Minimum QRP: Doing more with under five watt amateur radio

I have just renewed my amateur operators certificate after a 33 year break. I have some experience, but not nearly as much as Peter Parker. Not only does he really understand what he is talking about, he can communicate clearly. I suspect he also has a pretty good grasp on human nature.The book provides a clear overview of the subject. He points us in the right direction. For more details and circuit diagrams you can visit his website or search through his YouTube channel.I'm grateful that he clearly presents some relatively 'low tech' ideas to those of us who like to keep things simple and inexpensive. To me there is great satisfaction in having radio contact using something I've assembled myself that uses very little power. He also deals with more advanced equipment and techniques that I may never get around to experimenting with.Peter is making a huge contribution to the practice of amateur radio. He's a top bloke who can help you make progress. You should check him out. I recommend this book.Best wishes, Stephen Coote. ZL3ABX.

Probably more interesting/useful for people with some amateur radio experience.I did expect to see some circuit diagrams but there are none. That's about the only drawback to this book.

Es un muy buen resumen de la actividad qrp. Equipos antenas, frecuencias y modos. Y la experiencia cía de la operación de varios años.Carlos López Lu1dnh

I need to read it again and take some notes. Many good internet sites to check out on everything from Log of the world to eQSL info. Not an antennas building refrence but an excellent description on the use of a variety of antennas. I have been a QRP operator for 20 years so there was a lot of confirmation of correct operating technique. The author has a definite love of QRP mobile pedestrian operation, something I have not done on HF. Description of radios he likes for QRP, I like the ICOM 703 for the larger display from his Kenwood 817. I have a LIPOFE battery it it is very light so I think the go kit weight of either radio will be the same. Yes, I liked reading it.

I have recently gotten interested in QRP operation and find there definitely are more nuances than with QRO operation. You cannot simply up the power level, there are other things you can do, though. This is where Peter's book really shines. It is so packed with information it is hard to know where to start. I own a Yaesu FT-817ND and with the information from this book, I know I can make better use of my 817. In fact, since reading it I have favoured operating at 5W or less just to see what I can do. This book is an inspiration and an learning experience all in one.

Peter has done a very good job of covering all of the QRP areas of interest. He even touches on some that are rarely discussed (e.g., pedestrian mobile). Having written a bunch of technical books myself, I know how hard it is to discuss technical topics in an interesting fashion. Actually, this is probably what most distinguishes his work from other QRP books: he makes it interesting in a readable way. I also like the fact that he is a die-hard experimenter and has numerous posts on Youtube that are both informative and entertaining and that spills over into this book. For the price of one of those fru-fru coffees you can get hours of reading enjoyment from this book, and learn a thing or two in the process. Good stuff...

I have read this book several times and each time discover something new and interesting. The book is full of interesting and great ideas for me. I am more interested in QRP than operating full power . I find it far more rewarding to build efficient antennas and to make contacts sometimes thousands of miles away and receiving a 57 report. A side benefit is not clogging up the spectrum with unnecessary use of power.

To paraphrase Uncle Ben, "With reduced power comes reduced weight." This is a big deal as a hiker and a mountain biker, and this book got me off to a good start at shedding the QRO pounds and getting down to a trail-friendly HF station. I like how Parker gives an overview of QRP with plenty of examples and inspiration, and leaves it up to the reader on how to find his own QRP path -- which can include hikers, hardware hackers, CW enthusiasts, etc. In this book, there's something for everyone who's got even a passing interest in QRP.

Just like in his YouTube videos, Peter Parker enthuses the reader and encourages participation in this most rewarding hobby, and at minimal cost. There's more than just money saving to this though, as Peter explains, it's all about portability, practicality and the challenge of getting your signal out there through understanding rather than the use of brute force. His solutions tend to be simple and straightforward, often elegant, and always attainable. If you don't mind using stuff other people have thrown away, you can get on the air, legally, decently and effectively, for just about nothing, and enjoy quality DX using lightweight, convenient equipment from the microphone to the home-made antenna. I hope, and expect, to talk with Peter on the air one day soon.

As a new ham radio licence holder this book gives a good guide and help to get into low power transmission. Well recommended.

This book deals with low power amateur radio. This can be very enjoy able and much more rewarding than brute force operation. I bought the book for designs and construction projects. However, I was very disappointed that the book is just a series of product reviews. I would not reccomend it.

Although I use 10w, I consider this to be 'my QRP working'. However; this book is still very useful; for QRP working, general low power working, future reference and reviewing. MM0LBF

A nice concise overview of low power ham radio, with useful advice. Worth the paltry sum asked.Look at it this way, it's cheaper than a pint of beer and I reckon Peter has more than earned it.The emphasis is on DIY and cheap, practical solutions. Ham radio as it used to be but brought up to date.