Will QRP and a whip antenna get to USA?. 3500 miles!

[@DvorTerrier]

That was a very clever move to say "QRP" a few times! You started off stressing "QRP", rather than your call sign. I learned something new today, my friend. Thank you.

[@mk1tina]

Indeed. They only hear bits of callsigns from the mash of stations calling. My experience has shown its important they hear QRP as that makes you different from the other 100 people calling. Most big guns want to know what you are using and congratulate you on getting through, for which I usually compliment them stating it's their station doing all the work and thanks for picking my small station out. 73..

[@DvorTerrier]

@@mk1tina Smart man! "QRP" sounds very familiar/meaningful (as compared to a bunch of prefixes and suffixes); it catches the operator's attention, AND it makes him realize that you are in disadvantage here, not using a KW amplifier; he WANTS to be fair/good, and picks YOU! In turn, you make him feel good by acknowledging the goodness of his heart. Well done indeed. Thank you again and 73! W1NM

[@timg5tm941]

Yep another thumb in the eye for "the bands are dead" merchants. Well done! 73

[@mk1tina]

Absolutely.. it's still good at times

[@andycampbell5416]

Don't you mean 2.5 watts on a 817 on internal battery?? Brilliant stuff mate

[@AlpineWarren]

Well done Mark! 73 de AB6YA!

[@alzeNL]

Thank you so much for this video - I'm just starting out with QRP Mobile operation, and seeing videos like your own really inspires me just keep trying. I went out today (14/9/21) and 20m was packed full of high power stations and couldnt get thru in the time I had. I know I will stick at it and make a contact ! Brilliant video, thanks for sharing and keeping the QRP /M mobile alive ! 73 2E0FWE

[@mk1tina]

Many thanks for your comment. When QRP it's all about timing and as a rule a pile up is not a good place to be QRP. But as you see you can break them with practice. U need to find a that quiet gap, also Tour the band for anyone calling as they will be listening on frequency.. Its an art thats very rewarding. 73

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

Great video that inspires others

[@mk1tina]

Thanks for your kind comment

[@Capt_Duffy]

What an inspiration...

[@richardbailey9372]

Well done

[@rockybicc1323]

Nice work there Mark I just picked up my antenna today and I was Looking around on you tube and found this Video of you 73 from VK3 JJJ

[@mk1tina]

Thanks. Conditions are starting to improve, hope you do well with the new antenna.. 73

[@k2cjbradio]

Excellent! Fun to watch! I have to get back out to operate my 817! 73 de Chris K2CJB

[@mk1tina]

Thanks Chris, appreciate your comment..73

[@MoTown44240]

Mark, I used to talk with UK stations quite often using my Heathkit HW-9 at 3 watts on CW. Conditions have changed just before 2000 and work across the pond is more difficult now. I watched several QRP OP's on youtube using phone mode making contacts across the Atlantic to the US. Even Peter Parker, VK3YE down under on phone. Maybe its time for me to replace my key, temporarily with a mic to try DX contacts. Always enjoy your videos Mark. Best 73 KB8AMZ

[@mk1tina]

Terry that's a tough one because CW is the more effective mode. I find SSB more exciting as we get that human connection through voice. More so with QRP, you usually get the other stations want more than a 59 even in a pile up as you are unusual.

[@M0NXF]

Brilliant Mark well done de 2E0HCM

[@mk1tina]

Thanks for the positive comment.. The band was very good but also very selective with destination. 73

[@DesmondsDonders]

Nice contact on the 817. Must dig mine out and play on it some :-)

[@mk1tina]

Absolutely.. its the only rig i bother with these days

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

The name of the game is patience, too many young ops today have very little. even with higher power (100w etc) they call CQ once!!!!! and leave!. And worse yet they don't use proper phonetics. if any at all. gud rule of thumb be it phone, cw, digi. call CQ three times, give your call three times phonetically. and give enough time for some one to swing a beam 360 deg. (abtfull minute) then call agn, do this three times before you wander away. All too often you are heard and someone swings an antenna and when they get round you are gone!. Patience!!

[@OntheMicwithMike]

That is fantastic, I have the same setup and home at the moment - Ampro 20 with a new 817. That really was a cracking contact to get in the log Mark. Congrats on the setup :) 73' M7MMC

[@mk1tina]

Thanks Mike. It's a good report too during the low solar cycle. Just shows what's out there when the time is right.. 73

[@dmcarpman]

well done and in bad band conditions

[@mk1tina]

Thanks Martin. I admit I was surprised too which is why I choose to challenge myself with QRP.. it took about 6 calls to break the pile up.. complete satisfaction when he heard me !.. Glad I did it.. Thanks for your comment as always..

