Accidental QRP

I was using my Icom 705 downstairs in the kitchen (my favorite operating position) on FT4 and FT8 on 20 meters today. I made some QSOs but missed others including replies to QSOs in progress.

After futzing with my MP1-C to make sure I had a < 1:1.5 SWR (usually it was undetectable by the 705) and turning it off and on again, I saw something on the screen that was kind of unusual.

If you don’t know, when the icom 705 boots up, it tells you settings that are in effect. Including power output as well as any other weird settings like my 30 minute time-out. I caught the 1watt message out of the corner of my eye. When it finished booting up, I pressed the multi key and saw that it was at 10%! I was on battery but I don’t think that means 10% of 5w. If it does then I’ve been making QSO’s 1,000 miles away on 1/2 a watt! I’m pretty sure it means 1 watt.

Still 1 watt is great mileage! 1,000 miles per watt pretty much is what I got from these QSO’s.

73,
ae0rs

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