A QRP Technique using the 41 db Attenuator

 Have you ever noticed that when it comes to QRP (or whatever), you turn on the radio, scan the frequencies and if happy with what your hearing, you tune up for the lowest SWR and whatever power output you want (1 watt, 5 watts, 100 watts or whatever) and then you begin tapping out "CQ". Sound familiar? If a station is booming through (599), then naturally you go off frequency, dial the power down, go back on frequency and answer him. 

The problem I found with this procedure is that when he reply's, even at 1 watt he gives you a 559 report. This means that in reality, you you could have gone even lower in your power. 

Well, I got to reading a blog by Bert (PA1B) where he does the opposite. He actually starts out at the lowest power level and then works up.
You can read his blog HERE or his web page HERE

Its interesting because it got me thinking about the way I've been doing things. Yes, I had a 41db attenuator, but was I using it to its full potential? Hmmm.. maybe not.

If you read thru Bert's blog and web page, you'll see how it works, what he does and what he has achieved. So after reading thru his web page and blog, I decided to give his method a go. In other words, start with low power and work up.

Here's what I do now.

I'll power up to 5 watts and tune in with the ATU on whatever frequency. Then using my 41db Attenuator, I'll go down to 250mW and call out "CQ" a few times. If no answer, I'll double my power (3 db) to 500mW and call out "CQ" a few times. If no answer, I'll double my power again (another 3db or 6db in total) and repeat. I'll keep doing this till someone answers. 

Now if I get no response and I'm now at 5 watts, I'll change frequency, for example 10m down to 15m and repeat.

Does it work? Yes ! See my last post with my QRPp contact with Mike (ZL1HJ) down in New Zealand on 500mW and Max (VK2ARZ) with 1 watt in New South Wales. In both occasions, I only called out twice and they both came back straight away. 

Anyway.. something to think about when going QRP.
You never know just how far you can get when you drop your power