[@dmcarpman]

it was nice that he made the effort to listen out for qrp stations thats what makes a proper radio operator

[@vk6op648]

lovely work mate

[@mk1tina]

Thanks pal. It made the session interestingly different

[@paul-1963]

Brilliant well done

[@OM0ET]

That was awesome! Congrats to the nice QRP DX contact! 73 de Paul OM0ET

[@r188ops8]

Hi Mark, I’ve been trying for a while to get a QRP contact into the US with my setup (817 + MFJ-1899t and a tape measure as a counterpoise), was about to think it wouldn’t happen........until today, 3293 miles and a 5/6 report back, I was over the moon 😀, who needs 400 watts 😂 ..........Paul

[@mk1tina]

Nice work Paul. Indeed QRP is very rewarding when everything comes together.. keep it up 73

[@r188ops8]

Likewise Mark, I’m just enjoying your videos 👍🏻

[@DAVID.RADIOAMATEUR]

👍 yes you can

[@joewilson2258]

Well done with your qrp and a mobile whip antenna . De kn4kbh Joe in the US .

[@mk1tina]

Thanks for your comment and support Joe, I really appreciate it. I went with QRP on the day because a few dx were very strong. It's much more rewarding to have 2/3 contacts in an hour at 5w compared 10/15 contacts an hour at 30w.. I find big stations are interested in your station with QRP. 73's

[@chris_hayes]

Brilliant!

[@andycampbell5416]

I think max power on internal battery is 2.5 watts on a 817 😀😀😀

[@baker010_]

Was that VK3 or K3. Sounded very much like an Aussie. Running the VK limit of 400 watts too. Maybe an Aussie in the US?

[@mk1tina]

Ozzi on a remote from USA

[@baker010_]

So ok

[@ronangsr]

Wow excellent. What band were you on ? Do you not need a atu with thst antenna? I just got a ft818 and chameleon hybrid with mil whip. I hope it performs good

[@mk1tina]

Hi that's was on 20m using a mono band whip antenna. The antenna has a centre loading coil making it resonant, so no lossy ATU needed.

[@mk1tina]

Btw enjoy your new radio

[@ronangsr]

@@mk1tina oh I see, very good. Your have a good ground with antenna bolted direct to car. Will order this and try it on mag mount. thanks very much

[@ronangsr]

@@mk1tina just had a qso to Virginia from Dublin mountains, 6800 km on just the chameleon hybrid mini and mil whip on mag mount on the roof if car, spectacular on only 5watts, 57 report. I ordered in a speech compressor that should help

[@rodneywhitfield5754]

Good show! 73’s KC5DZH

[@o00scorpion00o]

Great video , very inspiring to say the least, I'd be jumping up and down with excitement ! I'd love to hear more low power stations than the amount of stations pumping 1-2 Kw into a Yagi, it kind of takes the fun out of it but they're only interested in getting call signs in the log. They over drive their amps and have the MIC gain too high and they splatter across half the band interfering with others close by and shouting and roaring at everyone. My Real issue is having a car made of carbon fiber, a BMW i3 electric, no mag mount would work, any ideas ?

[@mk1tina]

That's a hard one.. I had a van with a fibreglass roof and I overcome the problem by lining the inside of the roof with tin foil. It worked a charm, but other than that I can't think of any easier way to create a groundplane..

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@mk1tina I could take the XYL outlander Diesel but paying for Diesel would probably kill me considering how cheap EV is but when she's at work and I'm off shift I only have access to the i3. I guess some kind of radial setup + tripod mount maybe would work ? Or endfed, hy end antennas make great multiband antennas , they're in the Netherlands, they don't need counterpoise and get great reviews, might work better in my case, just find somewhere with trees which won't be hard for me living in the country. These antennas get great reviews. www.hyendcompany.nl/antenna/portable_mini_hyendfed_antenne/product/detail/197/Portable_4_Band_Antenna_Mini_100_Watt

[@madcarew.3256]

did I miss qth? well done 73

[@mk1tina]

He was a VK working remote from stateside

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks very much nice job 73 from kb2uew

[@mk1tina]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your comment. 73