to try to justify their existence. So, a lot of this is justified. But, it is actually fun to operate QRP. One difference - I usually DON'T tell people I'm operating QRP, unless they ask. Why tell people? Either they're going to hear you, or they won't.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Hey Ralph, I operate QRP often because it is fun but I do think telling everyone is a little silly 👍

End result is most QRP'ers make the poor sap on the receiving end lean forward, strain, and adjust all their dials to pull out the weak signal. Maybe Hams that receive QRP should get most of the credit. LOL.

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

The guy on the RX side gets the privilege of working a QRPer 👍

@barrybogart5436

2 ай бұрын

They just need a better receiver. Like an Elecraft.

Wait a minute, I do QRP and… 😂😂😂 You never said anything about lowered expectations and higher frustration levels after only two hours on 10 watts during a solar storm while only making 11 contacts?!?😎

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Maybe a part 2 is necessary?

QRP is a burden on the listener, not the sender. If it works thank the listener. In CW the most used programmed message in the keyer is "say again?".

@TheSmokinApe

Ай бұрын

Right, the burden is on the listener and then the QPR'er gets to tell everyone how he made a great contact...

@lifegettingintheway2710

Ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe Can't wait until they discover the roger beep setting.

@TheSmokinApe

Ай бұрын

Haha

🤣🤣🤣 I'm still laughing at this Ape!!! Are you sure you meant to say I have a small " battery " ??? 😂😂 I loved the FT8 remark!!!!

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

Yes, the battery son! Thanks for watching BA, glad you liked it 👍

@bassangler73

2 ай бұрын

@@TheSmokinApe gotta have a small Richard 🤣🤣

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

😮

@miketaylor6700

2 ай бұрын

Bahahaha.. “FT8 isn’t really Ham Radio anyway”. There are guys here in my ham radio group that keep saying stuff like.. I finally made a contact in a new country I’ve been trying for… on FT8. He was asleep and his rig talked to another rig of a guy that was asleep.. yep .. not ham radio. Bahahahaha

@TheSmokinApe

2 ай бұрын

@@miketaylor6700 being honest, I love ft8