Hello, I am a fairly new Ham Radio operator having received my general license in 2011. I enjoy QRP and take my Yaesu FT-817 on the road with me frequently. Using a Miracle Whip tunable antenna, I am able to make contacts in Europe, England, and many states from my hotel room using just 5 watts of RF output. Often I use my Ft-817 as a home base rig as well.

My main base rig is a Kenwood TS 520 that drives a 20 M end fed dipole located in my attic. It produces 100 watts + and still performs very well given it is over 35 years old.

My modest station proves that one does not need much in order to participate in this very fun hobby!!!

Below are a few examples of some interesting contacts I have made, some with just 5 watts of power.

SSB QSO with commercial pilot (*100 watts):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMY_4u3fhnk

SSB QSO with low power down to 2.5 watts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3cp6a0K2ts

SSB QSO with low power 5 watts from hotel room in Bangor, Maine to Czech Republic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Se6euE0o4

SSB QSO with low power 5 watts from St. John American Virgin Islands to Oman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nCjWslMifM